By Jennings Michael Burch

 Jennings Michael Burch of Brewster, New York, was born on April 27,  He died January 15,  He was the son of the late Francis and Rita (Hogan) Burch.  He lived in Chappaqua, New York, for 20 years before moving to Brewster, New York, in 1998.

 Mr. Burch married Susan Elmer on August 24,  He has a son Jeremy Walter Michael Burch, a daughter Kelly Burch Pickow (Ward), and two grandchildren Matthew and Ashley.  He was predeceased by his parents and his siblings Joseph, James, John, Jerome, Gene, and Maryanne.

 Mr. Burch worked as a theater manager for a number of years.  He was a New York City Officer for 10 years.  He took a leave of absence from the force to join Bob Dylan’s “Rolling Thunder Revue” in  In 1984 he wrote his autobiography, “They Cage the Animals at Night.”

 He was a devoted Yankee fan and cared deeply for animals.  He was especially proud to be an American and expressed a deep love of country.  Burch had been working on a sequel titled “It Goes On”. It is unknown if he ever finished the book.

 Burch was often invited to visit schools and talk about his book, his life, and what he hoped that students would learn through reading about his life experience.  Earn 10 points extra credit!!!

 Watch the video interview at the following web site:  Write a brief paragraph (5 – 7 sentences) summarizing what you learned about the author.  This extra credit opportunity is available for one week only – due date_____.

 In 1900 there were close to 1,000 orphanages throughout the country, housing perhaps 100,000 kids.  They sprang up in the early 1800’s as part of an American Institutional building boom.

 Orphanages were actually misnamed – at any give time, no more than 10 to 20% of the children in orphanages were actual orphans.  The institution created the clientele by its admission decisions – kids with tubercular parents, kids with poor parents, kids with dead parents.

 Conditions varied, but tended not to be good.  Many were highly regimented—children marched to meals, which they ate in silence.  They wore uniforms and sometimes had their heads shaved.  Corporal punishment was common, with inmates routinely beaten across the hands with leather straps.  The diet tended to be poor—they were hungry all the time.

 Orphanages often were dangerous.  The mortality rate was not much better than on the streets.  Older, bigger, tougher kids preyed mercilessly on younger, smaller inmates.

 Some orphanages tried to teach children a trade—boys worked in factories, or were trained in plumbing, masonry, bricklaying, steam fitting, and sign painting.  Girls worked in sewing rooms.  Some children were shipped to the midwest on “orphan trains” to work as indentured slaves (forced labor) on farms in exchange for food and shelter.

 By the early 1900’s, advocates of abolishing orphanages began to push for keeping children with their parents when possible, and giving the parents aid – child welfare.  Children who had to be removed from their families should be cared for by foster families with provisions being made to pay those foster families.

 By 1920, 40 of the 48 states in the U.S. had enacted child welfare programs.  Several historical events fueled the need for assistance with child care, and many orphanages remained open.  Orphanages also served as a place for children who were waiting for a foster family.

 1929 – 1939 – With The Great Depression, few families were able to care for their own children let alone others who were found homeless.  1939 – 1945 – During WWII many women widowed or husbands disabled and unable to work and care for children.  – Jennings enters an orphanage for the first time.