CH/20/44/2

CH/20/44/2

File

Items 2 to 11.The admission of Sarah Parkin to Matrons' College

1844

10 sheet

Items 2 to 11: the first "sub-bundle". 2. Letter to Archdeacon William Macdonald from Sarah Parkin, dated from Launceston, 9 Apr 1844, making application for admittance to "the Widows' College"; "I have one little boy of eleven years, & a younger daughter, who are unprovided for". 3. Letter to Archdeacon William Macdonald from Sarah Parkin, dated from Launceston, 16 Apr 1844: "I hope the Society will allow me something, if only annually a small Donation". 4. Letter to Archdeacon Macdonald from Edward Denison, Bishop of Salisbury, dated from Chesham Place, London, 18 Apr 1844: "I would be quite willing to nominate Mrs Parkin to the Widows College, if she is eligible". "I am sorry to say that I cannot report any improvement in my brother" (Edward Denison's brothers John, George and William were later to be, respectively, Speaker of the House of Commons, Archdeacon of Truro and Governor of New South Wales). 5. Letter to Archdeacon Macdonald from Sarah Parkin, dated from Launceston, 30 Apr 1844: "My circumstances have been needy ever since the painful malady commenced under whch my lamented husband laboured". "I hope to obtain sufficient evidence as to the propriety of my character and my devoted attachment to the Church of England". As a PS: "Miss Jennings kindly informed me that the income in the Matrons College would be about £50 per annum". 6. Certificate from G J Everett, Curate of Everleigh, confirming Sarah Parkin's regular attendance at Everleigh Parish Church during her residence there, except when "nursing a sick husband", Apr 1844. 7. Note from Geo B Gibbons, Curate of Launceston, 7 May 1844 confirming that "Mrs Parkin, widow of the late Rev Parkin, is residing in my parish". "She is a constant attendant in the Services of the Church, of blameless life, and in my opinion every way worthy of any assistance this testimonial my help to procure for her." 8. Copy of the entry in the Register of Baptisms of Newark, Nottinghamshire for Sarah, daughter of Samuel and Mary Fuller, baptised 16 January 1788. 9. Letter from Louisa J Rose dated from Clifton, 13 May 1844, probably to Archdeacon William Macdonald, saying of Sarah Parkin, "I can truly say that I never met with any person who has struggled with greater difficulties & who has met them in a more truly upright, self-denying & Christian manner"; "the Bishop of Salisbury has been a very kind friend to poor Mrs Parkin". 10. Letter to Archdeacon Macdonald from Sarah Parkin, dated from Launceston, 18 May 1844: "I have just heard . . . that you are prepared to receive me as a candidate for admission into the Matron's College"; "I shall be most happy to find an asylum in that establishment"; she asks if the annual income of £50 is "given in advance". 11. Letter to Archdeacon Macdonald from Sarah Parkin, dated from Launceston, 22 May 1844: "I feel greatly indebted to you for the trouble you have taken"; "I . . beg of you to accept of my most sincere thanks"; "I have not yet obtained a home for my little boy, but the Rev J D Glennie . . . is kindly inquiring for me. Should he not meet with one before my removal hence, am I to hope to have him with me until I can arrange for him. I feel fearful if he is left among strangers, that his principles will become contaminated".

English