Shropshire Routes to Roots

Welfare records: Examples of clothing bills

The Overseers of the Poor were required to clothe Pauper Apprentices when they started work and also people in the Workhouse. They would also supply Paupers with shoes or some clothing from time to time. The clothing bills give an idea of the type of clothing supplied and what poor people of the time would have worn. Note that coats or cloaks seem never to have been provided. Paupers perhaps used old sacks as outerwear instead.

Apr 03,1822 Receipted a/c from Wm.Edwards to Mr.Shepherd, O/S, Wrockwardine Parish for clothing (Nov 19,1821-Jan 1822)

Rebecca Churms son, Trowsers and 2½yds Fustin; Elizabeth Howen? Flannel Jacket, Shifts, Shoes, Stockings; Wm.Rowley Shoes, Stockings; Thos.Lewis and Family 3yds Linsey, 3yds Flannel; Emma Pickerel Stockings; Sarah Thomas Flannel Jacket, Shoes Stockings; Thos.Thomas Jacket, Trowsers, Shoes, Stockings; Hannah Lewis 5yds Linsey, 3yds Cloath, 1yd Callow, for son Hatt; John Oliver Trowsers, Jacket; Maria Thomas cloth, shoes stockings. Total £6 1s 9d.

Aug 06,1817 Receipted a/c from J.Hollis to O/Ss of Wrockwardine Parish

Jul 1817. Pr. shoes patched all round, Elinor Picken 1s 6d; A pr. soled round and patched, Jas.Picken 1s 6d; A pr. soled, new heels, patched and welted, L.Beard 3s 0d; A pr. shoes patched and mended 1s 6d, A pr. soled patched and mended, A.Blaney 1s 8d; A pr. soled and 5 large patches Rebecca Churm 2s 11d. Total 12s 0d.

Jun 09,1830 Letter and Acct. from Mary Humphreys of Esq. Scots Cottages, Betton near the Weeping? Gate.

Mr.Sheppard Sir, I have taken the libertey of informing you that Jane Pickering have being at her place with Mrs.Jackson since the 6? of May and sutes extreamley well Mrs.Jackson thinks she will make a good Servant and providing she keep going on as well as she do at presant she will not be likeley to trouble you any more. Mrs.Jackson was not willing to have her till she was better provided for in close I bought her the folowing artickles 5yds Print at 9½d (4s 10½d); 1 pair shoes 5s; Mending a pair of shoes 1s 6d; 1½yds Gingham 10d; 2 Aprons 1s 4d; 2 Hankchfs 1s 8d; 5yds Calico at 3d (2s 1d); 2yds Striped Linen for a Peticoate at 11d (1s 10d); 1yd Muslin for caps 1s; 1 pr. Stays 3s 2d; 5yds Print at 10d (4s 2d); 1 Bonnet 3s; 1 pr.Stockings 1s 3d; yarn for footing 1s 3d; 3yds black stuff for Skirt at 10d (2s 6d). Total £1 15s 5½d. which Mrs.Jackson says she considers but a moderate charge on the parish for taking her of them.