"The poor in England and Wales lived under the Shadow of the Settlement Laws from the middle of the seventeenth century, until the end of the Old Poor Law in 1834. The administration of these settlement laws through the Justices of the Peace, the Churchwardens and the Overseers of each parish generated a great many documents, substantial numbers of which have survived to our own day. The main records for the study of the Old Poor Law are the Overseers’ accounts of receipts and disbursements. These include many references to monies disbursed in the administration of the laws of settlement. But these are by no means the only records available. Of great importance to the local, economic, social and family historians, not least because of the detailed information they contain about individual cases, are the many orders, examinations and certificates, which were prepared by the Justices and Parish Officers. Approximately 6000 of these have survived in Berkshire.

Besides administering the laws of settlement, these same Justices and Parish Officers dealt with a variety of other matters under the various Poor Acts, producing documents such as apprenticeship indentures, bastardy allegations, examinations and bonds and militia documents. Altogether some 4000 of these documents survive in Berkshire."

"The Overseers Project first began shortly after the formation of the BFHS in 1975 and was revived in 1991 as a joint BRO/BFHS venture. It was decided to present the work in the form of a calendar of abbreviated transcript of all the documents, together with comprehensive indices. Because of the size of the task, the completed calendar was to be issued in a number of volumes arranged by post 1834 Poor Law Unions. "

The Project is now complete, and a CD of Overseers Papers is available through the Berkshire Family History Society website

Volumes 1-25 of the original published details were checked for LOVELOCK interests at the Australian Society of Genealogists by Robert Sterry. The following extractions demonstrate the considerable detail available in those volumes with particular reference to LOVELOCK research. All references to LOVELOCKs are included below but the text may be summarised where it does not add significant additional information or further demonstrate the scope of the material available. The material is grouped under parishes.

Abbreviations Used
OS = Overseer(s) of the Poor
CW = Church Warden(s)
WT = Witness(es)
JP = Justice(es) of the Peace
RO = Removal Order(s)
SC = Settlement Certificate
h = hired
svd = served; svt = servant
+ = signed document
* = made his mark
ack = acknowledging
l.sett = legal settlement
c = about
m = married
b = born
par = parish
d/d = dated
appr = apprenticed
Mmas = Michaelmas

Bucklebury

Bill addressed to Mr LOVELOCK OS of Bucklebury re counselling and advising on the settlement of James KIMBER and William KIMBER and their respective wives. Attending the paupers and Mrs SANDFORD their mother. George HAZELL and Charles HAZELL request suspension of application for RO pending vestry minutes at Midgeham .. which refused to accept the paupers without an order. Attending Mr John BUNCE with whom William KIMBER had lived 2 yr to ascertain in what name the pauper had been h by him .. but he could not recall. Attended Mr Robert SKINNER, whom the pauper had served in the name of William KIMBER. Attended Mr TRUMPLETT with whom the pauper had svd .. but he had no recollection .. but promised to examine his books. Mr William LOVELOCK with whom the pauper had lived for some yrs .. no recollection of name. Mr Job LOUSLEY stated that pauper had been h in the name of William SANDFORD. Items date from 9th March 1843 to 3rd August 1843. Cost £50.17.10d and receipt for same from Robert F GRAHAM.

Tilehurst

19 Nov 1711 From Borough of Newbury, Berks CW Edward LOVELOCK? + Robert NALDOR + and OS Wm TOWNSEND + Thomas TUCK + with WT John HORE + and John GRAY + to Tilehurst ack l.sett of Thomas KNIGHT his wife and children JP John Gray Mayor + and John GYLES

Easthampstead

21 Jan 1726 FRom Aldermaston, Berks CW Nicholas PAYCE (+ PAIS) and John LOVELOCK + OS Henry SIMS + and Benjamin PROUD + with WT John LONG Jun + and William LOVELOCK + to Easthampstead ack. l.sett of James VARE, Hester his wife and James their child JP Rich Begg + and REginald FELLOW +

Shinfield

3 Dec 1794 Note from CW and OS of Dummer to Shinfield ack Hannah LOVELOCK as a Parishioner of Dummer OS and CW Rich DEAR + WT J PERRY + Receipt of note from Jno LOVELOCK ack by P BODY + and witnessed on reverse by Ann ENGELFIELD + on 3 December

