Poor Relief Act 1691

IV. Churchwarden refusing to read; Penalty, 40s.

Distress.; Want of Distress; Imprisonment.; Refusing to register; Penalty, 40s.; Want of Distress; Imprisonment.

And be it further Enacted That if any Churchwarden or Overseer of the Poor shall refuse or neglect to read or cause to bee read such Notice in Writeing as aforesaid in such manner place and time as aforesaid he or they for every such Offence (upon proof thereof by two credible Witnesses upon Oath before any Justice of the Peace of the same County Riding or Division City or Towne Corporate where complaint thereof shall be made) shall forfeit the Sum of Forty shillings to the use of the party grieved to be levied by Distresse and Sale of the Offender or Offenders Goods by Warrant under the Hand and Seal of any Justice of the Peace within the said Jurisdictions respectively to the Constable of the Parish or Towne where such Offender or Offenders dwell the Overplus if any be to be returned to the Owner or Owners and for want of such sufficient Distresse the said Justice shall committ him or them to the Common Goal of the said County City or Towne-Corporate there to remain without Bail or Mainprize for the space of one Month and if any Churchwarden or Overseer of the Poor shall refuse or neglect to register or cause to be registred such Notice in Writeing as aforesaid he or they so offending upon the like Conviction shall forfeit the Sum of Forty shillings to the use of the Poor of the Parish or Towne where such Offender or Offenders dwell to be levied as aforesaid the Overplus if any be to be returned to the Owner or Owners and for want of such sufficient Distresse then the said Justice shall committ such Offender or Offenders as aforesaid for the time aforesaid.