Person:Charles Wallace (26)

Vol. 2 - David Kean vs. Douthat--O. S. 9; N. S. 3--Sally Wallace testifies 27th November, 1802 that 3 years ago John Davis lived at & had management of the Red Springs in Botetourt (now Monroe) as overseer. She was wife of Charles Wallis in Augusta.

Charles Wallace, his wife Sarah and two daughters Lucy Wallace and Susanna Julian Wallace are mentioned in the will of Judith Price of Staunton, Augusta County, Virginia, written 13 June 1803 and proven 21 April 1806. The relationship with Judith Price, widow of John Price, Cabinet Maker of Augusta County, Virginia [who died in 1797] has not yet been determined.

Some destitute people, like Steven and the Stauntons, and those in counties such as Lancaster and Warwick, received cash payments from the overseers. For most people, however, relief came in the form of poor notes (the equivalent of food stamps) or through in-kind payments of goods and orders to store-owners for goods with the promise of reimbursement. Ostensibly, these methods provided more efficient use of taxpayers’ money and prevented people from squandering their relief. Recipients redeemed poor notes for needed goods with local merchants, who would in turn bill the county through the overseers. Wary of profligate recipients like the Stauntons, the Augusta County overseers modified their relief system so as “to guard against . . . improvidence . . . [We] rarely pay them any money,” they decreed, “but furnish them with articles of first necessity as they are needed which they purchase on the best terms practicable.” In 1807, William Patrick, one of the Augusta County overseers, duly instructed a store-owner named Whealand to “let Charles Wallace have nineteen Dollars out of your Store as it will suit Best to answer his needs in proportions By the month and you shall be paid out of Next years funds.” [1]

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