Lake County Ohio GenWeb

Warnings Out in Mentor Township, 1824-1842

              Overseers of the Poor were assigned to determine which families were not able to support themselves in a manner preventing them from needing assistance from the township. Each township was responsible for the welfare of its residents. When people were likely to need welfare, it was costly. Therefore, the overseers reported these families to the trustees and the constable was requested to "Warn them out" or deliver the warrant to leave the township. This was most often for new residents who did not find work, and those who were causing problems. It appears this may actually have been a formality for newcomers to the township to prevent having to pay welfare or to prevent residency, a sort of probationary period of a year before they could attain residency. The names below are taken from the "Mentor Township Trustees" 1824-1842. The original tall narrow book is at the Lake County Historical Society. It is also on FHL Film 877763 Item 5. The items in [square brackets] are this editor's comments. This work was done in haste and was not proofread. It is possible that there are a few entries missing. Should anyone wish to proofread it with the original, please contact the webmaster.

Abstracted by Cynthia Turk. This is intended to direct you to the original record, as mistakes and omissions are possible.  

The following is on the first page of the book (some pages are likely missing). It is typical of the entries.

Return of Warrant by Stephen Scherman, Constable
State of Ohio
Geauga County To Stephen Sherman
Constable of Mentor township Greeting
Whereas Francis Billette and Lyman Smith persons residing in Mentor township and who have not gained A legal settlement therein are likely to become A township charge you are therefore commanded to warn the said Francis Billette and Lyman Smith forthwith to depart from said township here of fail not. Given under our hands this 3rd day of May AD 1824
Orris Clapp }   Overseers of
Abel Russell}     the poor

The following are the Warnings Out: