Norfolk Poor Law

Norfolk Incorporations and Gilbert Unions
During the eighteenth century, many Norfolk parishes formed groupings to jointly manage poor relief. Some of these were established through Local Acts of Parliament which set up local "Incorporations" to administer relief and operate a workhouse. All together, seven Norfolk Incorporations were formed in this way: 1712 Norwich 1764 Loddon &amp; Clavering 1775 East &amp; West Flegg, Mitford &amp; Launditch 1776 Forehoe 1785 Tunstead &amp; Happing 1806 Buxton This was part of the Aylsham Union which also included a House of Industry at Oulton (3.5 miles NW of Aylsham). House of Industry located at Buxton was for Brampton, Burgh St.Mary, Buxton, Hevingham, Marsham, Oxnead, Skeyton, Stratton Strawless, Swanton Abbot. This House of Industry was located to the S.E of Buxton about 0.5 mile outside the village and was subsequently demolished.

Gilbert's Act of 1782 allowed groups of parishes to set up a common workhouse for the old, the sick and the infirm. This provided a much cheaper procedure than was involved in promoting a Local Act. The Gilbert Unions formed in Norfolk were: 1783 Brinton The Brinton Union survived until 1869 after which its 2 parishes were added to the Walsingham Union. ( Brinton and Melton Constable). 1785 Bawdeswell 1786 Booton 1792 Acle The Acle Union workhouse is said to have been destroyed by fire in 1834. A house of Industry was erected at Acle in 1788 for seven parishes, and to which 10 other parishes were united. After 1834 Acle became part of the Blofield Union, and the workhouse was at Lingwood.

1792 Oulton This was part of the Aylsham Union which also included a House at Buxton (3 miles SE of Aylsham). House of Industry located at Oulton was for the parishes of Banningham, Blickling, Colby, Erpingham, Itteringham and Oulton. The house was originally a farm house and was altered in 1804. Subsequently it was enlarged in c.1836 when it became one of the Union Workhouses for the Aylsham Union. 1801 Buxton 1805 Aldborough, Gimingham, St Faith's 1808 Hackford

Buxton is unusual in that it was originally formed as a Gilbert Union of three parishes then became an Incorporation when it expanded to nine in 1806. This was part of the Aylsham Union which also included a House of Industry at Oulton (3.5 miles NW of Aylsham). House of Industry located at Buxton was for Brampton, Burgh St.Mary, Buxton, Hevingham, Marsham, Oxnead, Skeyton, Stratton Strawless, Swanton Abbot. This House of Industry was located to the S.E of Buxton about 0.5 mile outside the village and was subsequently demolished.

Following the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, most of the Norfolk Incorporations and Gilbert Unions were persuaded to dissolve themselves and become part of new Poor Law Unions. The exceptions were Norwich, which remained an Incorporation until 1863 until local ratepayers forced its dissolution, and Brinton, which was dissolved in 1869 along with all other remaining Gilbert Unions.

Aylsham
Records of the Aylsham Poor Law Union

Date 1805-1950 Norfolk Record Office reference Extent 543 pieces History The Aylsham Union comprised the following parishes: Alby, Aylsham, Banningham, Little Barningham, Belaugh, Blickling, Brampton, Burgh St Mary, Buxton, Calthorpe, Cawston, Colby, Coltishall, Corpusty, Erpingham, Foulsham, Guestwick, Hackford by Reepham, Hautbois Magna, Hevingham, Heydon, Hindolveston, Ingworth, Irmingland, Itteringham, Lammas with Little Hautbois, Mannington, Marsham, Oulton, Oxnead, Reepham with Kerdiston, Sall, Saxthorpe, Scottow, Skeyton, Stratton Strawless, Swanton Abbot, Themelthorpe, Thurning, Thwaite All Saints, Tuttington, Whitwell, Wickmere, Wolterton, Wood Dalling, Wood Norton. Parishes in the three component districts Buxton District: Banningham, Belaugh, Brampton, Burgh, Buxton, Coltishall, Great Hautbois, Hevingham, Lammas and Little Hautbois, Marsham, Oxnead, Scottow, Skeyton, Stratton Strawless, Swanton Abbott, Tuttington. Eynsford District: Cawston, Foulsham, Guestwick, Hackford, Heydon, Hindolveston, Reepham, Salle, Themelthorpe, Thurning, Whitwell, Wood Dalling, Wood Norton. Oulton District: Alby, Aylsham, Little Barningham, Blickling, Calthorpe, Coleby, Corpusty, Erpingham, Ingworth, Irmingland, Itteringham, Mannington, Oulton, Saxthorpe, Thwaite, Wickmere, Wolterton.

