| Administrative History | The 1834 Poor Law Amendment Act grouped parishes together into Unions, controlled by Boards of Guardians, for purposes of poor relief. The Ashbourne Union held its first meeting in Feb 1845. In 1930, the functions of the Boards of Guardians were taken over by the Public Assistant Committee of the County Council. This continued until 1948, when the Poor Law was abolished by the National Assistance Act.
The Union contained the following parishes or townships (those which have been asterisked are in Staffordshire):
Alkmonton, Alstonefield*(township only), Ashbourne, Atlow, Ballidon, Fenny Bentley, Hungry Bentley, Biggin, Blore with Swinscoe*, Bonsall, Bradbourn, Bradley, Brailsford, Brassington, Callow, Calton in Blore*, Calton in Mayfield*, Calton in Waterfall*, Calwich*, Carsington, Clifton and Compton, Eaton and Alsop, Edlaston and Wyaston, Ellastone*, Hartington Town Quarter, Hartington Nether Quarter, Hognaston, Hollington, Hopton, Hulland, Hulland Ward, Hulland Ward Intakes, Ible, Ilam, Kirk Ireton, Kniveton, Lea Hall, Longford, Mapleton, Mayfield*, Mercaston, Middleton-by-Wirksworth, Newton Grange, Offcote and Underwood, Okeover*, Osmaston by Ashbourne, Parwich, Prestwood*, Ramshorn*, Rodsley, Shirley, Snelston, Stanton*, Sturston, Stydd, Thorpe, Tissington, Waterfall*, Wetton*, Woodhouses*, Wootton*, Yeaveley, Yeldersley.
The union workhouse was built in 1848 on Dark Lane, Ashbourne. The vagrants' ward and other buildings were not completed until 1855. After 1948, the building became St Oswald's Hospital. In the early 20th century, the union established a children's Cottage Home in terraced houses at 58-60 Mayfield Road, Ashbourne, with accommodation for up to 16 children. The homes were later taken over by Derbyshire County Council and closed around the 1940s. |
| Custodial History | These records were officially transferred at some date prior to 1962. A further transfer was received in February 1968 from the Derby No1 Hospital Management Committee based at the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary in Derby. |