Workhouse Runs - Framfield workhouse

It was the perfect moment for a run. The sun was rising and beginning to burn off the mist lying in the valleys.  I headed East from home and quickly found myself running along Sandy Lane, with pretty cottages dotted between rolling fields. 

Framfield's former workhouse, now delightful homes.

Turning left, I pass Brett's cottages. Just under 200 years ago these cottages were a workhouse. From the 1700s, work houses accommodated those unable to support themselves. In 1841, the 11 inmates ranged from sixtysomething farm labourer, Gabriel Gladman, to 3-year old Harriet Towner:

• James Waller, M, Head, age 30 to 34, born Sussex; occupation Relieving Officer
• Mary Waller, F, [Wife], age 40 to 44, born Sussex
• William Waller, M, [Son], age 8, born Sussex
• Gabriel Gladman, M, age 60 to 64, born Sussex; occupation: farm labourer
• James Banks, M, age 17, born Sussex
• Henry Jones, M, age 17, born Sussex
• John Potter, M, age 7, born Sussex
• Philly Tomsett, F, age 30 to 34, born Sussex
• Margaret Hartfield, F, age 10, born Sussex
• Louisa Hobbs, F, age 10, born Sussex
• Jane Day, F, age 7, born Sussex
• Caroline Towner, F, age 5, born Sussex
• Harriet Towner, F, age 3, born Sussex
• Iona Wicks, F, age 5, born Sussex

The Old Warden's Cottage

Presumably the Relieving Officer and his family lived in the part of the building now known as The Old Warden's Cottage.

There doesn't seem to be that many people in the workhouse. I suspect that most of Framfield's "paupers" had already be sent to the big Union Workhouse in Uckfield's.  As I scanned down the 1941 list of inmates for this establishment, two names leapt out at me.

• Mary Towner, F, age 25 to 29, born Sussex
• William Towner, M, age 1, born Sussex

Was Mary the mother of little Caroline and Harriet? If so it seems to be extraordinarily cruel to split the little children from their mum. Their father was already gone - had he died? deserted the family? Unable to support them?  Whichever it was, it seems very harsh to split the family further.

Framfield's old workhouse is South East of the railway between Uckfield and Buxted.

Sadly, people are still being pushed out of their home towns and villages by circumstances beyond their control, which is why I am running to raise money for Shelter. 

https://raiseyourrun.shelter.org.uk/fundraising/wendy-tagg-in-aid-of-shelter 

References

Census information from 1841 - Framfield Workhouse https://www.theweald.org/P2.asp?PId=Fr.WHouse 

Census information - Uckfield Union Workhouse https://www.theweald.org/P2.asp?PId=Uc.Whouse