Poor Relief - Law Commission

Reference Extent of repeal or revocation
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4 Geo.3 c.90 (1764) The whole Act.
(Loddon and Clavering (Norfolk)
Poor Relief Act)
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4 Geo.3 c.90 (1764) (Loddon and Clavering (Norfolk) Poor Relief Act)
1. This note proposes the repeal of an obsolete 1764 Act passed to provide relief
for the poor living in the hundreds of Loddon and Clavering, in Norfolk. 45
2. According to its long title, the purpose of the 1764 Act was:
for the better Relief and Employment of the Poor in the Hundreds of Loddon
and Clavering, in the County of Norfolk.
3. The preamble to the 1764 Act recorded that the poor living in the hundreds of
Loddon and Clavering were “very numerous, and are maintained and supported at a
great Expence by their respective Parishes”. The preamble also recorded the
desirability for “the granting of proper Powers for the better Government and
Regulation of the Poor” and for establishing a place for the general reception of the
poor to provide them with effective relief and assistance.
4. The 1764 Act provided as follows: 46
(a) establishment of corporation to be known as The Guardians of the Poor
within the Hundreds of Loddon and Clavering in the County of Norfolk
(“the Guardians”) comprising all local residents owning land rated at £30
and certain other persons; women qualifying as Guardians to act by proxy
(b) poor to continue to be under the care of the churchwardens and
overseers until the workhouse is built; thereafter the poor to be managed
by the Guardians
(c) authority for children to be bound as apprentices for terms not exceeding
seven years (subject to upper age limits) including as apprentices to the
governor or steward; authority to hire out poor persons for harvest work or
hop-picking work or other suitable work; poor children to be handed over
to relatives or friends willing and able to receive them; discharge of poor
persons capable of looking after themselves
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The “hundred” is an ancient description of groups of townships in English counties.
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The provisions of the 1764 Act are not identified by reference to section numbers because the Act
itself was not divided into sections.
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