UCONN’s digitization of the Connecticut Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home daily record book is complete and able to be viewed and read online. This record book is a fascinating look into the daily lifeof the home. The record highlighs the lives of the children, visitors and the daily trials and hardships of managing a state run orphan’s home in the 1800’s.

History of the Home:

The Connecticut General Assembly chartered the “Connecticut Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home” in May 1864. Edwin Whitney of Mansfield, ‘who had nearly completed a fine large building for a boys’ school, offered this building with the farm of fifty acres, all valued at $12,000 or $15,000, as a gift to the Home.’ Edwin Whitney conveyed by deed, title to the property to the Connecticut Soldiers’ Orphans’ Home, September 24, 1866. Mr. Gold was the first, and apparently the only, secretary of the Home during its existence from October, 1866, to May, 1875.

The daily record is a fascinating look at the lives of civil war children and their families during the 1860’s

The Daily Record book can be viewed and read online at the URL below:
CT Soldier’s Orphans Home Daily Record