The Patients of Herrison Hospital

Posted on 31 Comments on The Patients of Herrison Hospital

Earlier in the year Dorset History Centre had two work experience students join us for a month. In this blog, Maddie talks us through some of the more interesting records she found in the Herrison collection…

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During my work placement at DHC, I indexed patient files from a Herrison Hospital case book. This was been fascinating, sad and, at times, amusing. I would like now to gather together some of the most interesting cases this book has offered up.

Herrison Hospital male case book

So as not to dive straight in to the sad stuff, I’ll begin with some of the more unusual diagnoses. Whether in some cases the doctors were unsure exactly what they were dealing with, or they simply felt “a general advent of moroseness” was an acceptable explanation for melancholia, is unclear. Nevertheless, here they are:

John Lofting

63 years old, was brought to the asylum from West Cliff, Bournemouth, and diagnosed with melancholia caused by a “general advent of moroseness”. He was described as being “depressed by a great unknown cloud”.

Tom Hardy

Brought to the asylum from Piddlehinton at 34 years old, after suffering auditory and visual hallucinations. He was diagnosed with mania caused by “Salvation Army excitement”. There have been 11 people in this case book with “religious excitement”, but when a second man – Henry Clinchem – was admitted with dementia caused by recently breaking from the Salvation Army, I felt it required some further research.

During the 1870s and 80s, local groups organised themselves against the Salvation Army, calling themselves ‘skeleton armies’. They mocked their songs and processions, and attacked their meeting places. It is interesting that one of Hardy’s hallucinations was of being chased by grave-robbers!

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Moving on to some sadder entries, there were a lot of admissions for elderly people with dementia – something that caused persistent overcrowding problems at Herrison.

John Herring

73 years old, from Bradpole, was a retired soldier admitted with senile dementia. When spoken to, it is reported he would begin marching up and down as if still in the army.

Thomas Roe

72 years old, from Corfe Castle was also admitted with senile dementia but was adamant he did not want to stay in Herrison. Through much of his stay, Roe insisted he could not recover unless he was at home with his friends.

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On the other end of the scale, a lot of young children were also admitted to Herrison:

Alfred William Hutchings

The youngest child in this book was Alfred William Hutchings, 5 years old, from West Row, Wimborne. He was diagnosed with “idiocy” caused by congenital weakness, and kicked and bit anything he could, including other children.

Ralph Bennett

Another child admitted soon after Hutchings was Ralph Bennett, 8 years old, from Sturminster Marshall. He was also diagnosed with “idiocy” caused by congenital weakness, and kicked and bit at anyone who came close to him. A doctor notes that a few months into his stay, Bennett had already bitten three of the female patients who tried to befriend him. As a result of his behaviour, he was transferred to the male wing were the patients were “better able to defend themselves”.

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To finish, some comparatively lighter cases:

William Herbert Poole

There are not many photos in the volume, but there is one of William Herbert Poole…

Aged 30, from Broadway, was a discharged soldier from the Royal Engineers. He was admitted for mania and general paralysis caused by drink, debauchery and syphilis. A doctor commented he “has no evident delusions but is too well”, and again later said he was “still too well and cheery”. Poole was reportedly always wanting attention and was “fond of decking himself in feathers and gewgaws of various sorts – very fond of dancing!”

Arthur Medway

Brought to Herrison from Dorchester at 37 years old, having been in the hospital two years before. He reportedly stole anything he could get hold of, including “boots, a chicken, 4 fish, cucumbers, hurdle, books”. This raised a debate about what type of hurdle this could be referring to. Was it a hurdle used in sports? Or perhaps a hurdle used to climb onto horses’ backs? It was suggested it could have been a fence panel used to herd sheep, which is perhaps the most sensible explanation!

Charles Acherman Crabb

70 years old, from Exeter Workhouse, was admitted with “recurrent mania” caused by “acquired neurosis”. He is described as a “chronic grumbler”, “fond of grumbling as ever” and “always on the grumble.”

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Reading through this book has been an enlightening experience in how attitudes towards and awareness of mental health has changed. As heavy as the subject may be, it has been very enjoyable!

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We enjoy introducing young people to the work of the archive and we benefit from having tasks undertaken by short-term placements. We will introduce you to all aspects of our service and provide a varied experience. We hope that after spending time with us you will act as an informed advocate for archives.

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31 thoughts on “The Patients of Herrison Hospital”


  1. Thanks to Maddie for her notes on the inmates of Herrison Hospital, which were very interesting. She obviously enjoyed her work experience in Dorset and I hope she continues with her studies in history.

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  2. Sadly, my grandmother was a long term patient at Herrison hospital.
    She was admitted sometime during the late 1930s early 1940s.
    Eventually after around 17 years she was discharged to the care of her daughter.
    During her time at Harrison, as I understand it, she was relatively happy, almost becoming a member of staff .
    She was a talented pianist and often played for both staff and visitors.

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  3. Wondering if there’s any record of my great- uncle , William ADAMS, in the Herrison Hospital records ?
    He was brother of my paternal grandfather ( Wallace Adams)
    He was born December 1894 in Dorset, I believe.
    Allegedly he died at Herrison Hospital sometime in 1965.

