8-CotE
Care for Elderly
In January 1896 Henry Beckinsell, a groom and gardener from Steventon, was summoned to show why he would not support his mother. She was elderly and infirm and had been receiving out-door relief from the Abingdon Board of Guardians ie not resident in the workhouse.
Mr Beckinsell, who was married without children, was earning 17s per week said he could not pay anything regularly but was willing to pay a shilling ‘sometimes’. It transpired that he was living rent free with his job and was ordered to pay 2 shillings per week.
When he refused he was committed to prison for three months
