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Record #2865
Name :
: George James ROBBINS (1894 - 1977)


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 17 Dec 1894

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
: 29 Jul 1977
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland, Warwickshire, Birmingham
Abode (2) : Place of Death / BurialUnited States of America, California, Contra Costa, Antioch
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 27 May 1905
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Tunisian

Placement Family
:
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Catholic Emigration Association
NotesGeorge's parents were James Sampson Robbins and Alice Louisa Robbins (formerly Gray). At the time of his birth, they resided at back of 10 Mott Street in Birmingham along with his elder sister Blanche. Blanche Robbins was born 11 April 1893 in Birmingham, England.

His father was a Catholic and his mother a Protestant. George was baptized a Catholic at St Chads Cathedral in Birmingham on 6 January 1895. His god mother is Rebbeca Rourke.

Alice Robbins passed away at the age of 27 in 1900 in Bournemouth during a kidney operation. George was only 5 years of age. His father James deserted the two children a year or two later. A aunt took them to a Workhouse where they were separated, scattered & shuffled about between many Catholic agencies, Catholic Homes and orphanages in England.

In a letter dated September 6, 1904, from President: HIS LORDSHIP THE BISHOP OF BIRMINGHAM Hon Secretary: Rev George V Hudson (the letter head is titled Birmingham Doecesan Rescue Society Homes for Homeless & Friendless Catholic Children and addressed to The Rev E Bans, 337 Harrow Road, London W.)

"Dear Father Bans

re George Robbins 11.

This boy is a Rescue case, and has been in the Home at Coleshill. He had run away twice, and says that he will not remain in the Home. He was baptised as a Catholic, but has been brought up as a Protestant, and it is necessary therefore that he should go to a Catholic Home. I think he would remain in a Home if he were taken away from the neighbourhood of Birmingham, and I should be very grateful therefore if you would receive him into one of your Homes. I would pay you 5/. a week.

With kind regards
I am
Your's sincerely

letter unsigned, no signature."

In another letter dated September 20, 1904 from Walter Poulton, The Hunters Road, Birmingham, England, to Father Hudson:

"...The boy Robbins ( or Robins ? ) has turned up here. He came to the convent at 8. 30 one night and said he had been turned out by Mrs. Riley, " "as no one was paying for him", and had nothing to eat for two days. Sister got him a night's lodging for that night, and then got him a permanent place with a Catholic woman here. He gets food at the convent, and goes to our day school. He denies having been to Coleshill, or having run away from there. I have been to St. Chad's and am told by Fr. Gibbons that it is quite false that Mrs. Riley turned him out, - he ran away, and they were wondering where he was. He began by playing truant the first day. I was away on my holidays when all this happened so was not on the spot to contradict the false statements he made to the Convent and to Canon O'Hanlon, who is paying for the lad's keep himself. If you think fit to haul him back to Coleshill you will find him at our school during the day, or after school hours c/o Mrs. Coyle, 84 Brougham Street, ( close to the convent ) But please first communicate with Canon O'Hanlon, not mentioning my name, but stating that 'you understand the boy is in St. Francis's parish.'

Yours sincerely,
Walter Poulton"

In a letter dated September 22, 1904 to Canon O' Hanlon:

"Dear Canon O' Hanlon

re George Robbins

This boy was formerly in the Cottage Homes at Marston Green, having been entered in the Workhouse as a Protestant. He ran away from the Homes at Marston Green I think three times. After a great deal of trouble I had him removed from the Cottage Homes. He was placed on the funds of the Rescue Society, as there were legal difficulties in the way of him being entered in the workhouse as a Catholic. He ran away from the Home at Coleshill twice. He was then placed with Mrs. Riley, a good Catholic woman in Bath Street, who undertook to look after him for 5/. a week which was paid to her by Father Gibbons in my name. He ran away from Mrs. Riley twice.

I have now arranged for him to be sent to Father Bans in London who will place him in one of his Homes. I hope that by sending him this way out of Birmingham he will remain in the Home. I will arrange for him to be sent to London as soon as possible, but I shall be glad if you do not mention this to him as he will run away from you.

