County of Merrimack v. Derry

There is no obligation at common law upon the State or any of the instrumentalities of government to furnish relief to the poor. Manchester v. Hillsborough, 100 N. H. 79, *21381; St. Johnsbury v. Granby, 124 Vt. 367, 369; 41 Am. Jur., Poor and Poor Laws, s. 35, p. 707. The whole matter is purely statutory and where the statute imposes no liability, there is none. Worcester v. Charlton, 336 Mass. 525. However “provision for relief and support at public expense of persons unable to support themselves has long been a part of our statutory law.” Wolfeboro v. Milton, 103 N. H. 174, 175. “The ultimate…