Parish Poor Relief etc etc (General)

by slowhands , proud of his ancient Dean Forest roots, Saturday, April 12, 2008, 21:20 (6078 days ago) @ alison2

You need to explore the complex "Poor Law" system to fully understand the
early form of social security. Also an understanding of the role of the Parish / Union /
Guardians / Overseers/ Commisioners etc in evolving local government, how
rates were levied so that in turn public works - roads etc were funded
as well as money to provide Poor relief. Check also the Forest of Dean (Poor Relief) Act 1842 (!!)

For example :-
Relief for those too ill or old to work, the so called deserving poor, was in the form of a
payment or items of food ('the parish loaf') or clothing.
Some aged people might be accommodated in parish alms houses, though these were
usually private charitable institutions. Meanwhile able-bodied beggars who had refused
work were often placed in houses of correction. However, provision for the many able-bodied
poor in the workhouse, which provided accommodation at the same time as work, was
relatively unusual, and most workhouses developed later. Assistance given to the deserving
poor that did not involve an institution like the workhouse, was known as 'outdoor relief'.

Records
I'm sure that some "Applications" for Poor relief, Overseers Accounts, Poor rate books
and such like exist and in the local newspapers you will often find
reports from the Board regarding the Workhouse and/or distribution of
Poor Relief.

--
Ἀριστοτέλης A Gloster Boy in the Forest of Dean ><((((*>