Archive and reference: The National Archives: MH12/13307, 3973/1858
Date of letter: 19 October 1858
Gentlemen this to inform you of the brutal Conduct of the governor and matron to my child and while my child [xxx] wet the bed and the matron ordered the woman that wash the children to put my child into cold water to stand there but the woman would not do it but com and told the mother and she went to proctect the child and the matron sent for the govenor to lock her up he come and pushed her about and her got a way from him and run to the able ward to tell me he ove took her as she came in to the pasage and snathed her cap of her head and pusht her down in to [fils] and her remained so for a long time she was foarst to be caried don to the informery in the [chear] and neather mother nor child could not be moved both where so hill – he he dont ^want^ this to be made known to you for fear of is of is caractor I wish for the case to be envestigated for a case like that must not be bload over
They are not well yet from the [xxxx]
Thomas Howen
Birmingham workhouse
Document 4 – Letter.
- 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.
- 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.
- What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff?
- The governor is supposedly trying to hide his involvement.
- 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!