Document Seven - John Manwaring

Doncaster​

July 14th 1854​

​

My Lords + Gentlemen,​

I have the honor to inform the Poor Law Board that I visited the Workhouse of the Southwell Union a short time ago, when it appeared that the state of one of the inmates, Hy Stanley, had been under the notice of the Guardians, with the View of sending him to a Lunatic Asylum, but the Master stated that the Medl Man who had been Called in to examine him had declined to Certify as to his insanity.​

From an Entry in the Master’s Report Book it appeared that he had reported to the Gdns, a few weeks before my Visit, that this Man had attempted to hang himself.​

I visited the W.Hs again today and accompanied by the Clerk and the Master ^went to the [Ward]^ where Hy Stanley is placed; but before doing so, I enquired of the Master as to his present Condition, when he answered “Oh, Sir, he is a deal better, – I have placed a man to look after him who can Manage him”.  I then saw Hy Stanley + the Man referred to by the Master,: named Pearson, and on asking the latter if he had any difficulty with Stanley, he replied, “Very great, in the day time, he is so very mischievous. I could not manage him at all, if I did not beat him over the toes with a Stick”. Stanley then informed us, that Pearson had beat him this morning over the ankle with a Stick of considerable thickness, which he pointed out to me, and that he has beaten him over the head with it, and which Pearson did not deny.​

I made an entry in the Visitor’s Book setting forth these facts, and I also requested the Clerk to see some members of the Visiting Committee immediately, + to bring the whole matter under their notice.​

I beg to suggest the expediency of the Board addressing a letter to the Clerk forthwith to enquire what steps have been taken for the safety of this poor Creature, + to prevent if a recurrence of the treatment I have described.​

As the Gdns do not meet till Tuesday week, I think it advisable that the Board should ask the Clerk for an immediate Report as to what has been done since my Visit.​

I have the honor to be, ​

my Lords + Gentlemen​

your obet, Sevant​

John Manwaring ​

Poor Law Inspector