In the reign of Henry VIII, the dissolution of the monasteries left an acute problem in England which was a method of dealing with vagrants and the poor. A series of acts of Parliament, particularly those in the reign of Elizabeth I (1558-1603), created a system of relief that remained in effect for almost three hundred years. One of these acts, in 1572, required each parish to appoint an Alms Collector, and a Supervisor of Rogues and Vagabonds. These offices were later combined into Overseer of the Poor, who was chosen at a meeting of the parish vestry to administer the Poor Law for the coming year. There could be more than one in a parish, depending upon its population and/or size. The appointment was submitted to the Justices of the Peace for approval and refusal to accept the position could result in a fine. There was no pay, only reimbursement of reasonable expenses as approved by the parish vestry. The position often involved a heavy load of responsibility as well as constant dilemmas generated by the necessity of balancing cost with compassion. The duties included:

Licensing poor people to beg for alms

Collecting rates to cover the costs of relief

Doling out relief to those of the parish who were entitled to receive it

Finding care for illegitimate children and finding the father, so the child was not chargeable to the parish

Appearing from time to time at Quarter Sessions in connection with vagrancy and bastardy cases

Moving along rogues and vagabonds to be sure they did not become chargeable to the parish

Setting to work all those unable to pay for their own necessities, either as parish apprentices to farms or businesses in the parish, or by assignment to the house of correction

Handing in their accounts once each year for evaluation.