Date of letter: 23 August 1843
Poor Law Union: Wandsworth and Clapham Poor Law Union
Union counties: Surrey
Parish county: Surrey
CIRCUMTEXT:
TEXT:
Mary Lambhurst_ —– ^14 years old,^ sworn _deposed, I was educated in the W.H. once Miss R beat Eliza H, I said it was a shame_ the Matron dragged me out of —– my seat by the Hair. I was taken to the Chapel; I had to remain there 3 days till I begged Miss R’s pardon. Eliza H. was beaten for taking her supper without Miss R’s leave. Hair was pulled from out of my head. Eliza H. was —— and black and blue I saw the marks the same night — the next night — I was kept in the Chapel till just before Mr. R went to bed we were in the Chapel all the next day and the following, the 3rd day we were in the Chapel; it was Sunday and we begged Miss R’s pardon at night. I have seen Knots in the Rope at the ends, and one to hold by. I have been taken out of bed in the Evening and sent to the Chapel, I was allowed to put on my clothes. I was beaten once because my sister was out of her place and I did not tell. Mary Clements was beaten for not spelling, and she had blows on her hands, shoulders and head; she was bruised black and blue. Once Mrs and Miss R were out, we were running over the school. Mr.R. came and put us on the stage ^in the Schoolroom^ Where we remained till one or two o’clock in the morning when Miss R came home. Eliza Hannington who came for us said it was that hour, it was just before 7 when we were put on the stage. Mary Baines was confined I think about a month in the laundry._ Ann [Maides] head [was] cut open, she told me Mrs R had done it with a strap with a buckle to it; I saw the wound it bled. Louisa Dwynes ear was split, she said Mr R had done it. L D was to put Talcum to it ^I never saw any one dress it^_. I do not know that the girls were punished with a strap, I do not see as such any knots at the end of the Rope, only in the middle of the crop used by the Master. I never heard that E. Hall and Louisa Dwyne fought and D’s ear was torn.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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?