Scope and Content: The State Almshouse at Monson provided residence for paupers without settlement in the Commonwealth from 1854 to 1872. St 1872, c 45 abolished the state almshouses at Monson and Bridgewater, although the State Primary School, opened at the Monson almshouse in 1866, continued until 1895. The legislation transferred all state paupers, except those needed to serve the primary school, to the almshouse at Tewksbury, although state paupers could continue to be sent to Monson. Overcrowding at Tewksbury led to continuing commitment of adult paupers to Monson, with such inmates from 1872 admitted for so-called support and temporary custody. St 1872, c 45, s 3 also admitted for such support  (pending full admission to the school) dependent and neglected children (through 1890; some given immediate full admission earlier, including those per St 1882, c 181, ss 2-3), and juvenile offenders committed from the courts by the Board of State Charities per St 1870, c 359 (through 1882; then given immediate full admission). Series was created to record background and status of persons admitted to the institution.
Arrangement: Arranged chronologically by admission date
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