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Forden Poor Law Union and Workhouse
History of Forden Union Churchyard by Rev J E Vize M.A. pp 27-40
The consecration of an additional graveyard to the Forden Union Workhouse, which is situated in the parish of Forden, naturally recalls the mind to the consecration of the ground which had hitherto been used, and also to the way in which the bodies of the dead were disposed, before there was any burial ground attached to the Union House.
I purpose, in the present paper, noticing the different ways in which the bodies of the deceased inmates were interred, from the
original building of the House to the date of the recent consecration, which was July 16th 1881, collecting together any information which may either be interesting or useful.
Towards the end of the last century, a great need arose of lessening the expenditure in the various parishes around the neighbourhood, in consequence of the heavy cost of the poor upon the various vestries. The result of this was that an Act of Parliament was obtained, entitled - An Act for the better relief of the Poor belonging to the parishes of Montgomery and Pool, and certain other parishes and places herein mentioned, in the counties of Montgomery and Salop - This Act received the Royal Assent by Commission on Monday 11th June 1792.
The parishes and places to which reference is made were :-
Aston : Brompton : Berriew : Buttington : Castlewright : Chirbury : Church-stoke : Clutterwood : Hope : Leighton : Llandyssil :
Llanmerewig : Montgomery : Trelystan, the three divisions of Welshpool and Worthen making a total of eighteen.
The powers granted by this Act were considerable; pains and penalties for declining to serve or attend meetings when duly elected, were not only great, but were put into practice.
However, with all the force at disposal, no place for burying the dead at the House of Industry, as it used to be called, was provided until the year 1818, when the first consecration of a
burial-ground took place. In other words from 1795, in the early part of which the present House was ready for occupancy, until 1818, not one person who died was interred on the spot. The dead were interred either at Forden parish church, or restored to the parishes from which they originally came.
From March 28th 1795 when the first funeral took place, to August 15th 1818, there were altogether 697 deaths. The bodies of 634
of these are in the churchyard of Forden, but the remaining 63 were scattered in the various parishes as follows.
Berriew took 18 : Buttington 2 : Chirbury 6 : Church-stoke 5 : Llandyssil 3 : Llanmerewig 2 : Montgomery 9 : Trelystan 5 : Welshpool 7 : Worthen 5 : Shrewsbury 1 - this last arising from
a patient who was taken to the Shrewsbury Infirmary and died there.
A list of death rates in the House of Industy or Union House.
1795 42 1803 20 1811 15
1796 54 1804 8
1812 26
1797 24 1805 22 1813 24
1798 18 1806 11 1814 30
1799 25 1807 9
1815 12
1800 65 1808 10 1816 21
1801 100 1809 15 1817 65
1802 16 1810 12 1818 53 to 15th August.
In 1800 and 1801 there were 4 deaths from small-pox and a great many from fever, but the special kind of fever is not named.
In 1817 26 cases of measles were fatal, followed by an outburst of fever and
small-pox which until the end of the year did not abate. It was so severe that extra medical assistance was, necessarily, obtained, in addition to the usual medical officers, whose remuneration was advanced in consequence of the severity of the work. The school-room was appropriated for the fever convalescents; school was ordered to be discontinued. Even the chapel was used for the sick until January 1802, when it was restored to its use, and the fittings for Divine Service were replaced. It is probable that the hall, during this time was the place where prayers were offered to God.
All intercourse between the sick and healthy was prevented as much as possible by a person being placed at the door of the sick apartments, preventing any entering or leaving them, except those who attended on the sick.
The singular thing about both these instances of unusual mortality in the House of Industry is that the parish of Forden itself was spared the visitations of illness. In 1818, only 9 funerals are registered for Forden, besides those which came from the House, and in 1801 there were only 14. In that portion of the parish churchyard which stood north of the old church, and south of the new church, there is still a feeling of repugnance to the ground being in any way disturbed, because it is recollected by some that there the corpses of those who died at the House of malignant fever were deposited. Sixty years have passed, and still the ground is avoided.
p 030 before passing away from this 1st epoch to 1818 a few singular events and remarks may be named in 1801 and 1802.
