MDWASHIN-L Archives

Archiver > MDWASHIN > 2003-02 > 1046029324


From: "Sherry DeLung" <>
Subject: [MDWASHIN] RE: [PAADAMS] Out Pensioners
Date: Sun, 23 Feb 2003 14:42:04 -0500
In-Reply-To: <011a01c2dab1$4a963620$0100a8c0@desktop>


Thanks for all of those who tried to help me with finding out what "out
pensioners" meant.

Here is what I found from the Maryland Dept. of Human Resources web
page.

Two methods of poor relief developed in MD. The first was to provide
direct payment of money for support, a method which began in the
colonial period and continues to this day. The second was to house the
poor in a county almshouse, later known as the county home.

"As early as 1650, direct support payments (later called out-pensions)
developed from annuities granted by the county courts to provide for
persons too old, crippled, or young to work".

Persons receiving relief outside of the almshouse were known as
out-pensioners and received an annual pension from the county tax levy.
By 1799, out-pensions were granted to the bedridden and people "whose
peculiar circumstances may render a situation in the poor-house
particularly unsuitable for them" (Chapter 65, Acts of 1799). Annually,
the legislature passed laws authorizing persons to receive a pension.
These laws indicate that many out-pensions went to relatives caring for
orphaned children or lunatic family members.

Hope this helps someone else out there.

Thanks again for the help.
Sherry





This thread: