1714 - 1715
Anthony Anger
Edward Stratton
Thomas Stratton
John Young
Thomas Fairthorne
George Stevens
Dinah Newport appears in the records and features regularly for aid from the Parish
1724 - 1725
Thomas Anger
John Blagrave
Thomas Fairthorne
John Gearing
Thomas Watts
John Young
Edward Stratton
Robert Young
Thomas Stratton
Phillip Young
1731 - 1740
Thomas Fairthorne
Thomas Stratton
William Streat
Thomas Watts
Thomas Anger
John Blagrave
Phillip Young
Henry Farr
Thomas Evans
William Perrin
Edward Stratton
Anthony Gearing
John Gearing
Henry Gearing
A notable event that took place in this decade was dealing with a problem on the road. At a Vestry held on 21 November, 1736 it was agreed, ‘To allow to the Supervisors of the Highways a 7d tax in order to defray the expenses of the Trial at Sessions concerning the repairing or rebuilding of West Mill Bridge, that the same be made out on the respective estates within the Tything of Watchfield according to the usual custom, that the said tax be forthwith collected by the Supervisors. If any money remains after the sum of £14.9.8 be paid off, the remainder is to be paid to the immediate Overseer of the Poor.’
1741 - 1750
Thomas Anger
John Blagrave
Phillip Young
William Young
Robert Alder
James Dackon
Henry Gearing
William Perrin
Edward Stratton
James Blagrave
William Streat
William Thomas
Mary Stratton
John Fairthorn
Thomas Simmons
Thomas Evens
Richard Gooding
A public notice was issued by the Vestry Meeting of 21 April, 1746. ‘By agreement of us the inhabitants and land holders in the Tything of Watchfield who have hereunto set our hands, do agree as followeth; That is to say, that from the day of the date hereof, and for the term of 12 years ensuing, that no person in the said Tything do brake or cause to be broken by any sort of cattle either the Common called the Hill nor likewise the other Common called the Marsh till the 10th day of May in each year during or broad term, on the penalty of 10 shillings per each beast.
And further we agree that whatever stock shall be stocked into the Common called the Marsh in one week after the 10th of May as aforesaid shall stand as the stocks and no otherways and for every Common that shall then be void the owner of the said Common or Commons shall be allowed 10 shillings for each Common.
And further we agree that for every beast that goes at the Hill Common shall pay the sum of sixpence for the beast at open tide towards the payment for the Commons that shall lay instock at the Marsh and the remainder to be raised by the poll by them that shall stock all the Commons to them belonging.’
The Newport family are still resident in Watchfield, with Robert Newport regularly having his House Rent paid by the Parish. The Parish would also rent property from other people to allocate to the poor, for example, on 4 December, 1748, it was agreed to rent a house from Madam Blagrave at £1.15.0 for a year. On 11 November, 1776, the Vestry minutes noted that, ‘we do agree with Henry Gearing for to rent of him a house for the use of Hannah Liddiard, Betty Stephens and Hannah Stephens at the rent of £1.15s to October 10th next and from that time ensuing the yearly rent of £2 allowing the said Henry Gearing the use of a Buttery.’
Another family regularly being assisted by the Parish is the Lawrences’; and one in particular is sometimes referred to as, ‘Old Cesar Lawrence.’
1751 - 1760
John Fairthorn
Thomas Simmons
Thomas Anger
Henry Gearing
Richard Gooding
William Perrin
William Thomas
Phillip Young
Robert Alder
Thomas Perrin
Anthony Gearing
Tharp Stevens
Arthur Geering
John Angel Young
John Anger
During this decade it becomes noticeable that certain people are representing certain Estates. This gives more credibility to the supposition that it was the landholders, or owners, who bore sway at the Vestry Meetings and as Overseers. In April 1756, Overseer, Thomas Simmons, is noted as, ‘For Mrs Blagrave’ (The Blagrave Estate). In April 1757, Phillip Young is labelled as, ‘For late Boat’s Estate,’ and the following year in March, Overseer, William Perrin is described as, ‘For Maslin’s Estate.’
Within the Vestry Minutes and the Overseers Accounts for this period, there is frequent reference to, ‘The Stratton Woman.’ It’s difficult to ascertain why the lady in question should be so labelled, but as no other person seems to have been treated in a similar way, one can only assume that it is a mark of disrespect. However, in April 1753, the name, 'Widow Stratton' appears on the accounts as an Overseer in the place of William Thomas. But whether it is one and the same lady is as yet unclear.
