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The notes below have been abstracted from the following reports.
To obtain further information on these reports click on the appropriate button.
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YATES REPORT
1824 LAW
1857 REPORT EXPLANATION
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YATES REPORT:
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| 1824 LAW (required establishment of poorhouse vs. exempted): Required
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1857 INVESTIGATION:
This house is located three
miles from Binghamton, and consists of three buildings, two of them of the
following size, 34 x 40 and 20 x 24 feet, affording seventeen rooms for the
occupancy of the paupers, but without ventilation and no provision for
bathing. It is warmed by stoves. The number of inmates was thirty-seven--fourteen male and twenty-three
female; three foreign and thirty-four native born, including five children
under sixteen years of age. From
one to six beds are placed in a room. The
average number is forty-five. They
are under the care of one keeper, who with his wife provides for the wants of
the family, and with the assistance of the paupers work also a farm of 130
acres.
The inmates are
supplied with plain substantial food, which is purchased by the keeper, who
also regulates and determines the amount and quality of food. The sexes are kept in different buildings but meet during the day in
the performance of their respective duties--at night the separation is
complete. One of the
superintendents of the poor is a physician, and has charge of the medical
treatment of the family. During
the year there has been one birth and one death. The children are sent to the district school, and when of suitable age
are bound out by the superintendents. The
house is supplied with bibles, but enjoys no other religious privileges
specially.
The weekly cost of the
inmates is $1.08 each, aside from the products of the farm, estimated to be
worth $800 annually. One third of
the inmates come here consequent upon habits of inebriation.
Twenty-one of the
paupers are lunatics; eight males and thirteen females, not one of whom has
been cured or improved during the year, nor do they receive any special
attention as insane, more than the other paupers. All are locked in cells at night, only one constantly in confinement,
no other restraints are employed. The
most of the insane are mild and inoffensive, some of them verging upon idiocy.
To the twenty-one
lunatics out of the thirty-seven in the house, eleven are to be set down as
idiots, three males and eight females, several of whom are promising subjects
for Dr. Wilbur of the state idiotic asylum.
The buildings are
insufficient to meet the varied wants of such a family, but have the
appearance of being well kept.
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Transcribed by PHS-Volunteer, Cheramie Breaux in Louisiana
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PERSONAL NOTES FROM READERS:
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LOCAL
NOTES:
"The co. poorhouse is located upon a farm of 130 acres 3 mi. N. of Binghamton. The average number of inmates is 45, kept at a weekly cost of $108 each, exclusive of the products of the farm, which are estimated at $800 per annum. The children are sent to the district school, and when of proper age are bound out. No religious instruction is afforded. The sexes are kept in separate buildings, and the general arrangement of the institution is such as to secure the health and comfort of the inmates."
Above quote is from
http://www.rootsweb.com/~nybroome/brhis.htm
Broome County Local History Page From: French's Gazetteer of the State of New York., p. 178-180
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| RECORDS:
"I have been able to find my great grandfather Benjamin Westgate in the
original Broome County Poor House books. They are located at the Broome County
Library and are quite extensive. If you would like me to look up
anyone at the Library -- just e-mail me."
Linda Dabulewicz agony-acres@msn.com
List
of Residents of the Broome County Poorhouse from the 1850 Census
(Corrected &
Completed 3/8/2002)
List
of Residents of the Broome County Poorhouse from the 1860 Census
Poorhouse INMATE REGISTRATION CERTIFICATES
Microfilm Series A1978 Roll
Number(s) 8-11 more information
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CEMETERY:
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| We are hoping to build this base of information about the poorhouse in BROOME county through the helpful participation of readers. All are requested to submit items of interest by sending
e-mail to The Poorhouse Lady.
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