Dr. Henry Charles# Bateman FRCS, LSA

  Notes:

Abridged summary of the more detailed notes below:

Henry Bateman was born in Burton upon Trent in 1806, his father was a school teacher turned successful timber merchant who died young (thrown from his horse). As well as having 17 children (14 of whom reached adulthood) he achieved prominence in two areas; medicine and the Swedenborgian Church.

Before he was five, for a period of at least 5 years, he lived with his uncle Wm Butt Jordan in Nottingham. When his aunt (who died) and uncle (who survived) got thyphoid this led to his interest in medicine and also prompted his return to Burton to be educated at Burton Grammar School, which he left at age 14 when he was apprenticed to an apothecary in Burton for 5 years. In October 1825 he went to London to study medicine at St.Batholomew's Hospital, an institution for which he always retained a great respect. The office of Librarian, an appointment then given to deserving students, was given to him. From September 1826 to September 1828 he acted as assistant to Mr.Jones of Henley-in-Arden. In October of the year 1828 he became a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries, and in January 1829 a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, of which in 1855 he was made a Fellow. Through 1829 he continued his hospital studies, attending the Eye Infirmary, Moorfields, for three months and he also entered the Ecole de Medecin, Paris and attended at the Hotel Dieu the lectures of the celebrated Dupuytren.
In January 1830 he was made surgeon of the Islington Dispensary, and commenced practise on his own account in the same year. In 1832, during the epidemic of Asiatic cholera, he was appointed surgeon to the Cholera Hospital, River Lane, Islington, and, after making his will, made post-mortem examinations of every case that died under his care. He remained surgeon to the Islington Dispensary more than three years, and became senior surgeon there at twenty-four years of age. He resigned the appointment when he married, and was made consulting surgeon.
Due to "his experience at the Dispensary and the Hospital, and his feeling for the sorrows of the poor" he began his well-known practise of seeing his poorer patients gratuitously. For eight years he saw them so daily, and subsequently three times weekly, beginning at the early hour of six (even earlier in the summer) and closing the door of the room for this purpose at the foot of his garden "with severe punctuality" at nine, some mornings he saw between 50 and 100 patients. Before most men had got their breakfast Mr.Bateman had cleared off his gratuitous patients, and was hard at work in his private consulting-room, which was seldom empty till he went on his round of daily medical duties, from which nothing could divert him, unless something he could do for his beloved Church.
He was a hard-working man and not constitutionally strong, and temperate almost to teetotalism. In middle life his heart became weak, but slight rest and a daily dose of tincture of Acetate of iron enabled him to complete fifty years of practice. Few men in general practice in London were more called into consultation than Mr Bateman was, no case coming amiss to him, whether surgical, medical, or obstetric. His readiness to help brought practitioners and patients to him in all emergencies.
Family lore has it that he was a Physician to William IV, but this seems unlikely as it isn't mentioned in any of his obituaries and he was only 31 when William died.

He was a devoted believer in the doctrines of Swedenborg, indeed he was described as "the leading spirit of this movement and one of the mainstays of the New Church in London". Until shortly before his death he used to preach every Sunday in the New Church, Devonshire Street, Islington, and as he had to get up at five o'clock on other mornings to see his gratuitous patients he had often to get up a little later on Sunday mornings to write his sermon. He was "most warm hearted in the sacred cause, and most zealous in promoting the truth".
He was the prominent in the building of the church in Argyle Square, where he also presented the font.
With his children he founded Emanuel College in 1845 to promote doctrines and prepare students for ministry in the New (Swedenborg) Church. Originally this was also in Argyle Square but later a plot was purchased in Devonshire St. (now Devonia Rd) where a chapel was built (complete with accomodation for teachers and students) which opened in 1852. The building still stands as a Polish R.C. Church. There seems to be some conflicting accounts about whether he paid for this, or a Mr Compton, but certainly he was a significant and generous benefactor to the New Church.
Some writers seem to have confused him a well known writer of hymns with a similar name (Christian Henry Bateman), but he's not.

Henry married twice and had at least 4 children with his first wife and at least 13 with his second. Only 4 of these children were sons.
He didn't want any of his daughters to marry, as he liked to have them all at home with him, indeed four of his daughters who survived to adulthood never did marry. One daughter May, was an author and friend of John Ruskin, another, Gabrielle, became a Carmelite Nun. Of those who did marry Maud led the most colourful life, although perhaps not as colourful as her daughter Marie !
Of his three surviving sons two, a Brigadier General and a Colonel, followed military careers whilst his middle son, who also served in the military, was a doctor and the first General Secretary of the Medical Defence Union.
He declined dining out, even with his own family, the exception being to dine at the College (of Surgeons) dinner every second year.
Despite his benevolance to the New Church his 1881 estate was valued at between £50,000 and £60,000, roughly the equivalent of £5m in 2022.

"His life was one of truly Christian piety, order, and benevolence."

