Forfar Poorhouse - address?

[Aliballibee]

Good Evening: It's been some time since I posted to the forum.

I'm currently researching John Angus in Forfar:

1871 Census he is noted as Bed Ridden (Spinal Disease)
1881 Census he is noted as Former Quarryman (disabled)
1884 he passes away, cause of death: Paraplegia

It's noted he is a Pauper (Former Stone Quarrier) and his address given as 8 Arbroath Road, Forfar.

My query is, can anyone confirm whether this was the poorhouse or infirmary in Forfar, which I believe were both on Arbroath Road?

Many thanks

[AndrewP]

Hi Aliballibee,

According to a 1940s Ordnance Survey map, 8 Arbroath Road was a terraced house nearer the town centre than the poorhouse. The poorhouse may have been number 28 (the two houses in front of it are shown as #24 and #26, with the poorhouse access road being just after them.

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by ... =ESRIWorld

https://www.workhouses.org.uk/Forfar/

The building on the site of the poorhouse nowadays is the fire station which has an address in Strang Street - its access is round the corner into that street.

The former infirmary was on the odd-numbered side of Arbroath Road.

All the best,

AndrewP

[WilmaM]

The Valuation Roll for 1885 gives:

ANGUS MRS Tenant Occupier HOUSE NO 8 ARBROATH ROAD FORFAR 1885 VR003200009-

So looks as if he died at home?

[Aliballibee]

Hi Aliballibee,

According to a 1940s Ordnance Survey map, 8 Arbroath Road was a terraced house nearer the town centre than the poorhouse. The poorhouse may have been number 28 (the two houses in front of it are shown as #24 and #26, with the poorhouse access road being just after them.

https://maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by ... =ESRIWorld

https://www.workhouses.org.uk/Forfar/

The building on the site of the poorhouse nowadays is the fire station which has an address in Strang Street - its access is round the corner into that street.

The former infirmary was on the odd-numbered side of Arbroath Road.

All the best,

AndrewP

Hi Andrew - thank you for the comprehensive response, including those excellent links.

I'll save those for future checks.

Best regards

Alan

[Aliballibee]

The Valuation Roll for 1885 gives:

ANGUS MRS Tenant Occupier HOUSE NO 8 ARBROATH ROAD FORFAR 1885 VR003200009-

So looks as if he died at home?

Thanks William - does look like it.

I wondered if the spinal disease was caused by a work accident but probably little way of finding out.

Best regards

Alan

[WilmaM]

I wondered if the spinal disease was caused by a work accident but probably little way of finding out.

Best regards

Alan

If it as an accident perhaps the newspapers would have carried the story?

[Aliballibee]

Hi WilmaM

First off, let me apologise for calling you "William" in my earlier response - I really should clean my glasses more often!

In terms of newspapers, I would have thought an accident might have made local news. I have a subscription to a newspaper service and will take a look.

Best regards and apologies again

Alan

[Currie]

I couldn’t find an accident report but perhaps this is the fellow.

Dundee Courier, Wednesday, November 30, 1870
FORFAR.
BURGH COURT—RAID UPON THE “SHEBEENS.”—At the Burgh Court on Monday—Bailie Thornton presiding—John Angus and Agnes Kerr or Angus, his wife, residing in Dundee Loan, Forfar, were found guilty of selling spirits and other excisable liquors without a license. This case created some interest, and a large number of spectators were present during the hearing. The Fiscal withdrew the case against John Angus in consequence of a long and continued illness, but moved for sentence against his wife. The sentence of the Court was a fine of £7 with 14s. expenses, with the alternative of six weeks’ imprisonment. She went to prison. At the Police Court a number of persons found in the shebeen were fined in small amounts.

The article is somewhat blurred but I think the above is how it reads. If that’s him there’s no mention of an accident so most likely just illness.

“Agnes Kerr or Angus” crops up again in the Dundee papers in 1888 and 1892.

Alan

[WilmaM]

Hi WilmaM

First off, let me apologise for calling you "William" in my earlier response - I really should clean my glasses more often!

In terms of newspapers, I would have thought an accident might have made local news. I have a subscription to a newspaper service and will take a look.

Best regards and apologies again

Alan

It happens often Alan - I'm used to it.

Alan [Currie] that does look like them, her name seemed to be Agnes Kerr.