ACT OF INCORPORATION.

An Act to incorporate the National Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Sayles J.Bowen, Daniel Breed, George E.Baker, their associates and successors, being members of the said society, by paying into its treasury the sum of two dollars annually, or life members by paying fifty dollars at one time, are hereby incorporated and made a body politic by the name of “The National Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children,” for the purpose of supporting such aged or indigent colored women and children as may properly come under the charge of such Association; to provide for them a suitable home,board,clothing, and instruction, and to bring them under Christian influence, and by that name shall have perpetual succession, with power to use a common seal, to sue and be sued, to plead and be impleaded, in any court of the United States; to collect subscriptions, make by-laws, rules, and regulations needful for the government of said corporation not inconsistent with the laws of the States; to have, hold, and receive real and personal estate by purchase, gift, or devise; to use, sell, or convey the same for the purposes and benefit of said corporation, and to choose such officers and teachers as may be deemed necessary, prescribe their duties, and fix the rate of their compensation.

Sec. 2 And be if further enacted, That the officers of said Association shall consist of a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, and a Board of Managers, to be composed of nine members, the whole to constitute an Executive Committee, whose duty it shall be to carry into effect the plans and purposes for which said Association was formed; all of which officers shall be elected on the fifteenth day of March next, and hold their offices until the second Tuesday of January, eighteen hundred and sixty-four, on which day, and annually on the second Tuesday of January, in each succeeding year, at the annual meeting of said Association, which shall be held on such day, their successors shall be 0004 4elected, and hold their offices for the term of one year, and until their successors shall be duly elected; and in case of a vacancy it shall be filled by the other members of the Executive Committee.

Sec. 3. And be if further enacted, That said society may receive into a house or building, to be provided by it, any destitute child or children, at the request of the parent or guardians, or next friend, or the mother, if the father be dead, or has abandoned his family, or does not provide for their support, or is an habitual drunkard, such parents, guardians, or next friend or mother making a written surrender of such child or children. The Superintendent, or other officer in immediate charge, may, with the concurrence of the Executive Committee, or of a Board of Trustees, to be appointed by said Committee, and to consist of three persons, citizens of Washington, govern the inmates, preserve order, enforce discipline, impart instruction in useful knowledge and some regular course of labor, and establish rules for the preservation of health, and for their proper physical, intellectual, and moral improvement. The trustees may, with the consent of the Executive Committee, bind out by indenture such children as may be deemed capable of learning trades or of becoming useful in other occupations, to such persons as will give them the benefit of good examples wholesome instruction, and other means of improvement in virtue and knowledge, and the opportunity of becoming intelligent, moral, and useful members of society.

Sec. 4. And bee it further enacted, That it shall be lawful said Association, by and with the advice and consent of the Secretary of War, to occupy, for the objects of said Association, any lands, not exceeding one hundred acres, and the improvements thereon, which the Government may now own or may hereafter acquire contiguous to the city of Washington, by confiscation or purchase, such occupation to continue for such a number of years as the Secretary of War may, in writing, prescribe. Approved February 14, 1863.

BY-LAWS.

ADOPTED BY THE ASSOCIATION, 1866. 1. Any person may become a member of the Association by paying the sum of two dollars. At the meetings of the Association ten members shall constitute a quorum. At the meetings of the Executive Committee five shall constitute a quorum for transacting business.

[This By-Law was amended June 10, 1879, as follows: “Any person may become a member of the Association, upon nomination at a regular meeting of the Association, by a vote of two-thirds of the members present, and by paying into the treasury the sum of two dollars. At the meetings of the Association ten members shall constitute a quorum. At the meetings of the Executive Committee five shall constitute a quorum for transacting business.”]

[This By-Law further amended October 13, 1891, by inserting after “treasury” the word annually; also, on January 8, 1895, that the annual membership fee be one dollar.] 2. At the stated meetings of the Executive Committee, and at the quarterly meetings of the Association, the order of business shall be: First, minutes of the preceding meeting; second, reports of committees and officers; third, unfinished business, new business, adjournment.

