Hester Willis

Following Richard Child Willis's death (he left her less than £100), his 'wife' Hester became a matron / proprieter of children's homes, being enumerated at Jessamine Cottage in Dr Barnardo's Village Home for Orphans, Neglected and Destitute Girls, Barkingside, in 1881, and at the Star Villa Children's home in Hastings in 1891. Living at Woodbine House, Godwin Road, Hastings in 1901. She died at the East Sussex County Asylum, Hellingly, Sussex on 15 October 1904.

MRS. HESTER WILLIS. To the Editor of the Leighton Buzzard Observer. Sir,- I have to thank you very much for inserting the appeal on behalf of Mrs. Willis. I regret to say that up to the present time no subscriptions have been received by me. I know not if any other member of the committee may have received any, but I fear not, as I have received no notice of any. If you will kindly repeat my appeal, I shall esteem it a very great favour, and I am sure Mrs. Willis will feel very grateful. Hoping for more success, I remain, Sir, yours very faithfully, A. STRIDE. Marion Cottage, Gillingham, Kent, 22nd Feb., 1878.
"Sir,—Will you kindly appeal to the readers of your valuable paper, on behalf of Mrs. Hester Willis, who is a widow, and daughter-in-law of the late Rev. Dr. Willis, vicar Minster-in-Sheppy, with whom she resided for many years, until his death, which took place on January 27th, 1877. It will be remembered that Dr. Willis (who was personally known to the inhabitants of Leighton Buzzard) was presented to the living of Drayton Parslow, Bucks., in the month of March, 1876, and that legal proceedings were commenced in the Court of Arches against the Bishop of Oxford for unjustly refusing to institute him, and were not concluded at the time of his death, which, it is generally believed by his friends, resulted from the cruel annoyance and oppression to which be was subjected, and which he felt most acutely. The pecuniary losses sustained by Mrs. Hester Willis, in this most lamentable case, have placed her in a very serious and distressing position. Hitherto she has bravely endeavoured battle with her difficulties unaided, and even now, although in great need, and her health greatly impaired, she is most reluctant to accept assistance without giving something in return ; consequently a work upon the Lord’s Prayer, written by the late Dr. Willis, and dedicated, by permission, to the Honble. Admiral Foley, is now in course publication, and subscribers of five shillings and upwards will receive one or copies the work as they may desire. It is therefore earnestly hoped that all who sympathised with the late Dr. Willis, as well as the public at large, will now come forward and help this poor bereaved lady, his daughter-in-law. A lady has promised £50 if £100 can be raised during the next month. Donations will be most thankfully received, and acknowledged in this paper, by the Rev. C. T. Astley, vicar of Gillingham, Kent; the Rev. T. Hayton, vicar of Long Crendon, Thame ; the Rev. G. Bryant, vicar of Holy Trinity, Sheerness; G. Bland, Esqr., M.D., Minster-in-Sheppy ; Lt.-Col Price, Percy Lodge, Croydon Road, Penge; Mrs. Stride, 72, High Street, Sheerness ; or your obedient servant, Amelia Stride, Hon Sec.” Leighton Buzzard Observer and Linslade Gazette - Tuesday 26 February 1878

TO CHRISTIAN LADIES SEEKING WORK FOR CHRIST Wanted, at the Village Home, Barkingside, Ilford, a number of earnest-minded Christian ladies, willing for the Master's sake to devote themselves as "Mothers" of cottages, to training the young inmates for useful and industrious lives. Applicants must be strict total abstainers, attached members of some evangelical body, and have had experience in the management of domestic affairs. Board, laundry, and comfortable apartments, without salary, are offered to all; but candidates having no private means of their own will be given a small yearly sum to provide for clothing, etc. Three weeks' holiday at Midsummer and one at Christmas are arranged for; and once in six weeks each "Mother" has leave of absence from Saturday till Monday. To Christians in good health, and without family ties of their own, this work presents a useful sphere of real service for the Lord. Apply by letter only, giving full particulars, stating age, church connection, past experience, etc., to Mrs. Barnardo, 18 Stepney Causeway, London, E. Night and Day, June 1879

