Birmingham Parish Workhouse

Birmingham Parish Workhouse

The workhouse was built in 1733 at a cost of £1,173 to accommodate 600 people. An infirmary wing was added in 1766 and a wing to contain workshops in 1779. ⁵⁷ Although the Act of 1783 empowered the guardians to build a new workhouse ⁵⁸ the old one remained in use until 1850, and the new workhouse (later to become Western House and the Dudley Road Hospital) was completed in 1852 in the angle between the Dudley Road and Western Road. ⁵⁹

The old workhouse, an imposing three-storey building, fronted on Lichfield Street, approximately on the site of the Victoria Law Courts. ⁶⁰ The number of poor in the workhouse was naturally subject to rapid fluctuation. In 1782 there were 630 inmates: ⁶¹ the number rose steadily to over a thousand in the summer of 1801, but had been halved by the end of that year. ⁶² The number increased again to over a thousand in 1818, and again was halved in the following three years. ⁶³ The workhouse was in the charge of a Master (later called the Governor), who was assisted by a Matron, a Porter and a workhouse Clerk. In the mid 19th century there was also a Chaplain, a resident Surgeon with six assistant surgeons, and an apothecary. Within the workhouse the poor were segregated into half a dozen different groups, but it is doubtful whether the groups were kept distinct in times of overcrowding. ⁶⁴

The general desire to find profitable employment for the poor in the workhouse and so reduce the burden on the rates was never, in Birmingham , more than partially fulfilled. In 1789 two rival schemes for contracting the able-bodied in the workhouse to work for local manufacturers came to nothing,⁶⁵ and during the next three decades attempts to train them to textile trades seem to have had little success. In 1832 corn was ground in the workhouse for consumption there ; some inmates , after training in the workhouse , repaired shoes ; and some boys and girls went out to work in factories .⁶⁶

In an attempt to remove children between four and ten years old from the discouraging atmosphere of the workhouse the guardians had, towards the end of the 18'th century, tried the experiment of boarding them out. After this had proved to be unsatisfactory, an "asylum" for 300 children was opened in Summer Lane 1797. The asylum contained295 children in 1801 ⁶⁷ 286 in 1832. There the children were taught and employed in heading pins and working lace.⁶⁸ They were under the care of a matron , with (in 1841) a resident schoolmaster and schoolmistress.⁶⁹ In 1845 the matron was the master's wife and the schoolmistress was his daughter ;at that time there was apparently no schoolmaster .⁷⁰ Not all of the children in the asylum went there from the workhouse ; the maintenance of a poor man's child in the asylum was regarded as one way of providing him with outdoor relief.⁷¹

The only other way in which the able-bodied could obtain relief without going into the workhouse was by "parish work"_ stone-breaking and carrying sand_ when it was available.⁷² Most of those receiving outdoor relief were not so much unemployed as unemployable; the aged , the chronically sick, widows with children, who were in effect parish pensioners. It is not clear on precisely what principles it was decided whether or not to send people into the workhouse . In 1838 about two-thirds of those receiving outdoor relief had been receiving it regularly and had almost established a right to do so. ⁷³ Parish visitors examined the needs and living conditions of the applicants, and four relieving officers distributed relief in the form of vouchers or tokens witch could be cashed at the workhouse . Six medical officers attended the poor , and an apothecary dispensed their prescriptions at the workhouse .⁷⁴ The number of cases of outdoor relief was 466 a week in 1766 and rose to between two and three thousand during the nineties. In the first half of the 19th century it did not fall below two thousand a week , and was over three thousand in the winter of 1837. In 1832 it was reckoned that each case represented on average 2½ persona.⁷⁵

