THROUGH the courtesy and assistance of Mr. F. H.

Transcription

1 62 POOR LAW ADMINISTRATION IN NORTH MEOLS IN THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY By Eric Hardwicke Rideout. Read 28 November THROUGH the courtesy and assistance of Mr. F. H. Cheetham, who introduced me to the contents of the parish chest of St. Cuthbert's, North Meols, and with the permission of the Rev. Canon R. B. Blakeney, the Rector, I am able to present some account of the poor law documents to be described. The documents, covering generally the period from 1699 to 1816, are not uncommon, but their preservation in such numbers and in so fair a condition is perhaps more unusual. The preservation of so large a number is even more remarkable in view of their occurrence amongst a mass of miscellaneous material, of various dates, and their evanescent nature, especially since the more common Churchwardens' account books are missing. However, the whole of the materials contained in the church chest in 1929 have been examined, and from them I have extracted all those bearing on the poor laws. They have been classified and calendared. Those falling into familiar groups, for example the Apprentice Indentures and Removal Orders, have been abstracted only, save where a document differed in important respects from the usual forms. 1 A bundle of more miscellaneous character has been copied in full, and these, together with the more common papers, shed some light not only on the administration of the poor 1 Formal documents have not been printed in full as examples are readily available in the various handbooks prepared for the assistance of Justices and Parish Officers; notably Joseph Shaw's Parish Law (8th Edn., 1753). and Richard Burn's Justice of the Peace and Parish Officer (John King, 32nd cdn., 5 v., 1814) have been found useful and may be consulted for examples and precedents.

2 i Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 63 laws in the parish and neighbourhood, but by their context assist us to form a picture of the economic features of the period. The documents fall naturally into the following classes : 1. Certificates of Settlement. 2. Removal Orders. 3. Confirmation or Cancellation of Removal Orders. 4. Bastardy Orders. 5. Confirmation or Cancellation of Bastardy Orders. 6. Bonds. 7. Apprentice Indentures. 8. Miscellaneous materials not strictly falling under the above heads. With these latter I do not propose to deal as a class apart but merely to use them to illustrate, so far as they permit, the documents in the preceding classes. i. CERTIFICATES Under the notorious Act of 14 Car II, c. 12 (1662), generally styled the Law of Settlement and Removal, it was made lawful for the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor to complain before two Justices of the Peace of the presence of any poor persons coming to inhabit in their parish and to whom they objected and to obtain therefrom an order for their removal to their parish of settlement. " During the long period of misgovernment by the two brothers of the Stuart race," says Pashley, 1 " the necessary evil of the law of settlement and removal, its tendency to injure every labourer in the country by restricting the exercise of his industry and arbitrarily interfering with his personal freedom, remained in full operation." Hence by the 3rd W. & M., c. u (1692), new heads of settlement were created in order to secure mobility of labour, that is to say, settlement might be obtained by 40 days' residence in the parish, payment of 1 Pashley, Robert, Pauperism and I'oor Lavs, London, 1852, p. 134.

3 64 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. taxes therein, or by executing an annual parish office for a year. The effect, however, was largely nullified by the proviso that the 40 days of settlement should only be counted from the publication of notice given to the parish officers, and depended therefore on their goodwill. Five years later, in 1697, an Act stating in its preamble : " Forasmuch as many poor persons, chargeable to the parish, township, or place where they live, merely for want of work, would, in any other place, where sufficient employment is to be had, maintain themselves and families without being burthensome to any parish, township, or place ; they are for the most part confined to live in their own parishes,... and not permitted to inhabit elsewhere, though their labour is wanted in many other places where the increase of manufactures would employ more hands," enacted that: " if any person brings a certificate from the parish where he was last legally settled, subscribed by the Churchwardens and overseers, and allowed by two justices, every parish should be obliged to receive him, and he should not be removeable merely on account of his being likely to become chargeable, but only upon his becoming actually chargeable." l Unfortunately no clause of the Act obliged the overseers to grant such certificates. Furthermore, there is some evidence that so far from being a new departure, this Act merely gave parliamentary sanction to a practice which had prevailed for some time previously, that is to the granting of certificates or testimonials which were in effect private agreements between one parish and another. It is to this fact perhaps that most of the certificates here recorded are made specifically between two parishes. 2 Subsequently, in 1795, removal was limited to those actually chargeable. 3 Certificates therefore became com- 1 Pashley, op. cu., 238, citing 8 & 9 W. & M. c. 30. ' On this point see Marshall, D., The English Poor in the Eighteenth Century, London, 1926, pp. 175 et seq (ico. Ill, c. 101, quoted by Pashley, op. tit., p By the same Act the removal of sick persons " to the great danger of their lives " was to be suspended until their recovery-

4 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 65 paratively useless. Such would appear from the certificates preserved at North Meols, thirty-seven of which relate to the period before 1795, and only one was issued after that date. It is of course unsafe to assume either with certificates or with any other of the documents here described that the number preserved represents the total issue during the eighteenth century. It is, however, probable that except for a higher " mortality " for documents of the earlier years, the numbers remaining do represent roughly the total number issued. The theory that greater care may have been bestowed on the documents by certain overseers is not borne out by the very even distribution of the documents of all classes over the period under review. So far as the certificates alone are concerned, North Meols is especially fortunate in having so large a number preserved in a legible state. These papers, carried, if their appearance is any guide, in the pockets of the migrants for long periods, naturally are not to be found in large numbers in any one parish. 1 CERTIFICATES OF SETTLEMENT. Date. Place of Origin. Name. 7 Mar Formby Richard Shaw, w. and fa Oct Helsbe James Wainwright, w. and fa 4 Oct Scarisbricke Richard Spencer, 1 Elizabeth w. 1 E. M. Hampson, " Settlement and Removal in Cambridgeshire, ," Cam*. Hist. Journal, II, 285 (1928), says: " In many parishes the certificates now extant only number three or four...." Co Pal. Lancr. Upon a full hearing of the difference between the Ovseers of the poor [Seal] of Northraeals and Scarisbrick in the said County touching the last legal sctlem' of Richard Spencer now Inhabiting in Northmcales afore11 [Seal] not haveing acquired a legal Setlem' there but being poor is likely to become chargeable to the same Townc And forasmuch as it appears to us by the acknowledgcm' of the Ov'secrs of the poor of Srarisbrick aforesd That the said Richard Spencer was borne in the s'1 Towne of Scarisbrick And no proof being made to us That the sd Richard Spencer hath gained a legall setlcm' elsewhere since that time WEE therefore her Majties Justices of peace & Quor" of the said County doe hereby declare & adjudge the last legall setlcm1 of the said Richard F

5 66 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. Date. Place of Origin. 7 Oct Hesketh cum Becconsall 20 Mar. 1706/7 Liverpoole 25 Apl Jty- I7J3 20 Apl Feb Apl Nov Dec Jan Nov Latham Bickerstaffe Scarisbrick Formby Lytham Liverpoole Rainford Freckleton Kirk Malcw Name. George Ball, Jennet w., William s. Ellen, dau. Ric: Rimmer, late of Liverpoole, mariner. William Alty, Cicily, w., John Thomas c. Joshuah Sumner, Marg' w., James, Marg', Edmond, c. Alice Threlfall, wicl, Thos, Alice, John, James, c. William Hallothorne, Ellen w. Elizabeth Lawson, wid: Thos: Robert, sons. John Blundell, mariner, Alice w. William Pink, Ann w. James Tailor, Elizabeth w. John Taggart, 1 Shoemaker. Spencer to be in Scarisbrick afores'1 And doc likewise ord' the Ovsecrs of the poor of Northmeales to remove convey & delivr the said Richard Spencer & Elizabeth his wife to the Ov'seers of the poor of Scarisbrick aforesd to be provided for according to Law GIVEN undr our hands & scales this fifth day of July Anno Do 1703 To the Ov'seers of the poor of Northmeales to remove & Convey and to the Overseers of the poor C. L. STANLEY of Scarisbrick to receive & THOS. ASHURST. provide for the said Richard Spencer according to Law 1 The meaning of this Certificate is not at all clear, especially since in the absence of a law of settlement in the Isle of Man, it was impossible to remove to it anyone who claimed to belong to that Island, (v. VVebb, op. «'/., 335.) Neither does the certificate fulfil exactly the requirements of the statute law (I.O.M.) of 28 Jan (Statute Laws of I.O.M. 1819, pp ). The document in question is as follows : Insnla \ THESK ARE TO CERTIFY to whom it may Concern Also Sendeth Monat. ) Greeting &c. That the Bearer hereof John Taggart Shoemaker formerly of the said Isle (and a fourth Son to William Taggart a Yeoman in the parish of Malcw Proprict' of the Estate Scituate in the said Parish^ Comonly Called by the name of Ballakew) But now (as the said John Taggart Informcth us) a Residenter in the parish of S' Mcales in the County of Lancaster within the Kingdomc of Great Brittain, Do. hereby whoso Names are subscribed Affirm and testify That the said John Taggart hath Derived from an Esteemed and Reputed Family and Behaved himself a Sober and faithfull Young Man and honestly Served his Apprenticeship within the said Isle Noway Guilty of any Crime or Misdemeanour to the knowledge of us the Inhabitants of the said Parish of

6 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 67 Date. Place of Origin. 18 Jly Ormskkk 19 Feb Hindley 25 Feb Hesketh cu Becconsall 20 Apl Millington 21 Mar. 18 Jun. 18 Jun. 8 Dec. 10 Jan. 17 Feb. 24 Feb ' Feb. 5 Nov. ' Mar Nov i Mar Aug Apl Rufford Hesketh w. Becconsal 1»»» Bangor, Flint Burscough Wigan Burscough 25 Mar Tarleton Orrel Warton Stalming Longton [Lanes.] Tarleton North Meols Scarisbrick Name. Peter Wright, Anne w. Joseph Bibby, Ellen w., John, William, Mary c. W m. Hall, Elizabeth w., Margret, Ellen, Mary c. Thos. Mullineux, Judith w., John, William, Samuel, Thos: c. Ric: Wignall, Taylor, Ellen w.. Jane, John c. Robert Bailey, Jane w. Robert Lawson, Junior, Alice w. John Sparks, Mary w., Robert s. Ralph Rimmer, Ann w., Alice clau. Robert Brown, Jane w., James s. Richard Mawdeslcy, Plaisterer, Anne, Margaret c. Henry Forshaw, Ellen w., Alice, Elizabeth, James, Jane c. Robert Blundell, Issebcl w. Peter Jackson, Alice w., Oliver, William, Izabella, Jennet, Eling, Ric", Henry c. James Whitle, Day Labourer, Ann w. Thos. Wearing, Ann w. Richard Carr,, Elisabeth w., Anne, Thomas c. Richard Lee, Ellen w. John Gill, son of Elizabeth G., late of Birscarr. Malew and the rest of the Subscribers wtiosc names are here under written (No stamp paper used here) This Fifteenth Day of November Anno Dni one thousand seven hundred and thirty seven. NICH. BRIDSON. CHA: MOORE, Deemster. J. WOODS, Vi<r of K.K. Malew. JOHN SLATER, Deputy Constable of Castle Riuli\eu]. JOHN KILLY, Warden. THO: CAINE, I.iuetanant of K.K. Malew.

