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REPORT.
To the Vestries, Boards of Works and Boards of Guardians of Metropolitan
Parishes South of the Thames.
Gentlemen,
In November, 1862, it was brought to the notice of St. George's Vestry, and
subsequently before other Vestries and Boards of this vicinity, that the Governors
of St. Thomas's Hospital contemplated removing that great and valuable charity
far away from the poor people who had up to that time enjoyed its benefits. The
press and the medical staff of the Hospital almost without exception resisted this,
as a very ill advised step. The Governors, however persisted. At a meeting of
St. George's Vestry, Nov. 17th, the following resolution was passed, " That it be
recommended to the other Vestries, and to the respective district boards, and the
boards of Guardians on this side of the Thames, to combine with this A Vestry and
form forthwith a Committee, to consist of one member of each Vestry or Board;
for the purpose of printing such papers relating to the above subject as they may
deem advisable, employing Counsel; and generally to take such measures as may
be found necessary for preventing the removal of St. Thomas's Hospital from this
vicinity. The expenses of this Committee to be jointly borne by the parishes and
districts represented." A Committee was accordingly formed consisting of the
following Gentlemen, appointed by the respective Vestries and Boards, for the
purposes named in the resolution.
Vestry of St George the Martyr W. Rendle, Esq.
Guardians T. Park, Esq.
Vestry of Bermondsey W. Darnell, Esq.
Guardians J. Harris, Esq.
Vestry of Newington H. R. Sylvester, Esq.
Guardians E. Evans, Esq.
Vestry of Camberwell F. W. Denny, Esq.
Guardians G. S. Freeman, Esq.
Vestry of Lambeth J. W. Stratton, Esq.
Guardians M. Goddard, Esq.
Vestry of Rotherhithe J. W. Barrett, Esq.
Guardians E. G. Dannell, Esq.
Vestry of St. Saviour's J. E. Newsom, Esq.
Vestry of St. John's J. D. Neale, Esq.
These Gentlemen have all acted together with the greatest cordiality; there
has scarcely ever been any difference of opinion, and when in September, 1863,
in consequence of the probable selection of the Stangate site in Lambeth, the
representatives of Lambeth were withdrawn, they both, on withdrawing, stated
their conviction, that a central position, suitable equally to Southwark, Newington,
Camberwell, Peckham and Lambeth, would be much better than the Stangate
site.
The Hospital, it is well known, was founded as " the House of the Poor in
Southwark," in 1553; but it is not so well known that it appears to have had its
origin within the precincts of the priory of St. Mary Overy, where was a building
expressly "for the use of the poor." In 1213, this building was destroyed by
fire; and in the same year was erected a building "for converts and poor
children," on the priory ground at Bermondsey. After this the Bishop of
Winchester united the two; and selected, en account of its pure air and water,