A History of the County of Essex: Volume 4, Ongar Hundred. Originally published by Victoria County History, London, 1956.
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'Shelley: Poor relief', in A History of the County of Essex: Volume 4, Ongar Hundred, (London, 1956) pp. 208. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/vch/essex/vol4/p208 [accessed 25 April 2024]
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.