John Hancock, Governor of Massachusetts, Orders Payment to the City of Boston for Expenses Supporting the Poor of the City

In March of 1790, the government of the United States was less than a year old and the Revolution just seven years in the past. American states and cities however had begun to resume their services to their citizens. This included relief for the poor.

An estimated ten thousand individuals were assisted by the Overseers to the Poor in the second half of the eighteenth century in Boston. A substantial number, perhaps as much as half, were assisted “out of doors,” that is, at home, mostly as occasional recipients of temporary and partial relief. Those who received outdoor relief experienced a personal and often repeated contact with the Overseers, one that helped define the ethos of poor relief in the eighteenth century. The hardships of those on outdoor relief paled in comparison to the needs and suffering of those whose circumstances drove them to the Almshouse. The Almshouse was a refuge for the truly homeless, the ill, and the involuntarily idle. Rainsford island was a quarantine location, also serving as an inoculation location for small pox.

Here John Hancock, Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, orders that funds from the state be used mainly to recompense Boston for its outlay helping the poor outside the Almshouse. Document signed, Boston, March 10, 1790. “By his Excellency the Governor. You are by and with the advice & consent of Council ordered and directed to pay unto the Selectmen of the Town of Boston One hundred & ninety two pounds two Shillings and 5 pence in full for the supporting sundry State Poor not in the Almshouse and all other services done for the Commonwealth excepting their Visitations to Rainsford’s Island to the 14 of Jan. 1789. Also 450 for the use of the Granary & laboratory while in the improvement of this Commonwealth – both which Sums amount to the Sum of 642 pounds 2 shillings and 5 pence. The sum of 450 pounds is to be charged to the United States agreeable to a Resolve of the 9th Inst. for which this shall be your sufficient Warrant. Given under my hand at Boston the 10 Day of March 1790 in the 14 Year of American Independence. John Hancock.”

Rainsford island was a quarantine location, also serving as an inoculation location for small pox. The Granary was a historic cemetery.

On the verso, Joseph Russell, Treasurer of Boston, acknowledges receipt of 192.2.5 pounds on August 26, 1790, and then 450 pounds on August 31, 1790. Thus bringing the total to 642.2.5 pounds pursuant to Hancock’s order.