The Parish workhouse was built in 1799 and as far back as 1699 Henry Holstock gave eight and a half acres and five cottages for use as a Parish workhouse. The Union workhouse was built in 1837 at a cost of £3115, it was designed to house 200 destitute and homeless paupers from 18 parishes around Orsett.

     Permanent residents were known as "inmates" and those who came for food and nightly shelter were known as "casuals". The only rules of agreement dated before 1834 were those made in 1807, these are worth noting in full.-

John Parson undertook to maintain the workhouse. To take in all the casual poor that fell in the parish. To provide at least three hot meals in every week. To keep and clothe the poor in decent apparel. To bring as many as able at least once every Sunday and to attend himself and not to be absent from the family for more than three days at any one time. To pay all expenses to attending any funeral . To pay any extra expenses that may occur through any casual poor taken into the house. No one is to leave the house without the consent of Mr. Parson.

                    There were some more points added in 1829 by John Bonnet of Chelmsford concerning the welfare and management of the paupers.

                    Smallpox and broken bones to be considered by the vestry. To agree to find John Bonnet 5 chauldrons of coal to be delivered in the said house free of expense per year.

                    The parishioners do allow Mr. Bonnet every emolument that may arise from the labour of paupers under his care in the house, but not to employ any other ways without the consent of the parishioners.

                    The workhouse later became Orsett Hospital.

Continued.