Genealogy Chat

Does anyone know anything about the 'Stanford House Guardianship Society'?

On the 1901 census their address was 191 Hight Street, Civil Parish of Stoke Newington, Parliamentry Borough of Hackney, London.

The 'head' is Marion Mc Mahon, described as the Lady Superintendant & there are 3 other staff members. There are also about 50 'inmates', all female with ages ranging from 16 to 34.

My interest is in one of the inmates, Emily Cook age 17, father Thomas Cook & mother Martha Whipp.

Thanks for looking.

Can only tell you that on the 1911 census it's called the London Female Guardian Society, at the same address.

At the end of the 1911 census submission in the 'kind of building etc' it says Training Home (26 rooms) Probational Home (6 rooms) 79 people altogether.

Not sure if that helps much!

The females seem to come from all over the country and in the 1911 census the infirmities column is empty (the 1901 had ticks in, but I don't think that relates to the nature of the column?)

Googling the second name, the London Female Guardian Society, comes up with slightly more.
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A twitter comment:

London Female Guardian Society for 'Betrayed and Fallen Young Women' was once based at 191 Stoke Newington High Street.
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It's listed under 'Magdalen Homes'

London Female Guardian Society's Home,
191 High Street, Stoke Newington N16
1888
Rescue and preventive cases; from any part of U.K.; free.

http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/list/MH6.shtml
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I also found this:

Autograph Letter Signed by the Society's secretary W. E. Page to Messrs Coutts & Co, Bankers.

THE LONDON FEMALE GUARDIAN SOCIETY

Published by 2 October , on printed letterhead of the Society, 191, High Street, Stoke Newington, N. (1901)
Used

Quantity Available: 1

From: Richard M. Ford Ltd (London, United Kingdom)

About this Item: 2 October , on printed letterhead of the Society, 191, High Street, Stoke Newington, N., 1901. The society's letterhead has a circular engraving, 1 1/2 inches in diameter, of Jesus and a fallen woman, surrounded by the quotation ':JESUS SAID UNTO HER, NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE: GO, AND SIN NO MORE.' It describes the Society as 'Being "THE LONDON FEMALE PENITENTIARY," founded at Pentonville, 1807, and "THE GUARDIAN SOCIETY," founded 1812, for the RESCUE, RECLAMATION, and PROTECTION of BETRAYED and FALLEN WOMEN from all parts of the United Kingdom, and now united under one management." 1 page, 8vo. Grubby, with staple marks and a closed tear affecting two words of text. Asks the bank to credit the Society's account with Barclay & Co Ltd, 54 Lombard St, to the value of the enclosed order (not present). 'Please note that the Subscription is to be passed in the same manner next January, and in that month annually'

https://www.abebooks.co.uk/book-search/author/the-london-female-guardian-society/
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https://londonadam.travellerspoint.com/31/

(basically a trip through the location)

"189 Stoke Newington High Str

Next door to it, and set back from the road, stands number 191. This building went through several reincarnations: until 1848, it housed an infant orphan asylum; during the 1850s, it became a private home; by 1860, it was a girls’ school; and after reverting to be a residence, it was the London Female Penitentiary (later London Female Guardian Society) from 1884 until WW2 (see: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol8/pp168-171). This organisation worked “… for the rescue, reclamation and protection of betrayed and fallen women” (see: “Do Penance Or Perish: Magdalen Asylums in Ireland” by F Finnegan). "

HAS PHOTO OF THE BUILDING ( modern day)
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" No. 191 housed an infant orphan asylum in 1848, (fn. 23a) reverted to residential use during the 1850s when it was occupied by the rector, (fn. 24a) had become a girls' school by 1860 (fn. 25a) and a private house by 1871, (fn. 26a) and from 1884 until the Second World War housed the London Female Penitentiary. (fn. 27a) )"

https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/middx/vol8/pp168-171

Ancestry's transcription says Emily was 19, but it's definitely 17 on the image:

Emily Cook
in the 1901 England Census
Name: Emily Cook
Age: 19
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882
Relation to Head: Inmate
Gender: Female
Birth Place: London, England
Civil Parish: Stoke Newington
Ecclesiastical parish: St Mary
County/Island: London
Country: England
Street address:
Registration district: Hackney
Sub-registration district: Stoke Newington
ED, institution, or vessel: 05
Neighbors:
Piece: 204
Folio: 118
Page Number: 6
Household schedule number: 18c

Sisters? :

COOK, ADA BEATRICE mms WHIPP
GRO Reference: 1884 J Quarter in ST SAVIOUR SURREY Volume 01D Page 50

COOK, FLORENCE LILIAN mms WHIPP
GRO Reference: 1886 J Quarter in ST SAVIOUR SURREY Volume 01D Page 49


Emily was older than the one in 1901 - though of course the age could be wrong on the census record:

COOKE, EMILY ETTA mms WHIPP
GRO Reference: 1881 D Quarter in SAINT SAVIOURS Volume 01D Page 57

A possible alternative for Emily in 1901 ??

