Life in Union (1870)

Post date: Mar 19, 2013 10:36:29 PM

Extract from Maidstone Telegraph, 5th March 1870. Wateringbury sold its poor or work house in 1836 as part of a general push to the centralisation of poor houses in unions. Wateringbury's poor went thereafter to the Malling Union.

SPECIAL SESSIONS—FRIDAY.

Before the Hon. K. Nevill.

A REFRACTORY PAUPER. Ann Luck, a native of Wateringbury, and an inmate of Malling Union, was brought up in custody, under a warrant, charged with having, on the 24th Feb, refused to work, such work being suited to her age, strength, and capacity. Mr James Hall, master of the Union, deposed that on the 24th February prisoner was not downstairs before ten o'clock, and she should have been down to prayers at half-past seven at the latest. Prosecutor, at eleven o'clock, went to the able-bodied women's ward, and asked prisoner and others if they were going to work. They all commenced the washing except the prisoner, who refused. Prisoner, in her defence, said she could not go without her breakfast, as she felt too ill and faint. Mr Hall explained that it was the rule of the house, if the inmates were not down to prayers, they were deprived of their breakfast. Sentenced to four days' hard labour.

Notes: (the following is taken from a family history written by Aaron Luck). Ann Burr Luck, baptised 4th June 1847 in Wateringbury Church , was buried 22nd June 1878 in Wateringbury. She was the 8th (of 9) child of Robert Burr Luck (christened 29 November 1801 in Wateringbury; farm labourer living in Canon Heath per 1841 census) and Ann Pearce (b. Wateringbury 1806/7 according to 1851 census, died a pauper 1851 in Wateringbury)