Record Number: 23118

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Reading Experience:

Evidence:

Journal of Miss Fraser, Newgate prison visitor, dated 29 Nov 1834: 'I spent an interesting time in Newgate, Mrs Fry and I went there together for several hours. She went with me to the cells and read to the men just sentenced to death. Amongst them, there were two brothers, convicted, I believe, for housebreaking. The youngest was drawn into the commission of the crime by the elder brother. James, the youngest, could not read; he was married to a very pleasing looking young woman, and had two children. I recollect Mrs Fry told the poor men who could not read that if they would try to learn while they were in Newgate, she would give those who succeeded, each a Bible. James took very great pains, and before he left the prison to be transported he could read tolerably. On the 7th of January following, Mrs Fry again went with me to the cells. James then read the 7th chapter of St Matthew's gospel, and received his Bible. He became a valuable servant to the gentleman to whom he was assigned in New South Wales'

Century:

1800-1849

Date:

29 Nov 1834

Country:

England

Time

daytime

Place:

city: London
specific address: Newgate Gaol
other location: prison

Type of Experience
(Reader):
 

silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown

Type of Experience
(Listener):
 

passive reactive unknown
single serial unknown

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Reader / Listener / Reading Group:

Reader:

Elizabeth Fry

Age:

Adult (18-100+)

Gender:

Female

Date of Birth:

21 May 1780

Socio-Economic Group:

Professional / academic / merchant / farmer

Occupation:

wife of merchant

Religion:

Quaker

Country of Origin:

England

Country of Experience:

England

Listeners present if any:
e.g family, servants, friends

male prisoners in Newgate, those sentenced to death, Miss Fraser (lady prison visitor)

Additional Comments:

nee Gurney

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Text Being Read:

Author:

[n/a]

Title:

Bible

Genre:

Bible

Form of Text:

Print: Book

Publication Details

n/a

Provenance

owned

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Source Information:

Record ID:

23118

Source:

Print

Author:

Elizabeth Fry

Editor:

Katharine Fry

Title:

Memoir of Elizabeth Fry, with extracts from her Journal and letters, edited by two of her daughters

Place of Publication:

London

Date of Publication:

1847

Vol:

2

Page:

199

Additional Comments:

n/a

Citation:

Elizabeth Fry, Katharine Fry (ed.), Memoir of Elizabeth Fry, with extracts from her Journal and letters, edited by two of her daughters, (London, 1847), 2, p. 199, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=23118, accessed: 21 December 2024

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Additional Comments:

None