Shinfield

21 Oct 1794 John LOVELOCK and Hannah his daughter aged c12 1/2 from Shinfield to Dummer, Co of Southampton JP R A NEVILLE + and Richard PALMER +

Sonning

Document relates to the Militia. List of persons between 18 and 45 years dwelling in the parish of Sonning.
James LOVELOCK 34 Servant

Chieveley

24 Mar 1748 Bond of William POVEY + labourer, of Shaw, now living at Speen and his father, John POVEY + yeoman, of Elcott, Kintbury, bound in the sum of £40 to CW John KNIGHT and Thomas HILL OS Francis STEPTOE and Gabriel LOVELOCK for maintenance of a child expected by Sarah WELLS singlewoman of Chieveley, of whom William POVEY is judged, following examination by JP Sir John RUSH, Knight, to be the father WT William HASELL * and Chas HAYNE +

27 Sep 1787 Bond of Frederick COWSLAD + Esquire of Donnington, Shaw, and Thomas LOVELOCK + yeoman, of Shaw, bound in the sum of £40 to CW Roger KNIGHT and Joseph ILSLEY OS John BURGESS and John KIMBER for maintenance of a child expected by Ann MASKALL of Chieveley singlewoman adjudged to be fathered by Clement POCOCK, labourer of Donnington, following exam by JP Brackley KENNETT DD WT Geo Gray + and Josh WILLIS +

Woolhampton

26 Dec 1711 SC from Borough of Newbury, Berks CW Robert NALDER + and Edward LOVELOCKE + OS Anthony COOKE + and Thomas TUCK + with (no witnesses) to Woolhampton ack l.sett of William DUCKETT JP John Gray Mayor + and John GYLES +

Thatcham

5 Jan 1835 Exam of George WHALE * Vestry Exam WT Wm HARRIS + He is aged 28yr and was m 5yr ago last Witsuntide and has two children. He was b in Shaw par but father was a parishioner of Greenham, which par still relieves his mother, though resident in Shaw. About 14-15 yr ago either some time before or on Mmas Day (for he remembers that when he wanted to come away on Mmas Day his mother told him she had h him to stop again) he was h to Mr James LOVELOCK of Red Farm, Shaw as shepherd's boy at 3/- wkly and 10/- at Mmas. Svd till next Mmas. A day or two before this Mmas Day (George WHALE) went down to Mr FIDLER at Shaw Field and was h as carter boy at 4/6d and 30/-. Svd the yr to Mmas following and was paid off, but 2/- or 2/6d was stopped in order to prevent his gaining a legal settlement. Has not been hired anywhere for a yr before Mmas since the above. Wkd from a child at Mr Jas LOVELOCK's but never was h until the period above stated.

16 Sep 1719 SC from Newbury, Berks CW Samll SLOCOCK + and Wm RUSSELL + OS Nath PIERCE + and Jas MERRIMAN + with WT Jonathan FARRON + and William FARRON + to Thatcham ack l.sett of Martha MUNDY JP Edward LOVELOCK Mayor + and Thos STOCKWELL +

8 Feb 1821 Edward FORD, Mary his wife and Thomas their son aged c1 1/4yr from Thatcham to Kintbury JP Ar J CROFT + and R O SLOPER + Endorsed: Executed 10 Febr by Gabl MACHIN Delivered to Mr LOVELOCK, OS for Kintbury

Aldermaston

20 Jan 1767 SC from Silchester, Co of Southton OS and CW John BYE + William WEARHAM + and John LOVELOCK + with WT Abraham GOOD * and Saml VERRY + to Aldermaston ack l.sett of John CLARRAGE and Sarah his wife with dau Hannah aged c6wk JP Chris GRIFFITH + and Bern BROCAS + Endorsed Jno CLARRIDGE'S SATIVACOTT

26 Mar 1733 SC from Brimpton CW & OS Thomas PILGRIM * John LODER * and Benjamin BUTTON + with WT John WATTS + and John ADAMS + to Aldermaston ack l.sett of Joseph LOVELOCK JP Rich POTENGER + and Clemt KENT +

c. Apr 1763 Catherine LOVELOCK's goods not to be returned whilst par keep any of her children

