Since publishing the first Watchfield Chronicle in 2009, I have continued to search for and collate further information concerning the history of the village. During my many visits to the Berkshire Record Office I was very aware of the existence of the Watchfield Parish Records consisting of the Vestry Meeting's Minutes and the Overseers of the Poor’s Accounts. To prevent any further damage by handling, the original documents have been microfilmed. This is very convenient in that they can be viewed on screen and also photocopied. Upon looking at the documents some years ago, they appeared overwhelming to say the least, there being so many of them. They are written in the hands of numerous people from the latter part of the 17th century to the early part of the 19th century, and at first view, some appear undecipherable. However, in recent years I have considered the challenge and have made a general study of them.
It will be necessary at this point to give the reader an idea of why the documents were written and what useful purpose they served for the inhabitants of Watchfield. Moreover, we can look at what information they might give us for the purpose of this book and historical significance.
For many centuries it was common practice for the Householders or Rate Payers or, ‘Neighbours’ as they are sometimes referred, to hold regular meetings in the part of the church known as the Vestry. Over time these meetings became known as Vestry Meetings or simply ‘Vestries.’ They could be held at a frequency to suit whatever circumstances prevailed at the time. In the case of Watchfield the records that have survived in the 1690s show that they endeavoured to meet monthly. But throughout the 18th century they appeared to have met according to the circumstances of the parish at the time. At a Vestry dated 1 May, 1796 it was agreed that, ‘we whose names are under written will meet at the house of Mr Carter to hold a Vestry the first Sunday in every month in the year ensuing at 4 o’clock in the afternoon.’
Under the relief of the Poor Act of 1597, parishes were legally obliged to elect Overseers of the Poor. The Overseers were elected annually in Watchfield. Two would be chosen; one to serve as the actual Overseer and the other to act as Sidesman, or Assistant/Trainee. The Sidesman would then be elected the following year as Overseer. The Overseer would report to the Vestry about whom he considered to be in need in whatever form that might be. In order to meet that demand the money would be raised by a levy on the Rate Payers at so many pence in the pound. The Rate Payers were local inhabitants of substance, such as Land Owners, Farmers, Gentlemen. Each property that they owned would be given a value based on the rental value for one year. The Vestry could, for instance, declare a 2d (pence) tax in the pound. If a Rate Payer had been assessed at £3, then the Overseer could expect to collect 6d from him. This could happen up to four times per annum. Below is an example of a Watchfield rates listing.
Discovered within the Accounts of Henry Gerring and Tharp Stevens, Overseers of the Poor for the year 1755.
Received on a Tax (3d) in the pound as follows:-
£. S. D Total
Of Mr Blagrave 0.14.7½
For Jenners 0.8.0 1.5.4½
For Gerrings 0.2.9
Sir Marks 0.19.8¼
Do for his Land 0.1.10½
Do for Robert Youngs 0.1.7¾
Do for Fairthorns 0.9.11¼ 1.19.6½
Do for John Gerrings 0.0.5
Do for Dentons 0.3.2
Philip Youngs 0.2.9¾
Mr Colton 0.5.0¼
Tythe of Wool & Lamb 0.1.3
West Mill Farm 1.4.0
Thomas Anger 0.6.0¾
Mr Locks 0.2.1½
Widow Strattons 0.4.10
Thomas Strattons 0.2.1 0.7.2
John Vokins 0.0.3
Mr Green 0.6.1 0.8.2½
Henry Gerring 0.2.1½
Widow Watts 0.3.0¼
Mr Connors 0.5.6½
Mr Jenners & Weeks 0.3.11¾ 0.15.3¼
Charles Avenill 0.1.7¾
Jacob 0.1.1
Anthony Gerring 0.1.1½
West Mill 0.1.3
Robert Alder 0.0.9¾
6.17.2½
--------------
Received 6.17.2½
Received 6.17.2½
Received on a 3 half penny 3.8.6½
Received of the old Overseers 0.19.6
-------------- ----------------
Total Received 24.19.8
Explanation of the Accounts.
