Petition Registers for The Caledonian Asylum
(Cross-Street, Hatton-Garden, London) - Source: LMA/4710/C/02/01/001 - London Metropolitan Archives
Form 1:
For the child of indigent Scotch parents residing in London (not entitled to Parochial Relief)
Form 2:
For the child of a soldier, sailor/marine a native of Scotland who has died, or been disabled in service of his country
Form 3:
Application for the Admission of Children into The Caledonian Asylum
The Highland Society of London launched an appeal in 1808 to raise funds for an Asylum to house and educate the many young Scots who were roaming the streets of London, many having been orphaned or left fatherless following the Napoleonic wars. After seven years, enough funds had been donated from important dignitaries of the time such as the Duke of Buccleuch, and Duke of Queensberry, Duke of Gordon, Duke of Argyll, Duke of Montrose, and the Duke of Roxburgh as well as the Duke of Wellington and Duke of Marlborough and Arthur Wellesley. The first Asylum opened in Dec 1819 in Hatton Garden, which was afterwards replaced in 1826 with a newly built Asylum in Islington where it remained for seventy-seven years and gave its name to the Caledonian Road.
Information provided on the Scots:
Name of the child; age of the child; date of birth; place of birth; name and age of parents including maiden surname of the mother; status; occupation of father; name of his Regiment and status in the Militia/Army; date and place of parents’ marriage; parents dates and places of birth; religion of the parents; family circumstances; reason for petition and background of family tragedy; witnesses; petitioners signature; date admitted to the Asylum; Certificates of baptism/birth; personal letters; siblings; vaccination date.
The Caledonian Asylum was established for ‘the relief of the children of soldiers, sailors and mariners, natives of Scotland, who had died or been disabled in the service of their country; and the children of indigent Scotch parents residing in London, not entitled to parochial relief’.
The operating name of the Royal Caledonian Education Trust is now Forces Children Scotland. The charity continues to put the children of Armed Forces at the heart of everything they do. The charity seeks a world where Scottish children of the Armed Forces are enabled to reach their full potential and for some, they need that bit of extra support and help. Whether it is providing a grant in times of crisis or providing resources, advice, and training for teachers to use in schools – they are absolutely committed to giving children of the Armed Forces every opportunity to achieve and thrive.
Transcriptions of the applications/petitions are planned to be put onto FindMyPast by Dunedin Links Genealogy (date to be announced)
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