“The man who, by his own and his family’s labour can provide a sufficiency of food and raiment, and a comfortable dwelling-place, is not a poor man.”
From: Cottage Economy, William Cobbett 1833.
What is Poor?
Adventures of an Imperfect Man In Search of a Handmade Life
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 
Poor is when you are down to three potatoes and a pair of chickens to get you through the week. And something kills and eats the hen.