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Workhouse Staff

Workhouse Staff. By George R and Hannah S. Master and Matron. Underpaid overworked and went mainly unsupervised by the board of guardians Were the most powerful people in the workhouse staff Often abused their position However not all were like this, e.g. The master at the Ashford workhouse.

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Workhouse Staff

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  1. Workhouse Staff By George R and Hannah S

  2. Master and Matron • Underpaid overworked and went mainly unsupervised by the board of guardians • Were the most powerful people in the workhouse staff • Often abused their position • However not all were like this, e.g. The master at the Ashford workhouse.

  3. Clerk • This position was sometimes combined with the position of master. • Was responsible for the budget, and just about everything else. • There was therefore great scope for corruption.

  4. Medical officer • Appointed on short term contracts at the lowest possible pay • Were all local doctors • Had to cope with all the diseases that the voluntary hospitals refused to treat • Infirmary conditions were terrible as sick were forced to rely on pauper nurses supervised by the matron

  5. Teacher • Firmly under the Master’s control • Responsible for teaching children and keeping up cleanliness and appearances • No set curriculum • Board of guardians wary of teaching paupers to write • 1836-Bedford board of guardians decided to teach children to read but NOT to write • ‘solution’ disallowed as it was believed it would stigmatise paupers • Most teachers were illiterate themselves so this wasn’t an issue in many areas • In Deptford the teachers were illiterate sea farers specialising in drunkenness, bullying and cussing

  6. Chaplain • Usually poor curates • Had to hold one service in chapel every Sunday morning • Had to visit sick and dying • Answered to the Master and Matron • Extracts from Dennis Lewis Cousin’s book, ‘Extracts from the diary of a workhouse chaplain’: ‘…in nine cases out of ten the chaplain appointed is an already over-worked curate…’ ‘…in many of our gaols the chaplain receives a salary of around £150 to £200 per year; in few of our regions does a like official receive more than £50 per annum…’

  7. Pay Chaplain £30-100 per annum Medical Officer £78 per annum Master and Matron £80-150 per annum (between them) • Most Workhouse staff were 50% less than those with like jobs outside of the warehouse • Had few holidays • Long hours • Were subject to the master/matron’s cruelty

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