A man who probably escaped from the House, drowned himself. The margin reads "Inquest taken and verdict lunacy"
Jane Davies agd 86 years died February 1800. Schoolmistress.
On January 19th 1814 there is a note - this woman is eighty years old, and is since married,
Coming now to the 2nd epoch from 1818 to 1881 we arrive at the time when a graveyard was added to the House of Industry. To saddle one parish very heavily, instead of distributing the corpses according to their respective places, although legally correct, was scarcely so morally.
Besides, at the time to which we are now referring, it should be remembered that the House was much more populous than now.
There were at one time 556 persons living in it.
We may judge of the number of inmates from the fact that, on one Board day, 35 children were apprenticed to persons who were
compelled to receive them as apprentices; and in the following week, 30 more children were apprenticed.
The House of Industry was at that time really a most busy place, as its seal, bearing a beehive with bees flying about it, implies. All sorts of trades were conducted therein; tailors, shoemakers, butchers, straw- bonnet makers were all employed. Hemp and flax were purchased for the House, so was timber; they had their malt and leather, and sold beer if the quantity was less than a quart.
Munlyn Farm, close to the present Forden Railway Station was rented from Lord Hereford. So stocked was it, that at one time it had
40 cows, 7 horses and a proportionate number of sheep. Linen spinning was
vigorously carried on, the accumulation at one time being so great that spinning was ordered to - cease out of doors.
We find that a burial ground was resolved to be made, and as a preliminary step a bond in
£500 from the Guardians to the Bishop of Hereford for keeping in repair the walls, gates and fences of
the intended burial ground, from and after its consecration, is now sealed with the Common Seal and signed by the Chairman, such bond being usual on similar occasions. Also, that when it was mentioned to the Board of Guardians that the Bishop of Hereford was going to hold his visitation at Montgomery, a request was made to his Lordship asking if it could be so arranged as to have the burial ground consecrated at the same time. The answer being favourable, was however coupled with an order for a tent to be erected on the burial ground, in which the legal documents were to be signed. The consecration took place at 9 o'clock in the morning of the day of the Visitation to Montgomery, namely the 15th of August 1818.
There then follows a list for each year from 1818 to 1881 of the numbers interred in the new burial ground totalling 733 bodies. The greatest number being 20 in 1826 and the least 4 in 1827 and 1833.
These however were not the totals of deaths, as those who have friends dying in the House, may if they like remove them for burial to the parishes from which they originally came.
In the burial ground of the House there is nothing to mark the places of interment of any person except Francis Bowyer who died
24th November 1810 aged 59 years for many years a faithful Steward and Master of this House.
Before speaking about the recent consecration, we can scarcely pass by this epoch without noticing that the Rules and Regulations of the old House of Industry have become
extinct by the Poor Law Act. This change was made in 1870. The freedom of the past house is gone, for in many things the old system was more able to reward the obedient inmates than now, although it must not be forgotten that
punishments, such as the suspension of food, the stocks, and the scold's bridle, would scarcely be tolerated now. Still the present system burdens the ratepayers severely.
An additional extension of the burial ground was consecrated on July 16th 1881 by the Bishop of Hereford at noon. The sermon of the Bishop with a text from 1 Thessalonians iv 14 was reported in full in the Oswestry Advertiser of July 20th and in the Shrewsbury Chronicle of the following day.
There follows a list of the highest and lowest numbers in each
year from 1795 to 1880.
Average charges per week
1850 maintenance only 1s-7.75d
1850 maintenance with clothing and ale 2s-1.75d
1851 maintenance only 1s-5.375d
1851 maintenance with clothing and ale 1s-10.75d
Dietary in 1795, 1847 and 1872
Bill of Fare, Forden House of Industry March 4th 1795.
