Carmarthen, Carmarthenshire
Up to 1834
A parliamentary report of 1777 recorded a parish workhouse in operation at Laugharne with accommodation for up to six inmates.
After 1834
Carmarthen Poor Law Union was formed on 2nd July, 1836. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 32 in number, representing its 28 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):
County of Carmarthen:
Abergwilly (2), Abernant, Carmarthen (4), Conwil-in-Elfet, Laugharne, Laugharne township, Llanarthney, Llandawk [Llandawke], Llanddarog, Llandefeilog, Llandilo-Abercowin, Llandowror, Llanvihangel-Abercowin, Llangain, Llangendeirne, Llangynnin, Llangunnock, Llangynon, Llanllawddog, Llanpumpsaint, Llansadurnen, Llanstephan, Merthyr, Mydrim, Newchurch, St Clears, St Ishmaels, Treleach-ar-Bettws.
Later Additions: Castle Green, Llangunnor.
The population falling within the union at the 1831 census had been 35,944 with parishes ranging in size from Llandawk (population 19) to Carmarthen itself (9,995). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1833-35 had been £14,283 or 7s.11d. per head.
The Carmarthen Union workhouse for 140 inmates was erected in 1837 at the west side of Penlan Road to the north of Carmarthen. It was based on a relatively uncommon double-courtyard layout, with separate blocks to the east, south and west. Its location and layout are shown on the 1906 map below.
Carmarthen workhouse site, 1906.
The block at the sloping southern edge of the site was probably an infirmary.
Carmarthen infirmary(?) block, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
On the 19th June, 1843, the workhouse was stormed by the "Rebecca Rioters" who, in 1842-43, carried out a campaign of protests across South Wales, mainly against the high charges at the toll-gates on the public roads. The rioters took their name from the Book of Genesis (Chapter 24, Verse 60): "And they blessed Rebekah and said unto her, Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them." The rioters often included one or more "Rebecca" figures dressed in women's clothes and wearing a wig of ringlets.
Rebecca rioters, 1843.
© Peter Higginbotham.
On the day in question, protestors entered Carmarthen to lay their grievances before magistrates. However, possibly diverted by local unruly elements, a large crowd arrived at the workhouse where the master was forced to hand over his keys. The mob then rushed into the courtyard and then entered the buildings where they smashed furniture and broke windows. The riot continued until the arrival of the 4th Light Dragoons who brought proceedings until control and took sixty prisoners.
The main block was rebuilt in 1907 at a cost of around £9,000. The new building was three storeys high with a T-shaped layout.
Carmarthen workhouse site, 1936.
Carmarthen new main building, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Carmarthen rear of main building, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Carmarthen general view from the north-east, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
Carmarthen rear of entrance block, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
A two-storey entrance block containing an entrance archway was located at the east of the site on Penlan Road.
Carmarthen entrance from the east, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.
From 1904, to protect them from disadvantage in later life, the birth certificates for those born in the workhouse gave its address just as 1 Penlan Road, Carmarthen.
During the First World War, the workhouse was used as an Auxiliary Military Red Cross Hospital. Troops were also quartered there during the Second World War.
After 1930, the workhouse became a Public Assistance Institution. At some time around then, the main building was modernised with the removal of the east and west ranges, the addition of sanitary towers at the rear of the building, and the remodeling of the entrance.
The site later housed the offices of the local education authority. In 2000, a few of the former workhouse buildings were still occupied by charitable organisations, but the majority of the site was becoming derelict.
Staff
- 1895 — Master: Edwin Price; Matron: Miss Margaret Price.
- 1881 Census
Inmates
Records
- Carmarthenshire Archives Service, Parc Myrddin, Richmond Terrace, Carmarthen, SA31 1HQ. Sole holdings appear to be: Guardians' minute books (1927-30); Ledgers (1917-30).
Bibliography
- None.
Links
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