George Müller (1805-1898) was a Prussian-born English evangelist and philanthropist. A man of faith and prayer, he established orphanages in Bristol and founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad. George Müller (1805-1898) was a Prussian-born English evangelist and philanthropist. A man of faith and prayer, he established orphanages in Bristol and founded the Scriptural Knowledge Institution for Home and Abroad. The work of Müller and his wife with orphans begin in 1836 with the preparation of their own home in Bristol for the accommodation of thirty girls. Soon after, three more houses were furnished, growing the total of children cared for to 130. In 1845, as growth continued, Müller decided that a separate building designed to house 300 children was necessary, and in 1849, at Ashley Down, Bristol, that home opened. By 1870, more than 2,000 children were being accommodated in five homes.
When William George Churchill died on July 7, 1879 his eldest son, John Frederick George Churchill at the age of 19 was left with the responsibility of caring for 7 younger siblings. The childrens mother, Sarah Ann Tompkins, had died on March 22, 1878. This was an impossible task. Whilst several of them were taken in by relatives, two of the girls and the youngest boy were admitted to Müller’s Orphange. The following Admission and Dismissal entries are transcriptions from the Orphanage records
Elizabeth Lavinia Churchill
Admission Record
5749: Elizabeth Lavinia Churchill born on the 31st, May 1866 at Wyke Regis, and registered on the 19th, June 1866, in the District of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset. William George Churchill, Farmer, and Sarah Ann Tompkins, were married on 14th, November, 1859, in the parish Church of Burton Bradstock, in the county of Dorset. George Wakeley Churchill, died of Congestion of Brain – Apoplexy – Comma, on 7th, July1879 and his death was registered on the 14th, July 1879 in the district of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset. Sarah Ann Churchill died of Weak Heart (years) – Uterine Hemorrhage – Syncope, on 22nd, March 1878 and her death was registered on the 25th, March 1878, in the district of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset. This child is sister to No. 5750 and was together with her delivered into Mr. Müller’s hands by their Aunt, Mrs. Hatton. The nearest relatives are, Henry Hatton, Uncle, Small Farmer, and Elizabeth Hatton, Aunt, Belfield Farm, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset. William Churchill, Great Uncle, Small Farmer and Mrs. Churchill, Great Aunt, Boot Lane, Weymouth, Dorset. Mr. Steel, Uncle and Mrs. Steel, Aunt, Labourers, Littlebredy, Portisham. J. Tompkins, Uncle, and Mrs. Tompkins, Aunt, Labourers, Burton Bradstock. These children lived in their late home on charity. Application for the admission of the children was madeby C. J. O. Owen Swaffield Esq, J.P., Wyke House, Wyke Regis, Weymouth, Dorset. The underaking was signed on behalf of these children and a brother to come by the Applicant and the two Relatives first named. This child was admitted into the Girls department of No.5 on the 21st, April 1880. It is stated as probable, that these children will be entitled to about £40 each when of age. No further application as to property to be made in this case. (See No. 5897).
Dismissal Record
4706: Elizabeth Lavinia Churchill, admitted under No. 5749 on 2nd April 1880, born 31st May 1866, at Wyke Regis, Dorset, was sent 31st October 1883as Housemaid to Mrs. Watts, 28 Bloomfield Terrace, Paddington. Abeliever.
Bessie Eliza Churchill
Admission Record
5750: Bessie Eliza Churchill born on the 12th, July 1872 at Wyke Regis, and registered on the 9th, August 1872, in the District of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset. This child is sister to No. 5749. She was admitted into the Infant Department of the No. 5 on the 21st, April 1880.
Dismissal Record
6111: Bessie Eliza Churchill, admitted under No. 5750 on 21st April 1880, born 12th July 1872, at Wyke Regis, Dorset, was sent on the 11th September 1889,as General Servant, to Mrs. Davies, 40 Lissom Grove, London. A believer. Deliverd to the ??? Mr? William Churchill, Rodwell Road, Weymouth, 24.1.90
Charles Richard Churchill
Admission Record
5897: Charles Richard Churchill born on the 3rd, January 1875 at Wyke Regis on the 3rd, January 1875, and registered on the 9th, February 1875, in the District of Weymouth, in the County of Dorset. This child is brother to Nos. 5749 and 5750. He was delivered into Mr. Müller’s hands by his brother John Frederick George Churchill, Wyke Regis. He was admitted into the Infant Department of the No. 4 on the 24th, November 1880.
Dismissal Record
3953: Charles Richard Churchill, admitted under No. 5897 on 24th November, born 3rd January 1875, at Wyke Regis, Dorset, was on the 15th December 1880 delivered up to his brother John Frederick George Churchill, Wyke Regis, as was found to be unsuitable for this Institution being found really an idiot.
Georgina Rowe said,
October 7, 2007 at 4:00 am
I read your Family Connections article with great interest. I have a friend who was in the Dorchester Institute in Feb 1937. I have been trying to help him trace family. Could you please let me know where you applied to for your histoical records.
Georgina
Brian Tompkins said,
October 7, 2007 at 6:49 am
If the Institute still exists, that is where you should start, which was the case here. If not then try the County Records Office at the Dorset History Centre., who if they don’t hold them, they may know who does.