Glasgow City Poorhouse.....

[Alison Plenderleith]

Hello All,

I have a death cert. for Matthew Cunningham, died 29th October 1891 in the Poorhouse, but says usual residence 20, East Rose Street. He was recorded as a pauper, formerly a slaughter house labourer.

Were people admitted on a temporary basis if they were ill? or can someone suggest why he would be there when he had his own residence.
The informant was his widow. Cause of death apoplexy.

Hoping someone can shed some light please.

Regards,

Alison

[Cathy]

Hi Alison,
I have some records were they went in for "medical" relief.

[JimM]

Hello Alison
As Cathy says it could be for medical relief
It's probable that if the person died in the poorhouse - he had applied to the relief board for treatment in the poorhouse hospital when ill.
People could could be in and out of the poorhouse many times and still have their home.

Jim

[WilmaM]

Some of the old Poorhouses are now General Hospitals.

The Southern General Hospital in Govan, was the old Poor House and the Geriatric Unit was in the original Building - any wonder the old folk had a horror of being admitted there ?

[Alison Plenderleith]

Hello Cathy, Jim and Wilma,

Thank you all for your replies.

I guess now my next post will be to ask some kind person when they are next in the Mitchell.....................

Regards,

Alison

[JimM]

Hi Alison
some good news and some bad news
The good news is that the Matthews record was written by the inspector John Cairns - the handwriting is beautiful and easy to read.
The bad news is that I was rushed trying to copy it on Friday before closing time.

Date of application: 3.50 pm 19th October 1891
Matthew Cunningham 20 East Rose street, outside stair, 1 up left.
Place of birth: Fort William

Date of Visit: 2.20pm 20th October 1891
Condition: Married, age: 62, Labourer.
Average value of weekly earnings: He has an allowance of 5/- weekly from market trust.
wholly or partially disabled: wholly, protestant, disability: Paralysis, Dr Muir.

First wife Margaret Faulds died in 1856 at 48 King street Calton.
Second Wife Agnes Rankin 60 years, born in Woodside, a winder earns 6d a day.
no family alive.

Son of John Cunningham, a soldier in 2nd Battalion 1st Royal Scots - afterwards a carter & Ann Riddell, both dead. Refer to 4.19.204.
Daughter of Richard Rankin, a weaver and Margaret Hamilton B/D (this means both dead).
First application, Settlement: Glasgow.

Married on 2nd March 1866 at 28 South St. Mungo street by Rev John Edgar as per extract seen.
He wrought for 15 years in Moore street slaughterhouse till March last when he became unfit and has since been granted an allowance of 5/- weekly from market trust.
house is single apt, dirty & untidy. No blankets, rent 7/- monthly no lodgers.
neighbours speak favourably of applicant and wife.

In 20 East Rose street Glasgow 3 years
Prior 6 East Hill street Glasgow 2 years
Prior 12 East Hill street Glasgow 5 years.

19/10/91 Granted medical relief
20/10/91 Applies for outdoor relief
House Income: 8/- weekly (she earns 6d a day).

28/10/91 Admitted to poorhouse (hospital).
29/10/91 died in poorhouse.


Continued on the next page is applications for Matthews widow Agnes Rankin, written by a different hand and not as easy to read. I didn't have time to decipher it all but I can give you the gist of it if you want.

Jim

[Alison Plenderleith]

Hello Jim,

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for that. This gives me information I didn't know about his father, i.e. 2nd Battalion 1st Royal Scots.

Am I correct in assuming that 'Refer to 4.19.204' would be in connection with Ann Riddell's Poorhouse records?

I would appreciate the gist of the application for Agnes.

I'm afraid I started snivelling when I read 'no blankets'.

Many thanks, Jim,

Best wishes,

Alison

[JimM]

Hi Alison
I know how you feel... it's very moving when you read some of the poor relief records for your own kin.

4.19.204 will refer to Matthews parents but it is a contemporary reference number and will not be on the modern index. If you post details of their approx D.O.B's and birthplace I'll check the records next time I'm at the Mitchell.

Here is the second page of Matthews record which deals with his widow Agnes Rankin, the handwriting is harder to read - there is also a small note glued to this page with other details.


D33125: 11.50am 19/11/91
Agnes Rankin Cunningham applies from 52 Tureen st. 2 up with Nelson(?). Certified rheumatism Dr Muir
20/11/91 Admitted to P/H.
23/12/91 left at O.R. (own request).

10.25am 31/12/91 Agnes Rankin Cunningham admitted to P/H from 52 Tureen st. Certified "stiff arm" Dr. Muir.
8/1/92 left at O.R. - on leaving got 2/6 & clothing valued at 4/6 from matron(?)

11.55 am Agnes Rankin Cunningham applies from Tureen st. Certified "complains of pain in arm" Dr. Muir.
Brother Robert in George st.
9/2/92 admitted to Poorhouse. Left 7/6/92

5th Nov. 1902 wid Matthew Cunningham from 16 Struthers st. with Black.
Certified "debility" etc. applies for re-admission to P/H.
8th Nov. 1902 order to City Poorhouse (transferred to Stobhill on 22/12/1902).

18/6/04 Admitted to Barnhill. Left 21/9/04 at O.R.

2.45 pm 30/9/04 widow Matthew Cunningham from 42 Struthers st.
Certified "senile debility" order granted to Barnhill

24/11/11 Transferred to Stobhill - senile
7/12/11 Died in Stobhill?

There is also a blue note glued to the record.

Brother John Rankin deceased left her the sum of £46.17.10d.
she wishes part of it to get out of the Poorhouse and keep herself for a change.

Decision of committee 7/10/0? (? (date is not clear but looks like 1900) :Applicant to get £20.
£10 at present & £10 4 months down(? not clear).


In case you are wondering about this last part ...
The Relief committee would have taken the money or bank book from Agnes, and would have taken funds to pay for her care and treatment.

Jim

[Alison Plenderleith]

Hello Jim,

Many thanks yet again.

You kindly looked before for Matthew's mother's application but unfortunately there wasn't one, although she died in there.

You must have spent ages on this and it is very much appreciated.

Best wishes,

Alison

P.S. I'm so pleased Agnes finally had a bit of money to spend.