3. The President, or in her absence, the Vice-President of President pro tem., shall preside at the meetings, preserve order, and see that the officers perform their duties, and all drafts upon the treasury, approved by the managers, shall be signed by the presiding officer at the meeting at which they have bee passed.

4. The Secretary shall keep correct minutes of the proceedings of the meetings of the Association and of the managers, and give due notice of the place of all meetings-a notice of the annual and quarterly meetings of the Association to be advertised for at least two days in a daily paper published in Washington city. The secretary shall conduct the correspondence and countersign all drafts upon the treasury.

5. The Treasurer shall take charge of all moneys belonging to the Association not otherwise ordered by the Board, and shall deposit them in such institutions or invest them in such ways as the Board may direct, and shall make no 0006 6payment except by its order. All bills ordered by the Board shall be paid by the Treasurer. She shall report, in writing, at each monthly meeting, to the Executive Committee the amount received and expended during the month; also all indebtedness. She shall keep a list of the contributors and an accurate account of the receipts and expenditures of the institution, which accounts shall at all times be open to the inspection of the managers. She shall make a written report to the annual and each quarterly meeting of the Association, and give bonds in the sum of one thousand dollars for the faithful performance of her trust.

6. At the first stated meeting held after the annual meeting of the Association, the Executive Committee shall elect from their number the following standing committees: A Committee upon Education, a Committee upon Clothing, a Committee upon household, a Committee upon Admission and Dismission.

7. Of the Committee upon Admission and Dismission.—The Committee, or one of its members, shall visit the home once each month. To this Committee all applications for admission shall be referred. They shall keep a book of registry, in which they shall enter the name and age of every woman and child received, the date of admission, whence and from whom received. If the woman or child has near relatives, note the degree of kindred and residence of same; ascertain whether the children have had measles, whooping-cough, or small-pox, and whether they have been vaccinated. These particulars shall be recorded, together with other circumstances which may be of importance to them or to the institution at future day. If the child be brought by a parent, obtain his or her signature to the form provided for the same. When children are placed out, state particularly with whom, the residence and occupation of master and mistress, and note the date of removal from the Home, whether by death or otherwise. When children are placed on trial, if returned they shall be we well clothed by their employer, or he be required to pay twenty-five cents a week for as many weeks as they have served him. A promise to do so shall be made by him, in writing, on receiving the child.

8. The Household Committee, or one of its members, shall visit the Home once a month, and oftener if necessary. They shall see that its affairs are administered with order, prudence, and economy; that proper attention is paid to the habits, manners, and persons of the children, and that 0007 7peace, harmony, and domestic religion are cultivated; and, whilst obedience is required of the children to the duly appointed officers, no corporal punishment shall be allowed. They also shall keep a book of the records of all gifts and benefits conferred on the institution which do not appear on the Treasurer's record. They shall make monthly a call on the matron for a report, in writing, of the same.

9. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Clothing to see that the women and children are supplied seasonably with all necessary clothing, including hats, caps, shoes, and other articles of wearing apparel which may be needed, on leaving the Home. They shall report when necessary to the Board.

10. The Committee on Education, or one of its members, shall visit the school once a month, and provide furniture, books, and whatever may be needed for the use of the school.

11. The above-named committees shall render monthly reports to the Board, all of which shall be writing, as well as all resolutions and resignations. The Executive Committee shall elect three Trustees, to continue in office until their successors are chosen. A special meeting of the Association may be called by the Board at any time, due notice being given.

12. The By-Laws may be amended at any regular or duly called meeting of the Association by a vote of two-thirds of those present.

AMENDMENTS TO BY-LAWS.

13. Children under three years of age will not be admitted to this Home.

14. The Association, at any regular or duly called meeting of the Association, may by a vote of two-thirds of those present expel a member, but the vote shall be taken by yeas and nays, and be recorded by the Secretary in the journal of the proceedings.— Adopted June 12, 1870

15. Members of the Association, other than members of the Executive Committee, shall be eligible to position on any of the regular or special committees of the Association.— Adopted January 10, 1880.

