THE WORKHOUSE.
From the deepest research which the compiler of this work has been able
to make, he cannot find that any Workhouse existed in Brighton prior to
1727, in which year the following entries appear in the Town book:--
February 26th, 1727,--That a mortgage be effected on the workhouse, to
indemnify Thomas Simmons, in paying the moneys he made of the
materialls of Blockhouse, to the constable and churchwardens; by them
to be disbursed in payment of materialls and the workmen employed
about building the workhouse.
May 10th,--Order in Vestry for Churchwardens and Overseers,--with all
speed to borrow 50, to pay for materials and workmanship about the
Workhouse, in the building of it, to be repaid out of the poor rate,
or taxes to be raised in the parish, on or before the 10th of May,
1728.
At a public vestry meeting, held at the Old Ship, October 18th, 1727,
it is agreed that the Churchwardens and Overseers shall take up with
all convenient speed, and borrow one hundred pounds, upon interest at
5 per centum per annum, towards building the new workhouse.
Amongst the minutes of the public vestry, 13th November, 1727, there is
the entry of a contract being entered into, between the parish and Thomas
Fletcher and Thomas Tuppen, for digging and steining the well to the new
workhouse, complete, with fittings, for ten guineas.
The Workhouse at this period was evidently of very limited extent. But
in 1733 a portion of the Almshouses in connexion with the chauntry of St.
Bartholomew was added to the building. The spot is now occupied by the
east end of the Brighton Market. A tenement for the poor previously
existed in East street; and in 1690, in consequence of the great increase
of the poor-rates, on account of the inroads of the sea, and the injury
experienced by the town from the civil and foreign wars of that and the
preceding century, by order of the Justices at the quarter Sessions, at
Lewes, the following parishes, that had no poor of their own, were called
upon to make the following contributions:--
. s. d.
Patcham, the yearly sum of 17 16 7
Hangleton 4 16 9
East Aldrington 6 1 1
Blachington 4 2 6
Ovingdean 6 0 10
38 17 10 {53}
Formerly the recipients of parish relief were compelled to wear an
insignia of their pauperism; as in a vestry minute appears the
following:--
At a monthly meeting of the Churchwardens and Overseers, held 27th
August, 1698, an accompt was given that Susan Stone, the widdow of
Thomas, refused to ware the Town badge, (vizt.) the letters, (B: P:)
upon which she was putt out of the weekly pay.
The present Workhouse, on Church Hill, was commenced in 1820, Mr. William
Mackie, Architect, Charlotte street, Blackfriars' road, London,
furnishing the design, which was selected from forty others by the
Directors and Guardians, who had advertised a premium for the best
design; as it was then considered it combined a proper degree of elegance
with economy, and was replete with more convenience than any other
institution for the same purpose in the kingdom. Great alterations and
additions have been made to the original building, according to the fancy
or caprice of the boards of Guardians for the time being. Mr. John
Cheesman was the builder. The ceremony of laying the foundation stone
was not of the imposing character which is assumed on commencing similar
public buildings in modern times. The stone was merely one that had been
dug up while getting out the ground for the foundation of the house; and
was of the rudest shape, about two feet in length, eighteen inches in
width, and ten inches in depth. It was laid by the Vicar, the Rev. Dr.
Carr, afterwards Bishop of Chichester, and subsequently of Worcester.
Brighton, at that time, had a population of 24,000, and there were about
4,000 inhabited houses. Fields surrounded the Workhouse grounds; that to
the south, the detached grave-yard of the Old Church, being used for
occasional festivities, and for the practice of the Royal Artillery. The
first building erected near the House was a soap manufactory, by a Mr.
Heard. The premises are now the residence and establishment of Dr.
Foreman. On the failure of the soap works, which were to astonish the
good people of Brighton, Mr. Airey converted the building into school
premises, and for a few years had a good school there,--the Church hill
Grammar School. The Rev. Dr. Butler succeeded him, and then, for a short
time, the Rev. Mr. Pugh carried on the establishment.
Mr. Thorncroft was the first person who took up his abode in the new
Workhouse, which had a tablet over the main entrance, thus inscribed:
Brighthelmston Poor-House,
Erected A.D., 1821.
Vicar, Rev. R. J. Carr, D.D.
Churchwardens: Edward Blaker / Robert Ackerson / Richard Bodle.