I am

Your's sincerely,"

Sadly his sister Blanche died shortly before her 12th birthday of scarlet fever 20 February 1905.

At age 11 British Home Child George Robbins set sail from the Port of Liverpool on 18 May 1905. He crossed the Atlantic ocean on the SS Tunisian along with more than one thousand other passengers. The Master's name was A G Braes.

There were a total of 24 children & 3 adults from Father Berry's Home. They were bound and arrived after their 9 day jouney on 27 May 1905 at 12 am at the Port of Quebec, Canada. The childrens ages ranged from infant to 16 yrs old. It appears they all held the same ticket number 30872. This emigration party is outlined on the Passenger List, with a notation "Rush Father Berry's Past".

On the Passenger's List this Catholic Emigration Association Party was continuing on after arriving in Quebec to St George's Home, Hintonburgh, Ottawa, Canada. An estimated 12 hour & 300 mile train journey to start their new lives.

Bonus's were paid to St George's Home for 9 children of this particular party including George Robbins who are in a preferred age group. $2 canadian each.

After arriving in Canada, George found himself in harsh and cruel conditions. He at times shared with his own children and grandchildren the story of his journey, running away crossing the ice (most likely the St Lawrence River), and arriving in New York.

Somehow, he was united with the wonderful Benjamin family of Tupper Lake, New York, sometime between 1905-1914 who raised him. He referred to this French Canadian family as his mother and father. Finally a place to call home and parents to love, nurture & support him.

His granddaughter fondly remembered: "It is important to note that my grandfather did not allow his temporary unfortunate circumstances as a young lad in England & Canada to negatively influence his adult life & future. He continued on to lead a humbling & rewarding life In spite all that he endured at such a tender age. He was proud of his English roots & heritage. So much that he impressed this upon his own children & grandchildren & our American hearts. Especially the importance of family, family values, love, & commitment."

George married Margaret Pauth 27 May 1914 in Whitesboro.,Oneida county, New York, USA. She is best known by here nickname Marguerite, a daughter of Miner and Catherine (Arnold) Pauth.

Utica Observer Dispatch, page 10

"Married 27 May 1914 in Whitesboro, Oneida county, New York, USA

Tupper Lake Man Takes Charming Girl for Bride

Whitesboro. May 28--- At the home of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Miner Pauth, last night occured the marriage of Miss Margaret Pauth to George Robbins of Tupper Lake. The ceremony was performed by Rev. W. M. Brashears of the M. E. Church. The couple were attended by Miss Lucille Champ and John Smith. Many guests witnessed the ceremony.

The bride wore lavender silk and her maid wore white silk. Both the bride and her maid carried a bouquet of roses. The bride is a popular young woman and has a host of frends in this place who will hasten to congradulate her. The groom is a well known young man from Tupper Lake and enjoys a wide circle of friends who will extend the happy couple best wishes for a long wedded life. They will reside at Tupper Lake."

George and Margaret Pauth Robbins had eight children: Catherine, George, Edward, Virginia, Robert, Gordon and Carol.

George's father, James Robbins', whereabouts remained unknown to his son until father and son were reunited by two letters for a short time before James' passing away in Johannesburg, South Africa, shortly after January, 1937. It is unknown when exactly he arrived in South Africa, but there is mention of him working in the diamond mines in his letters.

The first of these letters dated November 8, 1936 suggests James had a few regrets. At this point in George's life, he is well established at age 42, married and had a family of his own.

"Dear Son,

I am writing to you to say I received your letter on the 6 of November and I am sending you this by Air Mail to let you know that I am living. I know that I have no excuse for not writing to you but I thought of you all the same. Well its about 17 years ago when I had the last letter from your Aunt and that was addressed to Mr Linnovas ((sp?) 112 Prichard Street and at the time I was out of work so I took a place up in Nothern Transvaal so When I came back the man had left his house so I went away again so that is all the trouble. I dont think there is much enjoyment in my life as I wish I had been killed in the war for I am suffering for it now its over 6 years since I sleped in a bed for my chest is so bad at night. I only wish your poor mother had lived a few years longer I should have been a different man to what I am now. Well its no good crying over wats gon. I am about fed up with this Life. I shall be glad when my time comes I do hope its a bit better than this world if there is such a place. I say that letter you sent was a bit thick but it dont matter. I think this is about all,

So good Night and
god bless you I hope he will..."