57 Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1781), 216-17; see p.43.
58 23 Geo. III, c.54.
59 McNaulty, 'Poor Laws in Birm.' 28.
60 Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1781), pl. facing p.215, and map, pp 104-5
61 McNaulty, 'Poor Laws in Birm.'28.
62 Harvest Home, ed. S. J. Pratt, i.377.
63 Mc Naulty, 'Poor Laws in Birm.'181
64 Rules and Regulations ...... (1841) (B.R.L. 64250); Rep. to the Guardians of the Poor, 1845 (B.R.L. 73400)
65 Langford, Birm. Life, i 340 sqq. Earlier schemes, to bring employment into the workhouse, had failed. Hutton, Hist. Birm. (1819), 317-18. There were also attempts, apparently unsuccessful, in 1786 and 1816 to provide work on the roads: Gill, Hist. Birm. 167, 189.
66 1st Rep. Com. Poor Laws, App B. 2, H.C. 44, p.239 g (1834), xxxv
67 Harvest Home, ed. Pratt, i.377, 467-8
68 1st Rep. Com. Poor Laws. App. B. 2, H.C. 44, p.239 g (1834), xxxv
69 Rules and Regulations .... (1841) (B.R.L. 64250)
70 Rep. to the Guardians of the Poor, 1845 (B.R.L. 73400)
71 1st Rep. Com. Poor Laws, App. B.2, H.C. 44, p.239 h (1834) xxxvi
72 Ibid
73 [H. Knight], Observations on the relief of cases of outdoor poor in Birm. [Birm. 1838] (B.R.L. 63680)
74 Rules and Regulations .... (1841) (B.R.L. 64250); Rep. to the Guardians of the poor, 1845 (B.R.L. 73400). Between 1841 and 1845 the number of relieving officers was increased to 5.
75 McNaulty, 'Poor Laws in Birm.' 181; 1st Rep. Com. Poor Laws, App. B.2, H.C. 44, p.239 g (1834), xxxv; B.R.L. 63680

Source:
Quoted from the Victoria County History, Warwickshire, volume 7,
pages 322-323, by permission of the General Editor.

Birmingham Parish Workhouse
Ref: 1670010
© Rossbret 2004

Birmingham Workhouse Token

A third and final token issue started in 1811, continuing through most of the 1810-1820 decade. This final series was declared illegal by an 1817 Act of Parliament. While the 1817 Act of Parliament banned copper tokens on and after 1 January 1818, specific exceptions were made for the workhouses of Birmingham and Sheffield, whose tokens were allowed to stay in circulation until 1820 and 1823, respectively.

The Coin is a Silver Shilling dated 1811. It states the value in Workhouse terms, 20 of these tokens could be exchanged for one pound. Many Workhouse tokens were made from Copper using three pence, penny, and farthings.

The Tokens were provided for Inmates to use in local shops, although they were not authorised to use them for the purchase of any alcohol.

This token shows the frontage of Birmingham Workhouse on Lichfield Street.

1811 Birmingham Workhouse Token
ref: 900013
© Rossbret 2004

Report on the Administration of Relief to the Poor in the Parish of Birmingham by Alfred Power and Robert Weale Esqrs Assistant Poor Law Commissioners 1843

List of Officers of the Guardians p 234-237

NAME	OCCUPATION	SALARY
Bynmer W. W.	Vestry Clerk	£200 per annum (p.a.)
Welch J.Y.	Treasurer	£200 p.a.
Hirst G.S.	Wife Governor & Matron with Board etc	£150 p.a.
Rogers J.L.	Accountant Clerk	£80 p.a.
Underwood J.	Levy Clerk	£130 p.a.
Renaud Edward	Assistant Clerk	£1-10s-0d per week
Grace H.T.	Resident Clerk, with board etc	£40 p.a.
Edwards John	Relieving Officer	£150 p.a.
Rutherford Thos	Relieving Officer	£100 p.a.
White John	Relieving Officer	£100 p.a.
Gibbs Henry	Relieving Officer	£100 p.a.
Gardner Paul	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Baker William	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Williams Wm	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Davis J.S.	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Richardson John	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Ryder G. M.	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Penn Edward	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Welch George	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Rynner George	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
East Samuel	Assistant Overseer	£100 p.a.
Cox E. T.	Surgeon	£30 p.a.
Bellamy T. F.	Surgeon	£30 p.a.
Green Thomas	Surgeon	£30 p.a.
Gem Charles	Surgeon	£30 p.a.
Berry Samuel	Surgeon	£30 p.a.
Tarleton Wm	Surgeon	£30 p.a.
Smith Charles	House Surgeon with Board	£70 p.a.
M'Pherson Robt	Assistant in Surgery	1-10-0 p.w.
Throne William	Assistant in Surgery	1-10-0 p.w.
Holt George Rev.	Chaplain	£150 p.a.
Austin John	Leader in Psalmody and of Choir	£12 p.a.
Wilson Timothy	Brewer and Baker	1-4-0 p.w.
Hamson William	Miller	1-4-0 p.w.
Robertson Jos.	Coffin Maker	1-7-0 p.w.
Felkin Nath'l	Overlooker of stone-breakers	1-4-0 p.w.
Howlett Ann	Nurse in men's infirmary	£10 p.a.
Vincent Eliz'th	Nurse in Womens' infirmary	£10 p.a.
Raven M A	Nurse in women's bed-ridden ward	£8 p.a.
Line Eliz'th	Nurse in women's venereal ward	£8 p.a.
Titley Ann	Nurse in women's insane ward	£10 p.a.
Rose Ann	Nurse in aged/infirm women's ward	£8 p.a.
Lamb Thomas	Asst keeper in men's insane ward	£8 p.a.
Giles Fanny	Cook	£8 p.a.
Woodfield Eliza	Chambermaid	2-10-0 p.a.
Duce John	Keeper No 1 Relief Station	8s 0d p.w.
Smith John	Keeper No 2 Relief Station	6s 6d p.w.
Cartwright Thos	Keeper No 3 Relief Station	8s 0d p.w.
Salter John	Keeper No 4 Relief Station	8s 0d p.w.

