Folios 274-276. Letter from Sarah Griffin of Bromsgrove to the Poor Law Commission....

Folios 274-276. Letter from Sarah Griffin of Bromsgrove to the Poor Law Commission. The plans for the building of the Bromsgrove workhouse, which were submitted to the Commission for approval, allowed for an exchange of land with her husband, but when staking out the land and digging the foundations, the contractor's clerk took more ground than the plans specified, leading to angry words on both sides. Mr Merry, a member of the building committee promised she would be compensated, but when she presented her bill, the guardians of the Bromsgrove Poor Law Union wished Messrs Green and Creswell to value the land [amount not legible]. Her meadow lay open to the High Road from August 1838 to March 1839.

The parish employed Richard Harman to inspect the building and used a lock-up shed on her farm to keep the implements safe. In the presence of her sons and servant he agreed to pay 1s per week for the 61 weeks it was used, but the guardians later only offered 6d per week. She has tried in vain to sort this out with the guardians and is turning to the Commission to try to get a resolution.

She has been a rate payer for over 50 years and worked hard for the little place they own. She encloses a statement from one of the builders of the wall, and notes that although they share a name, he is no relation.

She claims £2 15s for damage and [encroachment], and £3 1s for the use of the out building for 61 weeks.

Enclosed statement by Thomas Griffin, bricklayer, of Bournheath, dated 7 April 1843. He states that after the agreement was made between the guardians of the union and Felix Griffin, the stake was moved, reducing the size of Griffin's ground.

Annotated: Mr Lumley.

Paper Number: 3266/B/1844.

Poor Law Union Number 526.

Counties: Shropshire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.