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A's father was a toy maker in Hackney, East London. He died of bronchitis not long after her birth. Her mother also died of bronchitis, in January 1888, leaving 7 children as orphans. The eldest brother F., aged 19, was also a toy maker, but his business was seasonal and he could not afford to look after the whole family. A. initially went to live at the Society's Leamington Spa Home. Although there were no formal adoption laws at that time, arrangements for a kind of adoption were made. This included a draft legal agreement for adoption drawn up in August 1888. The sort of conflicts that could arise with this quasi-legal situation are illustrated by the rather harrowing correspondence from the parties involved. In July 1888 A. went to live with a couple in Nottingham, but sadly died of scarlet fever in January 1889. She was buried in Nottingham Church Cemetery. [Death rates among children and young people were far higher at this time than they are today, with our improved medical care]. |