Days Breakfast Dinner Supper Sun Drink, Meat Butchers Meat & Garden Broth Stuff
Mon Milk, Porridge Bread & Cheese Potatoes
Tue Drink, Meat Stewed Meat & Garden Peas Soup Stuff
Wed Milk, Meat Meat Pies Broth
Thu Milk, Meat Butchers Meat & Garden Broth
Stuff
Fri Drink, Meat Yeast Dumpling or Hot Potatoes
Cake and Milk
Sat Milk, Meat Stewed Meat & Garden Peas Soup
Stuff
The tables for 1847 and 1872 are more complicated including amounts in ounces etc.
Punishment by flogging was occasionally practiced. It was inflicted after the culprit was placed in a case or frame work made for the purpose, and almost invariably when the Guardians had their meetings.
It may perhaps interest some who read this paper if we see a contrast between the present style of relaxation with regard to corporal punishment and the former mode of inflicting retribution for offences. In these days the unruly and refractory must receive every consideration. To lay a hand on an offender may cause a summons before a magistrate, and penalties to follow. The scold's bridle, which formerly was part of the necessary stock of the House of Industry, must be used no more; it is a relic of by-gone days, and is now deposited at the Powys-land Museum, having been presented to that Institution by a Guardian, who purchased it for that purpose.
The present Master, Mr Davies, since he has been holding office, tells me some of the inmates have assured him they remembered the
scold's bridle having been used. But to take another case, It is recorded that a female pauper, whose age I find to be 28 years, having embezzled bread, cheese, beef, and candles, belonging to the Corporation, was ordered to be publicly whipped in the hall, immediately before dinner, on Wednesday next. Her relish for food, probably was reduced, even if those who witnessed the whipping found theirs increased.
As to the present Union being an improvement on the earlier system in a religious aspect there can be little doubt. After an experience of the working of both plans and a connection with the House for some 13 years - partly as Chaplain and partly as co-worker with my previous incumbent, who was the Chaplain, and having always been ready to assist in any possible way when asked to do so by the late Chaplain - I have no hesitation in saying that there is more geniality, brotherly kindness, charity, heartfelt religion now than formerly. May the Christian virtues flourish and abound more and more. Such is the earnest wish of those connected with the establishment.
I cannot conclude this paper without recording my thanks to the Guardians of the Union in permitting me to examine their books, and also to the Master and Mistress of the House for their great assistance in making searches, and showing them to me.
The Parish of Forden by Rev J E Vize M.A.
pp 155-182
As regards the situation of Forden, it is on the high road between Welshpool and Montgomery, and begins as a parish about two miles from each of these places. It is truly a border parish
in as much as a portion of it adjoins Shropshire.....In Domesday it was spelt as Furtune. Since 1288 it has been in the Diocese of Hereford.
p 162 There are ten Townships in Forden as follows :-
Forden : Woodluston : Hem : Wropton : Edderton : Kilkewydd : Ackley : Llettygwnvry : Thornbury : Munlyn. A total acreage of 5,270.
p 181 Numbers of people in Forden Workhouse at April 4th
Year Adults Children Total
1801 - -
393
1811 113 129
232
1821 143 149
292
1831 60 31
91
1841 54 21
75
1851 45 16
61
1861 71 42
113
1871 93 47
140
1881 117 41
158
In 1881 there are 90 occupiers rated.
As regards the morality of the parish, the fact of 4 public houses being licensed in the parish does not speak well for it. Within y own time, drunkenness was fearful whilst Nantcribba farm buildings were being erected, but since then the sin has become less, considerably.
As to illegitimacy, that also, as compared to the beginning of this century, appears to have subsided. The records then were very dark. In some years one-fourth of all the births are baptised as not having been born in wedlock. Those cases now
are not frequent, and when they occur are seldom baptised in church.
