ABSTRACT
In 1815, Ann Chapman left her home in Lowestoft to work as a housemaid in
Gower Street, London, near the British Museum. As she dusted the parlor, the
footman flirted with her and even promised to marry her. In a quiet moment, they
found a secluded part of the house and had sex. But when she became pregnant,
he disappeared, and she gave birth to twins. In despair, she applied to the nearby
Foundling Hospital to see if they would take the infants. Her mother had not told
any of the neighbors about her new grandchildren, fearing gossip. She admon-
ished her daughter to “pray with a fervent desire and endeavor to repair what we
do amiss.” But she could not stand the thought of sending the “blessed babes” to
be brought up by strangers, so she promised to sell her watch and find a job as a
cook so she could help take care of the two infants. Ann Chapman did not have to
give away her babies after all.
