
Reasons for passing this Act.; Justice of the Peace may remove Persons coming to settle in Ten´ement under £ 10 per Annum to last Settlement.Whereas the necessity number and continual increase of the Poore not onely within the Cities of London and
Westminster with the Liberties of each of them but alsoe through the whole Kingdome of England and
Dominion of Wales is very great and exceeding burthensome being occasioned by reason of some defects in the Law
concerning the setling of the Poor and for want of a due Provision of the regulations of releife and imployment
in such Parishes or Places where they are legally setled which doth enforce many to turn incorrigible Rogues
and others to perish for want togeather with the neglect of the faithfull execution of such Lawes & Statutes as have
formerly beene made for the apprehending of Rogues and Vagabonds and for the good of the Poore For remedy
whereof and for the preventing the perishing of any of the Poore whether young or old for want of such supplies
as are necessary May it please your most Excellent Majestie that it may be enacted and be it enacted by the Kings
most Excellent Majesty by and with the Advice and Consent of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal and the Commons
in this present Parliament assembled and by the Authority of the same That whereas by reason of some defects
in the Law poore people are not restrained from going from one Parish to another and therefore doe endeavor to
settle themselves in those Parishes where there is the best Stocke the largest Commons or Wastes to build Cottages
and the most Woods for them to burn and destroy and when they have consumed it then to another Parish and
att last become Rogues and Vagabonds to the great discouragem[en]t. of Parishes to provide Stocks where it is lyable
to be devoured by Strangers Be it therefore enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawfull
upon complaint made by the Churchwardens or Overseers of the Poore of any Parish to any Justice of Peace within
Forty dayes after any such Person or Persons coming so to settle as aforesaid in any Tenement under the yearely
value of Ten pounds for any two Justices of the Peace whereof one to be of the Quo§ of the Division where any
person or persons that are likely to be chargeable to the Parish shall come to inhabitt by theire warrant to remove
and convey such person or persons to such Parish where he or they were last legally setled either as a native
Householder Sojourner Apprentice or Servant for the space of forty dayes at the least unlesse he or they give
sufficient security for the discharge of the said Parish to bee allowed by the said Justices
II. 
Provided alwaies that all such persons who thinke themselves agreived by any such Judgement of the said two
Justices may appeal to the Justices of the Peace of the said County att theire next Quarter Sessions whoe are hereby
required to doe them justice according to the merits of theire Cause
III. 
Such Work not to gain a Settlement, but Persons may be removed back again.; Persons refusing to go back, &c.; Punishment.; Churchwardens, &c. of Parish to which such Persons removed, refusing to receive them, &c. may be indicted.
Provided alsoe that (this Act notwithstanding) it shall and may be lawfull for any person or persons to go into
any County Parish or place to worke in time of Harvest or at any time to worke at any other worke so that he
or they carry with him or them a Certificate from the Minister of the Parish and one of the Churchwardens and
one of the Overseers for the Poore for the said Yeare that hee or they have a dwelling house or place in which he
or they inhabit and hath left Wife and Children or some of them there (or otherwise as the condition of the
person shall require) and is declared an Ińhabitant or Inhabitants there And in such case if the person or persons
shall not returne to the place aforesaid when his or theire worke is finished or shall fall sicke or impotent whilst he
or they are in the said worke it shall not bee accounted a Setlement in the cases abovesaid but that it shall and may
be lawfull for twoe Justices of the Peace to convey the said person or persons to the place of his or theire
Habitation as aforesaid under the paines and penalties in this act prescribed And if such person or persons shall
refuse to go or shall not remain in such Parish where they ought to be setled as aforesaid but shall return of his
own accord to the Parish from whence he was removed it shall be lawfull for any Justice of the Peace of the
Citty County or Towne Corporate where the said Offence shall be committed to send such person or persons
offending to the House of correction there to be punished as a Vagabond or to a publique Workehouse in this
present act hereafter mentioned there to be imployed in worke or labour And if the Church wardens and Overseers
of the Poore of the Parish to which he or they shall be removed refuse to receive such person or persons and to
provide worke for them as other Inhabitants of the Parish any Justice of the Peace of that Division may and shall
thereupon bind any such Officer or Officers in whom there shall be default to the Assizes or Sessions there to be
indicted for his or theire Contempt in that behalfe
IV. 
