Burwell workhouse

History of Burwell workhouse

The workhouse is known to have been in the Old Guildhall on the north east side of the church and on the border of the churchyard before it was extended in Victorian times.

Burwell Chronicle: 8/7/1786. The body of Elizabeth Hunt, about 18, from the Burwell workhouse was found with her throat cut about 4 miles from Burwell in the fens. A George Miller was apprehended and confessed to the murder: that he had known the deceased for four or five years past; that on Tuesday evening about eight o’clock, as he was walking along the bank, she came up to him and asked him, if he would take her instead of a broomstick ….. he threw her into Reach Lode, where the water was up to her breast; that she cried out, upon which he dragged her through the water, cut her throat, and covered her with sedge. The coroner’s verdict was wilful murder and George was committed to Cambridge Castle for the next assizes.

23/9/1814 Ann Faircliff escaped from the poor-house. She was about 30 years of age.