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Workhouse
Kingsbridge Poor Law Union and Workhouse
The Kingsbridge Workhouse stands on the north side of the town, in Churchstow parish and was built in 1837.
It was designed by Thomas Ponsford who was also the architect of the Totnes Union workhouse. The Workhouse cost £5,673 to build and could accommodate up to 350 paupers.
Mr T C & Mrs Geyle were the master & matron; Mr Thomas Harris snr, is the union clerk & supt.registrar; & the Rev T L Hill, MA, chaplain.
The Union comprises 26 parishes. The total average annual expenditure on the poor during the 3 years preceding the formation of the Union, was £9069, but in 1838, it was £9118; in 1839, £10,170; & in 1849, £12,087.
After 1930, the workhouse was redesignated as a Public Assistance Institution under the control of the Devon County Council, becoming known as Homelands.
In January 1959, a fire caused severe damage to the central part of the buildings, by then used as a furniture store, agricultural engineering workshops, and flour and corn store.
The surviving buildings are today used as various small business premises.
Totnes Workhouse
The new Totnes workhouse was built in 1837-38 at a site on the south side of Plymouth Road. It cost of £6,000 and could accommodate up to 380 paupers.
W F Windeatt Esq was the union clerk & supt.registrar; Rev F H Hele, chaplain; Mr Richard & Mrs Martyn, master & matron of the Workhouse; & Thomas Irish & Samuel Randle were the relieving officers.
In 1871 an infectious ward block was built at the south of the site.
The workhouse later became Totnes Public Assistance Institution and then Broomborough Hospital. The surviving buildings have since been converted for residential use.
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