New York State Board of Charities Records of an Investigation into the Administration of the Rensselaer County Almshouse

Transcripts of testimony, letters, and depositions provide information on conditions and treatment of inmates at the Rensselaer County Almshouse.

This investigation was conducted by Robert W. Hill, Superintendent of State and Alien Poor, at the request of the Board of Charities. The series contains the following: transcripts of testimony of officials, employees, and inmates of the almshouse taken at hearings held in late-November 1905: the testimony covers routine operations of the institution, conduct and efficiency of the staff, and treatment of inmates, and special attention is given to the case of alleged abuse of almshouse hospital patients by male nurse William Wilmont; letters, notes,, and depositions of employees and inmates describing abuse of patients by Wilmot: one letter from an inmate charges institution officials with misconduct; and transcripts of testimony of institution officials, employees, and inmates in a volume labeled "The People agst. William Wilmot." Apparently Wilmot was brought to trial in March 1906 as result of the investigation.

Microfilm is available for use at the New York State Archives or through interlibrary loan.

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