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In Medieval times, caring for the poor was the moral duty of the Church (and Monasteries). During the period of Elizabeth I and the "Old" Poor Law, each parish became
responsible for the care of its poor, and the administration of the poor law forms a very significant part of parish records. Lying as it does on important roads, Hungerford experienced a constant stream
of people passing through, often requesting alms. Designated workhouses were established during the eighteenth century. Follow this link for more information about Caring for the Poor.
The First Workhouse: The earliest Overseer's Accounts for Hungerford date from as early as 1727. They mention the workhouse, although the site of this building is not
yet known for certain.
There are several references show that the building which now is the John of Gaunt Inn in Bridge Street was the site of the workhouse in Hungerford, at least between c.1764 and 1778.
The Second Workhouse:
Around 1780, the workhouse moved to a larger building in Charnham Street. It had previously been the Green Dragon inn. A top storey was added c1790. At the back were workshops, and there were several cottages adjoining, and a cart shed. (The original Bridge Street workhouse became an inn at about the same time, although the exact date is unclear - but it is clearly labelled as "John of Gaunt" in the 1819 Enclosure Award map.)
The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act provided for Boards of Guardians to administer the Poor Law on a local basis, and also provided for groups of parishes to be amalgamated into
"unions" for administrative purposes. The Hungerford and Ramsbury Union was formed. At the time the Union was formed there was a workhouse at Lambourn as well as one at Hungerford. The Hungerford
workhouse was in Charnham Street, the property known as "The High House", now Charnham Close.
It must have been in poor condition, and certainly inadequate for the number of paupers to be housed in it. Consideration was given to refurbishing it. However, in the end,
all the paupers were transferred to the Lambourn workhouse "by cart", probably in March 1836.
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For
the next ten years the Guardians continued to meet in the old Hungerford Workhouse. The Relieving Officer also lived there. Meetings were held weekly.
The Third Workhouse: In February 1846 it was resolved that a new workhouse should be built at Hungerford "at a sum not exceeding £8,500".
A suitable site in Park Street (then Cow Lane) was identified and purchased for £600. The site was suitable for a building of the "Stratton" design (named on the classic
design of the workhouse at Stratton St. Margaret near Swindon).
Building started in October 1846, and was completed in 1848. The building was of three stories, with a squat "E"-shape, made of brick, with red stretchers and grey headers,
under a roof of slate (all the same size). There was a walled area on the west side, which may have been an exercise area.
The separate chapel was originally to hold 300 people, but the plans were scaled down to 240 and then to 200. It was completed soon after the main Workhouse building, its
walls being two feet thick, and made of knapped flint.
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For more information on the building of the
Union Workhouse see The Building of Hungerford Workhouse 1846-48, by Eileen Bunt, 1988.
During the Victorian period, there were huge numbers of destitute people, both paupers and vagrants. Follow this link for a full account of the approach to vagrants in Berkshire .
Many systems were put in place to attempt to control the impact of vagrants on any one parish area. For example, ticket schemes were tried. The
Parish magazine 1882 reports that following the reinstitution of the Ticket Scheme, it is interesting to note that "A Return has been issued of the number of Paupers receiving relief in the County of
Berkshire at the beginning of the present year as compared with 1881 and 1880, and it will be seen that there has been a considerable diminution of pauperism. The in-door able-bodied paupers numbered 101
men, 145 women, and 121 children, against 172 men, 210 women and 222 children in 1881, and 165 men, 181 women, and 168 children in 188-. The not able-bodied inmates numbered 485 men, 229 women and 417
children against 601 men, 269 women and 433 children in 1881, and 609 men, 231 women and 453 children in 1880. The lunatic paupers numbered 104 against 116 in 1881 and 105 in 1880. In receipt of out-door
relief, the able-bodied numbered 288 men, 611 women and 1547 children, against 315 men, 662 women and 1694 children in 1881, and 314 men, 676 women and 1650 children in 1880. The not able-bodied numbered
796 men, 1617 women and 244 children, against 815 men, 1635 women and 269 children in 1881, and 839 men, 1679 women and 269 children in 1880.
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The workhouse was built to accommodate up to 300 inmates, although the 1851 census lists only about 150. The 1891 Kelly
Directory gives the population of Hungerford as 2965, "including 138 officers and inmates in the workhouse".
An interesting insight into the way of life for the paupers at the Union Workhouse can be gained by studying the Hungerford & Ramsbury Union Workhouse Regulations 1914.
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