The Sale of the Poor House in Penn

Description:Following the Poor Law Commission's enquiry, William Lewis, one of the Duke of Sutherland's Estate Agents, made investigations into the sale of the Poor House in Penn.

He wrote to James Loch, the Duke's Chief Estate Agent, on 18th April 1846 enclosing a letter he had received from a resident of Penn named W. S. Jorden. Jorden had made some enquiries into the sale of the property and his letter tells us about Penn Workhouse and the purpose it served in 1846.

Jorden's letter states that the sale of the Poor House 'originated with the Reverend Mr Heale' who was Guardian for the Township of Upper Penn. There was confusion in the Parish and amongst the Poor Law Commissioners whether the Workhouse belonged to the Parish or to the Duke of Sutherland.

Jorden describes the location of the Poor House which consisted of 'two Houses together' situated 'at the bottom of Mr. Beckley's Field'. Although the Poor House served an important social function within the community, Jorden describes it as 'a Harbour for all the rogues & vagabonds in the neighbourhood'.

Inhabitants of the Work House occupied only one house of the two conjoined properties, the other being occupied by a local man named Mr. Evans, a tenant of the Duke of Sutherland. Jorden advises William Lewis that the 'rogues & vagabonds' were 'a very great annoyance' to Evans, and were 'continually breaking down the fences'.

Jorden notes that if the Work House was to be sold he had no doubt that Mr. Evans would be interested and willing to 'give more money for it than any one else'.