Boys House Of Refuge , Duke Street ,Glasgow
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Boys House Of Refuge , Duke Street ,Glasgow
Does anyone have info on the House Of Refuge ? I have a descendant listed on the 1861 census , Basil Gordon aged 17 ( but he was 15) .Found his parents William had died and mother Elizabeth had remarried a George Hogg in Clyde Street and died 1858, and wondered if he was put in there or was a toe rag and delinquent .
Re: Boys House Of Refuge , Duke Street ,Glasgow
If you read through this old thread, you'll find information that may help you: viewtopic.php?f=36&t=4923
In your case it looks as though the dates you are interested in should be available. Please post your success or not, since it could help others who are also looking.
Best wishes,
Sarah
In your case it looks as though the dates you are interested in should be available. Please post your success or not, since it could help others who are also looking.
Best wishes,
Sarah
Re: Boys House Of Refuge , Duke Street ,Glasgow
It seems that about 95% of the 1862 admissions had served prison terms. More than half of those more than once.
The following is part of an article in the Glasgow Herald, February 18, 1863, under the heading House of Refuge for Boys. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1_ ... %2C2360273
The Rev. A. K. M'Callum read the annual report, of which we give the following abridgment:--On 31st December, 1861, there were in the house 288 boys. From that date, till 31st December, 1862, there had been received 107 boys, making a total of 395. During the same period 86 boys had been discharged, leaving in the house on 31st December, 1862, 312 boys. Of these 86 boys, 7 were sent to the army and navy, 8 were sent as emigrants to Canada and Queensland, passages to the former having been kindly granted gratuitously by Messrs. J. & A. Allan, William Kidston & Sons and Captain Kelso, shipowners; 61 were sent to situations in different parts of the country, and to reside with their relatives or friends; 2 died in Arran, where they were sent for their health: 1 in the Royal Infirmary, and 4 in the house; 2 were transferred to the R. C. Reformatory at Dalbeth; 1 went away irregularly, and was not recovered.
The general health of the boys has been better than for some years past. Four of the boys who died came into the house in a state of chronic disease, and another poor boy, with a malformation of body, came in but to die. Notwithstanding these cases the mortality is remarkably low, being a little more than 2 per cent, and taking the last five years the average is still lower, being only ½ per cent. There were also fewer cases of absconding during the past year than for many years back. As a whole, the boys had conducted themselves very well, and good accounts had been received of every one of the boys who had been sent to New Zealand, letters from themselves and others showing that they were getting on most successfully. Of the boys sent to the Navy, excellent accounts had been invariably received. Of boys placed in situations is different parts of the country, two had turned out indifferently, and two had relapsed into crime.
During the last five years, 561 boys had been discharged from the house and sent to situations, or otherwise disposed of. Of this number the Commissioners were able, after minute inquiries, to arrive at the following results:--488 are doing well, 6 are only doing indifferently, 7 are unknown, 28 have died, and 80 have relapsed; thus giving 85 per cent. of the entire number who have turned out well, and have become useful members of society. But of those who relapsed 20 have since been restored, and have given evidence of well-doing.
Of the 107 boys admitted last year, the parents of 97 belonged to Scotland, of 5 to Ireland, and of 5 to England. There were born in Glasgow 41, in other parts of Scotland 56, in Ireland 5, in England 5. 1 is eight years of age, 5 nine, 11 ten, 11 eleven, 18 twelve, 27 thirteen, 20 fourteen, 11 fifteen, and 3 between fifteen and sixteen--the highest age at which a boy can be admitted. There were sentenced, under the "Youthful Offenders' Act." by the Sheriff Court 23, by the Magistrate 74, and by the Justice of Peace Court 3. There were admitted, under the "House of Refuge Act." 7. There were sentenced for three years 7, for four years 4, for five years 96. There were in jail once 44, twice 34, three times and upwards 22, never in jail 7. There were admitted in the month of January 9, February 15, March 11, April 9, May 8, June 6, July 9, August 8, September 7, October 7, November 5, December 13. There were in the House on 31st Dec., 1862, under the "House of Refuge Act," 16, and under the "Youthful Offender Act" 286.
The trades in full operation at present are--tailoring, 80 boys, shoemaking, 74, joining, 13, smithing, 15, coopering, 11, printing, 10, bookbinding, 17, farming, 14, baking, 12, woodsplitting, 42, engineers, 2, various occupations, 22; total, 312 boys. As regards educational training, the school has been conducted with ability and success by Mr. Rae, the head teacher, and his assistants. The state of the boys' education when admitted is very imperfect. Of the 312 boys in the house on 31st December last, 130 boys could read none, 97 a little, and 85 fair. 231 could write none, 73 a little, and 8 fair. 254 knew nothing of arithmetic, 55 a little, and 3 had a fair knowledge of it. The present education of these stands thus (it will be remembered that some of these are only a few weeks in the house)--14 can read none, 74 can read a little, 108 read fairly, and 116 can read well, 123 know a little of writing, and 137 can write fairly and well. 120 know a little of arithmetic, and 130 are in more advanced rules. 105 know a little of geography and grammar, and 128 have a very fair knowledge of these subjects; and all are somewhat acquainted with Scripture knowledge. The report concluded by some observations on physical training, which occupies an important place in the institution, on religious and moral training, and on the means of recreation provided for the boys.
And a report from 1843.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=ygf ... 22&f=false
And from 1846. “They have a contented and comfortable appearance, and though the majority of them have been offenders, punishment is seldom resorted to. The “blackhole,” a small apartment on the ground floor, is the popular punishment. In this place, offenders are kept from four to fourteen days, on one meal a day.”
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=_ZZ ... 22&f=false
It seems to have closed mid 1880s.
