Manuscript Group 85, Guide to the Chester Township, New Jersey Overseers of the Poor Records 1799-1826
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Guide to the Chester Township, New Jersey Overseers of the Poor Records 1799-1826 MG 85 52 Park Place Newark, New Jersey 07102 Contact: NJHS Library Phone: (973) 596-8500 x249 Email: library@jerseyhistory.org URL: https://www.jerseyhistory.org © 2005 All rights reserved. The New Jersey Historical Society, Publisher Inventory prepared by Kim Charlton as part of the “Farm to City” project funded by a grant from the National Historical Publications and Records Commission. Finding aid encoded by Julia Telonidis. November 2005. Production of the EAD 2002 version of this finding aid was made possible by a grant from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation. Finding aid written in English.
Biographical NoteEmigrants from Easthampton and Southhold, Long Island settled Chester, New Jersey in 1713. The Township of Chester, however, was established in 1799 and was bounded on the north by Roxbury and Randolph Townships, on the east by Mendham Township, on the west by Washington Township, and on the south by Somerset County. In the 1880s, Chester Township became one of the most important mining districts in New Jersey. Overseers of the Poor were appointed by the town committee and usually met at the township committee meetings where they decided how they would assist the poor of the town through shelter and food. Return to the Table of Contents Scope and Content NoteThis collection contains two volumes of minutes of the Overseers of the Poor of Chester Township, Morris County with sections relating to the Committee of the Township of Chester. The records date from 1799-1826 and are organized in chronological order. They document the dispersal of funds to individuals and families in need, and the collection of state, county, dog and poor taxes. Beneath the minutes of the meetings are accounts that show disbursements for cash assistance, medical attention, housing, food and clothing for families, adults and children including a “Negro Cook.” The accounts also record the “selling of the poor” for lodging and work assistance and claims for the loss of sheep killed by dogs. Overseers include Daniel Horton; Phineas Horton; William Woodhull, Jr.; and others. Return to the Table of Contents
Return to the Table of Contents Related MaterialManuscript Group 159, Randolph Township, New Jersey Township Committee Minute book. Manuscript Group 1024, Livingston, New Jersey Overseers of the Poor Records. Manuscript Group 1034, East Windsor Township, New Jersey Overseers of the Poor Account book. Return to the Table of Contents Administrative InformationPreferred CitationThis collection should be cited as: Manuscript Group 85, Chester Township, New Jersey Overseers of the Poor Records, The New Jersey Historical Society. Acquisition InformationThe source of this collection is unknown. Return to the Table of Contents Container List
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