Lord Mayor of London President of that in London.; Regulations for Election of Officers.
And for the further redresse of the mischeifs intended to be hereby remedied Be it enacted by the Authority
aforesaid That from thenceforth there be & shall be one or more Corporation or Corporations Workehouse or
Workehouses within the Cities of London and Westminster and within the Burroughs Towns and places of the
County of Middlesex and Surrey scituate lying and being within the Parishes mentioned in the weekely Bills of
Mortality consisting of a President  a Deputy to the President a Treasurer And that the Lord Maior of the City of
London for the time being be President of the Corporation or Corporations Workehouse or Workehouses within the
said City and the Assistants to be the Aldermen of the said City of London for the time being and fifty two other
Citizens to be chosen by the Common Council of the said City And that the said President and Assistants or the
major part of them shall and may elect a Deputy President and Treasurer and all other necessary Officers hereby
constituted and authorized to execute the powers and Offices by this act appointed And that upon the vacancy by
death or otherwise of any Assistant the power to elect in theire roomes be in the said Common Council and the
Election of the Deputy President or Treasurer and all other Officers in the said President and major part of the
Assistants as aforesaid And that a President a Deputy President a Treasurer and Assistants be nominated and
appointed by the Lord Chancellor or Lord Keeper of the Great Seale of England for the time being out of the
most fitt persons inhabiting in the Citie of Westminster or the Liberties thereof for the Corporation or Corporations
Workhouse or Workhouses within the same
V. 
Quarter Sessions to require Accounts of Receipts and Payments of Officers;; and of the State of the Workhouses.; President, &c. to have Succession; how to be sued.; May purchase Lands not exceeding £ 3000 per Annum;; may take Gifts of Personal Estate;; may meet and keep Courts, &c.; and may appoint a Common Seal.
And for the said places within the weekely Bills of Mortality in the said Counties of Middlesex and Surrey
respectively there shall be elected and chosen by the major part of the Justices of the Peace for the said Còunties in
theire respective Quarter Sessions assembled out of the most able and honest Inhabitants and Freeholders of every of
the said Counties of Middlesex and Surrey respectively a President a Deputy President a Treasurer and Assistants
for the Corporation or Corporations Workhouse or Workhouses of the places aforesaid in Middlesex and Surrey
And that upon the vacancy by death or otherwise of any of the Presidents Deputy Presidents Treasurers or Assistants
in the City of Westminster and places aforesaid in Middlesex and Surrey the power to elect others in theire roomes
be in the major part of the respective Justices of Peace who in theire General Quarter Sessions from time to time
shall accordingly supply such vacant places And that at every Quarter Sessions they shall require and take an account
in writing of all the Receipts Charges and Disbursements of the Officers and Treasurer of such Corporac[i]on or
Corporac[i]ons Workhouse or Workhouses how and how many Poore people have beene imployed and set to worke
in the yeare last past and what stock there was and is remaining which President Deputy President and Treasurer
for the time being respectively shall for ever hereafter in name and fact be Bodies Politique & Corporate in Law
to all intents and purposes and shall have a perpetual Succession and may sue or plead or be sued and impleaded
by the Name of the President and Governours for the Poore of the respective places aforementioned in all Courts
and Places of Judicature within this Kingdome and the Dominion of Wales and the Town of Berwick upon Tweed
And by that Name every of the said Corporations shall and may without License in Mortmain purchase or receive
any Lands Tenements or Hereditaments not exceeding the yearely value of Three thousand pounds per annu[m] of
the Gift Alienation or Devise of any person or persons who are hereby without further License enabled to give
the same and any Goods Chattels or su[m]ms of money whatsoever to the use intent and purposes hereafter limited
and appointed And the each respective Corporation or any Seaven of them shall have hereby Power and
Authority from time to time to meet and keepe Courts for the ends and purposes in this act expressed at such
time and place as shall be appointed by the said President his Deputy or the Treasurer who are hereby required
upon the desire of any foure of the said Corporation at any time to cause a Court to be warned accordingly
And shall have hereby Aoverbar
said Corporation
VI. 
