Asylum records

[ayse]

I’m looking to find the asylum records for my gg uncle Robert Chapman born 1865, Lambeth, London. I’ve found him in the 1901 and 1911 census’ at City of London Asylum, Stone near Dartford but I’d like more information, if that’s possible. The records are kept at the Metropolitan Archives and searching suggests they are available on Ancestry but I can’t find them.

I’d very much like to know more as my mum told me he was kept in an upstairs room with barred windows in the family home in Balham. She was born in 1922. There could be more info on the 1921 census but it still won’t be the info I’m seeking.

Can anyone give me some help on this please.

Just to say I haven’t done any research for quite a while so I haven’t been here in some time. Here’s hoping, thank you

[webwiz]

https://www.genguide.co.uk/source/lu...sylum-records/ is a useful guide.

[ayse]

Thank you. I’ve found the records n Ancestry now but no joy. I don’t understand how to search in TNA. It’s very complicated. I have found some of the archives but I don’t know how to progress. Any suggestions please?

[vera2013]

The records are not available on TNA. Go into discovery catalogue and enter City of London Lunatic Asylum. The records are at the London Metropolitan Archives. You can now visit the site or use a Researcher the latter at cost

I have managed to get Asylum records in the past. The records were very revealing and I treasure them for the descriptions they gave.

Vera

[teasie]

It looks like he actually went through several asylums before he ended up at Stone.

The record set All UK, Lunacy Patients Admission Registers has three entries for him: 17 Jun 1897 Sussex, 27 Jan 1898 Hanwell & 28 Sep 1898 Bexley.

The index here (middle column) gives three references for him - pages 123, 161 & 172, which are linked below:
Page 123
Page 161
Page 172

I wasn't sure it was him to begin with, but the 1901 census shows him at the London County Asylum (Bexley), and the entry on page 172 shows he was discharged to private class 19 Jan 1905 and removed to Stone Asylum 29 Jun 1906. I don't really know the difference between Bexley and Stone as they seem like the same place to me, but perhaps they were different wings?

I'll try and find more, but the Admission Order on Ancestry dated 27 Jan 1898 confirms he was transferred from Haywards Heath

[teasie]

Not doing very well at finding much more at the moment - others may do better - but the following confirm that Wandsworth were paying for him when he was in the Sussex asylum:
1898 Claim re Sussex Asylum
1898 Claim re Hanwell

ADDED: I'm struggling to find why he was admitted in 1897. There is a brief admission summary for 1898, but it only says that he has varicose veins - so probably not the reason for admission! 1898 Admission Summary (you'll need to rotate the page)

[ayse]

Thank you all for your help. Having squinted at the records, it looks as if a letter (possibly a solicitors) says the debt will be collected on his death. He was so young to have varicose veins in both legs. I’m wondering if he was a Down’s syndrome child with circulatory problems and erratic behaviour. His father John died in 1894 but his mother was still living and Mum always said she was an evil old woman

Anyway, I’ve printed or recorded this information. So thank you again.

[teasie]

One more document for you, which indicates that there was a Removal Order from Steyning (who had adjudged him a lunatic) dated 20 Sept 1897. It goes onto the 2nd page, but there's nothing of particular use/interest: https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61...01&cat=1390391

[teasie]

Ooooh, this looks good: https://www.thekeep.info/collections...1_2_33_1_1_427


Title: St Francis Hospital patient case record: Robert Chapman, 29, No occupation of 3 Gladstone Terrace, Portslade
Date:17 Jun 1897
Description: Chargeable to East Steyning Union; cause of insanity, not known; condition, mania; condition on discharge, transferred to Hanwell Asylum; date of discharge, 28 Jan 1898; next of kin, Emma Chapman, mother
Creator(s): St Francis Hospital, Haywards Heath

Repository: East Sussex Record Office
ESRO reference: HC 33/1/427-428

[teasie]

And this one - his Reception Order: https://www.thekeep.info/collections..._1_2_2_24_8017

Reception document: Robert CHAPMAN
Date:17 Jun 1897
Date of Previous Admission:
Sex: male
Age: 29
Condition as to marriage: single
Condition of life and previous occupation: none
Previous place of abode: 3 Gladstone Terrace, Portslade, near Brighton
County, union or parish to which chargeable: Steyning
Form of mental disorder: mania
Supposed cause of insanity:
Age on first attack: 29
Date of discharge, removal or death: 27 Jan 1898
Condition on discharge or removal; or died: not improved
Observations:
Source of above data: HC 32/8

Creator: St Francis Hospital, Haywards Heath
Related Material: This patient may have an entry in case book HC 33/1 - please see Scanned Images at The Keep

[ayse]

Thank you tease. I’ll have to look into the term mania. Don’t think he was Downs then. This is definitely my gg uncle.