The Children's Friend Society, Early Child Migrants

http://www.britishhomechildren.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=100:the-childrens-friend-society-early-child-migrants&catid=16:bhc-history&Itemid=2

Written by Norah Dennis    

Thursday, 25 October 2007 02:44 

This wonderful information was posted in the South Africa Immigration Mailing List on Rootsweb.  I place it here retaining copyright to the original poster, R. Wat -- rowwat@hotmail.com.

In 1840 a report was made for the House of Commons by the Governor of the Cape on the Condition and Treatment of the Children sent out by the Childrens Friend Society. During the preparation of the report the children were interviewed, as were their masters. Included in the report are the childrens, masters and magistrates comments. (The magistrates were responsible for gathering the information) I have noted below the details of the children included in the report. A copy of the full report can be viewed at the National Archives, Kew reference CO 48/207.

The investigations were conducted by Majors LONGMORE, PIERS, BARNES and Captain HILL. At the time of the report there were 434 apprentices under 232 masters. (359 were males and 75 females.) One concern addressed by the report was whether the children had become a replacement after the abolition of slavery in 1838, especially as a number were carrying out tasks such as herding which was usually reserved for the coloured population. The report concluded that only one such complaint was made, but was frivolous. The comment was that the abolition may have been beneficial to the children as their conditions had improved since the abolition. Another concern was that many children were not learning a trade, so would be unable to sufficiently support themselves after their apprentice.

The report seems to have been instigated due to the supposed treatment of Mr  Gerrit H. DE WETs treatment of his apprentices notably TRUBSHAW (who had been sent from England due to theft and had deserted his master.) A visit to his farm had found his apprentices happy and no reason for concern could be seen.

Children interviewed or commented in report:

George PLATT:
About 16 years old. Parents are dead. Can read & write. Corresponds with elder brother in England. Attends church every Sunday, but receives no education. Receives sufficient food and clothes. Employed digging in vineyard and herding cattle. Wishes to return to England as learning no skills other than that of a farm labourer. Master Reverend G W A Vander LINGEN, Paarl had no complaints of child. George is healthy and well grown.