Aylsham Union originally consisted of two earlier incorporations with Houses of Industry at Oulton and Buxton. The Oulton Incorporation was formed in 1792 and according to White's Directory of Norfolk, 1845, consisted of the six parishes of Banningham, Blickling, Colby, Erpingham, Itteringham and Oulton. The Buxton Incorporation (consisting of nine parishes) was formed in 1806 under the terms of An Act for the more effectual relief and employment of the poor, in the parishes of Buxton, Hevingham, Marsham, Stratton Strawless, Swanton Abbot, Burgh next Aylsham, Skeyton, Brampton and Oxnead, 46 Geo. III, cap. XLIV, 1806. After the formation of the Union in April 1836 the two workhouses were altered and enlarged. These were replaced by a new Union Workhouse which was opened in Aylsham in 1849. Aylsham Union Board of Guardians was replaced by Guardians Committee No. 2 in 1930. Acquisition Received by the Norfolk Record Office on 29 March 1974 (C/GP 1/516-524), and on an unknown date. AccessStatus Open Copies C/GP 1/1-9, 10 (part only), 125-129, 136-175, 218-247, 286-294 and 299, 311-325, 344-359, 362-366, 375-378, 381-383, 385-388, 390-393, 397-409, 492 are available on microfilm. RelatedMaterial For records of this body (including administration of Aylsham Public Assistance Institution, out-relief and boarding-out of children) see C/GC 2. Aylsham Poor Law Guardians minutes, 1890-1893, and letter book, 1873-1876, are in Aylsham Muniment Room (please request Alienated MS File, Aylsham Muniment Room Catalogue, 1991 revision, for details). For valuation lists, 19th century, and Appeal Book, 1863-1895, see AYL 242-243.

Erpingham
Title Records of the Erpingham Poor Law Union Date 1836-1955 Norfolk Record Office C/GP 6 Extent 211 pieces History The union consisted of the following parishes: Aldborough, Antingham, Aylmerton, Baconsthorpe, Barningham Norwood, Barningham Winter, East Beckham, West Beckham, Beeston Regis, Bessingham, Bodham, Briston, Cley next the Sea, Cromer Edgefield, Felbrigg, Gimingham, Glandford with Bayfield, Gresham, Gunton, Hanworth, Hempstead, Holt, Hunworth, Kelling, Knapton, Letheringsett, Matlaske, Metton, Mundesley, Overstrand, Plumstead, North Repps, South Repps, Roughton, Runton, Salthouse, Sheringham, Sidestrand, Stody, Suffield, Sustead, Thornage, Thorpe Market, Thurgarton, Trimingham, Trunch, North Walsham to 24 Mar. 1884, Weybourne. Nine parishes had an incorporated House of Industry at Gimingham and nine had one at Sheringham, both built in 1805. These became the workhouses of the Erpingham Union as incorporated under the 1834 Act. Workhouse at West Beckham after 1834. Erpingham Union Board of Guardians was replaced by Guardians Committee No. 1 in 1930. Acquisition Received by the Norfolk Record office on unknown dates. C/GP 6/1-9 are available on microform. RelatedMaterial For records of this body (including administration of West Beckham Public Assistance Institution, Gresham Children's Home and out-relief), see C/GC 1.

Loddon &amp; Clavering
Records of the Loddon and Clavering Poor Law Union Date 1545-1948 Norfolk Record Office C/GP 12 Extent 280 pieces History The following parishes comprised the union: Aldeby, Alpington, Ashby, Bedingham, Bergh Apton, Brooke, Broome, Burgh St Peter, Carleton St Peter, Chedgrave, Claxton, Ditchingham, Ellingham, Geldeston, Gillingham, Haddiscoe, Hales, Hardley, Heckingham, Hedenham, Hellington, Howe, Kirby Cane, Kirstead, Langley, Loddon, Mundham, Norton Subcourse, Raveningham, Seething, Sisland, Stockton, Thorpe next Haddiscoe, Thurlton, Thurton, Thwaite St Mary, Toftmonks, Topcroft, Wheatacre All Saints, Woodton, Yelverton. Loddon and Clavering Union was incorporated under the terms of 'An Act for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor in the Hundreds of Loddon and Clavering, 4 Geo. III, cap. 90, 1764. A House of Industry was built at Heckingham and this was altered and enlarged in 1836 when it was adopted as the Union workhouse. Loddon and Clavering Board of Guardians was replaced by Guardians Committee No. 13 in 1930. Acquisition Received by the Norfolk Record Office on 22 October 1984 (C/GP 12/1, 5-11 273-276), 31 October 2001 (ACC 2001/199 numbered C/GP 12/8), 26 August 1964 (C/GP 12/70), 31 October 2001 (ACC 2001/199 numbered C/GP 12/277-278), 4 June 2009 (ACC 2009/74 numbered C/GP 12/279) and on unknown dates. Copies C/GP 12/1-7, 9-13, 15, 19, 22, 25-37, 39-41, 43-49, 51-54, 56-58, 60-77, 86, 89-100, 202-209, 211, 213, 215, 217, 219, 221-223, 250, 277-279 are available on microform. RelatedMaterial For records of Guardians Committee No. 13, see C/GC 13.

