Robert Platfoot

Born 1781, (death date unknown)
Pauper Nurse at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, 1846
Researched by Nicola Sheard

 Robert Platford was a pauper inmate at the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse, and the only male nurse found in the workhouse’s records so far. It is not known when he first arrived at the workhouse, however, there is no record of him there in the 1841 census. The first known record of Robert Platfoot in the Mitford and Launditch Guardians’ Minute Book was on 1st September 1845.  He was charged with unruly conduct and punished by spending six hours during each of the next four days in solitary confinement, during this period he was allowed only bread and water.

On 30th November 1846, the Guardians noted that Robert Platfoot of East Dereham, aged 65 years, had been appointed as a Nurse for the Old Men’s Ward on a month’s probation. He replaced the previous Nurse, Sarah Green, who had recently left her position. Just a week later, on 7th December 1846, the Guardian’s reported that Robert Platfoot was incapable of performing the duties of a Nurse and would be replaced by Margaret Eagle. There are no further known records of Robert Platfoot at the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse.

The Guardians referred to Robert ‘Flatfoot’ (possibly misspelt) as coming from East Dereham. The most plausible baptism record was recorded as Robert Platfoot, son of Robert and Mary Platfoot, baptised on 12th August 1781 at Westfield, Norfolk. Westfield lies two miles south of East Dereham.

It is likely that Robert married Elizabeth Edwards on 12th August 1804 in the parish of St Paul, Norwich. Robert and Elizabeth were parents to four children. Leah baptised on 30th June 1805; Robert, baptised on 7th December 1806; Elizabeth, baptised on 31st July 1808 and Maria, baptised on 8th December 1811. All the children were baptised in the parish of St Paul, Norwich.

The 1841 census for Magdalen Street, Norwich, listed Robert Platfoot and his wife Elizabeth both aged 60. Robert’s occupation was listed as weaver. Although Norwich had a rich history of textile production, by the time of the 1841 census the rates of pay for weavers had decreased and there were prolonged periods of unemployment. An increasing number of weavers had become paupers and sought outdoor relief.

It therefore, appears likely that Robert Platfoot was unable to earn enough money to live on and was admitted to the Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse which incorporated Westfield, his parish of settlement. Although Robert’s wife Elizabeth was listed in the 1841 census there is no record of her as an inmate at Mitford and Launditch Union Workhouse.

No further records can be found for Robert Platfoot or for his wife Elizabeth.