Overseers of the poor were often reluctant appointees who were unpaid, working under the supervision of a justice of the peace.
The law required two overseers to be elected every Easter, and churchwardens or landowners were often selected.
The new system of poor relief reinforced a sense of social hierarchy and provided a way of controlling the 'lower orders'.
[3] Effective October 1, 1968, Vermont abolished the post of overseer of the poor,[4] and the state took over welfare.
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