Eagle House: The Workhouse of Eccleshall

Categories; History

March 25, 2025

View of Eagle House Bed and Breakfast (B&B), Eccleshall, Staffordshire, Stafford from Cross butts road

Eagle House was originally built to serve as the workhouse for the parish of Eccleshall, replacing the existing Workhouse located on Castle Street. In 1810, permission for its construction was granted by James Cornwallis, the Bishop of Lichfield, who owned the land. By 1817, the building was officially deemed suitable for housing the poor by Reverend Thomas Whitbey and Sambrook Higgins.

For over two decades, Eagle House functioned as Eccleshall’s parish workhouse, providing shelter and basic care for those in need. However, following the Poor Law reforms and the creation of the Stone Poor Union, the facility was closed, and on June 24, 1839, the last residents were relocated to Stone Workhouse.

Uncovering the History of Eccleshall Workhouse

Records from this period are scarce, making it difficult to fully understand the daily lives of those who lived at the Eccleshall Workhouse. However, by examining old newspaper articles and consulting documents preserved at the newly opened Staffordshire History Centre, it has been possible to to piece together some details about its history and residents.

Locating the Eccleshall Workhouse

While historical documents frequently reference the Eccleshall Workhouse (also known as the Poorhouse), only one known record specifically identifies its location. The 1839 Tithe Records list Plot 388, now Eagle House Bed and Breakfast, as a workhouse occupied by the Parish of Eccleshall, with the land owned by Samuel Lichfield, the Lord Bishop of Lichfield.

1839 Tithe Record entry for eagle house — Tithe Records IR 29-32-87 1839 2

The Staff of Eccleshall Workhouse

The workhouse was overseen by William Cordwell, who served as Governor from shortly after its opening until its closure in 1839. He lived on-site with his wife, who worked as the Governess, and their three children. In February 1839, records indicate that the Master and Matron (William and his wife) received a salary of £70 per year, along with an additional £7/13/6 allocated for the care of their children.

Despite the limited surviving records, these glimpses into the past help to illuminate the role of Eagle House in Eccleshall’s history and the lives of those who passed through its doors.

The Reforms of the Poor Law and the Formation of the Stone Poor Union

In 1832, the Royal Commission into the operation of Poor Laws, led by the Bishop of London, launched an investigation into how the Poor Laws were administered. The commission’s findings, published in March 1834, concluded that the existing system of providing relief was actually perpetuating poverty rather than alleviating it.

As a result, the Poor Law Amendment Act of 1834, often referred to as the ‘New Poor Law’, was introduced to reform the system. This legislation changed how support for the poor was managed, grouping local parishes into Poor Law Unions overseen by locally elected Boards of Guardians. Each of these unions was responsible for running its own workhouse, shifting the responsibility of care away from individual parishes.

The reforms ultimately resulted in a significant decrease in overall poor relief expenditure and signalled a shift towards a more punitive welfare system, rooted in the belief that individuals were to blame for their own poverty.

The Stone Poor Union, was established in February 1838 to manage the poor across the parishes of Eccleshall, Stone, Trentham, Standon, Chebsey, Sandon, Milwich, Cold Norton, Barlaston, and Swinerton.

At the time of the Union’s formation, workhouses already existed in Eccleshall, Trentham, and Stone. However, under the new system, the Eccleshall and Trentham workhouses were closed, and their residents were transferred to a newly expanded Stone Workhouse by June 24, 1839.

The People of Eccleshall Workhouse

Tracking the history of Eccleshall Workhouse has proven challenging, as no comprehensive inmate lists or detailed records have been found for much of its existence. However, some documentation does survive from February 1838 onwards, following the formation of the Stone Poor Union.

One of the most valuable surviving records is the Minute Book of the Board of Guardians of Stone, which provides a rare glimpse into Eccleshall workhouse’s final year. This book records weekly population counts at the Eccleshall Workhouse and documents some key decisions about individuals being admitted or discharged.

When the Stone Poor Union was established, 24 residents were housed at Eccleshall Workhouse. This number remained relatively stable for several months before increasing sharply as residents from Stone Workhouse were temporarily relocated to make way for its expansion. At its peak, 97 paupers lived at Eccleshall Workhouse, along with the Governor, his wife and their three children.