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Got parents names from Anne St Wright/G-P research
His obit in Obstetrical Society of London magazine has second name of Charles.
Found bapt entry in St Modwen, Burton upom Trent Parish Register;"27th Nov 1801, Henry son of Thomas and Jane Bateman". Bapt on same day as Thomas.

According to Ann G-P research he was christened again 6 Jul 1829 in New Jerusalem Temple, Hatton Garden, London.

For a copy of his biog see the 'George-Powell extra info section' from the main index.This was pieced together over some time, and dictated on his death bed, unfortunately however it appears he never finished it, or if he did we don't have it all.

From less than 5 for a period of 5 years he lived with his Uncle William Butt Jordan in Nottingham (only returning 'home' to Burton once) and his early education was at a Boys School in Bolite (Bothwell?) Lane, Nottingham (Wendy thinks probably The Old Grammar School in Bulwell Lane, which seems likely). Then "when I was about nine my aunt was attacked with typhoid fever and died - my uncle also took the same disease but happily recovered - this illness gave me the first fancy for medical studies - and was the cause of my returning to my mothers in Burton".

Anthony says he later went to Burton Grammar School - info confirmed by former Hon.Historian of BGS. Anthony also says Henry was apprenticed to a Burton apothecary before going to London.
Wendy found following in Google books; Obit of Henry appeared in Morning Light (a Swedenborgian publication) in 1880 - "....is of interest. He was born on September 30, 1806 at Burton-upon-Trent, and educated at Burton Grammar School. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to Mr Septimus Allen of Burton for five years. In October 1825 he came to London and began the study of medicine at St Bartholomew's Hospital, an institution for which he retained a great respect. Amongst ....."

Ann George-Powell (nee St John Wright) claimed he was Doctor to the King, and this is also in her biog "Grannie's father, Henry Bateman, had been a 'high up' in the Swendenborg movement (true) and had been Physician to William IV" (doubtful ; Henry was only 31 when William IV died).

Google books ; 1832 (perhaps) a "H Bateman Esq Surgeon of Islington" published an article on 'Partial Fractures of the Long Bones' in the 'London Medical and Surgical Journal'. He would be 26 at this time, so possibly him.

1834; First wedding; one of the witnesses was Thomas Jones; presumably her father.

National Archives; 29 Jul 1835; Insured: Mary Barnett, Upper Clapton, widow Other property or occupiers: 9 Church Row, Upper Street, Islington ( Bateman, surgeon).

1841 Census (age ~30) living at Church Row, St. Mary Islington East, Middlesex (London) with first wife Mary(35) and children Mary and Henry. Think also 2 students with them. Not sure where Emily is.

19th August 1842; Signed the Shakespeare's Birthplace visitors book - same day as his sister Maria Bateman. Was of Islington.

Google books; 'The Veterinarian for 1844' an article - 'A Case of Rabies by H.Bateman Esq MRCS of Islington'.

Marriage Certificate from the New Christian Church, District of Saint Pancras, Middlesex on 27th December, 1845 of Henry Bateman (Widower) Surgeon, of 6,Islington Green - (Father - Thomas Bateman, Timber Merchant) and Elizabeth Helen Senior, (a minor), Spinster, of 3,Barnsbury Street - (Father - Bernard Martin Senior, Gentleman) In the presence of - Bernard Martin Senior, 3,Brunsbury?? Place, Islington, and Elizabeth Senior

google books; The Gentlemans Magazine 1846 , Marriages "At Christchurch, Argyll Sq., Henry Bateman esq, of Islington Green to Elizabeth Helen, eldest dau. of Bernard M.Senior of Compton Lodge, St Elizabeth, Jamaica".

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British-History website;
Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgians)
Hen. Bateman of Islington and his children founded Emanuel College 1845 to promote doctrines and prepare students for ministry. College at first in care of New Church, Argyle Sq., St. Pancras, but Bateman purchased from Thos. Cubitt a site in Devonshire Street (later Devonia Rd.), where chapel opened 1852, with residence above and schoolroom below in wing completed by 1854. By 1867 completion of large central chapel and sch. left original wing for college. . Attendance 1903: 32 a.m.; 57 p.m. Closed 1930 and bldgs. sold to Polish R.C. mission.

New Jerusalem ch., Camden Rd., built 1873-4 to replace ch. in Cross Street, Hatton Gdn. Services. in adjacent Athenaeum, Camden Rd., while chapel being built. Gothic style with SW. tower and spire, lecture hall, school room. New entrance from Parkhurst Street and hall opened 1908, when ch. held largest colln. of New Ch. literature in Eng. Attendance 1903: 156 a.m.; 94 p.m. In 1924 had 206 members, 60 of them not resident in area. Lease expired 1952 and ch. closed 1954, later used by Islington Boys' club. Most members joined N. Finchley ch., offshoot of study circle started by Camden Rd.
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Entry in the London Medical Directory 1846 ; BATEMAN, HENRY, 6, Islington Green – Surgeon ; Qual MRCS Jan 30 1829, LSA Oct 2 1828. Formerly Senior Surgeon to the Islington Dispensary, and Surgeon to the Cholera Hospital, Islington ; Contributor to ‘The London Medical and Surgical Journal” ‘On Partial Fractures of the Long Bones’ May 5 1832, ‘On Cancer’ June 9 1832, “The London Medical Gazette” ‘On Strangulated Hernia’ May 5 1832 and “The Lancet’ “A Case of Hydrophobia” March 23 1844.

