Epsom Workhouse "Middle House" in 1941

[rthom]

I would be interested if anyone knows whether the Epsom Workhouse (aka "Middle House") was still functioning as such in 1941 or whether it had evolved into a nursing home or similar.

Thanks, rthom

[rainbowuk]

Hi, if you go to this site www.workhouse.org.uk  and search under workhouse addresses on left hand side of the page you will find Epsom..click on this and it takes you to a page all about it. As far as I can make out it changed its use to a hospital.

Susan

[rainbowuk]

There is also a link right at the bottom of the Epsom page that sends you to another site with a lot more info.

Good luck
Susan

[rthom]

Thanks for the speedy reply, Susan.

These are nice sites and good info on an interesting if disturbing topic.  I had come across these while googling around; but I still do not see anything that specifically tells us what the function of Middle House was in 1941.

I am interested because I have just come across a relative who passed away at Middle House in 1941. Her family appeared to be lower middle class, so I was surprised when the workhouse reference came up which didn't seem to fit her background.

Regards, rthom

[rainbowuk]

Hi again and you are welcome.

If you go to this page http://www.epsomandewellhistoryexplorer.org.uk/WorkhouseEpsom.html and go down to the heading Statistics it gives one explanation of why it was also known as Middle House.

Susan

[rainbowuk]

Hi, hope you dont mind but did a bit of digging and it looks like The Workhouse became Epsom County hospital in 1930. So its possible it was still known to the locals as Middle House.

Found it on this page

http://beta.exploringsurreyspast.org.uk/GetRecord/SHCOL_6203

Susan

[rthom]

Hi Susan:

Thank you so much for the great digging. That makes a lot more sense.

This little interlude has lured me into learning more about the Workhouse system -- an important history lesson for us all to remember.

Regards, rthom

[Mark1973]

I have my Great great grandfathers death certificate from July 1939, died at Middle House, Dorking Road, Epsom, Surrey, always wondered where that was, thank you

[alunno-a]

My Great Grandmother died at Middle House- she had been an invalid for a year or so before her death, and the "House" was definately a Nursing Home then in the 1930s.
Blimey- my Grandmother and her sisers would have DIED ON THE SPOT if people thought they had left her in the Work House!!!

Sally