Category: Workhouse and Poor Law

Staff and inmates at the Warminster Union Workhouse, Sambourne, Warminster, at the time of the 1891 Census:

Henry C. Fenton, head, married, aged 25, Master of Workhouse, employed, born London.

Mary A.H. Fenton, wife, married, aged 33, Matron of Workhouse, employed, born London.

Henry C. Fenton, son, single, aged 3 months, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Amelia C. Gibbs, servant, married, aged 28, Assistant Matron, employed, born Yeovil Somerset.

Maria Cray, inmate, single, aged 32, washerwoman, employed, born Yeovil Somerset.

William Hughes, inmate, widower, aged 68, scissors grinder, employed, born Bigbaden Wiltshire.

Mary J. Tucker, inmate, single, aged 37, domestic servant, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Mary Ann Phelps, inmate, single, aged 33, factory hand, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Alfred Phelps, inmate, single, aged 12, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Laura E. Phelps, inmate, single, aged 8, born Warminster Wiltshire.

George Phelps, inmate, single, aged 4, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Emily Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 32, washerwoman, employed, born Heytesbury Wiltshire.

Walter E. Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 10, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Arthur Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 7, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Lily B. Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 5, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Ernest Fdk. Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 4, born Warminster Wiltshire.

William Davis, inmate, married, aged 75, general labourer, employed, born Horningsham Wiltshire, blind.

Eliza J. Daniell, inmate, single, aged 17, born Warminster Wiltshire, idiot and blind.

Geo. Thos. Creavor, inmate, widower, aged 71, sailor, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Geo. Ransome, inmate, single, aged 73, agricultural labourer, born Norton Bavant Wiltshire.

John Scane, inmate, widower, aged 53, general labourer, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Mary Ann Prince, inmate, widow, aged 72, hawker, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Matilda Young, inmate, single, aged 33, field woman, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

George Young, inmate, single, aged 8, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Edward Young, inmate, single, aged 5, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Annie Price, inmate, single, aged 35, field woman, born Netherton Staffordshire.

William Price, inmate, single, aged 5, born Warminster Wiltshire.

William Clark, inmate, widower, aged 71, agricultural labourer, employed, born Heytesbury Wiltshire, lunatic.

Mary Ann Hill, inmate, married, aged 67, needlewoman, employed, born Charlton Musgrove Somerset.

Fanny Ransome, inmate, single, aged 49, schoolteacher, born Bishopstrow Wiltshire, idiot.

Agusta S.G. Phipps, inmate, single, aged 35, dairy woman, born Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, idiot.

Andrew Minty, inmate, single, aged 50, agricultural labourer, employed, born Corsley Wiltshire.

Jas. Silcox, inmate, single, aged 60, agricultural labourer, employed, born Corsley Wiltshire.

Maria Moore, inmate, widow, aged 79, birthplace unknown, dumb lunatic.

Edward Barber, inmate, single, aged 36, born Horningsham Wiltshire, idiot.

John Trollope, inmate, single, aged 43, born Horningsham Wiltshire, idiot.

William Rowe, inmate, widower, aged 77, agricultural labourer, employed, born Horningsham Wiltshire.

Joseph Macklin, inmate, single, aged 35, agricultural labourer, employed, born Chitterne Wiltshire.

Kezia Rill, inmate, single, aged 80, needlewoman, born Tytherington Wiltshire.

Caroline Rill, inmate, widow, aged 66, needlewoman, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Mary Ann Sparey, inmate, widow, aged 73, domestic servant, employed, born Codford Wiltshire.

Ann Sparey, inmate, widow, aged 33, field woman, employed, born Fonthill Wiltshire, imbecile.

John Rutland, inmate, single, aged 78, sawyer, employed, born Laverton Wiltshire.

Charles Churchill, inmate, widower, aged 71, drover, born Boyton Wiltshire.

Emily Mary Parsons, inmate, widower, aged 80, washerwoman, born Bishopstrow Wiltshire.

Robert Farley, inmate, single, aged 66, tailor, employed, born Heytesbury Wiltshire.

George Pike, inmate, widower, aged 71, general labourer, born Heytesbury Wiltshire.

Stephen Collins, inmate, single, aged 66, born Knook Wiltshire, imbecile.

James Miles, inmate, widower, aged 76, carter, employed, born Knook Wiltshire, dumb.

Joseph Edwards, inmate, widower, aged 73, general labourer, employed, born Horningsham Wiltshire.

Henry Gould, inmate, single, aged 66, general labourer, born Longbridge Deverill Wiltshire.

Phylis Hiscott, inmate, widow, aged 85, washerwoman, employed, born Longbridge Deverill Wiltshire.

Hannah Davis, inmate, widow, aged 82, silk weaver, born Frome Somerset.

Harriett Holton, inmate, single, aged 45, born Hill Deverill Wiltshire.

Joseph Lampert, inmate, single, aged 62, blacksmith, born Hereford Herts.

William Cockings, inmate, single, aged 14, born Willingborough North Hants.

Duffet Alias Sansom, inmate, single, aged 10, birthplace unknown cannot state.

