GENUKI - LEI, Billesdon Poorlaw Union

Billesdon Poorlaw Union

The Billesdon Union was established by the 1834 Poorlaw Amendment Act and was formed in 1836.
The Billesdon Union included 36 parishes; Allexton, Billesdon, Burton Overy, Bushby, Carlton Curlieu, Cold Newton, East Norton, Evington, Frisby, Galby, Glen Magna, Goadby, Great Stretton, Halstead, Houghton-on-the-Hill, Humberstone, Hungarton, Illston-on-the-Hill, Keyham, King's Norton, Little Stretton, Loddington, Lowesby, Marefield, Newton Harcourt, Nosely, Owston, Rolleston, Scraptoft, Skeffington, Stoughton, Thurnby, Tilton, Tugby, Whatborough, Wistow and Withcote.
The number and names of parishes in the Union would vary over time. In 1892, Evington and Humberstone parishes were transferred to Leicester Poorlaw Union.
The Union Workhouse was 9 miles east of Leicester city.
The Union House was built on rising ground on the north side of Billesdon village. It was designed to hold 100 inmates.
The Union House was completed and opened in January, 1846.
The Board of Guardians met on alternate Mondays at the Workhouse.

Year Inhabitants

1841 6,810

1871 7,569

1881 10,073

1891 6,309

1901 6,172

1911 6,913

1881: Thomas INGRAM, Clerk to the Board of Guardians; Robert HORSPOOL, workhouse master; W. F. FRANKS, surgeon; Rev. WIlliam Greville HAZLERIGG, chaplain, Mrs. Elizabeth HORSPOOL, workhouse matron.
1899: W. E. RICHARDSON, Clerk to the Board of Guardians; William Unwin HEYGATE, Treasurer; Thomas Kerr HAMBY, relieving officer; William WADKIN, workhouse master; Edward WILLIAMS, medical officer; Rev. Charles Rowland FOWKE, chaplain, Mrs. Emma WADKIN, workhouse matron.
1912: William Henry KENDALL, chairman; Walter Edward RICHARDSON, Clerk to the Board of Guardians; Samuel Francis STONE, Treasurer; William WADKIN, workhouse master; Edward Kynaston WILLIAMS, medical officer; Rev. George CHRISTIAN, chaplain, Mrs. Emma WADKIN, workhouse matron.

[Created: 10-August-2009 - Louis R. Mills]