Emily Cook
in the 1901 England Census
Name: Emily Cook
Age: 19
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1882
Relation to Head: Boarder
Gender: Female
Birth Place: London, England
Civil Parish: St Andrew Holborn
Ecclesiastical parish: St George the Martyr
County/Island: London
Country: England
Registration district: Holborn
Sub-registration district: Holborn
ED, institution, or vessel: 03
Neighbors:
Piece: 245
Folio: 105
Page Number: 65
Household schedule number: 540
Household Members:
Name Age
Esther Lockley 30 - wife, charwoman
Annie McMahon 36 - boarder, charwoman
Emily Cook 19 - tailoress

Those births I posted - is that the right family ??

If so, father seems to be Edward, not Thomas:


Ada B Cook
in the 1891 England Census
Name: Ada B Cook
Gender: Female
Age: 7
Relationship: Daughter
Birth Year: 1884
Father: Edward Cook
Mother: Martha Cook
Birth Place: Southwark, London, England
Civil Parish: London City
Residence Place: London City, London City, London, England
Sub registration district: Trinity Newington
ED, Institution or Vessel: 7
Neighbors:
Piece: 352
Folio: 12
Household Members:
Name Age
Edward Cook 34
Martha Cook 35
Edward L Cook 11
Emily G Cook 9 - [ Emily E on image ]
Ada B Cook 7
Florence Cook 5
Wilson Cook 2
William Cogens 34 - boarder


Ada Beatrice Cook
in the London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932
Name: Ada Beatrice Cook
Gender: Female
Marriage Age: 26
Record Type: Marriage
Birth Date: abt 1884
Marriage Date: 25 Dec 1910
Marriage Place: St Mary, Lewisham, Lewisham, England
Father: Edward Cook <<<<<<<<<<<
Spouse: Harry William Ruth
Register Type: Parish Register

Thomas was Edward's father:

Edward Cook
in the London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932
Name: Edward Cook
Gender: Male
Marriage Age: 22
Record Type: Marriage
Birth Date: abt 1856
Marriage Date: 4 Aug 1878
Marriage Place: St Andrew, Stockwell Green, Lambeth, England
Father: Thomas Cook
Spouse: Martha Whipp
Register Type: Parish Register

Emily Etta Cook
in the London, England, Church of England Marriages and Banns, 1754-1932
Name: Emily Etta Cook
Gender: Female
Marriage Age: 22
Record Type: Marriage
Birth Date: abt 1883
Marriage Date: 29 Apr 1905
Marriage Place: St Paul, Lorrimore Square, Southwark, England
Father: Edward Cook
Spouse: George Alfred Gull
Register Type: Parish Register


Emily Gull
in the 1911 England Census
Name: Emily Gull
Age in 1911: 30
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1881
Relation to Head: Wife
Gender: Female
Birth Place: London, United Kingdom
Civil Parish: Lewisham
County/Island: London
Country: England
Street address: Carn Brae, Ravensbourne Park, Catford SE
Marital Status: Married
Years Married: 6
Estimated Marriage Year: 1905
Registration district: Lewisham
Registration District Number: 29
Sub-registration district: Lewisham
ED, institution, or vessel: 43
Piece: 2792
Household Members:
Name Age
George Gull 30
Emily Gull 30
Hilda Gull 7 - illegitimate daughter, Walworth <<<<<<<<
Irene Gull 3 - daughter, Kent
Stanley Gull 1 - son, Kent


George and Emily had had 3 children by 1911, of whom one had died.


Emily E Gull
in the 1939 England and Wales Register
Name: Emily E Gull
Gender: Female
Marital Status: Married
Birth Date: 20 Sep 1881
Residence Year: 1939
Address: 2b
Residence Place: Bromley, Kent, England
Occupation: Unpaid Domestic Duties
Schedule Number: 180
Sub Schedule Number: 2
Enumeration District: CJNI
Registration district: 42.2.
Inferred Spouse: George A Gull
Inferred Children: Irene V Gull
Stanley G Gull
Household Members:
Name
George A Gull
Emily E Gull
Irene V Gull
Stanley G Gull


Emily E Gull
in the England & Wales, Civil Registration Death Index, 1916-2007
Name: Emily E Gull
Death Age: 81
Birth Date: abt 1881
Registration Date: Dec 1962
Registration district: Hailsham
Inferred County: Sussex
Volume: 5h
Page: 310


Hilda's birth:

GULL, HILDA GLADYS mms COOK
GRO Reference: 1904 M Quarter in SOUTHWARK Volume 01D Page 132

Thank you to the 2 members who replied to my post & all the information you both supplied.