At the old Workhouse, or rather Poor-house as it was called, the average
number of inmates was 150, and the only labour consisted in collecting
and crushing oyster-shells in a large iron mortar. This work was done by
the able-bodied out-door poor, in the winter months, at a fixed price per
bushel. The material thus produced was sold for manuring land, and for
constructing paths in parks, lawns, &c. The Governor at that time, was
Mr. Hayward, he having succeeded Mr. Bailey, and the inmates were farmed
to Mr. Rice, at a contract price for their board, of about 4s a-week per
head. Previous to Mr. Bailey, Mr. Sicklemore was the Governor, he having
succeeded Mr. William Pearce, who was appointed March 25th, 1779. Mr.
Samuel Thorncroft, the present Assistant-Overseer, was Mr. Rice's
assistant, and helped Mr. Chassereau, the then Assistant-Overseer, in
preparing the present Workhouse for the reception of the poor, who were
very reluctant to leave the old house, to be transported out of the
world, as they termed the removal to the new house on Church hill, which
certainly then had as desolate an appearance as the "howling wilderness,"
the name now given to the Industrial Schools at the Warren Farm, by the
opponents of that juvenile establishment. The Assistant-Overseer,
previous to Mr. Chassereau, was Mr. White, who succeeded Mr. Jonathan
Grenville. At this period the principal officers in connexion with the
poor of the parish, were an Assistant-Overseer, at a salary of 200, and
a Vestry Clerk, at a salary of 100 a-year. Mr. Thomas Attree, of the
present firm, Messrs. Attree, Clarke, and Howlett, solicitors, Ship
street, was the Clerk, and used to make out the poor-rates,
attend--usually by deputy--the meetings of the Directors and Guardians,
record the meetings of the Board, and the Committees, and prepare
reports.
The removal from the old to the new house took place on the 12th
September, 1822, when 27 persons changed their residence. On the 20th of
the same month, nine others followed; and on the 24th, sixty-four more
were removed, making a total of ninety-five inmates. Mr. Baldey was the
parish surgeon. The new governor--Hayward,--remained only a few days on
the removal to the new house; as, without the least intimation to any
one, he abruptly took himself off. His successor, Mr. Nuttall, remained
only four or five weeks, when he was summarily dismissed by the
Guardians, on the 5th of November, 1822. Mr. S. Thorncroft was then
appointed Governor, a situation which he continued to fill with great
honour to himself and satisfaction to the town, till April, 1834,
although he did not leave the house till April, 1835. Mr. John Harper
was Mr. Chassereau's successor. Mr. Thorncroft was appointed
Assistant-Overseer--a position which he still so ably holds--in October,
1834. Mr. Collington, at the close of 1834, succeeded Mr. Thorncroft as
Governor; and he held the office till the middle of the summer of 1836,
when Mr. Bartlett entered on the duties of Governor, he having been
previously the superintendent of pauper-labour, at a salary of 160
a-year.
At the old house Mrs. Idle was a species of matron; but when the inmates
went "up the hill," Mrs. Harriet Dennett held that appointment, and
continued it till 1827, when she was succeeded by Mrs. Alice Pickstock.
Mrs. Pickstock,--the mother of Mrs. S. Thorncroft,--died in 1843. As a
memento of respect, her tomb, erected by subscription in the Cemetery
Ground of the Old Church, expresses the appreciation of her valuable
services. On her death, Mrs. Bartlett, the wife of the Governor, was
appointed Matron. Mr. and Mrs. Bartlett resigned in June, 1848, and were
succeeded by Mr. and Mrs. Cuzens. About the middle of the year 1849,
Cuzens absented himself from his duties, and they were in consequence
both discharged in September. Mr. and Mrs. Hodges were appointed to the
vacancies, and they held their respective offices till September of the
following year. Mr. and Mrs. C. J. King succeeded them, and in October,
1854, on their resignation, Mr. and Mrs. Passmore entered upon their
duties. On the 7th of June, 1859, Mr. Passmore absconded; the dismissal
of himself and wife ensued in consequence, and on the 15th of July, Mr.
and Mrs. Sattin were appointed to fill the vacancies.
The poor-rate collectors hitherto have been Mr. Edward Butler, Mr. Harry
(Captain) Blaber, Mr. W. H. Smithers, and Mr. Frank Butler. The parish
assessors have been Mr. Saunders, Mr. Robert Ackerson, Mr. Richard Bodle,
Mr. Henry Styles Colbron, Mr. Richard Edwards, and Mr. George Maynard.