7 r 68 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. Date. Place of Origin. Name. 19 Nov Aughton James Dobson, Ellin w., James, Ann c. 26 Aug Ince Blundell Hugh Gregson, Blacksmith, Ann w. 16 Jan Freckleton John Hardiker, Hannah w., Mary aet. I. ii May 1791 Much Hool William Miller. 8 May 1816 Formby Hannah Bolton, and bastard child or children. The three following documents fall under the provisions of the Act of Settlement, but no certificates concerning them have been preserved: LANCASHIRE TO WITT The Information of John Case of Halsall in the sd County Taylor taken upon Oath the i4th day of April 1748 before me Wm Hill Esq. one of his Majesties Justices of the peace in & for ye s'1 County. Who saith that he was apprentice in North Meols a many years agoe and went from thence abt twelve years agoe with a Certificate into Scarisbrick where he lived for abt. 8 yeares and then removed into Halsall where he has resided for about four years last past at an Estate formerly belonging to Mr John Bibby and now belonging to W Sutton and that he fanned there under the rent of 12* a year but had a days ploughing & ten shillings in dung allowed him by the Landlord out of the sd. rent but that the same was above ten pounds a year and that he still continues to live at the same estate or farm under the sd. Win Sutton this present year at the rent or Sum of ten pounds fifteen shillings only he has a load of Oat Straw allowed him by his Landlord. Sworn at Ormskirk the day & year above said before me WM. HILL. JOHN CASK. 12 Stptr Know all Men whom this may concern that I Thomas Lunn of Blackpool in the County of Lancaster Labourer was born within the Parish of North Meols in the said County and that I the said Thomas Lunn did in or about the Year One Thousand seven hundred and eighty two quit the said Township of North Meols being then about the Age of nineteen Years and that I did go to Warton in the said County on or about the twenty ninth day of December one thousand seven hundred and eighty two and was hired with and served Nicholas Nickson of Warton aforesaid for the space of one whole Year and also did receive a Years Wages for the same without any deduction whatsoever as he the said Nicholas Nickson did testify to me at the same Time that I had received my full wages as Witness my hand this twelth day of September one thousand seven hundred and ninety three. Witness our hands JOHN RIMER The Mark of ROBERT SUTTON X JOHN SILCOCK. THOMAS LUNM

8 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 69 I [Endorsed over] THE CASE OF RANNET Alias REYNOLD WRIGHT. A'orir 2<)th Kannct alias Reynold Wright and Ellen his wife went into Scarisbrick to live about Fourteen Years ago or upwards under a Certificate from Northmeols continued there and followed y e Trade or Occupation of a Taylor and about or in ye Year 1750 purchased a Freehold Tenement in Scarisbrick consisting of a house and about Four Acres of Land from Henry Bell who held y«said Tenement under a Lease from Mr Scarisbrick of Scarisbrick aforesaid under a reserved Rent of Three Shillings and Sixpence Yearly and other Conditions therein mentioned ye purchase Money was Forty-two pounds and one years holding upon ye said premises y* said Raunet or Reynold paid y«purchase money lived upon it and occupied it for y space of one year or upwards and was accepted as Tenant by y«said Mr Scarisbrick and in his own right paid all Leys and Taxes that was imposed upon y«said Tenement N:B: y«said Raunet or Reynolds y«proper Assignee morgaged y«said Tenement to Henry Meadow of Scarisbrick aforesaid for ye Sum of Thirty Pounds afterwards sold it unto John Son of Henry Meadow deceased in order to pay of y" said morgage money during all which he lived in yf Township of Scarisbrick aforesaid it is likewise observed that y«said Raunet or Reynolds at his appearing to do suit of Court within y e Manor of Scarisbrick y< Year he lived upon y said premises was by y«said Court appointed to execute > Office of an Ale Taster which was in and about ye year 1751 which Office he executed for y«space of one year or more the said Raunet since which time purchased a small Cottage in Scarisbrick aforesaid for Nine pounds and a small yearly quit Rent to wit one shilling where he now continues to live. [Another hand.] S*. Pray send your opinion in writing whether Wrights settlement l>c in Scarisbrick or Mcols and you'll oblige Yours JN ARMETRIDING.' Dec: y«3*: 56: [Again another hand.] I am of opinion that thev Reynold Wright by his Purchase of and living upon the sd Tenem' in Scarisbrick has gained a Settlement there, as to serving the Office of Ale Taster It is doubtful! to me whether it is such an annual Office as will in title him to a Settlement But I incline to think it is not. THO: GRIHSHAW. 2. REMOVAL ORDERS. Removal Orders total twenty for the period. Such Orders had to be confirmed by the next Quarter Sessions, and in a total of thirty-two documents, twenty-six removal orders were confirmed and only six set aside. From the evidence of these materials it would not appear that the parish of North Meols often suffered, for out of all these orders and confirmations (fifty-two), only nine were made to the disadvantage of the parish. 1? Rev. John Armctriding, curate of North Mcols,

9 70 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. So successful a record must have been largely due to the care and trouble taken by the overseers in resisting the claims of neighbouring parishes. An example which illustrates the pertinacity of the overseers as well as the trouble the Law of Settlement was capable of causing is given by the case of Ralph Sherdley's widow and family recorded in these papers at some length. Ralph Sherdley, it appears from a Visitation of North Meols in 1709, l was ordained deacon September 20th, 1702, and priest May 3oth, He was curate of North Meols " from 1708," 2 and appeared there until 1725 at least. 3 He occurs also as minister of Maghull Chapel in 1704.* He was at Maghull for at least a year, 5 but whether he remained minister there until John Balshaw, M.A., was " ordained to be curate " of Maghull on 25th September, 1743 is not clear. At all events we may assume that he had died before the following September, for on the 28th of that month an order was obtained for the removal of Mary, his widow, and her five children from Maghull to North Meols. The subsequent proceedings are sufficiently recorded in John Brownsword's, the lawyer's, bill preserved with the parish papers : FOR NORTHMEOLSv ABOUT THE ORDER OF REMOVAL of Maty PARISH. I Sherdley widow Ann and Ralph her AT SUIT OF THE Ichildren from Maghull to Northmeols. TOWNSHIP OF I And also about the other Order for MAGHULL /removal of John Elizabeth and Jane Children of Ralph Sherdley deceased from Maghull to Northmeols My retainer and advice on oath Order of removal copying thereof and taking instructions to defend 6 8 Drawing up a Short Sketch of the Case In relation to Farington and my journey to Latham to lay it before 1 Farrer, History of North Meols (1903), p Ibid. He appears as witness to a Bond (p. 91), 4 July Farrer, loc. cit. Trans. Hist. Soc. Lanes & Ches., 74, 38 (1922). 1 See Mainwariug's opinion below, p. 72.

10 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 71 Mr Bootle and to prevail with him to advise the Town of Maghull to withdraw those Orders and remove them to Farington from Aughton As the surest way to prevent expence to North Meols and Maghull 7 6 Gave then to Servants at Latham -2 o For Several Attendances on M r Smith and the Maghull Officers on purpose to prevail with them to come into the proposal 6 8 Expences on that account 4 o Note They wo'd not agree to it And Mess Chetham and Kenyon being both retained for Maghull I retained Mr Aspinwal gave him 10 6 Attending him 3 4 Jane y [1745] For Severall Attendances on the Gentlemen of Northmeols on purpose to consult about having Council from abroad or getting the Appeals respited from next Sessions to Ormskirk Sessions ro" 6dl Paid expences and for postage of letters about retaining Mr Leigh Mr Wilson &c. 6" 4* Drawing notice of motion to respite the Appeal to the Order for removal of the widow and her Child I" : Copy and Service by my Clerk 4" 4'' : Journey to Wigan Sessions to prove the same 5" Sessions fee 6" 8d Order of respite and Service 5' 4 d 124 The like in the other Order for removal of the Children 124 Drawing a Case for Council and transcribing the same fair over 7 0 To Councelor Clay ton therewith 21" his Clerk 2* 6'1 attending him 6" 8<> i 10 2 My Journey to Meols therewith And advising further about Councel 6 8 Attending Lawyer Aspinwal with the Case and consulting him about M r Clayton's opinion 6" 8d Gave him then 10* 6d 17 2 For my trouble of consulting my Correspondents at Chester and the postage of letters about retaining and having Lawyer Falkener from Chester to our Sessions 4" 7d : pd for their trouble ab' it ff 8d "3 1 The attempt was successful, see No. 9 and 10, p. 83.

11 72 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. Note. As he was no Orator I was advised to take Mr Baron Manwaring l if I cou'd get him My Journey to Meols and consulting the order 5 o Drawing Case for his Opinion 3" 6d My journey to Chester on purpose to attend him and prevail if possible for him to come over to Ormskirk Sessions 1 i 8 o'1 Expences & boats n" i 15 6 Gave to the Council 21" To his Clerk 2" 6d Attending him 6s 8"1 i 10 2 To Mr Stone for his assistance and care about getting his opinion and prevailing on him to come over (It then being the Quarter Sessions at Chester And he co'd not give his opinion) 5 o Paid Postage of his opinion i 9 Mr Store's letter 4 d 14 Transcribing thereof and my Clerk's Journey to Meols with the Same to lay before the Town 7 6 Drawing Brief and two fair copys thereof 11 o To three Several Journeys of my Self to Maghull, Halsall Lidiate and Aughton in order to find out propper Witnesses that paid no Taxes in either Town in dispute 6 8 Six Process for Witnesses 3" Service thereof 8" 6d 11 6 Gave to Parson Pilkington with his process 4 o To Mr Hen: Sherdley 3' 6"> Robert Taylor 3' 66 To Richard Huson 2 s To Threlfall i 8 3 o To Councelor Aspinwal with his Brief 2i 8 Attending him d i 4 4 To Mr Lancaster his retainer and pleading Fee 8 6 For my Own Sessions Fee And pains in the Affair 13 4 Note the Court with hard Strugling agreed to make a Case of it to be referred to the Judge of Assize. For my trouble of endeavouring to have the Case fairly drawn and Stated but Mr Chetham and Mr Kenyon wo'd take time to consider of it till after the Sessions The opinion was as follows: I am clear of opinion that M r Sherdley gained a Settlement in Northmeols and am inclined to think that he has gained a subsequent one in Maghull by executing the Office or charge of the Curacy for a year though he was not licensed thereto will gain a Settlement within the Stat' y & 4: W & Mary But this being a new point the Court will probably confirm the Order specially and give the parties an opportunity of taking the Judgement of the Court of King's Bench. J. MAINWARING 25 Apriil 1745, Chester.

12 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 73 i 9' June Attending both Mr Chetham and Mr Kenyon at Manchester in hopes of getting it settled but coud not Paid then expences with them on that account For several letters and Messengers to Peel and likewise to Manchester on the same Account Paid the Man who brought it over Attending Mr Radcliffe therewith and transcribing it Retainer to Lawyer Clayton at London for next Assizes and Clerk My Agents trouble and postage of letters &cr 21" March th Aprill [Following in another hand.] I 7th Juty I 745- Do. ReCed from Jn Brekell From Rich"1 Johnson Total. Remains mv journey to the towns meting cu Delivered over Wm Snodsons (?) bond due to me in y l affaire 22 U July 1745 To Lawyer Aspinall on the motion to respite till next Sessions and to have the opinion of M r Gundry & Sr John Strange My own Sessions Fee & Trouble respite orders in both affairs o 4 i ii n I Finally on the 26th September, after a year of argument, the following complicated agreement was made between the contending townships : ARTICLES of Agreement indented had made concluded and fully agreed upon this Twenty-Sixth day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred and Forty Five BETWEEN John Ball James Spencer Richard Rimer Richard Ball and Richard Johnson Churchwardens and overseers of the Poor of the Township of Northmeals in the County of I,ancaster of the one part and Thomas Glover and Thomas Bradley

13 74 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. Chappell warden and overseer of the poor of the Township of Maghull in the said County on the other part. WHEREAS there has been and is divers and Sundry disputes arisen and still subsisting between the Townships of Northmeals and Maghull aforesaid touching and relating to the Settlement of Sarah Sherdley John Sherdley Elizabeth Sherdley Jane Sherdley Anne Sherdley and Ralph Sherdley Sons and daughters of Ralph Sherdley late of Maghull aforesaid Clerk deceased NOW Thereof for Ending the said Disputes it is agreed as follows (That is to say) the said John Ball James Spencer Richard Rimer Richard Ball and Richard Johnson For themselves their heirs executors Administrators and Successors Do hereby contract covenant promise and agree to and with the said Thomas Glover and Thomas Bradley and to and with each of them their and Each of their heirs Executors Administrators and Successors that they the said John Ball James Spencer Richard Rimer Richard Ball and Richard Johnson and their Successors Shall and will from time to time and at all times hereafter well and Sufficiently maintain and provide for the above named Anne Sherdley so that the said Anne Sherdley shall in no sort become burthensome troublesome nor in any wise chargeable to the Inhabitants of Maghull aforesaid AND the said Thomas Glover and Thomas Bradley for themselves their heirs Executors Administrators and Successors do hereby Contract covenant promise and agree to and with the said John Ball James Spencer Richard Rimer Richard Ball and Richard Johnson and to and with Every of them their and Every of their heirs Executors Administrators and Successors that they the said Thomas Glover and Thomas Bradley and their Successors Shall and will from time to time and at all times hereafter well and sufficiently maintain and provide for the above named Ralph Sherdley so that the said Ralph Sherdley Shall in no sort become burthensome troublesome nor in any wise chargeable to the Inhabitants of Northmeals aforesaid AND LASTLY It is the mutuall Agreement of the parties to these presents that the above named Sarah Sherdley John Sherdley Elizabeth Sherdley and Jane Sherdley Shall from henceforward be maintained and provided for at the Joint and equall cxpence of the Townships of Northmeals and Maghull aforesaid And that the Effects which the late Ralph Sherdley died possessed of Shall be Equally divided betwixt the said Townships of North Meals and Maghull the Expence of their maintenance hitherto being first deducted IN WITNESS whereof the parties aforesaid to these presents

14 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 75 their hands and Seals have hereunto Interchangeably put the day and Year first above Written : Sealed and Delivered (being first j duly Stamped) In presence of us j J. NORMAN THOMAS GLOVER [Seal] I Enwu LANCELOT? THOMAS BRADLY [Seal] 1 [3 sixpenny embossed and one penny printed sheet stamps.] 1 In October, John and Jane were apprenticed, 1 and presumably, as soon as she was old enough, Anne was similarly disposed of. 8 No provision was made by either party, so far as can be determined, for the widow. In the year following the Sherdley agreement a dispute with the township of West Houghton is recorded. The details which follow require no comment, but illustrate only too clearly the abuses of the syste NORTH MEOLS AT SUIT) OF WESTHOUGHTON. J John I^ee the Oldest Son of Robert Lee which said Robert was possessed of an Estate he held by Lease from M r \Vorthington of Three Lives whereof the said John Lee was one After the Death of the said Robert he the said John Lee did Service in Husbandry for severall years came into North Meols and served with Thomas Brade of that Township as to obtain a Settlement there. After such Service he returned to West Houghton in Order to claim his Estate which after his Fathers decease was held by M r«leigh Widow of one Captain Leigh for a Bond debt of Ten pounds owing by the said Robert Lee. The said John Lee redcem'd and Sold the Estate to John Yates of Lostock for about Sixty pounds Value having never occupied nor enjoyed the same. The said John Lee Married and lived sundry years in Westhoughton afterwards his Family growing numerous Westhoughton in the Month of September one Thousand seven hundred and forty four obtain'd an Order for the Removal of the said pauper and Family to North Meols. Meols gave notice for an Appeal and the matter was respited till January Sessions next following before which time Meols 1 See below, p 'Ibid., p It seems probable, though proof is lacking, that this unfortunate child, unable to rise above the handicap of poverty, was the same Anne Sherdley who was removed by order from the Parish of St. Mary on the Hill, Chester, in 176$, p. So, below.

