05 May 2020

Two Deaf-Brothers Fear a Return to the Workhouse: Bow Street Court, London, 1869


 Two deaf-blind brothers, David and Thomas Bowen, are arrested for begging in 1869 in London.

The Rev. Smith interprets for them with some difficulty, having to use tactile manual alphabet.

They are from Llandudno in Wales, and their father had died. They had stayed in the Llandudno workhouse but were not happy there, and went to London instead to beg. While in London, they were robbed of their money while staying at a lodging-house.

The magistrate orders them to be sent back to Llandudno, which upsets the two brothers greatly, as they disliked the workhouse so much.
 
Source: London Evening Standard, 20 February 1869
 

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