Alan
The following is part of an article in the Glasgow Herald, February 18, 1863, under the heading House of Refuge for Boys. http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=1_ ... %2C2360273
The Rev. A. K. M'Callum read the annual report, of which we give the following abridgment:--On 31st December, 1861, there were in the house 288 boys. From that date, till 31st December, 1862, there had been received 107 boys, making a total of 395. During the same period 86 boys had been discharged, leaving in the house on 31st December, 1862, 312 boys. Of these 86 boys, 7 were sent to the army and navy, 8 were sent as emigrants to Canada and Queensland, passages to the former having been kindly granted gratuitously by Messrs. J. & A. Allan, William Kidston & Sons and Captain Kelso, shipowners; 61 were sent to situations in different parts of the country, and to reside with their relatives or friends; 2 died in Arran, where they were sent for their health: 1 in the Royal Infirmary, and 4 in the house; 2 were transferred to the R. C. Reformatory at Dalbeth; 1 went away irregularly, and was not recovered.
The general health of the boys has been better than for some years past. Four of the boys who died came into the house in a state of chronic disease, and another poor boy, with a malformation of body, came in but to die. Notwithstanding these cases the mortality is remarkably low, being a little more than 2 per cent, and taking the last five years the average is still lower, being only ½ per cent. There were also fewer cases of absconding during the past year than for many years back. As a whole, the boys had conducted themselves very well, and good accounts had been received of every one of the boys who had been sent to New Zealand, letters from themselves and others showing that they were getting on most successfully. Of the boys sent to the Navy, excellent accounts had been invariably received. Of boys placed in situations is different parts of the country, two had turned out indifferently, and two had relapsed into crime.
During the last five years, 561 boys had been discharged from the house and sent to situations, or otherwise disposed of. Of this number the Commissioners were able, after minute inquiries, to arrive at the following results:--488 are doing well, 6 are only doing indifferently, 7 are unknown, 28 have died, and 80 have relapsed; thus giving 85 per cent. of the entire number who have turned out well, and have become useful members of society. But of those who relapsed 20 have since been restored, and have given evidence of well-doing.
Of the 107 boys admitted last year, the parents of 97 belonged to Scotland, of 5 to Ireland, and of 5 to England. There were born in Glasgow 41, in other parts of Scotland 56, in Ireland 5, in England 5. 1 is eight years of age, 5 nine, 11 ten, 11 eleven, 18 twelve, 27 thirteen, 20 fourteen, 11 fifteen, and 3 between fifteen and sixteen--the highest age at which a boy can be admitted. There were sentenced, under the "Youthful Offenders' Act." by the Sheriff Court 23, by the Magistrate 74, and by the Justice of Peace Court 3. There were admitted, under the "House of Refuge Act." 7. There were sentenced for three years 7, for four years 4, for five years 96. There were in jail once 44, twice 34, three times and upwards 22, never in jail 7. There were admitted in the month of January 9, February 15, March 11, April 9, May 8, June 6, July 9, August 8, September 7, October 7, November 5, December 13. There were in the House on 31st Dec., 1862, under the "House of Refuge Act," 16, and under the "Youthful Offender Act" 286.
The trades in full operation at present are--tailoring, 80 boys, shoemaking, 74, joining, 13, smithing, 15, coopering, 11, printing, 10, bookbinding, 17, farming, 14, baking, 12, woodsplitting, 42, engineers, 2, various occupations, 22; total, 312 boys. As regards educational training, the school has been conducted with ability and success by Mr. Rae, the head teacher, and his assistants. The state of the boys' education when admitted is very imperfect. Of the 312 boys in the house on 31st December last, 130 boys could read none, 97 a little, and 85 fair. 231 could write none, 73 a little, and 8 fair. 254 knew nothing of arithmetic, 55 a little, and 3 had a fair knowledge of it. The present education of these stands thus (it will be remembered that some of these are only a few weeks in the house)--14 can read none, 74 can read a little, 108 read fairly, and 116 can read well, 123 know a little of writing, and 137 can write fairly and well. 120 know a little of arithmetic, and 130 are in more advanced rules. 105 know a little of geography and grammar, and 128 have a very fair knowledge of these subjects; and all are somewhat acquainted with Scripture knowledge. The report concluded by some observations on physical training, which occupies an important place in the institution, on religious and moral training, and on the means of recreation provided for the boys.
And a report from 1843.
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=ygf ... 22&f=false
And from 1846. “They have a contented and comfortable appearance, and though the majority of them have been offenders, punishment is seldom resorted to. The “blackhole,” a small apartment on the ground floor, is the popular punishment. In this place, offenders are kept from four to fourteen days, on one meal a day.”
http://books.google.com.au/books?id=_ZZ ... 22&f=false
It seems to have closed mid 1880s.
Alan
Re: Boys House Of Refuge , Duke Street ,Glasgow
Hi there . Spoke to the Special Collections team at Family Life Glasgow and unfortunately they only have minutes of meetings regarding the Establishment . Theres no information regarding individual boys held there. Thanks Alan for the insight of the BHOR and Basil Gordon got a Trade as a Shoemaker . Finally found his death cert and again bad luck as he died only 29 of Cancer while in Edinburgh Royal Infirmary in 1877 . My GG grandad David Gordon was informant . He was married for the second time to Agnes Hume as first wife Mary Hutchison died young and i think 4 kids . Harsh time indeed . Again thanks for your help. 
The woman did say to try the Poor Relief as Basils parents were both dead for 1858 and he was only 12 ish and living with a step father George Hogg in Clyde Street .
The woman did say to try the Poor Relief as Basils parents were both dead for 1858 and he was only 12 ish and living with a step father George Hogg in Clyde Street .