Overseers of the Poor (1872-1929)

Overseers of the Poor reviewed applications for financial, housing and medical assistance from residents in need. Although a locally elected position, Overseers of the Poor reported to the Town Board, which reported to the Suffolk County Superintendent who, in turn, reported to the New York State Board of Charities. Suffolk County established an Almshouse (“Poor House”) around 1870 and a Children’s Home in 1879, both in Yaphank. 

From 1872 to 1892, two Overseers were elected to one-year terms. In 1893, one Overseer was elected to a two-year term and another to a one-year term; in the following years, one Overseer was elected to a two-year term, each year, until 1898. From 1899 to 1928, two Overseers were elected to two-year terms. 

In 1919, elections were moved from April to November, and officials took office the following January. The elected position was eliminated in 1929 with the adoption of the Public Welfare Law of 1929, which created the Department of Social Welfare.

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The first two Overseers of the Poor were Solomon Ketcham, Jr. and Thomas J. Winslow. Solomon Ketcham, Jr., of Amityville, who worked as a carriage maker and insurance broker, had been an Overseer of the Poor under the Town of Huntington. 

Edward Daily, who owned an undertaking business in Babylon, was later elected Town Supervisor. Ellis A. Taylor was later elected Town Clerk. 

Anna Wild was appointed an Overseer of the Poor by the Town Board in 1924, making her the first woman to serve in an elected position, in the Town of Babylon. (Her husband, Charles Wild, died during his 12^th year in the position, and the Town Board appointed Anna Wild to fill the remainder of his term.) Mrs. Wild ran for the position in 1926, making her the first woman elected in the Town of Babylon. In 1930, following adoption of the Public Welfare Law, Anna Wild was appointed a Deputy Welfare Commissioner for the Town of Babylon, by Suffolk County. Anna Wild was the daughter of John and Margaret Feller, of Lindenhurst, who had a brewery on East John Street. Feller’s Pond is named in her family’s honor.

* Previously elected to a non-consecutive term.   ** Re-elected to a non-consecutive term.   † Appointed to fill a vacancy.  ^ Died in office.   ≠ Position eliminated.