Hartlepool History Then & Now

The Workhouse

Details about The Workhouse

In the late 1700s and early 1800s, there was a town workhouse at the Friarage (part of which eventually became part of St Hilda's Hospital). In the Poor Law Town Book, lists of paupers and workhouse inmates are given and also details of amounts of money and clothing given to them.

In 1837, Hartlepool became part of Stockton on Tees Poor Law Union and in March 1859 became independent. A new Union Workhouse was built in 1860 at Howbeck, Throston and this was quickly expanded and became the basis of Hartlepool General Hospital. The old workhouse buildings were gradually demolished in the early part of this current century.

Location

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Children in Workhouse 1902

Donated by Hartlepool Museum Service
Dated 1902

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Children in the Workhouse - 1902

Children in Workhouse 27.1.1902 and those sent to institutions since 1895: Hartlepool Union

LIST OF CHILDREN MAINTAINED IN THE WORKHOUSE

This 27^th Day of January 1902

Also a list of

ORPHANS AND OTHER CHILDREN

Sent to Certified Homes or other Institutions since May 1895

Prepared for the use of the Guardians of the said Union

Signed WM. ARMETT Workhouse Master

GEO. KILVINGTON Union Clerk

F.W. Mason, Printer, Church St West Hartlepool

SUMMARY OF SCHOOL CHILDREN IN WORKHOUSE on MONDAY 27^th JANUARY 1902

	Church of England	Roman Catholic	Total
Boys’ side of school	32	26	58
Girls’ side of school	30	28	58
TOTAL	62	54	116

SUMMARY SHOWING WHETHER ORPHANS OR DESERTED ETC

	Orphans	Parents in house	Deserted	Parents in Prison	Total
Boys	8	20	22	8	58
Girls	2	31	14	11	58
TOTAL	10	51	36	19	116

Children who have been removed to Certified Homes or other Institutions since May 1895

Names	Age when removed	Date of removal	Name of House or other Institution	Remarks
McDonic Margaret	8 years	31^st May 1895	Tudhoe Home
Slattery Margaret	9 yrs	‘’	‘’
Watkins Mary E	8 yrs	‘’	‘’
McDonald Mary	12 yrs	‘’	‘’
Cavannah Rose	10 yrs	‘’	‘’
Gettings Margaret	8 yrs	19^th May 1897	‘’	Adopted by Guardians
Roach Mary	4 yrs	8^th July 1897	‘’
O’Neil Elizabeth	12 yrs	21^st April 1898	‘’	Adopted by Guardians
O’Neil Sarah	7 yrs	‘’	‘’	‘’
O’ Neil Ellen	9 yrs	‘’	‘’	‘’
O’Neil Johanna	12 yrs	‘’	‘’	‘’
Gettings Nora	2 yrs	21^st Oct 1899	‘’	‘’
Stageman Anna M	7 yrs	21^st Apr 1900	‘’
Durkin Mary	9 yrs	5^th Sep 1900	‘’
Durkin Nellie	5 yrs	‘’	‘’
Rogan Mary E	5 yrs	‘’	‘’
Scott Alice	3 yrs	‘’	‘’
Scott Mary	1 ½ yrs	‘’	‘’
Burn Mary E	7 yrs	13^th Jun 1901	‘’	‘’
Priestman Peter	7 yrs	4^th Mar 1899	RVSB Newcastle	‘’
Coates Mary E B	11yrs	17^th Feb 1900	C of E Home Bradford
Purvis Lucy	12 yrs	16^th Nov 1901	‘’
Purvis Ruth	10 yrs	‘’	‘’
Stephenson Harriet	13yrs	21^st Apr 1900	C of E Home Brighton
Slattery James	12 yrs	28^th Apr 1900	RC Home Coleshill
Slattery Stephen	9 yrs	‘’	‘’
Stageman Fred	9 yrs	‘’	‘’
Roach Henry	9 yrs	‘’	‘’
Oliphant William	9yrs	1^st Sep 1900	‘’	Adopted by guardians
Oliphant Christopher	6yrs	‘’	‘’	‘’
Riley James	8 yrs	‘’	‘’
Durkin Thomas	7yrs	‘’	‘’
Hall William	12 yrs	5^th Jul 1901	‘’	‘’
Maloney James	12 yrs	‘’	‘’
Burns William	4yrs	‘’	‘’
Carlsen Walter	11yrs	1^st Feb 1900	Boys’ Home Lancaster	‘’
Henderson Robert	13yrs	23^rd Jun 1900	St Bede House Wakefield
Stephenson John T	11yrs	2^nd Nov 1900	Natland Keswick
Stephenson Joseph H	8yrs	‘’	‘’
Stabler Emma	14yrs	2^nd Mar 1900	Dr Stephenson’s Home London
Stabler Daisy	11yrs	‘’	‘’
Willis Charlotte	12yrs	18^th Sep 1901	St Chad’s Home Leeds
Marley Margaret	12yrs	19^th Jul 1900	‘’
Rymer William	11yrs	19^th Nov 1901	Lingfield Surrey, Epileptic
Carney John J	5yrs	‘’	Boston Spa Yks Deaf & Dumb

