The Central Glamorgan Gazette, and General, Commercial, and Agricultural Advertiser. — 1870-07-08 (Bridgend, Mid Glamorgan, Wales)

BABY FARMING AND INFANTICIDE IN LONDON.— On Monday Dr. Lankester held inquests at the Dolphin and College Arms Taverns on the bodies of three illegitimate children. The first case taken was that of James Pottlewaite, aged three months. Elizabeth Pottlewaite, 11, Bidborough-street, Enston Road, a single woman, said she was the mother, but did not suckle the deceased. Went out to work for its support. Left deceased in care of its grandmother, who fed it on a pint and a half of milk and half a packet of corn flour, besides bread, daily. It was sickly, and was taken to the infirmary. The father of the deceased was John Holland, a carpenter; he had never paid a farthing towards keeping deceased. Dr. Andrew Charles Copland said the deceased was very much emaciated. The cause of death was exhaustion from want of proper food. The jury returned a verdict accordingly. The next case taken was that of James Dennes, aged five months. Eliza Deans, 15,Mary's place, Regent's Park, said she was mother of deceased. She had to leave her situation to be confined. The father was a teacher of languages, named Brenner; he had gone abroad. Suckled the child for a month, and then went back to her situation in order to support it. Sent it out to nurse in the Old Kent Road, and paid per week. It became ill, and she was compelled to leave her situation. Could not keep it then, and went into St. Pancras Workhouse. Came out with the intention of going to Muro•ute Did not go, and went back to the workhouse. Was away from the house five days. Dr. Ellis said that when the child was admitted on the 27th June it was in a dying state. The cause of death was the want of proper medical attention during the time it was out of the house. Margaret Cain, paid nurse, St. Pancras Workhouse, gave the mother a good character for attention to the child, and said she even stopped up all night nursing it. The Jury returned a verdict of death from natural causes. The next ease was that of Henry Anderson, aged three months. Jane Anderson, mother of deceased, said it was horn in the workhouse; the father, Jas. Brown, a painter, promised her marriage, but left her a month before her confinement. Left the house to look forsituation ; obtained some morning work, and did her best for it. While at work left deceased in charge of her aunt. Margaret Cain, paid nurse, said she believed the mother did all she could for the deceased, but she only had 2s a week. Dr. Ellis said the child was admitted in a dying state. Heard it had been put out to nurse, and had not had sufficient food. Ordered it plenty of food and brandy. It died from exhaustion. Verdict, death from natural causes, accelerated from want of breast-milk. The next inquest was on a child, name unknown. William M'Callagham, S 154, said on Tuesday morning, the 28th ult., he was on duty in Stanhope-street, St. Pancras, when a man named Green said a child was lying in Lamb's Gardens. Witness found deceased tied up in a brown paper parcel with a staylace. It was bleeding from the nose and mouth. Mr. Joseph Hill, surgeon, said the deseased was a fine child; organs healthy; no trace of food; cause of death was suffocation. The jury returned a verd.et of wilful murder against some person or persons unknown.