“The frail child in the tattered dress stands next to a large carved wooden chair, her hand resting on the arm for support. A large gash runs from her forehead to her cheek; her arms and legs are evidence of repeated and severe abuse.”1 It’s easy to assume that this came straight from the script of a horror movie, but it was the harsh reality for young Mary Ellen Wilson, a nine year old girl who was so beaten up and malnourished that she only looked about half her age. Although the worst part about it was that her guardian, the person that was expected to provide love and care, was the perpetrator of this little girl’s tortured condition, and law enforcement was only able to help with one hand tied behind its back. Help for children like Mary Ellen was hard to come by because, in the year 1874, parents could raise and discipline their children as they pleased. Parents of the time lived with the mindset that the government had no right to interfere with their parenting, but the Mary Ellen Wilson case opened the eyes of many, including Henry Burgh, who initiated a change and put together a team to end the violence.2
Before 1874, no one had actually ever seen young Mary Ellen. She lived in isolation for at least six out of the nine years of her lifetime. Luckily, her suffering was brought to light when neighbors reported the crying of a child without ever actually seeing the child. Due to the lack of child protection laws, there was not much officials could do about the situation. But once missionary Etta Wheeler caught wind of what was going on, she was determined to rescue Mary Ellen. Etta Wheeler is often overlooked when the Mary Ellen Wilson story is told, but without her kind efforts, Mary Ellen may have never gotten the help she needed.3
Wheeler paid many visits to Mary Ellen’s home, most of which were unsuccessful. and she was only able to catch short glimpses of the battered child. She then requested help from local organizations and charities that were known for providing essentials for children in need, but they did not possess the authority to intervene. Finally, Wheeler turned to someone who was known to take action for causes that he believed in, Henry Burgh.4
Henry Burgh was a rich, well-known diplomat famous for being the founder of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and for getting overwhelmingly involving in things that he believed in. After working with Wheeler to learn more about Mary Ellen’s situation, he reached out to attorney Elbridge T. Gerry. Gerry was eager to get the ball rolling as well, and within 48 hours, Gerry and Burgh had developed a case and asked Wheeler to testify.5 In attempts to gather more information of his own, Burgh sent investigators to Mary Ellen’s home. After seeing the horrific conditions that Mary Ellen was in, law enforcement soon made the decision to remove the young girl from the dangerous home. Although there were no specific laws concerning child abuse, these circumstances were so special and concerning that an executive decision was made. They took the young, battered girl out of her death trap of a home and comforted her in a blanket. She was so oblivious to the outside world that when a police officer gave her a peppermint stick for comfort, she tried to use it for self defense.6
It was now time for Mary Ellen’s case to go to court, and who better to tell the Mary Ellen story than Mary Ellen herself? She was able to testify for herself in cour,t and gave the real and terribly sad testimony that follows: “My name is Mary Ellen…I have no recollection of ever having been kissed and I have never been kissed by momma. I have never been taken on mommas lap…I never dared speak to anybody, because if I did I would get whipped; I have never had any more clothing than I have on at present…;I have seen stockings and other clothes in our room, but I am not allowed to put them on; whenever momma went out, I was locked up in the bed- room;…I don’t know for what I was whipped; momma never said anything when she whipped me; I do not want to go back to live with momma because she beats me so.”7
After a legal battle, Mary Ellen was permanently removed from her home and given her justice, but this was not enough for Henry Burgh. Burgh was determined to create an organization to protect future children from that kind of abuse. He quickly founded The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC). NYSPCC was the first child protective organization in the entire world. It has since influenced over 300 different organizations and eventually it led to the development of Child Protective Services.8
- Mary Renck Jalongo, “The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson: Tracing the Origins of Child Protection in America,” Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 34, no.1 (August 2006): 1. ↵
- Howard Markel, “Case Shined First Light on Child Abuse,” New York Times, December 14, 2009, http://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/15/health/15abus.html. ↵
- Gerald Mallon, “From the Editor: The Legend of Mary Ellen Wilson and Etta Wheeler: Child Maltreatment and Protection Today,” Child Welfare vol. 92, no.2 (March 2013): 9. ↵
- John E.B. Myers, “A Short History of Child Protection in America,” Family Law Quarterly, Volume 42, no.3 (Fall 2008): 451. ↵
- Mary Renck Jalongo, “The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson: Tracing the Origins of Child Protection in America,” Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 34, no.1 (August 2006): 2. ↵
- Eric Shelman, The Mary Ellen Wilson Child Abuse Case and the Beginning of Children’s Rights in 19th Century America (Jefferson, N.C. : McFarland & Company, 2005), 16. ↵
- Mary Renck Jalongo, “The Story of Mary Ellen Wilson: Tracing the Origins of Child Protection in America,” Early Childhood Education Journal, Vol. 34, no.1 (August 2006): 1. ↵
- John E.B. Myers, “A Short History of Child Protection in America,” Family Law Quarterly, Volume 42, no.3 (Fall 2008): 451-452. ↵
57 comments
Damian Jennings
This system that was developed has had a huge impact on young children, it enables them to have a better life when their parents or guardians failed to provide that. In this instance Mary Ellen was abused and mistreated, it was fortunate for her that people took action into getting her into a better life style. Without the help of Henry Burgh, he was the initiator of this project. I have met several people in foster care, or Child Protective Services, all having different and unique stories, some more fortunate than others.
