The following Acts, all (except that for Earsham) for “extinguishing village communities,” i.e., for enclosing all the commonable lands of the parishes or townships, which in each case include commonable arable fields, have special provisions to safeguard the interests of the poor:—
1757, c. 53. Wimeswould, Leicestershire. Cottagers who have no land are to have a share together within one fence, which they may afterwards separately enclose if they like. This is specially interesting as anticipating the modern practice of providing allotments for such cottagers.
1767, c. 49. Carlton in Lindrick, Nottingham. Three acres (out of a total of 2492 acres) are to be set aside for building cottages for the benefit of the poor.
1779, c. 89. Evenley or Bury Manor, Northampton. Lands to the value of £10 per annum (out of £1200) are to be set aside for the most deserving poor not receiving poor-relief.
1785, c. 56. Eight parishes in Wiltshire enclosed by one Act. Not more than ten acres in each parish is to be set aside, free of taxes, for fuel for the poor.
1805, c. 19. Palling, Norfolk. One-twentieth of the whole area is to be vested in the lord of the manor, vicar, and overseers, in trust for the poor, for common of pasture and fuel.
1807, c. 18. Herringswell, Suffolk. An allotment is to be made for fuel for the poor.
1809, c. 7. Barton Turf, Norfolk. Thirty acres is to be reserved for common for the poor.
1810, c. 55. Great Sheepey, Leicestershire. Every cottage to have not less than 3 acres allotted to it.
1812, c. 3. Little Brandon, Norfolk. Ten acres to be set aside for the benefit of the poor, partly to be used as common for fuel, or to be leased to pay for fuel; another part to provide a common pasture for the poor inhabitants; while the remainder (how much? one wonders) was to be leased in aid of the poor-rates.