Archive
The archives held at St John's Hospital relate to Bath Municipal Charity Trustees, St John's Hospital, Magdalen Hospital School, Bellott's Hospital, St. Catherine's Hospital, Bath Dispensary and Nursing Association, Sir Thomas White's Charity, Robert Dyer Comans Trust, Bath District Benevolent Institution and The Monmouth Street Society. The largest number of records relate to St John's Hospital.
The earliest record in the archive dates to 1610. The earliest administrative records begin in 1759, with Trustee minutes commencing in 1852.
A transcript of all surviving medieval records relating to St John's Hospital may be found in the publication "Medieval deeds of Bath and district". Other records such as Somerset Record Society volume 73 refer to the Charity as do the Part I deeds of St. John's Hospital, Bath, edited by B. R. Kemp and Part II Walker-Heneage deeds, edited by D. M. M. Shorrocks (a copy of this publication is held by the archive administrator for references purposes).
Some of the original medieval deeds of St John’s Hospital are held at Lambeth Palace Library.
The Vatican's copy of the letter sent by Pope Boniface IX on 15 April 1400 to St John's (Lateran Regesta 80, f.70d). It granted permission for the parishioners of St Michael's by the Baths to be buried in the hospital chapel and cemetery.
The value of the archive for researchers
Biographical data on those people who were considered for, or received, pensions or sheltered housing from the mid nineteenth century onwards.
The history of the Bath charities administered by the Trustees of St John's Hospital and Bath Municipal Charities.
Data on persons who rented commercial or residential property from one of the charities involved. We hold some leases from the seventeenth century and a considerable number from the eighteenth century onwards.
In the context of the architectural history of Bath, we have valuable sources in the form of leases (many with building plans) and the various committee minute books. In addition we hold extensive building files and building plans for our properties, which were compiled by the Surveyor to the Charity. Some of these date back to the nineteenth century.
Visiting the archive
Researchers are welcome to visit by appointment only. We will require details of your research in advance so as to prepare for your visit. Our fees are £25.00 per hour for a visit, with a minimum fee of £25.00 for visits lasting up to an hour. The archive is located in the basement, access is via stairs. There are also three steps into the entrance of 4/5 Chapel Court. Please let us know if you require documents to be re-located to the ground floor for viewing.
Reprographics charges
A4 Black and White photocopies 20p per sheet
A3 Black and White photocopies 50p per sheet
A4 Colour photocopies 50p per sheet
A3 Colour photocopies £1 per sheet
In the event that the condition of a document prevents it from being photocopied, we will endeavour to supply a digital photograph. These are charged at £1.00 per image.
Contacting us
We have a member of staff responsible for carrying out searches of our archive catalogue and for assisting access to the records for researchers.
You may contact archives@stjohnsbath.org.uk alternatively you can call on 01225 486414 (direct line).