The Stevens family were also mentioned frequently in the 1750’s, and in particular Jonathan. He seems to have been considered something of a nuisance by the Vestrys and there were attempts to remove him and his family over the border to Gloucestershire. In October 1756, there was an attempt to take him to Court. But just what for is uncertain. In November the following year the Vestry instructed the Overseers to, ‘Make the best agreement they can with Nathaniel Rix to carry the said Jon Stevens and family to North Leach in the County of Glos.’
Then from 1756 the discovery of one of the most enigmatic of all the discoveries, that of, ‘Washingstocks and Shurdles.’ Even after extensive searching through many different sources, there appears to be no definitive answer as to what the following document refers:-
‘An account of the ancient accustomed way of drawing the Lotts in Washingstocks and Shurdles in Quidame. Taken by the direction of John Gerring by me Edward Smith the 1st day of August 1756.
The Sunday after Midsummer day, Old Stile, the owners of the said Lotts meet at the Chapple (that being the accustomed place) and each chooses his stick, all of the sticks having different marks signifying the several lotts. The said sticks are put into a hat or some other convenient place and shook together and are from thence drawn. And that person whose stick comes out first has the liberty of choosing the first Lott and so on till all are chosen, and after the Lotts are so chosen the parting of them are as follows: -
The first 5 acre Lotts in Washingstocks Westmill Farm an acre out of which Mr Blagrave hath a half acre (that is) a yard for Gerrings and a yard for Jenners estate. 1acre
Sir Mark hath an acre to himself. 1acre
An annex late Dentons out of which Sir Mark hath a yard. 1 acre
An acre called Strattons acre one half to Edward Strattons living and the other half to Thomas Strattons. 1 acre
The other acre called Angels acre and Mr Connor hath half of it. 1 acre
The parting of the above 5 acres
---------------------------------------
The next 5 acres in Washingstocks.
Sir Mark hath one acre to himself. 1 acre
Mr Grove hath one acre to himself. 1 acre
Mr Blagrave a half for Geerings. ½ acre
An acre to Mr Blagrave’s old estate. Every other year and Sir Mark hath it the next year. 1 acre
Mrs Blagrave a half for Watts. ½ acre
Mr Connor a half. ½ acre
Mr Blagrave a half for Alders land. ½ acre
This is the parting of these 5 acres.
-----------------------------------------
The 5 acre Lotts in Shurdles
Sir Mark one acre to himself. 1 acre
Philip Youngs acre out of which Mr Blagrave hath a year for Gearings and Mr Maslin hath a yard. 1 acre
The next acre between Sir Mark & Mr Blagrave ‘s old estate every other year as in Washingstocks. 1 acre
Mr Conners acre out of which Sir Mark hath a yard. 1 acre
Angels acre out of which Mr Blagrave hath a yard for Alders lands. 1 acre
This is the parting of these 5 acres
------------------------------------------------
Clearly this ancient Watchfield custom is dealing with the usage of land. But this then begs the question of, why this particular 15 acres? The Willington map of 1758 shows that on the north side of the parish, on the Wiltshire border, between West Mill and Coleshill, the River Cole forms the boundary (Pictures 11 & 12, page 14). This whole area on the Watchfield side of the river seems to be referred to generally as ‘Quidame,’ as names like the following confirm; ‘The Farmpiece in Quidam Mead, The Changeable Land in Quidam, Long Furlong above Quidam Hill.’ And we also have a small area called, ‘Washingstokes.’ This particular area is directly opposite the deserted medieval village of Fresden. Is it possible that the river just here was very convenient for the washing of animals, and in particular sheep? Some of the land would have provided easier access to the flowing water than others parts, and hence the need for a lottery type draw for fairness? It’s the most logical explanation I can suggest at the moment. However, further research may prove otherwise.
