Genealogy Chat

I have just received a death certificate for one of my relatives, and in the section 'When and Where died' the entry states: 19/5/1880 County Lunatic Asylum and then there is something underneath that looks like 'Hopkins and Coton'. The death was registered in Stafford but was it normal for a name to be entrered rather than a place? Thanks Sophie

Coton Hill Institution Source: Kelly's Directory 1896 The Coton Hill Institution for the Insane at Stafford, erected in 1854, for Private Patients of the Middle and Upper Classes, at a cost of £42,000, was subsequently enlarged, and now forms a quadrangular pile of white brick with stone dressings, in the Elizabethan style, the front exhibiting a central block with projecting wings. It stands on an eminence, commanding extensive and picturesque views of beautiful woodland scenery. In the grounds is a chapel, built of stone, for the use of the inmates, with organ, introduced in 1884 as a Memorial to the late John Dale Hewson, MD Superintendent. The inmates number about 140. In 1890 a theatre and recreation room was erected, where concerts and dramatic performances are frequently given. Robert William Hewson, Superintendent. Rev. James Henry Theodosius, Chaplain. John Jackson, Clerk and Steward. Miss Ada Bailey, Ladies' Matron.

It says on the lunatic asylum index site http://www.mdx.ac.uk/WWW/STUDY/4_13_TA.htm#Staffordshire '1881 Census: The County Lunatic Asylum, Hopton and Coton,' Stafford. Presumably its an address.

You should be able to find useful info from: Staffordshire Record Office County Buildings Eastgate Street Stafford ST16 2LZ Telephone: U.K. 01785 278379 http://www(.)staffordshire(.)gov(.)uk/archives/index.htm

Hi, The County Lunatic Asylum and Coton Hill Hospital were both on the eastern side of Stafford. Hopton and Coton was the name of the area in which they were situated. You can see both on the www(.)old-maps(.)co(.)uk website by going to Staffordshire then Stafford and re-centering the map on the word CHAD. The General Hospital is now on the site of the Coton Hill Hospital.

Thanks all I would never have found these details myself. Your help is greatly appreciated Sophie

Hi Sophie If you go to the following web site you will be able to locate some pictures. www(.)staffspasttrack(.)org(.)uk remove brackets in address and type asylum in the search. The aylum was on the outskirts of Stafford and was for paying clients. There was another one in Stafford town for the poor. I remember the building as a child and it was quite magnificent, set in its own landscaped gardens. Sadly only a few detached parts of the building, such as the Lodges survive today. Helen :-))