Rylie Kieny
I really enjoyed this article. I among many are unaware of this case and all those involved. I believe child protective services is very important as it acts as a voice for those who don’t have one. Sadly they’re many kids like Mary Ellen who don’t have a voice and are victims to constant abuse. Its an unfortunate situation but it did lead to something that would change the lives of kids forever. I think it was a great idea to include her testimony as it pulls on the hearts of readers and makes us feel emotionally involved. This is a case that she be spoken of more as it is still relevant to today. Abuse is still an issue and one we must continue to fight against.
Kathyleen Lauriano
Reading this article about Mary Ellen is heart breaking. How can someone be so cruel to a defenseless child? Im glad that Etta Wheeler and Henry Burgh fought for Mary Ellen, they are true heroes. Who knows what could have happened to Mary Ellen if nobody helped her. I know a lot about Child Protective Services, but I never knew how it all started. Article was very well written.
Michael Othon
Without this case of Mary Ellen, there would be children out there being abused by parents just because there is no one to intervene. thanks to this dilemma in 1874 this isn’t so much of an issue and now abused children can have a better life with better guardians. I can’t begin to imagine what kids in the early 1800’s had to go through thankfully it has come to an end somewhat.
Luisa Ortiz
I’m so glad that this story had a happy ending, that the teamwork of various brought justice to Mary and eventually to many children of the world. This story is extremely sad and when I was reading my heart was aching! I’m glad this article exists to showcase Mary’s life as well as Etta Wheeler and Henry Burg the heroes of this story!
Alexandra Lujan
Glad there are people in this world like Henry Burgh that wanted to help the poor girl. It’s so sad that the people that are supposed to protect you from harm and always be there for you can abuse their children. Terrible to think how kids are abused, and nobody knows about it and can’t seek for help. And I hope more people like Henry Burgh continue to help children in need.
Sofia Andrade
Reading the story of Mary Ellen was heart breaking. It is good that someone intervened in her behalf and was willing to take her out of her misery. I am familiar with today’s Child Protective Services but did not know where it originated. I am glad to learn about the case that inspired the protection of those children who are being abused and neglected.
Roman Olivera
This is a case that I had never heard about before reading this article. Mary Ellen Wilson’s case and the eye opening testimony to her abuses at the hands of her mother, seem to be the beginning of the child protection laws we have in place today. The abuses of children I’m sure took place long before any laws were in place to protect children, though it still baffles me to know that the most vulnerable people in our societies, children, are still often the least protected. I look at the case of Mary Ellen Wilson and I wonder how it was able to go on for nine years. Someone before those nine years had seen her or knew about her and it was that silence that keep her in that house of torture. The article didn’t mention a father in the picture of home life, but I’m sure there was someone who could have done something long before the abuses were actually discovered. I glad that Etta Wheeler acted when she did and saved this little girl from her life of abuse. I would like to further investigate how Mary Ellen turned out as a teen and eventually an adult, because this article really got me thinking of the long term affects of that kind of abuse.
William Ward
A well written article about a horrific and heartbreaking topic. To see the young and innocent youth punished for incomprehensible reasons is beyond disgusting. One can only hope after the pain and torment that young Mary overcame her upbringing to try to live a complete life. It is disappointing it took Wheeler going to an animal activist to complete the rescue that poor child from such a toxic environment.
Nathalie Herrera
The tragic story of Mary Ellen can now be shared into a brighter light. Her testimony was a heartfelt moment because like many of us, our parents are those who will always love us unconditionally, and it sad to read that Mary Ellen could not experience that love with her mother. Her story gave the opportunity for many young girls and boys to be away from the abusive homes they lived in, due to the creation of the organization “The New York Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NYSPCC) created by Henry Burgh after the legal battle. I enjoyed this article mainly because of the happening ending of May Ellen and the happy ending it will give to other children as well. It only takes one person to stand up for what they think is right and Etta Wheeler did just that.