Pauper children, especially orphans, were often apprenticed to local craftsmen to learn a trade and ease the burden on the poor rates.
It had stocks and a whipping post and served “as a prison for evildoers and a place for the unhappy poor”.
In 1777 the churchwardens leased the workhouse to two "speculators", who ran it for a salary of £9 per annum, "five quarters of coal" from each township, 15d (6p) a week for each inmate and the profits from the labours of the poor.
The speculators were to find food, drink, washing and accommodation, which encouraged exploitation and harsh conditions.
Leigh Poor Law Union was established on 26 January 1837 in accordance with the Poor Law Amendment Act covering six townships, Astley, Atherton, Bedford, Pennington, Tyldesley with Shakerley and Westleigh of the ancient parish of Leigh plus Culcheth, Lowton, and part of Winwick.
A medical officer was appointed “to attend duly and punctually upon all paupers falling sick within the limits of the Union.” The overseers of the old poor law were retained and the new guardians included Richard Hodgkinson, Lord Lilford's agent and James Pownall, the silk manufacturer.
Special meals were provided on Christmas Day, such as in 1853, when the inmates received roast beef and plum pudding.