Mosterton

RECORDS OF THE OVERSEERS OF THE POOR

 

NOTE ON THE POOR LAWS

The Government attempted to tackle the problem of relieving the poor through a series of laws enacted from 1536 onwards, known collectively as the Poor Laws. Through various modifications and later supplementary social insurance programmes, the Poor Laws continued to provide the main framework for relief of the poor until the enactment of the Welfare State in 1948.  Unfortunately, these laws came to be applied in such a way that they were often a punishment rather than a relief for poverty, with nineteenth-century workhouses becoming the emblem of their worst aspects.

The parish had been the basic unit of administration since the fourteenth century and through the enactment of the series of Poor Laws it’s responsibilities and concomitant powers were enhanced. A person’s parish of settlement – normally determined by place of birth, apprenticeship or, in the case of a woman, through marriage - would be responsible for paying them poor relief should the need ever arise. Parishes therefore had to manage the calls upon their funds very carefully and this resulted in the emergence of severe restrictions on granting settlement, while for the individual the right of settlement in a parish different to that in which they were legally settled became extremely difficult to obtain.

To quote from Norma Landau’s fascinating article, “Who was subjected to the Laws of Settlement? Procedure under the Settlement Laws in Eighteenth-Century England”:

 “According to the settlement act of 1662, the act which provided the framework for the laws of settlement, parish officers could remove from their parish to his [or her] parish of settlement any person who rented for under £10 a year and who was ‘likely to be chargeable to the parish’ he [or she] ‘had come to inhabit’… [According to England’s judges] a person ‘likely to be chargeable’ was a person who rented for less than £10 a year. As Mr Justice Powis stated in 1714, in a case that elaborated upon earlier precedent: ‘The words likely to become chargeable, imply that a person is not in a tenement above ten pounds per annum; for if he be in such a tenement, no one can aver that he is likely to become chargeable’. Three years later, Mr Justice Eyre summarized previous opinion in what became the definitive statement of the law: ‘living on a tenement under £10 a year, and likely to become chargeable, are convertible terms’. As most [people] rented for much less than £10 a year, the 1662 act allowed parish officers to prevent interparochial migration by [the vast majority of people].”

Put simply, the acid test as to whether a person could be subjected to the Poor Laws or not was wealth. The wealthy could come and go as they pleased. Not until 1697 did freeholders and copyholders whose tenement yielded less than £10 per annum obtain protection from the 1662 Act of Settlement when Lord Chief Justice Holt declared that it had never been intended to ‘banish men from the enjoyment of their own lands’. Thus freehold and copyhold became a way to obtain legal settlement in a parish. The only other ways to acquire the right of settlement in a parish were to become an indentured apprentice, obtain a work contract of a duration greater than a year and a day, serve as a parish officer or pay taxes levied in the parish of residence, although the latter route to re-settlement was eventually closed off.

The place of legal settlement of widows was a grey area. Some parishes held that upon marriage a woman’s place of legal settlement became and remained that of her husband, while others maintained that upon the death of her husband a woman’s place of legal settlement reverted to what it had been before she married. It is therefore not unusual to see a widow being subjected to a settlement examination the day after her husband was buried!

Justices of the Peace and parish officers, known as Overseers of the Poor from 1579, applied the Poor Laws in order to regulate and monitor immigration to their parish, with the unemployed, those requiring poor relief and economically undesirable migrants such as single women (especially if pregnant), older workers, and men with large families being treated particularly harshly. As well as issues relating to settlement, the Overseers of the Poor also became involved in the apprenticeship of poor children, particularly orphans, children of poor widows and illegitimate children, and in brokering agreements for men (or their representatives) to contribute to the maintenance of their bastard children.

Overseers of the Poor therefore generated a wealth of documents of interest to local, social and family historians. Following is a list of documents from the records of the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Mosterton that have survived and that are available for consultation at the Dorset History Centre in Dorchester on microfilm.

 

SETTLEMENT & REMOVAL PAPERS

(DHC microfilm ref: MIC/R/1634)

Settlement Certificates

These provided the parish receiving an ‘immigrant’ with a safeguard against any claim upon its funds by the subject of the certificate or their family, and allowed the recipient parish to tax ‘immigrants’ without bestowing a settlement on them, while identifying the parish that would be responsible for relieving these ‘immigrants’ should they ever fall upon hard times. 