16. The Executive Committee shall have power to appoint matron, assistant matron, and such other officers as may be necessary to carry on the work of the Association, and further, they shall have power to remove such officers by a majority vote.— Adopted January 10, 1893.

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OFFICERS FOR 1895. President. Mrs. M.S. POMEROY 1839 K Street N.W. Vice-President Miss L. S. SWAN No. 1 Thomas Circle Treasurer Mrs. B.G. FRANCIS, 2106 Pennsylvania Avenue. Secretary. Mrs. A.M. PURVIS, 1118 13th Street N.W. Board of Managers. Mrs. E.G. DOLE. Mrs. L. S. DOOLITTLE Mrs. A. M. EDGAR. Mrs. J. W. SCUDDER. Mrs. A. M. SHADD. Mrs. H.M. HATCH. Mrs. H. A. COOK. Mrs. M. L. MERIWETHER. TRUSTEES. Mr. JOHN F. COOK Dr. C. B. PURVIS. Rev. F. J. GRIMKE.

0009 9

STANDING COMMITTEES House hold Committee Mrs. A. M. SHADD, Mrs. E. G. DOLE, Freedmen's Hospital. 1014 14th Street Mrs. L. S. DOOLITTLE, Mrs. F. T. BAXTER, 1925 I Street. The Shoreham. Mrs. M. L. MERIWETHER, Mrs. H. DOUGLAS, 1822 13th Street. Anocostia, D. C. Clothing Committee Mrs. J. W. SCUDDER, Mrs. E. P. MESSER, 1006 New Hamshire Ave. 1935 11th Street. Mrs. M. V. DATCHER, Mrs. H. M. HATCH, 1212 16th Street. 1316 S Street Educational Committee Mrs. HELEN A. COOK, Miss L. S. SWAN, 2222 Sixth Street 1 Thomas Circle Mrs. E. W. LYNCH, Mrs. H. P. WARD 1511 Corcoran Street Hamilton House Committee on Admission and Dismission Mrs. A. M. PURVIS, Mrs. M. V. DATCHER 1118 13th Street 1935 11th Street Mrs. M. L. MERIWETHER Mrs E. P. MESSER, 1822 13th Street. 1935 11th Street Mrs. CLARA TUNNEL, Howard University MATRON Miss C. L. FRANKLIN Assistant—Miss H. E. HOOD Teacher Miss. N. A. PLUMMER. Assistant—Miss M. R. GOINES Industrial School.—Miss S. STORUM Kindergarten Mrs. A. E. WILLIAMS Physician Dr. JAS. R. WILDER.

ANNUAL REPORT

OF THE Secretary of the National Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children for the Year ending January 1, 1985. It is a matter of congratulation to the Association that the appropriation of the usual sum by Congress has been restored to us and the great anxiety concerning the maintenance of our Institution has been relieved. There was a time during the year when all resources were exhausted and we feared that we would be obliged to throw the “Home” upon the hands of the Commissioners.

The work in two of the departments discontinued last year for lack of funds has been resumed, and at present everything is going on in a way most gratifying to the Managers. The number of dependents has been: Boys, 71; girls, 46; aged women, 11; total, 128. Died during the year, 2 boys and 2 girls.

Last April the source of diphtheria visited the home for the first time. There were twenty cases during the three months that it continued..

Although it was reported to the Board of Health and they sent out their agents, they discovered no cause for the disease in the sanitary condition of the Home. The disease continued for a month, baffling every effort of the physician and those in charge to subdue it. The Board of Health was again urged to send experts to the rescue. They then ordered a complete renovation of the plumbing. This was a great undertaking involving the whole line of pipes through the grounds to the sewers, incurring great expense, which at that time we could illy afford to pay.

