Material accumulated by Jane Young

This series contains letters from family and friends to Jane Young (nee Hackworth). There are some early letters from her father Timothy Hackworth, one describing his contract work for the London and Brighton Railway. Correspondence from 1850-1852 include many letters from when Jane was at school in Vilivorde, Belgium. These letters are from friends at home, many of which appear to be pupils at her sister Prudence Nightingale (nee Hackworth)’s Seminary for Young Ladies in Penrith, these letters are often playful and include news on friends and family. At this time Jane also received letters from her family with many letters from her sister Prudence and letters from brothers Timothy Hackworth Jr and John Wesley Hackworth, these letters describe their work at Soho after their father Timothy Hackworth had died. Towards the end of her time at school Jane received letters from George Edward Young, one which proposes marriage.

The series continues with letters from Jane’s married life and include some showing domestic activities and research interests. From the 1890’s until the early 1900’s letters from members of the family including Prudence Nightingale (nee Hackworth) demonstrate Jane’s involvement in the campaign for recognition of her father. She appears to be active in sending information and literature to individuals and family members interested in her father’s work. Letters are sent to her in the 1901-1902 to inform her that her father’s tombstone was being renovated. The series ends in 1914, the year of her death with a letter from a friend describing family matters.