Though records are limited, the surviving documents offer valuable insight into the final chapter of Eccleshall Workhouse’s history before its closure in June 1839.

The names of only a small fraction of the residents of Eccleshall Poorhouse have been identified and are listed below.

Sarah Emery was only 1 when she was brought to Eccleshall workhouse by her grandmother in June 1838. She was born out of wedlock and was been abandoned by her mother. Her grandmother could not afford to support her. A month later her mother, Edny Emery, was apprehended and also sent to the workhouse. The former Workhouse is now operated as a Bed and Breakfast and one of the rooms is named after Sarah.

James Farmer from nearby Cotes Heath came to Eccleshall Workhouse, in May 1838, at the age of 75. He had fallen ill, was unable to work and was no longer able to pay his lodgings. He had a Son and Daughter but neither could afford to help him.

Edward Thauix (SIC) was 84 when he came to Eccleshall Workhouse in May 1838. He was unable to work due to old age and had no friends or family able to offer him assistance.

Samuel Parton was 69 years old when he was sent to the Eccleshall Workhouse in June 1838. He had been ill for eight years and had been unable to work. He had a Son, who was a potter, and a daughter but they could no longer afford to support him.

Ann Cheadle from Stone was 74 in July of 1838 when Thomas Robinson, who lived with her and had been supporting her, applied for her to be removed to the Eccleshall Workhouse.

Harriet Plant (31) and her children Elisabeth (2) and Thomas (1 month) were sent to Eccleshall Workhouse in July 1838 when her husband, Thomas Plant abandoned his family. Thomas, a labourer, had previously spent a month prison for neglecting to support his family. In 1837, he had also been sent to jail for threatening his wife. A warrant was issued for his arrest but he was not apprehended. In October 1838 he took his wife out of the workhouse and then absconded once again.

James Fairbanks & family August 1838

In August 1838, Edward Boode (77), Joseph Glover (62) and Martha Oldbury (17) were transferred from Stone to the Eccleshall Workhouse.

In December 1838 a heavily pregnant Catherine Pershall (43) and her son Charles (6) were admitted to Eccleshall Workhouse. Her mother and father lived in Eccleshall but were unable to support her. Her daughter, Hannah, was born in early 1839.

Jane Cooper from nearby Croxton was sent to Eccleshall Workhouse in January of 1838 after being judged to be of unsound mind.

In February 1835 William Boughey (35) who was a resident at Eccleshall Workhouse) passed away. He was described as ‘a notorious poacher’.

Stephen Millward (80) was relaced from prison in November 1838, where he had spent two years for debt. He had no one that was able to assist him so he was sent to Eccleshall Workhouse.

Ann Groom (34) and her three children, Mary Anne (10) Elizabeth (6) and Fanny (4 months) were admitted to Eccleshall Workhouse after her husband absconded. Her husband, John Groom, had previously spent time in jail for failing to support his family. A warrant was issued for his arrest and the reliving officer (Mr Bradshaw) was ordered to go to Tamworth to apprehend him. Mary and John also had a son called John who would have been 4 years old when his mother and sisters came to Eccleshall workhouse. However, he is not recorded as being with them. Ann and John go on to have another child called Maria in 1840. At the time of the 1841 Census, Ann and her children are living in Croxton without her husband.

Elizabeth Rathbone and her 2 year old son Joseph were admitted to the Workhouse in September 1838. Joseph was among the Eccleshall Workhouse inmates transferred to Stone Union Workhouse in 1839 but it is not clear what happened to Elizabeth. By the time of the 1851 Census, a 15 year old Joseph had left Stone Workhouse and was working in the service of the Cheadle family in Stone. He went on to marry and have a family of his own.

William Ward (73), an outpatient of the infirmary at Stafford, was ill and unable to work. So, in October 1838, he was admitted to the Eccleshall Workhouse. By November William had recovered sufficiently to leave the workhouse and was allowed relief of 2/_ a week outside the Workhouse.

A 9 year old girl called Emma was brought to Eccleshall Workhouse in October of 1838 by her grandfather John Slaney (66), a bee keeper from Cootes Heath. He applied for assistance in maintaining the child following the death of her mother. Her father had abandoned her not long after her birth.

Ann Jenkinson (36) of Hilderstone and her three children Richard (8), John (6) and Noah (4) had been receiving out-door relief of 1/6 and 8lbs Bread. However, it had been reported that her conduct was ‘not what it ought to be’ and they were sent to the Eccleshall Workhouse in October 1838.

