The Black Fountain: Childhood and Class in Eighteenth-Century England

“The Black Fountain: Childhood and Class in Eighteenth-Century England” explores the nature of childhood as it was experienced by the poor in the eighteenth century. The scarcity of direct accounts from children at this level of society necessitates a creative examination of available sources: by combining quantitative records—such as workhouse admissions and discharge records or the registers of the philanthropic organizations of the capital—with qualitative sources—such as newspaper accounts, the work of pamphleteers, and parliamentary and court debates—this study overcomes the limitations of the fragmented evidence of childhood and reconstructs a more complete picture.

These findings highlight the difficulties in capturing children's attitudes and opinions due to the absence of their personal narratives: interpreting quantitative sources is not without challenges, because they reflect societal biases and perceptions of the time. This study thus adopts an analytical approach that reads institutional records “against the grain,” illuminating the ways that institutions processed and categorized children, but also uncovering instances where children managed to elude or subvert these systems. “The Black Fountain: Childhood and Class in Eighteenth-Century England” also recognizes the agency of impoverished children within the constraints imposed by their circumstances. Although these children faced material deprivation and had limited decision-making power, they actively shaped their own lives and resisted societal expectations.

This research contributes to a more nuanced understanding of childhood in the eighteenth century. By synthesizing quantitative and qualitative sources and emphasizing the agency of young individuals, this study challenges prevailing narratives of innocence, vulnerability, and victimhood and unveils the resilience and active participation of children in shaping social, cultural, and economic structures of their time. This exploration offers valuable insights into the lives and experiences of marginalized children, enriching our understanding of this period in history.