Poor Book 1730-1769

A book recording the Poor laws transactions from 1730 to 1769 (Book 2) was kept in private hands until recently. This means there is an overlap with the churchwarden accounts which cover the period 1699 to 1759. Most of the issues of consistency apply to poor-law records but these records have less detail about church affairs and more about the people in receipt of poor relief. The title of the book is the ‘Poor Book’ which may appear insensitive to modern ears but ‘poor’ or ‘in distress’ were the terms used to describe the recipients of the support from the parish. The cover of the book is given the file name 2001 in this website.

The first page inside the book is blank apart from a later pencil note that states ” From 1730 to 1769, From 3rd year of George 2nd -9th year of George 3rd” on the right-hand side. This is given the file name 2002b. The ‘b’suffix shows the information is on the second page.

2003a is blank, 2003b is the account of Rich Thifrel, William Dowling, Widd Addams & Jonas Moon for the year of 1729 dated 30/3/1730.

2004a is a list of disbursements for 1729-1730.

2004b lists more disbursements for 1729-1730.

2007a  lists ‘weekly pay’. It refers to the 1729 or 1730.

2007b  also lists ‘weekly pay’ and  refers to the 1729 or 1730.

2022b is the account for 1734.

2023a is the continuation of  the account for 1734.

2023b is the continuation of  the account for 1734.

2146a lists some payments but it also describes an arrangement to pay money to th Wells Turnpike trust in 1754.

2020a lists disbursements for 1733-1734.

2020b lists disbursements for 1733-1734.

2021a lists disbursements for 1733-1734. It contains some terms usedto describe the clothes worn at the time.

2021b lists disbursements for 1733-1734.

2202b Lists the rates raised in Middlesex and Witcombe in 1764.

2227 is a double page that lists an agreement to allocate apprentices and provides a table of who was responsible for which estate in 1754. The list of apprentices goes beyond that date.

2228 is a continuation of the table of estates and apprentices.

2229 is a continuation of the table of estates and apprentices.

2230 is a continuation of the table of estates and apprentices.

2231 is a continuation of the table of estates and apprentices.

2232 is a continuation of the table of estates and apprentices.

A summary and analysis of the rates paid by each tithing in 1764 has been published.