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Record #12752
Name :
: Sarah Amelia ROBINSON (1866 - 1904)
  aka : Millie


Father
:
Mother
:
BMD and other details
Date of Birth
: 13 Apr 1866

Marriage (1)
:
Marriage (2)
:

Date of Death
: 10 Nov 1904   Notes : heart failure
Abode (1) : Place of BirthEngland, Surrey, Bermondsey

7 St James Street
Abode (2) : Place of Death / BurialCanada, York, Toronto
Sailing Information
Date of Arrival
: 29 Sep 1873
Country
: Canada

Ship
: Polynesian

Placement Family
: IRWIN, William and Mary
Homes / Agencys
Institution (GB)
:

Agency
: Maria Rye
NotesAmelia ROBINSON was among the tens of thousands of orphaned and destitute British Home Children who were sent to find a better life in Canada.

In 1873, a missionary from the London City Mission rescued Amelia, an orphan, from a "house of ill-fame" (probably the Rotherhithe Workhouse). "Covered in sores", she was brought to the care of Miss Maria Rye at her Emigration Home for Destitute Little Girls at Avenue House, High Street, Peckham, London. (Source: Maria Rye, 1872/73 Annual Peckham Report)

Amelia probably spent a few months there receiving medical treatment, proper nourishment, clean clothing and domestic training, all in preparation for her emigration to Canada and placement with a family there. That voyage took place in 1873 when Maria Rye, escorted a party of 60 girls from Liverpool to Ontario. They left on 18 Sep 1873 aboard the "Polynesian", and arrived in Quebec on 29 Sep 1873. From there the group travelled by rail to their destination... Miss Rye's distributing home at Niagara-on-the-Lake.

According to records, Amelia was destined to become indentured to the William IRWIN family, who lived on Lot 13 of the 1st Concession of Westminster Township, Middlesex County. She spent at least five years with William and Mary IRWIN, as there exists a follow-up inspection report that indicates she was still living with them in 1878.

That initial placement was not completed as planned. By 1881 Amelia had been transferred from the IRWIN home to live with Mary's mother, Mary HOWITT, at 22 Hill Street in nearby London. The latter was a widow with six children, several of whom were still living at home at the time. Though the exact reason for the transfer is not known, it was likely prompted by a greater need for domestic assistance for Mary HOWITT.

Amelia probably stayed with Mrs. HOWITT until she turned eighteen in 1884. At that time she would have been free to lead her own life.

There is a story shared by a descendant of the HOWITT family that speaks both to the character of Amelia and to her status as a home child within the family unit.

A funeral for a member of the HOWITT family took place in London, but the burial was to be in a cemetery in North Dorchester Township near the original family farm. Not being "family", Amelia was not allowed to ride with the other immediate family members in the lead carriage just behind the hearse. Obviously feeling offended, Amelia chose to walk and jog behind the carriage the entire thirteen miles from London to the township! No amount of persuasion could convince this proud young woman to accept a ride in one of the other carriages. 
ContributorsCreated : 2010-08-26 13:57:50 / From original database

Last Updated : 2012-04-04 20:52:14 /

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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  3 Entries        
IDNameDOBPlace of birthArrivals & ShipsDest.AgencyFamily links
11941 BANKS, Bernard1910ENG, SRY, Bermondsey Jun 1924 : Athenia CAN Salvation Army  
16567 HILL, John Edward1903ENG, SRY, Bermondsey Apr 1912 : Corinthian CAN Barnardos  
12752 ROBINSON, Sarah Amelia1866ENG, SRY, Bermondsey Sep 1873 : Polynesian CAN Maria Rye