The Rest of Fanny's Story

After being in the Workhouse for a year and a half, Fanny arranged for her mother, Ann Reynolds to take the children. Fanny moved out of the Workhouse and into "service." She had three positions in the next three years. I'm not sure how often she would have seen the children at this time. Women in service usually lived in the house they worked at and had one day or a half-day out a week. At the third household, she met Frederick Tear, a cobbler (aged 21)who was romantically interested in her (she was 26). She did not tell him about her three children, no doubt fearing it would be the end of his interest and her opportunity to have a better life. They soon married and settled down in Mr Tear's home town of Rushdon.
A few months after the wedding Mr Tear found out about the children, and being naturally upset, he disappeared. Poor Fanny - this seems to be a pattern. For a time, Fanny was supported by her neighbours. She also was a charwoman, and took in laundry. Once again her future was in jeopardy and she was between a rock and a hard place. Was she going to have to choose between her husband and her children? At this time she applied for admission to the Bernardo Homes for Mercy, Amy and George.
Who was Barnardo? Thomas John Bernardo was a doctor who dreamed of becoming a medical missionary in China. After observing the appalling conditions of the poor in the East End of London, especially the children, he soon realized it was there he was needed. Over a period of years he set up homes for destitute children where all physical and spiritual needs would be met. Children were taught to read and write, and were trained in a trade. They were given a Bible and taught about God. Barnardo and his workers tried to keep families together if the children were not completely abandoned. Eventually Dr Barnardo felt the class system in Britain would prevent these children from ever breaking out of poverty and he decided the colonies were places where they could have a fresh start. In 1882 he began emigrating children, adopting them out to families in Canada and Australia. Barnardo tried hard to prevent the children being exploited in their new homes. He had agents pay surprise visits and provide written reports. Google his name and you will find a wealth of information about him. Today, Barnardos is Britain's largest child care charity.
By applying to Barnardos, Fanny was considering her options. It seemed clear that her new husband was against assuming responsibility for her other children. What would be a sacrifice for Fanny might be a good future for them. While Barnardos was investigating the situation, Ann Reynolds entered the Brackley Workhouse, taking the children with her. Mr Tear reconciled with Fanny, but they were now in considerable debt and had a new baby. At this point the local Anglican vicar got involved. He urged Barnardo's to admit the three children. He believed that Mr Tear would leave Fanny permanently and the children would again be left in the care of Workhouse authorities. A compromise was struck. Barnardos would take the two younger children on the basis that their case would be reviewed in twelve months time. Mercy (11)was to stay with her grandmother.
This picture was taken on October 27, 1892, the day Amy (8) and George (4) were admitted into care. I believe they were then separated since Amy lived in The Girls' Village Home in Essex. Upon their admittance, Fanny signed an agreement allowing Canadian emigration, but the case was to be reviewed in a year, presumably to give Fanny an opportunity to regain her children. As far as I know, she never saw Amy and George again. Four years later, Amy was emigrated to Canada with George following when he was 11.
In a perfect world, no woman would face the impossible decisions that Fanny did. But her world was far from perfect and no doubt she grieved over those lost children. History shows that Amy and George's future was secure in God's hands, whether Fanny knew that or not. The rest of Fanny's life is lost to me. The family history now follows Amy, my grandmother. I will tell her story sometime in the future!