Neglected Child. 1865 Castlemaine, Victoria, Australia
I have an 11 year old, number 882, Children's Ward Register, William Robinson TOWNLEY, who was charged with being "Neglected" at Castlemaine in 1865. The document from PROV is very hard to read. I'm trying to work out where he would have been stationed, and what that meant. A farm? Industrial School? Prison? I can read one - Maroondah. Sunbury. PROV - Ward Registers Book 1 1864-1867 475-4527 Book 1 page 249 bottom of page.
A brick wall was cracked when I found this one ... suggested by a Castlemaine Historical Society helper. Thank You.
on 2015-02-12 06:44:07
margjoy has been a Family Tree Circles member since Apr 2013.
Comments
Sunbury Industrial School - TROVE - www.trove.nla.gov.au - The Argus, Thursday, 1 June 1865.
Following the passage of the Neglected and Criminal Children's Act in 1864, the Immigrants' Home at Princes Bridge was gazetted as an industrial school. The first purpose-built industrial school was Sunbury, which opened in 1865. Other schools followed in Geelong and Ballarat. Former prison hulk, the Nelson became a 'training ship' for older boys in 1869. - http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/guide/vic/E000312
FromDecember 1864To1873?CategoriesGovernment-run, Home and Reformatory
The Deborah, was a hulk (ship) anchored in Hobsons Bay. In 1864 it became the first Reformatory for Boys from the Industrial schools. By 1865, it accommodated 108 boys sentenced under the Neglected and Criminal Children's Act of 1864.
Less
The Deborah, attempted to 'address another problem, that of the tougher element among the boys'. It was used as a means of relieving the overcrowding and unsanitary conditions of existing buildings. In December 1864 it held 35 boys. During 1865 its numbers increased to 108.
The Deborah was one of four ships used as industrial schools in Hobsons Bay, Victoria: the Sir Harry Smith, the Nelson, the Deborah and the Success, eventually housed approximately 500 boys.
Location
1864 - 1873?Location - The Deborah was anchored in Hobsons Bay. Location: Hobsons Bay
http://www.findandconnect.gov.au/ref/vic/biogs/E000800b.htm
Thanks, janilye, very informative. What a hard life for those poor kids. Not sure what happened to this fellow. So far I haven't found any adult documents.
was he a son of John Robinson Townley of Campbell's Creek.
That's correct. Originally known as Jabez Bunting Townley.