Workhouse, Patricroft

The first step in the direction of public control of local affairs followed the issuing of an order by the Poor Law Board in London on October 9, 1849, whereby the Barton Union was formed. Prior to that the township of Barton sent one representative to the Chorlton Board of Guardians. When the Barton Union was formed to the township of Barton was allotted four seats on the Board of Guardians. The Guardians’ meetings were first held in the old offices of the Overseers until the erection of the new Workhouse near Patricroft Station. The first meeting was held on November 29, 1849, and Mr. Holbrook Gaskell was elected the first chairman. At this meeting Mr. H. Whitworth, of Rochdale, was appointed clerk to the Board.

On July 30, 1851, the Poor Law Board issued an order directing the Guardians to proceed with the erecting of a new Workhouse at Patricroft, and Messrs Mills and Murgatroyd were instructed to prepare plans accordingly. The tender was let to Mr. Leigh, of Patricroft, and the total cost was nearly £5,000. The inmates entered into occupation in April, 1853, and the building was licensed as a place of worship by the first Bishop of Manchester, Bishop Prince Lee, on May 3, 1853. For over forty years the building met the requirements, but about twenty years ago extensive alterations were made, including the erection of a new hospital and the extension of the Workhouse premises in Green Lane. It may be noted that when the Union was formed the rateable value of Barton was £37,948 and the poor rate was two shillings in the pound, and in 1862, at the time of the cotton famine, the poor rate rose to 3s. 6d. in the pound. The amount actually levied now for the relief of the poor is eight pence in the pound.

Reference    Chapters in the History of Eccles T. Swindells 1914: Some Historical Notes on the Local Government of Eccles
Reference    Manchester Guardian 21 June 1851 Page 11
Reference    Manchester Guardian 28 June 1851 Page 11
Reference    Manchester Guardian 1 May 1852 page 10 – contract for gas fittings.