Torquay’s Other History: The Newton Abbot Workhouse Scandal of 1894

By Kevin Dixon, on Sunday, July 31, 2011

Newton Abbot Workhouse: built in 1837 in East Street, Newton Abbot

In the 19th century, those unable to provide for themselves through extreme poverty, disability, or physical and mental illness, often ended up in the Newton Abbot Workhouse, which included the Borough of Torquay in its remit.

The Newton Abbot Poor Law Union had been formed in 1836 and their Workhouse – which could accommodate 350 inmates – was built in 1837 in East Street.

In 1894, the workhouse was the focus of an inquiry by the Local Government Board.

It was claimed that a strait-jacket, called a ‘jumper’ was in regular use, and that elderly inmates had been placed in it naked, and then tied to beds. This had led, it was alleged, to the deaths of some inmates.

Witnesses described that the wards were filthy, and the inmates infested with vermin. A nurse testified that she had found a female inmate dying, her hair had been cut off, and her toe-nails were like claws. Another paralysed inmate had injured herself with her uncut finger-nails.

Another nurse said she had been given sole charge of about 150 sick paupers. The beds were filthy and sick children were under the care of two partially blind women. One child had been tied to a bed with string to prevent it from running about as it had no shoes and stockings. Eleven children had four nightgowns between them. Neither brushes nor combs were provided and their food was kept in the lavatories. Another witness said she saw two men tied to the same bed.

A woman with, what we would now call, learning disabilities was observed in the workhouse yard crouched in a corner with a bruised face. A shed had been built for her in the yard, but the boys threw stones and snowballs at her. Her tormentors included the master’s son. Fighting amongst the inmates – who were described as ‘idiots’ – was common, as was ‘immorality’ among them.

The matron for almost 30 years, Ann Mance, was accused of neglecting her duties, having visited the sick ward only five times in three months. She was dismissed, and died from a heart condition a few weeks later.

The Workhouse buildings were later incorporated in the Old Newton Abbot Hospital.