Few items are of such great historical importance to the Greene County Historical Society museum as this month’s featured artifact. The Greene County Poorhouse, established in 1861, accepted Isaac Pipes as its first inmate on June 2, 1862. During the following century, thousands would call this facility home, and 746 souls would depart this life from within these walls.
Museum staff recently discovered the original ledger kept by the poor house steward, beginning in 1862 and used through 1945 when administration was transferred to the Curry Home across the road from the poorhouse, often referred to as the almshouse or county home.
Each entry in the book details the name, location, condition, and the reason for admittance for each individual admitted. The last column lists their final disposition, whether they died at the almshouse, were transferred to another facility, ran away, or left by other means.
One of the most interesting entries was for R. Lindsay Knisely who was admitted at the age of 16 on October 24, 1862, and shortly thereafter, “ran away to join the Army.” Further research will reveal if he was successful in his enlistment and if he saw any action during the civil war. Other entries show entire families coming to the poorhouse together and spending many years living within its walls.
This ledger has several hundred pages and is in a very fragile condition, however efforts are underway to preserve the document itself, as well as transcribe the information located therein to make a permanent record of the individuals who once lived at the Greene County Poorhouse.
Once the ledger is fully transcribed, portions of the entries will be made available to research – specifically the older entries from the 19th century. The information contained has no medical information but does contain more details than a regular census would.
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Great article, Matt! So glad you found that ledger.
How’s the cemetery marker project coming along?
Matt I have a great uncle that was sent to work house in the spring of 1888 sometime after the 21 st of that month. His name was William Collins born 1867 in greene county. he lived in carmichael,pa when he was arrested. any information on him would be great thanks keith
iI’m so glad to hear that the original ledger has been relocated. We couldn’t find it, when I visited in 2019. I transcribed the first couple of pages in the 1990’s when the ledger was across the street. It was published in the Cornerstone Clues. I am especially interested in one page, as it appears to have been skipped when Candice scanned it for the CD which I have.
In regards to the entry of R. Lindsey “ran off. Gone to the Army.” I have researched that, it appears that he never served. I located him the 1870 Census of Cumberland Two, Greene Co, and then in the 1880 Census of Henry Clay Twp, Fayette Co, PA.
I particularly am interested in one particular page that was not scanned in the CD..