Poor Law

Few if any historians have approached this subject on the basis that few workhouses had little provision for the sick. At Stoke upon Trent workhouse as early as 1842 provision was made both for inmates but also for the parish community outside as no other facility had yet been provided. The Stoke upon Trent Hospital was erected in a central position with the workhouse and the building still remains as listed by English Heritage.

The study starts from the first thoughts of providing this facility, the number and descriptions of rooms and wards. Focus is made on one report that has survived and stored in the National Archives. It’s a complaint by someone in the community who wrote to the poor law in London to complain how he had been treated. Mention was made of his time in a lunatic ward, having to share a double bed with five other sick inmates – the list is endless and would make good reading for all who are keen to learn of the early years of medicine and the treatment of patients in workhouses.

two x A4 pages

This is a section dedicated to the policy of training boys in the art of marching whilst playing an instrument. The boys at Stoke union were encouraged to learn as once trained have an opportunity to find good employment. The sections explores and quotes examples of training and once proficient presented brass band concerts across the area to the delight of the community and of cause the Governor. At times when the children were invited to visit Trentham Gardens by the Duchess of Sutherland, the band would lead the way playing their instruments. They also undertook band concerts or to perform at a special event. A most interesting study and set apart for the work to secure work for those incarcerated for no fault of their own but considered nationally the fault of their parents.

Two pages x A4

A multiple page document listing both the admittances and discharges of inmates.

This is presented in the form of spreadsheets and the years 1832-34 are the only ones to have survived. They are unique in as much they give a complete uncomplicated picture of admittance and discharge. Upon admission full names are given and their occupation together with the important statistic – that of religion. There are a number of comments made in the last collum. The discharge books are however more surprising as both the basic information is given which is followed frequently with comments as to why. A further feature the status is give if legitimate or not and other comments. The list is endless and at times amusing. They come in two formats, listed in the original date order which with the aid of Excel can be listed in surname, age religion etc. A great asset in the study of social, occupational and family research, or like me a great subject area. All transcribed from the original documents.

Each sdocument contains 31 pages of Excel format each

Surprisingly this building still stands within the middle of the Royal Stoke University Hospital and now used as offices. The building is listed by English Heritage. It was built to provide assistance for the sick, both to resident inmates, but importantly to the people of Stoke-upon-Trent.

Male and Female wards for general cases. Wards for the elderly and infirm. Fever, Itch and Smallpox wards. There were also wards provided for Lunatics and Midwifery and finally a Nursery sick ward. In addition, the general items were also listed, Surgery, Nurses’ rooms, and the important water closets something the vast majority of the parish working classes had never experienced. In fact. It was quite a comprehensive hospital at the time catering probably all the needs of the general population of the parish.

This article reflects on when it was bult, its design and importantly how many rooms/wards and what uses they were put to. Gives one of the earlies insights to the early facility of medical treatment and is the only work that has been researched and compiled on its history and use since it was opened in 1842.

1 x A4 page

This work is a totally one off as it covers extracts from 1714 regulations of the Spittals Workhouse, Stoke-upon-Trent relating to the admission, cleansing, disinfecting clothing and searching of inmates for any valuables.

It describes the experiences on admission to the Institution, articles of value found upon the inmate shall were deposited with the Master, any money or value security in his possession will be used to off-set their maintenance within the institution.

It continues to list the items that are prohibited such as Cards or Dice, Letters, articles or written or printed matter of an obscene or improper character. The reference to the bathing of inmates is quite scary. This is an early view of life in 1714 under the Old Poor Law of Elizabeth I and an eye-opener again to the treatment of inmates both male and female.

Until 1869 burials for paupers were buried in the churchyard of the parish church, St. Peter ad Vincula in the town of Stoke over one mile away in a patch reserved for the class of pauper. The district churches of Penkhull and Hartshill had not yet being established and the nearest parish church of St. Giles, Newcastle-under-Lyme, was not within the parish of Stoke as a consequence no paupers were buried there from the Spittals Workhouse.

Because of the near capacity of Stoke Churchyard being reached, it was found necessary to create a new burial ground for paupers, leaving what space remaining in Stoke for local people. A cemetery created for the specific use of paupers from the Spittals workhouse was opened in 1869 on land opposite to the entrance of the workhouse on London Road (then a single carriageway) and bounded on the far side by the Newcastle canal. The burial ground was subsequently enlarged in 1900 on additional land purchased from the Duke of Sutherland. There are no records available to indicate the number of burials over a period of fifty years of its use except those held by the General Registrar and these are not available for public examination.

Four x A4 pages 1600 plus words. Great study for students or individuals.

This is a major study of how children were treated in the workhouse and includes all aspects of their daily routine and life. From education, religious worship, discipline, occupational training and the preparation of trades of playing a musical instrument following workhouse life. Again, this is a huge contribution to the social history of the time and based entirely upon factual research.

There are thirty-nine A4 pages and over 18,000 words.

A calculation of the different number of inmates housed and the proportions of each domination. Good study and preparation to expand how different church following was tolerated.

Again presented in graph format – pie chart with numbers of each religion.