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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Devon => Topic started by: Tracey Amos on Thursday 07 May 20 19:47 BST (UK)
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Hello
I wonder if anyone is able to help. I have come across a young girl Edith Crawley aged 13 in the 1891 census that was separated from her family in Canterbury Kent andlisted as an inmate. It seems a very long way to be sent, her mother and younger sister are in the Workhouse in Canterbury.
Can anyone please give me any info on this place which may explain the reason she was sent here?
Thank you in advance.
Tracey
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From https://forebears.io/england/devon/tiverton (https://forebears.io/england/devon/tiverton) (a historical description of Tiverton)
"A Home for children afflicted with incurable diseases has been established in a farmhouse, known as “Fire Beacon,” and standing on a hill overlooking the Exe valley, about. 2 ½ miles north of the town: the inmates are ten in number; the Home was instituted and is maintained at the sole expense of Mrs. Unwin."
"Mrs Unwin's Home, Hayne, Tiverton" is then referenced on http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/list/Devon.shtml?LMCL=MtBmBf (http://www.childrenshomes.org.uk/list/Devon.shtml?LMCL=MtBmBf) of Peter Higginbotham's "Children's Homes" site, but no more details than the address are given there.
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All but two of the inmates were from London so there must have been some connection there. By 1901 she is back in Canterbury and seems to have died in 1902.
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Firebeacon was a convalecent home in Cove, Tiverton. It was run by Mrs. Unwin, wife of the local J.P.
It might be the same home mentioned in the 1890 Charities Register as Mrs. Unwin's Incurable Home, Haynes, Tiverton. This was established in 1888 for "the reception of destitute girls, between the ages of 4 and 12" who had a chronic illness. Admission was free, but a medical certificate was required "together with a statement as to the pecuniary position of the parents." It had room for 8 permanent beds.
As the Unwins seem to have been rich philanthropists, I would assume they had connections in the large towns and cities who would recommend children from poor families to be sent there.
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Thank You all, for your replies and time.
Much appreciated.
Keep safe x