AFRICA THROUGH WESTERN EYES
Part 5: Papers of Frederick William Hugh Migeod and Mary Ward from the Royal Commonwealth Society Library at Cambridge University Library
Catalogue of the Mary Alexandria Ward (1866-1965) Papers
RCMS 134 Ward, Mary Alexandria, 1866-1965, nurse
Mary Alexandria Ward (1866-1965) was born at Brentwood, Essex, on 13 July 1866. She trained as a nurse at Tottenham Hospital before joining the staff of the Princess Christian Hospital in Sierra Leone, where she worked until 1897. She was in government service in Nigeria, 1899-1917, during which time she took charge of the base hospital at Cape Coast during the Ashanti Campaign of 1900. From 1917 until her retirement in 1930 she was Honorary Matron of the Princess Christian Hospital. Mary Ward died on 8 September 1965.
Mary Ward collection
Letters, reminiscences, printed items, photographs and medals relating to Mary Ward. The collection also includes material concerning Ward's brother Leonard, the Cossey, Voysey and Sargent families and Bishop Walmsley.
1840-1987
(Former reference: MSS 43)
3 boxes + 1 envelope
card/metal/paper/photograph
In English
Mixed
Presented by Dr Rachel Elliott, 1985-1986.
Indexed.
There is a detailed catalogue entry in MSS Addenda, vol. I, including a listing of each piece of correspondence. The photographs, RCMS 134/6, are described in the Photograph catalogue at Y3043KK.
'Sister Ward of West Africa' in 'Royal Commonwealth Society library notes', no. 273 (1986), pp. 1-5, describes Mary Ward's career and gives an outline list of this collection.
This collection level description was created by RAS using information from the original typescript catalogue.
RCMS 134/1 Biographical material
Notes by Dr R.A. Elliott and others on Mary Ward and her family and friends, including material on Ruth Ward and the Ward and Dawson families; articles on Tottenham Hospital and a 16 page undated booklet of illustrations of the hospital from c. 1920s; extracts from 'The Daily Chronicle' and 'The Morning Post', 1900-1901; an extract from a despatch of Col. Sir James Willcocks, 25 December 1900, commending Matron A. Ward and Nursing Sister K. Nevill; an entry on Mary Ward from Burke's 'The order of the British Empire' (1921); an extract from 'Letters from the Gold Coast' by Princess Marie Louise, 1926; 'The Colonial Nursing Association', an article by Mabel W. Piggott; a tribute to Mary Ward from 'West Africa', January 1931; an obituary of Ward from 'West Africa', 30 October 1965; photocopies from published works; a map of Nigeria; 'The men who died at Lokoja', pp. 99-110 from an unknown work; a programme for a Church service for Cecil and Olive Horstead, 24 June 1986.
1900-1986
1 folder
paper
Mixed
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/2 Correspondence
Letters, cards and telegrams to, from, or concerning Mary Ward and her family.
1840-1965
6 folders
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/2/1 Letters from Mary Ward
Fifty-four letters sent mainly to Ward's sister, Florence Anne, but also including some to her friend Leonora, who shared a home with Florence. Later letters include Getrude (daughter of Mary and Florence's brother Leonard), who joined Florence and Leonara. The letters have annotations made by Mary Ward after the correspondence was returned to her in 1955, following Florence's death. Other recipients include Leonard and Mary Ward's friend Adelaide Cossey. Some of the letters are incomplete, and these were probably sent to Florence. Nos 4-10 and 40-52 were sent from Sierra Leone; nos 21-26 from Zungeru; nos 30-38 from Lokoja.
1892-1954
1 folder
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/2/2 Letters from Sister Christian
Elizabeth Christian Dundas (b. 1841), the daughter of George Dundas, Lord Manour, Judge of Court of Sessions, trained in nursing at Kaiserwerth. She joined the staff of Tottenham Hospital in 1872, and became Lady Superintendent in 1873, holding the post until 1898, when she apparently switched to parochial work.
Nine letters to Mary Ward, mainly concerning her work.