15 76 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. gave a Certificate with the said pauper's During which time John Lee took a Farm from the above named John Yates of Lostock, lying in Westhoughton consisting of Five Acres and one Rood Land with a Cottage and some building for one year the Land to l>e enter'd upon as by Articles upon the Second Day of February and the Housing at May Day following. Pursuant to these Articles John Lee entered upon the ground on the Second Day of Feb> then next ensuing and plowed and delved and occupied the ground and though he had not the possession of the House yet he held and enjoyed another house in the said Townshipof Nearasrnuch value Hut the Inhabitants of Westhoughton being Uneasie at his holding this Estate and doing all they could to distress him the said John Lee on the Eighteenth day of April following came to an agreement with the said John Yates his Landlord and in Consideration of Twelve pounds twelve shillings to him the said Lee in hand paid surrendered up all his further Term and Intrest in the premises and quitted the possession thereof after he had been above forty days in the quiet enjoyment of it. Whereupon Westhoughton publickly agreed to relieve him at several meetings upon his complaint but notwithstanding have since that obtained an Order from Mr Chetham and Mr Duckinfield upon the Certificate without any Examination of the said Lee as touching his Farm but have Superceded the same. Meols have given there Notice of Appeal.') In the Settlement and how to proceed, j [MR. BROWNSWORD'S BILL continued.} FOR NORTHMEOLSI, - T ABOUT SETTLEMENT OF JOHN LEE AND AGT. V... I HIS FAMILY. WESTHOUGHTON ) For my retainer Advice and trouble of writeing Several letters and directions in this affair 6s 8d paid postage 7'" 7 j For my Advice about the Agreement made for farming the Estate in Westhoughton and giving a Certificate with him 3 4 My trouble and charge of Sending to the Officer that we wou'd withdraw our appeal but he insisted on Cost for not giving notice and sending the Certificate in time And wo'd move the Court at Manchester for that purpose 4 o Gave to Mr Dean his Fee to oppose the motion and prevent cost which he did accordingly 5 o o 19 7

16 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 77 The remainder of Mr. Brownsword's bills though concerning various matters is given below : i *. d. Respite Orders at October Sessions [deleted] [Another hand.} Due to me ab* Zachariah Faircloughs Widow married to Robertson 13 4 Brought over abl Sherdleys Children respite Orders at October Sessions & Fee 6 o Do. at January Sessions o Transcribing Orders & Instructions for Certiorari 5 o * Aug reced from Richard Johnson Overser of Meols in part of accot 600 More abl Settlement of John Lee and ab4 Zacharia Faircloughs Febr reced then from Richard Johnson Overser of North Meols the Sum of ten pounds ten shillings in full of the said ballance of 13 : i : 3. by me Jo: BROWNSWORD. {Endorsed over.] BILL FOR THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTHMEOI.S. 3 d Octob: Richard Boond says the town shall pay now the Cost in Derby Court agl Ann Lee ats * Gib' Bull th D at Wigan Sessions Orders of respite 4 o My Sessions Fee 6 8 Transcribing orders etc. and Instrucions for Certiorari's to remove 5 o FOR THE PARISH OFI I JOHN. _, BROWNSWORDS _ BILL. NORTHMF.OLS. j J Due for the prosecution of Ann the wife of John Marshall of Birkdale at Lent Assizes 1746 and charge of Assignment from him since of his Tenement to indempnifye the Town i 12 o '? (LovaU).

17 78 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. i s. d. Paid to the Clerk o'th Peace for the respite Orders about Mr Sherdleys Children four Sessions successively o 10 8 Paid him for the Two Orders for Setting Aside the Orders for removal 4* my Sessions Fee 7" o 11 o For Journey Letters and trouble of preventing Edward Halsall coming into the Town 070 Sallary due for the year 1744 and 1745 too For all my trouble of Letters Messengers and myself going once about William Hodsons Bastard 068 For Attending the Justices and taking the Examination of Richard Rimmer about his Settlement in Liverpoole and expences on that Account i 9' September Sallary for the years 1746 and 1747 i o o th April Attending and Drawing the Informations about the Settlement of John Carr and his family 034 Paid expences at that time Attending the Justices o i 6 25th Attending at Wheat Sheaf and taking examinations of the Nine Vagrants brought before them 070 Paid Expences on that Account th July. For my Attending the Justices and moving for a Warrant agl Alice Ball who refused to bring in her Bastard Child in order to be filiated 034 Attending the Filiation 3* 4'' P"1 expences both times 2" 6(l o 5 10 For my trouble of Attending and taking examination of Jane Giles a Vagrant and expences 044 For motion at Quarter Sessions and getting Order on the Treasurer of the County for 1:11: th 7ber For the Inquisition on View of the Body of Isabell Breakell killed by William Corner I st Jany. For Attending and taking the examination of Ed ward Con way a Vagrant 3» 4d Paid expences (1 o th For the like about Marg' Ferguson and her Child o 4 10 Sallary for the year 1748 o 10 o th March for my Advice and trouble about John Wignalls Settlement 034 For the like about William Caunces

18 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 79 RECED 5th Aug' 1749 from James Lunt Ourseer of the poor of NorthMeols the Sum of Five pounds three shillings on acco 1 and in part of the within bill And I promise to make out the remainder to be fairly due to me & clear the Objections Made thereto otherwise the said Objections shall be allowed by me Witness. Jo: BROWNSWORD. JOHN SEPHTON. * d. remaining 410 Charge Since ab' Settlem* of Rob' Abram th Jun: 1749, at private Sessions ab' getting orders of Ann Balls bastard Rob 1 Brown & Mawdsley 068 At Quarter Sessions January 1749 for Watch Money 052 Salary for January Sessions o 10 o Order for Walch money last Sessions and to be paid to me in part 464 i 15 i Reced 14 Feby: the Sum of Fifteen shillings in full of the above ballance. by Jo: BROWNSWORD

19 Date. 6 July Sept Sept Jan Jan Jan. I749-4 Feb Feb June Feb: Complaint by Overseers of Northmeols St. Mary upon the Hill, Chester North Meals 29 Oct Aug Dec Feb Feb.,, 10 July Altcar Clifton w. Salwick Liverpool Scarsbrick. 3 Apl Ley land ' 28 Apl Liverpool. i Mar Birtal. 30 Apl Hesketh, w. Becconsall. REMOVAL ORDERS. Against Henry Tucson, w & family James Wainwright, w. & child George Ball, Jennet w, William s. Thos: Abram, Elizabeth w., Robert s. Robt: Brown, Jane w. Richd: Mawdsley, Margaret & Anne, c. Hugh Lee, Margaret w, Thomasin. dau. Anne Sherdley Jane Blundell, spinster. Isabel Blundell, wid., Jane, Ann, Thomas, John, Alice, & Esther, c. 1 Elizabeth Blundell, s. Margery Balshaw, s. Margaret Mayor, wid. Esther Breakell, wid. of John B. Staymaker, decd» Sarah Breakell, aged five years Isaac Peet, Isabel, w., Dorothy, dau. near 7 years, Mary, dau. 5 months Mary Gore, w. of William G., now a soldier in the 63 Regt: of Foot; Elizabeth, dau. 3 yrs., Ellen dau., i yr.» Ellen Gill, widow. Ann Wharton, wid., Thos. W. decu, Ann dau. 5 yrs. Ann Wignall, wid ; William, Mary, John, c. To be removed to OO- Ormskirk. Helsbye, Cheshire. Hesketh w. Becconsall. ^ Wigan. -t Burscough. t~* Tarleton. g North Meoles. s. Tarleton. Orrell in Mackerfield.. a' ** ' Bretherton. North Meols. ;. o Crostons. Halsall. North Meols.

20 ActuaDy already chargeable to complaining parish. The remainder, unmarked, were described as likely to become chargeable. 1 Another fragment of a lawyer's bill : THE TOWNSHIP OF NORTHMEOLS TO Wu LAW Motion for Removal Order of Eliz: Blundell from Meals to Bretherton Moving for Bastardy Order ag' peter Watkinson lojan'ry on Margerv Lunt Easier Sessions Motion to Confirm order of Bastardy on peter Watkinson paid for Confirmation Order Mittimus of Sauton to Lancaster Castle 3 Recognizances Attending to examine Witnesses & take Instructions for prosecution I)rawinK Draught of Brief fair Copy paid for Indictment paid Doorkeeper to the Grand Jury Swearing in Court paid M' Moss with Brief Journey to Lancaster on this acco' 3 days when Judge wo* not try prisoner he Appearing to be a Luna tick Horse hire & Expences L 0 O 0 O O O O I I O O O O O Dr. s t I '5 d oo o 8 86 o 6o o 0 o CR. By Cash received of the Treasurer of the County for John Brade late Constable of Northmeols Conveying one Cadwell to Gaol being Charged with Burglary Received of D" towards the prosecution of Sauton by order of the Judge Ballance due to \Vm Law i 17 o R Nov* Reced y above Balance by me O W- LAW. i ' EXAMINATION OF WILLIAM GOOBE (see next page).

21 1 EXAMINATION OF WILLIAM GOORE 17 FeP LANCASHI RE The examination of William Goore late of Leyland in the said county but now a Soldier in the sixty third Regiment of Foot taken on Oath before me Thomas Baldwin Clerk one of his Majestys Justices of the Peace in and for the said County the seventeenth day Oc of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven Hundred and ninety four relating to his Settlement. WHO saith that he was born in the Township of Bretherton in the said County afterwards this Examinants Father Richard Goore took a Farm of Jane Lawrence of near Ten pounds a Year in the Township of Tarleton in the said County and this Examination and went along with his parents to the said Farm in the said Township of Tarleton he cannot say what age he was when he left Bretherton but he continued with his said parents in Tarleton whose settlement was in Tarleton aforesaid until he was about Twelve or thirteen *"C V'ears of age afterwards this Examinants Father agreed with John Ainsworth of Leyland aforesaid for this Examinant to go Six Years as an Apprentice to learn to Weave and this Examinant went to the said John Ainsworth and continued about a Y'ear with the said John >t Ainsworth in Leyland aforesaid at which time the said John Ainsworth wanted the Indenture to be made but this the examinants Father. would not agree for any Indenture to be made and this Examinant continued about half a Year longer but no Indenture was ever made j^ afterwards this Examinant run away from the said John Ainsworth and went to live with Thomas Johnson of North Meols in the said g County Farmer that he lived with the said Thomas Johnson in North Meols aforesaid about half a Year but Nothing was said about Wages no further than the said Thomas Johnson was to give this Examinant Meat and what wages he deserved and when this Examinant had lived ^. half a year or thereabouts the said Thomas Johnson Hired This Examinant for a Year for the wages of Fifty two shillings and this Exam-?i, inant continued with the said Thomas Johnson in North Meols aforesaid a Year within about a week or Ten days and Afterwards this 2 Examinant run away to the said John Ainsworth in Leyland aforesaid and continued about eleven weeks he cannot say weather he received S- his full years wages or not in North Meols as his Master Johnson gave him money when he wanted afterwards this Examinant went and?e. boarded with Richard Pye in aforesaid (') for near Twelve Months afterwards this Examinant went to Tarleton for about a quarter of S. a year to instruct William Sinagart "! the Weaver afterwards this Examinant was Hired by William Sumner of I'lneswalton in the said ^ County for a Year for the wages of six pounds that he continued Near half a Year afterwards this Examinant went into the south to cut 5- rom for about two months afterwards this Examinant went to his Fathers House in Tarleton aforesaid and went with his Father in a o' Coal Flatt a Flatting for about Twelve Months and was to have one half of the Money that the Flatt made afterwards this Examinant 8 went to live with William Gore in Leyland aforesaid for about three months afterwards this Examinant went to live with Richard Pye ~. in Leyland aforesaid and gave him five shillings and sixpence a week for his Board afterwards this Examinant Married the said Richard 3 Pyes Daughter and continued as part of his Father in laws Family upon a House under Mr. Porter of Marsh Hall In Bretherton aforesaid ^ that the said Richard Pye was to give about Twelve pounds a year for the said House and this Examinant further saith that He never ^ Rented a place of Ten pounds a Year Nor has done any Act or Deed to gain a Settlement save as above that he has a Wife and two Children in Leyland aforesaid ;. sworn to before me the day and Year above Written WILLIAM GOORE 5* THOS BALDWIN ST (Copy) 5. [Endorsed on bafk.] J* I have perused the within Case and am of opinion that the Pauper gained a Settlement in North Meols by his hiring and Service with Johnson there but whether he gained any subsequent Settlement or not does not appear from the imperfect manner in which the Case is stated. The only Persons who can prove the hiring and Service with Johnson (I understand) are Goore the Pauper and the Master Johnson Johnson being a Tax Payer in North Meols cannot be a Witness between Leyland and North Meols, and the Pauper Goore is out of the Country, and I apprehend the Examination of which this is a Copy not being taken before the Magistrates as the Act directs will not be conclusive Evidence of his Settlement consequently Leyland will find it a difficult Matter to prove the Settlement in North Meols. N. GRIMSHAW. 22nd Feby

