The "Worthy" Poor

The Idea of a Provident Association: Who Were the "Worthy Poor"?

While reading The History of Jackson County, Missouri (1881), I came across a passage discussing the concept of a Provident Association—an organization formed to aid the "worthy poor."

"The idea of a provident association, for the relief of worthy poor, presented itself again in the fall of 1880, and on the 22d of November such an association was organized, with Col. T. S. Case, President; George H. Nettleton, Vice-President; C. S. Wheeler, Secretary; W. P. Allcut, Treasurer, and F. M. Furgason, Superintendent. During the winter it collected and distributed several thousand dollars and relieved much distress."

This passage made me wonder: how did they determine who was "worthy" of assistance?

Every generation has its share of people in need, as well as those who try to take advantage of charitable efforts. Societal views on poverty, responsibility, and public assistance have always been complicated, shaped by cultural norms and economic conditions. The very phrase "worthy poor" implies that some individuals were deemed more deserving of help than others—an idea that still sparks debate today.

The Provident Association, established in 1880, aimed to organize relief efforts systematically. But how did they decide who qualified for aid? What criteria were used to separate the “worthy” from the “unworthy”? These questions remain relevant, as modern discussions on charity, public welfare, and assistance programs continue to grapple with similar concerns.

It seems that, even over a century later, skepticism about charitable giving persists. We still question motives, evaluate need, and debate the best way to offer help. Some things never change.

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Source:

The History of Jackson County, Missouri: Containing a History of the County, Its Cities, Towns, Etc. Biographical Sketches of Its Citizens, Jackson County in the Late War ... History of Missouri, Map of Jackson County... United States, Ramfre Press, 1881.