Scope and Content: St 1872, c 45 abolished the Massachusetts state almshouses at Monson and Bridgewater, with Bridgewater continuing as the State Workhouse and Monson as the State Primary School. All state paupers were to be transferred to the almshouse at Tewksbury, although the legislation indicated that state paupers could continue to be sent to Monson and Bridgewater as needed to help maintain the institutions. Under the jurisdiction of the Board of State Charities until 1879, and thereafter under the Board of Health, Lunacy, and Charity, state paupers supported at the two institutions are listed in this volume, 1872-1881, with some discharge information into 1882. –Arranged by institution (Monson, Bridgewater), entries give name, age (primarily children at Monson), birthplace, age admitted, from  (locality, State Almshouse i.e., at Tewksbury), sent by (state board or agent), condition (illness or well; from 1874, previous institutional number), discharged, how discharged (per state board, died), where sent (Boston, Primary School), remarks (old number, health, discharged at own request). Monson paupers were given support and temporary custody numbers 1-2209, 1872-Oct. 1881. Bridgewater paupers were given numbers 1-1149, 1872-Nov. 1881. Upon readmission both places assigned a new number, with old number shown in remarks.
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