22 \v. \v. o. o. 0. o. o. w. \v. w. o. M K) 1<> ' Quarter Sessions. Oct. 3 Ann. Jan. 6 Ann. J«iy July Apl. May July Oct. Oct. Jan. Apl. Oct. July O 28 Ann. Geo. II. Geo. II.,,,,,, -..,,,, Date of Oder. Sep. Jan. Jiy Jiy Apl. Apl. My. July Aug. Sep.,, Sep. Jun. 3. REMOVAL ORDERS CONFIRMATION. [Elizabeth] Baxter Ric. Chaddock, Elizabeth w., Adam, Ellen, c. Ric. Strange, & his wife Gilbert Mollyneax, Ann w. Peter Wright, Ann w. James Holme, Mary w. George Morris, Alice w, Ellen, dau. John Blundell Elizabeth Abram, Robert, s. John Sherclley. Elizabeth, Jane, c. of Ralph S., deed. John Lee, Mary, w, Robt, Samuel, Maryc. Peter Jackson, Alice, w., Oliver, William, Ric 11, Isabel, Jannet & Ellen, c. To be removed From To 1 Alcarr North Meales. ' Bickerstaffe Northmeales» Tarleton North meales Maghull Formeby. Scairsbrick. Ormskirk. Formby. Northmeales. Formby. Hesketh w. Becconsall. North Meols. Westhoughton North Meals Wharton. All above confirmed, no appeal being made except as noted, below : 1 Discharged. 1 Quashed for informality. Endorsed over. " 3nd of December Gilbert Taler overseer of Bickestaf gave for releef to y«wife of Richard Chadok one shilling in brad in presenc of Elizabeth Smith of y* same town of Bickesstaf." On appeal of North Meols, order set aside. 4 On appeal of North Meols respited and adjourned to Ormskirk Quarter Sessions. Set aside and discharged. Set aside and discharged ; Wigan to pay North Meols i 135. bd. " costs they have been at in maintaining the said poor persons since the said order of Removal " (i month 14 days). o >t 00

23 w. o. 0. w. w. 0. o. o. o. o. w. w. o. 0. o. w. o. w. w. Quarter Sessions. 15 Jan Apl July Oct Oct. 4 Geo. III. 4 May 7 20 July 7 17 July 9 i May 15,, 22 Apl Oct. 25,, 8 Oct July 29 9 May 31 5 May Jan July 40,, 16 Jan. 44 II Oct. 53 REMOVAL ORDERS CONFIRMATION (continued). uatc ot Order 27 Apl. 1 8 Apl. 4 Jun. 8 Jly. 21 Sept. 9 Jan. 5 My. 4 Jly 19 Apl. 30 Jan. 18 Jly 2 Aug. 4 Jun. 4 Feb. 10 Mar. 17 Nov. 9 June 17 Sep. 10 Jly. From Thos: Baxendine, Alice, w., William, s. 1 North Meals Alice Lee, Singlewoman,, W Warburton, als. Lathom, Elizabeth w. Elizabeth Lee, singlewoman,, Thos: Leigh, Margery, w. Elizabeth Cropper, singlewoman,, Ric. Morris, Elizabeth, w, Jane, John,,, Ann. c. Hugh Gregson, Ann w.,, Alice Gill, wid:, John, Thos:, Robt:. Rich'', c. Wm Tildesley, Alice w., Peter, Jane, Ann, c. John Carr,,,, Alice Wareing,,,, Ann Gill William Miller,, Thos: Wright, Elizabeth als Betty, w. William Breckell,, Jane Bibby, singlewoman Birtal Ann Brookfield, singlewoman Northmeals Jane Platt, widow * To be 1 Appeal of Wigan; but order confirmed against Wigan. nmoved To Wigan. Formby. Haslingden. Formby. Eccleston. Bickers tafie. Ince Blundell. Scarisbrick. Tarleton. Latha Tarleton. Great Bolton. Much Hoole. Ormskirk. Manchester. Formby Kirkdale Standish w. Langtree. oo "a o 2 o' < * S

24 3 Appeal of Standish, but order confirmed against the EXAMINATION OF JANE PLAIT, OF NORTH MEOLS, WIDOW, 29 MAV, WHO saith that she was born in the Township of North Meols aforesaid where her Fathers Settlement then was as she believes that when she grew up she went to Service and after having lived in various Places she was hired for a Year to William Brown of Formby in the said County alehouse keeper at five Pounds Wages and Vails, and after having served him in Formby for that Year, she again hired with Brown for another Year at the like Wages, and served it also, she afterwards hired for a Year to Robert Barton Innkeeper in North Meols, but having served him about half a Year, she was with Child, and quitted that Service. About three Years after this she married to Roger Platt a Cotton Weaver at North Meols. That Platt never did any Act whatever to gain a Settlement after his Marriage and died near two years ago. Says that she believes her Husband was bom at Standish where she supposes his Settlement then was, that her Husband as she has heard, served in various Places and she has been told that he was once hired by some Gentlemen at Wigan to serve at the Backbarrow Factory Over Sands, but she knows nothing of that Hiring, nor the Service nor of his Settlement previous to her Marriage with hi [Endorsed over.] John Platt Overlooker of a Factory Smith Street Salford Manchester near the Old Church. write to have him examined as to his Bro" Settlement The following examination may also be recorded here, though nothing further is known of the case : EXAMINATION or MARGARET SUTTON, NORTH MEOLS, SINGLEWOMAN, 25 JANUARY, WHO saith that she was born in North Meols in the said county where her Fathers Settlement then was as she has been informed and 'believes, that when she was about five years Old, her Father being dead, *... by her Fathers Mother Ann Bower of... aforesaid to live as one of her own, and... with her until about two years ago,... between 17 and 18 years of Age, and her... to Henry Ince of Chorley in the said... for Meat and Cloaths as she believes... her Grandmother made the Agreement and... under this Agreement she went into the Service of the said Henry Ince and continued with him in Chorley aforesaid from about Michaelmas 1803 until February last, when not being quite strong enough for their Service, she came away to her Grandmother again and has remained with her ever since, having done no other Act to gain a Settlement to her Knowledge and Belief. Saith that she is now with Child which is likely to be born a Bastard and that George Critchley of Eccleston aforesaid Weaver is the Father of it. Sworn before B. MARKLAND. JNO. WHALLEY MARTIN. ' The missing words ate illegible by reason of a brown stain or char. MARGARET ^ SUTTON her mark 2- a' E"

25 86 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 4. BASTARDY ORDERS. Amongst the many duties to be performed by the Overseers of the Poor none perhaps could have been more distasteful to a sensitive man, or could offer more opportunities of blackmail and corruption to one of coarser fibre, than the search for the putative fathers of illegitimate children, whether born or expected. On the unsupported oath of the female, sworn before a Justice of the Peace, any man, preferably for the security of the parish, one of ample means, might be named the putative father and, an order, subsequently to be ratified or set aside at Quarter Sessions, could be made for the payment of a sum weekly to the Overseers and from them to the mother of the child. Furthermore the system of obtaining Bastardy Orders, not only led to the corruption so ably exposed by Lord Passfield but acted as a direct incitement to vice, since it was possible for a woman with two or more illegitimate children to secure ostensibly for their support a sum exceeding that which might be obtained in relief. 1 Seventeen Bastardy Orders have been preserved, and seventy-three confirmations of Bastardy Orders. No record has been found of any set aside. In three cases, however, Warrants were issued for the arrest of the absconding fathers, one of whom was evidently secured and agreed to pay the sums demanded. The distribution of such orders in time is of interest and serves to emphasise the great increase in their numbers noted by Miss Hampson after 1771, an increase due not necessarily to the laxity of morals so much as to the pressure of the Settlement Acts and possibly to the shortage of houses in the parish. 2 1 Wcbb, S. and B., The Old Poor Lavi (1926), pp ' Hampson, E. M., op. cit., 281.

26 Poor Law Administration in North Meols » oon *«N oo * M *o w %«M MMMMMM OOOOOOOOOO ^O OOOOOO OO<nOOOO9>( ^O OOOOOO O* f^f4oot^oi 'f T3 if 3 J3 fi I 2 " I t/3 tf w s B. i ^ I jstst si i is! - I i i l < <, i Mi o 5^. i s s. -l = f 3 J.Si.8 - = : l I? I - 3 I I & 1 S T3 3 I 1 i 1^ 3 "is 8 «S aij3 > ;-ij 3>>3 i"j lij^ ps 9 fck«m 5 Si's g CbC «3I ffsl *?Sfl»-3~i.