STAR VILLA ORPHAN HOME. A GENEROUS BENEFACTION. Not a few of our readers are acquainted with the good work the Star Villa Orphan Home, Godwin-road, Clive Vale, and those who know that deserving institution will regret to hear that it has for some time been much hampered for want of funds. This coming to the knowledge of a local resident, who prefers to remain unknown, he has generously given over £80 in order to assist in the maintenance of the home, besides a sum for the little girl on whose behalf an appeal had been made to him. Those in whom the management of the Home is vested are anxious to remove to premises affording more suitable accommodation, and having this donation, as well as many articles of clothing, and other gifts through the same benefactor, they desire to take advantage of this opportunity to make a special appeal to the public for subscriptions to meet the expenses of removal. The Home is at present situated at Fernleigh House, Godwin-road, Clive Vale, and there are now nineteen orphans under the care of the hon. Lady Superintendent. Mrs. Hester Willis, whose devotion to her self-imposed task is beyond all praise. Mrs. Willis has nearly completed the 20th year of her work, and, as an instance of her whole-heartedness, it may be mentioned that she has at different times spent over £500 of her own money in the support of the Home, besides using her furniture in it. Over twenty years ago, when a district visitor in the parish of Gillingham, near Chatham, the neglect of orphan children which she witnessed led Mrs. Willis to take the matter up. Sometimes she would visit and cheer lonely little ones, whose fathers or mothers were away at work. But all her pleading could do little, and her friends suggested that she should herself start a Home for fatherless or motherless children. Anxious to make some voluntary effort, Mrs. Willis for three years, worked in connection with Dr Barnardo's Home for Girls. She returned to Gillingham, formed a ladies committee, and hired a house, by the name of which - Star Villa — the Orphanage has ever since been known, notwithstanding its removal from the original scene of its work. In December, 1888, the Home was established in its present quarters. An idea of the amount of good so unostentatiously accomplished can be formed when it stated that of 107 children who have received benefit from the Orphanage, 17 are little boys, 13 of whom, on reaching the age of seven years, were respectively passed on into various boys' homes, two returned to their fathers, one was taken charge of by two brothers, as soon as their weekly wages became sufficient, with a friend's help, to support the child; of the girls, 53 have gone out as domestic servants, six having received the three years' prize, whilst eight have returned to their mothers, who, by second marriage, were again enabled to provide for their children. Motherless girls are expected to be paid for by their fathers, if living, in the proportion their earnings will allow;but the Orphanage is mainly supported by voluntary contributions. It is conducted on the family system, and the average cost is about £16 a year for each child. At the request of Mrs. Willis, the school has been placed under the Government Inspector, the children being educated in the Home by a resident teacher. This does not involve additional expense, and the children avoid the risk of epidemics in outside schools. Their health has been excellent. The hon. medical adviser is Dr. J. Stenson Hooker. The giving advice, planning, and arranging for the management of the Home, and so on, are undertaken by referees, these filling the place of the old Committee. Children who are either fatherless or motherless are received. Girls generally leave the Home at the age of 15, if considered strong enough and sufficiently trained, but they are still kept under supervision. Children of all denominations are admitted, and brought up according to Evangelical teaching. Visitors are always welcomed to the Home, no special time being set apart. Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 23 March 1901

STAR VILLA ORPHAN HOME. PROBABLE REMOVAL TO ST. LEONARDS. We understand that arrangements for the removal of the Star Villa Orphan Home from its present quarters at Godwin-road, Clive Vale, are now making very satisfactory progress, thanks to the assistance of Mr. J. Balli, whose sympathy with the objects of the Home has for some time past taken very practical shape. It has been the wish of Mrs. Willis, the hon. lady superintendent, and others, that the Home might be transferred to some more convenient position, and this will now be accomplished by the gift of a residence at St. Leonards, which Mr. Balli is purchasing for the installation of the Home, Mr. H. C. Holman being the agent of the vendor. It is interesting to find that there is some history attached to the place which will form its quarters in the near future. The house is "Ellenslea," Ellenslea-road, adjacent to Warrior Square Station. It was built by the late Rev. Andrew Reed, formerly pastor of St. Leonards Congregational Church, and one of the most able and popular of local Nonconformist ministers—a man who was held in high esteem, not only as a preacher, but as a politician and lecturer. He called it "Ellenslea " after his wife, whose name was Ellen. The ironwork of the entrance gate still shows the interlaced letters, " A.E.R.," its design. The road was subsequently called after the name of the house. The house is detached one, squarely built, with large windows, and surrounded by A PLEASANT GARDEN. The interior accommodation includes three reception-rooms, seven bedrooms, and a bathroom. Its central position should be very advantageous. Mr. Balli is at present on the Continent, and it is understood that the formal opening will take place on his return, probably early in September. Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 22 June 1901

