2 Gilbert’s Act
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Samantha A. Shave
Abstract
This is the first of two chapters which examine poor law ‘enabling acts’. This chapter considers the importance of Thomas Gilbert’s Act, passed in 1782. Gilbert’s Act was passed with the intention that those parishes adopting it would place the ‘vulnerable’ sections of the poor within a workhouse and allocate employment and distribute outdoor relief to the able-bodied. The Act also intended to promote industry and good morals amongst the poor, allowing parish officers to require them to work within the workhouse and embark on teaching programmes for children. This chapter examines the adoption of the Act in southern England, and then its implementation. As the eighteenth century drew to a close, and the pursuit of more economical modes of relieving the poor became ever more important, the Act was adapted in ways which could have actually contradicted Gilbert’s intentions.
Abstract
This is the first of two chapters which examine poor law ‘enabling acts’. This chapter considers the importance of Thomas Gilbert’s Act, passed in 1782. Gilbert’s Act was passed with the intention that those parishes adopting it would place the ‘vulnerable’ sections of the poor within a workhouse and allocate employment and distribute outdoor relief to the able-bodied. The Act also intended to promote industry and good morals amongst the poor, allowing parish officers to require them to work within the workhouse and embark on teaching programmes for children. This chapter examines the adoption of the Act in southern England, and then its implementation. As the eighteenth century drew to a close, and the pursuit of more economical modes of relieving the poor became ever more important, the Act was adapted in ways which could have actually contradicted Gilbert’s intentions.
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i 1
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of figures viii
- List of tables x
- Acknowledgements xi
- Permissions xiii
- List of abbreviations xiv
- Introduction 1
- 1 A policy process approach to the poor laws 17
- 2 Gilbert’s Act 56
- 3 Restricting relief 111
- 4 Policies from knowledge networks 150
- 5 Policies from scandal 197
- 6 Conclusion 248
- Appendix 268
- Select bibliography 279
- Index 289
Chapters in this book
- Front matter i 1
- Dedication v
- Contents vii
- List of figures viii
- List of tables x
- Acknowledgements xi
- Permissions xiii
- List of abbreviations xiv
- Introduction 1
- 1 A policy process approach to the poor laws 17
- 2 Gilbert’s Act 56
- 3 Restricting relief 111
- 4 Policies from knowledge networks 150
- 5 Policies from scandal 197
- 6 Conclusion 248
- Appendix 268
- Select bibliography 279
- Index 289