16 May 1890-14 Jan. 1918
1 folder
Manuscript
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/2/3 Letters from her family
Fourteen letters to Mary Ward, including family news and comments on the Second World War. Most of the letters are from 1914-1922. There is one letter of 1946, and another of 1955.
1914-1955
1 folder
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/2/4 Other letters to Mary Ward
Forty-nine letters and four cards regarding her work, congratulations on the award of the Royal Red Cross, the enclosure of gifts and other matters.
1895-1965
1 folder
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/2/5 Letters to Dr R.A. Elliott
Eight letters from various individuals relating to Mary Ward's last illness and death. Nos 3-7 are tributes to Ward.
3 Sep. 1965-17 Sep. 1965
1 folder
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/2/6 Letters of the Dawson and Ward families
Mary Ward's grandparents were William and Anne Dawson. Their children included Selina, who went to South Africa, and Charles, who went to Ceylon with his wife Susanna as a Baptist missionary printer and evangelist in 1840, and died in 1851. Two other daughters, Maria and Albina Branch Clara (d. 1878), were successive wives of John Mosebury Ward (1818-1874), son of J.R. and Charlotte Ward. By his first marriage Ward had a daughter, Jenny. His marriage to Albina produced Leonard, Florence, George, (Sister) Mary and another son, who emigrated to America. J.M. Ward's sisters included Mary (letters 18 and 19). Four of his brothers, Samuel, George, Ebeneezer and Henry Stace, emigrated to Australia (letter 10).
Twenty-two letters relating to members of the Dawson and Ward families. These letters were not sent or received by Mary Ward.
25 May 1840-26 Oct. 1884
1 folder
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/3 Diaries
Mary Ward's diaries for the years 1945, 1947, 1948, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1957, 1961 and 1964.
1945-1964
10 volumes
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/4 Medals
Medals awarded to Mary Ward and related papers.
1883-1967
1 box + 1 folder
card/metal/paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/1 Royal Red Cross
1883-1897
2 pages + 1 badge
metal/paper
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/1/1 Royal Red Cross badge
1883
1 badge
metal
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/1/2 Rules for the Royal Red Cross
11 Dec. 1897
2 pages
paper
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/2 Colonal Nursing Association
The badge awarded to Mary Ward.
1899
1 badge
metal
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/3 Ashanti Campaign
The medal awarded to Mary Ward.
1900
1 medal
metal
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/4 Serving Sister of the Order of St John
The medal awarded to Mary Ward, her certificate and related correspondence.
1917-1931
5 pages, 1 card + 1 medal
card/metal/paper
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/4/1 Medal of the Order of St John
1917
1 medal
metal
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/4/2 Certificate
20 Apr. 1917
1 page
paper
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/4/3 Correspondence
Four letters regarding Mary Ward's nomination and acceptance to the Order of St John, with an invitation to a garden party of the Order at St James Palace on 25 June 1931.
1917-1931
4 pages + 1 card
card/paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/5 M.B.E.
The medal and warrant awarded to Mary Ward and related correspondence.
1920-1967
5 pages + 1 medal
metal/paper
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/5/1 M.B.E. medal
1920
1 medal
metal
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/5/2 M.B.E. warrant
The warrant is signed by King George V and Edward, Prince of Wales.
1 Jan. 1920
2 pages
paper
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/4/5/3 Correspondence
Letters regarding Mary Ward's nomination and election as an M.B.E., with a letter from the Central Chancery of the Orders of Knighthood to Dr Elliott acknowledging her notification of Mary Ward's death.
30 Jan. 1920-24 Apr. 1967
3 pages
paper
Typewritten
RAS.
RCMS 134/5 Newsletters and reports
Published material from Ghana and Sierra Leone.
1894-1962
2 envelopes
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/5/1 Reports of the Princess Christian Cottage Hospital, Sierra Leone
Annual reports for 1894-1895 and 1895-1986
1894-1896
2 pamphlets
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/5/2 Achimota newsletters
Printed newsletters of the Prince of Wales College, Achimota, Accra, nos 7-90. The series is incomplete and some of the pages are missing. Including duplicates, there are around 115 newsletters in total. They are accompanied by 5 pages of manuscript notes.