The money gathered on the above list was collected in the currency of England at the time which was Pounds, Shillings and Pence, shown as £. S. D. There were 12 pence in 1 shilling and 20 shillings in 1 pound.
'Do' in italics is an abbreviation of Ditto (as above). The values in the centre of the blocks to the right (also in italics) are the totals for those blocks. The blocks suggest that some sort of association existed between them which can only be surmised. Therefore it’s logical to assume that Jenner and Gerring perhaps rented land of Blagrave, and the names appearing under Sir Mark, likewise.
Of the list above, Mr Blagrave is one of the biggest land holders and lived in the large house that was then known as Watchfield House. (See the Chapter of that name).
Sir Mark, refers to Sir Mark Stuart-Pleydell of Coleshill House, who owned large pieces of land within the parish.
Mr Colton was the Vicar of Shrivenham (the diocese of which included Watchfield as it does today). The tythe of wool and lamb is an ancient tax payable to the clergy, (the origins of which are obscure), but hence the association here with Rev Colton.
There were four collections of tax in the year 1755; three at the rate of 3d in the pound and one collection at half that rate. This is shown by the several amounts noted at the bottom of the list.
A settlement Act of 1662 stated that people had a right of settlement in their parish of birth. A later Act in 1692 allowed that people could earn a right of settlement if they went to work in another parish. From 1697 the law allowed that Churchwardens and Overseers could provide parishioners with a Settlement Certificate for them to take with them when they went to work in a neighbouring parish. The certificate would also guarantee that if they became unable to work they could return to their native parish and, if necessary, be supported by it. There is also clear evidence of one parish paying another to look after one of their own when in 1792 an entry noted, ‘Received of the Langford Officer for Joy’s girl.’ Also ten years earlier, in December 1782, a Vestry minute noted with regard to Sarah New, ‘Agree with Ashbury Parish to give security for her Bastard child.’
The Overseer was also expected to put able bodied people to work and to make sure that no strangers to the parish were working or soliciting for work. Members of Vestry meetings would from time to time, make it clear about employment. For example, at a meeting held on 14 January, 1759 it was ordered that, ‘we whose hands are here under written, do unanimously agree with each other, that we or either of us do or shall not for the future, employ any other Labourers but such as are our Parishioners (except it be in Bean planting Mead time and Harvest), Thatchers, Carpenters and Wheel Rights excepted upon their producing certificate or be sworn to their parishes under the penalty of 20 shillings for each of us that breaks the above order. Note, that if no person or persons can be had in our Tything that can cut wood, plant wood, hedge and such work thereunto belonging, such person that shall happen to want such a man or men shall have the Liberty to have him or them where they may be had most reasonable.’ And two years earlier a Watchfield Vestry declared that they, ‘do hereby forbid all and every person or persons belonging to any other Tything (except the inhabitants of our own) not to enter into or upon any of our lands in our said Tything to glean, leaze or pick any sort of corn or grain, lentil on our said Common, grain be carried or cleared of from our said lands and our tything aforesaid.’ And occasionally it was necessary to deal with interlopers as the Vestry of April 2, 1747 made clear that, ‘Charles Heath produce a Certificate from the place of his settlement or that he forthwith upon notice given by the proper officer depart to the place of his settlement.’
A reluctance to work was also a problem in 18th century Watchfield. One local character called James Newport was regularly applying for assistance and in general he got it. But then notes and clauses started to appear as in May 1791 it was agreed to allow him 1 shilling per week instead of 8 pence, and if he agreed to work, be allowed 6 pence per day at the same time. However, two years later he’s given an ultimatum, ‘find work or no more money. ‘
Within the Overseers accounts there are numerous entries made for supplying local parishioners with a determined amount of raw cloth. Also the accounts of 21 July, 1793, show a payment made to Mr Butler of £3.16.2½ for Spinning and Winding Cotton. It’s clear from many entries like this that some sort of cottage industry was being sponsored by the Parish. Help could also be given by paying one parishioner to carry out work for another; for instance on 29 December, 1754, John Sly was paid by the parish for, ‘Carrying out work, including painting the Blacksmiths Shop.’
