Library Collections: Document: Full Text

Report Of The Committee On The Subject Of Pauperism And A House Of Industry In The Town Of Boston

Creator:		Josiah Quincy (author)
Date:		1821
Source:		Boston Public Library

Previous Page Next Page All Pages

The Sub-Committee refer to these various laws to shew that the wisdom of the government has always been decidedly expressed in favor of some establishment for the purpose now contemplated and which is more obviously necessary in a large seaport town than in any other part of the state. The circumstances already stated will shew as they think a satisfactory reason why at present and for many years past there has been wanting this necessary part of police within the town of Boston. The Sub-Committee do not deem it within their province to extend this report by displaying the various facts and arguments which may prove the utility of a Bridewell or house of correction under proper regulations; but they deem their commission discharged by reporting to the general Committee that there is NOT AT PRESENT ANY SUITABLE INSTITUTION OF THIS KIND UNDER DIRECTION OF THE TOWN OR COUNTY.

JAMES T. AUSTIN, for the Committee.

( B )

Schedule of the expense of the Poor of Marblehead from March) 1820 to March 1821.

Amount of orders drawn on the Town Treasury	$4535 17
Deduct amount received for State Paupers	575 90
Ditto paid by other towns	549 31
Ditto paid for Cart, Plough, and Cows	98
Ditto amount paid on old account	517 69
Ditto supplies furnished poor out of the house	1417 80
	3158 70
Expense of the Poor House	1375 47

In addition to which one thousand days' works were done by 8 men on the high way.

( C )

Report of the Overseers of the Poor of the Town of Salem, March 1, 1821.

Amount of Orders drawn on Town Treasury	$11,268 73
Deduct amount received from the State for support of State Poor	$5504 84
do. amount paid for repairs and improvements	1467 49
	6,972 33
Net amount for Town Poor	$4,296 40

In the above sum of $4,296 40, are included all supplies to poor persons not inhabitants of the Alms House, to paupers belonging to other towns, and the amount paid the gaoler for the board of poor persons in gaol, including inhabitants of Salem, State poor, and persons belonging to other towns. A part of the expence thus incurred for other towns, is now due to the Town of Salem.

Value of supplies granted to poor persons not inhabitants of the Alms House, from March 1, 1820, to March 1, 1821, including State Paupers, and persons belonging to other towns, estimated at; $1090 87.

Number of Paupers in the Alms-House, March 1, 1820,	337
Entered during the year ending March 1, 1821	369
	706
Discharged and died during the year	341
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1821,	365
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1820,	337
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1819,	273
Whole number in the Alms House, March 1, 1818,	292

The average number of Paupers in the old Work House for the last twenty-four years the poor resided there, viz. from 1793 to 1816, was 120.

Account of the Expenditure of the Town for the support of the Poor for the last ten years.

	Amount of Orders drawn.	All Credits to be deducted	Net amount for support of town poor
Year 1811	$9,639 83	$2404 75	$7255 08
1812	10,237 06	2679 38	7557 08
1813	13,805 86	2850 03	10955 83
1814	15,795 95	3016 75	12779 21
1815	11,121 52	3622 28	7499 24
1816	13,090 67	5442 62	7646 05
1817	16231 44	6583 44	9646 00
1818	15,886 91	6724 14	9162 77
1819	15,219 83	8212 36	7007 47
1820	11,268 72	6972 33	4296 40

( D )

Alms House, April 24th, 1831.

Sir,

By direction of the Board of Overseers of the Poor the following statement is transmitted in answer to your last inquiry.

I am, Sir, your very humble servant, REDFORD WEBSTER.

To the Chairman of the Committee of the Town on the subject of a House of Industry, &c

Drafts on Town Treasurer	$26,374 12
Received of Firewards for forfeiture of Gunpowder	149 30
" for sales of Oakum	1,312 83
" for rent of wharf	527 00
" this year balances of accounts settled with other towns and persons, much of which had been standing for several years	3,949 16
	$32,312 41
Amount received from the state for support of State Poor	12,377 88
Net Amount for Town Poor	$19,934 53