The Matron and Assistant who came to us last year have proved themselves most efficient in every branch of the work. To them it is largely due that the diphtheria was no more fatal in its results and was confined to only one part of the house. 0011 11Dr. Wilder continues to give his services gratis. We desire to acknowledge his faithfulness at all times, but particularly when the dreaded disease invaded the Home.

The schools are doing good work, with faithful, earnest teachers, in the graded departments and in the industrial and kindergarten departments. The foundlings have been cared for outside the Home for the past year.

The Committee on Admission and Dismission are glad to report that steps have been taken by the management to supervise more completely the children after they are placed in families. It is found that persons taking them are apt to disregard the indenture which they sign, making it obligatory upon us to watch carefully to see that they are kept as closely to the agreement as possible. This has been found very difficult to do by letter.

The committee regret that the appropriation has never been sufficient to warrant the hiring of agents to go about among the children to inquire into their ways of life; they are aware also that such supervision requires the most judicious management, and that it is difficult to find persons suitable for such missions. The committee having this matter in charge has been enlarged by adding several from the Association, and it is expected that they will visit all children in or near the city and avail themselves of whatever agency they can command to carry on this branch in a more satisfactory manner. In furtherance of this, the Board has agreed upon a new indenture paper, which will meet the requirements better than one which has been in use so many years.

The only object of the Institution being to make our children happy and grow up into useful, law-abiding citizens, we must make every effort toward that end, availing ourselves of all the new light we can get on the treatment of dependent children from those who are making it a study.

It will be observed that vacancies in the Association are rarely filled, and that we are thus restricted in our selection of members of the Board of Management. It is a suggestion worthy of consideration that the present members try to enlist the sympathies of the efficient, influential and, so far as may be wealthy people of our acquaintance, inviting them to join our Association. A.M. PURVIS, Secretary.

TREASURER's REPORT,

FR.OM JANUARY 1ST, '94, TO JANUARY 1ST, '95 The national Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children—Bettie G. Francil, Treasurer—in Account with the United States. Dr. Cr. To balance in U.S. Treasury By payment of bills January 1, 1894 $3,884 07 and orders $8,755 84 To refundment 2 12 By balance in U.S.Treasury To appropriation for 1895... 9,900 00 January 1, 1895... 4,990 35 n $13,746 19 $13,746 19 Bettie G. Francis, Treasurer, in Account with the National Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children. Dr. Cr. To balance in Treasury By payment bills and January 1, 1894 $493 28 orders $2,079 00 To membership fees 36 00 By balance in Treasury... 2,183e 48 To donations 32 06 To board from Children'as Guardians 2,473 31 To clothing from Children's Guardians 75 00 To nursing diphtheria from Children's Guardians 36 00 To board from Home 16 50 To reimbursement from U.S. Treasury 545 81 To payment of Crandell note 550 50 To sale of. rags 1 04 To charity box 98 $4,262 48 $4,262 48

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Classifications of Expenditures. Pay-roll $2,121 66 Gardening $25 00 Groceries 1,373 36 Ice 11 32 Meats 531 93 Chimney-sweeping 5 50 Milk 1,124 70 Oil, varnish, &c 6 67 Matron's current expenses 245 00 Building board walk 56 75 Shoes 117 00 Repairing range 80 00 plumbing 976 86 Stationery 6 07 Clothing 423 00 Books 4 28 Home furnishings 43 92 Advertising 5 33 Insurance 62 50 Postage 2 00 Fuel 1,016 50 Repairs 6 00 Printing 33 50 Storing fuel 4 38 Gas 92 00 Painting 197 77 Whitewashing 15 60 Medicines 157 64 $8,755 84

Respectfully submitted, Bettie F. Francis, Treasurer.

The undersigned have examined the accounts as submitted by the Treasurer of the National Association for the Relief of Destitute Colored Women and Children for the year ending December 31, 1894, and find them correct. John F. Cook, C.B. PURVIS, J.H. MERIWETHER, Auditing Committee.

MATRON's REPORT, 1894.

