Cockermouth
 

Cockermouth Union

The Union Workhouse at the top of Sollart Street, was erected in 1840, and opened June 23rd 1841; since which time upwards of £500 have been expended on its improvement; and in 1847 an east wing and fever hospital was added, at a further expense of £600. 

The classification of paupers here is admirable, and it is one of the most complete and best conducted workhouses in the North of England.

The Union, which is divided into four registration districts of Cockermouth, Keswick, Workington, and Maryport, comprises the following 47 parishes and townships, containing an area of 106,756 acres, and in 1841, a population of 35,566 souls.

Viz :- 

• Allerby and Oughterside, 
• Bassenthwaite, 
• Bewaldeth and Snittlegarth, 
• Blindercrake, Isell and Redmain, 
• Bothel and Threapland,
• Bridekirk, 
• Broughton (Great), 
• Broughton (Little),
• Blindbothel, 
• Borrowdale, 
• Brackenthwaite, 
• Brigham,
• Buttermere, 
• Cammerton, 
• Clifton (Great), 
• Clifton (Little),
• Cockermouth, 
• Crosscannonby, 
• Dearham, 
• Dovenby, 
• Dean, 
• Ellenborough and Unerigg, 
• Eaglesfield, 
• Embleton, 
• Flimby, 
• Gilcrux, 
• Greysouthen, 
• Isell Old Park,
• Keswick, 
• Lorton, 
• Loweswater and Mockerkin, 
• Mosser, 
• Papcastle,
• Plumbland, 
• Ribton, 
• Seaton, 
• St John's, Castlerigg, 
• Sunderland, 
• Setmurthy, 
• Stainburn,
• Tallantire, 
• Undershiddaw ?
• Whinfell, 
• Winscales, 
• Workington, 
• Wythburn, 
• Wythop. 

The average yearly expenditure of the Union since 1841 has been upwards of  £7,000 and the total number of in and out door paupers relieved, for the quarter ending March 1846 was 1,475, exclusive of 826 "children relieved with their  parents" The average number of in-door paupers during 1846-7 was about 230.

Robert Benson is superintendent registrar; 
Mr Nicholas Williamson, registrar of births and deaths; and 
Mr Robert Richardson, registrar of marriages.

The relieving officers are N Williamson for Cockermouth; F Greenip for Keswick; H Hayton for Workington and I Fawcett for Maryport district.

The medical officers in the same order are - Henry Bell, Ralph Brown, Samuel Hamilton and Joseph Pearson. Mr Charles Brown, manager of the Cumberland Bank is Treasurer, and R F Yarker esq solicitor of Ulverston auditor for the Cumberland West District. 

The Board of Guardians meet every Monday at the Court House, and on the first Monday in every month at the Workhouse. John Story Spedding esq is Chairman and John Wilson Fletcher esq Vice-Chairman. 

Source:
Mannex 1847 Cumberland Directory
Submitted by Betty Longbottom

Inmates

Records Available

Cumbria Archive Service

Page updated 06 August, 2007 by Rossbret