1851 Census (age 44) living at 6 Islington Green, St Mary's Islington, London with wife, 2 daughters, 1 visitor (George Gibbs, 24, Booksellers Assistant), 1 pupil (Philip Jones, 17) and 2 servants. Occupation; Member of the Royal College of Surgeons.

1855 Google books; "Practical treatise on the diseases of children and infants at the breast" ... "Mr Bateman of Islington, three years since, operated on an infant only four hours after birth. In this case there was extensive fissure in the palate; the child died of hooping cough last winter, and the mother remarked that before death the fissure, which had at birth been "so large that one could put her thumb in it, had contracted so much that it would scarcely admit the edge of a sheet of writing paper" - Med.Times & Gazette March 1854. This same operation is also mentioned in 'The Surgeon's vade mecum: a manual of modern surgery, by Robert Druitt 1859' and in 'The Dental Review' of 1864.

Google books; 'A treatise on cancer, and its treatment' .... "After this she consulted Dr.Protheroe Smith, who pronounced it to be malignant, and recommended her to Mr.Bateman of Islington, when arrangements were made for its removal".

On http://www.derekjones.org/LPLHhtml.htm (history of London Public Libraries);
"Early after the 1855 Act had received the Royal Assent, the ratepayers of St. Mary, Islington met on November 16, 1855 at 7 p.m. at the Parochial School Room in Church Street to determine adoption. The meeting was advertised in The Times and other papers. Mr. Henry Bateman, proposed the adoption motion, but before it could be put an amendment "That It is inexpedient at the present time to adopt the Act..." was carried and the motion was lost. Fifteen years later another ratepayers' meeting was held on January 5, 1870: the adoption motion was carried by a show of hands 76 to 66, but the requisite two-thirds majority was not achieved."
This could be him, but not certain.

Dundee, Perth & Cupar Advertisier (why ; the Sclanders connection ??) Fri 3 Oct 1856; Births; On the 25th uit, the wife of Henry Bateman Esq, F.R.C.S., of Islington, a daughter (presumably Ina).

The Intellectual repository for the New Church. (1858) Obit of a Mr James Knight of Camden Town who for a long time was a conductor of Sunday school in Burton upon Trent “About 1824 when residing at Burton upon Trent, he was the means of introducing the works of Swedenborg to Mr Joseph MOSS, who for thirty years has been the efficient and respected master of the New Jerusalem Church Day Schools, in Manchester. About this time he was also, in the Lord’s providence, the means of bringing Mr Bateman, of London, to an acquaintance with the heavenly doctrines, who, ever since, has been most warm hearted in the sacred cause, and most zealous in promoting the truth”.

1859; Elected fellow of the Obstetrical Society of London.

Brit Medical Register 1859; BATEMAN, Henry. 32 Compton Terrace, Islington. Lic. Soc. Apoth. London 1828. Mem 1829, Fell.1855, R.Coll.Surg, Eng.

1861 Census (age 54) living at 32 Compton Terrace, Islington, London with wife, children, one of his wifes brothers (Arthur Senior) and 4 servants. Occupation; FRCS, Consulting Surgeon.

Brit Medical Register 1863; BATEMAN, Henry. 32 Compton Terrace, Islington.. Other details as previously.

South London Press; Sat 2nd Nov 1867; Very long article about the dedication of the New Jerusalem Church, Brunswick Road, Camberwell. Part of which is "Mr Bateman, of Islington, observed the new church was in no degree sectarian, but the Catholic Church, for it took into its bosom the good of all denominations, from the time of the early Christians, as revealed by Swedenborg, up to the last judgement which took place in the middle of the last century".

1871 Census (age 64); Living at 32 Compton Terr, Islington, London with wife and 8 daughters and 1 son. Also 4 servants (1 x cook, 3 x housemaids). Occupation; Surgeon, FRCS. Minister of New College Chapel, Islington.
This end of Compton Terrace destroyed by V1 in WWII and is now, in effect, part of Highbury Corner.

Brit Medical Register 1871; BATEMAN, Henry. 32 Compton Terrace, Islington.. Other details as previously.

Google books; 1873 'Diseases of the ovaries; Their Diagnosis and Treatment' a 'Mr Bateman of Islington' was present at some operation described therein.

Brit Medical Register 1875; BATEMAN, Henry. 13 Canonbury La., Islington. Other details as previously.

Brit Medical Register 1879; BATEMAN, Henry. 13 Canonbury La., Islington. Other details as previously.

Henry's brother (presum William or Thomas) was in the Burton Volunteers Regiment and, at the time of writing his autobiog, he still had his brothers sword.