Number of inmates January 1, 1894— Women 9 Boys 66 Girls 32 107 Received during the year— Women 2 Boys 27 Girls 14 43 Sent to homes— Women 2 Boys 5 Girls 1 8 Abducted— Girl 1 Ran away— Boys 5 In hospital— Boy 1 Died— Boys 2 Girls 2 4 Transferred to Board of Children's Guardians— Boys 7 Girls 2 9 Removed by Board of Children's Guardians— Boys 16 Girls 8 24 In the Home December 31, 1894— Women 9 Boys 57 Girls 32 98 C.L. FRANKLIN, Matron.

REPORT OF SCHOOLS. Whole number taught 101 Number in first grade 35 Boys 69 Number in second grade 15 Girls 32 Number in third grade 24 Average daily attendance 89 Number in fourth grade.... 12 Average age 10 Number in fifth grade 15 NELLIE A. PLUMMER, MARY R. GOINES, Teachers.

0015 15

REPORT OF THE KINDERGARTEN FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1895. Whole number entered 39 Number of boys 26 Number of girls 13 Number promoted to school September, 1894 7 Number withdrawn 3 Number in first year's work. 14 Number in second year's work. 8 Number in third year's work.. 7 Number enrolled 29 ANNA E. WILLIAMS. Kindergartner.

REPORT OF SEWING SCHOOL FOR THE YEAR ENDING JANUARY 1, 1895. Aprons, 69; bags-laundry, 11; bed-spreads, 6; bibs, 8; chemise, 26; caps-dusting, 14; collars, 25; drawers, 35; dusters, 136; gowns, 25; handkerchiefs, 235; iron-holders, 35; napkins, 24; pillow-slips, 105; pieced-blocks, 110; rollers, 10; sheets, 103; skirts, 2; straps, 140; table-spreads, 30; towels, 180; waists, 36; mended articles, 526.

Fancy Work.—Knit lace, 11 yards; 1 set of table mats; stockings marked, 51.

Number in Sewing School, 71; girls, 22; boys, 49.

Number in kitchen garden, 22. SAREPTA STORUM,

Teacher. Special Industries.—Shoes half-soled, 221 pairs; shoes mended, 123 pairs; stockings knit by boys, 206 pairs; stockings knit by girls, 105 pairs.

Proceeds from work in Industrial School received for crocheted lace, $2.02; received for aprons, 50 cents; spent of this money for S. S. lesson chart, $1.25; balance, $1.27.

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DONATIONS. January.—Received at the Home during, 1894: 3 pounds sausage, Mrs. M. E. Franklin; 6 gallons ice cream, Mrs. Gover Cleveland; 1 loaf of brown and rolls, Mrs. Flood; 1 basket of hickory nuts (donor unknown).

February.—games and toys, Messers. Ballantyne Bros; bound juvenile magazines and papers, Mrs. Hoover; thirty gowns and fifty three sheets, from charitable organization (through Misses Blaine and Leiter).

March.—fruit, Mr. Hoover; garden and flower seed, Agricultural Department; boys' clothing, Messrs, Saks, & Co.; cut flowers for Easter, Mrs. Gover Cleveland: potted plants, Circle of King's Daughters; 3 dozen eggs, B. E. McDowell; miscellaneous reading matter, Dead Letter Office.

April.—home-made bread, Mrs. Flood; chicken, Miss Storum; cakes for children and old people, Mrs. Doolittle; tongue and loaf of bread, Mrs. Pomeroy; sardines, Mrs. Meriwether; 3 dozen rolls and 1 large cake, Mrs. Purvis; rolls, Mrs. E. W. Lynch; jelly, Mrs. Doolittle.

May.—fruit, Mr. Hoover; patch-work, Mrs. Fairfield; jelly, Mrs. Doolittle.

June.—bread, Mr. Kaiser; 2 boxes berries, Mr. Hoover; reading matter, Dead Letter Office.

July.—pineapple, Mr. Hoover; ice cream, Mrs. Williams; 3 dozen eggs, Mrs. Franklin.

