"There were several important functions of the Parishes in the early days of NB, most (if not all) of which have fallen by the wayside.
TAXES: The parishes levied (or at least kept track of) taxes.
See Tax listing for Burton
Parish on the New Brunswick's Past site. Taxes up until at least the
1950, could be paid by spending a given number of hours - per dollar value,
working on Parish Roads in lieu of cash.
This probably changed when the government consolidated in 1960's.
COUNCILORS: I had an Uncle who was a parish councilor. Not sure if this meant he was a parish rep for the County Board, or if it was something more local.
PAUPERS: You will note on old census records individuals designated
paupers.These were
persons without means of support that were supported by the Parishes,
when no Poor
Houses existed. They were "sold" to the lowest bidder. That is the
families that housed them did so for the lowest charge to the Parishes.
There are a couple of items from St Andrews, about charges to the parish regarding the care of the poor.
Also, I believe that way back, the fence viewers and hog revees were parish employees.
BIRTHS: As late as 1935 birth certificates were registered and
issued from sub-district
offices for Parishes. Mine was issues for the Parish of Lancaster,
Saint John County. When the services changed in the 1960's I had to have
a new one issued with the standard County designation on it.
The Justices of the Peace were Parish officials, and took care of whatever they could on the local level. Their power was greatly reduced by the mid-1800's, but previous to that they were able to handle a lot of minor legal problem.
I have probably not covered all of the powers vested in the Parishes, and may not have everything 100 percent accurate, as this is more for observation than any text I have found on the subject.
/s/ Cleadie Barnett
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