Tendring Union - 1848

Comprises 32 parishes, embracing the Borough of Harwich, and all Tendring Hundred, except Brightlingsea, so that it extends over a district of about 77,000 acres. In 1841 it had 26,251 inhabitants of whom 12,927 were males and 13,324 females. Its total number of houses was then 5,527 of which 218 were unoccupied, and 19 building, when the census was taken. Its total expenditure, on the poor &c., in the year ending Dec 25th 1847 was £14,470. 18s. 5p., including £2,160 paid to the county and police rates. The number of paupers relieved in each quarter of the same year averaged about 2,800, of whom more than 300 were in-door poor. The UNION WORKHOUSE is a large brick building, in Tendring parish, in the centre of the Hundred, and was built in 1838, at the cost of about £12,000 including the purchase of 10 acres, comprised in the yards and garden ground, and formerly an open heath or common, now paying only a quit rent of £2 per annum to the lord of the manor. The house has room for 400 paupers, and the rooms are spacious, and well-ventilated. Mr Wm. Angell of Manningtree is the Union Clerk and Superintendent Registrar. Mr H and Mrs Harris are the master and matron of the Workhouse; and Wm. and Mary Plumb teachers of the schools. The Rev. Geo Wilkin is the chaplain. Messrs Geo Pudney, Partridge Stubbin and Samuel Whymark are the relieving officers; and Messrs. Geo. Pudney, Hy. Spuling, Wm. Rayner and Wm Biggs are the registrars of births and deaths. TEN SURGEONS are employed by the Union, and one of them Mr. W. Thompson is the house surgeon. The Board of Guardians meet every Wednesday; and J. M. Leake, Esq., is president and Mr. R. C. Salmon vice-president. Three guardians are elected yearly for Harwich, two each for Ardleigh, Manningtree, Mistley, St. Osyth, and Thorpe; and one for each of the other parishes.