Case 176

The boy J. is one of a family of five whose parents are both dead. Their father was a sailor for many years but after he left the Navy the seems to have followed no one particular occupation. But (I believe) spent the greater part of his earnings in drink. They lived for several years at Smethwick Birmingham and after the death of their mother (she dies some 2 or 3 years before the man) the children seem to have had no one to look after them but their drunken father. and I find they were (from people who saw them) more like little heathens. than any thing else. At the death of their father, now nearly two years ago, they were soon after scattered about as follows viz. the eldest, a boy 17, is in Birmingham (address not known) the next a girl 15, who is in St. Thomas. Parish. Oxford. Industrial School, the next a boy about 12. sent to a Reformatory for 5 years, for theft. the next is I. the one in question who is living with his aunt Mrs. the wife of a college servant. who has five children of her own. She took him hoping that she might do something with him. But he is so very mischievous & wicked. that her husband will no longer allow her to keep him. The last is with another aunt. who has a large family. But as this is much the youngest she has been able to make him more obedient, and will continue to keep him. I believe the questions are all correctly answered.

B. Allen
Agent C.O.S.