George passed away 29 Jul 1977 in Antioch, Contra Costa county, California. They are buried at the Oak View Cemetery.

The full, poignant story of George and his sister is told in letters transcribed by a great-granddaughter between the orphanage and Father Hudson and can be found here: {website}community-2.webtv.net/cupidsattic/BritishHomeChild/ 
ContributorsCreated : 2007-11-11 13:46:01 / From original database

Last Updated : 2009-02-01 11:11:54 /

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Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  30 Entries        
Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 512 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
3011 ABBOTT, Frederick1896ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1906 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
3012 ABBOTT, George1893ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1906 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
3058 ABBOTT, Herbert William1893ENG, WAR, Aston, Erdington Jun 1906 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
3157 ACTON, Alice1909ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jul 1923 : Montcalm CAN Catholic Emigration Society  
3155 ACTON, Laura1892ENG, WAR, Aston May 1911 : Corsican CAN Labourers & Domestics  
21189 ADAMS, William1916ENG, WAR, Aston Jan 1927 : Ballarat AUS Fairbridge Homes  
3759 ADDERLEY, David Gerard1897ENG, WAR, Birmingham May 1908 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
3758 ADDERLEY, Harry1899ENG, WAR, Birmingham May 1908 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
8128 ADIE, Dorothy May1914ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jul 1928 : Newfoundland CAN Middlemore  
10057 ADIE, Henry1896ENG, WAR, Aston Jun 1906 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
5834 ADKINS, Edith May1907ENG, WAR, Alcester Jun 1910 : Mongolian CAN Middlemore  
8129 AGER, Arthur Charles1915ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jul 1928 : Newfoundland CAN Middlemore  
4645 ALLDRIDGE, Arthur1897ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1904 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4640 ALLDRIDGE, Francis1889ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1896 : Corean CAN Middlemore  
4644 ALLDRIDGE, Harry1892ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1904 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4639 ALLDRIDGE, John Leonard1884ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1896 : Corean CAN Middlemore  
4641 ALLDRIDGE, Ruth Rebecca1890ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1896 : Corean CAN Middlemore  
4643 ALLDRIDGE, Violet1893ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1904 : Carthaginian CAN Middlemore  
4642 ALLDRIDGE, William Henry1886ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1896 : Corean CAN Middlemore  
3860 ALLEN, Florence Elizabeth1891ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1902 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
10954 ALLPORT, Daisy Dot1879ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1890 : Sardinian CAN Maria Rye  
6926 ALLSUPP, John1875ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1878 : Sarmatian CAN Middlemore  
6927 ALLSUPP, Mary Ann1872ENG, WAR Jun 1878 : Sarmatian CAN Middlemore  
8821 AMISON, Alfred1894ENG, WAR, Birmingham Aug 1907 : Tunisian CAN Unknown Catholic Group  
25138 ANKCORN, Dennis George1925ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jan 1937 : Oronsay AUS Fairbridge Homes  
25139 ANKCORN, Emma Dorothy1922ENG, WAR, Birmingham Feb 1934 : Jervis Bay AUS Fairbridge Homes  
4426 ARCHER, Ida Mary1909ENG, WAR, Solihull Jun 1926 : Montclare CAN Catholic Emigration Association  
18623 ASHBY, David Anthony1900ENG, WAR, Coles Hill Sep 1911 : Lake Manitoba CAN Unknown Catholic Group  
8883 ASTLEY, Albert ERNEST1894ENG, WAR, Birmingham Oct 1903 : Dominion CAN Barnardos  
11066 ASTLEY, Emma1891ENG, WAR, Birmingham Jun 1903 : Siberian CAN Middlemore  
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
Page: [1] 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 512 Entries        
Surnames starting with:   A  B  C  D  E  F  G  H  I  J  K  L  M  N  O  P  Q  R  S  T  U  V  W  X  Y  Z  30 Entries