Archive and reference: The National Archives MH 12/6991.
Date of letter: 22 August 1853
Poor Law Union: Chelsea Poor Law Union
CIRCUMTEXT:
Mr Hall
[**]
23 22 Augt 53
See my former Minutes. Inform the Complainant that the [*] [*] Bd. have no power to interfere with the discretion of the Gdns. as to allowing temporary leave of absence from the W. H.
[RH] 23 Aug. /53
[Immediate]
Write accordingly
[RH]
24. Augt 53
TEXT:
Chelsea Workhouse 22nd August 1853
Gentlemen
I took the liberty of addressing a letter to you on the 8th inst. complaining of several matters which I though called for your interference, and as I have never heard of any inquiry respecting them, again beg leave to call upon Kind attention to them; more especially as I am being punished, by being deprived of the liberty of going out on Sunday after the Church Service, which I had previously enjoyed, for no other reason, than having stayed out for a day to see your Board, but being advised that a letter was the more proper way to address you I adopted it.
With respect to the complaints I made no enquiry has been made by the Board of Guardians and I have received no explanation, why I have been prevented seeing them, after making five applications; and as regards the state of the Room I mentioned, although your Inspector Mr. Hall, was here on Thursday the 11th inst., he did not see the Room, which was then as I described it; but on Saturday 13th Mr. Sutton the Master caused the Beds and Bedding to be removed, and the Bed Clothes were sent to the Laundry to be washed, but the state of them was so filthy that the women refused to wash them and they were removed altogether, – the [Flock] the Beds was put into clean Covers, (filthy and dirty as it was) and in all probability is now used for sleeping on.
As it does not appear that a thing will be done without some authority will interpose, and as I believe your honourable Board are the proper authority, and can [protect] the Pauper from the injustice that may be attempted I earnestly request your aid in my Case, and as delay is injurious to me, and as the Board of Guardians sit here on Wednesday, I trust I may hear something by that time, and I shall [be] grateful for anything you may do.
I am, Gentlemen.
Your most Obedient Servant
Geo. H. Hancock
Document 2 – Letter. George H. Hancock complains that he is being informally punished (this would not feature in the punishment book) by being “deprived of the liberty of going out on Sunday after the Church Service, which I had previously enjoyed, for no other reason, than having stayed out for a day to see your Board” (in other word he had complained earlier directly to the Poor Law Board.)
What punishments does the pauper receive? He is not allowed to go out after Church on a Sunday. This is an informal punishment which is unlikely to be recorded in the punishment book but it is not an uncommon punishment at this time – that’s because after 1840 (when many physical punishments were chastised), the removal of privileges was commonplace instead.
What does the evidence suggest about workhouse staff? The workhouse staff are covering up poor conditions etc at the time of inspections. The staff are issuing informal punishments.
What does the nature of the evidence reveal about the paupers? The pauper has knowledge and awareness about what is and isn’t allowed to happen in the workhouse. Letter – the pauper is prepared to raise their case to the Union.