This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Classification: Query Message Board URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec/msg/rw/1AC.2ACI/1760.1 Message Board Post: This was an old custom in all Vermont towns. If some one new moved to town that no one knew the town would issue this order through the constable to the new comers. This would relieve the town from having to support the new folks. The new comers did not have to leave but could not ask the towns to provide "welfare type" support. What would happen in those days was, one town would kick out some one who got support from the town and did not get off support. They would go to another town and do the same thing. Because it was up to the town and not the State to provide support the town could go broke. If you stayed in town and did well every one was happy. If you happen to hit hard times as a citizen of that town the town would help. Many people who got help would repay the money they got from the town so others could be helped. I would say from what you wrote that your ancester (s) had just moved into town and got this notice. They probably stayed and became respected citizens.