Date Family Place of Legal Settlement
26 Feb 1718/9

Edward STOODLEY, labourer, Joan his wife and John, Edward, Elizabeth and Daniel their children.

South Perrott, Dorset

03 Feb 1720/1

Robert WOOLMINGTON, sack cloth weaver, and Elizabeth his wife.

Chellington, Somerset

10 Apr 1721

Henry SAINT, labourer, and Elizabeth his wife.

Broadwinsor, Dorset

29 Nov 1723

John SIBLEY, son of Richard SIBLEY, bound apprentice to John HICKS, carpenter in Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset.

Mosterton, Dorset

07 Apr 1735

Ralph EWENS

Seaborough, Somerset

04 May 1737

John LACY, son of William LACY

Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset

14 Mar 1740/1

Roger CURTIS

South Perrott

06 Oct 1747

William PULHAM

Netherbury, Dorset

25 Jan 1752

Sarah PRIEST

Mosterton, Dorset

-- Oct 1757

George BRYANT, tailor, Mary his wife and Betty, Sarah, Edward, Richard, Thomas and Susannah their children.

Mosterton, Dorset

02 Oct 1779

William FARNHAM

South Perrott, Dorset

19 Dec 1843

Robert MEECH, Elizabeth his wife and their six children.

Beaminster, Dorset

25 Apr 1849

Richard COLLINS

Loders, Dorset

 

Settlement Examinations

Before a would-be emigrant could move, or an unwanted immigrant could be removed, a settlement examination had to be held before one of more Justices of the Peace to ascertain the parish of legal settlement of the individual.

 

08 Dec 1729; William HORSFORD, labourer

07 Feb 1753; John SYBLEY

19 Feb 1753; Margaret YEATMAN

18 Jan 1757; Sarah BARRET

21 Mar 1757; William LOVELASS

04 Jan 1794; Benjamin WHITING now residing in Holy Trinity, Guildford, Surrey

07 May 1840; Hannah PEARCE (copy of examination held at Bradford, Somerset)

16 Jan 1844; Henry CROFT

16 Jan 1844; Edward CROFT, concerning settlement of Henry CROFT, his brother

25 Nov 1844; Joseph DAVY of Broadwinsor

25 Nov 1844; Joe SPRAKE now residing in Stoke Abbott

 

 

Removal Orders from Mosterton

Date Person(s) RemovedParish of Destination
12 Aug 1709

Hannah PARKER, spinster

Beaminster, Dorset

25 Jul 1711

Margaret, wife of Benjamin CASE, and Jane and Daniel their children

Netherbury, Dorset

11 Nov 1731

Joan GUPPY, spinster

Bettiscombe, Dorset

21 Mar 1753

Angel GUDGE, Ann his wife and Ann, John, and an unbaptised male child.

Chinnock, Somerset

07 Jan 1754

Mary LAVANCE, singlewoman

(Note: on 15 JAN 1754 an order of respite on the removal of this person was issued)
Netherbury, Dorset
28 Apr 1757

Mary BUGLER, widow

Chedington, Dorset

28 Apr 1757

Richard LEGG, labourer

Corscombe, Dorset

09 Feb 1767

William BARRETT the younger and Sarah his wife

Beaminster, Dorset

15 Apr 1771

Arthur HOOD, Jane his wife and William their son

Netherbury, Dorset

24 Apr 1776

Mary LARCOMB junior, singlewoman

Broadwinsor, Dorset

25 Apr 1776

Sarah NAIL, illegitimate daughter of Sarah NAIL, singlewoman

Corscombe, Dorset

03 Feb 1794

Robert BARTLETT, labourer, Elizabeth his wife and Elizabeth, Sarah and Matthew their children

