| AdminHistory | In February 1885 Elizabeth Taylor was invited to join a medical mission based in a house in Belleville, Paris. The mission had developed out of efforts to provide relief for people affected by the Franco-Prussian War. Overseen by Madamoiselle de Broen, the mission attracted much interest amongst the Society of Friends and involved the work of many volunteers like Elizabeth Taylor.
The mission provided an orphanage for children whose parents had been killed in the Franco-Prussian conflict and a dispensary where medicines and medical treatment were given to the sick and destitute. Work at the mission also involved providing spiritual guidance by teaching the Christian faith to patients who came from all over Europe. Volunteers, including Elizabeth Taylor supported the welfare of the wider community by undertaking home visiting in the Parisian slums and participating in the work of adult school classes.
Elizabeth Taylor's father John Taylor and her close friend Lily Davey both visited her whilst she was working in Belleville. Following the end of the Franco-Prussian War John Taylor and a number of Quakers including Bevan Braithwaite and George Gillet founded a depot for the sale of Bibles and religious literature in Paris. John Taylor visited the depot to inspect its work during his stay in the city. Elizabeth Taylor's parents also celebrated their 30th Wedding Anniversary whilst Elizabeth was living in Paris. Her friend Lily Davey was entrusted with delivering flowers from Elizabeth to her parents on her return to England after visiting Elizabeth in Paris. Correspondence suggests that Elizabeth Taylor's father John Taylor was closely involved with the work of the mission. |