Written statement re the case of Christine [Schafer] by Josephine Butler

  • This material is held at
  • Reference
      GB 106 3JBL/31/12
  • Former Reference
      GB 106 4754
  • Dates of Creation
      [1 May 1892]
  • Physical Description
      1 item

Scope and Content

Written statement from Port Elizabeth. States that Christina was employed as a nurse to Mr and Mrs K's three young children. She had been with them for three years and enjoyed their confidence and respect; she was a white girl. The Inspector and the Officer under the CD Acts, called on the K's and made a charge against CS based on information of one of the patients at the Lock Hospital. After much argument and a refusal on his part to have her own doctor for a second opinion he carried her off to the Lock Hospital where she remained as a prisoner and her name publicly posted as a common prostitute. When Mrs K and Mrs L visited her they found her the only white girl among the lowest set of diseased coloured women. At the top is written: The legal aspect of the case is discussed 'would Mr Stead put this in the Review of Reviews'

Administrative / Biographical History

End of Apr or beginning of May 1892

Mrs Julia F Solly of Port Elizabeth wrote the statement. See her letter of 4 Feb1893 written to Miss Conybeare in England. The statement about Christina is unsigned but is in the same writing as the signed letter to Miss Conybeare. See also letter of 4 Mar 1893 Mrs Solly to Miss Conybeare continuing the 'case of Christina'.