This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bbffrrpp Surnames: Lamb Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.massachusetts.unknown/6945.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Hi Carol. Because "fits" are mentioned, that makes me wonder whether the boy had Epilepsy. And, if he had the "seizures" on a regular basis, he wouldn't have been allowed to go to school. So, he might not have learned to "read and write," etc. And, Epilepsy can be fatal. One of my cousins developed Epilepsy shortly after birth, and he had "grand-mal seizures" for most of his childhood. He went to Children's Hospital in Boston for treatments, but they put him on all kinds of drugs. For both reasons, he was put in a "special" class, but did not do well. When he was approaching 30, his parents moved outside of Boston, and they found a new doctor. This doctor took away most of the drugs and put him on only a few of the important ones. The seizures were stopped. For the first time in his life, he was able to get a job, drive a car, and "date." But, someone with Epilepsy in the 1800's would not have been treated as well. Actually, I just remembered that my (now) husband had a great-uncle in Cambridge who had Epilepsy. He died in 1950's (?) because of it. During the 1800's there were probably "hundreds" of reasons why a person would be "placed" in an asylum. Betty (near Lowell, MA) (And, if you think that was a problem in the US, you should read a little on the 1800's in Great Britain.) Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.