The Sun.
London, England, 1834-11-21 00:00:00

MARLBOROUGH-STREET.

Mr. Hillier, one of the overseers of Bermondsey, yester-
day applied at this office in order to put the Magistrate in
possession of the facts of a very distressing case.
The subject of the application was herself present. She
stated that she had resided for about six years in the family
of Mr. Deputy Saunders, and there coming acquainted
with a man named Powel, she was married to him and had
two children. About three years after her union with him
he died and left her in a state of poverty with the two
children. In August,' 1833, she was again married to a
man named Joyce ; and she discovered after her marriage
he was literally a pauper, having had for a considerable
time 4s. a week allowed him by the parish of St. Giles.
About two months since her husband was very ill, and her.
self and children without a meal's victuals. She then ap-
plied to the parish authorities of St. Giles's for relief. They
sent the doctor to her husband, and all the relief that was
administered to the starving family was a half-quartern loaf.
A fortnight after this her husband, whose course of life
from the time of their marriage had been unworthy and
disreputable, was apprehended for stealing a watch, and
committed from Marylebone Office. She then removed to
Dock-head, Bermondsey, considering that being known
there, she might contrive by her industry to gain a sub-
sistence. During three weeks she took in needlework, and
at length, after having disposed of everything she had, she
applied to the authorities of that parish, and they informed
her that she must apply to St. Giles's. Her children were
starving, and with them she walked one Monday night to
St. Giles's. A gentleman who had known her prior to her
marriage met her on the way, and, observing her crying
bitterly, gave her sixpence. When she arrived at St.
Giles's she was too late to see any of the officers, and, being
weary, she paid the sixpence and obtained a lodging. On
her applying the next day, they told her she must go back
to Bermondsey, where one of her children was born. The
unfortunate woman during the recital frequently shed tears.
She added that her father was a very respectable man, and
had been dead some months.

Mr. CONANT could not decide the question of settlement ;
it was for the two parties to fight that out. The poor
woman and children could not be suffered to starve. At
present he supposed she was with Bermondsey.
Mr. Hillier said he had pitied her desolate condition and
had admitted her into their workhouse. He could not con-
ceive what claim she could have upon them. The children
were her first husband's. It was true one was born at Ber-
mondsey, still the first husband had done nothing to gain a
settlement there, but that would lay between All Hallows
and Clerkenwell, as his settlement was with one or the other.
The woman by her second marriage belonged to St. Giles's.
and as they could not separate the children from her they
ought to have relieved her. They could make an order
upon the settlement of the first husband fur the nurture of
the children.
Mr. CONANT said he could not interfere or give a decided
opinion.
The poor woman said it was unimportant to her what
parish relieved her ; she was healthy, and if any assistance
was given her towards the relief of her children, she had but
little doubt she could get her living.
Mr. HALLS, the County Magistrate, put some money
into her hand, and two or three gentlemen who were pre-
sent expressed their dermination to do something for her.
Mr. Hillier directed her to retnrn to the workhouse at
Bermondsey.