Workhouse Staff
By George R and Hannah S
Underpaid overworked and
went mainly unsupervised by the board of guardians
Were the most powerful people in the workhouse staff
Often abused their position However not all were like this,
e.g. The master at the Ashford workhouse.
Master and Matron
This position was sometimes
combined with the position of master.
Was responsible for the budget, and just about everything else.
There was therefore great scope for corruption.
Clerk
Appointed on short term
contracts at the lowest possible pay
Were all local doctors Had to cope with all the
diseases that the voluntary hospitals refused to treat
Infirmary conditions were terrible as sick were forced to rely on pauper nurses supervised by the matron
Medical officer
Firmly under the Master’s control Responsible for teaching children and keeping up cleanliness and appearances No set curriculum Board of guardians wary of teaching paupers to write 1836-Bedford board of guardians decided to teach children to read but NOT to write ‘solution’ disallowed as it was believed it would stigmatise
paupers Most teachers were illiterate themselves so this wasn’t an
issue in many areas In Deptford the teachers were illiterate sea farers specialising
in drunkenness, bullying and cussing
Teacher
Usually poor curates Had to hold one service in chapel every Sunday morning Had to visit sick and dying Answered to the Master and Matron Extracts from Dennis Lewis Cousin’s book, ‘Extracts from the diary of a workhouse chaplain’:
‘…in nine cases out of ten the chaplain appointed isan already over-worked curate…’
‘…in many of our gaols the chaplain receives a salaryof around £150 to £200 per year; in few of our regions doesa like official receive more than £50 per annum…’
Chaplain
Pay
Master and Matron£80-150 per annum (between them)
Chaplain£30-100 per annum
Medical Officer£78 per annum
• Most Workhouse staff were 50% less than those with like jobs outside of the warehouse
• Had few holidays• Long hours • Were subject to the master/matron’s cruelty