Good evening, Katherine. :-) This was similar to our current laws regarding immigration from foreign countries. Basically, we don't want people coming to America and becoming a welfare case. In those days, towns took care of their own. If a stranger came to town, they had to be vouched for by a resident. That resident would also have to guarantee that the person would not become a burden on the town. This could come in the form of lodging and/or putting up a bond. Anyone who allowed a stranger to come into their home, had to report it. I don't know if there was a minimum time limit. Should a person, not of the town, need aid, it was common for the town to actually bill the person's home town. At the same time, the town constable would show up at where ever the person was staying and officially warn them out of town. Warnings out were very common. Here is an example: In the records of the town of Alstead, New Hampshire, is found this:-- State of New Hampshire, Cheshire ss. to Saml. Kidder one of the Constables of Alstead, Greeting: In the name of the Government & people of said state you are hereby Required forthwith to warn Jacob Benton & Hannah his wife, Mabel, Jacob, Reynold, Mary & Samuel Benton, thier chil- dren to Depart out of this Town Immediately & no longer make it the place of their Residence under the pains that will follow. Hereof fail not & make Return of this warrant with your doings thereon as soon as may be. Given under our hands and seal of office this 26th March 1783. [Three signatures of Selectmen] April 7, 1783 Servd. this warrant by reading the same in the hearing of sd persons. Saml. Kidder, Const. There is a book available from Higginson Books titled "Warning Out in New England." It makes for very interesting reading. I have a copy and wiil, if I every have time, transcribe it and put it online. It will make a wonderful adjunct to the vital records project. John & Jodi Massachusetts Vital Records Administrators - http://MA-VitalRecords.org If you find this site of value - http://MA-VitalRecords.org/Donate.html Quoting Katherine Ayers <kayers2@comcast.net>: > When reviewing early Town and vital records for New Braintree, I > came across two entries worded similarly to the following: > "To the Town Clerk of New Braintree: I hereby certify and give > notice that on the (date) I took into my family to reside a young > woman named (name), daughter of (name), from the Town of (name), > State of Vermont. (Signed) (Dated) (Attested by Town Clerk)" > Has anyone else ever seen similar entries in other towns? What > does it mean? Why was it done? One notice was dated Jan. 1791 and > the other Jan. 1793. > Thanks. > Katherine > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > MAWORCES-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message >