Some of the Wills that @burt has transcribed for me contain bequests to the poor of the parish. The amounts range from 5 shillings to more generous sums. I wonder how this money would be distributed and who would be responsible for carrying out the wishes of the deceased. I am sure the Executor would see that the money was made available but who would decide who 'the poor' were and how much each of them should receive. I have seen other Wills for various people but never this before. Thanks in advance for suggestions.
I would assume the money would be handed to the Overseers of the Poor who were responsible for distributing poor relief to parish paupers. They were normally elected each year by the parish vestry.
Yes, that is what I would assume. Sometimes a bequest stipulates that the money should be used to buy bread for the poor. I think this would have been handled the same way.
You might find this to be an interesting read about the Accounts of the Overseers of the Poor: Code: https://www.genguide.co.uk/source/overseers-of-the-poor-accounts-parish-amp-poor-law/97/
I wouldn't think so. That would be like giving money to the social security authorities. The overseers administered the Poor Law which was distinct from charitable activities. The church itself, as opposed to the parish fulfilling its civil responsibilities, would distribute charity including donations to the poor box and bequests, I think.
Sorry but I have to disagree. 'The church itself' - what does that mean? If the incumbent, I would think not. Parishes were self contained units of government and the Churchwardens/Overseers, elected every year were the main conduit for any form of charity. In many churches you sometimes see painted boards of parish charities and I think the Vestry in one form or another administered them.
The overseers were responsible for local administration of the Poor Law - collecting rates and allocating relief in accordance with the law. The Poor Law was not charity.
As I've explained, the Vestry were responsible for overseeing charitable actions in parishes, not the clergy. You only have to look at Churchwardens accounts for instance to see this.
