Huthwaite joins the Workhouse

Nursing with various medication and surgical practices can be dated way back in the worlds history.   British awareness largely grew amid 16th century leadership towards benefits of promoting care and health in civilising our United Kingdoms population.   Mystical or spiritual powers long associated with past healing did retain religious connections as parish clergy adopt more educated teachings, qualifying recognised Doctors of Medicine.   Perhaps faith could offer better chance of healing against some rudimentary surgical practices, until scientific knowledge slowly advanced through at least another four hundred years.

Poverty generally invites poor diet, resulting in ill health shortening potential lifespans.   In times when Hucknall-under-Huthwaite hamlet emerged inside a Sutton parish, its workforce largely relied upon agricultural labouring. After centuries of very gradual rural growth a few Huthwaite land owners could simply not afford sustaining growing numbers of dependent poor on farms.   Same problem reached nationwide, seeing Acts of Parliament passing poor laws placing responsibility upon each parish government to provide employment suiting all.

Early industrial employment saw regional textile manufacturing, spreading Nottingham lace making before introduction of stocking knitting frames. Powered factory machinery saw the hosiery industry locally emerge into the principle trade supporting man, woman and child.   Unemployment however still commonly faced anyone suffering handicap or illness.   Without larger family support and some unable to work themselves out of dire poverty, children and elders joined many others failing to cope, unless condemned to a life in the workhouses.

Constructing parish workhouses commenced latter half of an 18th century.   Referencing the authoritative work by GG Bonsor suggests our parish vestry first adopted use of an older Sutton-in-Ashfield house.   While stating no actual accounts survive detailing inmates or business from Sutton workhouses, his information was extracted from minutes of meetings when held in the parish vestry.   Dated 6th December 1771 first states intention in letting pieces of land towards covering expense of a new workhouse.   In April 1789 rents are recorded from grounds called Town Green, shared by Overseers of Sutton and Hucknall.

Our two townships remained forming a single parish component when on 23rd February 1790 Samuel Wilson and his wife of Hucknall Huthwaite were appointed as Overseers of that Workhouse at £10 for one year.   Signed and witnessed the agreement reads... "First he is to see the provisions properly distributed amongst that family, he is also to set to work those that he thinks able. He is likewise to act in his professional business as surgeon and apothecary for all the poor of this parish gratis, he being paid for the drugs or medicine by the overseer of the poor for the time being."

Difficulty arises determining when the Sutton workhouse became duly built, though it would seem sited on or around Hardwick Street, in use from 1777 until that buildings 1846 sale.   A Thomas Dove and wife were appointed Master and Mistress 24th February 1800, possibly seeing a workshop added 1816.   Impression is given of failing attempts meeting industrial sufficiency, when by 1820 financial assistance sought from the Duke of Portland helps cover expense uniting parish assistance. The inefficient costs inflicted upon smaller parishes finally necessitated an 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act creating larger Unions.   Another House of Industry at Basford noted a Guardian John Clarke resided Crow Trees, Fulwood.

Architect Sampson Kempthorne designed the large Mansfield Workhouse, although general guidelines were these buildings should resemble prisons, or reflect degrading hardship that would repulse normal humanity. Costing over £4,000 and opened 1837, the austere stone construction stood upon Stockwell Gate, after declaring a Mansfield Union June 1836. With capacity for accommodating upward 300 inmates, an additional infirmary was erected 1854 allowing the Board of Guardians to room another 85 patients forming an Infirmary Hospital.

The Mansfield Union included surrounding parishes in both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, eventually incorporating all Ault Hucknall, Blackwell, Blidworth, Fulwood, Glapwell, Heywood Oaks, Hucknall Huthwaite, Lyndhurst, Mansfield, Mansfield Woodhouse, Pinxton, Pleasley, Scarcliff, Skegby, Sookholme, South Normanton, Sutton-in-Ashfield, Teversal, Tibshelf, Upper Langwith and Warsop. Accounts are recorded showing the Board conducted some tough interrogations before allowing entry. Realising tax payers expense, humiliated victims could be left proving their own degrading needs before securing accommodation and some work.

Census taken 1881 fully reveals staffing and inmate numbers totalled residency at 234. Listing Inmates extracted by birthplace given Hucknall-under-Huthwaite may not be true representation of all our villagers. Names could relate other inmates, when finding birth addresses come from far and wide also showing more must have previously relocated prior inclusion.

Recorded in 1891 the Mansfield Union covered a total area of 57,810 acres. Populated by 55,296 residents roughly equates average density at one person for every available acre. It may reflect the poor farming quality found upon these steep rural meadows. Times now rapidly changed however, and although administered by Poor Law Guardians, a foundation stone laid July 23rd 1897 saw further extension onto the Mansfield Workhouse Infirmary. At a reported cost of £10,000 it almost doubled capacity for over 160 patients, when also becoming called the Victoria Hospital. Naming may recognise changing needs, continuing to serve modern care after reorganising and demolishing the Workhouse Institutional building.

Published 01 Jul 04 - Revised 22 May 07