Overseer of the Poor
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In British history, an Overseer of the poor was an official who administered poor relief such as money, food and clothing. The position was created by the Elizabethan Poor Law (1601). These officials were often unwilling appointees who were often unpaid, they worked under the supervision of the Justice of the Peace. Law required two Overseers to be elected every Easter - these would accompany the JPs - this system of poor relief reinforced a sense of social hierarchy and provided a way of controlling the 'lower orders'[1].
[edit] Duties
Overseers had four duties:
- Workout how much poor relief money was needed in order to set the poor rate accordingly
- Collect the poor rate
- Give out poor relief
- Supervise the poorhouse [2]
[edit] References
- ^ http://www.victorianweb.org/history/poorlaw/elizpl.html
- ^ http://www.victorianweb.org/history/poorlaw/elizpl.html
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