The Collegium Insanorum, demolished 1910

His business was a success and in about 1760 he moved to what is now Lower Dagnall Street where he kept a mad-house called a "Collegium Insanorum". His most famous patient was William Cowper (1731-1800) the famous poet from Berkhamsted. Cowper was brought Cotton's asylum to be cured of his madness in December 1763 and stayed there until June 1765. Nathaniel died in 1788 and is buried with his two wives in St Peters churchyard.

[Information comes from the Rev F. A. Harding's article "Dr. Nathaniel Cotton of St. Albans" in the March 1969 issue of Hertfordshire Countryside - from which the above pictures are taken - and James Corbett's book "Secret City", which quotes a number of Cotton's poems. Unfortunately the articles differ on some key facts and neither identify their sources.]

It is not certain whether there was any continuity but the court records calendared in the "Session Records of the Liberty of St Albans, 1770-1840" in Herts County Records tell an interesting story.

During the Michaelmas sessions 1812 a licence was given allowing John Rumball, of St Stephens, to keep a house in that parish for the reception of lunatics. [Sessions Book III/288; and Draft Sessions Book V/45.] This was renewed in subsequent years. In the Michaelmas Sessions of 1820 John Rumball and James Quilter Rumball, surgeons, were licensed to keep a house for the reception of lunatics, in the parish of St Stephen, not exceeding ten in number, for the space of one year, during which time they are to allow certain justices and Thomas Baker, doctor of physic, to inspect the said house; if they refuse, the said licence is to be void. [Draft Sessions Book VIII/84, 92; Sessions Book IV/43; Goal Book IV/46, 47; and Miscellaneous Book III/3, 4.] In the same year an inspection was carried out by the two justices and physician appointed to visit the house of John Rumball, in St. Stephens parish, licensed for the reception of lunatics. They visited the house and found the following patients there:– William Clerk, of Winchester, aged 32; Richard Oswold Mason, of Elstree, aged 45, and L. D. Hunt, of Aylesbury, aged 50 years. They further certified that they found the patients properly attended and the house in all respects conducted in a satisfactory manner. [Miscellaneous Book III/7].

In 1827 the area known as Osterhills came on the market - see The Sale of Osterhills, St Albans in 1827 and the house was built. There is a counterpart lease of Oyster Hills, dated 20th March, 1834, between the Rev William Le Worthy (or Leworthy) of Horston, Cambs, to Mr James Quilter Rumball of St Albans. The property was Oyster Hills House, with the cottage, barns, yards, outbuildings, gardens and orchards and 7½ acres of meadow, which is not to be ploughed. It was a repairing lease at a rent of £40 per annum. It was stated that William Leworthy is tenant during the life of Thomas Fowler, Bricklayer, of St Albans, and that the property had been in the occupation of the said Thomas Fowler but for some time past had been untenanted. [HALS Ref: D/ECc T55]

James Quilter Rumball clearly brought the house for use as an asylum as the following court records show:

1834: EPIPHANY SESSIONS: Application of James Quilter Rumball, of the parish of St Michaels, surgeon and apothecary, for licence to keep "a house and buildings at Oyster Hills, for the reception of lunatics." He states that he resides in the said house, and that fifteen is the greatest number of patients he proposes to receive. The Court grants the said licence, the greatest number of patients not to exceed fifteen, in which number no "parish patients" are to be included. [Session Book V/385 and Draft Sessions Book X/354]

1834: MICHAELMAS SESSIONS: In accordance with the Act 2 and 3 William IV, concerning the treatment of "insane persons," the Court appoints certain justices and medical men to be "visitors to the house of James Quilter Rumball, surgeon and apothecary, licensed for the reception of insane persons at Oyster Hills, in the parish of St Michaels." The Clerk of the Peace is to act a clerk to the said visitors, at a salary of £8 per annum. One guinea is to be paid to the medical man for his attendance at each visit. [Sessions Book V/435 and Draft Sessions Book X/36]

1836: EASTER SESSIONS: Report by two justices, that they made an order on 20th March last past, under the provisions of the Act of 9 George IV, Cap. 40, for the confinement of William Lane, a person found wandering about in the parish of St Peter, appearing to be of unsound mind and a fit person to be confined in the house of James Quilter Rumball, at Oyster Hills, St Michaels, being a house licensed for the reception of insane persons. [Session Roll CCI/175, Sessions Book VI/37 and Draft Sessions Book XI/36] [and visits and renewal of licence in subsequent years.]

