Hi Jon The simplest answer is probably one word..........poverty. Presumably prior to Elizabeth being widowed, they lived in South Stoneham parish - with 4 children to support, Elizabeth managed to get work at the vicarage but not enough money to feed and house the children...and no matter how much the Vicar liked her dumplings, there would probably not have been room at the vicarage. Therefore the 3 youngest went to the workhouse - possibly temporarily until Elizabeth got on her feet whilst the eldest being aged 12 was old enough to earn his keep and was therefore billeted at his Aunt's house. Hope this helps Linda & Tony