Punishment in the workhouse – Lesson One

Students can complete the following table:

Document 1 – Witness Statement. Mary Lambhurst. This is one of a series of witness statements into allegations of alleged harsh (illegal) treatment/punishment by the master and mistress of the Wandsworth and Clapham Union workhouse towards a number of children.

1. What punishments does Mary (14 years old) receive or witness in the workhouse?
   • Mary had to stay alone in the Chapel for 3 days; Eliza H was beaten; Hair was pulled from Mary’s head; Mary was beaten; Mary Clements was beaten black and blue; Mary Baines had to be confined in the laundry for 1 month; Ann Maides head was cut open, allegedly with a strap and buckle (and the wound was not dressed); Mary had to stand on the stage in the schoolroom from 7pm until 1 or 2 am.
2. What rules are being broken by the workhouse staff?
   • There should be no corporal punishment (such as caning or flogging) for any female under 16. We don’t know the age of some of the girls in the text, but children under 12 should not be punished during the night. Mary was told that she had only been in the schoolhouse for an hour – why? Because children weren’t allowed to be punished during the night.
3. What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff?
   • They were prepared to break the rules. But they were also aware of the rules and wanted to cover up their behaviours.
4. What does the nature of the evidence reveal about authorities? This is a witness statement – what does that tell you about the authorities?
   • That they were interested in interviewing or investigating illegal punishments against children. Date? This is early on after the Acts implementation – 1834. Was that more of a priority (that it was being implemented correctly) rather than concern or care for the children?

Document 2 – Witness Statement. Statement of Peter Lyth (with cross examination), a 13 year old boy who alleged he was excessively beaten by William Carr, the school master.

1. What punishments does Peter (13 years old) receive or witness in the workhouse?
   • The Master hit him twice on 1 hand. The Schoolmaster took away his beef. The Schoolmaster beat him once the Master had left.
2. What rules are being broken by the workhouse staff?
   • The master and Schoolmaster were not both present for the corporal punishment.
3. What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff?
   • They were prepared to break the rules.
4. What does the cross examination statement reveal about the workhouse staff?
   • They are trying to lie/ cover up their actions. But 1 woman (Mrs Wellum) seems sympathetic towards the children.
5. What does the nature of the evidence reveal about authorities? This is a witness statement – what does that tell you about the authorities?
   • That they were interested in interviewing or investigating illegal punishments against children.

Document 3 -Extract from the Clutton Minute Book. Refers to a brief investigation into the actions of the schoolmaster, accused by George Brimble and Joseph Gullick (pupils) of overly severe punishment at the workhouse school.

1. What punishments do George (11 years old) and Joseph (8 years) receive or witness in the workhouse?
   • Beaten with severe bruises.
2. What rules are being broken by the workhouse staff?
   • The master and Schoolmaster were not both present for the corporal punishment, as the master was not informed. The schoolmaster used instruments which were not approved by the authorities.
3. What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff?
   • They were prepared to break the rules. But they were also aware of the rules and wanted to cover up their behaviours.
4. What does the nature of the evidence reveal about authorities? These are minutes from an investigation – what does that tell you about the authorities?
   • That they were interested in interviewing or investigating illegal punishments against children.
5. What were the consequences of the investigation – what does this tell you?
   • The schoolmaster resigned. Implies that some allegations were taken seriously by the authorities.

Document 4 – Letter.

1. What punishments does the child or children receive in the workhouse?
   • The governor of the workhouse pushed the child around with force. He asked for her to be locked away.
2. What rules are being broken by workhouse staff?
   • Corporal punishment is inflicted on a female child (assuming she is under the age of 14). Also neglect to wash and care for the child when they have wet the bed.
3. What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff?
   • The governor is supposedly trying to hide his involvement.
4. What does the nature of the evidence reveal about authorities?
   • The paupers were willing to write to the authorities. The paupers knew their rights and wanted the authorities to investigate!

Document 5 – Letter. An interesting one where the complaint may not be all that it seems!

1. What punishments does the child or children receive in the workhouse?
   • The pauper claims that an 8 year old boy, and a girl, have been beaten by the School master.
2. What rules are being broken by workhouse staff?
   • Not exactly clear – if the girl has been beaten than that would break the rules. It may be that the punishment on the boy would be deemed excessive, possibly an instrument was used (not clear).
3. What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff?
   • The staff did issue punishments for misbehaviour (the Master has admitted to this) – but this was within the rules for boys. Shows that the staff were often clear about what the rules were.
4. What does the nature of the evidence reveal about authorities?
   • The guardians sought out incorrect claims or ‘falsehoods’. According to historian David Roberts (in his article ‘How Cruel was the Victorian Poor Law? Historical Journal (1963), “both real and imaginary tales of cruelty” were often told.

Suggested written task:

Consider the 5 pieces of evidence looked at in this lesson.

To what extent did the workhouse uphold the principles of ‘less eligibility’ for children?