1838: MICHAELMAS SESSIONS: Return by the Clerk of the Peace, under the Act 9 George IV. cap. 40, of all lunatics and dangerous idiots within the liberty. [Sessions Book VI/223] Appointment of visitors (under the Act 2 and 3 William IV, cap. 107), to the house of James Quilter Rumball, surgeon and apothecary at Oyster Hills, licensed for the reception of insane persons. [Sessions Book VI/225]

1839: EASTER SESSIONS: Letter from James Quilter Rumball, surgeon and apothecary, to the Clerk of the Peace:– "I beg to inform you that I shall require a renewal of my licence at the ensuing sessions; and in order to meet the wishes of the visiting magistrates, I beg to name John Cranmer Gordon, esq., surgeon, as my resident superintendent during the time of my licence. He has seen very considerable practice, and has more than once had charge of my patients, both before and since my coming to Oyster Hills." Ordered that Rumball renew this application in a "formal manner", and, should he not himself intend to reside in the house to be licensed, to furnish testimonials as to the fitness of the proposed resident superintendent. [Sessions Roll CCXIII/134-135; Sessions Book VI/252; and Draft Sessions Book XI/126] This application is granted; the number of patients not to exceed ten "in which number no parish patients are to be included." [Sessions Book VI/262 and Draft Sessions Book XI/129]

In 1839 Pigot's directory recorded "About a mile from the town, at Oster Hills, a beautiful and sequestered spot is an establishment for the insane; it is admirably conducted upon the humane and social principle of treating patients as part of the family - this system being more efficiently maintained here than in other asylums where the inmates are inconveniently numerous." It also lists:

Rumball, James Q, surgeon of private lunatic asylum, Oster Hills

1842: Resolved that Mr Oakley, vice chairman, be requested in concurrance with the visiting committee to make arrangements with Mr Jas. Q. Rumball for the temporary hiring of his cottages on Oster Hills in order to the Removal there from the Workhouse of such a number of the old women as they are capable of accommodating. [St Albans Union Minute Book: 16th December, 1842 [St Albans City Archives 1700A, now at HALS]

In 1847 James Quilter Rumball and Arthur Griffin Rumball applied to a licence for keeping an asylum at Harpenden, which was granted and it is clear that they then moved from Oster Hills.

The 1850 Post Office Directory shows that the Oster Hills was now a private house - see SCOTT, Oster Hills, St Albans, late 19th century, and that J. Q. Rumball had moved to The Hall, Harpenden. It was licensed for the reception of insane people in November 1850 (See press cutting for details). The 1851 census for Harpenden shows he was still running a private lunatic asylum:

James R RUMBALL	Head	M	54	Surgeon practising R. C. of Surgeons London	Abingdon, Berks
Rebecca RUMBALL	Wife	M	52		Dartford, Kent
George RUMBALL	Son	U	20		London
Selina RUMBALL	Dau	U	23		London
James RUMBALL	Son	U	22	Bankers Clerk	London
Frederick RUMBALL	Son	U	18		London
Sarah ROYER	Sister in law	W	42	Lady (Annuitant)	Dartford, Kent
M. I. (M)	Patient	M	40	Surgeon not practising	Unknown
T. P. (M)	Patient	U	34	Gent	Unknown
C. W. (M)	Patient	U	67	Gent	Unknown
P. H. (M)	Patient	U	35	Formerly Stock Brokers Clerk	St Albans
D. M. (F)	Patient	U	87	Lady	Hurst, Hants
C. A. (F)	Patient	U	55	Lady	Unknown
Harriet LONG	Servant	U	26	Ladys Maid	St Albans
Susan ARNOLD	Servant	U	28	Cook	Wheathampstead
Ann ADDINGTON	Servant	U	20	House Maid	Bedmond, Herts
John PURSELL	Servant	U	20	House Servant	St Peters, St Albans

Unfortunately the patients are only recorded as initials.

In 1857 he was advertising for a new patient at £100 per annum, as this advert from the Morning Post of 5th March shows.

 

Fortunately names were recorded in the 1861 census, and it would seem that three of the patients in 1851 were still there in 1861. It is interesting to note that one of the patients had a personal attendant,

The 1862 Post Office Directory lists Harpenden Hall Asylum (James Quilter Rumball, proprietor). The London Evening Standard advert of 7th April 1862 shows his fees had now increased to £150 per annum.

This advert was published in the Brighton Gazette of 11th December, 1862, gives some background to the way patients were being treated at Harpenden Hall.

By 1866 James had moved to The Limes, Harpenden (he died at Harpenden in 1872, aged 77)  and in November issues of the Brighton Gazette his advert  said he had resigned to is son Arthur Rumball. esq., the proprietorship of Harpenden Hall Asylum. ... He wishes to receive at The Limes a single patient only, nervous of otherwise, who may object to be placed with others.

The London Gazette Issue 23641 published on the 9 August 1870. Page 41 reads:

The Bankruptcy Act, 1869.
In the County Court of Hertfordshire, holden at St. Alban's.

In the Matter of Proceedings for Liquidation by Arrangement or Composition with Creditors, instituted by Arthur Griffin Rumball, of Harpenden. in the said county of Hertford, Proprietor of a Private Lunatic Asylum.
NOTICE is hereby given, that a First General Meeting of the creditors of the above-named person has been summoned to be held at the Bull Inn, Harpenden aforesaid, on the 18th day of August, 1870, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon precisely.