ASYLUM (Children)

Edwards William	Governor	£50 p.a.
Edwards Mary	Matron	£40 p.a.
Edwards S. A.	Schoolmistress	£20 p.a.
Latham Ann	Straw bonnet maker/ general asst'nt	£10 p.a.
North Martha	Cook	£8 p.a.
Field Ann	Sick Nurse	£8 p.a.
Heritage Ann	Laundry Woman	£8 p.a.
Breeze Wm	Tailor	1-1-0 p.w.
Whittaker Wm	Shoemaker	18s 0d p.w.

Totals Salaries £2,833-10s-0d Weekly £12-18s-6d Total £3,505-12s-0d

In addition to the paid officers before enumerated, several of the paupers are paid for the services they perform; and the following schedule contains the names, offices and gratuities paid to such paupers - either quarterly or weekly.

NAME	PAUPER OFFICES	GRATUITIES PAID
Gregory Joseph	Attendant in men's venereal ward	1s p.w.
Galy Joseph	Night Attendant in men's sick ward	1s-9d p.w.
Baker George	Attendant in men's fever ward	1s-6d p.w.
Taylor Isabella	Nurse in women's fever ward	1-10-0 p.q.
Higgs Eliz'th	Nurse in lying-in ward	1- 5-0 p.q.
Ware William	Keeper in men's insane ward	4s-6d p.w.
Tipton Catherine	Nurse in children's ward	1s p.w.
Johnston Mary	Nurse in women's insane attic	£1-7s-6d p.q.
Atherley Eliz'th	Nurse in women's day-room	1s p.w.
Horton Maria	Nurse in infirm men & boy's room	£1-5s-0d p.q.
Percival Wm	Wardsman to able-bodied men	1s p.w.
Haywood Joshua	Wardsman to partially disabled men	1s p.w.
Knight Mary	Nurse in women & children's ward	1s p.w.
Cloves William	Lodge Keeper	1s p.w.
Sheldon John	Lodge Keeper and Knife Cleaner	1s-6d p.w.
Parr John	Bath Cleaner	1s p.w.
Underwood Jos	Schoolmaster	1s-6d p.w.
Thayer William	Beadle & Surgery Porter	3s p.w.
Swadkin John	Watchman & errand Man	3s-6d p.w.
White Edward	Yard cleaner etc	3s p.w.
Butler Jane	Scullery Maid	6d p.w.
Morris John	Shoe cleaner	6d p.w.
Squires Rich'd	Coal deliverer	6d p.w.
Harris William	Keeper of men's tramp room	1s-6d p.w.
Dixon James	Assistant in cook-house	9d p.w.
Mosley John	Baker's assistant	1s p.w.
Workelam Sam'l	Bread cutter	1s p.w.
Newey Chr.	Piggery Man	6d p.w.
Milward George	Cinder shifter	4s p.w.
Record Charles	Assistant to Hayes	6d p.w.
..........	Washerwoman	3s p.w.
Dallaway John	Errand man	1s p.w.
Underhill Jos.	Errand man	1s p.w.
Hollins Thos.	Errand man	1s p.w.
Williams John	Errand man	1s p.w.
Mountford Wm	Errand man	1s p.w.
Dexter William	Copper carrier	1s-6d p.w.
Satchwell Jas.	Copper carrier	1s p.w.
Fowler Daniel	Copper carrier	1s p.w.
Bridge Stephen	Leech bleeder	1s p.w.
Dewson John	Leech bleeder	1s p.w.
Hodgkiss Mary	Surgery cleaner
Hawkins Hannah	Laundry woman	11s p.q.
Gee Sarah	Office keeper	2s-6d p.q.
Cotes Ann	Assistant kitchen maid	6s p.q.
Harriman M. A.	Assistant to Nurse Rose	5s p.q.
Taylor Isab jnr	Assistant to Nurse Johnson	5s p.q.
Woolley Sam'l	Hair cutter	1s p.q.
Mears Susan	Chapel cleaner	3s p.q.
Thay William	Gardener	1s-6d p.w.
Watts Edward	Lodge keeper	2s p.w.
Griffiths Thos	Assistant shoemaker	2s p.w.
Deakin Thomas	Watchman and Barber	2s p.w.
Pemberton Mary	Nurse in infant's ward	1s p.w.
Yardly Mary	Nurse in infant's ward	1s-6d p.w.
Taylor Mary	Assistant cook	10s p.q.
Heath Ann	House maid	7s-6d p.q.
Hand Emma	Attendant in boy's dormitories	7s-6d p.q.
Collins Martha	Attendant in boy's dormitories	5s p.q.
Pickhard Harriet	Washerwoman	5s p.q.
Perkins Sarah	Washerwoman	5s p.q.

