Extracts from Walkern Vestry Minutes 1861-1869

(HALS Ref: D/P 114 Microfilm 474)

1861

25 March 1861

Vestry meeting held at the National School room pursuant to regular notice on Lady Day 25th day of March 1861. Present:

Mr Thomas Rowlatt, guardian
Mr William Pearman, overseer
Mr Samuel Wright, overseer
Mr Edward Pearman, churchwarden
Mr Porter
Mr Hill
Mr Knott
Mr H Elliott
Mr G Beecroft, collector

The Guardian was nominated, Mr Thomas Rowlatt.

George David Pearman and William Bray, John Elliott Kitchener, Henry Elliott, William Woolston, Owen Cannon, nominated eligible to serve as overseers.

Surveyors accounts audited, and the balance due to the Parish was £61.0.71¼
Mr Robert Hill and Mr Samuel Porter were elected surveyors for the ensuing year.

John Harding, chairman

1 April 1861

Vestry meeting held at the National School room pursuant to usual notice and annual custom on Easter Monday, 1 April 1861. Present:

Mr Thomas Rowlatt, guardian
Mr Edward Pearman, churchwarden
Mr G Beecroft, rate collector
Mr William Bray, overseer
Mr Robert Hill, surveyor
Mr Henry Elliot
Mr Thomas Pearman

Mr William Bray, overseer, applied for a Poor rate at 6d in the pound; granted. The churchwardens’ accounts were audited and passed. The Rector elected Mr Samuel Robert Rowlatt as his churchwarden and the Vestry elected Mr Edward Pearman.

The Sanitary Committee were nominated. Mr Rowlatt was appointed Chairman of the Sanitary Board, and Mr Beecroft Sanitary Inspector. That Mr Beecroft be re-appopinted as rate collector at the salary of £10 paid from the higher rate.

John Harding, chairman

3 May 1861

A Vestry called for the purpose of examining the returns of the outdoor relief to the poor of this Parish.

The attention of the meeting was called to the alteration and additions made to Messrs H Elliott, Wm Bray and JE Kitchener premises also to the Brick Making Business carried on by Mr Charles Hill.

It was agreed that Mr Wm Bray’s house and premises be rated at £9.0.0d and Mr Kitchener’s house and shop at £8.0.0 and that of Mr Hill’s & Elliott’s cases be consulted upon at the next Vestry meeting, Friday 10th May
Present:

Thomas Rowlatt, guardian
Geo D Pearman, overseer
William Bray, overseer
George Beecroft, chairman

10 May 1861
Vestry meeting held at the National School room pursuant to regular notice on 10th day of May 1861. Present:

Mr Thomas Stockbridge
Henry Elliott
James Bray
George Beecroft
ThomasRowlatt, guardian
GD Pearman, overseer
William Bray, overseer
Edward Elliott

Mr Henry Elliot’s house and premises were taken into consideration and it was agreed to be rated at £16 per annum. The overseers applied for a rate of 6d in the pound. Granted.

Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

1861 July 22

A Vestry called for the special purpose of rating two new cottages in Totts Lane, alterations of Bray’s cottage, also to re-rate land stocked by Messrs Robert Hill, Thos Rowlatt and William Walker, also to rate the Brickfield work sheds held by Mr Charles Hill in the village. Present:

Mr Bray, overseer
Mr Beecroft, overseer
Mr Hill, surveyor
Thomas Pearman
Mr Porter
Thomas Rowlatt, guardian

Agreed:
That Mr Griffin’s cottages to be rated at £4 each per annum
Mr Bray’s alterations of cottage at £2 each
Mr Charles Hill’s Bricksheds at £4
Mr Robt Hill’s Woodland stocked 7/6 to be added to the rate
Mr Thos Rowlatt 7 ½ d
Mr Wm Walker 3 / 1 ½ d
Mr Joseph Adams 1 / 4 ½ d

Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

2 August 1861
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School room of the Parish pursuant to regular notice on the second day of August 1861. Present:

Mr William Bray, overseer
Geo Beecroft
Thos Rowlatt

The overseers applied for a rate at 6d in the pound. Granted

Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

4 October 1861
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School room of this Parish pursuant to regular notice on the fourth day of October 1861.