Mitford &amp;Launditch
http://www.institutions.org.uk/workhouses/england/norf/mitford_and_launditch_workhouse.htm

Records of the Mitford and Launditch Poor Law Union1776-1948 Norfolk Record Office C/GP 14 Extent 137 pieces The following parishes comprised the 1836 union: Bawdeswell, Norfolk, Beeston, Norfolk, Beetley, Norfolk, Billingford (near Foulsham), Norfolk, East Bilney, Norfolk, Bintree, Norfolk, Brisley, Norfolk,  Bylaugh, Norfolk,  Colkirk, Norfolk,  Cranworth, Norfolk,  East Dereham, Norfolk,  Great Dunham, Norfolk, Little Dunham, Norfolk,  North Elmham, Norfolk,  Elsing, Norfolk,  Foxley, Norfolk,  Great Fransham, Norfolk, Little Fransham, Norfolk, Garveston, Norfolk,  Gateley, Norfolk,  Gressenhall, Norfolk,  Guist, Norfolk,  Hardingham, Norfolk,  Hockering, Norfolk,  Hoe, Norfolk, Horningtoft, Norfolk, Kempstone, Norfolk, Letton within Cranworth, Norfolk,  East Lexham, Norfolk,  West Lexham, Norfolk,  Litcham, Norfolk,  Longham, Norfolk,  Lyng, Norfolk,  Mattishall, Norfolk,  Mattishall Burgh, Norfolk,  Mileham, Norfolk,  Oxwick, Norfolk, Reymerston, Norfolk,  Rougham, Norfolk,  Scarning, Norfolk,  Shipdham, Norfolk,  Southburgh, Norfolk,  Sparham, Norfolk, Stanfield, Norfolk,  Swanton Morley, Norfolk,  Thuxton, Norfolk, Tittleshall, Norfolk,  East Tuddenham, Norfolk,  North Tuddenham, Norfolk,  Twyford, Norfolk,  Weasenham All Saints, Norfolk, Weasenham St Peter, Norfolk,  Wellingham, Norfolk,  Wendling, Norfolk,  Westfield, Norfolk,  Whinburgh, Norfolk,  Whissonsett, Norfolk,  Woodrising, Norfolk,  Worthing, Norfolk,  Yaxham, Norfolk. All fifty parishes of Mitford and Launditch Hundreds were incorporated in 1775 under the terms of An act for the better relief and employment of the poor within the hundreds of Mitford and Launditch, 15 Geo. III, cap. 59. In 1801 the parish of East Dereham separated from the Incorporation, but in 1836 all fifty original parishes plus ten from Eynesford Hundred joined together in a new union. The House of Industry belonging to the old incorporation, built at Gressenhall in 1776-1777, was repaired and altered in 1836 to become the new Union Workhouse. Mitford and Launditch Union Board of Guardians was replaced by Guardians Committee No. 10 in 1930.

Norwich
Norwich Workhouse (to 1859 also known as St Andrew's or Duke's Palace workhouse) Date 1769-1902 Repository Norfolk Record Office Reference N/GP 1/61-79

In about 1859 a new workhouse was built in Dereham Road and the St Andrew's site leased, see N/GP 1/81-82.

Smallburgh (Tunstead &amp; Happing)
Records of the Smallburgh (formerly Tunstead and Happing) Poor Law Union Date 1836-1948 Repository Norfolk Record Office reference C/GP 18 Extent 119 pieces History The union consisted of the following parishes: Ashmanhaugh, Bacton, Barton Turf, Beeston St Lawrence, Bradfield, Brumstead, Catfield, Crostwight, Dilham, Edingthorpe, Felmingham, Happisburgh, Hempstead with Eccles, Hickling, Honing, Horning, Horsey next the Sea, Hoveton St John, Hoveton St Peter, Ingham, Irstead, Lessingham, Ludham, Neatishead, Palling, Paston, Potter Heigham, Ridlington, East Ruston, Sco Ruston, Sloley, Smallburgh, Stalham, Sutton, Swafield, Tunstead, Walcot, North Walsham, from 25 March 1884, Waxham, Westwick, Witton, Worstead. The 24 parishes of Tunstead and Happing Hundreds (except North Walsham) were incorporated in 1785 under the terms of An act for the better relief and employment of the poor within the hundreds of Tunstead and Happing 25 Geo. III, cap. 27. In 1869 an order of the Poor Law Board reformed the Incorporation and altered the name to the Smallburgh Union (see C/GP 18/18). A House of Industry was erected at Smallburgh: this later the union workhouse. Smallburgh Union Board of Guardians was replaced by Guardians Committee No. 4 in 1930. In the minute books covering the period 1836-1869, the guardians of Tunstead and Happing are referred to as "the (Board of) Directors and Acting Guardians". On 28 September 1869 the Clerk reported to the Directors and Acting Guardians "that he had received the order of the Poor Law Board re-forming the several parishes now comprised in the Incorporation; into a Union to be called the 'Smallburgh Union'. This order will take effect from the 29th of September Instant, on which day the Local Acts of this Incorporation will be wholly repealed..." The first meeting of the ex-officio guardians and others of the Smallburgh Union took place on 5 October 1869. Acquisition Received by the Norfolk Record Office on unknown date(s). Copies C/GP 18/1-10 are available on microform. RelatedMaterial For House of Industry, Journal of the master, 1793-1794, including record of admissions, births, marriages and deaths in the house, see MS 4497. For records of Guardians Committee No, 4 (including administration of Nora Watsham children's home) see C/GC 4. Baptisms and Burials in the House of Industry are recorded in the Bishop's Transcripts for the Archdeaconry of Norfolk: see 'ANF B/Ts Smallburgh'.

Walsingham
Records of the Walsingham Poor Law Union Date 1836-1948 Norfolk Record Office reference C/GP 19 Extent 199 pieces History The union consisted of the following parishes: Alethorpe,_Norfolk,  Bale, Norfolk,  Barney, Norfolk, East Barsham, Norfolk,  North Barsham, Norfolk,  West Barsham, Norfolk,  Binham, Norfolk,  Blakeney with Little Langham, Norfolk,  Briningham, Norfolk, Brinton, Norfolk,  Cockthorpe, Norfolk,  Dunton cum Doughton, Norfolk, Egmere, Fakenham, Norfolk,  Field Dalling, Norfolk,  Fulmodeston cum Croxton, Norfolk, Gunthorpe, Norfolk, Helhoughton, Norfolk, Hempton, Norfolk, Hindringham, Holkham, Houghton in Dale, Kettlestone, Langham, Melton Constable, Morston, Pensthorpe, Pudding Norton, Quarles, East Rainham, South Rainham, West Rainham, Ryburgh Magna, Ryburgh Parva, Saxlingham, Sculthorpe, Sharrington, Shereford, Great Snoring, Little Snoring, Stibbard, Stiffkey, Swanton Novers, Tatterford, Tattersett, Testerton, Thursford, Toftrees, Great Walsingham, Little Walsingham, Wareham All Saints and St Mary, Wells next the Sea, Wighton, Wiveton.

Walsingham Union was incorporated under the terms of the 1834 Act, and the union workhouse was built at Great Snoring, but not completed until 1838. The Walsingham Union Workhouse at Great Snoring was opened in 1838. It was situated close to the boundary between the parishes of Great Snoring and Thursford and was sometimes known as Thursford Workhouse. Poor Law Unions were abolished in 1930 and the responsibilities of Walsingham Union Board of Guardians were taken over by Norfolk County Council Guardians' Committee No. 7. From 1930 the former Workhouse became known as Walsingham Public Assistance Institution. On 26 and 27 June 1934 the remaining thirty inmates (including two infants but no children) were transferred to West Beckham and Gressenhall Institutions and Walsingham Institution officially closed on 30 June 1934. The building was subsequently adapted for use as a smallpox hospital. By 1976 the building was derelict and was demolished in the early 1990s. Acquisition Received by the Norfolk Record Office on 26 February 1982 (C/GP 19/192-198) and on unknown dates. C/GP19/1-6, 131, 133-135, 137, 141, 143-146, 148, 150-151, 173-181 are on microfilm. RelatedMaterial For records of Guardians Committee No. 7 (including the administration of Red House Children's Home in Little Snoring and the boarding-out of children), see C/GC 7. See Public Assistance Sub-Committee minutes, 11 July 1934 and 12 September 1934, C/C 10/455. The records of the County Architect's Department include plans of the alterations for use as a smallpox hospital dated February 1937, see C/AR 1/29-31. The one inch to one mile Ordnance Survey Map of 1954 designates the building 'smallpox hospital'.