Some
farmers hired laborers for only fifty one weeks and some
apprentices were bound by means other than indenture so that they
could not establish settlement in that parish. Laborers who came
to work in industries were refused settlement and sent back to
their original parishes whenever they seemed likely to become
dependent on the rates. Statutes then provided that a parish must
give settlement to apprentices bound for forty days there, not
only by indenture, but by deed, writings, or contracts not
indented. In 1722, parishes were authorized to purchase houses in
which to lodge or employ the poor and to contract with any person
for the lodging, keeping, maintaining, and employing of the poor.
These persons could take the benefit of the work, labor, and
service of these poor, which would be used for the relief of other
poor. The poor refusing such lodging could not then get relief.
Many of the poor starved to death. The propertied classes turned a
blind eye to the predicament of the poor, opining that they were
idle or could save more and did not need higher earnings.
Charitable organizations gave to the poor and set up all day
Sunday schools to set wayward children on a moral path. The Sunday
schools could accommodate children who worked during the week.
Punishment of children by parents or others could be by whipping
or even sitting in stocks. About half of the people were dependent
on poor relief or charities.
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