Terry, Theodosia Ellen

52 Warwick Road, Maida Vale, London; Letter Book

Certificate, St Bartholomew's Hospital, 1886-1890

Deceased April 1942

The Ellis Island, New York records have an entry made on November 29th 1903 for Theodosia Ellen Terry, of London, ethnicity Australian, Irish, arriving on the ship Mesaba. Occupation is " None" , so presumably she was just visiting. She continued to live in and around London until her death in 1942

After obtaining her certificate at St Bartholemew's in 1890, Theodosia went to the USA. She worked as a private nurse in New York.

She was a member of the Trained Nurses Club of New York and three letters written by her were published in The Nursing Record between 1894 and 1896." The objects of this club are the organisation of trained nurses for the advancement of their profession, and for social intercourse; to provide a house or houses containing sleeping apartments, and the opportunities and conveniences of a home for the members; to help physicians and the public in the city and its surroundings, to obtain competent, reliable nurses at the shortest possible notice" Miss Terry says:- I must apologise for having left you so long with out news of the Metropolitan Trained Nursing club of the city of New York, which has its quarters at 104 W. 41st Street. My excuse is a long continued stress of work. We held our annual reception on 11 December and our rooms were packed with guests as usual, and the members were dressed in uniform to receive their guests. Our club curtains and draperies are blue and white, and are very pretty. This winter we hold our meetings on the first Monday in every month; a good attendance, and the animated yet friendly discussions that take place each time, give strong evidence of the enthusiasm and interest felt by the members. The fact that the club members are very much in demand, and constantly occupied, are the surest proofs of its success; it is becoming very generally and widely known, and applications for membership are constantly coming in; several would be members are now working out their one year in New York, which has to be accomplished before they are eligible for membership, this is now one of the rules of the club. We continue our " socials," but have them once a month instead of every two weeks. The chairman of the house committee and the chairman of the entertainment committee arrange for these socials, and send out invitations to the members to come and to bring their friends. At these socials we have music and cards, and games, and some light refreshment is provided. I can say with a feeling of the greatest satisfaction and pleasure, that the hopes and expectations of success that the president and I have entertained from the very beginning of our club have been fully realised. I feel that a great part of our success is a leading to the executive ability and steady enthusiasm of Mrs Wheeler Art. All those who have studied the subject, or health control over a large body of women know the difficulties invariably to be met. Letter in volume of Nursing Record, 4th April 1896. Before this two letters were printed, one dated January 1894 and one in March 1895

Member of RBNA 1890 and on Register of 1909, c/o Mrs Beernan, 12, Deerbrook Road, Herne Hill, London; Member of the Trained Nurses Club of New York. By 1911, Theodosia is 52 years old and living in 102 Musard Flats, Fulham. She is described as a Trained Nurse, retired. She is recorded in the British Journal of Nursing, July 1932 when she was 72 as a contributor to a Memorial Fund set up by the St Bartholemew's League of Nurses. She donated 11 10s.

Register of Nurses (RBNA 4/1) - Royal British Nurses' Association Records, King's College London Archives 1911 census Nursing Record Vol 12 Jan 20th 1894, Vol 14 March 2nd 1895 and Vol 16 April 4th 1896 British Journal of Nursing July 1932, pg 182 Ellis Island NY entry dated 29th November 1903