Working at the London Asylum for the Insane

Wedding of the daughter of Dr. William J. Robinson, Superintendent, to Mr. Pearson, circa 1910. Staff often lived on site and this wedding demonstrates that family and asylum life were closely intertwined. RMHCL

Wedding of the daughter of Dr. William J. Robinson, Superintendent, to Mr. Pearson, circa 1910. Staff often lived on site and this wedding demonstrates that family and asylum life were closely intertwined. RMHCL
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Originally located outside city limits, the London Asylum for the Insane functioned as a self-sufficient community and was required to provide housing and services to both patients and employees. The Asylum offered various employment opportunities and initially employed over 80 staff members. The medical staff consisted of the Superintendent, Assistant to the Superintendent, physicians, attendants and nurses. General staff positions included laundresses, farmers, cooks, firemen, and masons. The Asylum employed both male and female workers, although female wages were lower than their male counterparts. The success of the Asylum was dependent on the dedication and care of both the medical and general staff. Charts taken from the superintendents' Annual Reports reflect the great variety of positions at the asylum and the corresponding wages for the years 1872, 1874 and 1899.

Most Asylum staff members lived on-site and were provided with uniforms, meals, and laundry. With numerous clubs, sporting events, annual picnics and other special occasions, the Asylum was not just a place of work, but also a community.

Fifth Annual Report of the Inspector of Asylums, Prisons and Public Charities for the Province of Ontario 1871-72

Salaries and Wages

Medical Superintendant

1

2,000

Assistant to the Medical Superintendent

1

1,000

Bursar

1

1,200

Steward

1

600

Matron

1

400

Engineer

1

740

Assistant Engineer

1

400

Fireman/Stocker

2

432

Carpenter

1

500

Gardener

1

400

Assistant Gardener

1

216

Butcher

1

192

Porter or Messenger

1

192

Baker

1

300

Tailor

1

264

Farmer

1

340

Ploughmen

3

1,800

Night Watchers

2

432

Chief Attendants

4

1,020

Ordinary Male Attendants

16

3,216

Cowman

1

216

Female Employees:

 

 

Chief Female Attendants

3

540

Ordinary Female Attendants

17

1,524

Night Attendants

2

240

Cooks

3

420

Laundresses

4

432

Housemaids

6

504

Dairymaids

1

96

Seamstress

1

120

 

Report of the London Asylum for the Insane 1874

Salaries and Wages

Medical Superintendant

1

2,000

Assitant to

1

1,000

Clinical Assistant

1

400

Bursar

1

1,200

Steward and Storekeeper

1

600

Matron

1

400

Engineer

1

740

Assistant Engineer

1

400

Firemen/Stockers

2

480

Carpenter

2

1,000

Gardener

1

400

Assistant Gardener

1

240

Butcher

1

192

Porter or Messenger

1

192

Baker

1

360

Tailor

1

264

Farmer

1

400

Ploughmen

2

674

Night Watchers

2

480

Chief Attendants

5

1,356

Ordinary Male Attendants

16

3,408

Cowman

1

216

Female Employees:

 

 

Chief Female Attendants

3

540

Ordinary Female Attendants

19

1,740

Night Attendants

2

240

Cooks

3

420

Laundresses

4

432

Housemaids

6

504

Dairymaids

1

96

Seamstress

1

120

Annual Report of the Inspector of Asylums, Prisons and Public Charities for the Province of Ontario 1899

Salaries and Wages

Medical Superintendant

1

2,000

Assistant to

1

1,100

Bursar

1

1,400

Steward

1

750

Storekeeper

1

1,000

Engineer

1

740

Assistant Engineer

1

400

Stockers/Firement

7

1,776

Carpenter

2

1,000

Gardener

1

450

Assistant Gardener

1

300

Butcher

1

360

Porter or Messenger

1

240

Baker

1

300

Tailor

1

460

Farmer

1

600

Ploughmen

2

456

Laundryman and Shoemaker

1

300

Bandmaster

1

300

Chief Attendants

3

936

Ordinary Male Attendants

29

7,080

Supervisors

8

2,208

Female Employees:

 

 

Matron

1

500

Assistant Matron

1

300

Chief Female Attendants

1

250

Ordinary Female Attendants

29

N/A

Night Attendants

4

6,758

Supervisors

7

 

Trained Nurses

1

174

Laundresses

4

564