The 1871 census enumerator's books for a small agricultural hamlet in
central southern Hampshire gives the following information:-
"House of Mercy" - in charge is Sister Harriett from Yorkshire. Apart from
a visiting married woman, the twelve other occupants are unmarried women
aged 12 to 35, but mainly 18 to 25. Their occupation is "training for
service", and they are from various parts of southern England as far apart
as Devon and Norwich.
Was this part of a network of such places or just a local initiative? The
nearby town had strong garrison and naval connections, and a thriving Roman
Catholic church.
Any comments would be welcome.
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