    I live in the U.S. and have been doing family genealogy on Ancestry. Would welcome any info !
    Many thanks,
    Wendy Kendrick
    Anacortes, Washington.

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    2. I wonder if there’s any record of my great uncle Edward Sparkes who I believe was at Herrison for a while some time in the sixties?

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      1. Hi Mike, thanks for the comment. The best thing to do is to drop us an email with all the details you know(archives@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk). At the moment as DHC staff are working from home we are unable to check records for specific details, but when we get to the point where staff are allowed back into the office we can look into things further for you.

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    3. Hi I remember a close family member being admitted into this place. It still haunts me to this day & traumatic till this day. As I was only a child had visit a close family member a lot. Horrible place. But staff & hospital did good with my close family there still alive & well to this day to tell the tell of mental health. But some patients where not so lucky as I remember as I remember a women patient kept trying to commit suicide several times did not work. One day she try & it worked by jumping off the top hospital building. So no not great memorys for me

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    4. I wonder do you have any records of a patient David E Lealan who died there 12th March 1963. He was my great Uncle.

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      1. Hi Lesley – we have received your email this morning and it is in our system. One of the team will be in touch in due course!

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  4. My grandmother Mrs Sarah Lesueur was admitted to Herrison Hospital in 1945 I understand she died there.
    Can this be confirmed

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    2. My great grandfathers sister was at Herrison hospital round about 1910/11 till possibly 1939. Her name was Harriet Kate Lockyer. She was born in 1870 in Poole st James Dorset. Do you have any information on her? Why she was there? Many thanks C.Sale.

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      1. Thank-you for your comment Catherine. At this point it is difficult for us to check details of patients less than 100 years ago. All records under 100 are closed to the public, and we would need to consult with the registers on your behalf to see if there is any more information. As staff at DHC are working from home, and are therefore unable to check specifically for you. If you would like to send us an email when we re=open (archives@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk) we will be happy to look into this for you.

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  6. this is very interesting as apparently my grandmother, Sarah Lesueur, was a patient in Herrison Hospital. I understand she died there in 1945. I wonder if you have any information in the archives about her as although I was born after she died, my sister was then 7, and remembers her. any info would be gratefully received.

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  7. Hello happened on this page by accident , am trying to find out about my fathers father who was in herrison hospital for 28 years and died there,his name was EDWIN BENNETT he died in herrison hospitalhe either was admitted in 1931 or died there in 1931, his wife name was MARGARET EMILY CORNISH , apparently she died a year later in dorset ,any information would be great , my actual birth name is carole nora bennett, I am estrange from immediate family for personal reasons but would like to know answers to questions which have never been answered ,I would appreciate any help.

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    1. Thank-you for your comment. If you can email us directly – archives@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk – we can investigate further for you. A word of caution however, due to GDPR legislation, finding medical records under 100 years old can be difficult!

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  8. My second great uncle, Alfred Charles Hardy is said to have been at Herroson Hospital. He died 18th January 1906. Are you able to find any records please ?

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    1. Thank-you for your interest Peter. If you send us an email – archives@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk – we can investigate further for you, or you are welcome to visit us instead to look through some of the records first-hand!

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    2. Please would you be able to give us some information. My great grandmother was admitted in the late 1930.
      Her name was Phillis Irene Armested née way. All we know is she was there until her death as my Grandmother was adopted so we would like to know more.

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  9. Good Evening
    Please could you tell me if you have any information on my great grandma Emily Elizabeth Ellen Toms ( was Woodsford ) born 2nd January 1870 ( I think this is correct ) she had two children Edward & Francis ) I’m not sure when she went to the hospital , my thinking is possibly around 1902 onwards .
    Regards Angela

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    1. Hello Angela, thank-you for your message! The best thing for you to do is to send us an email – archives@dorsetcouncil.gov.uk – and we can have a look through some of the records and get back to you directly. Alternatively, you would be welcome to visit DHC to look at some of the records yourself?

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  11. I wonder if you can help me please? Iam looking for Sarah Jane Chipp born 1862 in Yetminster, she was the daughter of Jacob Obadiah Chipp and Sarah Jane nee Pittman. Records say that in 1939 she was living at Bates Corner, Sturminster and was an incapacaited patient. However, there is no suggestion of what type of home this was, a mental hospital or due to a physical disability. If anybody can help me I would be very grateful.
    Many thanks.

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  12. Hello,
    Julia Martha Habgood nee Hart was a relative of mine who died on 11 March 1878, aged 25, in the asylum. From what I can find there was no mention of mental ill health prior to this date and I would be interested to know if the records can add any further details.
    Thank you

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  13. I’ve been in here many years ago, my dad was doing security there, we had a walk round when it was all dark and boarded up, we found the padded cells and where there used to be a shop and a small bank, but whilst walking round all the rooms, we got quite a few spooks hearing bangs and name calling, a lot of the time walking round I always felt like I was being followed and watched, everything was fine until we got to the upper floor, at the end of the corridor in a blue room, was a woman figure stood in the doorway, quite tall and didn’t move, obviously I ran with my dad down the stairs and we couldn’t get out the front door as that was locked and boarded up, we had to run the whole bottom floor with torches, to get out at the back. Biggest fright of my life

    Reply

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