South Perrott, Dorset

03 Feb 1812

William CHUBB, labourer, Mary his wife and Sarah and William their children

Broadwinsor, Dorset

07 Mar 1814

Ann LARCOMBE, widow of James LARCOMBE junior, and James their son

Bradpole, Dorset

02 Oct 1815

Ann FARNHAM, singlewoman

Kingstone in Tintinhull Hundred, Somerset

03 Feb 1817

Sophia SPURDLE, singlewoman

Beaminster, Dorset

06 Oct 1817

Samuel CORNICK, labourer, and Hannah his wife

Beaminster, Dorset

26 Jul 1819

Jane IRELAND, singlewoman

Litton Cheney, Dorset

31 Oct 1831

John SYMES, Sarah his wife and their unnamed son

South Perrott, Dorset

02 Jan 1832

Robert TAYLOR, Elizabeth his wife and Harriet and Elizabeth Ann their children

Corscombe, Dorset

07 May 1832

Ann LARCOMBE, singlewoman

Halstock, Dorset

24 Sep 1832

David HUNT

Beaminster, Dorset

07 Jan 1833

Robert PALMER

Saint Luke, Middlesex

28 Apr 1834

Harriett HUNT, singlewoman

Beaminster, Dorset

28 Jan 1839

Jemima, wife of Samuel PERRY, now a prisoner in Wilton Gaol, and Edward their child

Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset

22 Oct 1838

James WELLS

Chideock, Dorset

16 Mar 1840

Samuel HARWOOD, Hannah his wife and Anne, Joseph and Maria their children

Ilminster, Somerset

17 Jan 1842

Charles HULL, Charlotte his wife and Charles and Samuel their children

(Note: this order was appealed, but the appeal was countermanded on 14 MAR 1842)
Chard, Somerset

03 Apr 1843

Richard COLLINS, Charity his wife and Joseph their child

Loders, Dorset

11 Oct 1843

Daniel LARCOMBE, Patience his wife and George and Charles their children

Bettiscombe, Dorset

20 Nov 1843

Robert MEECH, Elizabeth his wife and Thomas, Francis, Giles, Sarah, William and George their children

Beaminster, Dorset

16 Jan 1844

Henry CROFT and Mary his wife

Chedington, Dorset

 

 

Removal Orders to Mosterton

Date Person(s) to be Removed Ejecting Parish
23 Dec 1709

Richard SYBLYE, blacksmith, Susanna his wife and Mary, Elizabeth, Richard, Anne, John, William and Joan their children

Bradford Peverell, Dorset

28 Mar 1718

Elizabeth FORD, spinster

Beaminster, Dorset

23 Mar 1718/9

William MEACHAM, Mary his wife and Thomas, Mary, Martha and Elizabeth their children

Currey Rivel, Somerset

26 Mar 1731/2

John COX, Jone his wife and Elizabeth and another daughter

(Note: there is a confirmation of this removal dated 18 Apr 1732)
Hardington, Mansfield, Somerset
06 Jan 1753

Ann, wife of John MARSH

Toller Porcorum, Dorset

05 Jan 1767

Robert LOVELACE, Elizabeth his wife and Grace, Hester and Robert their children

Broadwinsor, Dorset

05 Apr 1771

Valentine CLARKE, Mary his wife and Thomas their child

Winsham, Somerset

31 May 1809

James DARE, Ann his wife and Rachael, Mary, George, Hannah and Nancy their children

Misterton, Somerset

02 Jun 1817

Sarah, wife of Robert LOVELESS the younger, and Robert their son

Broadwinsor, Dorset

05 Apr 1823

David KNIGHT, Temperance his wife and Harriot and George their children

Melbury Bubb, Dorset

30 Jan 1832

Sarah POOR, singlewoman

Broadwinsor, Dorset

01 Feb 1832

Thomasin ROBINS, singlewoman

Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset

15 May 1834

Robert SPORDLE, Maria his wife and Robert and Matthew their children

St. Mary, Isle of Ely

07 May 1840

Hannah PEARCE, widow, and Elizabeth, John, William and Sarah her children

Bradford, Somerset

25 Nov 1844

Joe SPRAKE and Bithia his wife

(Note: this order was countermanded on 19 DEC 1844)
Stoke Abbott, Dorset

 

 

APPRENTICESHIP INDENTURES

(DHC microfilm ref: MIC/R/1635)