27 Date of Confirmation. 1. O.I igapl?9g. 1 i. W. 9 Oct. 11 G. ii 1738 it. O. ll Apl. 34 G. ii W. 8 Oct. 4 G. iii W. 20 Jan. 6 G. iii W. 19 Jan. 7 G. iii O. 18 Apr. 8G. iii O. 10 Apl. 9 G. iii O. 10 Apl. 9 G. iii O. 10 Apl. 9 G. iii «. O. 17 Jly. 9G. iii O. 30 Apl. 10 G. iii 1770 II. O. 15 Apl. ii G. iii 1771 ll. O. 21 Apl. 16 G. iii Jly 17 G. iii W. 19 Jan. 18 G. iii W. 17 Jan. 20 G. iii W. 1 7 Jan. log.ul 1780 I7.O. 16 July 21 G. iii W. it Jan. 11 G. iii W. 20 Jan. 23 G. iii 1783 ao. W. 13 Oct. 23 G. iii 1783 ll. W. 17 Jan. 2i G. iii O. ihjuly 25 G. iii 1785 aj. O. 18 July 25 G. iii O. 18 July 25 G. iii W. t)oct 26 G. iii W. 9 Oct. 26 G. iii 1786 «7. W. 9 Oct. 26 G. iii 1786 «8. O. 23 Apl. 27 G. iii 1787 ag. O. 7 Apl. 28 G. iii Jly 29 G. Ul O. 19 Apl. 3oG. iii O. 16 Jly 32 G. iii 1792 S3- W. 21 Jan. 33 G. iii W. 21 Jan. 33 G. iii O. 5 May 34 G. ill O. 20 Jly 35 G. til O. 11 Apl. 36 G. iii BASTARDY ORDERS CONFIRMATION. Date of Order. Putative Father. Township. Occupation. Child's Name. or Sex. 17 Apl. 12 Sept 4 Jan. i Hay xssept. 5 Jan. 18 Jan. 23 Jan. 29 Mar. 29 Mar. 4 July 4 Jan. 6 Mar. 12 Sept. 5 July 19 Jan. 2 Dec Nov July Sept Jan. 3 Apl. 20 Sept. 18 Jly in. 6 Oct. 7 Sept. 23 Apl. in 31 Mar. 4 June 19 Apl. 30 Apl. 4 Feb * 7 Dec Apl. 20 Apl. Zl ApL James Sal tbouse John Browne James Hulme John Hutchinson Roger Higham Thus: Latham Peter Watkinson Thos: Rymer Wm Leadbetter George Brookfield John Aughton William Bibby Peter Ball Robt: Johnson Josiah Richardson Zachriah Tinsley William VVright Miles Hodson William Koughley Thomas Cooten James Hellion Christopher Baxter Thos. Hodges John Smith Peter Jackson William Hesketh Richard Smith John Abram John Linaker Wm Moister Wm Wright John Garner John Brookfield Thomas Rigby George Meadows Peter Leadbetter John Lawson Wm Rimnier W> Wright Northrueales Formby Whiston Northrueals Sollom, Tarlton Latham Northmeals if Birkdale Northmeals Clifton w. Salwick Northmeals Birkdale Northmeols Halsall Northmeals Birkdale Colne Northmeals Rainford North Meals Scahsbrick Northmeals it Rufford Northmeals Northmeals jf n» _ Carpenter Miller Labourer Shoemaker Labourer Plaisterer Plaisterer Labourer Labourer Servant James Anne John Isabel Isabel Ellin Peter John William Peggy Richard Betty James Robert Josiah f. Mathew Labourer f. i f. j Labourer Labourer Labourer Miller _ Tailor Fisherman in. f. f. in. f. f. f. f. in. Mother. Ann Smith ** Margaret Rymer Ann Ball Isabell Ball Alice Molyneux Catherine' Ball Margery Lunt Ann Rvmer Alice Wilson Ann Ball Ann Rvmer Mary Blundell Marv Twist Elizabeth Dutton Margaret Mairs Ellen Abraham Ann Ball Margaret Wallace EUen Aughton Margaret Rymer Ann Tyburn Elizabeth Cookson Elizabeth Rimmer Ellen Hesketh Anne Jackson Mary Ball Ann Howard Ellen Wignall Tenet Bond Margaret Wilson Isabel Ball Man- Gill Priscilla Wright Mary Sutton Alice HaUsall Alice Wignall Betty Halsall Mary Ball Jane Leadbetter Exj^e, * * o 10 o I O O o 15 o 100 I 4 6 I 8 o I XO O I 10 9 I 17 o X o 6 I I 2 xo 099 X O O 320 I 15 0 I 17 9 o 13 o I 18 0 I 8 o I I 18 o I Amount of Payment due. f s. d. 4 nobles i i 6 8 I 10 0 X IO OJ] W. wk. 7if. wk. 7it. wk. gd. wk. 6d. wk. 6d. wk. yd. wk. gd. wk. bd. wk. lod. wk. io</. wk. Sd. wk. xoj. wk. gd. wk. gd. wk. M. wk. lad. wk. gd. wk. &d. wk. gd. wk. 8</, wk. gd. wk. gd. wk. lorf. wk. is. 6t/. wk. lod. wk. gd. wk. icw. wk. lod. wk. 15. od. wk. lod. wk. 8</. wk. 51. od. wk. if. id. wk. is. 3d. wk. oo OO s>! ^. '

28 38. W. io Oct. 36 G. iii W. io Oct. 36 G. iii W. 10 Oct. 36 G. iii O. i May 37 G iii W. 15 Jan. 38 G. iii W. 15 Jan. 38 G. iii O. 23 Apl. 38 G. iii O. 22 ly 39 G. iii O. 22, ly 39 G. Iii O. 21, ly 39 G. iii W. 20 an. 40 G. iii Iv 40 G. iii O. 21 ly 40 G. iii W. 13 Oct. 40 G. iii W. 19 Jan. 41 G. Iii O. 20 July 41 G. iii O. 20 July 41 G. iii O. 20 July 42 G. iii O. 23 Apl. 43 G. iii O. 25 Apl. 43 G. iii W. 16 an. 44 G. iii W. 16 Jan. 44 G. iii O. 16 Apl. 44 G. lil O. 16 Apl. 44 G. iii W. 8 Oct. 44 G. iii W. 8 Oct. 44 G. iii Aug. isept, I Sept. 7 Mar. i6dec. 17 Oct. 23 Apl. 22 Jly 8 Apl. 22 Jly 15 Jan. 15 Jan. 24 Feb. 19 Sept t 21 Oct. 20 July 3 May 14 Jan. 7 Jan. 10 Jan. 3 May 5 Apl. 17'Sept. 64. W. 8 Oct. 44 G. iii O. 29 Apl. 45 G. iii Oct. 66. O. 29 Apl. 45 G. iii Jan. 67. O. 2 i Apl. 46 G. iii Sept. 68. O. 2 1 July 46 G. iii 1806 io Feb. 69. W., 19 Jan. 47 G. Iii Dec. 70. O. 13 Apl. 47 G. iii 1807 l; Mar. 71. W. 12 Oct. 47 G. iii Dec W. 12 Oct. 47 G. iii Oct. in. 73. O. 7 May 50 G. iii Jan. Wm Peet Ric. Wright John Wallace John Ball Thomas Hunt Robt. Boond Thos. Wareing Thos. Disley Robt. Sutch James Robinson Thos. Carr Henrv Brighouse Wm Blundell Richard Wright William Wilson James Felton Richard Rimmer Thomas Aughton Peter l.unt Henrv Ball Edwd. Brookneld Thos: Rimmer Edwd: Rimmer Thos. Braid John Robinson James Spencer Richard Johnson Samuel lulling James Watkinson Thomas Peet Edward Rimmer Richard Abram John Robinson John Culshaw John Barton James Sutton tl M^ tl,, Rufford Northmeals Birkdale Aughton Northmeols Jf Fazakerley Formby Northmeols Bolton Northmeols it Birkdale Northmeols >( ( M Ashton Northmeols Birkdale North Meols Mawdsley Tarleton North Meols Birkdale Weaver Labourer Laborer Weaver Laborer Weaver Laborer Laborer Laborer Innkeeper Weaver Laborer Weaver Laborer Laborer Weaver Laborer Weaver Weaver Collier Weaver Weaver Blacksmith Weaver Labourer Farmer Weaver f. in. f. f. t. f. f. f. f. Dorothy Hall Alice Ball Ann Tabemer Ann Eden Alice Aughton Peggy Halsall Ann Robinson Margery Ball Ann Ball Jane Rimmer Marv Lloyd Betty Hesketh Ellen Hesketh Mary Ball Ann Hesketh Ann Ball Elizabeth Sutton Ann Ball Bridget Miller Isabel Rimmer EUin Rimmer Ann Robinson Jenny Jackson Margaret Baxter Ann Gill Peggy Barton Ann Hesketh Margaret Rimmer Anna Sutch Isabella Brookneld Alice Abram Elizabeth Wignall Ann Gill Ann Hesketh Isabel Caddwell Alice Ball o o IO 6 9 « II O o IO O I 18 o I 19 o 3 13 o o; II. 34. wk. ii. 34. wk. IJ. yl. wk. u. yi. wk. u. yi. wk. is. yl. wk. u. yi. wk.»m u. yl. wk. jv is. 3d. wk. u. yl. wk. "t IJ. yl. wk.. u. M. wk. r1 is. 64. wk. g ij. 34. wk. ^ u. yl. wk. u. 3d. wk. *U. 2i. o4. wk.?** u. 64. wk. > IJ. 64. wk. *». II. 64. wk. 3 IJ. 64. wk. ' U. g4. wk. a- u. 64. wk. a u. 64. wk. 5- u. 64. wk. O' u. S4. wk. 3 u. W. wk. u. gd. wk. 2- u. 94. wk. * u. g4. wk. i^ u. W. wk. < u. iod. wk. ^ u. g4. wk. * 2J. o4. wk. *" u. lorf. wk. ^ 25. O4. wk. K«, * George Meadow having failed to pay tbe sum of &/., then owing, a warrant was issued on 22 July 1799 f r his arrest. This is endorsed on the back : ^" " N.B. Meadows agreeing to pay one half at 2/6 p. month this Warrant stands over till payment is made and must then be returned to W. WAREING. 25 Oct " t A warrant also issued 9 Jan. 1801, against R. Wright for non-payment of Another warrant against " John Cever, late of yeoman, putative father of female child of Ellen Johnson, wki: was issued 17 July 1786, for non-payment of and one shilling weekly maintenance of child." It is endorsed over : " Liverpool 21 July Suffer this Warrant to be executed within this Borough. CHS. POLE." N'o Bastardy order is preserved. QQ i O I4J. charges and expenses incident to birth and maintg. child to time of order; :s. for the tost of apprehending and securing James Sutton; 131. for the vo costs of the said order; ana 2J. weekly. $ Paid quarterly. il Per annum ; all the following arc weekly payments. [ O Ormskirk ; W Wigan, Quarter Sessions. Sutch, see Bond, p. 90.

29 go Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 6. BONDS. Twenty-one Bonds of various kinds are preserved amongst these papers. For the most part they are agreements between the Churchwarden and Overseers of the Poor of the parish of North Meols and various parties, by which the latter agree to maintain or pay for the maintenance of bastard children. A few are however of more varied interest. All the bonds are recorded in abbreviated form below x : 1697, 24 Apl. Lancellot Thompson & Gulielm Hallithorne of Kcndall, West" (Hostates), and Ricardo Ball & Gulielmo Hoolme in ^40. If R. B. & G. H. and successors " shall and will permit and suffer James Hallithorne & Ellin his wife and all other child or children that are or shall be begotten upon the body of the said Ellin by the said James Hallithorne her husband during theire aboad " in () " and at any time or times when as the Inhabitants " of () " shall be minded and willing to part with them or any of them to eome into " (K.) " then and theire to inhabit and dwell as heretofore they have done without any mollestation Interruption or hindrance. CHRIST PHILIPSON. L. T. JOHN STRAKER. W. HALLITHORN. [Preamble in Latin.] 1719, 9 Sept. Richardus Wright of N. Meols. Yeo and Willilimus Hesketh & Jacobus Jackson, Guardiane Ecclesiae parochi" de ; Richardus Thomason & Thomaon Wright, Supvisor pavrperum ; in 60. Whereas Margery Watkinson of Widow woman lately del 1' male bastard child. Ric. Wright reputed Father. R.W. to pay i : 6 : o to C.W. & O. & i : 6 p. an. for 14 years if child lives. EDWARD BRADSHAW. R. W. W» BALL. 1721, 4 Julv. Jacabum Salthouse, Johannem Wright & Wilhelmum Ball of agricolas, and C.W. & O. James Salthouse, child by Ann Such, widow of He the 1 The " Latin " of Die originals is given.

30 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 91 said J. S. stands the reputed father of the yet unbroughtforth Child. Above agree to pay to Ann Such. "18 : 14. viz. " six shillings immediately after the s"1 Ann Such shall be delivered of the Child and one pound 6/- per year till the child shall arrive at the age of fourteen years. to be paid quarterly. RALPH SHERDLEY. J. S. x W" DICKINSON. J. W x W. B. x (Endorsed over.} reed, of ye within bound John Wright ye sum of ijs. red. more of ye Overseers of ye Poor within sd. North Meoles 6s. by ye sd. Ann Such ye berth of ye sd. child two years ye 28 of ye in sueing month Nob". 1722, 8 Jan. Robert Boond. de Banks, agricol", and Ric' 1 Hall & Jacobus Boond Guardiane Ecclesiae. La we ; Abram & Jacobo Rymer (O.P.). 10. R. Boond to pay 10 & lawful interest for y«same upon the eight day of July now next ensuing. Jo. BROWNSWORD. ROBERT BOONU. ROBT. RVMUKER. [? Loan from Poor's Stock] 1724, 25 July. Henricum Unsworth de Liverpoole, Brewor, and Petro Boond & Rico. Brookfield (O.P.), ^40. " Henry Unsworth hath taken & Reced into his family Elizabeth Bread of North Meols aforesaid widdow his wifes mother who is a settled Inhabitant of the said Township of aforesaid, to keep her at his Board for the space of Three Years now next ensueing for the doing of which he the said H. U. hath had & RCD. from the said Kliz. Bread. & the above named Overseers of the poor of X.M. the sume of Ten pounds & ten shillings. If therefore the said H. I", his heirs &c. do & shall from time to time & at all times hereafter dureing the said Term of Three years now next ensuing well & sufficiently maintaine & keep the said E. Bread with wholeme & sufficient meat drink, washing, lodging & wearing apparrell of all sorts and also save & keep harmless as well the Overseers of the Poor of the said Township of X.M. &c. and also all & every the Inhabitants of the said Township of and from all fresh Costs and Charges as they or any of them may be put unto for & upon the account of keeping and maintaining of the said E. B. dureing the said Term of Three Years (if she shall happen so long to live) That then