Wantage

5 May 1713 from Newbury Berks CW Edward LOVELOCK + and Jos HEAD + OS James OSGOOD + and Thomas FORD? + with WT Richd GOLDBURN + and Will ADMAN + to Wantage ack l.sett of Michael HARRIS, wife Mary and family JP John HORE + and Robert NALDER Mayor +

Reading St Mary

3 Oct 1739 Exam of John LOVELOCK before JP Richard RICHARDS + Gent and Major he was b in Burghfield Berks and c6 yr ago he was h for a yr to Thomas James of Woodcott in Par of South Stoke, Oxon, yeoman, with whom he lived as a svt for the space of two years. He has gained no l.sett since his service at Stoke.

23 Dec 1704 From Newbury, Berks OS Edward LOVELOCK + and Robert NALDER + CW Abraham STOCKWELL + and Tho WRIGHT + with WT Edmond COOPER + and Richard WHITLE + to Reading St Mary ack l.sett of Isaac COOPER JP Tho STOCKWELL Mayor + and John GYLES Justice +

29 Jan 1704 From Newbury Berks OS Edward LOVELOCK + and Robert NALDER + CW Edward STEWART + snd Tho WRIGHT + with WT Edmond PAINTER + and Robert GRAY + to Reading ack. l.sett of John HERBERT JP Tho STOCKWELL Mayor + and John GYLES Justice +

24 Oct 1716 From Burghfield, Berks OS & CW John KENT + and Richard MAN + and Peter BAKER * and William TIGGELL + with WT Richard LOVLOCK * and John HALL * to Reading St Mary ack. l.sett of Thomas ADAMS and his wife Elizabeth JP Anth BLAGRAVE + and Geo BLAGRAVE + on 17 Nov 1716.

26 Oct 1743 FRom South Stoke, Oxon OS Mary HIGGS, widow + and Thomas JAMES * CW Jonathan BAILEY (+ BAYLEY) and William LEWIS + with WT William CRETCHFIELD (+ CRICHFIELD) and William ROGERS + to Reading St Mary ack l.sett of John LOVELOCK, Elizabeth his wife and their three children John, Lucy and Darkis JP Phil POWYS + and John WALLIS +

Hungerford

7 Dec 1707 FRom Kintbury CW Bartholomew LOVELOCK + and William WATSON OS Thomas FAITHFULL + and John PASSONE + with WT John SHEPPARD + and Geo ELY + ack l.sett of John SMITH and his family JP Robt BERTIE + and John WIGHTEICKE +

30 Oct 1765 Exam of John LOVELOCK * labourer before JP J HIPPISLEY + and Tho GARRARD + that he was b at Henwick in Thatcham and c40yr ago he svd farmer Nathaniel TEMPLETON in Kintbury for 7yr No other l.sett gained since John LOVELOCK has a wife Mary and a child Hannah aged 13yr.

22 Apr 1772 from Kintbury, Berks CW William SPEARING + OS Nat Alexander + Thos PALMER + and Wm LOVELOCK + with WT Roger RANDALL + and William DYER + to Hungerford ack l.sett of John GODFREY and Rebecca his wife JP Fra CONGREVE + and Thos WYLD +

18 Dec 1812 Copy exam of George STURGES * labourer of Whitchurch, Hants before JP Clement COTTRELL and T H George LEFROY that about Whitsuntide 1798 he h himself to Mrs LOVELOCK of Hungerford Newtown, Berks as Carter till Mmas ensuing when he again h himself until Mmas 1799 and again till Mmas 1800 Since that time has never lived a yr in any service or done any act to gain l.sett. George STURGES has a wife Sarah daughter Eliza aged 4yr and son James aged 1 1/2yr and his wife now big again. Endorsed John STURGESS.

Undated notes for exam of Joseph NEWBURY of Hungerford, labourer b Hungerford Newtown, where his father resided and was settled. Joseph NEWBURY was h by his father to Mr LOVELOCK of Avington to drive plows .. he lived and slept at the farm house at Radley in Avington parish .. afterwards h to .. Mrs LOVELOCK at Newtown.