Emily Sansom, inmate, single, aged 10, born Bristol Gloster.

Rose Sansom, inmate, single, aged 6, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Frederick Sansom, inmate, single, aged 4, born Bath Somerset.

Caroline K. Sansom, inmate, single, aged 1, born Bristol Gloster.

The census was taken on the night of Sunday 5th April 1891.

Sunday 5th April 1891

Staff and inmates at the Warminster Union Workhouse, Sambourne, Warminster, at the time of the 1891 Census (Sunday 5th April 1891):

Henry C. Fenton, head, married, aged 25, Master of Workhouse, employed, born London.

Mary A.H. Fenton, wife, married, aged 33, Matron of Workhouse, employed, born London.

Henry C. Fenton, son, single, aged 3 months, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Amelia C. Gibbs, servant, married, aged 28, Assistant Matron, employed, born Yeovil Somerset.

Maria Cray, inmate, single, aged 32, washerwoman, employed, born Yeovil Somerset.

William Hughes, inmate, widower, aged 68, scissors grinder, employed, born Bigbaden Wiltshire.

Mary J. Tucker, inmate, single, aged 37, domestic servant, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Mary Ann Phelps, inmate, single, aged 33, factory hand, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Alfred Phelps, inmate, single, aged 12, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Laura E. Phelps, inmate, single, aged 8, born Warminster Wiltshire.

George Phelps, inmate, single, aged 4, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Emily Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 32, washerwoman, employed, born Heytesbury Wiltshire.

Walter E. Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 10, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Arthur Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 7, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Lily B. Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 5, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Ernest Fdk. Shepherd, inmate, single, aged 4, born Warminster Wiltshire.

William Davis, inmate, married, aged 75, general labourer, employed, born Horningsham Wiltshire, blind.

Eliza J. Daniell, inmate, single, aged 17, born Warminster Wiltshire, idiot and blind.

Geo. Thos. Creavor, inmate, widower, aged 71, sailor, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Geo. Ransome, inmate, single, aged 73, agricultural labourer, born Norton Bavant Wiltshire.

John Scane, inmate, widower, aged 53, general labourer, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Mary Ann Prince, inmate, widow, aged 72, hawker, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Matilda Young, inmate, single, aged 33, field woman, employed, born Warminster Wiltshire.

George Young, inmate, single, aged 8, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Edward Young, inmate, single, aged 5, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Annie Price, inmate, single, aged 35, field woman, born Netherton Staffordshire.

William Price, inmate, single, aged 5, born Warminster Wiltshire.

William Clark, inmate, widower, aged 71, agricultural labourer, employed, born Heytesbury Wiltshire, lunatic.

Mary Ann Hill, inmate, married, aged 67, needlewoman, employed, born Charlton Musgrove Somerset.

Fanny Ransome, inmate, single, aged 49, schoolteacher, born Bishopstrow Wiltshire, idiot.

Agusta S.G. Phipps, inmate, single, aged 35, dairy woman, born Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, idiot.

Andrew Minty, inmate, single, aged 50, agricultural labourer, employed, born Corsley, Wiltshire.

Jas. Silcox, inmate, single, aged 60, agricultural labourer, employed, born Corsley Wiltshire.

Maria Moore, inmate, widow, aged 79, birthplace unknown, dumb lunatic.

Edward Barber, inmate, single, aged 36, born Horningsham Wiltshire, idiot.

John Trollope, inmate, single, aged 43, born Horningsham Wiltshire, idiot.

William Rowe, inmate, widower, aged 77, agricultural labourer, employed, born Horningsham Wiltshire.

Joseph Macklin, inmate, single, aged 35, agricultural labourer, employed, born Chitterne Wiltshire.

Kezia Rill, inmate, single, aged 80, needlewoman, born Tytherington Wiltshire.

Caroline Rill, inmate, widow, aged 66, needlewoman, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Mary Ann Sparey, inmate, widow, aged 73, domestic servant, employed, born Codford Wiltshire.

Ann Sparey, inmate, widow, aged 33, field woman, employed, born Fonthill Wiltshire, imbecile.

John Rutland, inmate, single, aged 78, sawyer, employed, born Laverton Wiltshire.

Charles Churchill, inmate, widower, aged 71, drover, born Boyton Wiltshire.

Emily Mary Parsons, inmate, widower, aged 80, washerwoman, born Bishopstrow Wiltshire.

Robert Farley, inmate, single, aged 66, tailor, employed, born Heytesbury Wiltshire.

George Pike, inmate, widower, aged 71, general labourer, born Heytesbury Wiltshire.

Stephen Collins, inmate, single, aged 66, born Knook Wiltshire, imbecile.

James Miles, inmate, widower, aged 76, carter, employed, born Knook Wiltshire, dumb.

Joseph Edwards, inmate, widower, aged 73, general labourer, employed, born Horningsham Wiltshire.

Henry Gould, inmate, single, aged 66, general labourer, born Longbridge Deverill Wiltshire.

Phylis Hiscott, inmate, widow, aged 85, washerwoman, employed, born Longbridge Deverill Wiltshire.

Hannah Davis, inmate, widow, aged 82, silk weaver, born Frome Somerset.

Harriett Holton, inmate, single, aged 45, born Hill Deverill Wiltshire.

Joseph Lampert, inmate, single, aged 62, blacksmith, born Hereford Herts.

William Cockings, inmate, single, aged 14, born Willingborough North Hants.

Duffet Alias Sansom, inmate, single, aged 10, birthplace unknown cannot state.

Emily Sansom, inmate, single, aged 10, born Bristol Gloster.

Rose Sansom, inmate, single, aged 6, born Warminster Wiltshire.

Frederick Sansom, inmate, single, aged 4, born Bath Somerset.

Caroline K. Sansom, inmate, single, aged 1, born Bristol Gloster.

From The Warminster Herald, Saturday 27th November 1880:

A short time ago a gentleman (?) member of the Board Of Guardians of the town in which he resided, which, en passant, is not 50 miles from the quiet little town of Warminster, had an old man, who had seen his best days, working for him, paying him a shilling a day or six shillings a week for his services; so one day the said gentleman asked him why he didn’t apply to the Board for relief, and thus increase his scanty income, promising to do what he could for him.

The old man struck with the idea, decided to adopt the course suggested, and accordingly on the Board day presented himself for relief, but his master was conspicuous by his absence at the meeting; however, the Board granted him two shillings a week.

He went home and told his master of his good fortune, who said he must thank him for his influence in obtaining it for him; of course the old man did feel grateful, but how quickly did his gratitude turn when his master told him that he should reduce his wages to four shillings a week, and this, with the two shillings allowed from the parish, would still make up his 6s. a week. What an instance of selfishness; don’t you think so?

Recounting his early life at Warminster he recalls that his granny used to take her bread to the bakehouse to be baked, while granddad went off to The Cock [Inn]. There was a silk factory three miles away to which his granny, once a week, went to get hanks of silk to bring home to wind it off her spinning wheel on to the bobbins. At other times she worked on the land “spurting dung about the fields and picking stones off the land” – also gleaning:

I remember that granny made her own matches. She had a box with old burnt rags in it, a bit of steel, a big spoon to milk her brimstone in, [and] some splints of wood. Sometimes the tinder was damp and would not catch but gran kept puffing and blowing till she succeeded in kindling the match and then her candle. Sometimes it took her a quarter of an hour to get a light.

You will remember that I had not hardly recovered from the smallpox and being very much disfigured the old lady would not acknowledge me. I was not her Henry and she was sure of that and would not allow the man to leave me there. The only thing to do was to find the Relieving Officer of the town. This was easily done as few enquiries were made and a note given to the Master of the Poor House in the Common. This occupied three sides of a square, the further end was open and led up to the garden. The front was occupied by the Master and Mistress. On the right were four or five rooms set apart for the old men and boys. Opposite was a similar room for the old women and children. [I was] Taken there and placed with the old men and the fatherless and motherless boys and about half a dozen old men.

I was at home or what was to be my home for about two or three years. The boys ran away at the sight of me. I suppose they had never seen such a sight as I was then, being so markd [sic] with sores from the smallpox.

The next question was what was his [my] name? Well I hardly knew myself. I went by the name of Henry Brown. With grandmother I went by the name of Henry Davis when living in Bristol but in Warminster it was found by the Register of St Lawrence Chapple [sic] that my name was Henry Edward Price, born the 31st day of July 1824. So, Harry Price was my propper [sic] name but for short they nicknamd [sic] me Old Harry and as Old Harry I remaind [sic] for many a long day.

Whenever there was any dispute amongst the boys it was “Let’s ask Harry, he knowes [sic].” Being a year or two older, and livd [sic] in a city a year or two and been to a school I was somewhat ahead of these country unfortunates. There were three boys, [aged] 16 or 18 years, employd [sic] on a farm called Lush Farm. These lads took their food with them [and] had their dinners when they came home. They never receivd [sic] any wages. There were at that time some extraordinary arrangements between the farmers and their work people. If a man had a large family, alowance [sic] was made in aid of family, in accordance with number and a lot of other what seems to us as foolish laws, but one of the parties must have profited. Under this system of allowance there were parishes in wich [sic] every labourer was a pauper. [He was] Paid more for idleness than he could get for labour. [He was] Paid more if he took a pauper wife, and still more for every pauper child. Paupers married at the age of 17 or 18 and claimd [sic] the allowance the day after they were married. Better food and lodging were provided for idle paupers than working people could procure.

LIFE IN THE POOR HOUSE

I will describe some of the unfortunates in the house.

First, there was old John Poore, 70 or 80 years of age. He was a man apart by himself, he lookd [sic] after the garden and pigs. He used to make holes for the potatoes. I folowd [sic] after with an apron full of setts and drop [sic] them in. He never came near the fire. His dinner was always off the master’s table. In the evening he went [to] the Royal Oak and had is [sic] glass of ale and his pipe, then home to bed.

Next came Dummy, another very old man. Deaf and dumb and blind. He could find his way about the House and garden. He had some very odd ways and whims. He had a doz’ or more of walking sticks. He made his own bed, then placed his sticks all manner of ways across his bed, never placing them the same way two days alike. Then if [it was] fine, going up to the garden, always going strait [sic] up to his bed he knew wether [sic] anyone had been there and then [there] would be a jolly row if his sticks had been shifted.

Then there was George Brown who was demented and of course [was] made a butt of and [was] tormented by the boys. I had a fight with one of them. I could never stand anything of that sort, and there were several more of them [who] could read or write.

Last but not least was poor Godfiz. Poor Goff. Affliction laid its Heavy Hand on him early in life. He might have been about 30 years of age and was working in a foundry in London as a moulder when Roamatism [sic] seisd [sic] him and crippled him for life. Godfrey was somewhat of a scholar for those times. He could read and write but not grammaticaly [sic]. He knew the three r’s and that was about all. He was set to teach us boys and girls. Not five per cent at that time could read or write. So, Godfrey was often requested to write and answer the letters of his illiterate neighbours. But Godfrey’s main task was to teach the boys and girls to read and write and cipher. I fancy I see him now in a nook by the fire, his crutches by his side and his cane very handy. His practice was to sett [sic] our task for the day in this wise. One of Dr Watts hyms [sic] eight verses of the New Testamint [sic] or the Psalms, a copy in the writing book, and a sum. I generaly [sic] got through mine alright but it was rather hard lines to have to repeat each time what you had previously learnt. Likewise with tables and hymns. Many a time did he keep me without my dinner. Sometimes till next day. He never thought of the great strain he was putting on the mental powers. Only fancy setting one to learn the CXIX Psalm, and every day beginning with the first verse. I did learn and repeat it from beginning to end. I believe it wrought me more harm than good, as my memorry [sic] as [sic] never been good.

Taken altogether these old Poor Houses were very good homes. We were all happy there, well fed, nursd [sic] and docterd [sic], went in and out just as we pleasd [sic], dressd [sic] like others. Fields and gardens all around us, we fattend [sic] our own pigs, made our own bread, brewd [sic] our own beer. The old men had their bit of baccy. The old women had their bit of snuff. We gatherd [sic] round the fire at night. The old soldiers sang their songs, the old salts their ditties, some of wich [sic] I remember to this day. Barber Haines used to come to shave the inmates, I

putting on the lather on one while he shaved.

IRON BEDSTEADS AND REBELION [sic]

I must relate another bit about Godfrey. The master came into our room one day and said we were all going to sleep on iron bedsteads. Goff said “No, he be dashed.” He wernt [sic] gawin [sic] to sleep on no iron bedstead if he knowd [sic] it. Well, that was the Order and he would have to put up with it. The bedsteads came and were taken upstairs. Goff lookd [sic] on and said nothing till they were gorne [sic]. Then he gets down on his hands and kneese [sic] and makes his way up stairs, drags his [bed] to the top of the stairs and pushes it to the bottom. The governor soon makes his appearance and Goff had to put up with it. Iron bedsteads are very old, Og, king of Bashan had one, and they are an improvement. What would he say if he was to visit this earthly scene now? Not only bedsteads but cups and saucers, plates and dishes of all descriptions.

Well, to sum up, I must say that the Poor Houses at that time for the infirm, and the fatherless and motherless children, was a real refuge from the stormy blast and a thoroughly good home. But a change was pending. The Poor Law Union Act was passd [sic]. And a Poor Law Board was establishd [sic]. Up to the reign of Charles the First, there were many parishes in wich [sic] no rate was assesd [sic] and wich [sic] turned away the poor. But these great evils had been rinded and there is little legislation for the next hundred years. In William and Mary’s time an act relateing [sic] to settlement provides that persons to be relievd [sic] be registerf [sic] and examin’d by Vestry. Because evils had arisn [sic], out of the Unlinidt [sic] Power of the Church Wardens and overseers giving relief for their own private ends, by wich [sic] the charge on the Parish was greatly increas’d, Contrary to the true intent of the statute of Elizabeth, the act also gave power to the justices to give relief in cases of emergincy [sic], a provision wich [sic] afterwards became a fruitful source of difficulty. The evils henceforth complaind [sic] of were that many had thrown themselves on the rates who ought to have been supporting themselves independantly [sic] of such aid, that pauper labour was found interfereing [sic] with and displacing industry labour. That the Overseers were acting with unchecked dishonesty. An jucistices [sic] with unrestraind [sic] liberalty [sic] ordering the money of the industrious and prudent to be spent on the idle and improvident.