Quarter Sessions may signify to Privy Council the Names of such Rogues, &c. as they shall think fit to be transported.; Proceedings thereon.
And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said
President and Governours of the said Corporations for the time being or any two of them or to or for any
person authorized and appointed by them or any two of them from time to time to apprehend or cause to be
apprehended any Rogues Vagrants Sturdy Beggars or idle or disorderly persons within the said Cities and Liberties
Places Divisions and Precincts and to cause them to be kept and set to worke in the several and respective
Corporations or Workhouses And it shall and may be lawfull for the major part of the Justices of Peace in theire
Quarter Sessions to signify unto His Majesties Privy Councell the names of such Rogues Vagabonds idle and
disorderly persons and study Beggars as they shall thinke fitt to be transported to the English Plantations and
upon the approbation of His Majesties Privy Council to the said Justices of Peace signified which persons shall
be transported it shall and may be lawfull for any two or more of the Justices of the Peace them to transporte
or cause to be transported from time to time during the space of three yeares next ensuing the end of this
present Session of Parliament to any of the English Plantations beyond the Seas there to be disposed in the usual
way of Servants for a terme not exceeding seaven yeares
VII. 
and may rate Towns, Parishes, &c. accordingly.; Appeal to the next open Sessions.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That if the President & Governours of any of the said
Corporations shall certifie under theire co[m]mon Seale theire want and defect either of a present stocke for the
foundation of the Worke or for supply thereof for the future and what su[m]m or su[m]ms of money they shall thinke
fitt for the same to the Co[m]mon Council of the said City of London and the Burgesses and Justices of Peace in
theire Quarter Sessions of the said City of Westminster and the Liberties thereof or the Justices of the respective
Counties of Middlesex and Surrey assembled in either Quarter Sessions that thereupon the Co[m]mon Council of
the said City of London the Burgesses of the said City of Westminster and the Justices of Peace of the said
Cities and Counties in theire Quarter Sessions assembled are hereby required from time to time to set down and
ascertain such competent su[m]m and su[m]ms of money for the purposes aforesaid not exceeding one yeares Rate from
time to time usually set upon any person for or towards the releife of the Poore and the same to proportion
out upon the several Wards Precincts Counties Divisions Hundreds and Parishes as they shall thinke fit And
thereupon the Aldermen Deputies and Comon Council men of every Ward in the Cityes of London and Burgesses
and Justices of the Peace of the City of Westminster and the Liberties thereof and Justices of the Peace of the
said Counties of Middlesex and Surrey shall have Power and Authority and are hereby required equally and
indifferently according to the proportions appointed as aforesaid for the several Wards Precincts Cities and Parishes
as aforesaid to tax and rate the several Inhabitants within the said respective Wards Precincts and Parishes as well
within Liberties as without with which Tax if any person or persons find him or themselves aggreived supposeing
the same to be unequal he or they shall and may make theire complaint knowne to the Justices of the Peace at
the next open Sessions who shall take such final order therein as in like cases is already by the Law provided
VIII. 
and in default of Payment, Distress.
And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawfull to and for any Alderman
of the City of London or his Deputy or the Burgesses and Justices of Peace of the City of Westminster and the
Liberties thereof or any two or more of them or any two Justices of Peace of the respective Counties of Middlesex
and Surrey by theire Warrant under theire Hands and Seales to authorize the Church wardens or Overseers for
the Poore within the Places and Parishes aforesaid to demand gather and receive of every person and persons
such su[m]m and su[m]ms of money as shall be assessed upon them by vertue of the Taxations and Contributions aforesaid
And for default of payment within ten dayes after demand thereof made or notice in writing left att the dwelling
House or Lodging of every person so assessed to levy the same by Distresse and Sale of the goods of every
such person and after satisfaction made to restore the surplusage to the party so distrained
IX. 
