May, 1647
[28 May, 1647.]
Every Parish shall be charged weekly according to the Statute of 43 Eliz. 3.; And a further sum if there be need.
For the relief and maintenance of such Souldiers as have been
maimed, and disabled in the service of the Parliament during
these late Wars, that is to say, since the Wars began; and for the
relief of the Widdows and Orphans of such as have been slain or
dead in the said service, Be it ordained by the Lords and Commons in this present Parliament assembled, That from and after
the Feast of Easter last past before the date hereof, every Parish
within this Realm of England and Dominion of Wales, shall be
charged weekly to the payment of such sum of money as formerly
they have been rated at by vertue of a Statute of the 43d. year of
Queen Elizabeth, Cap. tertio, concerning the relief of Souldiers
and Mariners, for and to such end and purpose; and likewise
such further sum of Money over and besides the same, as by the
Justices of the Peace in their next Quarter Sessions after the passing of this Ordinance, or the major part of them shall be adjudged
meet to be assessed upon every Parish or Chappelry that hath
distinct Parochial Officers, so as the said additional sum exceedeth
not the sum of two shillings and six pence, nor be under the sum
of Three pence each week for each such Parish or Chappelry; the
same to be levied in manner and form, by such persons, and under
such penalties, as by the said Statute of Queen Elizabeth is declared; and to be paid to the Treasurers for the maimed Souldiers
appointed by the Justices of the Peace of the County or Liberty
by vertue of this Ordinance and the Statute of Queen Elizabeth
aforesaid which said Treasurers shall be ordered in such manner,
and under such penalties as by the said Statute is further
declared.
Souldiers or mariners maimed or disabled, shall bring Certificate to the two next Justices, who shall assign them relief.; Pension for such.; Widdows and Orphans.; Treasurers for maimed souldiers shall allow them relief as two next Justices shall adjudge.
And be it Ordained, That every Souldier or Mariner, maimed
or disabled in body for work, in the service of the Parliament
during these late Wars, shall forthwith repair to the place where
he was last setled when he took up Arms, with a Certificate of
his service, and hurt received, under the hand of his Captain or
other Commissionary Officer, and shall also repair unto the two
next Justices of the Peace for the County where such his setling
was; And the said two Justices, upon examination of the truth
of such Certificate (which the said two Justices are hereby
enabled to take upon Oath of the party, and of such Witnesses
as he shall produce) shall by Warrant unto the Treasurer assign
him relief until the next Quarter Sessions to be holden for that
County or Liberty; at which time a yearly Pension shall be by
the said Justices, or major part of them, granted in manner and
form, and with power of revocation or alteration, as by the said
Statute is further declared and directed: And in case that the
Captain or Officer appointed to make such Certificate be dead,
the said two Justices shall have power upon request to them made
in behalf of the party maimed by persons of credit, to give such
relief as in case of examination aforesaid. And as touching
Widdows and Orphans of such as have died, or have been slain
in the service of the Parliament, It is hereby ordained, That over
and besides such relief as they shall gain by their work and labour,
and shall be allowed them by the charity and benovolence of the
Parish, Town, or Hamlet where they are setled (who are hereby
required to have them in special regard) the Treasurers of the
maimed Souldiers for such County shall allow such further relief
from time to time as shall be judged meet by the two next Justices of the Peace of such County: The said relief shall be paid
out of the surplusage of such stock of maintenance as shal remain
in the hands of the said Treasurers after such Pensions granted,
and payment of them made, and of which surplusage and allowance made unto such Widdows and Orphans, the said Treasurers
shall give account from time to time, and the same distribute in
such manner as by the Justices shall be directed, and according
to the Statute aforesaid.
Treasurers and others to be called to account for such money.
Be it further ordained, That the Justices of the Peace in every
County or Liberty, or any two of them, shall forthwith call all
such Treasurers, High-constables, Petty-constables, or other
persons (who have formerly been intrusted with the receipt, collecting, or disposing of any sum of Money charged upon any
Parish by vertue of the Statute aforesaid, and whereof no account
hath been given; and likewise the Executors and Administrators
of such persons) unto account concerning such levies and collections made, and such Money as they shall find remaining in the
custody of such persons, to order forthwith to be paid unto the
Treasurer appointed by vertue of the said Statute, or to be
appointed by vertue of this Ordinance, at the next Quarter Sessions
to be holden for the County or Liberty, under such penalties as
by the said Statute is set forth; which said Treasurer to be
appointed by vertue of this Ordinance, shall continue by vertue
hereof until the Easter Sessions following.