Historian Peter Holme continues his look at the Kendal workhouse in years gone by

A PARAGRAPH in The Westmorland Gazette of June 16, 1832 reported: "It frequently happens that when employment is found for those who apply for parish relief they decline to avail themselves of it and thus the parishes are relived from the burden. We are glad to hear that the plan of providing labour for the poor applying for such relief has already been found to succeed. Last week applicants for pecuniary assistance, on learning that they are to work for their money, have declined troubling the parish on those terms."

There were also others who tried to get help under false pretences. An eccentric 75-year-old lady of the road had never been in receipt of parochial relief. In conformity with the rules of the poor-house she had to be stripped of her clothing on entering, in order to be dressed in the habit of the house.

Her equivalent for a bodice was observed to feel remarkably heavy and, on examination, a large bag was found secured to it. On being opened it was found to contain £45 in silver, £6 in gold a Union Bank deposit receipt for £47 - in all, £98.

Her “pock” weighed 40lb and contained everything required in a kitchen and larder – cooking utensils, beef, several pounds of herrings, bread of various descriptions besides small articles of clothing.

There were others who had a slightly more legitimate reasons for asking for money from The Guardians. One man by the name of Fitzgerald, a painter by trade, was admitted into the workhouse because of ill-health. Getting better, he had been employed in decorating and cleaning the establishment on the understanding that the value of his work be set against his maintenance.

He proved to be a good workman and his work was more than his board and lodgings. He applied to the Guardians for £5. When asked what he wanted the money for he said it was to get married. The woman he wanted to marry had two children.

To some amusement from the members of the Guardians he told the meeting that the parson had agreed to marry him free of charge.

After some further amused consultation Canon Barclay, chairman, said to the applicant amid further laughter that the Board had decided to make him a grant of £2 10s and therefore instead of Fitzgerald tipping the parson the parson will tip you.

Another Gazette report showed it was not all joy.

John Dickie objected to walking through streets a “sight”, having to wear a coat of “antique cut”, which had been given to him at the workhouse. He was obviously a person of fastidious taste and delicate susceptibilities, the report went on, as he had torn the coat into strips and he was now wearing a martyr’s crown within the walls of her Majesty’s Prison, Kendal.