Present:

Mr GD Pearman, overseer
G Beecroft
R Hill, surveyor
H Elliott, surveyor

The overseers applied for a rate of 6d in the pound, granted. The surveyors also applied for a rate of 6d in the pound, granted.

Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

13 December 1861
A special meeting to consider the best means of employing the labouring poor.

Present:
Mr Rowlatt
Mr Porter
Samuel Porter jun
Robert Hill
Edw Pearman
Mr Elliott
Geo Beecroft

The matter to be considered at the next Vestry. Mr Wm Bray’s premises in occupation of Charles Dearman, the alteration thereof was discussed as to the rateable value. Agreed the cottage and stabling to be rated to the poor at £10.16.0 Gros £9.0.0 Est

20 December 1861
Due notice having been given for a Vestry for the purpose of granting a rate for the relief of the poor and for other purposes, the School gate being locked, the overseers adjourned to Mr Beecroft’s house. A rate of 6d in the pound was granted in the presence of
Wm Bray, overseer
Thos Garratt
Geo Beecroft
and that we, the above signed, do consider the locking of the school gate to be an intended insult to the Parish Officers [“accidental” is written above this in a different hand. At the bottom of the page is “The Annual School Feast at the Rectory going on”]

Geo Beecroft, chairman

The alterations to the property of Messrs Geo Aylott, Geo Aylott Jun and the house occupied by Geo Pettit, was discussed and agreed that an addition to the rates ought to be made upon them. Only three persons being present allowed the matter to stand over until another meeting.
Geo Beecroft, assistant overseer

1862

21 February 1862
At a Vestry meeting according to regular notice for the pupose of choosing constables for the year 1862, the following persons were nominated as being fit and proper persons.
Mr James Knott (James Beckwith for Mr Knott)
James Savage
[in a different hand “some mistake about the constables”]
John Kitchener
Charles Dearman

Present:
Wm Bray, overseer
GD Pearman, overseer
Owen Cannon
Geo Beecroft

The alteration to the cottage in Froghall Lane, the property of James Savage to be rated at £2 instead of £1.10.0 Also Mr Geo Aylott Sen’s alterations and additions of stable and barn rateable value agreed to be £10.0.0 per annum.

Geo Beecroft, chairman

25 March 1862
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School room of this Parish pursuant to regular notice on the 25th day of March 1862.

Present:
Wm Bray, overseer
Robt Hill, surveyor
Saml Porter, surveyor
Edward Pearman, churchwarden
Saml Porter junior
H. Elliott
Geo Aylott
Geo Aylott junior
Thos Pearman
Owen Cannon
Mr Beecroft
Thos Rowlatt, guardian

Names to be sent to the magistrate qualified to serve as overseers: Henry Elliott, Samuel Porter, John Elliott Kitchener, Owen Cannon, Wm Woolston, James Knott

The surveloy’s accounts were audited and the balance due to the Parish £19.10.10 ¾. Mr Robert Hill and Samuel Porter were nominated surveyors for the ensuing year and a rate of sixpence in the pound was granted for the relief of the poor.

Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

21 April 1862
At the Vestry meeting held on Easter Monday in the National School room of this Parish 21t April 1862.

Present:
The Rector
Mr Rowlatt senior, guardian
Mr Samuel Robt Rowlatt, churchwarden
Mr Edward Pearman, churchwarden
Mr Porter senior, surveyor
Mr Henry Elliott, overseer
Mr Owen Cannon
Mr Thomas Stockbridge

The churchwardens’ accounts were read over, audited balance due £9.6.10. The Rector elected Mr Samuel Robert Rowlatt his churchwarden, the parishioners assembled re-elected Mr Edward Pearman. Mr Porter proposed a church rate of two pence in the pound, which was agreed to.

