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7
Extract
from an account of the mode adopted as to parochial relief, in the hundred of
Stoke, Bucks by Thomas Bernard, Esq pp 058-068 dated 16th March 1797
In December 1795, when the applications of the poor for relief were necessarily
much increased, on account of the high price of bread, it appeared to the
magistrates of the Hundred of Stoke, that a regular book, by way of a register
of cases relieved in that district, might be of considerable use; and might tend
to put the relief, given to the poor, on a more regular system.
With that in view, a folio book was prepared with four columns; the 1st
containing the name of the pauper and his parish, and whether he (or any other
person) was sworn to the circumstances of his case, or whether those
circumstances were admitted by the overseer, on his personal knowledge. In the
2nd column, his own account of the condition of his family, and of the amount of
their earnings. In the 3rd column the relief asked In the 4th column the order
or agreement respecting it.
The heads of the 4 columns occupy the long side of a
folio page. The following (though not containing real names or cases) may serve
as a specimen of the form of the book, and the manner of entering the
examination and agreement (or order) for relief.
To this book then is a separate index, which enables the magistrates at any
distance of time, to refer to the case and particular circumstances of any
pauper, who has been relieved at a former petty sessions, and who has occasion
to make another application. In March 1796, the magistrates sent round to the
different parishes in their hundred, the following notice.
Hundred of Stoke, Bucks.
"In order to encourage industry and economy, and to explain their general
plan of granting relief for the poor, the magistrates give notice, that
particular attention is paid by them to the number of children of any age to
require relief; and to the degree of industry of the person applying, and of
every part of his or her family; and that for this purpose, a book is kept by
them, in which these circumstances, and any other, intitling the party to
relief, are entered before any order is made.
The magistrates having hitherto granted relief, at home, to persons applying on
account of children under 7 years of age, have it now in their power, under the
provisions of an act lately passed, to extend that relief at home to industrious
and sober persons, who have in part, though not entirely, the means of comfort
and subsistence in their own dwellings; they therefore declare that, in all
cases, where any parish workhouse is farmed out, they shall consider that
circumstance as an additional reason for giving, (as far as the law authorizes)
relief at home, to the industrious and well disposed poor of that parish; it
appearing that the farming of a parish workhouse sets the interest of the party
in opposition to his duty, and prevents the relief, that the poor are by law
entitled to, and which they would otherwise receive.
They also recommend to the parishes not to lessen at all (or at least in a very
small degree) the relief to the labouring poor, on account of any allowance the
party may receive from any friendly society; or on account of any little portion
of property which his industry or economy may have treasured up against an evil
day; such a conduct tending to discourage frugality, and to increase the parish
burthens."
This was signed by Sir Charles Palmer, Mr Sullivan, Sir Robert Harvey, Mr Penn,
Sir William Johnston and myself, acting magistrates for the hundred of Stoke;
and printed copies of it circulated, pretty generally, throughout all the
parishes in the hundred.
Observations :-
I have had many opportunities of observing, that the industrious and well
disposed poor are gratified by every inquiry that is made respecting their
industry and good conduct: and that they are frequently much hurt and
discouraged by so little distinction, (indeed in some instances, no distinction
at all.) being made between them and the idle and profligate poor. The mode of
inquiry and the registry and publicity that attends it, have had the effect of
giving satisfaction and encouragement to the well disposed poor in that
neighbourhood; and they have felt that in this mode, the relief was impartially
granted to them, according to the necessity and industry of the family. At the
same time, the inquiry, that has been always made after the earnings of every
branch of the family, has tended to keep up in them a disposition to activity
and exertion.
This method has, at the same time, aided and directed the overseer, in the
execution of that most important part of his duty, the relief of the poor; and
it has saved some trouble to the magistrate, by reducing, with the aid do the
printed titles, the examination of the pauper to the essential points; which are
always very few.
In some parts of England tables have been printed, by order of the magistrates,
fixing the precise amount of parochial relief, in those districts, according to
the number of children, and the price of bread. This, I conceive, is liable to
this objection; that everything in the nature of a fixed income, independent of
personal industry and economy, has a tendency to diminish the energy of the
poor, and their reliance on their own exertions for support. The fact is well
known, that no places contain a more comfortless class of poor, than those where
there are many large and certain charities for distribution.
In the notice from the magistrates, there is an inclination expressed, to give
relief to all industrious and well disposed poor at home. This was done, under
the impression, that the best and most useful relief is that, which gives
comfort and encouragement to the industrious labourer in his own cottage, and in
the care and education of his own children; preserving thereby, unimpaired,
those bonds of affection, which attach him to his condition and situation in
life; and are the most potent incentives to virtue and industry. I will venture
to add, that in cases where, from mere sickness or misfortune, a cottager is in
debt, or what is called behind hand with the world, occasional assistance from
the parish, to the amount of even a few pounds, is not only most benefit to the
poor person, but, eventually, an act of prudence and economy on the part of the
parish. The persons, however, voting and applying the poor's rate, being often
only tenants at will and at rack rents, have very little interest in any
permanent improvement of the condition of the poor; though with it a tendency to
make them better and happier, and to diminish parochial expenses.
A very good effect has been produced by the declaration that "where any
parish workhouse is farmed out, the magistrates would consider that
circumstances as an additional reason for giving (as far as the law authorizes)
relief at home, to the industrious ad well disposed poor of that parish"
This practice, the effect of indolence in the overseers and vestry and the cause
of a variety of evils, was then very general there; only one workhouse, I
believe, is now farmed in that hundred.
With regard to the mention which the magistrates have made to friendly
societies, I should observe, that an idea had prevailed that persons, intitled
to assistance from any friendly society, however small that assistance might be,
were to be considered as having, in some degree, waved their claim to parochial
relief. This idea, it was apprehended, might operate to the discouragement of
those useful institutions. The overseers concurred in the opinion, and in one
instance, agreed to an allowance, part of the object of which was to enable the
pauper to continue his monthly payment at his club, during the continuance of
the winter, and of the high price of bread. It was, therefore, though proper for
the magistrates to declare their opinion, that the members of friendly societies
should by no means be excluded from relief; though, at the same time, we were
satisfied, that they would seldom have occasion, or inclination to apply for it.
Source:
The Reports of the Society for Bettering the Condition and Increasing the
Comforts of the Poor. Vol 1 1798 446 pp
Submitted by Alan Longbottom
Page updated August 06, 2007
by Rossbret
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7 Stoke parochial relief