August.—2 barrels sweet corn, Mr. Heitmuller; picture papers, Mr. Fernald; picture papers, Mrs. Hunt; $1, Mr. Browning.

September.—reading matter, Dead Letter Office; basket of grapes, Mr. Hoover; 2 baskets fruit for sick children, Mrs. Shadd.

October.—1 lot of papers and toys, Mr. Towner; fruit for sick children, Mrs. Shadd.

November.—basket chestnuts, for children, Hattie and Furman Shadd; reading matter, Dead Letter Office; turkey, Dr. Purvis; 1 barrel apples and 2 boxes oranges, Mrs. Grover Cleveland; patch-work, Mrs. Fairfield.

Thanksgiving.—mrs. Pomeroy, $1; Mrs. Doolittle, $1; Mrs. Dole, $1; Mrs. Shadd, $1; Mrs. Anderson, 59 cent; Mrs. Messer, 50 cents; Mrs. Purvis, 1 turkey.

December.—turkey, A. G. & D. G. Mount; 50 pounds candy, Mrs. F. T. Baxter; toys, Mrs. Meriwether; barrel apples, Mr. Elphonzo Youngs: two turkeys, Mr. C. E. Hoover; $5, Mrs. A. L. Lynch; $6.05, Howard University (through Mr. Cook); 25 cent, Lubin Webster; 10 cents, Jesse J. Wright; $1 each, Mrs. Baxter, Mrs. Ward, Mrs. Purvis, Mrs. Datcher, Mr. Carroll Webster; $2, Mrs. Morrell; booklets, Miss Rathbun; toys, Seward H. Rathbun; Pictures and scrap-book, Miss Robinson; 90 boxes candy, Messrs. Hahn & Co.; 2 boxes oranges, Mr. E. H. Koss; 2 large cakes, 1 box small cakes, Mr. Kaiser; 2 turkeys, Johnson & Garner; 100 candy bags made and two dozen dolls dressed, through Mrs. Fairfield; holly wreaths, Miss Hood; canned peaches, Mrs. Franklin; turkey, Mr. Tucker.

