Papers of Sarah Swift

• Reference:GB 1199 C472
• Dates of Creation:1849-1995
• Language of Material:English
• Physical Description:
  0.084m

• Scope and Content

  This collection contains personal and professional papers, photographs, certificates, articles, memorials and correspondence relating to the life of Dame Sarah Ann Swift (1854-1937), co-founder of the College of Nursing.

  Three items stored in outsize 'C' box 4, and 1 in large outsize 'C' box 2.

  1 Papers and correspondence relating to the Swift family and Sarah Swift's childhood in Kirton-in-Holland, Lincolnshire. Includes a copy of the baptismal register for the parish of Kirton-in-Holland for the year 1855, recording the baptism of Miss Swift and her birth on 22 November 1854. The other papers are:

  1.1 A handwritten family tree of the Swift family, c.1950;

  1.2 A folder containing material relating to Sarah Swift's childhood in Kirton, Lincolnshire and the commemoration of her life in the Lady Chapel, Kirton Parish Church, 1849-1987. Photocopies and jpegs only, not the originals;

  1.2.1 Three issues of parish magazine 'The Church in Kirton' containing pictures or articles relating to Dame Sarah Swift: November 1968, Christmas 1968 and October 1969;

  1.2.2 Service of Thanksgiving & Redication of the restored and refurnished Lady Chapel in Kirton Church. Includes a passage on the Memorial Fund for Dame Sarah Swift, 22 Jun 1969;

  1.2.3 Photograph of Queen Mary presenting the Keys of the College of Nursing to Dame Sarah Swift. 1 photocopy; 1 jpeg, c.1920;

  1.2.4 Envelope containing three black and white photographs taken at Kirton Church: baptismal bowl in which Sarah Swift was baptised in 1855; page of the parish register containing the entry for the baptism of Sarah Swift and the Lady Chapel. 3 photographs; 3 photocopies; 3 jpegs

  1.2.5 Handwritten extract from the news feature in The Nursing Times 1st April 1976 celebrating 60 years of the Royal College of Nursing, relating to Dame Sarah Swift, 1 Apr 1976;

  1.2.6 Letters from Mr Harold Stanhope to Mrs Roger about her being a relative to Dame Sarah Swift, the history of the Swift family and the plans for a memorial to Dame Sarah Swift in the Lady Chapel, Kirton Church. Also a draft reply from Mrs Roger, 1969;

  1.2.7 Letters from the Reverend D Pink, Kirton Church to Mrs Roger relating to the restoration and rededication of the Lady Chapel and the memorial to Dame Sarah Swift, 1969-1970;

  1.2.8 Letter from John D Trinder, Vicar of Kirton Church to Miss Kirkup about how a church records prior to 1896 are now deposited at Lincolnshire Archives and about a service held to honour the memory of Dame Sarah Swift in 1987. 16 Nov 1987;

  1.2.9 Letter from the Keeper of Photographs, Imperial War Museum to AJR Roger about supplying him with a copy of the portrait of Dame Sarah Swift, 15 Jun 1956;

  1.2.10 Letter to Dame Sarah Swift from the Honorary Secretary of the Women's Work Sub-Committee notifying her that her portrait has been received by the Imperial War Museum, 21 Jul 1919;

  1.2.11 Letters to Miss B M Swift from 'Jebbs Tunnard '(?) of Boston, Lincolnshire relating to deeds and conveyances to property (1894 & 1908);

  1.2.12 Very small letter in envelope addressed to Miss Biddy Swift from the Reverend Joseph Wilson about arrangements for herself and others to be taken over 'Wm. Beridge's Garden', 29 Jun 1849;

  1.3 Copy of the publication 'Lincolnshire Life' containing an article about Dame Sarah Swift, Sep 1969;

  1.4 Copy of the 'Kirton-in-Holland, Lincolnshire: The Changing Face of a Fenland Village' published by the Kirton Book Group, Kirton. Parish History Booklet containing biographical information on Dame Sarah Swift, 1990;

  1.5 Brief genealogical notes on 'Aunt Maria Swift' and 'Bridget Mary Swift' hand-written on the back of a page from a religious text, no date.

  2 Papers and correspondence relating to Sarah Swift's career as a nurse (1 item stored in outsize 'C' box 4). These include:

  2.1 Printed sheet of testimonials about Miss Sarah Swift from previous employers relating to her work qualities and skills, 1886-1889;

  2.2 Press cuttings relating to the retirement of Sarah Swift as Matron of Guy's Hospital and the appointment of Miss Haughton as her successor, circa July 1909.

  2.3 Handwritten extract from the minutes of a Court of Committee held at Guy's Hospital, 2 July 1909 relating to Sarah Swift's approaching retirement together with a copy of Guy's Hospital 'Retirement and Pension Scheme details as applicable to nurses and female administrative staff' 1906;

  2.4.1 Decorative scroll featuring an extract from the minutes of a Court of Committees held at Guy's Hospital 2 July 1909 expressing gratitude and appreciation of the work of Sarah Swift. Presented to Sarah Swift July 1909;

  2.4.2 Letter to Miss Sarah Swift from [Thomas?] relating to Guy's Hospital after her retirement and Miss Haughton her successor as Matron of Guy's, 16 Oct 1909;

  2.4.3

  2.4.4 Summary of the work of the British Red Cross Society and the Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in England for the fortnight ending 30 Oct 1915. Printed report mentioning the arrival of Sarah Swift in France.

