Obituary: The Gentleman's Magazine
12 September 1832 At the residence of Mrs.Head, Albion Hill, Ipswich, in her 82d year, Mrs. Priscilla Wakefield. This clever and benevolent woman was born at Tottenham, Jan. 31, 1751, the eldest daughter of Daniel Bell, late of Stamford Hill, and Catharine Barclay, grand-daughter of the celebrated Robert Barclay, who wrote the famous "Apology for the Quakers." On the 3d of Jan.1771 she was married to Mr. Edward Wakefield, merchant of London. Born a member of the Society of Friends, she remained in it from principle. She was the founder of the frugality Banks, the first of the Savings' Banks, and also a warm promoter of Lying-in Charities.

In her efforts to improve the rising generation, by the publication of useful books for their perusal, she was eminently successful ; the titles of her productions were as follow: Juvenile Anecdotes founded on facts, 1 795. Leisure Hours, or entertaining Dialogues. 2 vols. 1796. An Introduction to Botany, in a series of letters. 1796. Mental Improvement. 3 vols. 1797. Reflections on the present condition of the Female Sex, with suggestions for its improvement. 1798. The Juvenile Travellers. 1801. A familiar Tour through the British Empire. 1801. Domestic Recreation, or Dialogues illustrative of natural and scientific subjects. 1805. Excursions in North America. 1806. Sketches of Human Manners, delineated in stories illustrative of the characters of the inhabitants of different parts of the world. 1807. Variety, or Selections of Anecdotes and curious Facts. 1809. Perambulations in London audits Environs. 1810. Instinct displayed, or facts exemplifying the sagacity of various species of animals. 1811. The Traveller in Africa. 1814.

In her private character, whether as a daughter, wife, mother, or grand-mother, Mrs. Wakefield was exemplary; in her disposition, remarkably calm and cheerful, bearing with great patience an accumulation of extreme bodily suffering : indeed,her whole conduct discovered an energy, philosophy, meekness, and resignation, rarely to be met with. She had three children, two sons and a daughter. Edward Wakefield, Esq. the elder son, was the author of a statistical Account of Ireland, published in 4to. 1812; and Daniel Wakefield, Esq. the younger, is the author of several pamphlets on agricultural and political economy. Among her numerous relatives, Mrs. Priscilla Wakefield had the happiness of reckoning Mrs. Fry, to whom she was aunt.

The Gentleman’s Magazine, and Historical Chronicle in the supplement to vol CII, part II, 1832. The obituary appears on page 650.
Unveiling of the new plaque to Priscilla Wakefield on Monday 22 October
the 220th anniversary of Priscilla Wakefield launching the Female Benefit Club in Tottenham

Time will open the eyes of the public to the advantages of a benefit club for women. How slow is the progress of human reason.
Priscilla Wakefield
To celebrate the founding of the Tottenham Female Benefit Club on 22 October 1798 by Priscilla Wakefield, ​ ​the original illegible plaque to her on the High Cross United Reform Church (built near the site of her home) was replaced.  ​The plaque unveiling was followed by a brief introduction to Priscilla Wakefield and a talk by Susan Johnson, Associate Professor, University of Bath on Reflections on feminism and microfinance. 
Download the flyer here 
Picture
PLAQUE 2018 - photograph of the new plaque coming shortly

The Plaque

Between 2007 - 2010, Haringey Council ran its own historic plaques scheme to commemorate notable or famous local former residents. The aim was for the Green Plaques to provide posterity for Haringey’s famous people and knowledge for local residents or anyone with a historical interest in this part of London. Sadly in this case they have failed to achieve that aim - the plaque to commemorate Priscilla Wakefield at Tottenham Green has deteriorated so much that it is unreadable.

The location of Priscilla Wakefield's home
1847 Proposal for a Monument -  to follow