Record Number: 23080
Reading Experience:
Evidence:
'The last time that Mrs Fry was on board the Maria, whilst she lay at Deptford, was one of those solemn and interesting occasions that leave a lasting impression on the minds of those who witness them. There was a great uncertainty whether the poor convicts would see their benefactress again. She stood at the door of the cabin, attended by her friends and the Captain; the women on the quarter-deck facing them. The sailors, anxious to see what was going on, clambered into the rigging, on to the capstan, or mingled in the outskirts of the group. The silence was profound - when Mrs Fry opened her Bible, and in a clear audible voice, read a portion from it. The crews of the other vessels in the tier, attracted by the novelty of the scene, lent over the ships on either side and listened apparently with great attention; she closed the Bible, and after a short pause, knelt down on the deck, and implored a blessing on this work of Christian charity from that God, who, though one may sow and another water, can alone give the increase. Many of the women wept bitterly, all seemed touched'
Century:1800-1849
Date:Between 1 Jan 1818 and 31 Dec 1818
Country:England
Timedaytime
Place:city: London, Deptford
specific address: Maria convict ship
other location: on a convict ship
(Reader):
silent aloud unknown
solitary in company unknown
single serial unknown
(Listener):
solitary reactive unknown
single serial unknown
Reader / Listener / Reading Group:
Reader: 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
female prisoners (convicts), sailors, Captain, friends of E. Fry
Additional Comments:
nee Gurney
Text Being Read:
Author: Title:Bible
Genre:Bible
Form of Text:Print: Book
Publication Detailsn/a
Provenanceowned
Source Information:
Record ID:23080
Source: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:1
Page:321
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), 1, p. 321, http://www.open.ac.uk/Arts/reading/UK/record_details.php?id=23080, accessed: 19 January 2025
Additional Comments:
None