Maldon Union Records
Maldon union
workhouse from 1873 at the time of the report
In 1934, shortly before his death George
Cuttler conducted an enquiry into the legacy of rural guardians by
focusing on Maldon Union.
His report was published in 1934 as a study
of conditions in Mid Essex since 1895.
The book provides valuable information about
poor relief in this area from the statistics and the picture that it
paints.
Sadly it has little value for the family
historian as very few names are mentioned in the dialogue.
Some of the interesting entries from Maldon
Workhouse records are reproduced below
Incidents from the records
March 1899 – Althorne, Man found sleeping
rough in the open air - given 4 months hard labour
March 1905- Asheldham, Two men , turnip
topping found in outhouse with no money for lodgings.
August 1906 – Burnham, Man employed as a
Potman found sleeping rough in hayloft at hotel
1906 - Workhouse- Chairs provided for older
men's bedrooms
December 1906 - workhouse - The Friday
meal of bread and cheese replaced by beef or pork followed by rice
or fruit pudding for the old and infirm
June 1907 – Hazeleigh, Man asked for
permission to sleep in outbuildings at farm and for food. When this
was refused by the framer the man stabbed the framer wounding him in
the head.
September 1908 - Purleigh , Man from Cold
Norton sleeping in barn was charged but acquitted on a charge of
arson
June 1909 - Bradwell on Sea, Man aged 44 who
has spent winter in workhouse but left to ear a living from
shrimping died from exposure 8 days later
December 1909 – Southminster, Man aged 53 who
had been in asylum 4 times came out in the spring and cut his
throat.
December 1911 – Burnham, Man aged 77 living
with wife, fell on a fire during a fit at 7am. The side of his face
and hair was burnt. He was admitted to the workhouse infirmary.
January 1912- Southminster, Six children, ill
fed and clad, house dirty and evil smelling, no beds and no
mattresses, father intemperate. NSPCC prosecuted. Father given 4
months hard labour. Wife and children entered the house where
another child was born.
March 1915 – Burnham, Several children sent
to the workhouse to be cleaned
November 1916 - Tillingham Man, aged 84 in
alms-house. Set bedding alight and died.
October 1920 - Burnham - Casual farm labourer
found dead on sea wall. He had been living rough in a shepherds hut
having been in the lunatic asylum on two occasions.
February 1924 - Mundon , Man aged 78 smoking
in bed which was set alight and he died.
July 1925 - Mayland - Six children cleaned at
house, cottage disinfected.
December 1925 - Woodham Walter Man, aged 80
found dead by bedside partially undressed.
December 1927 - Stow Maries, Man aged 76
with wife aged 78 both died in fire caused by oil stove.
December 1930 – Tillingham, Widow aged 77 in
alms-house suffered burns from upset lamp and died in infirmary.
Number of
inmates 1878 to 1928
|
75+ |
65-75 |
55-65 |
45-55 |
35-45 |
25-35 |
15-25 |
5-15 |
0-5 |
Total |
|
|
Men and boys |
||||||||||
|
1878 |
30 |
30 |
18 |
10 |
6 |
5 |
7 |
29 |
6 |
141 |
|
1898 |
40 |
37 |
17 |
14 |
8 |
4 |
8 |
14 |
5 |
147 |
|
1913 |
20 |
48 |
30 |
19 |
9 |
7 |
13 |
34 |
11 |
191 |
|
1928 |
28 |
45 |
25 |
21 |
10 |
12 |
12 |
23 |
10 |
155 |
|
Women and girls |
||||||||||
|
1878 |
6 |
12 |
9 |
8 |
7 |
14 |
22 |
31 |
10 |
119 |
|
1898 |
15 |
6 |
4 |
3 |
9 |
7 |
5 |
20 |
6 |
75 |
|
1913 |
11 |
17 |
11 |
10 |
17 |
11 |
11 |
19 |
18 |
125 |
|
1928 |
16 |
11 |
13 |
19 |
6 |
7 |
15 |
25 |
0 |
112 |
|
Total Men, women, boys and girls |
||||||||||
|
1878 |
260 |
|||||||||
|
1898 |
222 |
|||||||||
|
1913 |
316 |
|||||||||
|
1928 |
267 |
|||||||||
Outdoor relief in 1898
|
Burnham |
Latchingdon and Tillingham |
Rest of the Rural Union |
|
|
Numbers of People |
|||
|
70 and over |
25 |
29 |
230 |
|
65-70 years |
8 |
5 |
31 |
|
under 65 years |
1 |
2 |
18 |
|
Mental |
2 |
1 |
17 |
|
Crippled, Blind etc |
13 |
||
|
Rheumatism, gout etc |
1 |
||
|
Bronchitus and Asthma |
1 |
||
|
Paralysis and Nervous |
1 |
5 |
|
|
Phthisis, Hip disease etc |
1 |
3 |
12 |
|
Heart,Dropsy,Ulcers etc |
1 |
8 |
|
|
Other sickness |
4 |
5 |
59 |
|
Nurses for |
1 |
||
|
Children to hospitals |
2 |
||
|
Widows, Orphans and Deserted Children |
6 |
15 |
92 |
|
lack of means |
1 |
8 |
|
|
Dependants |
5 |
8 |
33 |
|
Total Persons |
53 |
70 |
541 |
|
Financial Cost in £ |
|||
|
Age and debility including wives |
84 |
97 |
381 |
|
Disabled |
6 |
3 |
72 |
|
Sickness |
7 |
15 |
158 |
|
Widows, Orphans and Deserted Children |
10 |
21 |
118 |
|
Lack of Means |
0 |
1 |
10 |
|
Conveyance to House, Funerals etc |
2 |
1 |
10 |
|
Total Cost |
£109 |
£138 |
£1181 |
Click
Here
to visit a page with the story of Maldon Workhouse and the people
who lived there
Click Here to visit a page listing the Guardians of the
Maldon Union in 1911
Click
Here to visit a page listing the officials of the Maldon
Union from 1846 to 1869
Click
Here to visit a page describing the history of the Poor
Laws and highlighting the case of Jane Harris
