At the election of Guardians in April last it will be remembered Mr Wheeler was returned as one of the Guardians for the parish of Swindon by a majority of 14 votes. Upon afterwards comparing the list of persons voting with the names on the rate book, it appeared that 18 were not entitled to vote, their names not being on the rate book for one clear year before the date of the election, as required by law. From the evidence adduced at the inquiry it appeared a Poor's rate was made in November 1854, and another in May 1855: to qualify a ratepayer to vote at the election in April 1856, his name must therefore have been on the November 1854 rate, but it appears that the voting papers for that election were filled up from the rate book of May 1855, instead of from the former rate book of November 1854. But for this mistake, therefore, Mr Wheeler at the election would have been in a minority of four instead of a majority of 14. Several voters were objected to as 'fictitous', whilst a much larger number, making in the aggregate above sixty of Mr Wheeler's votes were objected to under the 'Small Tenements Act'.

Mr Hawley in commencing the business of the inquiry observed that he was not there for the purpose of deciding upon the merits of the case about to be brought forward - he was there by order of the Poor Law Board to take all evidence that might be brought forward, and from that evidence make his report to the Board in London, who would decide the case.

In due course....

Monday July 14th 1856

It will be the recollection of our readers that in May last the Poor Law Board instituted an enquiry into the legality of the return of Mr Charles Anthony Wheeler as one of the guardians of the Poor for the parish of Swindon, and that J.H. Hawley Esq., one of the Poor law Inspectors, held a court at the Board Room, Stratton St. Margaret, on the 23rd of that month, for the purpose of taking evidence in respect to the petition that had been presented against Mr Wheeler's return. On Wednesday morning last the decision arrived at in the case by the Poor Law Board was received at Swindon, and immediately afterwards made public. The Board, after reciting their authority and relating the particulars of the nomination and election, say:
And whereas a question has arisen as to the right of the said Charles Anthony Wheeler, to act, by virtue of such alleged Election, as an elective Guardian of the Poor for the said parish; and We the Poor Law Board, under the authority of the Statutes on that behalf made and provided, have seen fit to enquire into the circumstances of the case, and find, after full enquiry, that the said Charles Anthony Wheeler was not duly elected a Guardian of the Poor for the said Parish of Swindon at such Election, but that the said James Ellison was duly elected...

A Parliamentary Report issued in 1777 records a parish workhouse in Highworth with spaces for up to 38 people. However, once the workhouse had moved to it's bigger premises in Stratton St. Margaret it could accomodate a much larger number of inmates as shown by the figure below;

The Wiltshire Census Returns for 1841 to 1891 show the following figures for the Highworth and Swindon Workhouse based in Stratton St. Margaret.

1841 = 687
1851 = 695
1861 = 719
1871 = 732
1881 = 1405

Map showing the location of the workhouse (shown as Vicarage) 1923

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