Wenhaston and Bulcamp.• By the late-J. D. Clare, M.A. (Vicar).
(Elliot Stock. 2s. 6d.)—Wenhaston,. besides the matters of interest which may be said to be common to all parishes, is notable for two things,—the possession of an ancient panel-painting of the Last Judgment, long built up in the church wall, and some curious records of the working of the old Poor Law. Among its abuses was the practice of getting rid of female paupers by bribing men to marry them. In 1761 "Mr. Banks" was paid six shillings "for marrying H. Hall?' The price soon rose. In 17691 " taking Richard—and marrying him" cost £4 9s. 4d., and in 1765 the same for Daniel, £3 14s. lid. In 1765 the building of a House of Industry caused riots ; the same thing happened in 1835, when the new order of things had been in existence for some time. Any one who will look back to the, Times during the "thirties" will find violent abuse of the new Poor Law. Suffolk labourers expressed these sentiments in their own way. Some pre-Reformation wills are given, with the customary bequests for spiritual purposes. One testator leaves in this way .210 in money, three and a half quarters of wheat, and five quarters of malt. What his whole property may have been we do not know, but his legacy to a younger son was £10.
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