24 Apr 1753 Bond of Thos WHELER + Taylor of Hungerford and Richard WHEELER (+ WHELER) yeoman of Easton, Wilts, in sum £40 bound to CW Thomas WOODROFFE glazier and William PALMER yeoman and OS Henry Burton ELLIS, Anthony WOODROFFE, Edward LOVELOCK and Nathaniel GIFFORD of Hungerford the condition being that Thomas and Richard WHEELER will indemnify Hungerford against any costs arising should at any time Thomas WHEELER and/or his family be removed from Clatford, Hamps. WT Hen Clark + and Thos YOUNG +

29 Mar 1754 Bond of William FIDLER * svt to Thomas PIPER of Tangley, Co of Southampton, husbandman, Mary FIDLER * of Titcomb, Wilts, widow, and Thomas FIDLER * now svt to Thomas DYER of Upton, Co of Southampton, husbandman, in sum of £20 bound to OS & CW Edward LOVELOCK, Thomas WOODROFFE, John PEARCE, James SHIPTON and Henry ELLIS of Hungerford. The above bound agree to pay all costs for the birth, maintenance, education and raising of such child or children to be born to Elizabeth BROWN, singlewoman of Hungerford who has sworn she is pregnant to William FIDLER WT Joseph PERCY + and Tho SHIPTON +

30 Apr 1762 Elizabeth LOVELOCK singlewoman from Kintbury to Hungerford JP J HIPPISLEY + and Tho GARRARD +

30 Oct 1765 John LOVELOCK, labourer, Mary his wife and Hannah their dau aged c13yr from Hungerford to Kintbury JP J HIPPISLEY + and Tho GARRARD +

24 Mar 1764 Bond of Edward Braithwaite (+ Brathwait), cordwainer, of Chilton Foliat, Wilts and Thomas Braithwaite * labourer of Mildenhall, Wilts (father of Edward) bound in the sum of £40 to CW & OS James SHIPTON, Gentleman, John PEARCE, yeoman, John WESTBURY, shopkeeper, William MILLER, yeoman, Edward LOVELAKE, yeoman and Stephen PEARCE, yeoman of Hungerford to save the Parish harmless against the cost of maintenance, education etc of a male bastard child born in Hungerford on or about 10th December last to Elizabeth BROWN, singlewoman ..

10 Mar 1764 Bond of Richard CLARKE the younger * labourer of Hungerford Bound in the sum of £40 to OS & CW James SHIPTON, Gentleman, John PEARCE, yeoman, John WESTBURY, shopkeeper, William MILLER, Edward LOVELAKE and Stephen PEARCE, the last three being yeoman of Hungerford to dave parish costs for maintenance etc of a child likely to be born bastard to Jane AYERS of Hungerford, singlewoman .. sworw she was pregnant and that Richard CLARKE was the father. He is in custody and has agreed to pay the costs so far ..

6 Aug 1740 CW & OS Edward LOVELOCK. Bond for maintenance of bastard child.

28 Oct 1752 OS Edward LOVELOCK. Bond for maintenance of bastard child.

28 Oct 1765 John LOVELOCK listed to be aprehended, alleged to have intruded into parish of Hungerford without settlement or certificate. Later examined.

12 Oct 1819 Warrent to Henry CLEMENTS of Hiungerford at Berkshire Constables to apprehend William HAYNES alias HAYES alias HARRIS alias MEATH labourer of Ramsbury to anser for disobeying a Filiation Order d/d 2 January 1817 .. made for the maintenance of Maria LOVELOCK's female bastard child JP Fulwar CRAVEN OS Mary PEARCE Endorsed Order to be executed in Wilts.

10 Mar 1707 Henry WRENN a poor child of the parish appr until age of 21 by CW Stephen PEARSE and William NEW OS Thomas LOVELOCK and John WEBB to Joseph FOSTER cordwainer of Newbury WT Jonat KNACKSTON and John KNOWLS JP Robt BERTIE and John WIGHTWICKE

2 Apr 1713 CW Thomas LOVELOCKE. Joseph PEARSE appr for 7 yr to John WINKWORTH, shoemaker.

5 May 1713 CW Thomas LOVELOCKE. Joseph NALDER appr for 5 yr to John PAINTER, cordwainer

6 Apr 1713 CW Thomas LOVELOCK. Bond for maintenance costs of Wm and Eliz BLUNDY