Miriam Van Waters Papers. Reformatory for Women at Framingham, 1876-1970. Subseries 3. Student correspondence, 1936-1971, n.d. Correspondence: B, 1943-1944. A-71, folder 274. Schlesinger Library, Radcliffe Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, Mass.

[21 June 1944]

Miss Bode c/o Parole Board office, State House

Dear Bode:

Re: Barbara Brown

June 13th, Barbara was visited in Pittsfield mainly to confirm a suspicion of the Worker that Barbara was pregnant. She had been seen May 17th when she was in bed with a sprained ankle. So, a second visit was made to check further. Worker suspicions were aroused by a slight gain in weight, she now says 1 1/2 lbs. She finally admitted she is 7 months pregnant, and asked for help and advice in finding some place where can stay until about middle of August when she expects her child, which she does not want to keep. Upon my return to R.E. immediately informed {Doctor} Van Waters, who contacted the Board, who stated they would take no action now, but suggested we try to make a suitable placement of Barbara, who was free of our care on June 17th. Barbara was contacted and told ot his decision, and advised to go to the Evangeline Booth Materinity Home at 202 West Newton St., their Major Kimball having told {Doctor} V.W. they would accept her. Barbara seemed quite glad and agreed with our plan, and was met in Boston Tuesday June 20th, and taken to the above Home, where she was received yesterday afternoon.

All seems well, except Barbara is very concerned that her mother, who knows nothing of all this, will make a terrific fuss.

We have made no contact with the mother, and have advised Barbara to wait a little while longer before she tells her.

This is a regrettable ending to the parole of a girl who admits she knew better. The father of the expected child was a {Lieutenant} on a British ship, which returned to England, supposedly, about 7 months ago, and had not been heard from the first of June - probably sunk by a sub.

Case closed.

E.M.Kelley

6/21/44

Mrs. Grandshaw was never here. She is the young woman with whom Barbara Brown lived in Pittsfield, and I understand from B. that she has gone to Nothampton with Tobery Foley, The connection having been made by Barbara. I never met her, as she was away working any time I was there.

6/23/44 EMH - Please answer.

Frank P. [?] Erwin A. Seifert Lenox S. [Karnir], Jr.

[Massachusetts shield] ARTHUR N. BALL, M.D. SUPERINDENTENT

The Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Mental Health

REFORMATORY FOR WOMEN JUN 24 1944 FRAMINGHAM [stamp]

NORTHAMPTON STATE HOSPITAL

NORTHAMPTON, MASS. June 21, 1944

Miss Miriam Van Waters, Superintendent Reformatory for Women Framingham, Massaschusetts

Re: Marjorie E. Grandshaw

Dear Miss Van Waters:

Mrs. Marjorie E. Grandshaw has applied for the position of Laboratory Technician at this hospital and I am wondering if she has ever been an inmate at the Reformatory. This is due to the fact that she has been associating with a person, who was at one time at your reformatory, and it occurred to me that possibly they became acquainted there. I would appreciate a confidential report, if you are able to locate such a person in your files. She gives her birthday as March 1, 1916 - London, England and her nearest relative as Phillip A. Grandshaw but no address given.

Very truly yours Arthur N. Ball [signature] M.D.

/vif per Miss Mower