from
Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)
OVERSEERS OF THE POOR. Persons appointed or elected to take care of the poor
with moneys furnished to them by the public authority.
2. The duties of these officers are regulated by local statutes. In
general the overseers are bound to perform those duties, and the neglect of
them will subject them to an indictment. Vide 1 Bl. Com. 360; 16 Vin. Ab.
150; 1 Mass. 459; 3 Mass. 436; 1 Penning. R. 6, 136; Com. Dig. Justices of
the Peace, B. 63, 64, 65.