The original cost for building the Brighton Workhouse was 10,000, and
the land was purchased for 1,400, and paid by a rate expressly raised
for that service. In the year 1853, the then Board of Directors
determined upon disposing of the present Workhouse and grounds, and the
erection of a Workhouse and Industrial Schools, and they purchased ground
on the Race Hill, as the site for the former, and the Warren Farm, beyond
the Race Hill, for the latter. The Schools are completed, and will be
ready for occupation when a sufficient supply of water is obtained from
the notorious Warren Farm Well.
There have been occasions when the Guardians, in the plenitude of their
duties towards the poor, and also to the ratepayers, have made their
Board meetings the opportunity for feasting and guzzling. The most
memorable time was in the summer of 1837, when they pampered their
appetites with john-dorees, salmon, lobsters, Norfolk squab pie, poultry,
and joints in profusion; red and white wines by the dozen, and spirits by
the gallon; cigars by the box, and snuff by the pound; with a handsome
snuff-box, too; and, the usual services of the House being too mean for
them, sets of dish-covers were ordered, and dishes, dinner and pie
plates, jugs, sauce tureens, cut decanters and stands, rummers, knives
and forks, waiters, and a teaboard. Blacking too, was ordered, and one
Guardian, Mr. Paul Hewitt, actually sent his boots to the Workhouse to be
cleaned, and when done they were returned to his house again. Another
Guardian, Mr. Storrer, also sent his dog to the Workhouse to be kept, as
it was inconvenient to have it at home. The Guardians had also a summer
house, wherein they smoked their cigars and quaffed their grog. This was
at the period when out-door paupers had to slave up the Church hill for
relief. The removal of the Board-room to Church street, the Pavilion
property, has been a great convenience to the poor, and it has been the
means of preventing even a hint that the present Board feast at the
parish expense.
Immediately in connexion with the Workhouse, the two following extracts
from the parish books, will not be found out of place:--
"_Coppy of the Order for the Removal of Stephen Agnus_."
SUSSEX.
HEN. PELHAM
GEO. GOREING
To the Churchwardens and Overseers of the POOR of ye Pish. of
Brighthelmstone, in ye sd. County, & to the Churchwardens and
Overseers of the POOR of the Pish. of Sittingbourne, in ye County of
Kent, & to every of them.
Forasmuch as Complaint hath been made to us, whose hands & Seales are
hereto sett, being two of his Majtes. Justices of the Peace for the
sd. County (one of which is of ye QUORUM) by the Churchwardens and
Overseers of the poor of the sd. Pish. of Brighthelmstone that
Stephen Agnus came Lately into ye said pish. not having nor renting
Ten pound p. annum, nor otherwise gained a legal settlement there
according to ye severall statutes in that case made and provided, but
is likely to become chargeable to the said parish of Brighthelmstone.
These are, therefore, in his Majts. name, to will and require you,
the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of ye sd. pish, of
Brighthelmstone or some of you, to convey the said Stephen Agnus from
the said pish. of Brighthelmstone To the said Pish of Sittingbourn,
in Kent, where, upon the examination of the said Stephen Agnus upon
oath, it appears that the said Stephen Agnus was last legally settled
as an householder. And you, the Churchwardens and Overseers of the
poor of the said pish of Sittingbourne, are hereby required and
commanded him to receive and provid for, as an Inhabitant of yr sd
pish. hereof, fail not at yr perril. Given under our hands and seals
this 27th day of January, in the 13th year of his Majst's reign, Anno
Domi. 1701.
_Certificate acknowledging a Parishioner_.
Wee, Andrew Godwin, John Tappenden, William Ffullager, and William
Deane, Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poore of the Parish of
Sittingbourne, in the County of Kent, doo hereby owne and acknowledge
Stephen Agnus, of the same Parish, to be an inhabitant, legally
settled there. Witness our hands and seales this one and thirtieth
day of January, Anno Dni. 1701.
Attested by us
W. H. HAUSSETT, JO. HAWKES
ANDREW GODWIN, *
JOHN TAPPENDEN, *
WILL. FFULLAGER, *
WILLIAM DEANE. *
_To the Churchwardens & Overseers of ye poore of ye parish of
Brighthelmstone_, _in ye County of Sussex_, _or to any of them_.
