Settlement Certificates
Settlement certificates were introduced in 1662 so that if a man was working in a different parish from his home one, there was a guarantee that his home parish would pay for him and his family to return home if he needed poor relief. The Settlement Act was partially repealed in 1834 but some elements of the idea continued into the 20th. Century.
The Norfolk Record Office holds some settlement certificates in relation to Trunch. In 1750 James Beer, a blacksmith and his wife Elizabeth and James Boyer and his wife Elizabeth were all removed from North Elmham to Trunch, while in 1760 and 1772 John Moy, his wife Martha, child Leacock and Thomas Catton, wife Mary and son John were all from Trunch but residing in Lammas. In 1755 James Robkins, his wife Amy and children James, John, Philip, and Christian had a Settlement Certificate in Salhouse from their home parish of Trunch. In 1817 John Pooley was removed from Skeyton to Trunch and in 1841 Philip Storey, a labourer, his wife Sarah and children Elizabeth (10), James (9), William (5), and George (2) were removed from Bradfield to Trunch.
The NRO also has a few Removal Orders, which record when families were escorted back to their home parishes. In 1729 France Kirkpatrick, a widow and her child were removed from Trunch to Erpingham and in 1739 John Rinrose, his wife Amy and child were removed from Trunch to Worstead. And removals back to Trunch were made in 1760 of Elizabeth Wright from Erpingham and in 1851 of Edward Brown (a sick man) from Felmingham.
There are also several mentions in the Workhouse records about paupers in different parishes being supported by Trunch or returned to the village to receive aid here.
The NRO also has a few Removal Orders, which record when families were escorted back to their home parishes. In 1729 France Kirkpatrick, a widow and her child were removed from Trunch to Erpingham and in 1739 John Rinrose, his wife Amy and child were removed from Trunch to Worstead. And removals back to Trunch were made in 1760 of Elizabeth Wright from Erpingham and in 1851 of Edward Brown (a sick man) from Felmingham.
There are also several mentions in the Workhouse records about paupers in different parishes being supported by Trunch or returned to the village to receive aid here.
There was an interesting article in the Times Newspaper in 1817 in relation to paupers being chargeable to the parish. "Reward for the apprehension of David Smith who latterly absconded from the parish of Trunch, leaving a wife and child chargeable to the parish. He was born in Eltham in Kent and is about 24 years of age, 5 feet 8 inches high, has lost the fore finger of his right hand, has dark hair and eyes and is well looking and well made. He is by trade a brazier (worker in brass) and is supposed to be travelling with a company of gypsies. He goes by the name of Young Gypsy, Will or Bill Johnson. Whoever will give information to the Overseer of Trunch so that the said David Smith may be apprehended and brought to justice shall be handsomely rewarded and all reasonable expenses paid. "