Totals Salary per Quarter £9-1s-0d Per Week £3-5s-6d Total of Gratuities per Annum £206-10-0

The payment of gratuities was provided for by An Act of 23 Geo III cap 54. as well as by the 50th Section of the Act now in force.

The mode of administering relief by the relief committee was detailed by Mr Nathan Kimberley (Chairman of the Relief Committee to Mr Weale on January 5th 1842 - and we feel that we cannot better explain the principle upon which it is administered than by transcribing it here :-
From Mr Kimberley.
All applicants for relief apply now to the relieving officers at their respective stations. When an able-bodied man applies for relief, the relieving officer visits the applicant, and gives an order for work at the mill, or stone-breaking, if he thinks it necessary. In other cases he visits the parties, and if he finds it necessary, he gives relief in kind, and reports the same to the relief committee at their weekly meeting, when such relief is ordered as the committee think necessary. In all cases of male applicants where the parties are able to work and not in employ, relief is only given in exchange for work.
There are many cases where old men are on the permanent list who can earn a small sum weekly, and a little addition is afforded to them in consequence of the insufficiency of their earnings. Old women in the same circumstances are relieved in the same way.
Widows with families, if able-bodied, are also, according to their respective circumstances, relieved. Able-bodied male paupers, unless in cases of sickness or accident, to themselves or any members of their families, are only relieved either in the workhouse or by affording them work at the mills or stone-yards.
Every case on the books is visited by the relieving officer once in a quarter, and no relief is ever ordered for a longer period. A ticket of the accompanying form is given to every pauper receiving relief in money or kind, and which is renewed if required when the period fixed by the Board is expired. If the relieving officer finds no difference in the old cases, the tickets are renewed by the chairman, or by the chairman and another member of the committee who may meet him, and is not brought before the whole committee; but if there is the slightest variation in the circumstances of the party, it is brought before the whole committee.
Two members of the committee attend the relieving officer when he relieves the poor, and assist him in this duty every Friday morning.
No relief out of the workhouse is given for the support of bastards except in about 15 cases where affiliations have been made, and none of these are of recent date. The men employed in the mill and stone-breaking are paid by the Guardians at the workhouse on the Saturday afternoon, and their
cases are not included in the books of the relieving officers as paupers relieved at the relief stations.
Signed Nathan Kimberley - Chairman of the Relief Committee.

Source: 9th Report 1843 of the Poor Law Commissioners with Appendices 557 pp
Appendix A Reports of Assistant Commissioners pp 81-376 Appendix A No 2 - VIII pp 230-251
Submitted by Alan Longbottom

Records

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Page updated 30 July, 2007 by Rossbret