Efforts were made to remidi [sic] these Abuses, Throuart [sic] the reign of the first three Georges by making the justices act with the overseers, by rendering the overseers accountable to the parshoneers [sic] by means of returns and the power of inspection, and by offering the Workhouse to all applicants for Relief. This last provision substituted what is calld [sic] indoor relief, for the allowance made to the poor at their own homes, and introduced the workhouse system. All who refused to be lodgd [sic] in the House were to be struck off the poor roll and refusd [sic] relief. A great increase in the number of workhouses took place, guardiens [sic] were appointed to guard the pauper children from neglect and improper conduct, and other attempts to improve their administration made. It repeald [sic] the act forbiding [sic] relief to be given in aid of wages. Henceforth outdoor relief became the rule under a variety of systems wich [sic] the complaint was justly made. That turn’d the poor laws into a mode of paying wages.

In 1801 the amount of the rates was recon’d at £4,000,000. In 1820 it had risen to £7,330,354. In 1817 a comisson [sic] of the House of Common stated their oppinion [sic] that unless checked, the assessment would swallow up the profits of the land.

In February 1832 a new Commission to inquire into the operation of the Poor Laws was found necessary. The evidence brought before this Commission reveald [sic] a dissastrous [sic] state of things. The independence, the integrity and the domesticate virtue of the lowe [sic] classes were in some places neary [sic] extinct. The great source of the evil was shown to be the relief afforded to the able-bodied on their own account, and that of their families in aid of wages. This aid at first reduced the expenditure in wages and found favour with farmers and Magistrates who farmed scales of relief in accordance with the wants of the people so that they began to be paid for their necessities and not for their industry, and fell in to the temptation of increasing the former and neglecting the latter. Five modes of outdoor relief were found in opperation [sic]. 1st : relief without labour. 2nd: Allowance given in aid of wages acording [sic] to the number of the labourers family. 3rd: The Roundsman system. The labourers being let out by the Parish among the employers round. 4th: Parish work generally on the roads. 5th: The labour rate. The ratepayers prefering [sic] to divide among them the pauper labour, and to pay for it. However valueless instead of raising the rate.

Diminished industry ate away the very root of capital. Farmers turned off their men or refusd [sic] to employ them at fair wages therby [sic] causing a surpluss [sic] of unemployd [sic] labour fraudulently. They then took them back from the Parish at reduced wages paid out of the rates. Under the system of allowance there were Parishes in wich [sic] every labourer was a pauper. Paid men more from idlesness than he could get for labor [sic]. Paid more if he took a pauper wife, and still more for every pauper child. Paupers married at 17 and 18 years of age and claimd [sic] the allowance the day after their marriage. And from Parish after Parish came the reply to the Comissishers [sic]. Allourable [sic] bodied laborers [sic] recive [sic] allowance. No poor man in such parishes could save. If industrious and thrifty, and it was known that he had a pound of savings, he would be refused work till the savings were gone and he had come down to the pauper level. This had gone on till in many places pauperism swallowd [sic] up three quarters of the rent.

While on this subject I may mention that some of us older boys were sent to work at a old factory in Die House Lane, where they manufactord [sic] chair seating and webbing. My job at first was to assit [sic] in makin [sic] horse hair seating. I had a tub by my side filld [sic] with water and between my left hand fingers two lots of hair, their ends about half up and the [other] end half down. My mate had his feet on the treadls [sic]. His right hand held the lathe with a hook, and very little wheels at the end of it. My part was to place the hairs on the hook and hold it till he had drawn it through and battend [sic] it close up to the other.

And so it went on all day long. We generally made as near as I cand [sic] remember about a yard a day. I made a lot of chair webbing by myself. How long I was there I do not reccollect [sic]. But one thing I do know that we boys of the Poor House never got any money.

Another thing I do remember quite well that at the bottom of the garden at back of the Factory there was a pear tree and I have never [tasted] started any anywhere so nice. And I do remember well that more than one half day were in Longleat Park when we were supposd [sic] to be at work.

These indeed were merie [sic] days, the merie [sic] days of Old. The Old House in the Common was made as cherrful [sic] as possible to us waifs of Humanity. The master toueght [sic] or tried to teach us music some evenings and then I had a whole week out with my mother’s aunt ocassionaly [sic]. So taking it alltogether [sic] and putting one thing and another together I have reason to be thankful, and can say though Father and Mother forsook me the Lord had so far been my friend.

But a change was pending. The Poor Law Act was passd [sic]. A poor law Board was established. The first intimation we had was the arival [sic] of some bricks and mortar, and bricklayers, who soon built up a wall of Partition parting the females from the males.

Privous [sic] to this the girls and boys mingld [sic] and playd [sic] together. The old men and women met and gossipd [sic] about old times in the garden without thought of Care or Woe.

Soon after a Union Workhouse was built and most of the old people were removed to it. Poor old Godfrey got out relief with one or two others. The children went into the new house. But what a falling off was here. Confin’d in a large Area bound by four brick walls to [sic] high to allow a view of the fields outside, women and girls on one side of the House, men and boys on the other. Times must have been bad then, for as the winter came on the House began to fill. Man and Wife wer [sic] seperated [sic], the children parted from their parents, a uniform Provided, ther

[sic] own Clothing being put away until they went out, wich [sic] was generaly [sic] not until the Spring.

