Fine Charleston sterling presentation ewer circa 1852-62 engraved: Presented to/W.J. Bennett, Esq/"The Orphan's Friend and Benefactor"/by the Grateful Recipients of his Love and Favor/Charleston Orphan House/Dec. 25th, 1872; marked: Hayden & Whilden, Charleston, SC; G&W (Grosjean & Woodward) English Sterling 925-1000. (Good overall condition, small dent to side) H13", and 40.9oz *Note: The Orphan House was built in 1790 as a nondenominational institution and was one of the county's great success stories. Its main goal was to provide a structured and safe environment for needy, abandoned and orphaned children. Funds to maintain such a place as this could have been difficult to come by but The Orphan House was blessed to have the highest respect and abundantly generous support of the Charleston elite. Parents who were unable to provide for their children could place them in the care of the city (Charleston) and the children would then be placed at the Orphan House. As with most legal matters during that era, a male could place his children in the care of the Orphanage without any problems... but... a female had to get a male to endorse her request. Some of the little ones that entered its doors were placed in the Orphanage's care only temporarily while the parent(s) re-established their lives and could once again provide for their family. The children that remained became known as the "children of the city", and were either apprenticed to tradespeople or provided with higher public schooling and college, depending on their abilities. A memorial plaque can be found on the Charleston Orphan House commemorating Mr. Bennett's life's work and his service as commissioner from 1849-1851.