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Axbridge Poor Law Union

As a result of the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, Somerset was divided into 17 Poor Law Unions which also became the Civil Registration Districts from 1837. 

Although predominantly rural they differed considerably in composition from each other.  Axbridge covered the second highest acreage and by 1891 had the third highest population.  Each Union had its own Workhouse usually based in the town from which the Union took its name.

 The Axbridge Poor Law Union was created in April 1836.  The area covered by the Axbridge Union included 38 parishes as shown in the map below. 

Some were very small parishes such as Charterhouse, Christon and Nyland with Batcombe with populations in 1841 of 99, 91 and 44 respectively and some larger developing areas around Weston-super-Mare and Burnham on Sea.

This Union was organised by a Board of Guardians elected from the component parishes who were responsible to the Poor Law Commissioners.  The 38 parishes were divided into four districts, centred on Banwell, Burnham, Wedmore and Axbridge, each with a Relieving Officer. 

The Axbridge Workhouse was built in the parish of Compton Bishop, not Axbridge, and technically illegitimate children who were born in the Workhouse when it was first in operation had a settlement in the parish of Birth  i.e. Compton Bishop. 

 

This site will include further information about the Axbridge Union including transcriptions of some of the Axbridge Workhouse Records and some information about individual inmates.   If you have any specific queries or information about the Axbridge Union please contact Pat Hase.

 

There are documents relating to this place.
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Documents:
1841 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
1851 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
1861 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
1871 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
1881 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
1891 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
1901 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
1911 Census of Axbridge Union Workhouse
Axbridge Workhouse Admissions 25th July 1880 - 31st Oct 1881
A Brief Introduction to Somerset Union Workhouses
Axbridge Workhouse Masters & Matrons
Baptisms in Axbridge Union Workhouse
Births in Axbridge Union Workhouse
Deaths in Axbridge Union Workhouse
Axbridge Workhouse Discharges 29th April 1880 - 20th Dec 1881
1939 Register of Axbridge Public Assistance Institution
Axbridge Paupers - A study of Axbridge Union Workhouse
Axbridge Paupers - Case Studies of Inmates

Forthcoming Events

Library Help Session
Saturday, 6th April, 2024 14:00 - 15:30
Physical Members' Meeting
Wednesday, 10th April, 2024 14:30 - 17:00
Library Help Session
Saturday, 4th May, 2024 14:00 - 15:30
Physical Members' Meeting
Wednesday, 8th May, 2024 14:30 - 17:00
Library Help Session
Saturday, 1st June, 2024 14:00 - 15:30
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