Shelley: Poor relief

POOR RELIEF

In 1613 the cost of poor relief was 20s. 4d. (fn. 1) In 1776 it was £64. (fn. 2) In 1783-5 expenditure averaged £89 a year. (fn. 3) In the years of scarce food at the turn of the century it almost reached £300 and through the Napoleonic wars varied between £200 and £345. (fn. 4) There was a parish poorhouse by 1776. (fn. 5) In each of the three years ending at Easter 1815 there were 16 or 17 persons on 'permanent' outdoor relief and 9 or 10 persons who were relieved occasionally. (fn. 6) In 1836 Shelley became part of Ongar Poor Law Union.