BRITISHHOMECHILDREN-L Archives

Archiver > BRITISHHOMECHILDREN > 2000-09 > 0968093269


From: "bbffrrpp" <>
Subject: EXPLANATION OF DR. BOWMAN'S HOME VS. DR. STEPHENSON'S HOME
Date: Mon, 4 Sep 2000 14:47:49 -0400


Hello, As a result of some e-mails I read yesterday, and some
misunderstandings, I would like to summarize two e-mails which I read about
a month ago on July 3lst, ...soon after I found the BHC web sites.

During the period from approx. 1870 to approx. 1895, one man decided to
"rescue" boys living in Great Britain. For a while he also "rescued"
girls, but decided against it, when he discovered that boys were easier to
place.

This man was....The Reverend Dr. T. Bowman Stephenson !!!

His "homes" at different times or at the same time (?) were called:
Dr. Bowman's Home
Dr. Stephen's Home
The Stephenson Home

There is a book which describes "The Stephenson Home," and it is mentioned
in other books about the BHC.

During those 25 or so years, just before 1900, well over 5,000 children were
shipped out of Great Britain by this man, and mostly brought to homes or
farms, etc., in the Province of Ontario, Canada.

That "home" formed by Rev. T. B. Stephenson in 1870 still exists today, but
it is now called, The National Children's Home.

During the past month, I believe I have read other information about this
Rev. Stephenson. But, for those "readers" who missed the comments, perhaps
THIS WEEK could be devoted to COMMENTS ABOUT THE BHC who came to North
America - because of this Methodist Minister! Perhaps, if dozens of
people wrote in with a summary of what happened to their BHC as a result of
Rev. Stephenson's actions....the current Listers would get a better feel of
this widespread problem.

My great-grandmother, Mary Cornhill or Corkhill, was one of those children.
She was shipped to Quebec, at Age 13?, during Sept. 1874.

From the e-mails I read yesterday, and the e-mails I have read during the
past month, there are MANY sad or tragic tales. Perhaps if all these
stories were presented within a 7-day period, any journalists with the many
forms of media...would sit up and take notice.

Thanks for listening,

Betty (Greater Boston)



This thread: