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Subject: [GenConnecticut-L] Warnings Out
Date: Sun, 9 Jul 2000 22:17:50 EDT


"Warning out." Your New England ancestor was "warned out" of town in the
1650-1817 period. Whatever did that mean? In early New England towns, persons
were not allowed to become inhabitants unless they were accepted by the
Selectmen of the town. Yes, at first, any settlers could purchase land, but
as the town became settled, the Selectmen took care to preserve the integrity
and the public funds of the town. This idea goes back to ancient European
laws where towns were responsible for the support of such of its inhabitants
as became poor and in need of help. The towns were also responsible for the
good conduct of those admitted as inhabitants. By "warning out," towns freed
themselves from the financial burdens of caring for inhabitants in need, or
from those considered undesirable as neighbors. These "warnings out" would
have been recorded on the town books or local court records. Usually, the
names of all members of the family being sent away were mentioned. So beware
of digging into the lives of your "warned out" ancestors. They may have been
needy, or they might have been rascals.

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