Clearwell and Coleford Workhouses (General)

by slowhands , proud of his ancient Dean Forest roots, Wednesday, January 18, 2012, 12:22 (4481 days ago) @ BSEDDON

Do you happen to know where the workhouse was located?

thanks Brian

Clearwell probably

In 1664 a committee of parishioners wasformed to provide employment for the poor andit made plans, possibly not implemented, foropening workhouses at Clearwell and Coleford. (fn. 46) In 1679 a serge manufacturer of Lacock (Wilts.)contracted with the parish to employ up to 60paupers in spinning and other work. (fn. 47) From themid 18th century there was a growing concernabout the burden of the poor, with enquiries toidentify residents who were without settlementin 1750 and 1755, a scheme for employing poorwomen at spinning flax in 1756, and generalmeasures for tightening poor-law administrationin 1759. Efforts were made regularly to persuadeparishioners to take apprentices: 15 childrenwere placed out in 1767 and 26 in 1787. In 1751c. 45 adults and children were on permanentweekly relief and in 1771 c. 80. (fn. 48) A workhousewas established at Coleford town in or shortlybefore 1786 under a committee of the parishofficers and leading ratepayers, (fn. 49) and a workhouse master capable of supervising hemp, flax,and wool manufacture was advertized for in1788. (fn. 50) By 1788 a salaried assistant overseer hadbeen appointed. (fn. 51)

From: 'Newland', A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 5: Bledisloe Hundred, St. Briavels Hundred, The Forest of Dean (1996), pp. 195-231. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23260 Date accessed: 18 January 2012.

Coleford was subject, as a tithing, to the parish government ofNewland, which is discussed below. The Newland parish workhouse opened in the mid 1780swas in Coleford town, at the corner of St. Johnand Bank Streets. (fn. 15) In 1836 the tithing wasincluded in the Monmouth poor-law union aspart of Newland. (fn. 16)

In the early 18th century two constables policed the town and its market (fn. 17) but later only oneconstable was appointed for the whole tithing. (fn. 18) In 1786 an association for the prosecution offelons was formed to combat crime in the town.The association, which also covered Newlandand several adjoining parishes, apparently lapsedin the early 1790s and was revived in 1814. (fn. 19) Magistrates were holding sessions at the Angelinn by 1841 (fn. 20) and the county constabulary hada station in the town in 1849. (fn. 21) In the early 1860sa large house at the bottom of Lord's hill wasconverted as a police station and petty sessionalcourt. (fn. 22) In 1840 there was an old pound next tothe former Newland workhouse in the town anda pound at Whitecliff. (fn. 23) A town crier was recorded in 1863. (fn. 24)

From: 'Coleford', A History of the County of Gloucester: Volume 5: Bledisloe Hundred, St. Briavels Hundred, The Forest of Dean (1996), pp. 117-138. URL: http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=23255 Date accessed: 18 January 2012.

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