CHURCH OF ENGLAND BOYS’ SIDE OF SCHOOL On 27^th Jan 1902

No.	Name	Age	Remarks
1	Short Leonard	13	Father dead, mother in town
2	Canning Henry	13	Orphan
3	Blackburn William	13	Orphan
4	Wilson John	12	Orphan
5	Allan James	9	Mother in Hospital
6	Gilbraith William	12	Mother dead, deserted by father
7	Gilbraith Joseph	10	‘’
8	Gilbraith Tom	7	‘’
9	Lucas Robert	12	‘’
10	Davis John	12	‘’
11	Davis Harry	7	‘’
12	Warnes Charles	11	Deserted by father, mother in town
13	Warnes Edward	10	‘’
14	Warnes Oswald	9	‘’
15	Round Harry	11	Father in workhouse
16	Round Walter	10	‘’
17	Robinson William	11	Mother dead, deserted by father
18	Hodgson Albert	10	Deserted by father, mother died (cons’ive)
19	Gillet Fred	10	Father dead, mother in hospital
20	King William	10	Deserted by mother , father dead
21	Hume John W	8	Orphan
22	Leeming William	11	Deserted (parents in town)
23	Buff Reuben	12	Father in workhouse, mother dead
24	Gray Fred	12	Orphan
25	Jackman William	11	Orphan (lame)
26	Purvis Joseph	7	Mother in prison
27	Scott Walter	11	Father dead, mother in prison
28	Harryman Joseph	9	Father and mother in hospital
29	Harryman Harold	8	‘’
30	Harryman Arthur	6	‘’
31	Brown Thomas	10	Mother dead, father deserted him
32	Shirley Percy	9	Mother in hospital
	ROMAN CATHOLIC BOYS SIDE OF SCHOOL Jan 27^th 1902
33	Riley James	13	Orphan
34	Carney Daniel	13	Orphan
35	Boylen or Ritchie James	12	Father dead mother in town
36	Cawley Owen	11	Father in workhouse
37	Cawley Joseph	10	‘’
38	Brown John	12	Mother in prison
39	Brown Thomas H	10	‘’
40	Myers William	12	Deserted by father mother in workhouse
41	Harrison Joseph	11	Father in workhouse
42	Hands Patrick	11	Father dead, mother in hospital
43	Hands Joseph	10	‘’
44	Richardson John	11	Deserted by father, mother dead
45	Richardson T	10	‘’
46	Wharton Matthew	11	Deserted
47	Wharton Joseph	9	‘’
48	Wharton Francis	6	‘’
49	Bailey William	10	‘’
50	McDermott John	10	Mother in hospital
51	Riley John	8	Mother in workhouse
52	Murray Thomas	12	Father dead, mother in hospital
53	Devlin Michael	13	Father and mother in prison for neglect
54	Devlin Robert	9	‘’
55	Cosgrave Thomas	7	Father dead, mother in prison
56	Jones Robert	7	Father and mother in prison
57	MacLaughlan John	9	Mother in workhouse deserted by father
58	Wood Thomas	6	Father and mother in workhouse

CHURCH OF ENGLAND GIRLS’ SIDE OF SCHOOL 27^th Jan 1902

No	Name	Age	Remarks
59	Gilbraith Elizabeth	13	Mother dead ,deserted by father
60	King Eliza	13	Father dead, deserted by mother and adopted by the Guardians
61	King Amelia	11	“
62	King Nellie	5	“
63	Gillett Clara	12	Father dead, mother in hospital
64	Murfitt Emily	11	Father dead, mother in workhouse
65	Buff Florence	11	“ “
66	Brown Nellie	9	“ “
67	Kemp Mary	9	orphan
68	Howe or Johnson Annie	9	Deserted by father, mother in workhouse having just been discharged from asylum
69	Howe or Johnson John	5	“
70	Johnson Thomas	3	“
71	Round Enid	6	Mother dead ,father in workhouse
72	Lucas Percy	3	Mother dead, deserted by father
73	Yeal Elizabeth	4	Mother in hospital
74	Frazer Frank	3	Mother in workhouse
75	Wilson Jane	14	Mother in hospital
76	Davis William	3	Mother dead, deserted by father
77	Gibbon Edward	3
78	Rawbotham Edith	10	Father & mother in prison for neglect
79	Rawbotham Alice	7	“
80	Rawbotham Lily	4	“
81	Scott Annie	7	Father dead mother in prison
82	Scott Clara	3	“
83	Gooding Margaret	7	Mother dead deserted by father
84	Collinson Mary j	4	Mother in workhouse (single)
85	Butterworth Mabel	6	Mother in prison father in hospital
86	Butterworth Jos.	4	“
87	Shirley Constance	6	Mother in hospital
88	Shirley Florence	4	“
89	Weir Sarah	11	Deserted
90	Harrison Susan	14	Mother dead father in workhouse
91	Coates Hannah	11	Mother in workhouse
92	Coates Alice	10	“
93	Donald Agnes	11	Deserted
94	Robinson Jane	10	Deserted by father mother in workhouse
95	Robinson Joseph	5	“
96	Bailey Jane	9	Deserted
97	Dupee Agnes	9	Mother in hospital
98	Dupee Annie	6	“
99	McNally Madge	5	“
100	Carney Rose	8	Orphan
101	Gallagher Margaret	10	Deserted
102	Gallagher Ellen	7	“
103	Gallagher Mary	3	“
104	McDermott Mary J	5	Mother in hospital
105	Brown Margaret	3	Mother in prison
106	Riley William	5	Mother in workhouse
107	Riley Peter	3	“
108	Jones Francis	12	Father & Mother in prison for 3 mths
109	Jones Hannah	5	“
110	McLaughlan C	12	Deserted by father mother in workhouse
111	McLaughlan Mary	7	“
112	McLaughlan Brid.	6	“
113	Glen Minnie	10	Father dead mother in workhouse
114	Murray Alice	8	Father dead mother in hospital
115	Murray Mary E	3	“
116	Devlin Jane	5	Father & mother in prison for neglect

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General Hospital - Howbeck House 1946

Donated by Douglas Ferriday
Part of the Hartlepool Library Service collection
Dated 1946

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Howbeck House: the Workhouse

In Hartlepool today, the town’s hospital stands on the site of the original West Hartlepool Workhouse. Some of the early buildings still exist. The hospital has had several names during its life, being first known as the Workhouse. In 1905 the name “workhouse” was changed to Howbeck House. It was changed again in 1925 to Howbeck Infirmary. In 1948 it became the General Hospital. Today it is known as the University Hospital of Hartlepool.

The hospital is in the north west part of the town, about a mile due west of the Headland. At the time it was built it was set in open fields, at the very edge of the town. It was close to the boundary between Hartlepool and West Hartlepool, on the West Hartlepool side.

The origins of the Hospital

In 1859 a Hartlepool Poor Law Union was created. Its purpose was to make provision for people in the district of Hartlepool who for one reason or another, could not provide for themselves. It remained in existence until 1930 when the Poor Law system was wound up. Soon after it was set up, the Union bought land, now part of the site of the present day hospital. The first building was opened in 1861. It had an entrance building, main building and infirmary for the inmates. It was the first hospital on the site.

