...I'm not making notes on all the reasons for workhouse admissions, it just feels like a common 'pro-active' reason for admission. It is, however, far less frequent than 'passive' reasons such as having been deserted, orphaned, injured or ill.
A bit like getting arrested to get a bed for the night really and if the gaol was really small or full at the time? Would be interesting to see if they came up subsequently in the Quarter Sessions. Not suggesting you look obviously - just an idle thought #genealogy
I'll note the next few examples, Jacqui, and see if I can find anything in those records.
As this letter to The Times relates, in 1850 some paupers prefer "a prison to a workhouse ... resorting to the method of window breaking." Remedy: "a sound whipping"!
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As this letter to The Times relates, in 1850 some paupers prefer "a prison to a workhouse ... resorting to the method of window breaking." Remedy: "a sound whipping"!
https://www.victorianlondon.org/prisons/breakingwindows.htm