During the 17th Century the local church communities have decided to provide shelter and food to the poor. They were asked to work in returns. These poor people were lodged in the purpose-built buildings. Some self-help institutions were established by the Workhouses in Clerkenwell during 19th Century. That was the very poor condition in which the people were forced to enter. Most of them were orphans, old, decrepit, women and mentally unstable.There were two workhouses in Clerkenwell: The Quaker Workhouse and The Parish Workhouse, clerkenwell lofts

The Quaker Workhouse

The Quaker workhouse was enlivened by John Bellers’ writing only. John Bellers has projected an industrial college for poor. It was a sovereign co-operative community where the fees won’t be charged. Rather every member used to contribute as much they could afford. According to Timothy Hitchcock most of the revolutionary researches in the cooperative society have been made in 18th Century.

Richard Hutton’s Complaints Book “The notebook of the Steward of the Quaker workhouse at Clerkenwell” is a valuable resource. It was written in 1711-37 and then Timothy Hitchcock emended it in 1987. The whole content of this book has offered the outline of British history. This book is even a great source to develop the deep insight about the history of Clerkenwell.

Parish Workhouse of Clerkenwell

The Parish workhouse of Clerkenwell is well known with the name of St. John and St. Mary. It was constructed in 1772. More than 89 people were lining in this workhouse. Most of these people were employed in the Spinning yarn and ockam picking farms. It is said that these workhouses were large and roomy brick houses. While some says that they were the dark and tall brick buildings.

The Local History collection in Islington London Borough can provide the more information about the Workhouses of Clerkenwell.more information findout from www.hurford-salvi-carr.co.uk