| Description | Mary Elizabeth Read, a 75 year old widow, requests to be admitted to the Hospital. She was born on 6 April 1772. Her parents were Esther and John Augustin Godefroy. The latter was originally from Bolbec, he came to England to avoid religious persecution and was a member of the French Church in St John, Bethnal Green. He was also a recipient of the Royal Bounty. Mary Elizabeth used to be a silkweaver and, whilst her husband was still alive, kept a shop. The petitioner mentions that her husband had left her destitute but no further details are given. She now suffers from age-related conditions so is unable to work. The petition bears Mary Elizabeth Read's mark and is signed by James De La Mare.
A note at the back lists the documents that had originally been presented with the petition: Jean Godefroy's extract from the Register of Baptisms (the petitioner's father or grandfather), Esther Morrisons' extract from the Register of Baptisms (petitioner's mother), Mary Elizabeth Read's extract from the Register of Baptisms, her marriage certificate and her husband's burial certificate.
Petition n. 1268. |