31 92 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. this obligacon to be void and of none Effect or Else to be and Remaine in full force and virtue in the Law. Sealed &c..... HENRY x UNSWORTH. bis marke. ANNE BIRCHALL. DAN"- BIRCHALL. Noverint Universi pe pesentes me Oliverum Rymer de North- Meals in Co Lane Yeo teneri et firmiter obligari Richardo Breckell, Nicholas Rymer, Will 1"0 Boond, Jacobo Rymer, Roberto Robertson et Thomas Andow Hierophylacibus et pauperum Procuratoribus Parochiae North-Meals pedict. et Successoriibus eorum, in Quadraginta Libris bone et Legalis Monele Magnae Brittaniae Solvend Eisdem Hierophylacibus et pauperum Procuratoribus vel Successoribus eorum aut eorum certo Attornato ad quam quidem Solutionem bone et fideliter faciend. Obligo me heredes Exec et Admier8 meos firmiter pesentes Sigillo meo Sigillat Dat tricesimo primo die Aug" Anno R.R" Georgii secundi Magnae Brittanae etc, fidei Defensoris primo AD THE CONDITION of this Obligation is Such that Whereas there is a Male Child born in the house of the abovementioned Thomas Andow upon the body of Mary Elletson Singlewoman belonging to the parish of Lancaster in the County aforsd. and the said Child being not as yet Legally filiated. If therefore He the above bounden Oliver Rymer his heirs Execrs. Admr. and Assigns or any of them shall and do from time to time and at all times hereafter acquit discharge defend keep and save harmeless them the abovsaid Richd. Breckell Nicholas Rymer Thomas Andow James Rymer Robert Robertson and Will Boond Churchwardens and Overseers of the poor of the said parish of North Meols and their Successours of and from all manner of Actions Suits Arrest troubles Expences Charges Damages and Demands whatsoever that shall or may happen to grow arise or accrue for or by reason of the said Mary Elletson or her Child or any matter cause or thing relating to or concerning them or either of them then this obligation to be frustrate and void otherwise to be and remain in full force and virtue in the Law Sealed Signed and Delivered in p'sence of us ROBERT HUDSON. OLIVER RIMMER. NICHOLAS RIMMER. [Seal.}

32 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 93 ' /wry. Robert Swift of Hallsall... Batchlor and now Servant to Emlin Charles, of H., Thomas Swift of North Meals, & father of R. S. ; Peter Hodson of Gorswick (Ormskirk p.),, and John Ball James Johnson, John Ball the Elder & Peter Ball, C.W. & O.P., ^40. Jane Rymer of, Singlewoman, hath lately been deliv' 1 of a female Bastard Child, R. S. Father, to pay. 20.s. lyingin & i : 6 : 8 p. an. (pd. quarterly.) " until the said Child shall attain to the age of fourteen years and be able to provide for herself." RICHARD BOOND. ROBERT SWIFT. W. DICKONSON. THOMAS SWIFT. PETER HODSON. x 1737, 7th April. Peter Halsall of Scarisbrick, yeoman, Robert Halsall of Scarisbrick, Blacksmith, and Oliver Rymer, Hugh Haward, Richard Wright & Lawrence Abram, C.W. & O. 40. Ellen Rymer of Little London,, Singlewoman male called Peter. Charged Peter Halsall, putative father to indemnify parish for 14 years. ANN YATES. PETER HALSALL. x HEN. SHERDLEY. ROBERT HALSALL. R. H. ROBERT RADCLIFFE. JOHN JOHNSON. 1737, 18 Apl. John Marshall of Birchdale in p. N. Meals,, and Oliver Rymer, Hugh Howard, & Thomas Rymer, Cw., ; Thomas Abra Yeoman Ball & Robert Shurlicar, O.P. 40. " Whereas Robert Marshall of North Meols... a Poor Man & having four small Children which are & have for sometime past been burthensome & Chargeable in their Mantainace & bringing up unto the sd Officers & most of the inhabitants of the aboves 11 Parish... T. M. (his brother)... upon consideration of the Natural Love and affection he beareth to his sd Brother Robert & out of Compasion to his sd Poor Children together with the sum of Twenty shillings Now in hand Prt by them the abovesd C.W. & O.... will well & sufficiently according to the best & utmost of his ability feed, cloath, educate bring up & mantain... having allowed him the Assistance of his s11 Brother

33 94 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. Robert Marshall in what he may be in anywise helpfull by his labour & Industry. [Children] William oldest son aged about seaven years. ^ till each reach Elizabeth,,,, four I age of 14 Ailce,,,, three. J years. JNO. ARMETRIDING. MEARY Booxn. JOHN MARSHALL. 1 M his mark it Jan. William Hornby of Newton with Scales, Gentleman ; Thomas Walton of Newton with Scales, Gentleman, and Robert Wright, C.W., N. Meols ; John Lynaker, Nicholas Taylor, O.P. &c. 40. Elizabeth Critchley of p. of Kirkham, Singlewoman, lately deliver11 of John her bastard child born within the p. of Northmeols. W. H. " doth acknowledge himself to be father." Agrees to indemnify agst. all charges. THOS. RYMER. W* HORNBY. ROBERT HUDSON. THOS. WALTON Sept. William Ball of North Meols, ; Thomas Thomason of North Meols,, and Robert Wright, John Rymer, William Hallithorn, C.W., ; William Wright, Thos. Brookfield, &... O.P. 40. Alice Ball of, Singlewoman " hath upon her oath charged the above bound W Ball to be the only reputed father thereof & the sd. W B. not denying the same but allowing of such charge to lie just." Bastard child William, W. B. father. During 14 yrs. W. B. & T. T. to pay. i : 8 : o in first two years quarterly. Then 1:6:8, for 12 yrs. quarterly. THOMAS BRADE. WILLIAM BALL x JOHN HELM. THOMAS THOMASON O. 1743, 18 Apl. John Threlfall, batcheler ; Alice Threlfall, his mother, Widdow ; Edward Hunt,, ; William Hunt,, ; James Hunt,, ; Robert Hunt,,, and John Wright, Peter Ball, Thomas Ballshaw, C.W. ; Thomas Aughton, John Rymer, O.P. 40. Jennet Swift,, Singlewoman, b.c. 1 John J. T. father. To indemnify. PETER RYMER. EDMl'ND SlTTON. > b.c. - bastard child.

34 Poor Law Administration in North Meols Jany. William Hodson* of Liverpool, labourer; John Hodson* of N. Meols, ; Peter Hodson x, Scarisbrick, Carpenter, and Robert Hunt & James Hunt, C.W. & O.P. 40. By Bastardy Order, 3 Jan., W. H. father of Margaret on Elizabeth Peet of, Singlewoman. To pay io/- & 26/8 p. an. " so long as the said Child shall be chargeable." Jo. BROWNSWORD. WILL* MARSDEN. x [Signed by mark] Jany. Robert Sutch of North Meols,, ani John Bill, James Spsncer, Richard Rymer, C.W. ; Richard Johnson, Richard Ball, O.P. 40. Margret Rymer, of, Singlewoman, b.c. Mary. R. S. father, to indemnify. THOMAS RYMER. HUGH WIGNALL. [R.] Feb. Richard Harvey of Altcar, ; Thomas Harvey of Altcar, Yeoman ; Michael Sephton, Aughton, Yeoman, and John Ball, Robert Rymer, Thomas Brookfield & James Hunt, C.W. & O.P. 40. Ann Abram,, s., B. C. Richard, R. H. father. B.O. 5 Jan., 1753, io/- + i : io p. ann. JOHN SEPHTON. JOHN BILLINGS. [Marks]. 1754, 14 Oct. Barnaby Rymer of Crossens, Husbandmen ; Peter Rymer of Crossens, Husbandmen, and Thomas Copeland, Thomas Aindow, Richard Johnson, Richard Blevin, C.W. & O.P. ^40. Ann Swift or Rymer, s.,, B. R. father, b.c. indemnify. JAMES HUNT. RICHARD HUNT. [Marks,}. 1757, io Dec. Jennet Hodges of Northmeals, Widow ; Richard Boond son of Jennet Hodges of Northmeals,, and William Howard, Thomas Rymer, James Hunt, Nicholas Wright, C.W. & O. 30. Margret Boond, of, widow. Richard, a b.c. R. B. Father, to pay 2 : io & i : 8 p. an. till 14. RICH HUNT. JAMES HUNT.. [Marks].

35 96 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 1757, 26 Dec. Roger Ball, North Meols, Batchelor ; Richard Ball, North Meols, ; Thomas Ball, North Meols, (son of Richard), and Will Howard, Thos. Rymer, Richard Charnley, C.W. ; James Hunt, Nicholas Wright, O.P. 60. Jenet Johnson,, s. b.c. Thomas. Roger Ball father. 28/- p. year till 14. JAMES HUNT. PETER RYMER. 1759, 6 Oct. Robert Ball of South Haw.s, Labr, Alice Ball, of South Haws, Wicldow, and John Brough, William Hunt, C.W., James Hunt, Richard Johnson, O.P. 40. Ann Hulme,, s. William, b.c. R. B., father. To Indemnify. PETER RYMER. LAWRENCE HALL. [Marks] Apl. Thomas Ball of Warton, ; Rob 4 Ball, Father, Yeoman, and Nicholas Stockley, Peter Rymer Junr, James Hunt & Henry Brekell, C.W. & O.P. 40. Ann Gill, late of W. now, s., hath declared that shee is now with Child which Child when torn will be a Bastard, T. B. father, pay. 2O/- & i : 14 : 8 p. an. quarterly till 14 yrs. W* DOBSON. L.\wCE HALL. delivd WILLIAM BARROW WILLIAM RABY. [Marks] Dec'. Thomas Hartley, Ainsdale, Formby., and Henry Jackson, Wm Boond, Cw. ; James Hunt, Henry Wright, O.P. 40. Ellen Lyon, of Birkdale, S., Sworn before a justice W Hill that she is big and pregnant with a bastard child. T. H. owns himself putative father. i : and i : 6 : p. an. till 14. \V«HOWARD. LAWCE. HALL. [Marks]. 1775, 20 Feb. Joshua Lyon of Scarisbrick, ; Richard Cooper of Barton (Hallsall),, and Richard Johnson. William Rimmer of N. Meols, Yeoman, & Robert Aughton of Birkdale, Yeoman, O.P " Whereas Kllen Cooper late Ellen Lyon Daughter of the above

36 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 97 bounden Joshua Lyon and Wife of the above bounden Richard Cooper and before her Intermarriage with him was delivered of a Female Bastard Child within the parish of North Meals aforesaid & afterwards Christened by the Name of Alice and is now alive & Chargeable to the said p. of of which Child one Thomas Heatley was and is the putative Father & he being unable to maintain the said Child. Agreed. J. L. & R. C. shall maintain, Educate & Bring up. &c. in consideration of 5 : 10 : o pd. by overseers to J. L. & R. C. before execution. THOMAS MADDOCK Junr THOS. WATSON Jun r [Marks]. 7. APPRENTICE INDENTURES Authority for the apprenticing of poor children was given by the Act of i6oi,'and continuing Acts by which the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor were empowered, with the consent of two Justices, to bind children to whomsoever they thought fit until male children attained the age of 24 years, and females 21 years or till their marriage. 2 Three forms of such apprenticeship have been distinguished ; the binding of a child to a master, who undertook its tuition and maintenance, in consideration of a money payment; " the ceding of children in batches to manufacturers requiring child labour in the new factories " ; 3 and lastly the allotment of poor children amongst the parishioners who were compelled to take them or be fined. The greater proportion of the apprentice indentures preserved at North Meols fall under the first head ; no evidence is available of the prevalence of the second method, and that twenty-three out of a total of 117 apprentices were taken by masters for no payment or for the value of their clothes alone perhaps indicates the extent of the last method in North Meols. The indentures generally conform to the usual style, and in the accompanying table (p. 100) sufficient details 1 43 Eliz. c. 2, sec. 5. Webb, op. cit., 196 ; Marshall, 182. Webb, 197. H

