SCHEDULE OF EXPENDITURES FOR THE MAINTENANCE OF THE POOR OF NEW-CASTLE COUNTY, FROM THE YEAR 1799, TILL 1801 INCLUSIVE, BY THE TRUSTEES OF THE POOR OF SAID COUNTY.
[Wilmington: Printed at the Mirror-Office, by James Wilson, Market-Street, Wilmington, 1802]. 60pp. Disbound. Imprint at colophon. Lightly toned, untrimmed. Good plus. Contemporary ownership inscription of Thomas Montgomery, Esqr.
A rare record of the administration of Delaware's Poor Laws in the late 18th and early 19th century. The pamphlet begins with the minutes of a meeting of the Board of Trustees of the Poor of New-Castle County. Joseph Israel [1753-1807] of Whiteclay-Creek Hundred was President of the Board. A Quaker, he and his wife had at least 5 sons and 11 daughters.
The Meeting reported that "the maintenance of the Poor of New-Castle County have become a grievous burthen to the citizens thereof." The Poor House was erected on a rocky, infertile piece of land. The Board wishes to sell it and, with the proceeds, purchase a farm for their maintenance.
The pamphlet prints an extremely detailed Schedule of Expenditures, providing a revealing picture of the execution of the Poor Laws: cost of wood and from whom purchased; payment to overseers, trustees, secretary, matron; "Junk"; "Beef, Pork, and other Meat"; brandy, spirits, wine [more than thirty gallons]; other long schedules of receipts and expenditures.
OCLC 3879212 [1- Washington U] as of December 2025. Not in American Imprints or Sabin. Item #41511
Price: $650.00