THE MONTREAL LADIES’ BENEVOLENT SOCIETY
On the occasion of the epidemic of cholera in 1832 there arose a corresponding effort among the English Protestant ladies. The Montreal Ladies’ Benevolent Society was then founded “for the purpose of affording relief and support to destitute women and children” and the work which its founders inaugurated eighty-two years ago has been carried on ever since. The Society was incorporated in 1841.
The list of its presidents previous to 1849 was destroyed by fire. Since 1849 the following ladies have served it as president:
- 1849—Mrs. Renaud.
- 1850—Mrs. Davidson.
- 1853—Mrs. Tulford.
- 1855—Mrs. Geddes.
- 1873—Mrs. Mackenzie.
- 1875—Mrs. Molson.
- 1876—Mrs. Vanneck.
- 1877—Mrs. Wheeler.
- 1882—Lady Galt.
- 1883—Mrs. Cramp.
- 1889—Mrs. Edwyn Evans.
- 1890—Mrs. Cramp.
- 1896—Mrs. John G. Savage.
- 1907—Mrs. Lachlan Gibb.
- 1910—Mrs. Alister Mitchell.
- Honorary President—Countess Grey.
Many names prominent in social and philanthropic work in Montreal during that period are to be found on the roll of its past and present committees.
The original building still stands with the added wings on Ontario, formerly Berthelet, Street.
There are seven old women and ninety-eight children in the home—fifty-two boys and forty-six girls between the ages of six and fourteen years. Every effort is made to start these children suitably in life. But unfortunately, when they reach a wage-earning age, they are frequently taken away by their parents or nearest relatives, who up to this period have, more often than not, ignored their existence—whereas if the children were only left long enough in the home, they could receive special and individual instruction and better positions could be found for them.
Fifty-five destitute children and children of delinquent parents have for many years been sent in through the city for whom the city pays $7 per month for girls and $8 per month for boys. The cost of each child averages $13.75 per month.
THE SISTERS OF PROVIDENCE
The succeeding movement in the charity for the aged, orphans and the poor was that started in 1828 by another Montreal lady, Madame Gamelin, who founded the “Sisters of Providence,” a religious congregation, in 1843, the Asile de la Providence having been incorporated on September 11, 1841, and being erected canonically in 1844.