Spalding, Lincolnshire

[Up to 1834] [After 1834] [Staff] [Inmates] [Records] [Bibliography] [Links]

Up to 1834

A parliamentary report of 1777 recorded parish workhouses in operation at Spalding (for up to 56 inmates), Gosberton (28), Pinchbeck (25), and Surfleet (12).

Spalding Poor Law Union was officially formed on 30th November 1835. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 25 in number, representing its 8 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):

County of Lincoln: Cowbit, Gosberton (4), Moulton (3), Pinchbeck (4), Quadring (2), Spalding (8), Surfleet (2), Weston.

The population falling within the Union at the 1831 census had been 15,579 with parishes ranging in size from Cowbit (population 556) to Spalding itself (6,497). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1833-35 had been £10,967 or 14s.1d. per head.

The new Spalding union workhouse was built in 1836-7 on the eastern side of Pinchbeck Road to the north of Spalding. The architect was Bryan Browning who was also responsible for the Bourne and Stamford workhouses. It was designed to accommodate 300 inmates and the Poor Law Commissioners authorized an expenditure of £5,350 for its construction. Its location and layout are shown on the 1903 map below:

Spalding workhouse site, 1903.

The workhouse was constructed in red brick and had a detached infirmary and school.

After 1930, the former workhouse became a Public Assistance Institution known as the Myntling Home (or Mintling House) and later as Pinchbeck Road Hospital.

Nothing now remains of the buildings.

Staff

1881 Census

Inmates

1881 Census

Records

Lincolnshire Archives, St. Rumbold Street, Lincoln LN2 5AB. Holdings include: Guardians' minute books (1835-1930); Births (1914-47); Admissions and discharges (1913-16, 1924-8, 1930-46); Creed register (1914-48); Punishment book (1862-1929); Register of lunatics (1914-48).

Bibliography

None.