Date Apprentice Master
04 Aug 1699

George, son of Thomas THRASHER

Phillip PRORSER of Burstock, tailor

02 Aug 1725

Roger, son of Francis WITHERALL

Roger WITHERALL of Lymbery in Netherbury, yeoman

14 Sep 1725

Francis, son of Francis WITHERALL

George GRAY of Misterton, Somerset, husbandman

01 Nov 1725

Thomas MEACHAM

John DOUCH of South Perrott, sack weaver

07 Jul 1740

Joseph BRYANT

Thomas HALLETT

26 Sep 1740

Mary BRYANT

Anne MEREFIELD, widow of Beaminster

26 Sep 1740

William Hillary PEARCE

Henry GUDGE, yeoman

18 Feb 1741

John MAISH (baptised 12 Apr 1732)

Daniel BRYANT, cordwainer

06 Apr 1741

Sarah FOWLER

Musgrove HELE, rector of Mosterton

06 Apr 1741

Robert GUDGE

Jockey STRODE

06 Apr 1741

John MARKS

John BRAGGE, gentleman

06 Apr 1741

Daniel MARKS

Elizabeth HODY, widow

06 Apr 1741

Richard SPURDLE

John MAYO

29 Apr 1742

John ADAMS

Christopher WADDON

08 Dec 1743

Margaret SPURDELL

Mary BANGER, spinster

07 Oct 1747

Elizabeth MARSH

William PAUL, sack cloth weaver

08 Apr 1767

Thomas EDWARDS

William WELCH of Bridport

25 May 1824

Ann HALLETT, illegitimate daughter of Ann PARK late Ann HALLETT, spinster

William PARK of Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset, labourer or husbandman

14 Aug 1828

Caroline LOVELESS, illegitimate daughter of Mary Ann LOVELESS

William GODDEN of Loscombe in Powerstock, thatcher

 

 

BASTARDY PAPERS

Bastary Bonds

(DHC microfilm ref: MIC/R/ 1635)

Note: It was not always the child’s reputed father who entered into a bastardy bond; churchwardens, overseers, friends or other benefactors might have undertaken the responsibility.

Date Names of those indemnifying the parish for the maintenance of the base born child Mother of the base born child
-- Jan 1705

Hugh BAGG snr. and Hugh BAGG jnr., both of Waford, Somerset, farmers, and Benjamin DALLY of Mosterton, tailor

Mary, daughter of Benjamin DALLY

27 Sep 1739

Simon Rogers the younger, yeoman, and Simon Rogers the elder, of Seaborough, Somerset, yeoman

Joan PERROTT, singlewoman

07 Jan 1741/2

Samuel SIBLEY, butcher

Elizabeth SPURLE, singlewoman

11 Jan 1743

Simon ROGERS the younger, yeoman

Martha PEIRTE, singlewoman

14 Dec 1751

Valentine CLERK and his son Valentine CLERK, both of Beaminster, fellmongers

Mary EDWARDS, singlewoman

14 Dec 1751

William LOVELACE, labourer

Susan HOOPER, singlewoman

02 Sep 1782

Robert COLLANT of Little Winsor, yeoman, and Arthur STUDLEY of the same place, yeoman

Hannah HAWKER, singlewoman

27 Dec 1821

Charles BOND of Axminster, Devon, gentleman, Samuel HOWARD of the same place, gentleman, and Hinton East DEAKE of the same place, gentleman

Emily BUCKNOLE of Axminster, Devon, singlewoman, now residing in Mosterton

 

Maintenance Orders

(DHC microfilm ref: MIC/R/1661)

Date Person against whom the order for maintenance was made Mother of the base born child
15 Apr 1771

Silvester MURLEY of South Perrott, butcher (father of child)

Thomazin SIBLEY, singlewoman

21 Nov 1775

Thomas TITHERLEY the younger of Haselbury Plucknett, Somerset

Elizabeth PEARCE, singlewoman

05 May 1813

John VINCENT junior, yeoman

Mary WILEDON, singlewoman

07 Jun 1813

William VINCENT, yeoman

Elizabeth LOVELESS, singlewoman

 

 

Bastardy Examinations

(DHC microfilm ref: MIC/R/ 1661)

Date

Mother of base born child

Reputed Father

21 Jun 1725/6

Hannah GUPPY, singlewoman

Christopher BURBIDGE of Misterton, Somerset

 

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