Offer: Notts Hearth Tax 1664 : 1674

[MichaelJD]

Yes thanks Alexander, that’s helpful information, and I very much appreciate you taking the trouble to look it up for me.

Hopefully it’ll allow me to uncover a bit more of my ancestry.

Best regards,
Mike

[Ili1133]

Hello Alexander,

Thanks a lot for your long-lasting offer. Would you be able to help us with any entries in the Hearth Tax for BACON (and variants including Bakkon) in Dunham, Rampton and Rolleston cum Fiskerton?

Helen

[Alexander.]

Hi Helen,

Here are all the Bacons I could find in the county, a few in the parishes you mentioned....

1664

BLITHE
Henry Bacone, jun., 1 hearth (not chargeable)

CROMWELL
Samuel Bacon, 1 hearth, 2s.

DUNHAM
Francis Bacon, 1 hearth (not chargeable)

GIRTON
Henry Bacon, 2 hearths, 4s.

LANEHAM
Abigall Bacon, 1 hearth, 2s.
John Bacon, 3 hearths, 6s.

LOUDHAM
Mathew Bacon, 1 hearth (not chargeable)

NEWARK - APLETONGATE
Martin Bacon, 1 hearth (not chargeable)

THORNEY
John Bacon, 1 hearth, 2s.

WELLAUGH
James Bacon, 1 hearth, 2s.
Richard Bacon, 1 hearth (not chargeable)


1674

CLIFTON
Richard Bacon, 2 hearths

DUNHAM
Francis Bacon, 2 hearths
Francis Bacon, 1 hearth (discharged by certificate)

FISKERTON
Ellen Bacon, 1 hearth (discharged by certificate)

HALLAM
John Bacon, 1 hearth

HARBY
John Bacon, 1 hearth

LOUDHAM
Mathew Bacon, 1 hearth

KINOULTON
John Bacon, 2 hearths

NORTH COLLINGHAM
Eliz. Bacon, 1 hearth

THORNEY
John Bacon, 1 hearth

WELLOUGH cum OMPTON
James Bacon, 2 hearths
Richard Bacon, 3 hearths


Also looking at the parishes you specifically mentioned, note that there is no surviving return for Fiskerton in 1664. For the other places you mentioned both 1664 and 1674 seem complete.

Hope you find this helpful,

Alexander

[Ili1133]

Many thanks Alexander,

It was great to hear from you so quickly and yes, it is helpful - and as interesting for what isn't there as for what is.

Just a question - given your familiarity with the data, would you be inclined to interpret

1674 Dunham
Francis Bacon, 2 hearths
Francis Bacon, 1 hearth (discharged by certificate)

as Francis senior and junior, or as a single Francis with some reason for exemption on one hearth?

Thanks again,

Helen

[Alexander.]

Hi Helen,

I would interpret that as likely two Francis Bacons. The tax was payable by the occupier. Although I suppose that doesn't exclude one Francis Bacon occupying two houses, it is unlikely one would be exempt from tax while the other not. It was somewhat inconsistent in determining who was exempt from paying the tax but generally those with financial need (perhaps in receipt of poor relief, or of limited income or wealth) could receive an exemption certificate from the church or overseer of the poor. It is unlikely the same Francis would have to pay for one house and not the other. A notable exception might be in the case of a baker or similar profession, whose oven may be exempt from tax even if not otherwise exempt.

Alexander

[Ili1133]

Hi Alexander,

That explanation's very useful for analysing the entries further. One of the Francis Bacons was a blacksmith, so it sounds as if this may have exempted his forge from tax.

Helen

[willow154]

Hi Alexander,
Thank you for your kind offer.
I'd very grateful if you could tell me if any Watkinson family are listed in Nottingham town, please.
Many thanks.
Paulene.