Albert Dauncey collection, 1897-1907
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Summary
- Creator:
- History of Medicine Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
- Abstract:
- Albert Dauncey (about 1855 - April 26, 1925) was a carpenter residing in West Lydford, Somerset, England, who was convicted of assault and sent to an insane asylum in 1900. Collection contains material related to Dauncey's commitment to and detention in the Somerset and Bath Pauper Lunatic Asylum (later Mendip Hospital), including correspondence, legal documents, estate management records, and receipts of payment to the asylum. Acquired as part of the History of Medicine Collections at Duke University.
- Extent:
- 0.25 Linear Feet
- Language:
- Materials in English.
- Collection ID:
- RL.11976
Background
- Scope and content:
-
Collection contains material related to Albert Dauncey's commitment to and detention in the Somerset and Bath Pauper Lunatic Asylum (later Mendip Hospital) in Wells, Somerset, England. The correspondence largely relates to draft affidavits and William Dauncey, Albert's brother, obtaining legal authority to manage Albert's estate and pay for his "care and maintenance" at the asylum. Also prominent in the correspondence is John O. Cash, the solicitor for the Daunceys. Legal documents include affidavits, summons, and an order of justice, which deal with re-classifying Albert from a "criminal lunatic" to a "pauper lunatic," as well as William's assumption and management of Albert's estate. The estate management records include records of rent and tax payments related to Albert's property and finances in 1905 and 1906. Receipts for payments to the asylum show William Dauncey paying quarterly for Albert's care. Also included in the collection is an auction poster from 1897 that may be related to Albert Dauncey's property holdings.
- Biographical / historical:
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Albert Dauncey (about 1855 - April 26, 1925) was a carpenter residing in West Lydford, Somerset, England. Dauncey believed that his fellow townspeople, led in part by the local vicar, were conspiring against him. This belief prompted Dauncey to assault Edwin James, and Dauncey was convicted of assault in November 1899. Albert was committed to the Somerset and Bath Pauper Lunatic Asylum as a "criminal lunatic" on May 9, 1900, where he remained for the rest of his life. While in the asylum, Albert's brother William assumed legal control of his estate. Albert passed away on April 26, 1925, at the asylum.
Source: UK City Directories, UK Calendar of Prisoners, and UK Lunacy Patients Admission Registers (accessed via Ancestry.com February 1, 2022).
- Acquisition information:
- The Albert Dauncey collection was received by the David M. Rubenstein Rare Book Manuscript Library as a purchase in 2020.
- Processing information:
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Processed by Leah Tams, February 2022.
Accessions described in this collection guide: 2020-0057.
- Arrangement:
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Materials are arranged chronologically within files.
- Rules or conventions:
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Subjects
Click on terms below to find related finding aids on this site. For other related materials in the Duke University Libraries, search for these terms in the Catalog.
- Subjects:
- Mental health
Psychiatric hospital patients
Psychiatric hospitals -- England -- History -- 20th century - Format:
- Affidavits
- Names:
- History of Medicine Collection (David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library)
Mendip Hospital
Dauncey, Albert, 1851-1925
Dauncey, William, 1843- - Places:
- Somerset (England)
Contents
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- Restrictions:
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Collection is open for research.
- Terms of access:
-
The copyright interests in this collection have not been transferred to Duke University. For more information, consult the Rubenstein Library's Citations, Permissions, and Copyright guide.
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- Preferred citation:
-
[Identification of item], Albert Dauncey collection, David M. Rubenstein Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Duke University.
- Permalink:
- https://idn.duke.edu/ark:/87924/m18f1m