Apr. 1925-Apr. 1935
1 envelopes
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/5/3 Sierra Leone messenger
Newsletters, some incomplete, beginning with no. 2 and ending with no. 273. There are a number of duplicates.
Apr. 1893-Oct. 1962
20 pamphlets
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/6 Photographs
Photographs of Mary Ward at different stages of her life, and of her parents, friends and people she was associated with through her work. The collection includes photographs of Sister Adelaide (see RCMS 134/10), Bishop Walmsley (see RCMS 134/12) and Mary Ruth, who received her early training from Mary Ward. There are also thirteen views of Lokoja, c. 1916, and from the Princess Christian Hospital. Some of the photographs have been mounted; others have been stored in plastic sleeves.
circa 1875-circa 1965
1 envelope (38 photographs)
photograph
RAS.
RCMS 134/7 Reminiscences
Diary extracts, accounts and reminiscences.
1896-circa 1964
1 folder
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/1 Diary extracts, 1895-1896
A diary of events beginning 9 December 1895, describing the arrival of Prince Christian Victor and his visit to the Princess Christian Hospital, lunch on the Coromandel with Prince Harry of Battenberg (16 December), his death and the arrival of his body, and Canon Taylor Smith's arrival from the war zone (13 January). The diary is written on pages from a duplicate book numbered 20-26, and was presumably written up from rougher diary notes. It was sent to England in February 1896.
1896
7 pages
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/2 Diary extracts, 1898
A diary describing Mary Ward's return to Sierra Leone on H.M.S. 'Biafra', May 1898, and the impact of the Hut Tax rising, including the murder of the Revd J. Hughes and the Revd W.J. Humphrey, and the removal of P.C.C.H. patients and staff to Annie Walsh School. The diary is written on pages from a duplicate book numbered 29-32 and 34, which were sent to England for circulation, 9 May 1898.
1898
5 pages
Manuscript
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/3 Diary extracts, 1899
The diary of a journey from Forcados to Aboutchi, 15-18 May 1899, written on pages from a duplicate book numbered 35 and 36.
1899
2 pages
Manuscript
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/4 Our first journey to Nigeria
A description of a journey from Liverpool to Nigeria in 1899, ending with the arrival at Lokoja. This is an undated copy made by Dr Elliott from a written account by Mary Ward.
4 pages
Manuscript
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/5 Early travelling in Nigeria
An undated typescript description of a journey up the Niger March, 1906, 6 pages. Ward visited Forcados, Borutu, Lokoja, Wechisu and Barajuka before travelling by train to Zungeru and continuing her journey by rail. There is also a two-page manuscript fragment containing an account of part of this journey.
8 pages
Mixed
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/6 Grand tour
A description of a ten day 'Grand Tour' to Kano, August-September 1913. Ward describes how 'I was to have had a change to Kaduna to open a new hospital there but owing to illness I was unable to go and the medical officer arranged this trip for me instead'. She travelled in the company of Mr and Mrs Goldsmith through Zungeru, Minna, Kaduna, Zaria and Kano (pp. 2-8), Zaria (pp. 8-11) and from Minna to Zungeru. The account includes comments on the position of Islam, mission work and the educational activities of Hanns Vischer.
11 Nov. 1913
11 pages
Typewritten
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/7 Sierra Leone messenger, no. 124
The journal includes personal reminiscences of Bishop Walmsley and an account by Ward of the visit of the Prince of Wales to the Princess Christian Mission Hospital.
July 1925
1 journal
Printed
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/7/8 Mary Ward's reminiscences
A transcript of tapes recorded by Mary Ward at the age of about 98. The writing is in several hands. There are a few gaps, but for the most part the text is continous. The subject matter is varied and in no apparent order.
circa 1964
49 pages
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/8 General papers
Papers relating to official events and bodies, a photograph of the Revd T.C. John and a volume of poetry.
1921-1963
1 envelope
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/1 Nigerian Dinner Club annual dinner
The menu for the dinner, presumably held in London on 15 June 1921.
