Settlement Act for the Relief of the Poor 1601

the 1601 act states each individual parish responsible own poor. arguments on parish responsible pauper s poor relief , concerns on migration more generous parishes led passing of settlement act 1662 allowed relief established residents of parish – through birth, marriage , apprenticeship. pauper applicant had prove settlement’. if unable to, removed next parish nearest place of birth, or might prove connection. paupers moved hundreds of miles. although each parish passed through not responsible them, supposed supply food , drink , shelter @ least 1 night.

individual parishes keen keep costs of poor relief low possible , there examples of paupers in cases being shunted , forth between parishes. settlement laws allowed strangers parish removed after 40 days if not working, cost of removing such people meant left until tried claim poor relief. in 1697 settlement laws tightened when people barred entering parish unless produced settlement certificate.