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Cosford Union
Semer includes Cosford Union Workhouse, which had 165 inmates in 1811, 169 in 1821, 164 in 1831, 108 in 1841 & 150 in 1843. It was erected in 1780, as a House of Industry for the 18 parishes of Cosford Hundred, which were incorporated under Gilbert's Act, in 1779. It cost about £8000, & is large enough for 500 inmates.
It consists of a centre & 2 wings, & the interior has undergone considerable alterations, so as to admit of that classification of the sexes, & of the young & aged, required by the New Poor Law. The present union was formed in 1835, & comprises the 18 parishes of Cosford Hundred, & 10 parishes in Babergh Hundred. These 28 parishes comprise an area of 80 sq miles, & a population of 18,238 inhabitants. The average annual expenditure of this district, for the support of the poor, during the 3 years preceding the formation of the union, was £19,223; but in 1838, it only amounted to £7122. In 1810, when the workhouse was confined to the Cosford Hundred, it was said the poor rates of that Hundred had been reduced to 3/8 of what they had been previous to 1780.
Before hand spinning was superseded by machinery the paupers here were employed chiefly ion spinning yarn for Norwich.
Mr Robert & Mrs Jane Patterson are master & matron of the Workhouse, & Isaac Last esq is Union Clerk & Supt. Registrar. The District Registrars & Relieving officers are Mr Joseph Glandford Stow, of Hadleigh Hamlet, for Hadleigh district; & Mr George Scott, of Cockfield, for Lavenham district.
Source:
SEMER - White 1844 - p 283
Submitted by Betty Longbottom
MILDEN
Here is a National School, built in 1834, & the schoolmistress has the use
of part of the old workhouse, which was divided into 3 tenements in 1838.
Source:
White Directory 1844 - p 561
Submitted by Betty Longbottom
Page updated August 06, 2007
by Rossbret
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Cosford