The Curiosities of Dudley and the Black Country, From 1800 to 1860 / Also an Account of the Trials and Sufferings of Dud Dudley, with His Mettallum Martis: Etc.

by C. F. G. Clark

Vicar.

} Churchwardens.

Died, December 24th, 1858, Mr. Benjamin Dudley, Silk Mercer, High Street. Mr. Dudley was descended from a very ancient Dudley family, and he was very much esteemed for his honourable and strictly conscientious principles. He was a most zealous supporter of the Church, and had not a loving liking for the Romanists. Aged 78 years.

A very numerously attended public meeting was held on December 29th, 1858, under the presidency of Elliott Hollier, Esq., Mayor, to take into consideration and determine as to the propriety of carrying into effect, or of memorialising the Poor Law Board to rescind, an order under their hand and seal of office, made and published by them, and dated the 7th day of December, 1858, such order applying to and putting in force forthwith within the said Parish the whole of a certain Act (13th & 14th Victoria, chapter 57), entitled, “An Act to prevent the holding of Vestry or other meetings in Churches, and for regulating the appointment of Vestry Clerks,” and under which order the annual salary of the Vestry Clerk for the time being has been fixed at £120, payable out of the Poor Rates. This meeting was very boisterous, severely censuring the action of the Poor Law Board, but it was no use, as the law had to take its unpalatable course.

THE DUDLEY NEW UNION WORKHOUSE.

1859. This long wanted and extensive Poor Law Establishment, was occupied early this year. The cost of the New Union House and Land, was upwards of £26,000; which had to be provided for by the four large Parishes, Dudley, Sedgley, Tipton, and Rowley Regis. The population of these four Parishes was estimated to be 130,000 souls; and the in-door paupers connected with each Parish had, up to this very necessary change, been confined in four wretched habitations, called Poor Houses, which were a thorough disgrace to the Union. The absence of all sanitary provisions and the immorality attending the benighted system of management and control, became a burning shame, and a stain upon our then local authorities. This was all happily removed when the old dens were pulled down, and a modern and more enlightened system of management was inaugurated at the New Union Workhouse. The Poor Rate at that date was two shillings in the pound; now we have to luxuriate on paying four shillings and sixpence in the pound, with our rateable assessment value increased upwards of £50,000. “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for they shall see the Workhouse.” The New House was built to contain six hundred inmates, but it has been enlarged since then, and now contains seven hundred and sixty-eight souls. Mr. Thomas Shorthouse was then the Clerk to the Dudley Union, and Mr. and Mrs. Stillard were elected the first Master and Matron in the New House.

TO THE INDEPENDENT ELECTORS OF THE EASTERN DIVISION OF THE COUNTY OF WORCESTER.

Gentlemen,

A vacancy having occurred in your Parliamentary Representation, I have acceded to the request of many influential friends that I would allow myself to be placed in Nomination.

I cannot but share, as a Worcestershire man, the feelings that have been expressed to me on all sides, that the successor of Colonel Rushout ought to be, not only connected with, but a resident in the County.