New buildings were added

In 1890 a new hospital opened with separate wards for infectious diseases. A new school building was used from 1897 until 1915. By that time there were wards for homeless people and a block for “short stay lunatics”, also referred to as “low grade lunatics”. These people may have been expected to get better, if their illness was temporary. Others, probably those of low intelligence, would be expected to find other accommodation and manage somehow.

On December 16th, 1914, the hospital was damaged by fire in the Bombardment. Five patients died, and many others were injured. The school buildings were later used by soldiers during the First World War.

Between 1897 and the 1960s a laundry, operating theatre, nurses’ home and verandas on the infirmary wards were added. Tuberculosis patients used the verandas to get fresh air. It was believed this would help their illness.

The present day

From 1948, when the hospital became part of the National Health Service, the Hospital Management Committee decided the General Hospital would become the centre of health care provision in West Hartlepool. When the twin towns amalgamated, it became the centre for the new town. The first new building of the present hospital was opened in 1972. The second stage opened in 1984, following the demolition of some of the earlier buildings. Today, only a few of the original buildings remain.

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Mary Ann Frankland

Donated by Kathleen Brookfield

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Old Man's Tragic Fate - 1922

Hartlepool Northern Dail Mail, April 24^th, 1922:
OLD MAN’S TRAGIC FATE Body Recovered from the Sea Near South Basin. The death under tragic circumstances occurred yesterday of an inmate of Hartlepool Workhouse. Peter Moran, aged 76, who had been in the Workhouse about a year, left that institution at 7-45 yesterday morning to attend service at the Roman Catholic Church. About noon he was seen at the end the south pier with his jacket off. He made an attempt to jump into the water, but was prevented. About 2.30 in the afternoon, however, was seen floating near the South Basin. He was got out of the water, and artificial respiration was tried, but without avail.
At the inquest this afternoon, Mr. G. E. Usher, Workhouse Master, gave evidence of identification, and stated that deceased had been at Howbeck House at different times – on this occasion since April 8th last year. Florence Bratt, of 38, Seamer Street, stated that deceased lodged with her for about 14 years. He was a labourer at the Steelworks, and when out of work went into the Workhouse. He worked fairly regularly up to a year ago and was hale and hearty, though according to his reckoning, he was 86 years old. He always used tell her that his people lived to be 99 or 104.
The Coroner: He may have been exaggerating a bit. On the Coroner pointing out that, according to the official information, deceased was 76—not 86 -witness said he always representing himself to be younger than was for fear of losing his work.
Proceeding, Mrs. Bratt said deceased was in the habit on Sunday mornings of going to her house and having a cup tea, but when called yesterday morning he would not have any tea, which she thought strange. He stayed till about 11-45, playing with her little girl—a child six.
“Going To Have a Swim.” Harrv McDonald, of 27 Ann Street, said he was fishing at the end of the pier at about noon, yesterday, when he noticed a hat, jacket, and stick on the pier wall, and going to the spot saw deceased in a crouching posture as though about to throw himself into the water. Witness just caught him in time, and asked him what he was doing. The old man replied that was “going to have a swim”. Witness got him to put his coat and hat on, and took him off the pier, leaving him near the Ward-Jackson Hotel. Witness thought the old man somewhat strange and would have given him in charge of a policeman had he seen one. Later witness heard that an old man had been drowned off the South Jetty, and went to the spot, assisting in the recovery of deceased. Artificial respiration was tried, but without success.
Efforts at Rescue. John Kenny, seaman, spoke to his efforts at rescue. He took off his coat and waistcoat and went in from the jetty. He got hold of the man, and with the assistance constable they got him on to the side of the jetty. The Coroner certified a verdict that deceased took his own life by drowning, whilst temporarily of unsound mind. He commended the conduct of Kenny, whose action, he said, was an extremely brave one. He did all he could to save the man’s life, and no doubt had he been on the scene a few minutes sooner he would have done so. He was not quite certain whether it were possible in a case of this kind to recommend him for recognition by the Royal Humane Society. If it were possible he would certainly do so.

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