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POOR LAW RELIEF in 18th &19th Century,
SOMERSET, ENGLAND |
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POOR LAW
RELIEF, known as "being on the Parish". This was regarded with horror
by many people who would do almost anything to avoid accepting money, or
going into a Poor Law House - known later as the Workhouse or Union. Today no
stigma is attached to receiving social security of which this was the
forerunner. The term "Pauper" was used in a purely descriptive way.
Extracts follow from the MONTACUTE OVEREERS ACCOUNT BOOK 1793 - 1806 Money was collected from all
Property Owners as a rate levied on their holdings every six months. This was
all the money available for the relief of the Poor and every penny had to be
accounted for. Lists were kept of Income and Output and every six months an
Audit was taken and signed by the Squire in his position as Magistrate. The Overseers of the Poor
were voted into office and were responsible for the distribution of cash, and
material for making clothing, and for actual clothing, bedding etc., to those
in need. Costs of Materials in 1794. Dowlas. A course linen
cloth If your family name is on the Montacute Surname
list, then you should check the above Church of England records and the
Montacute Ratepayer for 1806
list.
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Check out the following: Australian Vital Records Index 1788 - 1905 |
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Is
on CD Rom available from LDS Family History Centres. It contains
an index of births, christenings, marriages and deaths from Note
that Queensland, Northern Territories and South Australia are |