All Persons having Stock in Hand to account.
And be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Stocks raised for the releife and imployment of the
Poor in the City of London and Liberty thereof which was in the hands of a Corporation heretofore appointed
in the said City for that service or in the hands of any other person or persons whatsoever before the nine &
twentieth day of September which was in the yeare of our Lord One thousand six hundred and sixty comonly
called the Feast of St. Michael the Archangell or at any time since togeather with all the Arreares of money
formerly allotted for that Service or Legacies given to the same end shall be payable to the Treasurer of the
Corporation or Corporations Workhouse or Workehouses to be established by this present act who are hereby
authorized and impowred by themselves or theire Officers thereunto by them deputed to collect gather receive and
recover the said money and Legacies which shall be due and in arreare as aforesaid with which said Arrears and
every part and parcell thereof the Corporation or Corporations aforesaid by this act made constituted and established
is and shall be hereby invested and interessed for the execution of the service hereby enjoyned them And all those
that have had or now have any of the said Stocks in their or any of theire hands shall be accomptable to the
said Treasurer or to those that shall be appointed by the said Corporation or Corporations or any Seven or more
of them to take the said account
X. 
Provided alwaies and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That there shall be a full allowance of all just and
necessary expences which have beene laid out by the said former Corporation for the releife of the said Poor and
the carrying on of the said Service since the time before expressed
XI. 
And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the respective President and Governours or any Seven
of them shall have power from time to time to make and constitute Orders and By-lawes for the better releiving
regulating and setling the Poore to worke and the apprehending and punishing of Rogues Vagabonds and Beggars
within the Cities Liberties and Places aforesaid that have not where with to maintaine themselves and for other the
matters aforesaid
XII. 
Provided the said Orders and By-lawes shall from time to time be presented to the Justices of Peace in theire
Quarter Sessions assembled to be allowed by the major part of them and confirmed by order of the said Court
XIII. 
And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the President and Governours of any the said
Corporation or Corporations Workhouse or Workhouses or any fourteene or more of them being assembled
togeather shall have hereby power to choose and entertaine all such Officers and others as shall be needfull to be
imployed in and about the p[re]misses and them or any of them from time to time to remove as they shall see cause
and upon the death or removal of them or any of them to choose others in theire places for the carrying on of
the Worke and to make and give such reasonable allowances unto them or any of them out of the Stock and
Revenue belonging to the said Corporation or Workhouse as they shall thinke fitt
XIV. 
And it is further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all Sheriffs Bailiffs Constables and all other Officers
and Ministers of Justice shall be aiding and assisting to the said Corporation or Corporations and to all such Officers
as shall be imployed by them or any of them in the execution or performance of the said Service
XV. 
On Death or Removal of Constables, &c. Justices may make and swear a new one until Court Leet or Quarter Sessions.
And whereas the Lawes and Statutes for the apprehending of Rogues and Vagabonds have not been duly
executed sometimes for want of Officers by reason Lords of Mannors doe not keepe Court Leets every yeare
for the making of them Bee it therefore enacted by the Authority aforesaid That in case any Constable Headborough
or Tithingmen shall die or goe out of the Parish any two Justices of the Peace may make and sweare a new
Constable Headborough or Tithingman untill the said Lord shall hold a Court or until next Quarter Sessions who
shall approve of the said Officers so made and sworn as aforesaid or appoint others as they shall thinke fitt And
if any Officer shall continue above a yeare in his or theire Office that then in such case the Justices of Peace in
theire Quarter Sessions may discharge such Officers and may put another fit person in his or theire place until
the Lord of the said Mannor shall hold a Court as aforesaid
XVI. 
Justice may reward Persons apprehending Rogues and Vagabonds:; 2s. for every Apprehension.; Constable, &c. refusing, &c. to pay.; Proceedings for Penalty under 1 Jac. I. c. 7. and the 2s. paid thereout.
