The treatment of poverty in Nantwich and Crewe 1730-1914

Abstract

This thesis examines the various ways in which poverty was treated in Crewe and Nantwich from the operation of the old Poor Law to 1914 when a complex combination of private and public effort existed in an attempt to ease the plight of the Poor. The operation of the old Poor Law is examined to establish who received relief and to identify the attitudes of the Overseers. The form in which relief was granted is discussed, together with an examination of the growing 'crises' in relation to the cost of relief. Comparisons are made with Cheshire and England and Wales as national fears are compared with the reality of local experience.
Charitable endeavour is then examined in the context of what groups were targeted for relief and what form relief took. The scale of relief is compared to that emanating from the Overseers and the problems associated with a lack of finance in the face of growing need is examined.
The impact of the new Poor Law on Nantwich Union is assesed in the context of developments within the County and Country as a whole. The application of the Amendment Act is examined in the context of whether or not the Commissioners aim of uniformity was achieved and conditions in the workhouse are compared with findings in The Lancet. Trends in pauperism are highlighted and assessed in the light of national policies.
Finally the role of charitable endeavour, self-help, and paternalism are examined between 1834-1914 emphasis being placed on how fund raising dominated working class leisure pursuits as sustained injections of cash were needed. The growing need for state intervention is examined together with the attitude of the Friendly Societies to this policy which threatened their very existence.