In colonial times through the nineteenth-century there were Overseers of the Poor in most towns throughout New England. We have provided information about the Boston Overseers of the Poor through their records. Example of other town’s records are in Topsfield, MA and Beverly, MA. What about your town?
Beverly Poor House at 18 Cedar Street (Beverly Historical Society)
Where was your community’s poorhouse located?
When was it built?
Are poorhouse records still in existence?
Where and how are they being stored?
Can you find a picture or painting of the poorhouse, or does the building still exist?
How is the building used today?
We encourage you to contact us to add to the growing body of knowledge and records relating to poor relief in Massachusetts in colonial times through the nineteenth-century.
The Woburn Almshouse was located on Middle Street in the location of the current John F. Kennedy Junior High School. I roamed through this huge, abandoned complex as a child before it was torn down in the early 1960’s. It was referred to locally as the Poor Farm. I recall finding records of injured Civil War soldiers who I suspect were housed and treated in the almshouse. I collected many of these cards which recorded the names, ages, branch of service and date of death, all written in beautiful penmanship, and brought them home with me. I wish I could recall where they ended up.
I remember another student from my class also had a collection of them. I don’t think that the soldiers were treated there, but that it was where the City of Woburn kept the old records back in the day.Hope all ios well Tom!
In 2021 West Newbury’s Historical Commission researched & wrote Minute Histories about the Almshouse https://www.wnewbury.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif1436/f/uploads/almshouse_story.pdf & the Almshouse Cemetery https://www.wnewbury.org/sites/g/files/vyhlif1436/f/uploads/almshousecemeterystory_4.pdf, made a movie about restoration of the cemetery https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=smDv0XfqpoE, and published a list of known burials https://www.wnewbury.org/historical-commission/files/almshouse-cemetery-population and possible interments https://www.wnewbury.org/historical-commission/files/almshouse-cemetery-population.
I have been trying to find any reference or history of a “ shantytown “ that once existed in Bay Shore NY, on Long Island , sometime in the 50’s or 60’s. I have a distinct memory of going in there with my father when I was a young boy. It has stuck in my mind for over 60 years and pops up from time to time. Very frustrating. I can provide more details if needed. Thanks
Phil Keane
I am trying to find information regarding the Poor Farm for the town of Douglas, MA. My family bought the property at auction from the town in the early 1930’s.