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The
Children's Home
1873 May 29, Spectator 1873 Jun 3, Hamilton Evening Times 1874 Oct 7, Hamilton Times 1873 May, SS Polynesian 1874 Sep, SS Texas 1884 May, SS Sarnia About the SS Sarnia
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For several years past the philanthropists of London, and other large
cities in England have been exerting themselves in every conceivable and
legitimate way to ameliorate the condition of orphans and other children
who are living on the streets and being educated up in vice and ignorance.
It is highly gratifying to learn that their efforts so far has been attended
with greater success than the promoters of the schemes ever anticipated.
Miss Rye, Miss Macpherson and others have done their share in the good work most successfully, and now these ladies are supplemented by an association in London, where they have established what is called a "Children's Home" in Bonner Row, Victoria Park, East End. Of this association the Rev. T. Bowman Stephenson, B.A., is Honorary Director, and Mr. Francis Horner, Honorary Secretary. The object of this association is to pick up all children of both sexes who have no home or means of subsistence, and take them to the "Home" where they are well clothed, fed and educated. In connection with the "Home" in London the association has a farm of 100 acres in Lancashire, which was donated by Mr. G.J. Barlow, ex-mayor of Bolton. On this farm boys are trained in agricultural pursuits, besides being educated in the rudiments of English language while those in the "Home" are taught different trades. The former are taught every description of house work, &c., besides attending school. Another object the Association has in view is to transfer these children to Canada where places can be provided for them away from the temptations of the world and the contamination of old associates. To carry out their design the standard bearers of this humane association communicated with some of our leading and philanthropic citizens suggesting to them the propriety of furnishing a home in Canada for these destitute and reclaimed street children, who would be sent out and delivered free of all expense at the Home here. The gentlemen alluded to here immediately went to work to canvass the city for means to purchase a suitable building and grounds for the accommodation of the children upon their arrival here. Their appeal was not in vain and they soon succeeded in their praiseworthy effort and have been enabled to purchase the handsome residence hitherto owned by R.B. Waddell, Esq., adjoining the Hamilton Driving and Riding Park in the east of the city. In connection with this extensive house there are eight acres of land with a magnificent garden and orchard, upon which are innumerable fruit bearing trees of the choicest varieties. Everything being settled the managing committee have announced to the Association in London that they have provided a "Home" here and were prepared to receive their proteges on their arrival. Accordingly thirty-five boys and fourteen girls were shipped on board the fine steamship Polynesian, of the Allen line, which arrived in Quebec on Sunday last. They were accompanied by Mr. Horner, Honorary Secretary, who seems to take pride in his charge, and treats them with considerable affection and we must say that he has them thoroughly disciplined. Upon their arrival at Quebec they were transferred to the cars on the Grand Trunk to Toronto, and from thence to Hamilton by the Great Western railway, where they arrived yesterday afternoon. They were met at the depot by W.E. Sanford, Esq., and after making the necessary arrangements they were marched down to the new Home, with which they seemed delighted upon their arrival. This morning we paid a visit to the "Home" and we must say that it is highly gratifying to see so many healthy and intelligent looking children rescued from the ways that lead to the jail and the gallows, and made good members of society. Their ages average from 14 to 20, the majority being between 14 and 16. Among them are four or five printers, six carpenters, and a number of farm hands. Mr. Horner pointed out some of the best behaved and intelligent among them as having been in the most wretched condition when first taken in charge, living under arches, boxes, &c., and gaining subsistence by begging, selling matches, running errands, etc. Those who are now here will be hired to responsible and respectable families who desire to engage them, by applying to the Rev. W.J. Hunter or any of the committee. The association at home will make it a point to send more out in the fall and spring of each year, and persevere in the good work, which although just begun is already bearing good fruit. Mr. Horner, the secretary, informs the writer that they were very kindly treated on board the Polynesian, and that the agents in Liverpool had provided a separate cabin erected for their exclusive use. The Home will, for the present year, be under the charge and superintendence of the Rev. Mr. Hunter, till a resident superintendent has been appointed and installed. Among those who take particular interest in this institution are the Revs. W.J. Hunter, Dr. Rice, Messrs. W.E. Sanford, Joseph Lister, W.F. Findlay, Geo. Roach, A.T. Wood, D. Moore and others whose names we did not ascertain. Also on the same page, from a column entitled, "Mere Mention" A lot of orphans arrived from England yesterday, consigned to the care
of Mr. W.E. Sanford.
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