Then there was the diet. So much Skilly, about one pint, and a slice of bread every morning. The gruel often spoild [sic] the bread, not half enough. Bread and cheese four days for dinner and the water tap. Monday, potatoes and Beef. Wednesday, pea soup. Friday, Bacon and vigitables [sic]. Every evening Bread and Cheese. This might have been all right if it had been sufficient but for growing boys and youn [sic] men it was semi starvation. Some of the boys after eating their own begged of others promising to give Half of theirs the next day. This went on for some time till the porter noticing how bad thin one of the boys lookd [sic], said what is the matter with Smith, how bad he looks. Yes said I Hes [sic] staving [sic]. The other boys get all his food. After that we had our meals in the Chapple [sic], under the porters eye. It is a great mistake to limit children. One will get fat on what another will starve. Although more fortunate than the other Boys as I was made Errand Boy and had a good Friend an aunt of my mithers [sic] who always had a bit put by for me, generally a Aple [sic] Dumpling or a cake. I feel very strongly on this Subject as I have never been what we may call strong an [sic] hardy.

Strange as it may seem, only very recently the guardians of this same Union have been discussing this same subject and altering the scale of Diet. The food being supplied by contract it was generaly [sic] of the poorest. I remember on a bacon day, the bacon was hard and tough, that we kic’d [sic] it all round the yard and than [sic] it was something like a dirty tennis ball.

I must say a few more words on this subject if only to confirm what I have here stated. One of the doors of the Store room open’d into our yard. We boys were always on the alert and as soon as the stores arrivd [sic] this door was oppend [sic] and while the man was gone to bring in some, one of the boys rushd [sic] in and brought whatever came to Hand, a loaf of Bread, a roll of Butter, a lb of Candles, anything the whole of it dissapearing [sic] down our throuts [sic]. Candles and all. The old people missed there [sic] Baccy and Snuff. I was errand boy. I have brought in

many a half ounce of tobacco and snuff in my armpits or the legs of my stockings. It was the duty of the Porters wife to search any one coming in. There was a Public house calld [sic] the Boot whose garden abated against the wall round the House so that those who had a fewe [sic] pence could have a pint. I have scal’d the wall during the half hour sett [sic] apart for prayer in the evening and got what they wanted, getting some one to Answer my Name.

We boys went out to school for a few weeks but the townspeople did not like us to sit on the same form as ther [sic] children. So a schoolmaster was found for the boys, a Shoemaker with no more knowledge than myself. He could not do a rule of three sum, nor write a good coppy [sic]. As for spelling any boy in the School was his equal. And yet he sat at the Masters table, had a nice room to himself, and a nice bit of money every quarter or month. But he brought disgrace on himself and ruin on another so that he had to leave for Paris the other side of the world.

The master was a very goodone [sic]. He taught or rather tried to teach us music but with very scare [sic] sucess [sic]. As for myself, seeing that both my Father and Mother were well up in such Maters [sic], the one being Organist at the Parish Church of Bishopstrow and the other had good Knowledge of music and sang in the same. Yet I never could master a single note. Later on I shall have a little more to say on this subject.

Our master playd [sic] his fidle [sic] and taught us to sing song tunes to the psalms and hymns. While worldly mind impatient grow more prosperous Times to see. Still let the Glories of thy face shine Brightly Lord on me. This was sung to Should old aquaintance [sic] be forgot and days of Auld Lang Syne. Artichoks [sic] and Cauliflows [sic] came bye come bye of me. Its some the finest of the Sort as ever you did see, Ye banks and Braes of bonny doon, and a lot of others. I am very fond of Song. I wake up with a song. I sing all day long and go to sleep with a song of thankgiving [sic] in my Heart.

Being the oldest boy of the old House I was Errand boy and took the Parish Books to the Clerk in the town. I us’d to sit down and read the matters about the House. The Names of the inmates when they came in and when they left and their Parish, then ages and some other matters. A few years ago I usd [sic] to meet two old Men in Uniform with Blue Bags going towards Highbury. It struck me very forcibly that it was then when I form the resolution that if I had luck to earn money I would keep a strict account of the expenditure. When I took my wagies [sic] some four yeares [sic] after in New York I enterd [sic] it in a nicely bound Book Ruld [sic] for dollars and cents. In that Book there are the Whole of my Earnings for seven years in the United States and over 50 in London. Having no Further Space and not liking to destroy it especially as Matters of that nature were becoming interesting and ever valuable, I thought it might be a good thing to take it to the British Museum where they have Curiosties [sic] in literature of all kinds. The Directors thanked me for the Book and sent me a note for five shillings. Thro this I was led to write my history knowing it to be something out of the Common, and having been obligd [sic] to thro down the Plane and the Saw, I now Rock the Cradle for my Grandaughter [sic], while she goes to school as Teacher. When Baby’s quiet I riot in joting [sic] down the events of my life as a pastime. Soon the Hurly Burlys over …..