1761 - 1770
Robert Alder
Arthur Geering
Henry Geering
Tharp Stevens
John Angel-Young
John Fairthorne
Thomas Simmons
John Aingel
William Perring
William Vokins
John Carter
John Anger
John Hopkins
During this decade the Vestry issued a statement, which reinforced a local By-Law, originally made 20 years earlier on 22 October, 1751. ‘Ordered at a Vestry this day held, we whose names are under- written do agree that from this day forward that if either one or more of us shall at any time catch or meet with any person or persons either cutting of any live mounds or pulling or digging up any Posts, Rails or Gates or pulling or breaking any dead hedge or mound in the Tything of Watchfield, we do each of us agree to be bound hereby that the person who’s mound shall be so cut or broken shall persecute the said persons or person so catched or detected in any of the aforesaid things and all and each of us do hereby agree to pay his or their part towards of said persecution.’
The reference to, ‘Mounds’ is interesting in that they seem to have been used extensively as boundaries between ownership of land. The mention of mounds can often be found within documents relating to land exchanges. During the mid 18th century much of the agricultural land consisted of hundreds of small strips of land as had evolved from many centuries previously. Indeed, we have reference to one in particular from as early as 931AD within the Anglo Saxon Charter that describes the Parish Boundary of Watchfield, described as a, ‘Maer Beorh,’ being a tumulus or stone pile. (See page 8).
At the Vestry Meeting of 23 August, 1767 the following clause was added to the original, ‘we whose hands are under written, do agree to keep the Pickers out of the field three or four days till after the Reapers have been a Reaping. Or till orders be given by the Ringing of the Chapell Bell for their entering the field to pick. If any one will pick before the time appointed aforesaid are to be dealt with according to Law.’
And at the Vestry Meeting of May 22nd, 1770 yet another clause was added, ‘And also if either one or more of us shall catch any person or persons a stealing and gathering the pease in the field upon any ones land, we do each of us agree to be bound to take such person or persons to Justice to be dealt with according to Law.
And further we agree that if any Leazes or Pickers come into our field to Leaze or Pick till the Reapers have been a Reaping the space of Four Days or Pick or Glean on any ones land till it be all shocked up, we are bound to take such persons to Justice to be dealt with according to Law.’
At the same Vestry mentioned above, another statement was issued which at first view seemed amusingly odd. ‘It is agreed that all the farmers that have Cows that are 3 years old are to be all knobs and all over and above that age and that they keep them on after they come off, when they have had 2 days notice under the penalty of 2/6 for every knob which is not put on in the time mentioned above to be paid to the Overseer for the use of the poor. And that they be all knobs before they go into the Common, this is to continue for the space of 4 years. We whose hands are underwritten have agreed to the same.’
However, there is a perfectly rational explanation. Ox knobs are devices that are slipped over the ends of cows' horns that are blunt on the end, or have a rounded bulb on the end. There are screw holes in them that allow a couple of screws to hold them in place. They are used to keep the horns from goring a person or other cattle.
1771 - 1780
John Aingel
John Angel-Young
John Carter
John Hopkins
Thomas Perring
William Perring
Henry Geering
Tharp Stevens
Thomas Perring
Thomas Simmons
Edward Fairthorne
Philip Young
John Anger
John Young
Barfoot Colton
A notable event that took place within the above decade was the generosity of Lord Barrington, who gave to the village a barn. The Vestry Minutes of 26 October, 1777 noted, ‘Ordered this day at a Vestry held that the Overseers do immediately repair the Barn which Lord Barrington has been graciously pleased to give to the Parish of Watchfield for the use of the Poor and that the Overseers do cause the said Barn to be made into tenements in the most commodious manner as can be achieved.’
1781 - 1790
John Carter
Edward Fairthorne
Henry Gearing
Thomas Simmons
Thomas Perring
John Angel
Philip Young
John Young
Barkley Wilson
William Appleford
Thomas Norris
William Holder
The Newport family are still being represented in this decade by Widow Newport who receives the sum of 1/6 per week from the Parish. James and Mary Newport are also being assisted in 1790. The Newports had been a local family for at least a century at this point.