Following the death of her husband John, Mary Merrick (39) could no longer afford to support herself and her three children John (14), Jane (11) and Mary (7). Mary’s sonJohn was an apprentice shoemaker but could not support himself. They arrived at Eccleshall Workhouse in October of 1838. By the time of the 1841 Cencus, Mary and her three children are living in Meaford, near Stone. At this time John is listed as a bricklayers apprentice.

Mary Alcock (26) from Gnosall was sent to Eccleshall workhouse with her three Children at the end of October 1838. She had two daughters Fanny (2) and Emmily (<1). The name of her eldest child is not recorded.

In November of Thomas Evenal (14), an inmate of Eccleshall Workhouse was given some additional clothing so that he could begin an apprenticeship with a local Blacksmith called Joseph Adams.

Mary Butters (24) and her 8 month old son William were sent to Eccleshall Workhouse at the end of November 1838. William was born out of wedlock but was affiliated to his father who was required to pay the costs associated with the workhouse order.

55 year old John Hordley and his wife were removed from Birmingham infirmary to Eccleshall Workhouse in December of 1838.

James Cooper (65) was allowed out of the workhouse with relief of 1/6 & 4lbs Bread in December of 1838.

In December 1838, William Jones (76) from Croxton applied for admittance to Eccleshall Workhouse. He was unable to work due to Rheumatism and had no relations able to assist him.

Ann Brocke (25) and her 2 year old daughter Eliza were sent to Eccleshall Workhouse in December 1838. She worked for her brother who was a shoemaker but, following the death of her husband James, 12 moths previously, was unable to support herself and her daughter. The Minute Book states that ‘the supposed cause of her applying for relief is that her father has been called on for his poor levy’. By the time of the 1841 Census, Ann and Eliza are living in Eccleshall. Ann later remarries and Eliza goes on to have a family of her own.

In December of 1838, Richard Breese (30) and his wife Sarah (29) were admitted to Eccleshall Workhouse with their four children; John (6), Richard (5), Emma (3) and Charlotte (1). Richard was a labourer, working in Stoke upon Trent but he and his wife had been ‘attacked by fever were obliged to apply for relief’. Both recovered and by the time of the 1841 Census were living in Swinnerton.

Joseph Adams (84) and his wife were inmates at Eccleshall Workhouse. In December of 1838, the local magistrate ordered Thomas Adams, Blacksmith of Eccleshall, to pay 2/_ a week towards the support of his parents. Joseph passed away in January 1839.

In December 1838, Mary Shelley who had been a resident at Eccleshall workhouse passed away. The Union allowed 10/_ for a Coffin and Burial fees of 4/_.

Mary Rhead (30) arrived at Eccleshall Workhouse in December 1838 with her three children; George (8), Elizabeth (5) and Thomas (2). Her husband Joseph Rhead (30), a shoemaker, had absconded and left his family destitute.

John Jones from Croxton was admitted to Eccleshall Workhouse at the end of January 1839.

Sarah Brown (40) was readmitted to Eccleshall workhouse in January 1839 having spent the previous 12 months out of the workhouse, in the service of Mr Greatrex. The Minute Book records that she was ‘very deaf’ and had no house or friends.

John Brickerton (61) and his wife Sarah (64) left Eccleshall Workhouse in February 1839 and were allowed 3/_ a week of relief.

James Cooper (27) left Eccleshall Workhouse in February 1839 and was allowed 1/6 a week out of the house.

Hannah Plant, a resident at Eccleshall Poorhouse died in early February. The union gave a coffin allowance of 19/_.

John Jones (47) and his Family were sent to Eccleshall Workhouse in February 1839 as he was unable to work due to illness.

Margaret Williams (41) and her four children; Ann (17), Sarah (15), Margaret (11) and William (5) were removed by order from Bollington to Eccleshall Workhouse in February 1839. Margaret and her three eldest children were all employed at a silk factory. They appear to have been removed to the Workhouse as a result of a dispute over a dept for coal.

Cornelius Lloyd and his family, from Cootes Heath, were sent to Eccleshall Workhouse in March of 1839. There are no notes regarding the circumstances other than that ‘the medical officer reports him a suspicious character’.