Reading Experience Database
1450-1945

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Record 23119

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: 7 Jan 1835
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):
solitary reactive unknown
single serial unknown

Reader/Listener/Reading Group:

Reader:James
Age Adult (18-100+)
Gender Male
Date of Birth n/a
Socio-economic group: Labourer (non-agricultural)
Occupation: prisoner
Religion: unknown
Country of origin: unknown
Country of experience: England
Listeners present if any:
(e.g. family, servants, friends, workmates)
Elizabeth Fry and Miss Fraser
Additional comments: n/a

 

Text Being Read:

Author: [n/a]
Title: Bible (New Testament)
Genre: Bible
Form of Text: Print: Book
Publication details: n/a
Provenance: borrowed (institution library)

 

Source Information:

Record ID: 23119  
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://can-red-lec.library.dal.ca/Arts/reading/recorddetails2.php?id=23119, accessed: 29 March 2024

Additional comments:

 

 

Reading Experience Database version 2.0.  Page updated: 27th Apr 2016  3:15pm (GMT)