Orphanages Come to America

In Colonial America, dependent child care resembled the English Common-Law System. Small, orphaned children were cared for by neighbors, families, local governments, or church wardens. The older children were indentured to a master. Orphan labor was cheap and in high demand; it was cost effective for both the masters and the taxpayers. Indentureship was a reasonable alternative sparing a child exposure to poorhouses where the indigent, drunks, and mentally ill were housed. Fortunately, indenturing was not stigmatized due to many families followed this practice when a child turned thirteen.

In an attempt to spare children from poorhouses, establishments for children were commencing. The first three orphanages in America were under private auspices with religious affiliations.

Private Orphanages of the 18th Century

1729: New Orleans - Established in response the Indian Massacre at Natchez. Operated by the French Catholic Order of the Ursaline Sister. The sisters converted their school into an orphanage.

1737: Salzburger Orphanage; Ebenezer GA - Established by August Hermann Franck, German Missionary.

1738: Bethesda Orphanage; Bethesda (Savannah), GA - Established by Reverend George Whitefield, Angelican Methodist.

Public Orphanages of the 18th Century

1794: Charleston Orphanage established in response to the British Capture of Charleston. Many children suffered the loss of their parents. Many of these children were placed in private families and the government paid room and board. Due to the overwhelming number of the children needing care, the government appealed to the public to build an orphanage. The orphanage opened with 115 orphans who were wards of the city.

1794 - 1800: St. Joseph's Female Orphanage opens in Philadelphia; NY Society for the Relief of Widow with Small Children opens in New York City; St. Paul's Asylum for Destitute Girls opens in Baltimore; Asylum for Girls opens in Boston.