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

1. ^ The 1601 Elizabethan Poor Law
2. ^ The 1601 Elizabethan Poor Law

v • d • e The evolution of the Poor Law and poor relief in Britain The Tudor Poor Law Origins of the Poor Law system The Old Poor Law The Old Poor Law • Settlements Acts• Knatchbull's Act • Gilbert's Act • House of Correction • Overseer of the Poor • Poor rate Relief Systems Indoor relief • Workhouse • Outdoor relief • Speenhamland • Labour Rate • Roundsman Classifications of Poor Able bodied poor • Idle poor • Impotent poor Poor Law Amendment Act 1832 Commission • PLAA • Less eligibility • Workhouse • Workhouse test • Board of Guardians • Outdoor Labour Test Order • Outdoor Relief Prohibitory Order Opposition Anti-Poor Law League • Book of Murder • Opposition After the Poor Law Amendment Act Poor Law Commission • Poor Law Board • Local Government Board • Andover workhouse scandal • Union Chargeability Act Liberal reforms Royal Commission • Majority Report • Minority Report • Liberal reforms