Anyone unfortunate enough to die that had no money could expect the parish to pay for their funeral. There are numerous entries within the accounts of expenses for:- Laying the Body Out, Providing a Shroud, a Coffin, a Clergyman, Digging a Grave, Ringing the Chapel Bell, and a quantity of Beer for the after proceedings (a clean water supply was still a long way off). This courtesy would also be provided to strangers who had the misfortune to expire whilst visiting the parish.
Tracking down and holding errant fathers accountable for the upkeep of their offspring, is not a modern problem. The Overseers in 18th and 19th century Watchfield were doing it too. The Vestry Minutes of 2 April, 1747 noted that the, ‘Chapel Wardens (or Overseers) can carry Mary Williams, Widow, forthwith before one of his Majesty’s Justice of the Peace to swear to the reputed father of her Bastard child.’ By the early part of the 19th century it was becoming a regular occurrence, with many Mothers forced to swear before the court as to the father of their illegitimate children. Sometimes the Overseer was keen to establish fatherhood even earlier. In May 1804, Mary Davis was ordered that, ‘She be sworn to the father of the child she is now big with.’ The use of the word, ‘Bastard’ is freely used within the documents and they even referred to payments made to women for the nurture of illegitimate children as, ‘Basterly Pay.’ The parish would support such offspring but as soon as the father became known, the Overseer could be swift to act. At a Vestry meeting dated 28 April, 1811 it was noted that, ‘Basterly pay to Alice Lake’s child shall be discontinued from Easter last and it is likewise agreed that the basterly bond shall be sued on James & Thomas New likewise.’ But for some reason Robert Atkins was let off further payments when on 21 April, 1808 it was noted, ‘It is agreed that nothing more shall be required by the Parish of Watchfield from Robert Atkins towards the maintenance of Mary Davis’ child, he having at different times paid £41.7.0 and having this day paid in addition the sum of £4.’ We can only assume that it’s the same Mary Davis, but a few years earlier a more poignant Vestry minute noted on 1 May, 1802, ‘Whereas Mary Davis was delivered of a Male Bastard Child on the 7th day of September, 1801, and since dead, and the expense on the Lying in and 26 weeks pay amounting to the sum of £3.12.6 and that Thomas Vokins is the Father of the said Child, he hereby agrees to pay to the overseers the above sum.’ But if all else failed then a more robust approach was often used as was noted on 20 November, 1818 that, ‘Mr Shayler and Mr Jordan, that they shall be taken before the Magistrate by force and made to pay up their arrears for Bastard Children.’
It was a regular occurrence to pay somebody for looking after another elderly or sick person. On 9 April, 1734, Elizabeth Vokins was allowed £1.15.0. for nursing Mary, the wife of William Hinton. One assumes that this considerable sum for the period, must have been for a lengthy amount of time. On 4 November, 1750, Betty Cox is being paid 2 shillings per week for looking after Cesar Lawrence’s wife. Then five years later in November 1755, Elizabeth Green is being paid 6d per week for looking after, ‘Old Cesar Lawrence,’ himself. It could also happen within the same family. On 11 November, 1764, Thomas Evens is granted aid of 2 shillings and 6d per week and his daughter is given 6d per week for looking after him. It could also be expedient for the Overseer to move people around from one house to another as a proviso for receiving aid. On 16 August, 1772, there is a note concerning John Perring as, ‘Remove him to William Westalls and buy him a pair of breeches.’ Sometimes whole families were moved. One example of this occurred in May 1800 when Widow Sly and her daughters were moved to the home of Widow Davis.