Although I don't know for sure if this is 'my' Emily, the info about The London Female Guardian Society/Penetentiary is an intersting read.

Thank you Kucinta for the virtual trip to Stoke Newington. I love London, I was born & raised in the Enfield area of North London back in the 50s/60s.

ArgyllGran, to answer your questions regarding Ada Beatrice & Florence Lillian, yes they were Emily's sisters so you did have the right family.
I've collected all of the records available on Ancestry for the whole family but thanks for your input. It was just that 1901 census I was unsure about.

Thanks for pointing out that Hilda was illegitimate as I never even noticed when reading through my 1911 census copy.

Now, here's an idea maybe this is 'my' Emily. If she spent time in this institution for fallen women, perhaps it was because she got herself in 'trouble' As you found out, a year after Hilda was born Emily married George Gull who was a police constable at the time. Could they have met due to her circumstances?
Stranger things have happened.
I might order Hilda's birth cert to see who is recorded as her father.

Oh & it was my mistake re: Emily's father. It was Edward not Thomas.

Thanks again

Under the Magdalen Homes it says the remit "Rescue and preventive cases; from any part of U.K.; free", so she may not have been in 'trouble' at the time, but seen to be vulnerable to be so.

The birth of Hilda perhaps bears that out. As Argyllgran shows earlier, she was registered under Gull, MMN Cook, so George does seem to have been in the picture then....

GULL, HILDA GLADYS COOK
GRO Reference: 1904 M Quarter in SOUTHWARK Volume 01D Page 132

I'll send you a news clipping I've found about a 19yr old girl named Emily Cook. I don't know if it is her, as the name is common, but it might explain why she was seen to be vulnerable.

Hendon & Finchley Times 09 November 1900

Ahh, I read Hilda's info wrong in ArgyllGran's post.
I've just checked my 1911 census copy & Hilda's surname is recorded as 'Cook' by George himself.

It might be interesting to see what happened to the other girl in that newspaper report. Was she also sent to the same home, another place, or left at home with her parents??

The other girl was Beatrice Barnes age 14. She doesn't appear on the same 1901 census as Emily does.

??? Are Beatrice's parents named in the clipping?

EDIT: Have now found and read it - no they're not.

Beatrice Barnes
in the 1901 England Census
Name: Beatrice Barnes
Age: 16
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1885
Relation to Head: Daughter
Gender: Female
Father: Albert Barnes
Mother: Maud J Barnes
Birth Place: Lambeth, London, England
Civil Parish: Clapham
Ecclesiastical parish: St John
County/Island: London
Country: England
Registration district: Wandsworth
Sub-registration district: Clapham
ED, institution, or vessel: 17
Neighbors:
Piece: 463
Folio: 106
Page Number: 16
Household schedule number: 99
Household Members:
Name Age
Albert Barnes 48
Maud J Barnes 48
Albert Barnes 14
Fredrick Barnes 12
Beatrice Barnes 16
Robert Shedmore 48



OR else, maybe this girl:

Beatrice Barnes
in the 1901 England Census
Name: Beatrice Barnes
Age: 16
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1885
Relation to Head: Servant
Gender: Female
Birth Place: Chiswick, London, England
Civil Parish: Tenterden
Ecclesiastical parish: St Mildreds
County/Island: Kent
Country: England
Street address:
Registration district: Tenterden
Sub-registration district: Tenterden
ED, institution, or vessel: 16
Neighbors:
Piece: 779
Folio: 24
Page Number: 7
Household schedule number: 42
Household Members:
Name Age
George Small 58 - milk vendor, widower
Beatrice Barnes 16

William Booth and family in 1901:

William Booth
in the 1901 England Census
Name: William Booth
Age: 36
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1865
Relation to Head: Head
Gender: Male
Spouse: Catherine Booth
Birth Place: Tunstall, Staffordshire, England
Civil Parish: Hendon
Ecclesiastical parish: Hendon St Mary
Town: Hendon
County/Island: Middlesex
Country: England
Street address: 3 Trelawn Terrace.
Occupation:
Registration district: Hendon
Sub-registration district: Hendon
ED, institution, or vessel: 04
Neighbors:
Piece: 1227
Folio: 77
Page Number: 12
Household schedule number: 50
Household Members:
Name Age
William Booth 36 - public works watchman
Catherine Booth 36
Ethel Booth 11


There don't seem to be any Barneses living nearby - maybe they moved after the incident.

AG ..... I did a quick search last night, but a) I don't know London so the area cited in that article meant nothing to me to help with finding Beatrice, and b) Beatrice Barnes is quite a common name, and c) it was late!!

I didn't think to look for William Booth!