We often receive enquiries about workhouse records. Unfortunately, we only hold a small number of documents for Northumberland as a large percentage of them were destroyed during World War Two. For Morpeth workhouse, the only surviving records are a Guardians Minute book for the years 1902-1905 and a General Ledger for 1923-1930.
However, among our collection of Morpeth Borough records are papers & plans which were found under the foundation stone of the workhouse when it was demolished in 1951. Included are a full plan of the proposed workhouse building, elevations, contemporary newspapers and a parchment roll naming the Guardians, Workhouse Master and Doctor. The roll also states that the foundation stone was laid on Wednesday 21 February 1866 by Lady Elizabeth Grey.
On 24 February 1866, the Morpeth Herald reported that the new workhouse had been designed by F.R Wilson who was an architect from Alnwick. It was to occupy the site on which the old workhouse and some adjacent property, recently purchased stood. Lady Elizabeth Grey laid in a cavity in the stone, a jar containing copies of the Newcastle daily papers, the Morpeth Herald, Alnwick Mercury, drawings of the buildings and a parchment roll bearing the names of the officials.
It was also reported that Lady Grey was presented with the silver trowel she had used to lay the foundation stone. The trowel was obtained from Mr Stanley, a Silversmith from Morpeth. The inscription upon it read, “Presented to Lady Elizabeth Grey, by the Guardians of the Morpeth Union, on the occasion of her laying the foundation stone of the new Union Workhouse, Morpeth, Feb. 21, 1866.”
In the afternoon, Lady Grey treated the inmates to an excellent dinner of roast beef and plum pudding. The room in which they dined was tastefully decorated with evergreens, flags and banners. Three banners bearing the arms of De-Merley, Howard and Grey were hung in prominent places.