Catalogue description Content: Folios 28-31. Letter from C Mole[Chamberlain Mole], Vestry Clerk to the...

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Details of MH 12/4536/12
Reference: MH 12/4536/12
Description:
Content: Folios 28-31. Letter from C Mole[Chamberlain Mole], Vestry Clerk to the parish of Braughing to the Poor Law Commission replying to the letter of the 7 October 1834 saying that he appears to have failed to impart to the Commissioners his, and the parish officers', views on the principles of the labour rate for this and preceding two years. He states that it was agreed to spend 1/3 of the poor rate in employing labourers which leaves much surplus labour. It is difficult for the contractor to handle as he lives and works three miles away at Buntingford. Men who have been used to indiscriminate relief have no idea of depending on their own resources. The increased population had caused great difficulty under the old procedure whereby the neighbouring magistrate ordered relief without any reference to character or circumstances. The subsisting agreement has now reduced the poor rate by £180 at the renewal date, Lady Day 1834, and it is to be hoped sanction will be given for its continuation to Lady Day 1835. The parish wages are higher than the fixed minimum of 8s as most farmers add beer, as does Miss [Martha Mellish]. Plough men have 10s, common labourers 9s. However when the latter do thrashing, land draining, hedging and ditching they can earn 11-12s. Mole gives two examples of the subsisting contract: Mellish, the largest proprietor in Braughing, is assessed to pay a poor rate of £27 8s, 1s 3d of which gives employment to 20 men at 8s per week and 8 boys at 3s, she makes it a condition that they do not claim relief except for sickness. The second example is of Mole and his mother's poor rate of £18, a 1s 3d of which gives employment to 13 men at 8s and 4 boys at 3s. The Commission will no doubt consider that caution is required in giving directions in a parish where there is no resident proprietor, or any influential male resident and the only lay magistrate lives 11 miles away. It is difficult to provide proof of lawlessness and to maintain order. On 3 September 1834 when a young man from Braughing killed another from Standon, and on 27 September 1834 a fire was started at Westmill to which a labourer from Mundon confessed. This man had worked for Mellish for two years. On Saturday night the 4 October 1834 an orchard, adjoining Moles own premises was almost destroyed by the cutting down of 13 young fruit trees. There was also much petty theft. Mole awaits further directions and suggests that these should have special consideration at a vestry meeting to be arranged. Poor Law Union Number 167. Counties: Hertfordshire and Essex.
Date: 11 Oct 1834
Held by: The National Archives, Kew
Legal status: Public Record(s)
Language: English
Closure status: Open Document, Open Description

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