Died in the workhouse: why?

[ChrisAllonby]

I've come across a bit of an enigma in my research. Matthew Kennedy of Chepstow died on 18th January 1898, aged 75, at a property in Chepstow adjacent to his son's business premises. His son, James, was the informant on the death cert. Forty-one days later, Matthew's second wife, Mary Ann, died aged 68. One might have thought that Matthew's wife, if not in hospital when she died, would at least have been in the care of his family. However, she died in the Chepstow Union Workhouse. The informant was the workhouse master.

Has anyone got any suggestions as to why someone might be in the workhouse, when close family lived nearby. Obviously there are numerous possibilities that might account for the situation, but I'd be interested in any thoughts on the matter.

Many thanks,
Chris.

[CaroleW]

In those days - the WH acted as a hospital.  Her condition may have made it impossible for her to be looked after within a home environment

[KGarrad]

Information re workhouse here:
https://workhouses.org.uk/Chepstow/

Where it says: Accommodation for females was in the wing to the south and for males to the north, with wards for the sick on the ground floor.

[antiquesam]

It may have something to do with the fact that medical treatment cost money in those days whereas the workhouse was free and the cost of burial would fall on the community. My great grandfather entered the workhouse and died the next day.

[ChrisAllonby]

Thanks for the replies. Mary Ann Kennedy died of 'chronic rheumatism and exhaustion' according to the death certificate, so perhaps it was too difficult for the family to care for her. I don't think money would have been an issue, since the family were running a successful confectionery business in Chepstow (assumed to be successful, given the number of years before, and after Mary's death, that it was trading).

[Blue70]

In a lot of cases people who died in workhouses went there because they were nearing the end of their life and they needed medical care. If the workhouse register is available to view you can find out more information such as when they were admitted and why they were admitted.


C

[coombs]

Yes, in 2004 I found an ancestor had died in the workhouse in January 1885 and later research showed he had been admitted the day earlier and he died of bronchitis, so went in there for medical care. He was only 56 at the time but a printer, and his wife died the previous April of the same illness, and they lived in an inner London parish.