From Wendy H;The Times Jan 29 1881. Wills & Bequests. The will (dated November 13 1880) of Mr Henry Bateman, late of 13 Canonbury Lane, Islington who died on November 21st last, was proved on the 21st ult by Mrs.Elizabeth Helen Bateman, the widow, and Alfred George Bateman, the son, the acting executors, the personal estate being sworn under £50,000. HIS WILL WOULD BE USEFUL. In the probate index on ancestry the value of the estate was later revised upwards to be under £60,000.

Google books; 1882; 'Transactions of the Obsterical Society of London' there is an article which begins 'Henry CHARLES Bateman FBGS who died on the 21st OF NOVEMBER, at Islington, where he had practised for upwards of fifty years, was probably well known to many now present. He was born in 1806 at Burton on Trent and was ......"

From Wendy H; 13 Canonbury La contained a recording studio in the 1950s attached to a club/hall and Marty Wilde and The Vernon Girls and 'Oh Boy' were recorded there.

Unknown date; A 'Batenian, Henry' (sic) of 32 Compton Terrace is listed as a member of the New Sydenham Society - medical society.

Anthony also says there is/was a portrait of him at the RCS.

SWEDENBORIGAN REFERENCES; (there are many more on google books!);
(Best one at the bottom of page)
From "A History of the County of Middlesex Vol 8 1985" found on britishhistoryonline by Wendy H; "Church of the New Jerusalem (Swedenborgians) : Hen. Bateman of Islington and his children founded Emanuel Coll. 1845 to promote doctrines and prepare students for ministry. College at first in care of New Church., Argyle Sq., St. Pancras, but Bateman purchased from Thos. Cubitt site in Devonshire Street (later Devonia Rd.), where chapel opened 1852, with residence above and schoolroom below in wing completed by 1854. By 1867 completion of large central chapel and sch. left original wing for college. Attendance 1903: 32 a.m.; 57 p.m. Closed 1930 and bldgs. sold to Polish R.C. mission. "
According to the National Archives there is/was a plaque to Henry at Devonia Rd. If not then there is a picture of it in the National Archives.
BUT The Intellectual repository for the New Church there is a letter FROM Bateman which basically says New Church College is largely to be funded out of the 'Crompton legacy';
http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=MVQEAAAAQAAJ&pg=RA6-PA474&dq=bateman%2Bswedenborg&lr=#PRA6-PA473,M1

Henry Bateman FRCS was Secretary of the Council of New Church College, Devonshire Street, Islington and co-signatory of letter to the Queen upon death of Prince Consort in 1862.

New Jerusalem 1858 "So I was told, after the evening meeting in the Swedenborg Society's house, where Mr. Bateman had very kindly addressed me, and in reply to which I felt ..."

Published The Substance of a Lecture on the History and Objects of the New Church in 1859.

Documents Concerning the Life and Character of Emanuel Swedenborg (1877): By R. L. Tafel states "This cane is now in the possession of Mr. H. Bateman, FRCS 14 Canonbury Lane, Islington. "Besides the walking stick here mentioned," says Mr. Madeley, ..."

Documents Concerning the Life and Character of Emanuel Swedenborg Volume Two ... By R. L. Tafel states; Subsequent History of the Swedenborgian MSS in England "In the spring of 1841, after the decease of Mr.Sibly, Mr.Bateman the treasurer of the London Printing(?) Society, who was just as ignorant of the history of the MSS as other people" and "At the next meeting of the Printing(?) Society's Committee, in April, Mr.Bateman laid the MSS on the table, stating what had taken place."

Google books; 1868; 'Mr H Bateman of 32 Compton Terrace' is mentioned in 'New Jerusalem Magazine By General Convention of the New Jerusalem in the United States of America', presumably a subscriber.

From Emanuel Swedenborg: His Life and Writings By William White, 1868; "Second from Mr.Henry Bateman, Surgeon, Islington - The evil was no other than an erroneous view of Swedenborg's teachings in the treatise on Scortatory Love - a work ...... "

Witness Against the Beast By E. P. Thompson, Christopher Hill (Pg 137) states "Dr Bateman, who had been doctor to to both Hindmarsh and Sibley, reaffirmed that 'some of the early receivers' viewed Swedenborg's doctrines from an 'unchaste ground' ".

Annals of the New Church By Carl Theophilus Odhner "Mr. Henry Bateman is the leading spirit of this movement. ..."

Written a letter or article in " The intellectual repository and New Jerusalem magazine By The General Conference of the New Church"

From Anthony;
"Lay minister of New Jerusalem (Swedenborgian) Church".
and
"Henry B didn't want any of his daughters to marry, as he liked to have them all at home with him. An obituary (probably Lancet) said that he never dined out except to attend the Hunterian dinner of the RCS. By the way, the place to which he gave so much money was the New Church College Islington. I have a little notebook in which Henry wrote all his expenditure whilst a student in London. He spent lots of money on gloves and, I recall, on cards. He went on to attend Charcot's lectures at the Sorbonne - an early psychiatrist."

