Hidden Lives Revealed. A virtual archive - children in care 1881-1981 * Image of handwritten text

Case 6351

Case number: 6351
Application year: 1898
Name:

E (M)

Gender:

Female

Year of birth: 1885
Home: Rose Cottage Home For Girls, Dickleburgh

Description:

E. was under the care of the West Ham Board of Guardians. (Throughout the file this girl was sometimes referred to by her first name E., and sometimes by her second M.). Her father had deserted her and the whereabouts of her mother were unknown. In March 1898 E. was admitted to Rose Cottage Home for Girls, Dickleburgh, Norfolk, but after a few months the staff felt that it was not the right environment for her. She was declared to be quick but to have little self control and to be prone to hysterical outbursts. A member of staff suggested she be transferred to a Home for the Special Training of Feeble Minded Girls from Workhouses, which had been set up in Ipswich. While waiting for a place it was decided to board E. out locally in Dickleburgh as it was felt that this would suit her temperament better than being in a Home. In April 1900 Mrs C., the person with whom she was boarded out requested her removal as although E. was clever and bright Miss C. could not cope with her excitable nature and violent temper. On 11 July 1900 E. was transferred by the West Ham Guardians to the Dudley Stuart Home, Holloway and was taken off the Society's books. The Secretary of Rose Cottage, Mrs H. Brandreth, happened to meet E. in London in 1904 and felt she was much improved. E. had spent time as a kitchen maid at Sydenham but had had to leave because of her weak ankles. She had surgical boots made but they were too uncomfortable to wear and she could not get work until she was given proper medical assistance. She was living with her sister. Mrs Brandreth wondered if there was a place for her in a Home for the Disabled. There were no vacancies available, but E. was recommended to go as an outpatient to the Royal Orthopaedic Hospital in Oxford Street, London.


Keywords: Abandonment; After care; Behaviour; Disability; Workhouses

Items: 1. Application to Waifs and Strays' Society 16 February 1898
2. Letter from Mr F.E. Hillary, Union Workhouse to Edward Rudolf 26 February 1898
3. Postcard from Mrs Brandreth, Sec. of Rose Cottage Home For Girls to Edward Rudolf 2 March 1898
4. Letter from Mr A.I. Wiley, Supt. of West Ham Union to Mrs Brandreth 3 March 1898
5. Medical note from Dr Thomas Vallance of West Ham Union 3 March 1898
6. Letter from Mrs Brandreth, Sec. of Rose Cottage Home For Girls to Edward Rudolf 5 March 1898
7. Letter from Mrs Brandreth, Sec. of Rose Cottage Home For Girls to Edward Rudolf 19 March 1898
8. Letter from Mrs Brandreth, Sec. of Rose Cottage Home For Girls to Edward Rudolf 15 August 1898
9. Notice of Baptism 1 February 1899
10. Letter from Mrs Brandreth, Sec. of Rose Cottage Home For Girls to Edward Rudolf 14 April 1900
11. Extract of letter from West Ham Union to Edward Rudolf 23 September 1900
12. Letter from Mrs Brandreth, Sec. of Rose Cottage Home For Girls to Edward Rudolf 1 March 1904
13. Note from Edward Rudolf to Mr Fowle c. 2 March 1904
14. Letter from Edward Rudolf to Mrs Brandreth, Sec. of Rose Cottage Home For Girls 3 March 1904




The Children's Society UNESCO logo Big
           Lottery Fund logo Wellcome Trust