In British history, an overseer of the poor was an official who administred poor relief such as money,food and clothing. The position was created by the Elizabethan Poor Law (1601). These officals were often unwilling appointies who were often upaid, they worked under the supervision of the Justice of the Peace. For other senses of this word, see history (disambiguation). ... Acts of 1536, 1572, 1576 and 1597 prescribed relief for the poor on a parish basis. ... A Justice of the Peace (JP) is an inferior magistrate appointed by means of a commission of the peace (mandate) to keep the peace. ...
Sometimes they were sent there even if they had not requested help from the Overseer of the Poor.
Outdoor Relief provided through an Overseer of the Poor: When people fell upon hard times and members of their family, friends or members of their church congregations could not provide enough assistance to tide them over, they made application to an elected local official called the Overseer of the Poor.
Auctioning off the Poor: People who could not support themselves (and their families) were put up for bid at public auction.
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