Identity area
Reference code
Title
Date(s)
- 1854-1952 (Creation)
Level of description
Extent and medium
35 production units.
Context area
Name of creator
Biographical history
The London Diocesan Penitentiary was formed after a gift of money to the Rev George Nugee in 1853, for the establishment of a house for the "reception and reformation of penitent fallen women". The sum involved was inadequate for the purpose and a public appeal for donations and subscriptions was made. A Council was appointed under the presidency of the Bishop of London on 20 March 1854, and an executive committee was formed.
Temporary accommodation was found at Hampton Court and then at Sunbury in 1855, but by the end of that year the lease had been acquired on Park House, Highgate. This property and adjoining land was subsequently purchased for £11,500 in 1861 and a mortgage raised to meet the cost; much of the adjoining land was later leased or sold for building and the money obtained used to assist paying off the mortgage.
The later history of the institution is uncertain, although in 1900 it was taken over by the Clewer sisters (an Anglican female religious community based in Clewer, Berkshire), and, at an unknown date, it became known as the House of Mercy. It was closed in 1940.
Repository
Archival history
GB 0074 CLC/419 1854-1952 Collection 35 production units. London Diocesan Penitentiary
The London Diocesan Penitentiary was formed after a gift of money to the Rev George Nugee in 1853, for the establishment of a house for the "reception and reformation of penitent fallen women". The sum involved was inadequate for the purpose and a public appeal for donations and subscriptions was made. A Council was appointed under the presidency of the Bishop of London on 20 March 1854, and an executive committee was formed.
Temporary accommodation was found at Hampton Court and then at Sunbury in 1855, but by the end of that year the lease had been acquired on Park House, Highgate. This property and adjoining land was subsequently purchased for £11,500 in 1861 and a mortgage raised to meet the cost; much of the adjoining land was later leased or sold for building and the money obtained used to assist paying off the mortgage.
The later history of the institution is uncertain, although in 1900 it was taken over by the Clewer sisters (an Anglican female religious community based in Clewer, Berkshire), and, at an unknown date, it became known as the House of Mercy. It was closed in 1940.
The archives were deposited with those of Janson Cobb Pearson and Co, who acted as solicitors for the Penitentiary.
Records of the London Diocesan Penitentiary, consisting primarily of title deeds (which date from 1732), but also a council minute book, annual reports and a purchase fund ledger. The title deeds are listed chronologically at the end. These records were catalogued by a member of Guildhall Library staff in 1979.
Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.
Available for general access.
Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.
English
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
At LMA, see also records of the The London Diocesan Council for Penitentiary, Rescue and Preventative Work at A/LWC and ACC/1478.
Berkshire Record Office has some records, including admissions 1898-1940.
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
August to October 2010. Information sources Documents Deeds Title deeds Social problems Criminals Prostitutes Sex distribution Sex Women Organisation and management Administration Church administration Ecclesiastical districts Dioceses Penitentiaries Penal sanctions Administration of justice Crime Religion London Diocesan Penitentiary Diocese of London , Church of England Camden London England UK Western Europe Europe Islington Highgate
Immediate source of acquisition or transfer
The archives were deposited with those of Janson Cobb Pearson and Co, who acted as solicitors for the Penitentiary.
Content and structure area
Scope and content
Records of the London Diocesan Penitentiary, consisting primarily of title deeds (which date from 1732), but also a council minute book, annual reports and a purchase fund ledger. The title deeds are listed chronologically at the end. These records were catalogued by a member of Guildhall Library staff in 1979.
Appraisal, destruction and scheduling
Accruals
System of arrangement
Records arranged by MS number, assigned during cataloguing at the Guildhall Library Manuscripts Section.
Conditions of access and use area
Conditions governing access
Available for general access.
Conditions governing reproduction
Copyright to this collection rests with the depositor.
Language of material
- English
Script of material
- Latin
Language and script notes
English
Physical characteristics and technical requirements
At LMA, see also records of the The London Diocesan Council for Penitentiary, Rescue and Preventative Work at A/LWC and ACC/1478.
Berkshire Record Office has some records, including admissions 1898-1940.
Finding aids
Please see online catalogues at: http://search.lma.gov.uk/opac_lma/index.htm
Allied materials area
Existence and location of originals
Existence and location of copies
Related units of description
Notes area
Alternative identifier(s)
Access points
Place access points
Name access points
Genre access points
Description control area
Description identifier
Institution identifier
Rules and/or conventions used
Compiled in compliance with General International Standard Archival Description, ISAD(G), second edition, 2000; National Council on Archives Rules for the Construction of Personal, Place and Corporate Names, 1997.
Status
Level of detail
Dates of creation revision deletion
Language(s)
- English