Seems to be quite a bit of Henry's correspondence in the Swedenborgian's UK archives; http://www.swedenborg.org.uk/society/library/archives/corresp/index.htm

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Google Books; "English Hymns: Their Authors and History' by Samuel Willoughby Duffield contains the text "Henry Bateman, a nephew of Bishop Daniel Wilson, of Calcutta, and a Swedenborgian, was a surgeon, born at Burton-on-Trent, Eng., September 30th 1806. He died November 21st, at the Chestnuts, Canonbury, London N. His 'Heart Melodies' contain "three hundred and sixty-five Psalms and Hymns for Public Worship and Domestic Use" 1862. He is to be distinguished from Rev. Christian Henry Bateman, born 1813, and is recorded in 'The Lancet' November 27th 1880." So this is definately our chap, although that does'nt mean it is correct.
The bishop was previously vicar in ISLINGTON. His son-in-law Josiah BATEMAN also wrote his biog; "The Life of The Right Rev. Daniel Wilson, D.D., Late Lord Bishop of Calcutta and Metropolitan of India by Josiah Bateman, 2 vols, London, 1860". This (whole) book is on google books. Bateman also wrote other religious books, including his own autobiog. This Wilson book includes the text;
"The chapter of Daniel Wilson's Family Life is now concluded. Two children were left. God had spared two - a son to succeed him at ISLINGTON, and a dau to accompany him to India. In process of time these have become two bands; and he lived to hear himself called "grandfather" and "great-grandfather". .......(sons family) ...... The grandchildren of the other family are Alice Wilson Bateman, Hugh, Gertrude and Marian Amy."
Later the biog quotes some of his diaries "Jan 1827 ...... and then went to my nephew, Henry Bateman, to consecrate his new house". But 'our' Henry was only 21 in 1827. Had he even moved to Islington by then ? Also there is a letter to his eldest sister 'Mrs Bateman'. So his eldest sister is a Bateman and so is his son-in-law ?? He himself married (1803) a cousin, Anne Wilson, not that that really helps !
His dau were 1809 Amelia, 1811 Ann Margaret(died 1818). 1814 Eliza Emma and (I think) Lucy (?)
I suspect the most likely explanation is that Mr.Willoughby, whilst telling us not to get confused, has actually got confused himself !!
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Morning Light Article, Sunday December 18, 1880 (parts extracted from the Lancet, November 27, 1880);

"On Sunday, November 21, Mr.Bateman of Islington, one of the best known and most marked practitioners in London, died at the goodly age of seventy-four years. Mr.Bateman's history, as that of one of the most prominent of the older class of practitioners in of interest. He was born on September 30, 1806 at Burton-upon-Trent, and educated at the Burton Grammar School. At the age of fourteen years he was apprenticed to Mr Septimus Allen of Burton for five years. In October 1825 he came to London, and began the study of medicine at St.Batholomew's Hospital, an institution for which he always retained a great respect. Amongst his fellow students was Professor Owen, with whom he shared his first dissections. He attended the lectures of Mr.Abernethy. The office of Librarian, an appointment then given to deserving students, was given to Mr.Bateman. From September 1826 to September 1828 he acted as assistant to Mr.Jones of Henley-in-Arden. In October of the year 1828 he became a Licentiate of the Society of Apothecaries, and in January 1829 a member of the Royal College of Surgeons, of which in 1855 he was made a Fellow. Through 1829 he continued his hospital studies, and specially attended the Eye Infirmary, Moorfields, for three months. In this year he also entered the Ecole de Medecin, Paris and atteneded at the Hotel Dieu the lectures of the celebrated Dupuytren. In January 1830 he was made surgeon of the Islington Dispensary, and commenced practise on his own account in the same year. He was fond of reverting to the humble beginnings of his large practise and the modest but ever-increasing annual receipts. In 1832, during the epidemic of Asiatic cholera, he was appointed surgeon to the Cholera Hospital, River Lane, Islington, and after wisely making his will made post-mortem examinations of every case that died under his care. He remained surgeon to the Islington Dispensary more than three years, and became senior surgeon to the same at twenty-four years of age. He resigned the appointment when he married, and was made consulting surgeon. He then began his well-known practise of seeing patients gratuitously. For eight years he saw them so daily, and subsequently, down to a few years ago, three times weekly, beginning at the early hour of six, and in summer mornings before this, and closing the door of the room for this purpose at the foot of his garden with severe punctuality at nine. It was common for him to see on those mornings from 50 to 100 people, who preserved his prescriptions was a reverence that testified to their utility.

