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Example of Warning Out

This example was also issued in 1722 but in a small town immediately South of Boston.

Issued to John Coals for he and his family to leave town due to the concern of the citizens
that he could become impoverished and therefore legally binding the town to help support him.

     Bristoll SS
                     To The Constables of The Town of Taunton in The County of
          Bristoll afore sd To Any or Either of Them  Greeting ______
          We the Subscribers Being Informed that There is a Sertain__
person Known by The name of John Coals is Come to Sojourn or dwell in
          sd Taunton and hath Brought his family with him and Sum __
          are afraid that sd Coal or some of his may be be Chargeable to
          to sd town these are therefore in His Majesty's Name to
          Require you sd Constables or Constable forthwith to Warn the
          sd Coals if he may be found Within the Bounds of sd Taunton
          to Remove himself With his family out of the Bounds of
                                                                           as the Law Directs
    this town Within fourteen Days at the furthest ^ and no Longer to
          take up this abode in sd Taunton for if they Do they will
          be Lookt upon as a Intruders and may expect that further __
          Steps of the Law will be Taken with Them and yo are to make
          true and Timely Return of this Warrant and of your Doings
                   unto one of us ye subscribers
          here in ^ herein fail not in the Premises __________________
                                                                                  Selectmen
Dated at Taunton                              James Leonard ) of Acounts to
          the 30th Day of may 1722               Samuel Leonard) above sd
                                                           Morgan Cobb Juner)

Bristoll //
             By virtue of this writ to me I reached on ye first
             day of June 1722 I ye subscriber did warn the above —
             named John Coals to Remove Himself & His family —
             out of ye bounds of Taunton within ye pass of fourteen –
             Days at ye furthest.

Notes:

This example of the formal "Warning to Depart" or Warning Out was the primary way towns had of controling welfare.