  2.4.5 Notice from Buckingham Palace requesting Dame Sarah Swift to wear the enclosed medal at the commemoration of George V and Queen Mary's Jubilee, 6 May 1935.

  2.5 Letter from the Army Nursing Service Reserve to Sarah Swift relating to her retirement from the Committee of the Reserve, 5 Aug 1909;

  2.6 Telegram relating to Miss Swift and Courtauld Thomson Monson Beaumont, 23 Nov 1916;

  2.7 Typed note from the Lord Chamberlain's Office, St James' Palace to Lady Arbuthnot informing her that Sarah Swift does not need presenting as her attendance to receive the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire from the King was equivalent to a presentation at Court, 10 Jul 1919;

  2.8 Letter to Sarah Swift from [Mabel Rowse] relating to the presentation of her portrait to the Nurses' League. No year given, but possibly 2 Dec 1919;

  2.9 Correspondence to Dame Sarah Swift from Sir Arthur Stanley, Chairman of the Joint Council of the Order of St John of Jerusalem in England and the British Red Cross Society. A letter containing greetings and expression of gratitude for her help and support, June 1919 and a letter arranging a lunch meeting with members of the American Delegation to the Conference of the League of Red Cross Societies, 14 Feb 1920 [see also RCN1 Company Secretary correspondence for further Swift letters];

  2.10

  2.11 'Order of Service in Memory of the late Dame Sarah Ann Swift' 1 Jul 1937. Inside the order of service is a press cutting detailing who attended the service and a British Red Cross memorandum with rough pencil notes;

  2.12 Letter in an envelope addressed to Mrs Forshaw of Cralton-in-Trent, Nottinghamshire from Smith, Rundell, Dods & Bockett of London quoting a message of sympathy and regret from Queen Mary on hearing of the death of Dame Sarah Ann Swift (incomplete), 12 Jul 1937.

  3 Honours and acknowledgements awarded to Sarah Swift

  3.1 Large blue leather bound album presented to Sarah Swift by Guy's Hospital Past & Present Nurses League on her retirement from Guy's Hospital as an expression of their appreciation. Each page contains the signatures of the subscribers, Sep 1909;

  3.2

  3.3 Black tin tube containing the handwritten and hand-painted certificate receiving Dame Sarah Ann Swift into The Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in England as a Lady of Grace. The red wax seal of the Order is protected by a small round black tin decorated with the cross symbol of the Order and attached by a black and cream pleated cord to the certificate. Certificate in outsize 'C' box 4; tube stored separately, 21 Jan 1916;

  3.4 Letters and notices relating to the nomination and subsequent election of Sarah Swift as a Lady of Grace of The Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in England, 1915-1916;

  3.5 Certificate presented to Sarah Swift by the Joint Committee of the British Red Cross Society and The Order of the Hospital of St John of Jerusalem in England in recognition of valuable services rendered during World War One, 1914-1919 (stored in outsize 'C' box 4);

  3.6 Letter from the Home Office to Sarah Swift informing her of the proposal to submit her name to the King for appointment as a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire, 24 Sep 1918;

  3.7

  3.8 Letter and notice from the Central Chancery of the Orders of the Knighthood relating to the Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire awarded to Sarah Swift, 1919;

  3.9 Notification and correspondence addressed to Sarah Swift from the Belgian authorities relating to her being awarded the Medaille de la Reine Elisabeth avec Croix Rouge and enclosing the medal, 1919-1920;

  3.10 Certificate given to Dame Sarah Swift on receiving the Cómité Britannique de la Croix Rouge Francais award (stored in large outsize 'C' box 2), 10 May 1920;

  3.11 Certificate given to Dame Sarah Swift on receiving the Diplome de la médaille Florence Nightingale / International Florence Nightingale Medal from the Conférence internationale des Sociétés de la Croix-Rouge award, 1929 (stored in outsize 'C' box 4).

  4 Mixed photographs and photocopies/scans of mainly black and white images of Sarah Swift. 4 prints; 6 jpegs (stored on server as C472), 1914-1995. These include:

  4.1 Seated portrait of Sarah Swift after receiving her DBE. 1 photocopy + 1 jpeg, c.1919;

  4.2 Sarah Swift and a nurse on one of her tours during First World War. 1 photocopy + 1 jpeg, 1914-1918;

  4.3 Sarah Swift amongst medical and army officers when on tour during First World War. 1 photocopy + 1 jpeg, 1914-1918;

  4.4 Family group: 'Grandpa Fashaw' with Dame Sarah and others. 1 photocopy + 1 jpeg, no date;

  4.5 Sarah Swift and another in a Red Cross car. 1 photocopy + 1 jpeg, 1914-1918;

  4.6 Family wedding: Dame Sarah Swift and 'Uncle Bill Fashaw at Bea and Eric's wedding', Carlton-on-Trent. 1 photocopy + 1 jpeg, no date;

  4.7.1 Gravestone of Robert William Swift, son of George and Mary Ann Swift ,who died in 1854, c.1995;

  4.7.2 Framed certificate given to Dame Sarah Swift, Matron-in-Chief of the Red Cross Hospitals, hanging in the Lady Chapel, c.1995;

  4.7.3 Memorial stone commemorating Dame Sarah Swift set into the paving slabs of the Lady Chapel floor, c.1995;

  4.7.4 Framed copy of photograph of Dame Sarah Swift taken circa 1919 hanging in the Lady Chapel, c.1995.

• Access Information

  This collection is available for research subject to data protection laws. Readers are advised to contact the RCN Archives in advance of their visit.