Catalogue

The Longue Report is one that I discovered by accident and very little work has been carried out is analysing the data to create an informed picture of the potteries in 1863. I have used this widely and recommend its use by students of social, economic and child exploitation in the 19^th century. It covers areas of employment of young children in the potteries, age, working conditions, punishment, hours of daily work, contributions by children and employers. A great study of life is unfolded. and follows on and updated from that of the Scriven Report of 1843.

PDF 97 pages

This government report is a major contribution to the health issues of the times and the state of the potteries. A huge contribution to the social and health issues of the potteries and the industrial illnesses and deaths as a result of the time.

On the Sanitary State of the Staffordshire Potteries, with especial reference to that of the Potters as a class, their Mortality, and the Diseases ;prevalent among them. By J. T. Arlidge, M.J3. and A.13 Lond., M.K.C.P. Lond., Senior Physician to the ‘North Staffordshire Infirmary, formerly Physician to the West London Hospital,

Great help to Humanities students and social working conditions.

Report PDF Fifteen Pages

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

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

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

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