1601 Poor Law of Elizabeth I led to two cottages being built in High Street, Holsworthy, to house the poor. This was previously the Centre of the Guild of St Catharine, suppressed by Henry VIII. More about
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Henry VIII1665 Peter Specott gave £180 the interest of which should be used for the relief of the poor in Holsworthy and Black Torrington.
1673 Poor people in the West Country were obliged to make their bread out of peas and beans, through scarcity of wheat.
1808 Old Poor House, Guildhouse, Churchhouse. Amount raised by Poor Rate for the year was £650; of this £200 was spent in the workhouse, £241 was spent out of the workhouse and £180 was spent on the church, highways, bridges and the militia.
1812 Ann Bayley left in her will a field called “Little Buddle” to her brother William Carlisle and his heirs subject to a sum of 30s.0d. per annum to be paid to the church minister to give 1s. each to 30 poor people not already receiving relief, and also a payment of 30s.0d. per annum to the Friendly Society for Women for as long as that society should exist.
1834 Poor Law Act led to the building of Workhouses.
1856 Church House was established to house the poor.
1857 Workhouse built.
1858 Ann Hart’s will gave £580 3% Consols on Trust, the income to support The National School and the same sum to support the Poor House, also the income from £100 to support the Church Sunday School.
1891 Miss Hester Ann Meyrick’s will gave £1,500 on Trust to the sick and aged poor of Holsworthy, also for poor girls going out into employment.
1902 Pretty Maid, Specott and Poor Lands Charities united under one body.
1933 William Trick left a legacy of £1,000, the interest from which to be used for the relief of the poor in Holsworthy.
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