Croydon Workhouse Minute Book 1881

The records of the Croydon Union Workhouse from 1881 show the sad stories of some of the poorer women and children living in the area at this time and the futile and ineffective punishments meted out according to the law of the time.  An entry in the Workhouse's Minute Book for 26 July 1881 records:

It was resolved that Mr Henry John Upton R.O. be authorized to apply to the Magistrates at Croydon for a Warrant for the apprehension of Charles Lamb late of No.51 Wilford Rd. Croydon Mathamatical (sic) Instrument Maker for deserting and leaving his Wife Fanny and children Ellen aged 12 years Alice aged 10 years Charles aged 8 years Eliza aged 4 years and Maria aged 10 months in consequence whereof they became chargeable to the Common Fund of the Croydon Union on the 26th day of July 1881 and are still chargeable thereto.

It is not recorded why Mr Lamb left his family.  It may have been due to lack of work or income, or perhaps drunkenness.  Or to seek work elsewhere.  He may have left in despair at being unable to support his family financially, in the knowledge the Union would look after them.

Another entry reads:

On the 27th August Michael Mann was sentenced to seven days hard labour for wilfully neglecting and refusing to support his Wife Hannah Mann who became chargeable to the Common Fund of the Union on the 15th July last.

It is clear that husbands left their wives and children to the mercy of the Union, even though they risked a jail sentence, albeit a very short one.

Alas, the law and punishment for abandonment of one's wife and children did not help Charlotte Boyt, abandoned and pregnant at this time, but unmarried.  It did not extend to the apprehension of men who deserted pregnant fiancees.

And so Charlotte, even though she had some idea of the whereabouts of the father of her child, had no recourse but to seek help and shelter from the Croydon Workhouse when the birth of her child was imminent.