Case 1399

The father married the mother of the child under the impression that his first wife, who had left him, was dead. On hearing that she had been alive at the time of his second marriage, he went to America to get a certificate of her death, which had subsequently occurred, preparatory to remarrying his second wife. He, however unfortunately died at New Orleans of Yellow Fever, leaving his wife quite unprovided for. Her mother hearing of this joined her at Crefeld, where they supported themselves by needlework. She never recovered the shock of her husband's death and eventually died of a decline brought on by a broken heart.

Three months after her death, the German authorities finding that the family was English referred the case to the British Consul who passed them over to England In March, 1889 Mrs. and her two grandchildren came to Hampstead & hoped to have been able to support herself by needlework. She was unable, however, to get sufficient work to support herself & two children and was forced to apply to the Parish who gave her 3/- out relief for a few months, the case became known to the C.O.[S.] Comtee. who were able to raise a sufficient sum to supplement her earnings & to bring her income up to 7/6 a week ;but the sum raised is now nearly exhausted. Through the kind exertions of the Rev. M, the eldest [grandson] has been admitted to King Edwards School at [Witry] and is doing exceedingly well. Both them boys have been extremely well brought up and are most respectable lads. It is most desirable that Mrs. M should be relieved from the case of this boy as it is quite impossible for her to earn sufficient by plain needlework to support herself & him.

GS Bullock
sec C.O.C. Hampstead
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