Wee, whose hands are hereunder written, Justices of ye Peace of the
County of Kent, aforesd., doo allowe of the Certificate above
written, dated ye 2nd day of February, Anno Dm. 1701.
THO. OSBORNE,
WALTR. HOOPER.
BASTARDY BOND, _given by a Security_, _that the putative father shall
indemnify the Parish against any expence that may be incurred in the
birth of a Child_.
_Stamp One Shilling and Sixpence_.
KNOW ALL MEN by these presents, that I, Buckrell Bridger, of the
Parish of Brighthelmstone, in the County of Sussex, mariner, am held
and firmly bound unto Stephen Richwood, and Stephen Poune,
Churchwardens, and Robert Davis and Edward Stiles, Overseers of the
Poor of the Parish of Brighthelmstone, aforesaid, in trust for
themselves and others, the parishioners of the said Parish, in Fifty
Pounds of good and Lawfull money of Great Britain, to be paid to the
said Churchwardens and Overseers, or their certain Attorney,
Executors, Administrators, and Assigns, for which payment well and
faithfully to be made, I bind my Heirs, Executors, and
Administrators, and every of them, firmly by these presents, scaled
with my Seal, dated this sixth day of May, in the Ninth year of the
reign of our Sovereign Lord, George the Third, by the Grace of God,
of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith,
and so forth, and in the year of our Lord One thousand, Seven
hundred, and Sixty-nine.
THE CONDITION of this obligation is such, that, whereas Mary Hill, of
the Parish of Brighthelmstone, aforesaid, single-woman, hath, in and
by her voluntary examination, taken in writing and upon oath before
John Fuller, Esquire, one of His Majesty's Justices of the Peace in
and for the said County, declared that she is with child, and that
the said child is likely to be born a bastard, and to be chargeable
to the said Parish of Brighthelmstone, and that Buckrell Bridger, the
younger, of Brighthelmstone, aforesaid, mariner, is the father of the
said child. If, therefore, the above bounden Buckrell, the elder, or
the above named Buckrell Bridger, the younger, or either of them,
then, or either of their Heirs, Executors, or Administrators, do or
shall, from time to time, or at all times hereafter, fully and
clearly indemnify, and save harmless as well, the above named
Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish of
Brighthelmstone, and their successors for the time being, and also
all other the Parishioners and Inhabitants of the said Parish which
now are, or hereafter shall be for the time being, from and against
all kind and all manner of Costs, Taxes, Rates, Assessments, and
charges whatsoever, for or by reason of the birth, education, and
maintenance of the said child, and of and from all Actions, Suits,
Troubles, and other charges and demands whatsoever, touching or
concerning the same, then this obligation to be void, or otherwise to
be and remain in full force.
BUCKRELL BRIDGER. *
The mark of BUCKRELL BRIDGER the elder. *
Sealed and delivered, being first stamped in the presence of us, the
interlineations being first made.
GEO. ABINGTON,
THOS. SCRASE.
But a quarter of a century since it was customary to employ the out-door
paupers in scavenging, cleansing, and watering the streets, the poor
creatures being harnessed, by means of ropes, to the muck-trucks and
barrel-constructed water-carts, after the manner that convicts are put to
labour in the Government penal establishments and the navy dockyards.
The parish officers eventually got shamed out of the system of thus
employing those whose only crime was poverty; and for awhile they
substituted the health-destroying and heart-breaking plan of wheeling
shingle and sand from the beach to the Workhouse-ground in barrows, till
one unhappy creature sunk beneath his burthen and died of "disease of the
heart!" The custom then was abandoned. The course now pursued towards
the indigent is thoroughly to investigate their several cases, and
relieve them according to their necessities and deserts: and where
laziness and not misfortune is the cause of their penury, to give them an
"Able Bodied Ward" ticket of admission to the Workhouse, which not one
indolent person in fifty avails himself or herself of, but rather leaves
the Board of Guardians, dissatisfied, and eventually resolves upon an
attempt at industry, which results in a benefit to themselves and the
ratepayers. The system has succeeded beyond all expectations; and many a
man who considered the "house" his birthright, because his father and his
grandfather from time immemorial wintered there, has taken to provident
and industrious habits, and learned the sweet uses of adversity.