Overseers of the Poor

• Overseers of the Poor; 1597-1925

The basis of the "Old Poor Law" system. Each parish was required to select two Overseers of the Poor each year to collect money from parishioners and distribute locally to those in need. York had previously established its own corporate weekly poor rate in the 1570s.
In York, distribution functions transferred to Board of Guardians in 1837. Rate-collecting functions transferred to council Rating and Valuation Committee in 1925.

First required by Act for the Relief of the Poor 1597 and amended by the 1601 Act and others.

The Overseers set and collected the poor rate, and distributed it (in money or goods) to those in need. Each parish had its own independant system but sometimes cooperated to run a poorhouse. Overseers were supervised by Justices of the Peace and unpaid. Rights to poor relief came from settlement rather than residency, so parishes often sought to remove individuals back to the parish where they had been born or gained rights through working.

The basis of the "Old Poor Law" system. Each parish was required to select two Overseers of the Poor each year to collect money from parishioners and distribute locally to those in need. York had previously established its own corporate weekly poor rate in the 1570s.

International Standard Archival Authority Record for Corporate Bodies, Persons and Families - ISAAR(CPF) - Ottawa

JBM How York Governs Itself