The above mere history implies a good deal of character, thoroughness of study, love of work, and early rising. Before most men had got their breakfast Mr.Bateman had cleared off his gratuitous patients, and was hard at work in his private consulting-room, which was seldom empty till he went on his round of daily medical duties, from which nothing could divert him, unless something he could do for his beloved Church. He was a most devoted believer in the doctrines of Swedenborg, and one of the mainstays of the New Church in the metropolis. Until a comparatively recent period he used to preach once every Sunday in the New Church, Devonshire Street, Islington, and as he had to get up at give o'clock on other mornings to see his gratuitous patients he had often to get up a little later on Sunday mornings to write his sermon. He was a hard-working man, not because he was constitutionally stronger than others, but from a strong love of work and sense of duty, stimulated, perhaps, by a large family, who have deeply to feel his loss. Not the least lessin in Mr Bateman's history is the fact that he was not constitutionally strong, and temperate almost to teetotalism. In his early practice, in three Augusts running, he had an attack of haemoptysis, compelling him to the habit of a fortnightly summer holiday, which he took as religiously as Sir Henry Holland took his two months. In middle life his heart became weak, but by slight rest and a daily dose of tincture of Acetate of iron at dinner it regained power enough to enable him to complete fifty years of practice. Few men in general practice in London have been more called into consultation than Mr Bateman was, no case coming amiss to him, whether surgical, medical, or obstetric. Such readiness to help brought practitioners and patients to him in all emergencies, from parts far remote from the immediate sphere of his own practice. Notwithstanding the strong love of work and sense of duty which dominated Mr Bateman, he could not have done what he did but for two habits - one early rising, to which we have already referred ; the other the steady refusal to accept social engagements. He declined dining out, even with his own family, and the only exception which he admitted was to dine at the College dinner every second year.

