1843: To the disgrace of civilization and Christianity, the practice of selling Town Paupers, annually, to the lowest bidder, still prevails in many Towns of our own and the neighboring States. Those unfortunate beings, who have been reduced to poverty, and become unable to maintain themselves, are put up at auction, and the person who will take them at the cheapest rate, – or in other words the person who will work them the hardest, and keep them in the poorest manner, takes them for a year and makes the most he can.
Interesting…I’m sure they were referred to somewhat as indentured servants rather than slaves. Some illegal aliens seem to be similarly employed in modern times.
http://www.massmoments.org/moment.cfm?mid=301
http://www.poorhousestory.com/history.htm
Human Chattel Call
A fascinating post, revolting as it may be. Looking through the links conveys the fact of what a convoluted and cruel species we’ve become. Rather than fix the causes for such inequities, we tinker with the margins, thinking our benevolence has been practiced, and consciences soothed.
The practice extends to this day in many forms, not just illegal immigration. See this in the welfare state, the adjunct faculty sham, medical fraud, CEO vs worker wages, sex workers…So many methods of reward for the privileged and continued dissing of the downtrodden or less advantaged.
This is a Death Culture
Not death just as in the sense of war, although the Christians excel the best at that, but also in conquering and destroying the spirit, the élan, and the freedom of happiness.
When you dramatically subjugate an entire gender for over 2,000 years as the Jukrislims have done, a culture can only expect trouble, unhappiness, deprivation and the disparity of income and power.
“Man is kind enough when he is not excited by religion.” Mark Twain, in ‘A Horse’s Tale’
poor farm
I wish I knew more about the Poor Farm in Brattleboro. I know we voted for one and bought property. I know people were sent there to pay of their debts to ? the town? and that making sure conditions there were good seemed to be important. I know we closed it and sold it later on.
One thing about being poor these days is the enormous amount of extra fees, fines, and costs that poor people endure. Everything costs more. There’s usually not enough money to buy in bulk to save per unit costs. Missed payments lead to extra fees and fines, which leads to more missed payments. Bank balances are low, so the likelihood of crossing some threshold that triggers another fee is higher.
Poor people aren’t invited to as many catered functions. Poverty can lead to depression. There are often medical issues that are associated with poverty, making it harder to earn a living and get things done. Medical issues can cause one to lose their job or home.
Lose your job and home and climbing back is near impossible. You need an address to get most jobs and qualify for the assistance you’d need. Poorer people spend more time waiting.
A guaranteed minimum income would go a long way toward making things better for a lot of people.
Paucity of Pauper Talk
Great. A conversation about poor people. The best part is when well-heeled people blame poor people for being poor. And whose voice is important to listen to: who gets to tell the stories? It seems that some coiny voices are deemed to have truer stories than those who do not speak with silver tongues.
adding to the story
1848: The economy of a well managed Town Farm for the support of the poor, has been fully proved by the results of the experiment in this town.
adding to the info
Mar 23
1888: Mr. Herrick will sell the town farm at Auction April 10.
Mar 24
1837: The Selectmen of this town, we learn, have purchased of Mr. Arad Stockwell, his farm, containing about 140 acres, for the residence of the Poor. Price of the farm provided it contains 140 acres, $2990 — if more or less, same proportion.
April 20
Adding to what we know…
1888: Mr. Herrick has not yet decided on a farm for the town, though two or three are under favorable consideration. If necessary the four charges at the present farm will be boarded for a few weeks. They can be well cared for at West Brattleboro for $12 a week.
and some more
1950: Town Farm at Bonnyvale Rd near Mather Rd personal property auctioned off, signaling end of the era of the theoretically self-sustaining poor farm.
Poor Farm Transmutes
That would most likely be the Hayes Court address, now Brattleboro Housing Partnerships–the new poor farm.