37 98 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. are given of those at present in the parish chest. The ages of the apprentices vary from a minimum of 7 years, but more usually 8 or 9, to 12 or 13. Two, however, were 16 and 17 years old respectively. The periods of service vary generally in the earlier years with the initial age of the child. In no case, so far as we can see, did the period extend beyond the age of 21, and perhaps remarkably the Act of 1778 l produced no ascertainable effect either upon the term of apprenticeship or on the premiums paid. 2 The premiums ranged from nothing to a maximum of 8 45., which may be compared with a maximum of 5 I2s. paid, also to a Fustian Weaver, by the parish of Skelmersdale in I Like ^Skelmersdale, however, the more usual figure ranged between 2 and 4. In this respect the premiums resemble more nearly those paid in the south of England. 4 The premiums, no doubt as a double precaution against the ill-treatment of apprentices and against the breaking 'of indentures before a settlement had been gained, were generally paid, especially in later years, in instalments. This practice is not only laid down in the conditions of the indenture, but its effect is seen in the occasional receipts endorsed on the back of the indentures.5 By the Act 3 W. Ill, c. 2, s. 8 (1692), apprentices gained a settlement in the parish in which they served. It is obvious that this might have acted in some cases as a considerable inducement to the overseers to apprentice poor children and thus remove them from all risk of subsequently becoming chargeable to the parish, and there is indisputable evidence that this practice led to serious abuses. 8 However, the indentures at North Meols do 1 isgeo. HI, c Webb, op. cit., 196. Marshall, Marshall, 190. * Ibid., 189. The Skelmersdale indentures, only 19 of which survive, are preserved, with other parish papers, Miss Marshall notes, in Brit. Mus. Add. MSS , f. 1, and ' Ibid., 192. Webb, 199. Marshall, passi

38 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 99 not support the contention that the overseers of that parish had chiefly in mind the removal of the children from the parish, since out of 117 indentures, only 30 were apprenticed to other parishes, thus confirming Miss Hampson's conclusions for many parishes in Cambridgeshire. * Whether this is to be taken as a token of virtue in the overseers or merely of the isolation of the parish cannot of course be proved. The crafts or " misteries " to which children were bound are those common to the district. The majority of the apprentices were those of local craftsmen and farmers, either to learn the trade or to act as servants, and a surprisingly small number were apprenticed to the textile industries, whether within or without the parish. 2 1 Hampson, op. cit., An indenture having a purely accidental connection with North Meols is given below. Mr. F. H. Cheetham conjectures that the Apprentice, DanI: Keen, was the survivor of the wreck of a whaler, cast away on the coast in 1783 ; and whose sons, in all probability, were drowned in 1812 (v. Southport Visiter, 3 Dec., 1929). " Daniel Keen, Son of William Keen, Printer, born at Kendal in y«county of Westmoreland by his own and his parents Consent doth put himself apprentice to Harvey Midforth Junr Mariner of the County of Northumberd... from the Nineteenth of February 1779 for five years [payment deleted] to instruct in the art of the Seaman Meat, Drink Washing, the Winter excepted when the Ship is laying up during which time & when the said Apprentice is Lodged by his Friends shall be allowed by his said Master the sum of two shillings and sixpence per week, and doth likewise promise to pay for the above mentioned servitude the sum of 20 to be paid in the following manner the first and second year the sum of 3 each, ye second [should be third and fourth]* and third 4 & ye fifth 6 in all Feb. 19 Geo III. GEORGE BENSON. HARVEY MIDFORTH, Junr. JAMES CHADWICK DANIEL KEEN. * Endorsed over with yearly payments as above.

39 Date. 1716, 6 Apl. 1731, i Apl. 1731, i Apl. 1735, 20 Nov. 1739, ' Apl. 1739, 25 Mar. 1740, i Sept. 1741, i Mar. 1744, 3 Nov. 1745, 9 Oct.* 1745, 9 Oct. 1745, 14 Feb. 1746, 31 Mar.* 1747, 7 Oct. * 1749, 28 Mar. 1750, 16 Apl.* 1750, 12 Nov. 1750, 14 Dec.* 14 Dec. 25 Feb. 1752, 16 Mar. i May 1753, 6 Oct. 1754, 22 May 8 May 17 June 1757, 3 Feb.* 1757, 5 Dec. 20 Dec. 1759, 7 Mar. 1760, i Jan. 1765, 25 Jan. 27 Feb. 1766, 3 May Apprentice. Richard Such John Ryding Elizabeth Ryding William Watkinson Geo. Brookfield Isabel Ball John Dandy Robt. Houseman Will Watkinson John Sherdley Jane Sherdley W Hulme John Aindow John Aindow Anne Sherdley Richard Brown James Breakell William Taylor William Taylor Mary Brekell Thomas Lee Thomas Robinson John Brekell Geo: Ball Thos Taylor Dorothy Taylor John Harrison William Robinson Sarah Baxter John Tavlor Sarah Baxter Hugh Howard Marg' Marshall Thos. Brekell Age. _ APPRENTICE INDENTURES. Bound to George Boond John Boond John Brookfield Thos. Thomason Will"" Howard Thos. Rvmer Robt. Abram John Ball W=> Charnley Wm Rimer Anne Ball John Ball John Ball Thos: Thomasis Thos: Ball Robt. Brown James Blundell Ric: Johnson Thomas Walton Edw. Southworth Edmd. Ball John Banister James Blundell Nich: Rymer Thos. Rymer Ric: Ball Hen: Jameson Peter Ball Thos: Rymer Ric: Johnson Edw: Lyon Thos. Hodges Robt. Brookfield James Brekell Occupation. Tailor Yeoman Yeoman Blacksmith Yeoman Taylor Yeoman Widow Shoemaker Weaver Linen Weaver Taylor Taylor Weaver Taylor Yeoman Linnen Weaver Place. Crossins Lwr. Blowick Formby Rowe Lane Formby Wiggan Kirkham Aughton Tarletom Penworthara Period. Syr. 5 yr. i mo 7 yr i mo. 4Yr yr 4 mo. 4Yt yr Till 21 Till yr II IO IO 7 ii8 Till 21 Payment _ (.1 ics. 5 _ II S. 4 15*. 3 I OS. i 5S. 2 Shirts * 3tt d. A new suit 5 i s. i5s. 35s. Two suits 2 i os. 3 7s.6d. Illl ft" ' t Trade. Tailor Husbandry Husbandry Husbandry Blacksmith Husbandry Taylor Husbandry Weaver Servant ^ Taylor «~ Servant Servant Taylor. _ Spinster _ Linen Weaver **. s o' s

40 5 May 20 Oct. 1767, 26 Feb. 1768, ii June 29 Aug. 1769, 6 Mar. i May i May 2 Sept. 6 Nov. 1770, 10 Dec. 10 Dec. 1773, 28 Dec. 28 Dec. 28 Dec. 1775, 28 Feb. Margt. Brekell Richd: Lun Will"' Marshall John Ball Thos: Ball Thos: I.un Thos. Hulmcome Wright Peter Howard Elizabeth Boond Ann Marshall Nicholas Boond Catharine Marshall Ellen Wright Jno: Johnson Isabel Wright Elizabeth Gill II » Ralph Wilding John Lloyd John Marshall John Ball John Hodges Robt. Cadwell Jn Rymer Henrv Hodges Peter Ball W"» Rymer W«> Barton John Rvmer W" Howard John Ball \V"> Spensor Oliver Rymer Linnen Weaver Taylor Taylor Yeoman Longton Birkdale TU1 16 7>T. 9, 9, 7, 7 7 8, 81, 8, 9, 9. 6, 10, 8, 4» 4 A new suit i IOS. i IDS. i iss. i los. l i los. i los. i los. 1 los. i los. Funeral C.W. Suit Spinster Husbandry Husbandry Husbandry Taylor " kg Taylor 55 Husbandry o Husbandry t-i Spinster g Spinster «l Husbandry ^ Spinster ~ Spinster " Husbandry g Spinster "»' </i' ^ Spinster g. * Duplicates, not completely executed of these Indentures. t This column denotes the trade or occupation which the Apprentice was to follow or be taught. " Spinster " here probably meant generally maid-of -all -work. t Thomason paying Apprentice 6rf. at end of every 3 months ; at end of period 55. and usual clothes. C.W. & O. to find clothes within 3 weeks. i Abrant paying C.W. & O. 2OS. for use of said apprentice as Pocket Money. II C.W. & O. to provide first suit of clothes, and pay funeral expences if Apprentice dies within 2 years. *! Servant or Apprentice. ** " for two new shirts to him the said J. Blundell, already in hand given for the use of the Apprentice." tt Death of apprentice cancels payment of instalments by C.W. & O. it " Housewivery or a Servant." to Instead of money " in consideration " is written " If the said... apprentice should die within the space of Two years the said Churchwardens and Overseers shall pay for the Apparel which is now put on him and bury hi" IHI los. to be paid to said Ric. Johnson in lieu and stead and sutably apparelling the said Apprentice and also the further sum of 30$. at the end of the first year and i?s. 6J. at the end of the second year " if Apprentice lives ; if he dies in first year C.W. & O. to pay for funeral. 1iU If the said child happen to dye in the space of Eighteen Calender Months... C.W. & O. to be at the charge of a decent Funeral... or otherwise to pay unto R.B.... the sum of 2os. in lieut thereof. >e

41 Date. 1775, 28 Feb. 28 Feb. 28 Feb. 1776, 10 May 16 Oct Jan. 10 Jan. 1779, 10 Mar. 19 July Apl. 28 Apl. 2 June 1783, 19 May 1784, 7 Jan. 3 May 3 May 25 Aug. 25 Aug. 1785, 26 Mar. 29 Mar. 27 July 27 Aug. 5 Sept. 1786, 16 Jan. 16 Jan. 1787, 2 May 29 Sept. 1788, 10 June 10 June Apprentice. Alice Lee Priscilla Wright Thos. GUI Agnes Lea Thos. Culshaw or Rymer Ellen Johnson Marg1 Blundell Anne Rymer, dau. Gilbert R. George Lloyd Anne Marshall John Marshall Alice Boond Ann Robinson James Ball James Lawson Henry Lawson Ann Gill Ralph Marshall John Marshall Jenney Rymer Joshua Mair Mary Rimmer Betty Blundel Peter Jackson W"> Marshall John Johnson Mary Lloyd Hugh Johnson Robt: Hesketh Age. II * IO- II II II 9 8 APPRENTICE INDENTURES continued. Bound to James Wright John Ball John Beade Hugh Ainscow Peter Barton Occupation. Yeoman Yeoman Place. Banks Scarisbrick John Johnson MUes Blundell Jno. Gregson Yeoman Yeoman Birkdale John Johnson W"> Balshaw W< Wignall Wm Charnley Thos: Thomason Andrew Rothwell it»» Mathew Fogg Andrew Rothwell Peter Marsh Robt: Rimmer Hamer Cross Thos. Johnson Thos. Ball Adam Haliwell John Makinson John Rushton Ralph Pinnington Fustian Weaver,, )t,, Fustian Weaver Fustian Weaver Fustian Manufr. Fustian Manr Yeoman Landlord Fustian Manr. Fustian Manr. Fustian Manr. Weaver Bolton,,,, Gt. Bolton Gt. Bolton Breightmit nr. Bolton le Moors Harwood Bolton le Moors Bolton le Moors Manchester Hindley James Walker \V"> Groves Fustian Mr Fustian Cutter Wigan Wigan Period. 8yr II» 9,, 9,, II., 9,, 9,, 8 6 TilliS Till 21 ff tt 61 yr II Payment Suit. tt,, i 2S. 6d. 2 i 5s is I3«. 6rf d d., 7 7s- 4 f-3 0$ 6 3 3S. 4 6 i6s. 6d. 4 ios. 2 I5S. 3 13*. 6d. 2 Trade rsi Spinster. Spinster 2? Husbandry Spinster -* Husbandry L^ ~ Spinster 5; Spinster Spinster Ji». Si< Husbandry Spinster S- Husbandrv. Spinster ". Spinster 2 Fustian Weaver JJ-. Fustian Weaver " Fustian Weaver * v*. Fustian Weaver S Fustian Weaver ^ Fustian Weaver 5* ^ Spinster 1 Fustian Weaver Spinster Spinster ct1 Fustian Weaver, Fustian Weaver f Fustian Cutter Fustian Manufactr Fustian Weaver Fustian Cutter

42 1789, 2 June 1 8 July 1790, 16 Feb. 1 6 Feb. o Mav (. Sept. 6 Sept. 1791, 22 Mar. 20 June 1792, 8 Mar. 1793, 26 Nov. 1794, 2 May 2 May 1796, i Aug. John lackson Sarah Brckell Thos: Jackson John Rimer Robt. Ball Hugh Blundel Henrv Ball Alice Ball Bettv Ball Thos: VV right 1i \V"> Ball als Hesketh Jenny Abram Isabel Abrain Thos: Corner "i II 13 O Peter Jackson Johnathan Strange W»> Johnson Robt. Rimer Rich: Rimmer W Howard Thos: Ball John Shaw Thos. Roscoe William Green James Johnson Alice Boond Robt. Barton John Linaker, Junr Yeoman Miller Shop-keeper Fustian W. Spinster Innkeeper South Haws Wigan West Houghton Blowick Crossens II II 7 Till 20 4i yr. Till 21 Till 21 Till 21 ii yr. i2 4t 5 5S. * 6 I 3s. $ 6! S S. 5 5«. 2 3 ios. Spinster i^. o o Sempstress Sempstress f-1 Spinster *- Spinster.* s This column denotes the trade or occupation which the Apprentice was to follow or be taught. " Spinster " here probably meant generally maid-of-all-work. t If die in 3 ys. C.W. pay. $ Pay ceases if dies. If dies alter 2nd pay' R.R. pays otherwise not. II All paid if dies within ist yr. at charge of parish. f 8 March, James Wright a poor Boy belonging to North Meols aforesaid aged about seventeen years to William Green of Westhoughton, Fustian Manuf' for 4j as. F. wear, and at the end of the said term shall & will find & provide & give unto him the sa T. W. two good suits of wearing apparel; one proper for the Sundays and the other for the work days, And also shall & will pay unto him the sd T. W. at the end of the said term the sum of 5 of lawful money of Great Britain, &c. CASE. Three papers attached : 1. One says to learn the Business of a Cotton Weaver. 2. I Richard Cocker Overseer of the Poor of Ormskirk in the County of Lancaster do hereby consent that William Green of West Houghton in the said county Fustian Manufacter may take Thomas Wright a poor Boy belonging to Northmeols an Apprentice As Witnes my Hand the 27th Day of February RICHARD COCKER. 3. Case. Thos. Wright being bound to William Green by the C.W. & O.P. of X.M., served said Green at his Factory in Ormskirk for a year & Upwards, his Indenture was regularly executed and allowed by two Magistrates, when Trade became slack in the last Spring Wright returned to his Fathers in again without his Masters consent, where he has ever since resided and is now about to be married. Query. Where is Wright's Settlement? I am of opinion that Wright gained a Settlement in Onnskirk under the Indenture, & I shou'd advise the Township of to permit the Marriage to take place and thereby get rid of the Settlement of his Wife. N. GRIMSHAW. 30 Sepf, 1793.

