This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Surnames: Eccles, Lawrence, Sperbeck Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/an/DAw.2ACIB/1821 Message Board Post: I have received information from the Quarriers Group founded in Glasgow Scotland about Margaret. The package arrived containing a cover sheet, explaining certain highlighted items in the photocopy of the original documents they kept on file regarding Margaret from 1885-1912, along with a copy of their 1887 Annual Report, which gives detailed information about the Canada sailing which Margaret was a part of. I will highlight the information here as best I can, in hopes of finding more information. November 25, 1885, Margaret Eccles, age 4 past, was brought to Quarriers by her mother, Theresa Eccles. The father had not been seen by anyone since Margaret's birth, and no name is given for him. her mother Theresa worked in Bleach Works, Bowfield Howwood near Paisley and lived in "Women's House" along with her mother. She had been paying a woman in Johnstone to keep Margaret but had a severe attack of erysipelas {explanation given as an acute streptococcal infectious disease, on cover page} in her head, she was not able to pay, and had been keeping Margaret with her at the Womens' House, which was not allowed. If she was not to be helped by Quarriers, both would have had to go on to the Poor House. The paper states that Theresa was a Roman Catholic but the father of the child was a Protestant. She had been thinking of giving her up for 6 months, and "now gladly hands her over for adoption or Canada and says she has no desire ever to see the child again." {My note: she would have to have said this in order for them to take her in, as no one wanted to adopt a child only to have the mother return for them later on}. It goes on to say that Margaret had had measles and whooping cough but was said to be quite healthy. Miss Jane McNicol Howwood, being very intimate with Mrs. Clyde of 103 Hospital St. South of Glasgow, came with Theresa to recommend her to Quarriers. "The mother never goes to chapel. She promises to send child's registration paper. All the above was from the Nov. 25 1885 entry. A later entry, Dec. 23 1885 states that Margaret was adopted by Mrs. Pert of 3 Brooklyn Place, Govan [was a small town but now is a district of Glasgow}, who was recommended by Rev. W. Graham of 6 Brighton Place and Dr. Huddow of 5 Buckingham Square, Govan. "Margaret is not a strong child and very 'short set'." December 29, 1885, Margaret was returned to Quarriers with the explanation being: "returned owing to weak legs to which Dr. says will be long in recovering strength" Jan. 1, 1886 Margaret was sent to live at Bridge of Weir. May 13, 1887 Margaret sent to Canada, mother not written to. Here it notes a number which indicates a letter or report dated 11/9/1889 regarding Margaret which has been lost or destroyed since then. Another entry dated July 30, 1906, very difficult to read, says Maggie now Mrs. {?Chas} Sperbeck ?????? ?. Dakota writes about friends at Box 317 {?Martin Co.} Last entry dated May 4, 1912..Maggie writes again. Ans'e from B?? W. Extract-of Baptismal register sent. 18 South William St., Johnstone NY, USA. IN THE ANNUAL REPORT: SAILING INFORMATION Margaret was part of the Second Band sent to Canada in 1887. Entry May 13--Today our girls party, numbering 25 boys and 9[6?] girls, 13 being from Mrs. Blaike's Home, Edinburgh, sailed in the SS Siberian in charge of Miss Bilbrough, Mrs. Davidson and Mr. L. Burges. The children left the Bridge of Weir Homes, where many happy days had been spent, about 9:30 in the morning, the little ones getting conveyed to the station in carts. At 11:15 the farewell meeting was held in the City Home Hall, at which there was a large attendance of friends of the children and of the work. Much prayer was offered up for "the outward bound", and we are sure that on the voyage out, as well as in Canada, many loving hearts will remember them before our Father's throne. The day was good, and as we went down to the river to Greenock and looked upon their happy faces, and heard them sing some of the hymns they had learned in the Homes, our hearts were full of gratitude to the Lord for enabling us to rescue and send forth another band of little ones. In the lan! d to which they go they will be entirely removed from their old surroundings, and, with the splendid outfit which each child is provided with, they have a good start in life. The ship Siberian, in which several of our parties have sailed, is under command of Captain Moore, whose kind thoughtfullness for and interest in the children do much to make the voyage enjoyable and pleasant. The Messrs. Allan made all arrangements for the comfort of the party on the way, and we left them at Greenock about 8:30, after seeing them settled for the night. their going forth leaves a blank in the cottages where they have been for many months and some for years, as well as in the hearts of the "mother" who has cared for them. we shall miss them, but the vacant places will soon be filled up with other needy little ones. THERE IS MORE, BUT NOT RELEVENT. IF ANYONE HAS ANY INTEREST IN THIS INFORMATION , I WILL BE HAPPY TO SEND COPIES OF WHAT I HAVE. IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING TO ADD TO WHAT IS HERE, I WOULD LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU. THANKS, JENNIFER D. SHELLEY