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England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Kent => Topic started by: AnnieP on Friday 05 January 18 14:55 GMT (UK)

Title: Concealment at birth
Post by: AnnieP on Friday 05 January 18 14:55 GMT (UK)

I'm curious to know where this individual would have served her sentence. Her name was Mary Ann Burgess and she came from Cranbrook. She was convicted of the above crime at the Kent Assizes in Maidstone on the 22 Feb 1910 but the judge told her that instead of sending her to prison a lady had come forward who was willing to take her into her home or institution. Does anyone have any ideas as to what this place would be? I did think it could be a workhouse or possibly a mental asylum but this seemed a bit extreme. It can't have been too long a sentence as on the 1911 census she is shown working as a domestic in Bournemouth. Any ideas gratefully received.

Title: Re: Concealment at birth
Post by: lizdb on Friday 05 January 18 15:04 GMT (UK)

The one in Bournemouth appears to be Mary JANE rather then Mary Ann?

The family she is with seem to all be from Kent - maybe they are the people who took her in?

Title: Re: Concealment at birth
Post by: AnnieP on Friday 05 January 18 16:24 GMT (UK)

So sorry her name is Mary Jane, slip of the fingers and I hadn't actually noticed that before. Thanks you could be correct.

Title: Re: Concealment at birth
Post by: SmallTownGirl on Friday 05 January 18 16:48 GMT (UK)

In Derby, there was a church-owned/run home where women were "trained" to become domestic servants and the like, and were then found positions in the community.  It was called the Derby and Derbyshire Home for Penitent Females!  :o

Maybe it was a similar type of place that Mary went to?

STG

Title: Re: Concealment at birth
Post by: panda40 on Friday 05 January 18 17:03 GMT (UK)

The inquest in to the child’s death is available on Findmypast in the Kent and Sussex courier. Very sad reading. No mention is made of the court case.
Regards
Panda

Title: Re: Concealment at birth
Post by: AnnieP on Saturday 06 January 18 09:45 GMT (UK)

Many thanks for all your welcome replies. The home described sounds a very likely place where  she may have served her sentence so I shall have to investigate in the Kent area. I did phone Kent Archives but they didn't come up with any ideas. I have managed to find a lot of newspaper reports covering the case from the Coroner's inquest to the Police Court and finally the trial at Kent Assizes but I would so like to complete the research with her sentence!
Perhaps I may never know but thank you all once again.