43 Date. 1796, 1 6 Dec. 1797, 25 Jan. 1798, i Jan. 1800, 18 July 1800, 24 Dec. 1800, 4 June 1803, 22 Jan. 14 Feb. 19 Mar. 19 Mar. 13 June 13 June 1804, 3 Jan. 22 Apl. 1805, ii June ii June ii June 24 Dec. 24 Dec. 1808, 30 Apl. 1809, 10 Feb. 1814, (?io) July 19 Dec. 1816, 23 Feb. Apprentice. Nanny Peel William Lowe William Jabim W"" Howard, als Sumner Marg' Ball Marg* Tabirner James Blundell Wil!"> Ball Ellen Gore Mary Gore Henry Rimer Henry Wright George Lloyd Timothy Taverner Will"" Corner James Barton John Corner Sarah Blundell Chas: Leatherbarrow, Brookfield John Ball Thos: Rimmer Henry Jackson Margt. Lowe Ellen Ball Age II II APPRENTICE INDENTURES continued. Bound to Thos: Rimer Hen: Linaker W > Stockier Miles Blundel Hen: Rimmer John Cooper John Barton James Hal ton Richard Pye Thomas Johnson John Gregson George Lloyd Hugh Gregson John Carr Barnabv Blundell Miles Blundell Thos. Blundell Thos: Brookfield Thos. Blundell Thos: Halsall Thos: Hootou John Blundell James Rice Occupation. Yeoman Yeoman Farmer Fustian Weaver,,,, Weaver )f Farmer Cordwainer Farmer Farmer Weaver Weaver Place, Bispham Croston par. Leyland N.M'.' Halsall Crossens Formby \ Period. 10 yr. 9,. ii,. 7 12,, 8 7», Till 20 Till 20 Till yr Ii,, Till si Tills i Till 1 8 or married Till 20 or married 3 5 Payment 77*. 22S. 5 84S S. 2 2S. 2 2S. 2 2S. 2 2S. 2 2S. 2 2S. 44S. 2 2S. 2 2S. 2 2S. 5 5«. 2 4 Trade. "^ Spinster. ^ o ""* Housewifry ^ a Spinster Fustian Weaver ^SL. Spinster Spinster g- Husbandry <*. Husbandry?5. Husbandry ^ Husbandry Jj-. Husbandry 5 Husbandry s Husbandry t «. Housewifry 8 Cordwainer ^^ Husbandry ^ Husbandry ; Weaver Servant & Housewife Jc1 Housewifery g. 0) This column denotes the trade or occupation which the Apprentice was to follow or be taught, generally maid-of-all-work. t 2 copies neither signed nor witnessed by anyone. There are also two other Indentures, circa 1800?, too damaged to be legible. "Spinster" here probably meant

44 Poor Law Administration in North Meols MISCELLANEOUS Of the direct relief of the poor as distinct from the more important relief of the parishioners from the burdens of the poor rate little evidence is preserved. The following extract from the Quarter Sessions Rolls, preserved at Preston, for which I am indebted to Mr. F. H. Cheetham, shows however that this aspect was not entirely neglected: THE HUMBLE PETITION OF HUGH BREKELL AND HIS WIFE LIVING IN THE NORTHMELES. 4 Your poore petitioner hath laboriously maintained his Family till this last year and now being ould and not able to workc nor my wife neither and being att grat necessity for releife wee humbly desire your worshipps to consider our condition and allow us som considerable relive that wee doe not starve for want of foode till the Lord be pleased to call us out of this miserable world and your humble petitioners will ever pray to God for a blessing upon your endevors May 5, Ormskirk. It is ordered by this Court that the Churchwardens and overseers of the poor of Northmeales do pay and allowe unto Hugh Brekell and his wife of the same, two old decrepit persons the weekly sume of Twelve pence for their maintenance and releef and continue the paym 1 thereof untill further order of the Court. A further document of interest preserved in the parish chest relates to the establishment in 1735 of a workhouse for North Meols and the adjoining townships, in the town of Ormskirk, pursuant to the Act of 1723.* 1 9 Geo. I, c. 7. Sec Wcbb, op. cii., p. 243, for Marryott's ideas originating workhouses. We presume each of the above townships would offer relief therein, and hence, perhaps, there are no other records of disbursements except those of the Charities, cf. Rymer's. All save two of the overseers signing the document could write their names, an unusual circumstance.

45 106 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. Be it Remembered that the twenty sixth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and thirty five it is contracted agreed and consented unto by and between the Severall persons whose names are subscribed churchwardens chappelwardens and overseers of the poor for the time being of the Severall Townships of Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Aughton, Altcarr, Rainford, Kirkby, Formby, Knowsley, Huyton with Roby, Sephton, Netherton and Lunt, Litherland, Aintry Orrell and Ford, Thorn ton and Great Crosbie Mawdesley and Walton with Fazakerlcy all in the County of Lancr of the one part and John Hesketh, John Rymer, Robert Johnson & James Rymer present Churchwardens & Overseers of the poor of the parish of Northmeols in the sd County of Lancr on the other part Whereby the sd Towns of Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Aughton, Altcar, Rainford, Kirkby, Formby, Knowsley, Huyton with Roby, Sephton, Netherton & Lunt, Litherland, Aintry, Orrell & Ford, Thornton & Great Crosbie, Mawdesley & W'alton with Fazakerley, have lately united in the purchase of a Messuage, tenem* & Dwelling house with its appurts Scituate in Ormskirk aforesaid now converted into a workhouse for Maintaining & imploying the poor of the said Severall Towns therein pursuant to the Directions of a late act of parliam* made & passed in the ninth year of the reigne of his late Maj tle King George the first And it being proposed to unite the sd Parish of Northmeols to the same It is therefore in pursuance of the s" act hereby agreed by & between the sd parties hereunto that in consideration of the Sum of seaventeen pounds six shillings & eightpence to be paid or secured to be paid by the officers of Northmeols aforesaid on or before the twenty Ninth day of September next ensuing the date hereof that the said parish of Northmeols Shall be & is hereby Declared & agreed to be united and admited into the said purchased grounds & to all & every the priviledges benefits and advantages Equall with the first above named Severall Towns and Shall have an Equallity by the & right of in & to the Same. Subject to the Severall rules orders & Directions touching and concerning the said house for the Maintaining & imploying their poor therein. And it is further Declared & agreed that the s'1 officers of the sd parish of Northmeols shall be at all Expence of Deeds writings and articles necesary & requisit for the Uniteing in the s 1' Workhouse & to their Equall & joint tytle thereto Equall with the said other Towns abovenamed and shall also pay & bear the Expence of the officers of all the sd Towns meeting together in order for or any way relating to their Execution of the

46 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 107 Said Deed & writeing necessary for their union in the sd house and purchase Witness their hands Wittness. JN KIPPAX Ormskirk Churchwarden ROBT. RIMER HENRY PLUMB Aughton Overseer JOHN PART Kerkby Overseer HENRY CHARNLEY' Huyton Overseer RICH" MOLYNEUX Alkar JOSIAH LYON Rainford Overseer JOHN AMBROSE Mawdesley Overseer ROBERT SCARSBRICK Formby Overseer NIC KOLAS + MARTEN Walton Overseer JOHN Ijjj^ TURNER Fazakerley Overseer WILLIAM ROBINSON Litherland Overseer WILLIAM BROWNBILL Altcurr Overseer THO" HAWARD Knowsley Overseer JOSEPH BLUNDELL Skelmersdale Overseer. [Another Hand]. September 29th Then Received from John Hesketh, John Rymer and James Rymer the Consideration money within mentioned being in full of all Accompts I say received by me. HENRY SEDDON. Test JOHN FRANCE. 29 Sepf 1735 the Officers of Northmeals pd to ye Extraordinary the Consideration money then p1' was oo 29 Sept' 1735 Then this Examined with the Orriginall which was left in ye workhouse and this Certified as a true Copy by us who examined them PETER RYMEK HEN: SHEROLKY. Three documents follow of a more miscellaneous character, two of which are badly damaged : 1... morandum That I George Wilson of Freckleton in the Parish of Kirkham 1? Charley. «Torn at edge.

47 Io8 Poor Law Administration in North Meols doe oblige my Selfe, my heires, executor8, and Assignes & Successive Officers the Overseers of ye Poore of our Parish of Kirkham aforesayd to Deliver to the Overseers of the Poor Inhabitants of Northmeals A Bond relating to the Apprentiship of John Ho[w]ard of the sayd Parish of Northmeals when the sayd Bond shall be fulfilled & the within mentioned terme of years expired in Witness hereof I have set my hand & seale this 26 day of April, Anno Domlnl 1698 GEORGE WILSON. his mark X O 1... to yc Premises 1 [Ra?]... ger Hesketh 1 [Rich]... ard Hardy Rector, ibidem 1... nes Hunt March 8 th I do hereby promise to pay unto Hugh Wignal of North Meals in the County of Lancaster Schoolmaster or his order the sum of nine pounds Nine Shillings of Lawful British Money upon Demand for Value Received as Witness my hand. Witness JOHN LEECE. RALPH HINDLEY. We, William Hunter, of Tarleton in the County of Lancaster and William Brimson, Breadbaker of Ormskirk, in the said County, whose names are hereunto subscribed, do certify, and hereby consent and agree to and with Thomas Johnson, and John Aughton Churchwarden & Overseer of the poor of North-Meols in the sa... *... hat one third part of the Rents and profits nea... from a certain Messuage and Tenement situate in North Meols aforesaid, late in the possession of Robert Brookfield, deceased, shall be annually justly and truly paid, given, allowed and granted by us or either of us the said William Hunter and William Bimson, our Heirs, Executors, Administrators and Assigns or some of them, unto Elizabeth, relict of the said Robert Brookfield, during the Term of her natural Life, or unto the said Thomas Johnson and John Aughton, or their Successors in Office, to and for her use and maintenance And that We will at any time, in future, be willing 1 Torn at edge. 1 These words illegible owing to decay of the paper at a crease.

48 Poor Law Administration in North Meols. 109 to execute any legal deed for our punctual performance thereof as they the said Churchwarden and Overseer of the poor, or their Sucessors in Office shall judge requisite and necessary In Witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands the first day of February, in the year of our Lord, One thousand, seven Hundred Eighty and three... mark of Signed and delivered) WILLIAM + HUNTER in the presence of Us. / Witness hereto WILLIAM + BIMSON. sg. JOHN AUGHTON sg. THOMAS JOHNSON. The purpose of this paper has been not to present a dissertation on the poor laws of the eighteenth century in general, but to call attention to, and to record these illuminating parish papers for future workers in this field. Perhaps such a list may stimulate others to do a like work for other parishes. Such lists are badly needed. The North Meols papers do but amplify and confirm for yet another area the conclusions of Miss Marshall as to the inefficiency of the voluntary parish officers, and the uselessness of the parish as a unit of administration of the old poor laws ; and those of Lord Passfield and Mrs. Webb as to the further breakdown caused by the division of authority between parishes, local justices and the County. They do add, however, certain facts, of value it may be hoped to local historians.