Ancestry UK

Brecknock, Breconshire

Note that the historical county of Brecknockshire and its county town of Brecknock are also known, respectively, as Breconshire and Brecon, with both forms being used in official documents. However, the Brecknock Poor Law Union was always referred to as such.

[Up to 1834] [After 1834] [Staff] [Inmates] [Records] [Bibliography] [Links]

Up to 1834

The parish of Llanddetty operated a parish workhouse located around 1.5 miles to the west of Llangynidr. The building is now a residential property known as the Old Workhouse.

Brecknock workhouse site, 1904

Llanddetty former parish workhouse from the west, 2010.
© Peter Higginbotham.

After 1834

Brecknock Poor Law Union was formed on 5th October, 1836. Its operation was overseen by an elected Board of Guardians, 47 in number, representing its 42 constituent parishes as listed below (figures in brackets indicate numbers of Guardians if more than one):

Brecknockshire: Aberyscir, Battle, Christ's College, Brecon — St. Davids's Upper and Lower Division or Llanfaes (2), Brecon — St. John the Evangelist (2), Brecon — St. Mary's (2), Cantref and Capel hant dû, Cathedine, Cray, Garth Brengy, Glynn, Glyn Tawe (or Callwen), Llanddetty, Llanddew, Llandefaelog (or Llandefaelog) fach, Llandefailog (or Llandefaelog) tre'r Graig, Llandefalle (2), Llandeilo'r Fan, Llanfigan (or Lanfeigan, Llanvigan), Llanfihangel fechan, Llanfihangel Nant Bran, Llanfihangel Tal y llyn, Llanfillo, Llanfrynach, Llangasty Tal y llyn, Llangorse, Llanhamlach, Llansaintfraed (or Llansantffraid), Llanspyddyd, Llanywern, Maescar, Merthyr Cynog (2), Modrydd, Pen Pont, Senny, Talachddu, Trallwng (or Trallong), Trawscoed, Trayan (or Traian) Glas, Trayan (or Traian) Mawr, Venny fach, Ysclydach.

The population falling within the union at the 1831 census had been 17,550 with parishes ranging in size from Llandefailog tref Graig (population 47) to the combined parishes of Brecknock (5,002). The average annual poor-rate expenditure for the period 1834-36 had been £8,110 or 9s.3d. per head of the population.

In 1838, the Poor Law Commissioners approved an expenditure of £2,649 on a workhouse for 100 inmates. The workhouse was erected in 1838-39 on Bailihelig Road, approximately a mile to the south-west of Brecon.

Brecknock workhouse site, 1904

At the front, facing north-east, stood a long block with a central entrance.

Brecknock entrance block from the south-east, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

To the rear, connected by a short central spine, was a parallel accommodation block.

Brecknock workhouse site from the south, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

Brecknock rear accommodation block from the south, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

A separate block, probably the original infirmary, stood at the rear.

Brecknock infirmary block, 2000.
© Peter Higginbotham.

The workhouse later became St David's Hospital providing care for geriatric patients. This closed in the early 1990s and the site was taken over by the Christ College Public School for use as hall of residence known as St David's House.

Staff

Inmates

Records

Note: many repositories impose a closure period of up to 100 years for records identifying individuals. Before travelling a long distance, always check that the records you want to consult will be available.

  • Powys County Archives Office, Unit 29, Ddole Road Enterprise Park, Llandrindod, LD1 6DF. Relatively few records survive. Holdings include: Assessment committee minutes (1862-80); list of paupers (1926-29) etc.

Bibliography

Links

  • None.

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