Miss Anne Remembers

Description

This is a fascinating look, through the eyes of the young daughter of the Master and Mistress of the Boston Workhouse, later known as St John’s, then Woodlands Court and later still as Frampton House.  Frank and Jessie Egerton took up their posts in 1930 and through many changes remained in post until Frank died in 1952.  Though Anne was not born until 1932, she writes of her childhood memories along with the story of the changing social system and the way the Workhouse, slowly, became more of a rest home for the infirm and penniless.

Though much of the content regarding the workhouse rules may shock younger generations today, Anne does reflect that she was lucky enough to experience a better environment in Boston, as her parents truly worked toward helping residents and making them more comfortable – within the boundaries that were forced upon them.

Anne reflects on the social history leading to the Boston Workhouse being built and describes parish workhouses in operation from a parliamentary report of 1777.  Each housing between 12-30 inmates in villages around Boston, such as Swineshead, Butterwick, Freiston, Kirton, Leake, Leverton, Sibsey and Skirbeck.