Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2011, All Rights Reserved U.S. Data Repository Please read U.S. Data Repository Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the US Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ ========================================================================= U.S. Data Repository NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ========================================================================= Formatted by U.S. Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. =========================================================================== SOURCE: New York (State) Dept. of Social Welfare Annual Report - 1869 =========================================================================== Page 117 COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC CHARITIES Livingston County Poor House The poor house of Livingston county is pleasantly situated within one and a half miles of the village of Geneseo. The building is con- structed of brick, is four stories in height including the basement, and consists of a central part thirty-three by thirty-six feet, and two lateral wings, each fifty-two by thirty-four feet. The central build- ing is used as a residence for the keeper and family; the right wing is occupied by male and the left by female paupers. The basement is used for washing, cooking and dining purposes, and paupers per- form all the labor in the domestic department. The sleeping apart- ments are situated on the third floor in each wing, and number about sixty rooms of various sizes, most of which are ten by twelve feet. The rooms open into galleries or halls surrounding a central court, and are warmed by large stoves situated in the lower hall. The heat must be imperfectly distributed under such an arrangement. At the time of visitation the air in the upper apartments was quite offensive, the rooms being without proper ventilation. No adequate provision has ever been made for bathing, and the arrangement of the building is such as to preclude a strict classification of its occupants. The sexes are kept separated at night, and during the day while in their rooms. When out of doors they mingle freely with each other in a rear yard used in common by all the inmates. The Sabbath is pro- perly observed, and the sum of one hundred dollars is annually appro- priated by the board of supervisors towards defraying the expenses of maintaining religious services in the house. The clergymen of Geneseo alternate with one another in holding such services. A Sabbath school is also supported, and the children are taught in a week-day school. The home, as well as the general affairs pertaining to the poor of the county, is under the control of a single superintendant, who with --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Page 118 COMMISSIONERS OF PUBLIC CHARITIES Livingston County Poor House his family resides in the Institution. The present superintendant has held his position for several years past, and the condition of the build ings and the appearance of the inmates at the date of visitation, would indicate that the wants of the poor are properly supplied, and the best interests of the county subserved. A farm of one hundred and eigh- teen acres is tilled by hired labor with the aid of paupers. The entire property is valued at $20,000. The expenses connected with the house during the past year amounted to the sum of $10,864.53 and that of temporary relief to $5,909.19, the aggregate expenses for the year on account of the poor being $16,773.72. Two hundred and nine persons were received, six were born in the house, twelve died, three were bound out, one hundred and sixty-four were discharged, and one hundred and forty-one remained at the close of the year. At the date of visitation (July 2d) one hundred and forty were found present. Two-thirds of them were males and about one-half were foreign born. Among the number were forty children under sixteen years of age, twenty-six insane, four idiotic, two blind, and one mute. The proportion of children present as compared with other counties was unusually large, the reasons for which could not be definitely ascertained upon inquiry. The only accommodations provided for the insane are a few cells situ- ated in the basement of the building for men, and ordinary rooms in the left wing for women. Seven were found in restraint. A physi- cian visits the house, but no special attention is given to the insane with a view to their improvement or recovery. Any rational course of treatment would be impossible in the present condition of the buildings. So far as observed they are treated kindly by those in charge, but the apartments assigned to them are entirely unfitted for their use. During the past winter a wooden building situated at the rear of the main structure, occupied by the insane, was burned, and five out of thirteen of the inmates were consumed in the flames. The lower portion of the structure, where the fire originated, was used for shops and for a wash room. A new asylum is now being erected and will be completed during the present year at an estimated cost of $11,000. Pauperism in the county is attributable to various causes, but in the opinion of the superintendent, intemperance brings more to want than all other causes combined. ===========================================================================