And whereas for want of some encouragement to such person or persons as shall apprehend Rogues Vagabonds
and Sturdy Beggars the Statutes made in the nine and thirtieth yeare of Queene Elizabeth and first yeare of King
James in which Statutes the Constable Headborough or Tithingman of every Parish that shall not apprehend such
Rogues Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggars which shall passe through or be found in theire said Parish unapprehended
such Constable Headborough or Tithingman shall forfeit as in the said Statutes is expressed are not duely executed
Be it therefore enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawfull to and for any Justice of
Peace to whom any Rogue Vagabond or Sturdy Beggars soe apprehended shall be brought to reward any person
or persons that shall apprehend any Rogue Vagabond or Sturdy Beggar by granting unto such person or persons
an Order or Warrant under his Hand and Seale to the Constable Headborough or Tithingman of such Parish where
such Rogue Vagabond or Sturdy Beggar passed through unapprehended requiring him to pay such person or
persons the su[m]m of Twoe shillings for every Rogue Vagabond or Sturdy Beggar which shall be soe apprehended
And if such Constable Headborough or Tithingmen refuse or neglect to pay the Twoe shillings as aforesaid that then
the said Justices of the Peace or any other Justice or Justices of Peace shall proceed against any such Constable
Headborough or Tithing man according to the said Statutes and to compell him to pay such su[m]m of money as he
hath forfeited by the Statute of the First Yeare of King James aforesaid and to allow out of the said Forfeiture
the said Two shillings and such reasonable meanes and allowance for losse of time as they shall thinke fitt
XVII. 
And if any person or persons shall apprehend any Rogue Vagabond or Sturdy Beggar att the Confines of any
County which passed through any Parish of another County unapprehended it shall be lawfull for such person or
persons to goe to some Justice of Peace of that County through which such Rogue Vagabond or Sturdy Beggar
passed unapprehended whoe is hereby required (upon a Certificate under the Hand of some Justice of Peace of the
County where such Rogue Vagabond or Sturdy Beggar was so apprehended) to grant his Order or Warrant under
his Hand and Seale requiring the said Constable Headborough or Tithingman to pay unto such person or persons as
aforesaid the su[m]m of Two shillings which if he shall refuse or neglect to doe then such Justice is hereby required to
proceed against such Constable Headborough or Tithingman and to cause him to pay Ten shillings or soe much thereof
for his Expences and losse of time as the said Justice of Peace shall thinke fitt to such person or persons which he
hath forfeited by the Statute aforesaid made in the Nine and thirtieth Yeare of the Queene
XVIII. 
to be confirmed by Two Justices; and may be levied by Distress.
And whereas Constables Headboroughs or Tithingmen are or may bee att great charge in releiving conveying
with Passes and in carrying Rogues Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggars to Houses of correction or the Work-houses
herein mentioned and as yet have no power by Law to make Rates to reimburse themselves Bee it therefore enacted
by the Authority aforesaid That all Constables Headboroughs and Tithingmen so out of purse as aforesaid togeather
with the Church wardens and Overseers of the Poore and other Inhabitants of the said Parish shall hereby have
power and authority to make an indifferent Rate and to tax all the Occupiers of Lands and Inhabitants and all other
persons chargeable by the Statute of the Three and fourtieth of Elizabeth concerning the Office and Duty of Overseers
for the Poore within the said Parish which Rate being confirmed under the Hands and Seales of any Two Justices
of Peace as aforesaid the said Constable Headborough or Tithing men shall have power by warrant under the Hands
and Seals of Two Justices of Peace to levy by distresse and Sale of the Goods of any person or persons refusing to
pay the same rendring the Overplus to the Owner if any shall be
XIX. 
