What kinds of details can be gleaned from reading the minutes? What stands out most are the references to death. If you are wondering why an ancestor just disappeared without a trace, it may be that they were quite poor when they died. There are many references to purchases of shrouds and coffins. You may learn that some of your ancestors had physical or mental challenges. You might find evidence of relationships when families were involved in caring for related paupers and when more than one family member came to be reliant on relief. There are also some references to those who did business with the poor house. It was, after all, a working farm with some income arising from its operations. In Guilford County, it also acted as a kind of bank; monies were lent out to prominent individuals at the wardens’ discretion for safekeeping and to accrue interest until they were needed. We also find references to fines collected for profane swearing, Sabbath-breaking and bastardy. Those proceeds were ear-marked for poor relief. Often specific women are named as having borne illegitimate children.