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NAMES OF INMATES. Age Admitted. Jennie Whiting 95 April 14, 1874. Mary Brown 69 February 18, 188. Anne Chambers 92 October 7, 1884. Matilda Blaney 76 May 20, 188. Betsey Taylor 67 May 6, 1890. Frances Blackburn 73 November 30, 1890. Patsy Banks 81 March 15, 1892. Harriet Rape 80 August 4, 1892. Priscilla Willis 90 December 12, 1894. Loretta Sims 18 December 14, 1880. Jesse Forrest 11 July 6, 1886. Louisa Boone 11 December 20, 1868. Delia Brooks 11 September 15, 1887. Priscilla Thomas 10 November 16, 1887. Hattie Brown 9 April 22, 1888. Charles Davis 10 October 15, 1888. George Gaither 11 October 19, 1888. Mary Gaither 9 October 19, 1888. Edward Gant 8 October 6, 1888. Edward Perry 10 March 6, 1889. William Page 11 May 13, 1889. Clarence Butler 9 April 19, 1889. John Robinson 8 May 13, 1889. Oden Howard 11 August 10, 1889. Wilbraham Howard 8 August 10, 1889. Marie Johnson 11 October 10, 1889. Maud Johnson 9 October 10, 1889. Anthony Seymour 9 October 17, 1889. William Jackson 9 December 4, 1889. Ida Parsons 7 June 4, 1890. William Cook 11 May 7, 1890. Mattie Williams 8 June 4, 1890. Hamilton Berry 9 June 29, 1890. Clarence Thomas 8 July 6, 1890. Sinclair Thomas 6 July 6, 1890. Henry Kirkforth 8 July 6, 1890. Frederick Williams 9 July 21, 1890. Nelson Shepherd 8 November 5, 1890. William Briscoe 8 November 20, 1890. Richard Briscoe 6 November 20, 1890. Helen Burt 10 June 4, 1891. Horace Williams 6 June 25, 1891. Benjamin Powell 8 September 5, 1891. Clarence Ambush 9 October 29, 1891. Williams Thomas 9 November 29, 1891. Alice Broadis 12 January 5, 1892. William Broadis 10 January 5, 1892. Joseph Burke 8 March 7, 1892. Edward Harris 6 May 19, 1892. Alberta Johnson 9 May 18, 1892. Greenbury Holmes 4 December 3, 1892. 0018 18Josephine Johnson .7 June 22, 1892. Cora Johnson 5 July 4, 1892. Alberta Marshall 6 October 10, 1892. Joseph Proctor 11 November 23, 1892. Edmonia Burke 8 December 4, 1892. Lester Harris 8 December 14, 1892. Joseph Harris 9 December 14, 1892. Mary Early 9 December 29, 1892. Rosa Early 6 December 29, 1892. Sarah Early 4 December 29, 1892. James Johnson 7 December 29, 1892. Robert Green 6 February 2, 1893. Glendora Milliner 8 March 22, 1893. Brennon Millier 4 March 22, 1893. Clarence West 6 April 12, 1893. Harry Webster 9 June 5, 1893. Charles Webster 5 June 5, 1893. Charles Butler 9 June 10, 1893. William Stewart 4 November 2, 1893. Richard Stewart 4 November 2, 1893. Percy Tilghman 7 November 22, 1893. Clarence Tilghman 4 November 22, 1893. Carrie Johnson 7 November 21, 1893. Bertha Johnson 12 January 8, 1894. Arthur Robinson 12 February 10, 1894. George Robinson 8 February 10, 1894. Agnes Blackburn 11 March 29, 1894. James Hawkins 8 March 9, 1894. William White 11 March 29, 1894. William Butler 5 July 25, 1894. William Smith 7 July 25, 1894. Estella Mack 4 August 30, 1894. Arthur Nevins 6 September 2, 1894. Stephen Nevins 5 September 2, 1894. George Palm 10 September 2, 1894. William Robinson 9 September 2, 1894. Garfield Craig 14 August 16, 1894. Richard Johnson 8 September 15, 1894. Robert Johnson 6 September 15, 1894. Alfred Johnson 4 September 15, 1894. Lizzie Wanza 11 September 20, 1894. Annie Wanza 10 September 20, 1894. Hattie Pryor 6 September 22, 1894. Bertha Hutchinson 9 October 5, 1894. Mary Wilson 9 November 23, 1894. Charles Williams 3 December 20, 1894. Annie Williams 2 December 20, 1894.

0019 19

EXTRACTS FROM CHILDREN's LETTERS. Dear Friend Loretta: Yours received with much pleasure, and as this is an excellent day—it being so stormy—for writing, you see I am answering your letter. I suppose you have heard of Roger Williams Park in Rhode Island. It is considered the best place in the State of skating, so we enjoy the lakes in winter as well as in summer. In the summer we think it great sport to go rowing, &c., on the lakes. It is a beautiful park in summer; there is most everything for one to enjoy and to take pleasure with.

I was glad you enjoyed reading the booklet I sent you. I think you had a nice lot of Xmas presents. I enjoyed mine also, which was the following: The first thing, which I value very highly, was a very nice “Oxford Teachers' Bible” from the people with whom I live. My Bible I had when I left the Home is all worn out, so you see I have used it a great deal, but l shall always keep it to remember the good it has done me. I did not expect to have such a nice one, with all the references, maps, &c., in it. I had two books-one was a story book; the title was a very queer one, which is called “A Bachelor Maid.” I have read it all through; it is a very interesting story. The other one was a very handsome book, called “A Treasury of favorite Poems,” by the different poets. I had a handkerchief-box with nine handkerchiefs in it and three other handkerchiefs from different ones, which makes a dozen I had in all. I also had a bottle of perfumery, a little work-box, two silver hat pins, a silver pin for my belt, two boxes of candy, a white apron, a silk scarf, and a box of writing paper. I believe that is about all I had.

