Yes, I agree it would be good to be a fly on the wall. I'm surprised someone hasn't produced an 'app' yet that we could download to transport us back in time.
That makes very interesting reading. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall during the discussions about our poor ancestors. I wonder how large the `loaves` were which were allocated to the needy.
I have not got my head around the `sun` just yet. I have mowed the lawn and staked the daffodils because the wind keeps flattening them. Brother Derek from Witney is coming to stay next week for a few days, so it will be catch-up time on Combe and Witney news.
I have been browsing through the Collection of Records from the Parishes of the Woodstock Poor Law Union and Workhouse covering 1835-1840 (one the the many brilliant Oxfordshire Blacksheep Publications) and have come across several Oliver's:
18 September 1838 - The clerk to write to the clerk of Chipping Norton Union to say that Margaret Oliver belonging to Stonesfield in this Union but living in Finstock in their Union, has a large family of small children who are ill with fever and to request the Board of Guardians to direct their Relieving Officer to attend to their case and report when well and the Parish of Stonesfield will repay the expenses of maintenance.
30 June 1840 - The following relief to be discontinued under the new rules of the Poor Law Commissioners after the present week - Margaret Oliver and family residing at Finstock.
I think this may be my Gt Gt Gt Grandmother. Her husband, James Oliver, died in 1836 and in 1838 she had 7 children.
19 July 1836- Martha Oliver, aged 40, widow with 8 children from Stonesfield. Her husband died last thursday. She is a gloveress earning 1s. per week and 1 child earns 2s. per week. Asks for relief for her family. Allowed 2s. and 9 loaves.
2 August 1836 - Martha Oliver of Stonesfield. Repeats her application for more relief. Receives 2s. and 9 loaves, which is not enough to support her family. Allowed 6d. extra.
22 February 1842- Ordered that the overseers of Stonesfield proceed against Henry Oliver for leaving his wife chargeable to Stonesfield.
I wonder what the story was behind this! Who was Henry's wife and what was the reason for leaving her? Maybe he had to move away to find work.
27 December 1842 - Ordered that the Clerk write to the Clerk to the Guardians of Clerkenwell Union to say the parish of Stonesfield will accept Eliza Oliver and family
Another intriguing entry.
28 November 1843 - Ordered that the Clerk write to the Chipping Norton Union to say the Woodstock Board sanction the relief afforded to Thomas Oliver and wife belonging to Stonesfield, but residing in Finstock in their Union
A fantastic peek into our ancestors past. What will current records say about us to our descendants in 100+ years time?
Bye for now from a very wet and windy Oxfordshire - Linda