Source:
From The Montgomeryshire Collection Vol XV (15) 1882
Submitted by Alan Longbottom
A blacksmith's shop was considered by its owner to be only orthodox if it was the scene of pitch and toss on Sunday, its owner being the principal offending party. The Sunday also was a great day in summer for skittles, formerly called kiles, to be played. The great place for this game was in front of the churchyard, the object being drink, which the successful competitors gained.
The time for the games was before and after church service. The chaplain of the House of Industry used to take the service at the workhouse before proceeding to the church. The road between the workhouse and the church, as the latter is on an elevation, gave those who were watching for the chaplain to arrive, an opportunity of retreat to the Church House Inn, where they used to drink until service was over and the clergyman had gone home to Montgomery, when the grass again bristled with skittle players.
Source: Montgomeryshire Collections Vol 17 1884
p 081 Parish of Forden by Rev.J.E.Vize continued from Vol 16 p 208 pp. 081-120
p 114 Customs and games.
Submitted by Alan Longbottom
Montgomeryshire Collections Vol 32 1902
p 267 re The Schoolmaster of the Forden House of Industry who was appointed in 1795, at a salary of
£10-10s-0d per annum, which would no doubt, include board and lodging; In the year 1798 his salary was
£14 per annum, but from the Board Minutes of 1804 it appears that this ill-paid functionary was allowed to earn an extra four guineas a year by
cutting the children's hair, and shaving the poor inmates of the House. per Oswestry Advertiser 15th 22nd Nov 1899.
p 279 Punishments at Forden House of Industry in the last years of the 18th and first quarter of the 19th centuries. We find that the lash, scold's bridle, and stocks were constantly employed for the punishment of offences committed by paupers.
A few extracts:
4th Jan 1797 Mary Preynald for embezzling bread, cheese, beef and candles, to be publicly whipped in the hall before dinner next Wednesday. A frame for whipping persons in to be immediately made on the plan of that at the House of Correction at Montgomery.
8th Feb. 1797 Elizabeth Jones to be flogged "the 1st Board Day after Mr Baxter reports her fit for the operation, for absenting the house without leave"
9th Aug. 1797 Clerk reports opinion of full meeting of Directors that the Porter from the repugnancy which he hath to the executing corporal punishments, tho in other respects a good servant should be permitted to employ J. Davies on Monty, or another proper person to do that part of his duty.
9th Aug. 1797 That the shoemaker's old room next the stairs be turned into a prison and that two cells of brick be built in the upper end thereof for close and solitary confinement.
19th Aug. 1801 Thomas Luke to be punished by whipping for robbing Mrs Edwards's orchard.
2nd Sep 1801 Elizth. Williams to be punished by a whipping for embezzling wearing apparel and other misconduct in the house.
2nd Dec. 1801 Maria Clayton having been detected in embezzling potatoes, ordered that she be punished by whipping.
12th May. 1802 Anne Davies to be placed in stocks with scolding bridle for 2 hours at dinner time to-morrow, and Mary Nicholas in stocks, same time for disorderly behaviour.
5th Oct. 1808 That a bridle for the punishment of scolds be purchased that lately in the house belonging to Montgomery Corporation being sent for back and returned.
4th Sept. 1811 That Joseph Heath, who deserted the house on 4th July last, be flogged on Wednesday next immediately before dinner, and to be put and kept in the stocks during dinner.
6th Nov. 1811 William Howells who deserted this house on 15th Nov. 1810, is ordered to be flogged this day week at dinner time.
21st Sept. 1814 John Jones having been guilty of great misconduct in prevarication relating to some money he has at interest with Mr Samuel Lea of Welbach, is ordered that he be confined in the crib till dinner time next Wednesday, and that then he be flogged unless he tells the truth.
Source: Montgomeryshire Collections Vol 32 1902
Submitted by Alan Logbottom
Page updated August 06, 2007
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Forden