There are so many changes in the Home since I left I don't suppose there are many I should know, but I am looking forward to the time when I will come to see you all. I am glad you are one of the girls that was at the Home when I was. It recalls our childhood days and my start in life, although my lot has been very different than most of the girls. I have taken Christ for my example and friend, and I don't see how any one can succeed and be happy without such a friend, and let me advise you, Loretta, to take him as your Saviour if you have not already done so. With love to yourself and all, I am yours sincerely,

Dear Miss Franklin: I am sorry I did not write before. I still love my home. Mrs. Rolerfort has a nice baby. His name is Lonie Preston. Mrs. Rolerfort feeds him on Eagle Brand condensed milk, and he is getting fat on it. Lonie will be seven months old the 16th of this month. We all are well. Dr. took Mrs. Rolerfort, Lonie, and me to visit Mr. and Mrs. Burrell, at White Sulphur Springs, last summer. I spent a lovely time while there. The springs and surroundings are most beautiful. I tried to drink the sulphur water, but it had too bad a smell for me. I took several sulphur baths. Mr. and Mrs. Burrell have a lovely home. They live in a new house that has ten rooms in it. They are parlor, library, dining-room, kitchen, and five bed-rooms. They have plenty chickens, ducks, hogs, a cow, vegetables, and fruit. I drove the cow to and from pasture; I fed the chickens and hogs; gather vegetables and apples. I enjoyed my stay at White Sulphur ever so much. I traveled all the way from White Sulphur to 0020 20Newark alone. I am getting along quite well in my studies. Besides studying, reading, spelling, and arithmetic, I study geography; also a little grammar. Newark is a very busy city-full of factories. I wish you would visit Mrs. Rolerfort and see our lovely city.

Give my love to all the teachers and the children. Tell the children I hope they will get a good home as I have. I must close, wishing you and all the teachers and all the children a merry Christmas and a happy New Year.

I am your dear little boy,

Dear Miss Franklin: I arrived safe. I was delighted when I arrived at so many new attractions. I was at church last Sunday. I like the church very much; it was such a delightful little place. I like the country food very much. We have chestnuts, apples, walnuts, peaches, grapes, and lots of other kinds of fruits. I feed the horses, hogs, and also help to milk the cows. I am learning to do my work very fast. We have eight hogs, five pigs, six horses, and four cows, and great many chickens and turkeys and geese.

I give my love to all the children and to all the old people. I will bring my letter to a close.

Yours truly,

Dear Miss Heacock: It has been a long time since I have written you. I hope I will be more regular after this. It snowed yesterday and is quite cold today. We had fine fun today snowballing each other. Tonight I have pain in my head. Mrs. Clingan says we must not play snow at school any more. I study at school reading, spelling, physiology, arithmetic, language, and geography. Before I go to school I wash dishes, sweep kitchen, and make beds. I went last year forty-six Sabbaths to Sunday school. For attending so regular I was presented with a very pretty Testament, and I have that nice Bible, too, you gave me. I must go to my lesson. I bid you good-bye, thanking you again for your kindness to me when I was little. Yours truly,

Dear Miss S. C. Franklin: I will write you this letter to let you know how I have been getting along. I like to hear from the Home; it does me good when I get a letter from you. This month is my birthday. I will be 15 years old October 27, 1894. I like this place very well, but they work we boys hard and do not like to dress them neat. That is all we get for working, is our eating and clothes. That is all the fault James Thompson finds of the place. If I cannot go nice and neat all the time, I would like to have a Sunday suit to put on Sundays. Please tell me what become of Cornelius. Give my love to all the boys and girls. Tell them I had a spell of sickness; it lasted me a week. Please send me one of the same books; only an old one, 1890. I will give you a cart-load of thanks for it. Yours truly,

James Thompson sends his love to you. I do not see much of Willie Clark.