Page 48 - A Time and A Place Catalogue, Jorge Welsh

In 1749 a sub-committee was formed to look → In the mid-18th century, the city of London had
for places where the hospital could be built.
(…) the best available option was a large area both of which were founded in the 12th century.
at Whitechapel, however, it was considered
quite expensive, and also an isolated area,
which the patients would find difficult
to reach.
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two hospitals, St. Bartholomew’s and St. Thomas’s,
However, these were not sufficient for the care
of the ‘sick poor’ who lived in East End of the city.1
The London Hospital originated in September 1740
when seven men met at the Feathers Tavern in
Cheapside to discuss their ideas for an infirmary,
for the charitable ‘Relief of all sick and diseased
persons and, in particular, manufacturers, seamen
in the merchant service, and their wives and
children’.2 In November the voluntary infirmary
was founded in a house rented in Featherstone
Street, Moorfields.3 The costs, including salaries
and other expenses, such as the rent and the
purchase of materials and drugs, were paid by
the subscribers, known as ‘managers’ or ‘governors’
who also contributed administratively.4 The number
of patients must have been quite significant, as only
three months after the opening, the infirmary was
moved to a new house in Prescott Street.
Every year, the infirmary hosted a commemoration,
which entailed a sermon, after which the congrega­
tion would go to a hall or a tavern, where music
would be played, and food and drinks served. At
the end of the evening, donations for the infirmary
would be collected.5 In the 1747 commemoration,
the Bishop of Worcester preached a sermon calling
for additional funds to erect a new building when