Author Topic: 18th century London electoral Roll  (Read 1170 times)

Offline ozcol1

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18th century London electoral Roll
« on: Thursday 02 May 19 02:15 BST (UK) »
I know my ancestor was a grocer in London in 1796 but the electoral roll lists him at the same address as a blacksmith. I have tried to understand voting rights but it seems complex. Can anyone explain this.

Offline chempat

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #1 on: Thursday 02 May 19 06:56 BST (UK) »
Could you give us their names, please?

Offline ozcol1

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #2 on: Thursday 02 May 19 07:24 BST (UK) »
Hi Chempat
His name is John Davis of 54 Burr St Upper East Smithfield (or Wapping).
I believe he died in 1813 and buried at St Botolph Without Aldgate.

Offline Maiden Stone

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #3 on: Thursday 02 May 19 18:38 BST (UK) »
I know my ancestor was a grocer in London in 1796 but the electoral roll lists him at the same address as a blacksmith. I have tried to understand voting rights but it seems complex. Can anyone explain this.

Was the electoral roll a poll book?
Eligibility to vote was complex. Counties and boroughs had different qualifications and there were local peculiarities.
'The History of Parliamentary Franchise'  research paper (2013) House of Commons Library. Includes a summary of eligibility to vote before reforms of 19th century. See chapter 'Ancient voting rights in England'.
https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/RP13-14/RP13-14.pdf
Cowban


Offline ozcol1

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #4 on: Friday 03 May 19 03:32 BST (UK) »
Thanks Maiden Stone.
The list I have is UK, Poll Books and Electoral Registers 1538-189? and for the year 1795.
The paper you have referred me to will explain a lot.
Thanks again

Offline Maiden Stone

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #5 on: Friday 03 May 19 05:17 BST (UK) »
Explanation of poll books on electoralregisters.org 
www.electoralregisters.org.uk/pollbooks.htm
One example shown has a qualification column.
Poll books recorded how electors cast their votes. I was surprised to find the name of one of my working-class ancestors in a poll book from 1780s for the county of Lancaster.  One of his grandsons, my direct ancestor, was in poll books for the Borough of Preston in 1830s, after 1832 Reform Act. Preston was unusual in that all men over 21 who fulfilled residency criteria and who weren't paupers or felons were eligible to vote. Preston elected a Radical M.P., Henry Hunt.
Cowban

Offline ozcol1

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #6 on: Friday 03 May 19 07:48 BST (UK) »
Thanks again Maiden Stone for your contributions.

Online coombs

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #7 on: Friday 03 May 19 13:02 BST (UK) »
Have you found a will for your ancestor John Davies? Maybe he had a son also called John who was a blacksmith the father was a grocer, or he managed to do 2 occupations.
Researching:

LONDON, Coombs, Roberts, Auber, Helsdon, Fradine, Morin, Goodacre
DORSET Coombs, Munday
NORFOLK Helsdon, Riches, Harbord, Budery
KENT Roberts, Goodacre
SUSSEX Walder, Boniface, Dinnage, Standen, Lee, Botten, Wickham, Jupp
SUFFOLK Titshall, Frost, Fairweather, Mayhew, Archer, Eade, Scarfe
DURHAM Stewart, Musgrave, Wilson, Forster
SCOTLAND Stewart in Selkirk
USA Musgrave, Saix
ESSEX Cornwell, Stock, Quilter, Lawrence, Whale, Clift
OXON Edgington, Smith, Inkpen, Snell, Batten, Brain

Online ShaunJ

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Re: 18th century London electoral Roll
« Reply #8 on: Friday 03 May 19 13:11 BST (UK) »
He was a grocer and tea dealer according to the 1808 London directory.
UK Census info. Crown Copyright, from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk