Social Welfare in Colonial America

Social Welfare in Colonial America

Early American settlers brought a religious heritage that emphasized charity and the mutual interdependence of people. They also brought with them the heritage of the Elizabethan Poor Law. America in colonial times was an undeveloped and often hostile land that required early settlers to work hard to survive. The country had no formal government network for providing assistance on any significant basis. Those in need were aided by their neighbors or by members of religious organizations. As the population increased, many colonies passed laws requiring new arrivals to demonstrate their ability to sustain themselves or, in the absence of such ability, locate sponsors who were willing to pledge their support for them. For the most part, transients were “warned out” and returned to their place of residence or back to England (Axinn & Stern, 2004). Times were difficult, the Puritan work ethic was embedded deeply, and little surplus was available to distribute to those in need. The names of habitual paupers were posted routinely at the townhouse in many towns and villages.