1921
1 pamphlet
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2 Visit of the Prince of Wales
Memoranda, invitations and tickets relating to the Prince of Wales' visit to Sierra Leone, 6-7 April 1925.
1925
6 cards, 1 page + 1 pamphlet
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/1 Programme
Memorandum of the programme of the visit.
1925
1 pamphlet
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/2 Memorandum enclosing ticket
A letter to Mary Ward enclosing a ticket for the landing of the Prince of Wales
27 Mar. 1925
1 page
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/3 Landing ticket
A ticket for the landing of the Prince of Wales on 6 April 1925.
1925
1 card
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/4a Address ticket
A ticket for the Presentation of Address from the Legislative Council to the Prince of Wales, 6 April 1925.
1925
1 card
RCMS 134/8/2/4b is a virtually identical copy.
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/4b Address ticket
A ticket for the Presentation of Address from the Legislative Council to the Prince of Wales, 6 April 1925.
1925
1 card
RCMS 134/8/2/4a is a virtually identical copy.
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/5 Agricultural show ticket
A ticket for the opening of the Agricultural Show by the Prince of Wales, 6 April 1925.
1925
1 card
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/6 Reception and ball ticket
A ticket for the Reception and Ball in honour of the Prince of Wales, 6 April 1925.
1925
1 card
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/2/7 School review ticket
A ticket for the Review of School Children by the Prince of Wales, 7 April 1925.
1925
1 card
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/3 Photograph of the Revd T.C. John
A copy of an original photograph, probably taken from the 'Sierra Leone messenger'.
circa 1933
1 page
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/4 Friend of Jerusalem enrollment
A card enrolling Mary Ward as a Friend of [the Diocese] of Jerusalem.
circa 1939
1 card
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/8/5 Poetry
Poems copied by Mary Ward or inserted loose into the volume. The notebook is dated 1963 at the front.
circa 1963
1 volume
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/9 Leonard Ward papers
Leonard Ward was the brother of Mary Ward.
Diary notes and poetry.
circa 1878-circa 1879
1 pamphlet + 1 volume
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/9/1 Day notes
Diary entries.
1 Jan. 1878-23 Aug. 1879
1 volume
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/9/2 Thought jottings
Eleven pages of undated, privately-printed poems on religious topics, with ten pages of loose insertions.
1 pamphlet
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/10 Cossey and Voysey family papers
Adelaide Mary Cossey (1855-1936), Sister Adelaide, became a friend of Mary Ward during the latter's training days at Tottenham Hospital. They corresponded and spent holidays together. In 1930 Mary returned to England to nurse Adelaide, who died on 17 May 1936, aged 82.
Sister Adelaide was connected to the Voysey family through the marriage of one of her sisters. Her nephew was the Revd T. Harold Voysey (d. 1959), Baptist Minister at Wimbledon, then Potter's Bar. The papers also feature Winifred Cossey, who died on 7 August 1919, and her brother, T.H. Voysey.
Letters, poems and announcements relating to Adelaide Cossey and her family, including members of the Voysey family.
1919-1959
1 folder
card/paper/photograph
Mixed
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/1 Memorial card for Winifred Cossey
1919
1 card
card
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/2 Photograph of Winifred Cossey
Undated.
1 photograph
photograph
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/3a Poem in memory of Winifred Cossey
A poem by T.H. Voysey.
1919
1 page
paper
Printed
RCMS 134/10/3b is a typed copy of the poem.
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/3b Poem in memory of Winifred Cossey
A poem by T.H. Voysey.
1919
1 page
paper
Typewritten
RCMS 134/10/3a is a printed copy of the poem.
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/4 Card of La Maisonette
An undated advert for a pension in Switzerland where Mary Ward and Adelaide Cossey spent a holiday.
1 card
paper
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/5 The other side
An undated short story by Adelaide Cossey on the theme of immortality.
7 pages
paper
Typewritten
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/6 Letter on the death of Adelaide Cossey
A letter from Edward A. Voysey to Mary Ward.
17 May 1936
1 page
paper
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/7 Card on the death of Adelaide Cossey
The card includes details of funeral arrangements.
1936
1 card
card
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/8 Letters from T. Harold Voysey
Five letters to Mary Ward concerning family and friends.
9 Apr. 1943-3 Sep. 1958
11 pages
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/10/9 Letter on the death of T.H. Voysey
A letter to Mary Ward from A.R. Wade, Mrs Voysey's niece.
27 Feb. 1959
2 pages
paper
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/11 Sargent family papers
The Revd Laurens Christopher Sargent (b. 1893) was Rector of Horndon West with Ingrave, 1939-1944, then Vicar of St Peter-in-Thanet to 1953. He was married to Ethel Sargent. Their elder son, John Michael Sargent, joined the R.A.F., and was killed on 8 December 1941.
Papers and photographs relating to Mr and Mrs L.C. Sargent and their sons.
circa 1940-circa 1963
1 envelope
card/paper/photograph
Mixed
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/1 Correspondence
Letters written mainly to Mary Ward from members of the Sargent family.
1940-circa 1963
5 plastic sleeves
card/paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/1/1 Letters from John Sargent
A letter to Mary Ward, 29 December 1940, and a copy of Sargent's last letter to his parents of 7 October 1941.
29 Dec. 1940-circa 1941
5 pages
paper
Manuscript
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/1/2 Letters from Laurens Sargent
Eleven letters to Mary Ward concerned mainly with personal matters.
1948-1963
24 pages
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/1/3 Christmas card
An undated card of the Sargents' retirement home at Parsoncot Nonington, near Dover.
1 card
card
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/2 Photographs
Undated photographs of the Sargents and their younger son.
4 photographs
photograph
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/2/1 Revd L.C. Sargent
1 photograph
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/2/2 Mrs Sargent
Mounted.
1 photograph
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/2/3 Mrs Sargent with one of her husband's pupils
1 photograph
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/2/4 Younger son in military uniform
1 photograph
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/3 Poetry
Undated poems by Laurens and Beatrice Sargent.
3 pages
paper
Mixed
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/3/1 Looking for the blessed hope
A poem by Beatrice Sargent.
1 page
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/3/2 For all that travel by land, or air, or water
A poem by Laurens Christopher Sargent.
1 page
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/11/3/3 The Padre's hymn
A poem by Laurens Christopher Sargent.
1 page
Typewritten
RAS.
RCMS 134/12 Bishop Walmsley papers
John Walmsley (1867-1922) was Vicar of St Ann's Church, Nottingham, 1904-1910, and the ninth Bishop of Sierra Leone, 1910-1922. He was nursed in his last illness by Mary Ward.
Papers concerned mainly with the death of Bishop Walmsley, with a photograph of the Bishop.
1910-circa 1923
1 envelope
paper
Mixed
Indexed.
RAS.
RCMS 134/12/1 Sermons
Sermons on I Kings xvii 1, preached in 1910, with brief manuscript notes by Miss Walmsley written after the Bishop's death.
1910-circa 1922
7 pages
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/12/2 Funeral programme
The order of service for Bishop Walmsley's funeral, 10 December 1922.
1922
1 pamphlet
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/12/3 Press cuttings
Cuttings on the death of Bishop Walmsley.
1922
2 pages
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/12/4 Sierra Leone messenger, no. 114
The newsletter covers the death of Walmsley. There is a tribute by Mary Ward on pp. 19-23.
Jan. 1923
1 pamphlet
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/12/6 Photograph of Bishop Walmsley
An undated copy, probably taken from the 'Sierra Leone messenger'.
circa 1923
1 page
Printed
RAS.
RCMS 134/12/7 Letter on the death of Bishop Walmsley
A letter to Mary Ward from Mrs Im Thurn.
7 Jan. 1923
2 pages
Manuscript
RAS.
RCMS 134/13 Accession letters
Letters relating to the Mary Ward collection. Much of the correspondence is between D.H. Simpson and Dr R.A. Eliott, and dates from 1985-1987. There is one letter from 1966.
1966-1987
1 folder
paper
Mixed
RAS.
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