1791 - 1800
John Angel
John Carter
John Killmaster
Edward Fairthorne
Henry Gearing
Thomas Perring
John Warrell
John Anger
William Walters
Thomas Chouls
John Green
Barkley Wilson
William Akerman
John Crew
William Holder
William Hambidge
Thomas Norris
John Evan
Elisha Appleford
Charles Rickards
William Stevens
Discovered within the Vestry Minutes for 22 July, 1792 a Watchfield Rate List calculated at 6d in the Pound
John Anger for his own £0.17.5¼
Stephen Avenills £0.7.8¼
Thomas Perrin for Lord Barrington £3.11.8¼
Thomas Perrin for the Vicarage Allotment £1.4.1½
Thomas Perrin for the Small Orchard £0.0.7½
Mr Blagrave Esq £1.0.0
William Appleford for Thomas Blagrave £4.5.9¾
Chappel Ham £0.0.1
Henry Gearing for George Donisthorpe Esq £2.9.1
John Carter for Jeffery Hemsworth Esq £0.14.7¼
Edward Fairthorne for Lord Holland £8.17.3
John Green for Lord Radnor £7.6.4¾
Tharp Stevens for his Mill £0.5.1½
Barkley Wilson for his own £0.4.10
Richard Carter for his own £0.2.0
Thomas Norris for his own £0.0.4
Thomas Perring for Townsend Close £0.0.8
William Holder for his own £0.0.4
Total £31.10.9¼
It seems that the citizens of Watchfield were not averse to resorting to Bounty Hunting. On 14 July, 1793 the Vestry recommended that the Overseers apply to a Justice for a Warrant to apprehend Tharp Stevens, Thomas Baylis and Henry Powell, and added, ‘that the Parish employ some person to bring them in or either of them at what price they can agree at a reasonable rate or if not, to receive nothing.’ But just what they were wanted for is unclear.
Due to poor weather at the wrong time, the years of 1795/6 produced very bad harvests, which in turn meant a short supply of wheat. A shortage of wheat also meant a shortage of bread. Normally the shortfall could have been made up by imports from Europe but the French Wars severely restricted such movements. Civil disorder broke out all over Britain and became known as the Bread Riots. Watchfield too was affected by this shortage and the documentary records give us some idea of how the people coped with this major problem.
At a meeting dated 30 July, 1795, the Watchfield Vestry Minutes note that, ‘The Overseers be allowed to sell flower (flour) to the Poor after the rate of 9/- per bushell to such persons as have no landed property of their own except:- Edward Stratton, William Gardner, William Pocock, Richard Warren, John Sly, Betty Sly, Daniel Chandler, Robert Looker, and that the Overseers be allowed to provide for that purpose and that no person be allowed to have any more than what they consume weekly.’
The Reverend Barfoot Colton, Vicar of Shrivenham, provided money created by interest received from investments made on the sale of the materials from the old Watchfield Chapel, demolished in 1788. (See page 17). In 1795/6 the money was used specifically for providing bread for the poor of Watchfield, the crisis having driven the price of bread up.
There was mischief making of a serious degree to be dealt with at the Vestry dated 31 May, 1800. It was deemed to be so serious that the Vestry offered the considerable sum of money of 10 Guineas, ‘to any person or persons that will discover the Author of a threatening letter for the Death of the Farmer and burning their property.’ Unfortunately, there is no mention of which farmer it was or any clue as to why he may have been threatened.
1801 - 1810
John Carter
Thomas Perrin
Barkley Wilson
John Anger
Edward Fairthorne
Henry Gearing
Charles Rickards
John Crew
Thomas Norris
Thomas Avery
Edward Stratton
Edward Berens (Vicar)
The money from the interest on the sale of the materials from the old chapel were still being put to good use 20 years after its demise. At a Vestry held on 24 December, 1808, the Minutes note, ‘It having been agreed upon a Vestry holden in the autumn of the year 1804 that part of the money arising from the sale of the materials of the chapel at Watchfield should be applied to the support of a Sunday School for girls and the boys the former of which has continued upwards of 4 years, the latter 40 weeks; and Mr Berens having signified to a Vestry holden this day that he has this year received about £31 gross of the said money from the executors of the late Mr Colton, he this day paid the sum of £15. 12s to Deborah Reade the Schoolmistress for 4 years ending December 1808 and £3 to Edward New the Schoolmaster for 40 Sundays in the presence of us.’
1811 - 1819
John Anger
John Crew
Charles Rickards
Edward Fairthorne
Henry Gearing
Thomas Norris
John Perrin
Barkley Wilson
Thomas Avery
John Dixon
George Stevens
Richard Pinnegar
John Orum
This decade is the last in our study and also marks the end of the records for this category. It seems also that it’s the end of the Newport family in Watchfield as there is no mention of the name at all.