Dorchester Poor Law Records

Vagrant Passes & Prosecutions

© Compiled by Michael Russell OPC for Dorchester July 2012

Dorset Borough of Dorchester - 17th February 1740/1

Examination of William HUNTER taken before me on oath this 17th February 1740/1

Saith that his last legal settlement is at ye Parish of Hellventon in the County of Norfolk he serving as a current servant twelve months and upwards on an yearly hire of 7th to one William MASON a bricklayer in the said parish and that he has not obtained any legal settlement since that also hehave been confirmed in custody ever since New Years day last past for begging of victuals in Dorchester and was ordered to be kept in custody in the House of Correction at Sherborne for a month after the sitting of ye Court of Quarter sessions held at Blandford 17th of January last past and then sent to his place of settlement as above

The mark of William HUNTER

Sworn before me one of his Majesties Justices of ye Peace for this County the day and year above

William FREKE


Vagrant William HUNTER apprehended at Dorchester Dorset 17th February 1740/1

To the Constable, Tythingman, and other officers of the Peace of the town of Sherborne in the County of Dorset and also to the Governor or Master of the House of Correction, at Sherborne aforesaid within the said County and likewise to all Governors or masters of all Houses of correction whom it may concern, to receive and convey; and to the Churchwardens, Chapel-wardens, or Overseers of the Poor of the Parish, Place or POrecinct of Helventon in the County of Norfolk or either of them, to receive and obey

Whereas William HUNTER a Vagabond was apprehended in the Town of Dorchester wandering and begging in the same and misordering himself therein, as a Rogue and Vagabond, and brought before me one of his Majesty's Justices of the Peace for this County and upon Examination of the said William HUNTER taken before me upon oath, it doth appear that he is a Rouge and Vagabond within the true intent and meaning of the statute in that case made and provided, and that his last legal settlement is at the Parish of Helventon in the County of Norfolk he serving one William MASON a bricklayer a twelve month and upwards as a current servant and hath not obtained any legal settlement since

These are therefore to require you the said Constable, Headborough, Tythingman, or other Officer of the Peace to convey the said William HUNTER in the next direct way to the House of Correction at Sherborne in the County of Dorset aforesaid and you the said Governor or Master of the said House of Correction to receive the said William HUNTER into your custody and him to convey or cause to be conveyed to the first House of Correction in the next County or Place in the direct way to the said Parish of Helventon in the said County of Norfolk and in like manner every Governor or Master of every House of Correction until he shall arrive at the House of Correction belonging to the County Riding City Borough Town Corporal Divion or Liberty to which the said Parish or place of Helventon doth belong, and the said Master or Governor of the said House of Correction last mentioned to convey and deliver or cause to be conveyed and delivered the said William HUNTER to some Churchwarden, Chapel warden or Overseer of the poor of the siad Parish of Helventon in the said County of Norfolk to be there provided for according to Law; and you the said Churchwardens, Chapplewardens and Overseerers of the poor are hereby required to receive the siad person and provide for him as aforesaid.

Given under my Hand and seal this seventeenth day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Forty.

Seal of William FREKE


Vagrant Pass for William HUNTER Dorset to Wiltshire

Whereas by a Pass by me granted, directed to the Constable of Sherborne in the said County of Dorset requireing the said Constable or other officer to convey William HUNTER a Vagrant (taken up and acting as Vagrant in the Town of Dorchester) and committed to the House of Correction in Sherborne for one month by order of the Court of Quarter Sessions held at Blandford

I do hereby order and direct the said Person to be conveyed to the House of Correction in Fisherton Anger in the County of Wiltshire in his way towards the Parish of Helventon in the County of Norfolk in two days time; for which the said Master of ye House of Correction is to be allowed the sum of seventeen shillings and no more. given under my hand and seal this seventeenth day of February in the year of our Lord 1740/1 -- William FREKE


Received from Robert RING Master of the House of Correction in Sherborne the within named William HUNTER a Vagrant this 18th day of February 1740/1

Received from Edward HOLDAWAY Master of the House of Correction at Fisherton Anger


Dorset Borough of Dorchester - January 1741/2 - April 1742

Reward Form for Apprehension of Mary SMITH

Whereas Mary SMITH a Vagrant was apprehended by William COLE of Dorchester in the County of Dorset wandering and committing Acts of Vagrancy in the Town of Dorchester aforesaid

And the said Mary SMITH having been brought before me one of his Majesties Justices of the Peace for this Borough,

And having been on oath duly convicted of the said offence; And by me committed to the House of Correction inand for the County aforesaid for the same. I do hereby adjudge the said William COLE to be entitled to the sum of Ten Shillings for apprehending the said Vagrant pursuant to the Statute in such case made

And do order and direct the Constables of the Borough of Dorchester to pay forthwith unto the said William COLE the said sum of ten Shillings on his giving receipt for the same

And do hereby further order & direct the Treasurer of the said County of Dorset to repay unto the said Constables the said sum of Ten Shillings on their producing and delivering unto the said Treasurer

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