In an earlier blog ‘Thomas Wilson JP Ove-Rules Overseer Isaac Lightfoot of Wigton, Re: Joseph Blackburn, 1773’ (28 Aug 2018) it was suggested that the over-ruling by Wilson of decisions taken in the parish of Wigton might not be an isolated incident. Another hand-written order has come to light, this time concerning Jane McCall and her two children. The following is a transcription of the document.
Cumberland to wit
Whereas Jane McCall in Wigton in the Parish of Wigton in the said county of Cumberland hath made Oath before me Thos Wilson DD and of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace, in and for the said County that she the said Jane McCall is very poor and impotent and not able to provide for herself and family and that she the said Jane McCall did on the 26th of November last apply for relief to the parishioners of the said parish of Wigton, and was by them refused to be relieved And Whereas, William Faulder one of the overseers of the Poor of the said Parish hath appeared before me to show cause why relief should not be given to the said Jane McCall and hath not showed any
I do therefore hereby order that the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the said Parish, or some of them to pay unto the said Jane McCall the sum of Three shillings and six pence weekly and every week for and towards the support and maintenance of herself and two children untill such time as it shall be otherwise ordered according to Law, to forbear the said allowance.
Given under my hand and seal at Carlisle in the said County the seventh Day of December in the year of Our Lord 1776.
Although the wording of this statement is very similar to that relating to Joseph Blackburn, it does not have the same pro-forma feel. There is no indication that McCall’s name and the dates have been slotted in to a pre-prepared document and there is no variation in ink colour. On this occasion a specific overseer is not mentioned but Wilson refers to ‘the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor’ of Wigton. Volunteers searching the Vestry Minutes for Wigton show John Henderson, William Faulder, Isaac Robinson and Thomas Pattinson to have been Overseers in 1776.
Sources
Cumbria Archives, Carlisle
PR/36/119, Wigton Vestry Minute Book, 1735-1885
PR36/V/6/83, Wigton Quarter, Overseers’ Vouchers, Jane McCall’s Order
This is a work in progress, subject to change as new research is conducted.