Union Workhouse at Battle.

[lynnthompson]

A relative of mine died in the Union Workhouse in Battle in 1854.  Could someone please advise if the Workhouse is still there, where are the records kept and would it show if his family were with him.

His name was George Goodsell born in 1775 and died in September 1854.  I have tried workhouses.org but have not as yet found anything concrete.  I do know that it was quite small about 10 or so people but hope someone can help.

Lynn

[williamscdr]

Lynn

I think so, is this the place:

http://www.workhouses.org.uk/index.html?Battle/Battle.shtml

David

[Ecneps]

It gives the link to East Sussex records office which apparently holds the 1835-1930 Guardians Minutes, so it may be worth contacting them about those records

Barbara 

[williamscdr]

Lynn

On the link I gave there is the 1881 census which has:

James GOODSELL W 87 M Patient Labourer  Speldhurst, Kent

A relative perhaps

David

[lynnthompson]

Not sure there are so many Goodsells in Sussex get a bit confused by them all but thank you.

[jimf]

Hi Lynn

Old Battle Workhouse has been turned into Flats very nicely done  too.

Jim

[lynnthompson]

I thought the old workhouse building was beautiul, would have loved the house myself!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn..... Thanks for that.

[Roy G]

Many years ago I did a demographic study of the Battle Workhouse as a university project. 
It was built in 1840 in Mr Knight's stone quarry, so presumably that is where most of the materials came from.  The most unusual thing about it however, was that it appeared to be unlike other institutions of the time and actually cared for the destitute inmates.  It was not as small as you imagine though (you may have inadvertantly confused it with the Battle House of Correction) for a high percentage of the labouring population lived there during the four winter months (450-500 Winter 1841) and between 30-80 people the whole year.  The famine of 1847 also saw a further rise in the number of inmates (338).  There were 211 inmates there in 1851 but this dropped to 115 by the time of the 1851 census.  The lowest occupancy was during havesting months when only those totally incapable of work received parish relief.

Roy G
(Dont forget to also look at the Ashburnham Papers at ESRO when you do any background research.)

[lynnthompson]

Roy   How rude of me.  I thought I had replied but having just changed over to a new computer decided to trawl through and make sure I was up to date with everything.  Please forgive me.

I love your information on the workhouse, you actually brought it to life.  How very sad for the people in there.  I seem to have had about 7 relatives in there at one time or another and sad to say that most of them died there.

I have as yet to go to Battle ( I always seem to run out of time by the time I have gone to Lewes and then onto Hastings) and try and get some current pictures, if it is still standing.  I cannot believe they would have destroyed such a beautiful building.


Regards

Lynn