Wateringbury poor resettled in Ditton (1815)

Post date: Jan 24, 2012 9:51:16 PM

Alan Dodge in his book 'Ditton: the story of a Kentish village' (published by Ditton Heritage Centre in 2011) cites (page 96) the case of the Swan family who were a major cause of expenditure for Ditton over a period of 21 years as shown in an account book compiled by parish officials about them. Stephen Swan, his wife Sarah and their three children were living in Wateringbury when Stephen became ill in 1815 and was unable to work. Wateringbury officials, probably the churchwardens responsible for the administration of the poor law, ordered their removal to his original place of settlement, Ditton. Stephen died in 1815 followed by Sarah in 1818. The three children remained the responsibility of Ditton parish until the youngest , Harriet, married a farmer from Goudhurst in 1836. Over this time they cost Ditton parish $260, a sum avoided by Wateringbury.

This case was not unusual. The parish was the unit for the administration of the poor law both for the deserving poor (such as Stephen) and the undeserving (vagrants). Some places even sought to exclude people on the grounds they may become poor and thus a potential charge on the local rates, which was not good for the general mobility of labour. The practice of removal back to the parish of origin was long standing but had been given statutory authority by the Poor Relief Act of 1662. The practice led to many disputes between parishes which frequently ended in litigation and significant costs. The basic principal was removal back to the place of birth (or marriage for women). To faciitate movement of people, parishes started to issue certificates stating they would be responsible for a particular person even if they were living in a different parish. See Resettlement orders for Wateringbury related documentation.

Later Wateringbury encouraged overseas emigration of its poor- see Wateringbury pays its own to go west;

and Wateringbury in debt.

For other poor related snippets see Christmas charity at Wateringbury Place; Doctor for Wateringbury Poor; Poor rate assessment of 1586.