Would some kind person take a look at the 1891 and 1901 censuses for The Workhouse in Knighton, Radnorshire and please tell me who the Master and his wife (if they had one) were please. I would also like to know their ages and where they say they were born. Don't want much do I
1901 Union Workhouse, Knighton (RG 13/5181, f.27, p.1) Richard M. Butler, Head, m(arried), 51, Master of Workhouse, b. Rads Walton(?) Old Radnor Ellen Butler, Matron, m(arried), 38, Matron of Workhouse, b. Rads Knighton plus three children 12, 11 and 2, all born Knighton Then a Workhouse Hospital Nurse, Industrial Trainer - Children and a Servant, before going onto the list of inmates. Edit: Richard (whose surname looks more like Butter here) was still in Radnor in 1891, but was the Registrar of Births and Deaths (RG 12/4582, f.24, p.3) and living in Frydd Terrace. The technique I used to find the workhouse in 1901 (searching FMP for people whose relation to head of household was 'inmate') didn't work for 1891 so will have to think of a different strategy.
I can find info on the 1881 cneensus - but I guess you have that but in case you don't - William Massey Workhouse Master age 59 born Bentley, Derby Elizabeth wife age 51 Matron born Fazely, Stafford.
Thank you very much Huncamunca. That is great. Someone had posted a picture on FB saying there was a gas explosion there in 1911 and the master a Mr Butler was killed. I searched the deaths between 1905 and 1915 for Butler and only 2 came up. One a lady in 1906 and the other was Mr Richard John M Butler in 1907 aged 57. I didn't want to correct it until I was sure. There is a picture just inside the Hospital door showing the destruction and is dated 1907. I feel confident enough now to correct it. Thank you very much indeed.
Thank you very much Gillyflower. I didn't have that info. Maybe I ought to do a study on Knighton Workhouse. Not naming all the inmates of course but a general master and matron and how many male female inmates by the census year. I do things like that cause I'm sad
Aha, in 1891 the workhouse residents are not listed as inmates but as paupers (RG 12/4582, f.23, p.1) The master is William B. Waterer(?), head, married, b. Surrey Newington and the matron Robina(?) S. do, matron, married, b. Scotland Edinburgh Their ages are obliterated by later check marks: hers is possibly 43 but I can't make out his at all.
1891 Frydd Lane Work House Knighton RG12/4582 f.23 p.1 William B. Waterer - head - m - Master of Workhouse - age illegible - Surrey Newington Robina S. Waterer - matron - m - Matron of Workhouse - 33?? - Scotland Edinburgh Ann Just beaten to it!!
Thank you both very very much indeed. Now to do some sleuthing and find out more about them. Thank you again.
There are some reports of the explosion in newspapers. Most say the master, Mr R. M. Butler, was 'badly injured' but the headline in the Cheltenham Chronicle of 14 December 1907 was 'Gas Explosion at a workhouse: master killed'.
Thank you so much for that Hunca. I shall have to buy some credits and get copies of the articles. He was killed. There is a picture of the undertakers horse and cart outside the hospital picking up Mr Butlers body. His name was Richard Morgan Butler. Don't know why he added the name John. He also lied about his age on the 1901 census. He was born in Walton in 1850 making him 41 not 51. Thank you yet again.
Could I be so cheeky as to ask for the same in 41, 51 and 61. 1871 was still William Massey and his wife Elizabeth (nee Sillitoe)
1841 HO107/1455/6 f.40. p.2 Samuel Hodson - 55 - Master - N Ann Hodson - 55 - Matron - N Ursula - 30 - Schoolmistress - N Harriet - 25 - Matron's Assistant - N Ann
Thank you very much Ann. Yet another one down. I will be up early in the morning looking for the grave stones in the old cemetery. I know William Massey and Mr and Mrs Butler are buried here so will be looking for them. Thanks again.
1851 HO/2493 F.103 p.35 Thomas Mathews - H - M - 57 - Governor of Workhouse - Llangunllo Radnorsh. Elizabeth Mathews - W - M - 52 - Matron - Whitton Radnorsh. Mary - Daur - U - 22 - School Mistress - City of London Ann - Daur - U - 10 or 16 - Scholar - City of London Ann
1861 RG9 9/4233 f.25 p.1 Thomas Mathews is still Governor with daughter Harriet (30, born Middlesex, London)who is Matron and daughter Mary who is still School Mistress. Ann PS Have fun looking for the gravestones - you may be doing it in the rain, which should add a certain amount of 'atmosphere'
Not that it helps in the grave hunt but there is a death registered for Elizabeth Matthews Knighton Rad. in 1861 (Radnorshire - Mar qtr 11b 145)
