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<p n="2918">January 1795</p>
<p n="2919">We whose Names are hereunder written the Church<lb></lb>
Warden Overseers of the poor and other Inhabitants of the<lb></lb>
<rs type="placeName" id="LMSMGO55610_geo2411">Hamlet of Ratcliffe</rs>
<interp inst="LMSMGO55610_geo2411" type="placeName" value="Hamlet of Ratcliffe"></interp>
<interp inst="LMSMGO55610_geo2411" type="type" value="undefined"></interp>
in the Parish of Saint Dunstan Stepney &<lb></lb>
<rs type="placeName" id="LMSMGO55610_geo2412">County of Middlesex</rs>
<interp inst="LMSMGO55610_geo2412" type="placeName" value="County of Middlesex"></interp>
<interp inst="LMSMGO55610_geo2412" type="type" value="undefined"></interp>
beg leave to represent to you that by an<lb></lb>
Inspection of the Poor Rate Books of the abovementioned Hamlet<lb></lb>
it appears that nearly one half of the Dwelling Houses and other<lb></lb>
Buildings hitherto assessed to the said Rate have been destroyed.<lb></lb>
by the dreadful Fire which happened in July last and that the<lb></lb>
Houses so destroyed were Inhabited by Persons who formed the<lb></lb>
Principal trading part of the Hamlet - Permit us to add<lb></lb>
that a similar Calamity occurred on Friday last in the said<lb></lb>
Hamlet which tho' but trifling in its consequences to that alluded <lb></lb>
to above will under our present situation be an additional<lb></lb>
burthen We beg leave also to observe that the greater number of<lb></lb>
the remaining Inhabitants are of a description not able to bear the<lb></lb>
least possible increase of the Taxes already imposed upon them<lb></lb>
Yet in consequence of the first calamity the number of those who<lb></lb>
require Parochial assistance has been greatly augmented the<lb></lb>
present Winter, and We have every reason to belive that We<lb></lb>
shall still have a much greater influx of poor: The certain<lb></lb>
consequence will be that great numbers of Persons at present<lb></lb>
resident within the Hamlet. (who have no immediate connection<lb></lb>
with the Trade thereof) will withdraw themselves and remove to<lb></lb>
places less burthened: and thus as the Rates increase will the<lb></lb>
means and ability of paying them decrease: - Permit Us<lb></lb>
lastly to add, that We cannot help thinking but that the<lb></lb>
<rs type="occupation" id="LMSMGO55610_occ1254">Tradesmen</rs>
<interp inst="LMSMGO55610_occ1254" type="occupation" value="Tradesmen"></interp>
who are at Present left may be justly included<lb></lb>
among the Sufferers by the late Fire: We take the liberty of<lb></lb>
submitting to your humane consideration this brief Account of the<lb></lb>
present and future probable state of the Hamlet unless some<lb></lb>
relief be extended to it, under the flattering impression that.</p>
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