Such briefly, but very imperfectly, is the history of Mr Bateman's character and work. After fifty years of such work a man may be held to have served his generation well and to have set a splendid example to younger men. But when he disappears he does so conspicuously, and Islington practitioners will long continue to miss his characteristic figure, his bright face, his animated and intellectual conversation, and his hopeful and sanguine views of disease. In his last illness he was attended by his son, Mr.Alfred G Bateman, and his friend, Dr.Glover, with the king occasional advice and service of Mr.Gowlland, Sir James Paget, and Mr.Christopher Heath. His illness was long and very trying, but his faith was equal to it, and he suffered, as he had laboured, "in cheerful godliness".
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From http://www.newchurchhistory.org/articles/jb1884/29_Mr_Bateman_and_Mr_Crompton.php
New Church Worthies by Rev. Dr. Jonathan Bayley
MR. BATEMAN,(Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons), and
MR. CROMPTON,The Founders of the New Church College in Devonshire Street, Islington
In my earliest visits to London, the first of which was in June, 1840, when I witnessed the procession of Her Majesty on her way to coronation, I became personally acquainted with my late dear friend Mr. Bateman.
Argyle Square church was not then erected, the friends who subsequently in conjunction with the Society from Doctors' Commons built that beautiful place of worship in 1844, occupied the small chapel in Burton Street, and Mr. Bateman, then a comparatively young medical man, was one of the most active amongst them.
I had learned much, even at that time, of the devoted and excellent spirit of Mr. Bateman from Mr. MOSS, the first New Church day schoolmaster in Manchester, who, like himself, was from Burton-upon-Trent. Both of them had received the doctrines from Mr. Knight, a solicitor, subsequently very well known in the Church.
Personal acquaintance rapidly increased my esteem for Mr. Bateman, and in my later visits to London, which became tolerably frequent after the church in Argyle Square was opened, I stayed usually with Mr. Bateman, and for many years his loving family circle, even when he removed to Compton Terrace, was my London home.
His life was one of truly Christian piety, order, and benevolence. He was attached, as surgeon, soon after he came to London, in addition to his private practice, to the Islington Dispensary; and, when that fearfully desolating plague, the cholera, visited this country for the first time, in 1832, he was made surgeon to the Cholera Hospital, and by his skill, assiduity, and urbanity, obtained universal goodwill and admiration.
When, after a few years, he devoted himself mainly to private practice, his success was great and rapid. He was the Christian gentleman as well as the medical adviser, and his presence would soothe and comfort his patients as much as his undoubted efficiency in surgery and medicine, imparted confidence, while he ameliorated and removed their diseases.
Many who became highly estimable New Church people were attracted to enquire into his principles of religion, from the admiration they acquired for his character in the sick room.
His experience at the Dispensary and the Hospital, and his feeling for the sorrows of the poor, induced him, in addition to his extensive body of regular patients, to give aid gratuitously to needy sufferers, from six to nine in the morning.
This generous care was so much valued, and the necessity was so great, that on occasions when I have been staying at the house, his kindly and efficient help was given, before sitting down to breakfast, to as many as SEVENTY persons, including often surgical cases, at which he was remarkably cool, firm, and skilful.
This admirable work was so well known, affected such large numbers, and continued through so many years, FORTY-FOUR I believe, with some little variation of detail, that it came to be commonly reported in Islington, though without any true foundation, and is still believed by many, that a legacy had been left to him by some wealthy person to perform this labour of mercy and love. His own treasure of goodwill was the only wealthy person to whom this heavenly work was due.
The New Church, however, was his chief delight. He was punctual and constant in her services, diligent at her meetings, and generous in his support. He was the leading spirit in the erection of the church in Argyle Square. He loved the Gothic style for ecclesiastical structures, and though when first opened the church had a stunted look, when completed as it subsequently became it formed a cathedral-like building which is always admired. The merit of this form is chiefly due to Mr. Bateman. He also presented, I am informed, the handsome font.
The blessings of New Church principles were so great, and so soul-satisfying to him, that they pervaded his whole life, and while he burned to impart them to others, he was convinced that if they were presented under the same favourable circumstances under which other forms of religion exist, New Church societies might far more rapidly be spread around in every direction.
Hence he was more pressing than some New Church friends have been to come rather nearer in externals to the forms of the Church of England, always however preserving Divine Truth inviolable.
No sooner, therefore, had he satisfied himself that Argyle Square Church was solidly established, and could safely be left to carry on its spiritual work, than he determined to commence another, nearer to his own residence, and combine with it a College and School, which would mutually aid and support each other.
The College would help the Church, and the School would prepare students for the College. The whole should have a beautiful ecclesiastical structure.
Many of the other friends were not so sanguine of the society at Argyle Square being strong enough to spare the energetic help of Mr. Bateman, and feared it was too early to attempt to carry out to completion the plan of a School and a College, and therefore hesitated for a time to assist much in this new enterprize. Mr. Bateman's hope and trust were robust enough to begin, however humbly, and by perseverance he was convinced the little one would become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation.
The commencement of the new effort was indeed very humble. A very few people, a very few children, and a very poor little room over a carpenter's shop. In 1850 the children for a short time were brought down to Argyle Square.
About this period Mr. Crompton, of Prestolee, near Kersley, Lancashire, a warm-hearted and sympathetic New Churchman, came to London from time to time, and regarded with esteem and affection Mr. Bateman's zeal and energy.
Mr. Crompton's friendship was, no doubt, increased by an attachment he formed for a lady friend of Mr. Bateman's, an aunt of the preset Rev. John Presland, a lady who in time became Mrs. Roger Crompton. Mr. Crompton and his brother had borne a handsome part in raising and strengthening the New Church at Kersley, and rejoiced at every well-meant effort to extend the kingdom of the Lord Jesus upon earth, as we have elsewhere brought under the attention of our readers.
Mr. Crompton was a very old friend of my own, and never have I known a man of warmer heart, of more affectionate character, or one with more loving reverence for the truth, than the excellent Roger Crompton. I stayed at his house on my not unfrequent visits to Kersley, and when he recognized some growth the Church was making anywhere, or when he was bringing under my observation and explaining to me some fresh improvement in paper-making is his extensive manufactory, his eyes would sparkle with a delight which was charming.
I remember on one occasion his showing me a new machine for making paper, by which twelve miles of paper could be turned out per day.
Mr. Crompton became interested, as I have said, in the earnest efforts of Mr. Bateman, and seeing a certain amount of progress in Islington, felt himself drawn to aid his excellent friend, and when a convenient site for a place of worship was selected, and he learned the other worthy objects Mr. Bateman had in view, he intimated his desire to assist.
Towards the purchase of the freehold land in Devonshire Street, on which it was proposed to build on one side a Mission-room, and Schoolroom with living apartments over, and which cost some £550, Mr. Crompton contributed ?300, Rev. Augustus Clissold ?l00, and no doubt Mr. Bateman the remainder. This was in 1852.
When the buildings we have described were erected and completed in 1854, Mr. Bateman thus writes in the August number of the I. R.: "I would now advert briefly to another subject, that of the New Church College, to which it is intended to devote as soon as possible our freehold in Devonshire Street, with the church, &c., upon it. The whole of the purchase money has been paid, and the entire cost of the erection defrayed, so that Mr. Crompton and I hope to have the delight, almost contemporaneously with the meeting of Conference, of handing over this property to the Church, entirely free from debt, and a few pounds over, which we shall then have in hand towards the legal expenses."
Thus did these two worthy men pay between them, I always understood in equal portions, the cost of the buildings, about £2,000, and present them freely to the uses of the Church. Mr. Crompton's sympathies with Mr. Bateman's efforts would probably be strengthened because in his early days he attended with his good father and brother New Church worship with a few in a room at Ringley Brow.
From that time did Mr. Bateman labour with indefatigable zeal to maintain the service, gather a congregation, and perform all the uses of a society for many years, always sustaining and proclaiming the idea of eventually having there a New Church School and College. He never lost heart or hope, but worked on cheerfully, urging the Conference and the Church generally to aid him in carrying out his idea to completion.
His efforts to a moderate extent were successful, but though Islington was large enough to furnish people for very many congregations, yet Argyle Square and Cross Street were near enough to attract those who preferred to worship with congregations having regular pastors, and whose conditions were more complete than they could be with a small company in a moderate sized room.
Nothing, however, could daunt Mr. Bateman's energies or loving earnestness. Islington was never forgotten at the Conference or in the Magazines. A quiet growth and happy meetings went on, with the co-operation and encouragement from time to time of the other societies.
Then came 1859, when Mr. Crompton, after a short residence in London, was called to his better home, and it became known that he had bequeathed to the Conference £10,000, to mature and carry out the views of Mr. Bateman and himself, in founding the New Church College at Islington, to promote the instruction of candidates for the ministry.
This was a great joy to Mr. Bateman, and a great satisfaction to the Church generally; though there were some who doubted whether it was judicious to spend a large portion of this sum in buildings, while the students would probably be few.
Many discussions took place, especially in the annual meetings of the Conference. Mr. Bateman was eager that no time should be lost in carrying out what he believed would be most useful to the Church—completing the College buildings; others being of opinion that for some years it would be better to use the interest of the whole money in assisting students to have theological instruction and oversight while they resided in the homes of New Church friends, and the classical and scientific education in the public Colleges or Universities. In these discussions the admirable qualities of Mr. Bateman were signalized for years, and won him the esteem of those who most firmly differed from him.
He never lost his temper, or departed from genuine courtesy. He was invariably the Christian gentleman. Every one who differed from him (sometimes, I fear, myself included), did so with regret. He listened to speeches and arguments against his views with the most perfect patience and equanimity.
At last a compromise was effected, and ultimately £5,400 of Mr. Crompton's bequest was spent in completing the buildings for College and Church, and Mr. Bateman's design and style of the whole were completely carried out.
The bequests of other friends furnished what was needful to meet the expenses of the entire erection in Devonshire Street, comprising £2,000 from Mr. Finnie, £1,000 from Mrs. Becconsall, and £600 for a magnificent window by Mr. and Mrs. Crompton Roberts, the latter being Mr. Crompton's only child.
After the design was completed, Mr. Bateman sought with the same energy to realize all his hopes in relation to it, and to some extent succeeded.
There was, then, a noble ecclesiastical structure, a beautiful church; elegant though rather small, a home for the principal, and six rooms for resident students; with commodious school-room, and an additional suitable room for meetings and library; a play-room below, and a variety of other conveniences for the future uses of the establishment.
There can be no doubt that all Mr. Bateman's desires and aims were excellent, and I trust will be, with time, more and more carried out.
The excellent school-room is well adapted for boys of the middle class, on moderate terms, and real New Church schoolmasters are invaluable.
For many years the school was admirably carried on by Mr. Beilby, and Mr. Woodford, and it seems a pity that no really competent New Churchman should offer himself from some part of the country inspired by the Lord to carry forward that really inestimable use.
It is to be hoped, also, that promising men in greater numbers will stand forth as candidates for the ministry; not too young; men who have already manifested a ministerial character, pious, thoughtful, studious, and devout, with power to attract others to listen to the great truths they teach—not merely doctrinal men, but men of sympathy, and power to excite the sympathy of others, for all that concerns the good and happiness of mankind.
Such young men in increasing numbers would claim the aid of the College to its full extent, making the labours of the estimable professors Presland and Omant more delightful to themselves, and more valuable for the Church.
Such as it is, the College has done good work, and I pray that its value in the estimation of the Church, and its real sacred use, may rapidly increase, and each stage of its success will heighten the regard of all concerned for the memory of its worthy founders, Mr.Bateman and Mr. Crompton.
Coeval with his efforts to afford more efficient training to the candidates for the ministry, he was led to set a high value on the necessity for having the letter of the Word revised, so as to be free from the imperfections well known to exist, and which often obscure the spiritual sense to the spiritually-minded New Church reader.
He therefore commenced very early a handsome subscription for himself, and induced other friends to unite with him in providing for the accomplishment of that important object. At the close of his valuable life, in 1880, the sum for this purpose had amounted to £726 0s. 2d., and it was placed in the possession of the General Conference, to be used under its direction in due time to defray expenses that may arise in the work of procuring and publishing an accurate translation of the Divine Word into English.
Thus in labours of benevolence, piety and usefulness, passed the life of our worthy New Church brother, Mr. Bateman.
In his large family, among his large circle of friends, and in his public life as a citizen, he was loved, esteemed, and respected.
His last illness was borne with saint-like patience and trust in the Lord who had been his constant Guide and Director, until he slept in peace on earth, to awake among angelic friends, leaving behind a memory amongst all who knew him well, of every virtue, associated with the name of Henry Bateman.

Henry married Mary Jones, daughter of Thomas Jones and Mary, on 4 Feb 1834 in St James, Clerkenwell, Middlesex. (Mary Jones was born ~1804 in New Jerusalem Temple, Blackfriars, London, christened on 21 Oct 1804 and died on 3 Dec 1844 in 9 Church Row, Islington, London.)

Henry next married Elizabeth Helen (pref Helen)# Senior, daughter of Bernard Martin# Senior J.P. and Elizabeth# Sclanders, on 27 Dec 1845 in New Christian Church, Argyll Square, London. (Elizabeth Helen (pref Helen)# Senior was born on 19 Dec 1828 in Islington, London, christened on 14 Jan 1829 in Pentonville Chapel, St.James Church, Clerkenwell, Middx and died on 28 Jan 1910 in Kensington, London.)