Before 1601, poverty was an issue for the country that had never really been addressed successfully, particularly when connected to beggars and vagrants. Despite the use of punitive measures such as the stocks, pillory, branding and public whipping, the problem persisted. Yet an irony lay in the fact that the poor were not necessarily considered to be at fault for their condition.

The 1601 Poor Law Act of Elizabeth I was introduced to try to solve the question of poverty; the main responsibility for provision for the poor lay with one’s family, and poor relief was to be handled at a local level, through the local rating system.

It was not until the eighteenth century that Southam was able to establish both a Workhouse and House of Industry, which could run alongside the outdoor relief offered by the overseers of the poor in the parish. A Southam Workhouse, with Thomas Cleaver as Master, was first recorded as active in 1741. He was given 2 shillings a week per person to help ‘… maintain the poor.’

The Churchwardens Records for December 1736 relating to the election of Edward Harris as Master of the Workhouse (WCRO: CR 2405/56, 1580 – 1767)

By the early 1700s workhouses were considered successful, not for the setting of work, but for deterring individuals from applying for relief unless they were in exceptional need. In 1722-1723, a new Act gave the overseers of the poor and churchwardens, with the consent of the parish, the power to purchase or hire buildings to maintain the poor. In Southam the cost of this was £4 per annum.  

In the previous century, those classified as poor or destitute were often branded, but in the eighteenth century this stopped, and a badge was substituted. In 1710 the parish purchased a number of badges at a cost of 1s 6d, and in 1713 eleven poor individuals, including children, were expected to wear them sewn on to their clothing.

By 1750 the Church Vestry called for the appointment of a Master from the parish. In that year the churchwardens and overseers of the poor, with the consent of the parishioners, elected firstly one William Troon, followed in 1754 by the election of Edward Harr is. The position was for one year, with subsequent yearly elections. The allowance for maintaining inmates out of the poor rate in 1750 was eighteen pence per head per week, rising to one shilling and eight pence in 1760.

In 1750 William Troon received 6 shillings per week to care for four people at eighteen pence per head at the workhouse, which was situated in his house. He was expected to ‘make all manner of apparel’ for the inmates and provide all ‘… necessary utensils, together with sufficient food and drink … facilities for washing and lodging.’

To pay for indoor and outdoor relief, a local Parish rate was agreed upon by the churchwardens and overseers of the poor. In 1751 this was set at 5 pence in the pound per month. In April 1751, the poor relief for each week amounted to 16s 10d outdoor relief for 14 individuals and 6s 3d paid to the workhouse. From these humble beginnings the workhouse was to steadily establish itself in Southam.  

 

Southam Heritage Collection is located in the atrium of Tithe Place opposite the Library entrance.  We are open on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday mornings from 10am to 12 noon. To find out more about Southam’s history, visit our website www.southamheritage.org  telephone 01926 613503 or email  southamheritage@hotmail.com  You can also follow us on Facebook.