St Peter's Orphanage and Convalescent Homes, Broadstairs

 

aka Tait Homes for Girls 

 

Like the Metropolitan Convalescent Home, this was based in Lanthorne Road, Broadstairs. It was founded in 1868, nearly 30 years before its Metropolitan neighbour. 

 

It alternative name, Tait Home for Girls, was because it was founded by Archibald Tait who was Bishop of London.

 

The Orphanage closed in 1939 because of the outbreak of war and the buildings exerienced significant bomb damage which ultimately led to its demolition.

 

 

 

1911

 

The 1911 census return gives us a great deal of detail about this orphanage.

 

The home had 25 rooms: five sitting and dining rooms; twelve bedrooms; five dormitories; and three kitchens/school rooms.

 

The return records the status of the orphanage as an industrial training school. This means that it was certified to teach vocational skills to the girls living there. To this end, three taechers formed part of the staff team.

 

Residential staff

The orphanage was run by a 'lady superintendent', Margaret Malleson from Baldersby, Yorkshire. She was supported by an all-female staff - a house matron; kitchen matron; laundry matron; a nurse matron; a house matron and a trained nurse and three teachers. Also listed in the return is an organist, Winifred aged 26 from Surrey, However, she is not listed as a member of staff like the others but as an inmate, like the much younger girls in the orphanage.

 

In total, there were 11 members of staff in residence.

 

The children

 

There were 78 children in the orphanage at the time of the census, all were girls. The youngest was four, and the oldest 16.

 

 

 

Age No. of Girls
4 1
5 1
6 1
7 3
8 10
9 11
10 2
11 8
12 8
13 9
14 11
15 10
16 3
Total 78

 

 

To explore other convalescent homes in Kent, have a look at our Directory

LOOKING FOR MORE INFORMATION?