[1] The Monmouth Poor Union served various parishes of Monmouthshire and Gloucestershire.

As the Union work house it provided accommodation for up to around thirty parishes in the surrounding area including Gloucestershire and Herefordshire.

When it became the Union workhouse occupants were usually strangers and husbands, wives and children were separated.

The building was old and space was cramped which led to violent behavior by inmates.

There was also controversy regarding tenders and monopolies on goods and services provided to the workhouse.

Undertakers complained of a single provider of coffins which were quite often converted fruit boxes from Birmingham.

In 1900 the Guardians of Monmouth Workhouse decided there would be no extra treats at Christmas to avoid the impression that the Union was a charitable institution.