Lesson E1: Did people work in the workhouse?
By Sue Carter and Gail Brown, Redhills Primary
Click on any extract or image for a larger view
What jobs did people do whilst in St Thomas workhouse? Look at the extracts together. Draw up a class list. Discuss the jobs, what they were and why they were important.
- Breaking stones for road making.
- Oakum picking (casual tramps)
- Corn grinding
- Crushing gypsum - plaster manufacture
- Chopping wood
- Pumping water to upper levels of the building
- Working in service in large houses - farmhouses at 16 yrs
- Bottle cleaning
- Able bodied - making bed ticks, sewing shirts, rope mats, knitting stockings, laundry and kitchen work
- Apprenticed to Taylors and Shoe-makers.
Use the menu on the far right hand side (you may have ot scroll across) to look at an object used by those in charge of St Thomas workhouse.
Consider a visit to a local mill i.e. Lyme Regis town mill or Cricklepit Mill, Exeter. Children to share information.