Orphanage and Training Home (Mr Fegan's), Deptford, London
On May 1st, 1872, James Fegan established an 'Industrial Home' or 'Training Home; for orphan and destitute boys at 112-114 High Street, Deptford. The home, founded with a loan of five pounds from each of four friends, provided a shelter for the boys at night, together with work and training in various trades during the day. As the number of boys grew, the home was also took over 118 High Street.
On July 31st, 1882, following the expiry of the lease on the Deptford property, the home moved to new premises at 95 Southwark Street in Southwark.
The property at 112-114 High Street no longer survives and an 'Iceland' store now occupies the site. The house at 118 High Street still stands, at the rear of a modern shop frontage.
Other homes run by Fegan were located at Greenwich, Ramsgate, Stony Stratford, Westminster, Goudhurst and Toronto.
Records
Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.
- Fegans Child and Family Care, 160 St James Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN2 1HE. Holds the organisation's children's case files.
- Tunbridge Wells Museum and Art Gallery, Civic Centre, Mount Pleasant, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1JN. Acquired Fegan's non-case archives in 2015 — contents currently being processed.
- Library and Archives Canda, 395 Wellington Street, Ottawa, Ontario. Holds microfilm copies of Fegan Home settlement records (1885-1939).
Bibliography
- Fullerton, William Young J.W.C. Fegan: A Tribute (1931, Marshall, Morgan & Scott)
- Higginbotham, Peter Children's Homes: A History of Institutional Care for Britain's Young (2017, Pen & Sword)
- Sharp, Syd Black Boots and Short Trousers (1995, Syd Sharp)
- Tiffin, Alfred Loving and Serving: An Account of the Life and Work of J.W.C. Fegan (1976)
Links
- The Fegans Child and Family Care website
- From Gruel to Gourmet: the story of Fegan's homes for boys in Stony Stratford — a school project, including vintage video clips.
Except where indicated, this page () © Peter Higginbotham. Contents may not be reproduced without permission.