Dated this 2nd day of August, 1870.
GEORGE ANNESLEY, St. Alban's, Attorney for the said Arthur Griffin Rumball.

Despite this Arthur was running the asylum at the time of the 1871 census.

 

James Quilter Rumball died at The Limes, Harpenden, on 4th June 1872.

 

In 1879 there were several adverts in the London Evening Standard offering "A comfortable home for a lady of gentleman who is only slightly mentally affected."

 

Arthur Griffin Rumball died in 1880, aged 54 and at the time of the 1881 census his widow was continuing to run the private lunatic asylum.

Emma E. RUMBALL	Head	W	39	Proprietor Of Lunatic Asylum Private Inst	Hornsey, Middlesex
Robert RUMBALL	Son	U	17	Articled Pupil	Harpenden
Hubert RUMBALL	Son	U	15	Scholar (Art Student)	Harpenden
Arthur RUMBALL	Son	U	10	Scholar	Harpenden
William RUMBALL	Son	U	7	Scholar	Harpenden
Mary RUMBALL	Dau		1		Harpenden
Maurice RUMBALL	Son		1		Harpenden
Ellen CHARRINGTON	Niece	U	20	Visitor	Swanage, Dorset
Scott CHARRINGTON	Nephew	U	13	Scholar	Swanage, Dorset
Helena SCOTT	Friend	U	27	Visitor	Southsea, Hampshire
Stewart L. RUMBALL	Brother In Law	M	42	Super Of Private Asylum	St Albans
Emma MYERS	Servant	U	17	Cook	Harpenden
Elizth. RAWLINS	Servant	U	19	Housemaid	Hanwell, Middlesex
Emily ARCHER	Servant	U	18	Nursemaid	St Albans
Catherine THORNE	Servant	U	14	Nursemaid	Twickenham, Middlesex
P. J. - Handicap: Lunatic (M)	Patient	U	61
W. P. - Handicap: Lunatic (M)	Patient	U	48	Surveying Engineer
J. L. - Handicap: Lunatic (F)	Patient	W	80	(Surveyor)	Scotland
M. H. - Handicap: Lunatic (F Marriage annulled))	Patient	O	54

 

The 1882 Kelly's Directory still records "Harpenden Hall Asylum (Arthur Griffin Rumball, proprietor)." All references vanish in the 1886 directory but it may have been the "Hertfordshire Sanitorium." The 1890 Directory lists Allan McLean at Harpenden Hall and the 1891 shows it was still being used as an asylum.

MACLEAN, Allan	Head	Married	M	39	Registered Medical Practitioner Physician	Caistor, Lincolnshire
KER, Emily	Servant	Single	F	54	Matron Of The Asylum	Ireland
JONES, Mary Anne	Servant	Single	F	21	Nurse In Asylum	Ryton, Shropshire
MOYLE, Mary Anne	Servant	Single	F	20	Nurse In Asylum	Burley, Shropshire
LELLO, Kate	Servant	Single	F	20	Nurse In Asylum	Shrewsbury, Shropshire
HOUGHTON, Mary Anne	Servant	Single	F	20	Housemaid Domestic Servant	Bridgend, Lincolnshire
GOODLIFFE, Mary Anne	Servant	Single	F	22	Cook Domestic Servant	Billingborough, Lincolnshire
E W G S	Boarder	Widow	F	68	Widow Dependent Or Daughter, Lunatic	Scotland
S, M A	Boarder	Single	F	24	Daughter Of Solicitors Widow, Lunatic	Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire
S, C	Boarder	Widow	F	56	Widow Of Solicitor, Lunatic
C, C	Boarder	Widow	F	31	Daughter Of Solicitor, Lunatic	London, Primrose Hill RD
B, C C A	Boarder	Widow	F	27	Daughter Of Merchants Widow, Lunatic	Hampstead, London
A, R C	Boarder	Widow	F	50	Daughter Of Clergyman C Of C, Lunatic	Wales
H, M A F C	Boarder	Widow	F	64	Daughter Of Indiarubber Manufacturer, Lunatic	London
H, G A O	Boarder	Widow	F	36	Daughter Of Merchant, Lunatic	Wandsworth, London
J, P	Boarder	Single	M	74	Son Of Army Clothier, Lunatic	Soho, London
P, W H	Boarder	Single	M	58	Surveying Engineer, Lunatic	Coggeshall, Essex

The 1898 Kelly's Directory lists: Harpenden Hall, private asylum (for ladies), Dr. A. H. Boys, propr. and the 1901 census shows it was still an asylum.

 By the time of the 1911 census it had become a boarding school for girls:

In the 1930s Harpenden Hall became the Council Offices.

See also The Patients at Harpenden Hall, Harpenden, 1851-1901