Recruitment of Workhouse Officers

The recruitment of other Workhouse Officials did not begin until January 1844. Applications were sought through the Sentinel on January 13th of that year for a number of posts. These included the Medical Officer.

Advertisement for Master and Matron

This extract from the "Carlow Sentinel" of 13th January, 1844 is concerned with the seeking of applicants for the posts of Master and Matron at Carlow Union Workhouse in 1844. These were the first appointments to these posts. The advertisement sets out the duties of the Master as enforcing the employment of paupers, providing for the employment of paupers, keeping accouts taking charge of provisions and stores and superintending generally the Management of the Workhouse and its inmates. The salary was fixed at £60 per annum. The Master was also to receive apartments coals, candles and rations. The candidate was to provide two sureties of £200 each. The Matron was expected to assist the Master in the Management of the Workhouse, particularly the females and be competent in dressmaking skills. she would be paid £30 per annum and she would have to provide 2 sureties in the amount of £100 each.

Carlow County Library
Advertisement for Master and Matron
Carlow County Library

Advertisement for Master and Matron

This extract from the "Carlow Sentinel" of 13th January, 1844 is concerned with the seeking of applicants for the posts of Master and Matron at Carlow Union Workhouse in 1844. These were the first appointments to these posts. The advertisement sets out the duties of the Master as enforcing the employment of paupers, providing for the employment of paupers, keeping accouts taking charge of provisions and stores and superintending generally the Management of the Workhouse and its inmates. The salary was fixed at £60 per annum. The Master was also to receive apartments coals, candles and rations. The candidate was to provide two sureties of £200 each. The Matron was expected to assist the Master in the Management of the Workhouse, particularly the females and be competent in dressmaking skills. she would be paid £30 per annum and she would have to provide 2 sureties in the amount of £100 each.

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The Guardians sought to appoint one "Medical Gentleman" to prescribe, compound and attend in all respects to " the medical wants of the inmates of the Workhouse" at a salary of £60 per annum. All applications were to be made to the Clerk of the Union. He would be required to visit the Workhouse daily or more often as required as part of his duties.

The Master was to be an active person "of strict moral character". The advertisement outlined the duties of the office, namely "providing for and enforcing the employment of paupers", keeping accounts, taking charge of provisions and stores and managing the establishment and its inmates. The master was also required to reside in the Workhouse. He would be paid £60 per annum with "apartments, coals, candles and rations". The Board of Guardians also required two sureties in the amount of 200 shillings.

The Matron was expected to assist the Master in the management of the Workhouse, and to supervise the female inmates in particular. She would be a person of exemplary moral character, able to maintain order and to enforce the employment of the female paupers. She would also have to have skills in directing the cutting out and sewing of clothing for the inmates. Her salary was fixed at £30 per annum and two sureties in the "several sums of £100 were also to be provided". The matron was also required to reside in the Workhouse.

Sentinel - Advertisement for Schoolmaster & Mistress 13 Jan 1844

Extract from the "Carlow Sentinel" newspaper of January 13th 1844 seeking applications for the posts of Schoolmaster and Schoolmistress in Carlow Union Workhouse. These were the first appointments to these positions. The Schoolmaster/Schoolmistress were required to assist the Master and Matron in the daily routine of the Workhouse as well as their own duties. The Schoolmaster would be paid £25 per annum and the Mistress £15 per annum. They would also be provided with an apartment each as well as coals, candles and officers rations. The advertisement was signed by Robert Davies, Clerk of the Union on 10th January 1844.

Carlow County Library
Sentinel - Advertisement for Schoolmaster & Mistress 13 Jan 1844
Carlow County Library

Sentinel - Advertisement for Schoolmaster & Mistress 13 Jan 1844

Extract from the "Carlow Sentinel" newspaper of January 13th 1844 seeking applications for the posts of Schoolmaster and Schoolmistress in Carlow Union Workhouse. These were the first appointments to these positions. The Schoolmaster/Schoolmistress were required to assist the Master and Matron in the daily routine of the Workhouse as well as their own duties. The Schoolmaster would be paid £25 per annum and the Mistress £15 per annum. They would also be provided with an apartment each as well as coals, candles and officers rations. The advertisement was signed by Robert Davies, Clerk of the Union on 10th January 1844.

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The Office of Porter

Sentinel - Election of Officers 1844

An extract from the "Carlow Sentinel" of January 6th 1844 detailing Colonel Bruen's observations on the importance of appointing efficient officers for the Workhouse. Mr. Muggeridge, the Assistant Poor Law Commissioner had brought a list of salary scales to his attention. The salaries were quoted as follows: - Master of the Workhouse £60, Matron £30, Schoolmaster £25, Schoolmistress £15, Porter £12 and Medical Officer £60. Col. Bruen was of the opinion that these salaries would ensure "the proper working of the Poor Law machinery".

Carlow County Library

  was advertised on the same day. He was not to be "past middle age" and must be capable of reading writing and keeping accounts. He would be required to provide a surety of £50 and would be supplied with rations and a suit of clothes yearly. He would also be expected to live in the Workhouse. His stated salary was £12 annually.
The Workhouse had separate classrooms for male and female children. Consequently, there was a need to appoint both a Schoolmaster and Schoolmistress. The holders of those positions would also have to assist the master and matron in the running of the establishment. The Schoolmaster and mistress would be provided with apartments, coals, candles and officers rations. Their salaries

Sentinel - Election of Officers 1844

An extract from the "Carlow Sentinel" of January 6th 1844 detailing Colonel Bruen's observations on the importance of appointing efficient officers for the Workhouse. Mr. Muggeridge, the Assistant Poor Law Commissioner had brought a list of salary scales to his attention. The salaries were quoted as follows: - Master of the Workhouse £60, Matron £30, Schoolmaster £25, Schoolmistress £15, Porter £12 and Medical Officer £60. Col. Bruen was of the opinion that these salaries would ensure "the proper working of the Poor Law machinery".

Carlow County Library

  were set at £25 and £15 respectively, per annum.

All advertisements were signed by Robert Davies, Clerk of the Union on January 10th 1844.


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