And whereas the putative Fathers and lewd Mothers of Bastard Children run away out of the Parish and sometimes
out of the County and leave the said Bastard Children upon the charge of the Parish where they are borne although
such putative Father and Mother have Estates sufficient to discharge such Parish Be it therefore enacted by the
Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawfull for the Church wardens and Overseers for the Poore of such
Parish where any Bastard Child shall be borne to take and seize so much of the Goods and Chattels and to receive
so much of the annual rents or proffits of the Lands of such putative Father or lewd Mother as shall be ordered by
any Two Justices of Peace as aforesaid for or towards the Discharge of the Parish to be confirmed att the Sessions
for the bringing up and providing for such Bastard Child And thereupon it shall be lawfull for the Sessions to
make an Order for the Church wardens or Overseers for the Poore of such Parish to dispose of the Goods by
Sale or otherwise or so much of them for the purposes aforesaid as the Court shall thinke fitt and to receive the
rents and proffitts or so much of them as shall be ordered by the Sessions as aforesaid of his or her Lands
XX. 
And if any person or persons shall bee sued for any matter or thing which he shall doe in execution of this
act he may plead the general issue and give the special matter in Evidence And if the Verdict shall passe for
the Defendant or if the Plaintiff bee nonsuited or discontinue his Suit the Defendant shall recover treble Damages.
XXI. 
Regulations for Choice of Overseers for Townships and Villages in such Counties.
Whereas the Inhabitants of the Counties of Lancashire Cheshire Derbyshire Yorkshire Northumberland the
Bishoprick of Durham Cumberland and Westmerland and many other Counties in England and Wales by reason
of the largenes of the Parishes within the same have not nor cannot reape the  of the act of Parliament
made in the three and fortieth yeare of the Reigne of the late Queene Elizabeth for releife of the Poore Therefore
be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That all and every the poore needy impotent and lame person and persons
within every Township or Village within the severall Counties aforesaid shall from and after the passing of this
act be maintained kept provided for and sett on worke within the several and respective Towneship and Village
wherein he shee or they shall inhabit or wherein he she or they was or were last lawfully setled according to
the intent and meaning of this act and that there shall be yearely chosen and appointed according to the rules
and directions in the said act of the three & fortieth yeare of Queene Elizabeth mentioned twoe or more
Overseers of the Poore within every of the said Townships or Villages who shall from time to time do performe
& execute all and every the acts Powers and Authorities for the necessary releiffe of the Poore within the said
Township or Village and shall lose forfeit and suffer all such paines and penalties for Non performance thereof as
is limited mentioned and appointed in and by the said in-part-recited act
XXII. 
43 Eliz. c. 2.
And be it further enacted by the Authority aforesaid That the Justices of Peace within the said Counties shall
have and enjoye such and the like Powers & Authorities to raise and levy moneys and to do and execute
all and every such other act and thing whatsoever within every Township or Village within the said County
where they are Justices as is given limited and appointed unto and for them to do and execute within any Parish
or Parishes in and by the said act made in the said three and fortieth yeare of the said late Queene Elizabeth
under such and the like paines and penalties for the Non-performance of theire Duties to be levied and disposed
of as is nominated and expressed in the said act
XXIII. 
Provided alwaies and be it enacted by the Authority aforesaid That it shall and may be lawfull for the Justices
of Peace in any of the Counties of England and Wales in theire Quarter Sessions assembled or the major part of
them to transport or cause to be transported such Rogues Vagabonds and Sturdy Beggars as shall be duly convicted
and adjudged to be incorrigible to any of the English Plantac[i]ons beyond the Seas
XXIV. 
Provided alsoe That neither this act nor any thing therein contained shall extend to be or be construed
expounded or taken to the prejudice or infringement of any the franchises rights liberties or priviledges heretofore
granted by the Kings and Queenes of this Realme His Majesties Royal Predecessors to the Dean and Chapter of
the Collegiate Church of St. Peter in Westminster
XXV. 
Provided alwaies That this act as to all the matters therein contained (excepting what relates unto the
Côrporations mentioned and constituted thereby) shall extend and be in force untill the nine and twentieth day of
May One thousand six hundred sixty five and the end of the First Session of the next Parliam[en]t then next ensuing
and no longer