THE CALLIOPE BALLI HOME THE OPENING CEREMONY. The Calliope Balli Home, "Ellenslea." Ellenslea-road, St. Leonards, which was formerly known as the Star Villa Orphan Home, Clive Vale, was opened on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large number of residents and visitors - supporters of the institution. The house has been purchased and thoroughly newly furnished by Mr. John Balli, who evinces a deep and practical interest in its charitable work. Mr. Balli's gift is a most munificent one, the house being made most comfortable and homely for the little fatherless and motherless children, whom there are now 20. The change in name has been made as a recognition of the generous philanthropist's kindness, the new name being that of his late revered mother. Both the interior and exterior of the building present an exceedingly nice appearance. Noticeable amongst those present, beside Mr. John Balli, were:-Miss May Balli, Mr. Ionides (London), Mr. T. McLean (London), Mons. Diplaris (Paris), Mr. St. Clair (London), Miss Welch (Paris), the Revs. Foster Pegg, Robert Cowan, E. Joyce, Captain and Mrs. Cunnington, Messrs. George Barrett, William Slade, junior, Miss Lily Davis, Mrs. Nettleton, Miss Gate, Councillor Dr. and Mrs. Lewis, the Misses Jennys, Mr. Vidler, Mrs. Hayes. Mrs. and Miss Breach, Miss Maunder, Mrs. Le Poer Richerson, Mrs. Willis (hon. lady superintendent and founder), etc. The guests all assembled within the house, and a number of the little orphans who had been waiting in the garden sang a hymn onthe doorsteps, at the conclusion of which Miss May Balli opened the door with a handsome silver key, letting the singers, who LOOKED VERY NEAT in their red and blue uniform dresses, into their future home. They sang several other hymns sweetly, Mr. Walter W. Heron presiding at the organ with his customary skill and ability. Miss Balli, a charming little lady of only about seven years of age, said: " I have very great pleasure in declaring this Home open for the reception of orphan children. It has hitherto been called ' The Star Villa Orphan Home,' but in memory of my grandmother it is now to be called ' The Calliope Balli Orphan Home.' On behalf of these orphan children, I wish to thank all who have assisted in establishing it in these premises." (Applause.) The Rev. H. Foster Pegg (rector of St. Matthew's, Silverhill) then took the chair. In the course of his opening speech, the rev. gentleman remarked that in individual lives there were days one did well to remember, such as the anniversaries of birth, marriage, and death. In the lives of institutions there were also days to be remembered- days of inception, of development, and progress. Today was one of those happy days in the history of the Star Villa Orphan Home. This occasion was the result of the generosity of Mr. John Balli, whose daughter, Miss May Balli, had so gracefully performed the opening ceremony. That day marked a two-fold change, the first of locality and the second of name, but they were all thankful to say that there was not to be any change in regard to management. The same tender hand would tend and comfort these little children. Mrs. Willis' good, unobtrusive, and UNOSTENTATIOUS WORK would be carried on. The Home had received a new name, but that was the only change. He could not but refer to that name- Calliope -which, in the Greek, described the last and greatest of the nine muses- epic Poetry, and was represented with the tablet and stylus and roll of paper. The word meant "beautiful voiced." All movements such as that were a concrete embodiment of beautiful voices- they were the concrete embodiment of the beautiful voices of love, tenderness, and care - the echo that voice of all voices- the voice of the Lord Jesus Christ. The aim and object of the Home were to care for the body, and to train the soul of each child to be a " Calliope" - a beautiful voice. Might God's richest blessing rest upon the generous donor, Mr. Balli, and also upon Mrs. Willis and her family of orphans. Miss Balli was presented with the silver key with which she had unlocked the door of the house, and Miss Dora Willis also gave her a beautiful bouquet. She (Miss Balli) made Mrs. Willis a present of a very handsome silver tea and coffee service. Mr. George Barrett (late local secretary of the National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children) offered his hearty congratulations upon the auspicious event, remarking upon the number of years during which Mrs. Willis had carried on the institution, and upon the success which had attended her efforts. He wished CONTINUED PROSPERITY to the Home. The Revs. E. Joyce and Robert Cowan spoke to the same effect, the latter remarking that their thanks were due to Mr. Balli for his generosity. Refreshments were served in the garden- a charming spot after the speechmaking, a most enjoyable time being spent. The key was made by Mr. E. Holborn, of St. Leonards. "God Save the King" was sung at the close. Hastings and St Leonards Observer, 05 October 1901