Theydon Bois: Poor relief

POOR RELIEF

No local records are known to survive of the parish government and poor relief in Theydon Bois before 1832. (fn. 1) Returns made to parliamentary inquiries provide details of the cost of poor relief for some years in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1776 the parish spent £100 on relief. (fn. 2) In the three years 1783-5 the average sum was £166. (fn. 3) In 1801 it had risen to £534. (fn. 4) Between that date and 1820 it fluctuated considerably, the highest figure being £592 (in 1820) and the lowest £283 (1803). (fn. 5) For the years 1803-9 it never exceeded £350. After 1809 it was never under £400 except in 1815 when it was £360. A parish poor house existed in about 1800. (fn. 6) In 1836 Theydon Bois became part of the Epping Poor Law Union.