New book tells moving story of ‘abandoned’ children cared for at Foundling Hospital branch in Chester

Left But Not Forgotten: The Children of the Foundling Hospital at Chester, by local historian and prize-winning author Dr Anthony Annakin-Smith, is a poignant tribute to the hundreds of young children who were cared for by the institution in the 18th century.

Established in 1741 in London, the Foundling Hospital took in thousands of babies who had been abandoned or whose parents could not cope with them. Many were born to unmarried mothers or came from poverty-stricken backgrounds, hoping for a better future for their child. Often, the children were left with mementoes such as pieces of ribbon, bows and handwritten notes from their parents, in the hope they would one day be able to take their child back.

In 1763, a Chester branch of the charity was set up to help cope with the huge numbers of children that had been admitted to the London hospital (hospitals at the time were not medical facilities but offered accommodation and care to those in need). The Chester branch was based at what is now the city’s Grade II*-listed Bluecoat building on Upper Northgate Street. Many of the children were cared for there, others were sent to foster carers in villages in Cheshire and North Wales.

The book’s author, an alumnus of the University of Chester, said: “I first came across the Chester branch of the Foundling Hospital when undertaking research for my book on the Neston collieries on the Wirral Peninsula. I was astonished to discover that extensive records existed concerning the Chester branch hospital, yet no local writer or researcher appears to have explored them.”

The extensively illustrated book tells the remarkable story of this branch and, particularly, of the 306 children who went there, looking at their lives before, during and after their years of care.

It will appeal to individuals with an interest in the extraordinary story of the Foundling Hospital and in Britain’s social history. It will also interest family historians and those who wish to know more about Chester’s fascinating past. General readers, too, will find much of interest in the emotive stories of the young children concerned who grew up in a time when society often looked down on them.

“Ultimately”, said Anthony, “it is those children who are at the heart of this story. Most will never have been forgotten by their mothers. And, now that their story has been recorded, they are no longer forgotten by us either”.

Left But Not Forgotten: The Children of the Foundling Hospital at Chester is published by the University of Chester Press and can be ordered directly from the publisher and through booksellers. For more information on the University of Chester Press and its books, visit https://www.chester.ac.uk/university-press. 

Anthony will be giving the following talks locally: 

• Frodsham Library – May 21, 2pm 
• Gordale Home and Garden Centre (Burton, South Wirral) – May 27, 6.30pm (booking required) 
• Storyhouse, Chester – June 3, 2pm (booking required: https://www.storyhouse.com/whats-on/left-but-not-forgotten-the-children-of-the-foundling-hospital-at-chester/) 
• Little Sutton Library – June 4, 10am 

And online: ‘In Conversation with Anthony Annakin-Smith’, hosted by Coram – May 18, 4pm (booking required).