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| Avenue House, the base for Miss Rye's operations, 1872 |
Anyone who wants to nominate their own is free to do so, just add a description in no more than 200 words and send it to me.
This is from Gail Collins, quoting Maria Rye who migrated children to Canada from 1869, and was one of the leading lights in the policy of sending children to Canada.*
“The children vary in age from 3 to 13 years; are all Protestants, and nearly all absolute Orphans; are bound (when not adopted) till they are 18 years old, on the following terms, viz: Up to 15 years old they are to be fed, clothed and sent to Sunday School. From 15 to 17 they are not clothed, but paid $3 a month wages, and $4 a month from 17 to 18.
If through any unforseen circumstances, it is necessary for a child to be returned to the Home, due notice of the same must be given in writing, one month before the child is removed; and if the child has been away from the Home six months, her clothes must be returned new and whole, and in the same number as they left the Home.
In no case can a child be passed on to another family without first consulting Miss Rye, and in case of the death of persons (husband or wife) taking children, it is particularly requested that an immediate notice of the fact be sent to the Home.
Miss Rye reserves to herself the right of removing any child with whose treatment she is not satisfied.
MARIA S RYE
Hon Secretary
N.B. Only children under nine years of age can be adopted.”
Picture; Avenue House, High Street, Peckham, from the OS map of London, 1862-72, courtesy of Digital Archives Association, http://www.digitalarchives.co.uk/
*Gail Collins died peacefully in her sleep on March 16,2020. Although we never met we shared a a passionate interest in British Home Children and often communicated on the subject.
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