The services of a medical practitioner were used when necessary and agreements were made between the parties at numerous times. The earliest mention we have by name is Doctor Willis, who in December 1755 was paid 10 shillings and 6 pence for, ‘Caring of Hester Leg of her present disorder.’ And Dr Willis was mentioned again in July 1760 when he received £2.2.0 for attending Mary Leg for three weeks. In April 1792, a Dr Ward agreed to be the parish Doctor for the term of one year for the sum of 5 Guineas. The agreements made between the parish and doctor, were worded quite precisely. At a Vestry meeting held on 11 April, 1818, the Minutes noted, ‘Resolved that Mr Ford be appointed the year ensuing the Medical attendant unto the poor for the sum of 6 Guineas, Midwifery, Small Pox and Fractures excluded, in case of Wilful neglect or enablements to be removed or discontinued by this Committee.’ The following year an agreement worded exactly the same was made with Dr Smith. One wonders if these agreements were the result of what happened in 1817, when at a Vestry meeting held at Watchfield House (The original) dated 30 June, 1817, stated, ‘It appearing that in consequence of some misunderstanding, both Mr Gay and Mr Price have attended the sick poor of Watchfield on the Parish account since the last appointment of Overseers. Resolved that they shall both be paid up to the present time in proportion to the sums at which they were respectively engaged and both engagements discontinued; and that they shall then be directed to send to the Vicar sealed Tenders at the terms on which they will give their attendance for the remainder of the year, the gentleman sending the lowest tender to be appointed, but to be removable by Vestry upon any Wilful neglect of duty.’
In 1818 the Act for the Regulation of Parish Vestries was passed and it was certainly acknowledged and discussed by the parishioners of Watchfield. At a meeting dated 11 April, 1818, the Minutes note, ‘Resolved also that a Committee be formed for conducting in future the business of the Parish in conformity to the Act of Parliament lately passed in the Common House of Parliament and denominated Mr Sturges-Bourne’s Bill for the better management and amendment of the Poor Laws.’ The idea of the bill was to set up a voting system in every parish vestry that was dependant on a rateable value of property. A landowner of property that was valued at £50 was eligible for one vote. Going above that in £25 increments entitled the same property holder to another one vote, up to a maximum of six votes. This scale was to be adopted later in the Poor Law Amendment Act for the election of Guardians of the Poor. This change effectively ended the way things were recorded in Watchfield, but I suspect very little changed in practice. However, the big change was to come in 1834 with the Poor Law Amendment Act, which abolished the system of poor relief that had existed since 1601, but with it, came the dreaded, ‘Workhouses.’
The documents that make up the Vestry Meetings and Overseers of the Poor Accounts provide us with a fascinating insight into everyday life in Watchfield during the 18thcentury. Some of the information it provides is open to interpretation and no doubt more will become clear as studies continue. The following information is a summary of the period by decade and lists notable people and events. Please note that there are some gaps where documents have not survived. The names listed are those who were present at vestry meetings during that decade.
1694 - 1700
Anthony Anger
Thomas Stratton
Samuel Young
Isaac Young
John Blagrave
J. Southby
John Young
William Young
John Weekes
William Avenill
The Newports were a notable family through the decade and required considerable help from the Parish. On 20 May, 1694, Sarah Newport was granted 1 shilling and 6 pence (1/6) per week, ‘She having two children and her husband being gone for a soldier.’
1700 - 1703.
Anthony Anger
Thomas Stratton
Isaac Young
Thomas Fairthorne
J. Southby
Robert Alder
John Blagrave
John Townsend
Samuel Young
Edward Stratton
John Haines
Robert Gearing
Francis Young
Thomas Watts
John Fairthorne
Henry Gearing
John Young
William Young
The Newport family still features quite heavily in this period with regard to assistance from the Parish
Vestry Minutes Continued - Go HERE