Papers relating to the relief of poor debtors in Dover Castle Gaol

The bundle includes a copy of the Act, form of bill and order for the payment of the rate, warrant for the payment of rate directed to the churchwardens and overseers and occasional notices from the Register. The accounts cover the period 1814-39 and a few demands for sums required and receipts have been added after 1839 from the miscellaneous vouchers (69).

Provision was made for raising annually £300 within the Cinque Ports for the relief of poor debtors in the gaol of Dover Castle, under the Act 54 Geo. III, c. 97 (1814). Relief was given by order of a justice on application of the keeper or prisoner. The accounts were to be kept by the Register of the Cinque Ports and to be annually approved by the Lord Warden, copies of which were then sent to the ports.