So taking it altogether my lot was somewhat better than that of the other Unfortunate waifs and strays of Poor Humanity. But still there wer [sic] times when I felt very lonely and forsaken and had a good cry. Oliver Twist like one day a Carpenter in want of an apprentice came to the House and being accuainted [sic] with my History and Parents selected me out of a dozen. He was to take me on trial for 12 months on trial. I was to live with the family and he was to get eight teen pence a week from the Parish for that time. But he did very little carpentering. It was mostly gardening and coal selling. Had a little shop as well. So that beyond planing up a few boards ocassionaly [sic] and looking after pigs and fowls I learnt very little about the trade. Up at four in the morning and in the garden by monlight [sic]. I think he done very well by me. It was certainly better than the House for me. But it was too good to last. The 18 pence ceased and poor Harry had to go back to the House.

Not much liking this, and seeing the Road waggon coming through the Town I followed it all the way to Bristol hoping I might find my Mother. I led the Horses on the road while the driver snord [sic] the time away in the waggon. The waggon usually stopt [sic] to rest the horses at the Cross Keys Public House about half way on the road. And as it was evening when we arrivd [sic] the tap room was full of the Farmers and Labours living about the country round. There was some stirring Public Matters being discussed. There was a Newspaper. But no one in the Place could read. The wagoner said he thought I could read. Thanks to Poor Old Jeff it was true, so I read and read all they heard all about the matter. This was about 1839. I was considered a prodigy and one gave me a peny [sic] and than [sic] another and so on till my pocket was nearly full …. I suppsd [sic] I had nearly a dozen. But I could not find anything about mother so returned with wagon.

This must have been about [18]37 and [183]8 as I remember the Senor [sic] Churchwarden Proclaiming Queen Victoria and helping himself to a glass of wine. There being nothing to do but to return to the House I was reinstated in my old position as Erand [sic] Boy and teacher of the 1st class but having tasted the swets [sic] of liberty I soon got discontented and askd [sic] for my Clothes and went and got a job to keep the Crows off the Beans out Cold Harber [sic] way, lodgd [sic] with Godfrey, did another little job or two and then had to go back to the House under the old conditions till I was 17. The lads at 16 were usually placd [sic] with the young men but they kept me with the boys and no doubt had I not ran away I should have been with them longer. There was [a] general Election about this time and one of the inmates had made up his mind to go to Frome about seven miles from Warminster. I thought I should like to see what an election was like and went with him, scaling the walls and wearing the Union livery. When about a mile or two from Frome we met a procession with a band. Almost every man carrid [sic] a big Stick or some emblem of his trade, thus the Plumbers had their Soldering Irons, great Heavy Tools like a poker bent at one end, a heavy Knob at the other. They all wore yelow [sic] favours in their button holes, Some of them.

. . . . In the old work houses the able bodied got as much as they could eat, nothing was withheld and nothing wasted. We had good home brewd [sic] beer, a bit of tobacco and snuff, a large garden, no liveriz [sic], and the front door always open to the street.

THE NEW WORK HOUSE

Wen [sic] the New work house was opend [sic] it became necessary to find some employment for the abel [sic] bodied men. While some wer [sic] sett [sic] to work in the garden an [sic] som [sic] quariing [sic] stone for the road to the House others were employd [sic] pounding Bones for Manure wich [sic] the Farmers round bought. So many lbs per day. In a square Box, with a iron bottom, a Iron bar with a heavy knob at the end, this was my task. Strong men wincd [sic] over the job and poor Harry who had never handled such a tool before soon broke down. His hands became so blisterd [sic] that the Porter who had always been His friend got him out into the Garden.

The House was very full in the winter. Whole families came in, their neighbours lookd [sic] after the pig for them. Children were parted from their Parents, Husbands from their wives, just getting a look at each other in the Chaple [sic] in the Evening. The little ones sadly missd [sic] their mothers. I remember several dying.

My services were often requisitiond [sic], while they were in the Chaple [sic] one wanted a bit of snf [sic], another a bit of bacon, gitting [sic] one of them to answer my name, I was over the wall and into Pound Street to a little shop and back again during the half hour for Prayers. I remember on one occassion [sic] the coping on the wall was slipery [sic] with ice. But got on all right.

Talking about tobaccy reminds me of an old Man who loved his Bit of Baccy so well that he us’d it twice over. First he parted it in two. One half he put in his cheek and suckd [sic] it as long as he could get the least taste out of it than [sic] he stuck it in the rim of his hat. Then went thro the same process with the other. If he could not get anymore any way he would stuff his pipe with potato peeling or herbs, sometimes rags, any thing to stay the Cravings of the Habit. One good result was this, that I formd [sic] the resolution never to smoke. How bad a man must feel if he cant get it. I have kept that Resolution . . . .

. . . . But to return to my story. The young fellows in the House were half stavd [sic], so they usd [sic] to get through the window at night by tying two or three Sheets together and making one end fast to my bedstead let themselves down and climb the wals [sic], rob the potato fields and

orchards and come back loaded. My part was to watch for their return and let down the sheets. That went on sometime but they went once to [sic] often and being rather late, the servant saw them and of course the porter instead of unlocking the door and leaving, stood in the doorway and took stock of those that were present. And than [sic] found the others hiding in the Bone Sheds. My memory is at fault as to punishment but there were no more raids . This was my last winter in the House.

ASSISTED EMIGRATION

Spring came and with it a letter to the Guardians from Dear old Grandmother – not the first – Begging them to send me out. One of the members, Mr Morgan, interested himself on my behalf. And it was decided that I should go. And some arrangement was made with a Mr Pain of Crockerton. Mr Daniels and the Relieving Officer Mr Jones had the matter in Hand. I had a complete out fit and a sovrign [sic] was to be given me when we arrivd [sic] at New York. In April 1842 we left home, by the road wagon for Bristol. My mother being there to see me off. We left Bristol early in May. I dont know wether [sic] any of the other passengers had the same feeling creeping over them that I had. But I remember wishing that I could jump ashore. On British Queen – 140 passengers and cargo of rails, tools, cutlery, etc. Storm, ice bergs and becalm. Blacksmith died, buried at sea. Child born to Methodist Parson’s wife, christened Henry Seaborn Parsons. Fog. Shortage of food. Arrived 29 Jun 1842. 7 weeks passage. – Too weak to go. Here I must state that I atributed [sic] my weakness to the insificient [sic] food dole’d out in the . . . . .

Warminster Poor Law Examinations And Removals,
Arranged in alphabetical order:

JAMES ALLEN. Labourer. Wife: Sarah. Children: William aged 4 years; George aged 2 years; and Henry aged 6 months. Removed from Corsley to Warminster in 1822. Q.S. Appeal.

GEORGE AXFORD, aged 50 years. Wife: Hester. Children: George, aged 13 years; William, aged 10 years; Elizabeth, aged 8 years; Susanna, aged 6 years; Jane, aged 16 weeks. Removed from Warminster to Market Lavington in 1813. Q.S. Appeal.

JAMES BRODRIBB. Labourer. Children: John, aged 5 years; Amelia, aged 3 years; Caroline, aged 2 years; unnamed infant, aged 1 month. Removed from Warminster to Beckington, Somerset, in 1832. Q.S. Appeal.

THOMAS BURGESS. Alias Thomas Bishop. Base born son of Joan Prole. Wife: Jane. Children: John and Mary. Removed from Warminster to St. Decuman’s, Somerset, in 1721.

REBECCA CURTIS. Singlewoman, aged 28 years. Removed from St. Saviour, Southwark, Surrey, to Warminster, in 1816.

PAUL DAVIS. A lunatic removed from Warminster to Buckland Dinham, Somerset, in 1829. Q.S. Appeal.

WILLIAM GOUGH. Aged 14 years. Born in Walcot, Bath. Apprenticed to James Hannam of Bruton, Somerset, carpenter, joiner and mealman. Removed from Warminster to Bruton, Somerset, in 1818.

EDWARD HOLLOWAY. Wife: Letitia. Removed from Durrington to Warminster in 1825. Q.S. Appeal.

JAMES HURLEY. Wife: Sarah. Children: Joseph, aged 10 years; Robert, aged 6 years; Mary Ann, aged 5 years; George, aged 16 months. Removed from Warminster to Creech St. Michael, Somerset, in 1817. Q.S. Appeal.

DIANAH MITCHELL. Widow of Robert. Removed from Warminster to Topsham, Devon, in 1818. Q.S. Appeal.

WILLIAM MOODY. Wife: Martha. Children: Elizabeth, aged 7 years; William, aged 6 years; Richard, aged 4 years; Adam, aged 1 year. Removed from Corsley to Warminster in 1818.

WILLIAM MOULD.Aged 31 years. Wife: Maria. Children: William, Henry, Jane. Removed from Heytesbury to Warminster in 1827. Q.S. Appeal.

JOHN MOXHAM. Wife: Sarah. Daughter: Sarah, aged 16 months. Removed from Warminster to Ebbesbourne Wake in 1820. Q.S. Appeal.

JAMES OLDING. Labourer. Wife: Jemima. Son: James. Removed from Codford St. Peter to Warminster in 1718.

MARIA PIKE. Wife of James, blacksmith (confined in H.M. Gaol at Ilchester, Somerset, for debt). Children: Henry, aged 14 years; Mary Ann, aged 12 years; James, aged 9 years; Maria, aged 6 years; Mercy, aged 3 years. Removed from Paulton, Somerset, to Warminster, in 1831. Q.S. Appeal.

SARAH SANGER. Widow. Children: Sarah, aged 6 years; Eleanor, aged 2 years. Removed from Frome, Somerset, to Warminster, in 1818.

EDWARD TUCKER. Labourer. Born at Brixton Deverill. Worked at Corsley, Wiltshire, and North Charford, Hampshire. Wife: Mary. Children: Eliza, aged 19 years; Jane, aged 14 years; James, aged 6 years. Removed from North Charford to Warminster in 1818.

Removal Orders from Warminster, 1753:

Name: ANTHONY HINTON, wife and child.
Settlement: Longbridge Deverill.
Date: 1753.

Name: EDETH KING.
Settlement: St. Martin’s, Westminster, London.
Date: 1753.