It was proposed by Mr H Elliott & seconded by Mr Porter that George F Beckwith be appointed to collect the Poor rate, the Highway & the Church rates at a salary of ten pounds. The sanitary business was obliged to be postponed in consequence of the absence of Sanitary Inspector, agreed that this Vestry be adjourned to Friday next the 25th inst at 5 o’clock in the school room.

John Harding, chairman

25 April 1862
At an adjourned Vestry held in the National School room on the 25th April 1862.

Present:
Robt Hill
SR Rowlatt
Edw Pearman
Edward Elliott
GD Pearman
Geo Beecroft
Mr Rowlatt

Agreed that in consequence of an error discovered in the last church rate, Rev J Harding being charged for the rent charge and Glebe land that a rate of three pence in the pound to be granted to the churchwardens instead of a two penny one allowed at the 21st inst. Agreed to exempt about 100 acres of Glebe land in the manor of Boxburies in the occupation of Mr E Pearman from church rates

Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

9 May 1862
At the Vestry meeting held in the National School room of this Parish pursuant to regulation notice on the 9th May 1862.

Present:
Henry Elliott, overseer
Samuel Porter, overseer
William Bray

The overseers applied for the rate of 6d in the pound for the necessary relief of the poor which was granted.
Signed: Henry Elliott, chairman

9 June 1862
At the Vestry meeting held in Walkern National School on Monday afternoon the 9th day of June 1862.

Present:
The Rector [J Harding]
Henry Elliott, overseer
Samuel Porter, overseer
Thos Rowlatt, guardian
Robt Hill, surveyor

The overseers called the attention of the Vestry to an order of the Committee appointed at the Court of Quarter Sessions for the County of Hertford to send in a statement of the “total amount of the full & fair annual value of the whole property within the Parish” liable to be assessed toward the county rate at the present time. After a careful revision of the rate book and other documents, the form sent was filled in and returned of which the following is a copy.

Description of Property Rated	Estimated Extent	Gross Estimated rental	Full fair annual value of the whole property within the Parish	Date of last valuation	By whom was the valuation made & the manner in which it was made
Lands and farm buildings which include about 200 acres of [?] woodland	a . r . h 2912 . 1 . 0	£ . s . d 3273 . 5 . 9	£ . s . d 2900 .10. 0	Feb 1851	By a committee of inhabitants consisting of the following names:JI Pryor Esq
Houses and Gardens	12. 2. 36	598 . 13 . 6	511 . 15 . 0		Messrs Rowlatt, Stacey, Pearman, Rayment, Porter, Walker and Savage,
Tithe Commutation		665 . 15 . 6	546 . 0 . 0		With the assitance of Edw Lewis Esq. Rate made at the annual balance
	2924. 3. 36	4537. 14. 9	3958 . 5 . 0

 

20 June 1862
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School room of this Parish pursuant to regular notice on the 20th day of June 1862. [Note added “Adjourned to the Yew Tree only two being present at the school”].

Present:
The Rector
Samuel Porter, overseer
Henry Elliott, overseer
Edward Pearman, churchwarden
George Aylott
Owen Cannon

Mr George Aylott’s cottage and premises were taken into consideration and it was agreed to be rated at £5 each per annum

12 August 1862
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School pursuant to regular notice on the 12th day of August 1862.

Present:
The Rector
Mr Rowlatt, guardian
Mr Porter, stone warden
G Beckwith, collector was also present.

The parish surveyors’ applied for rate of 3d in the pound, agreed to. Henry Elliott’s two cottages at the back of the Wesleyan Chapel rated at four pounds.

John Harding, chairman

3 October 1862
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School room Walkern on 3rd day of October 1862 pursuant to regular notice.

Present:
The Rector
Mr Porter, surveyor
Mr Elliott, overseer
Tho Rowlatt, guardian

The overseer’s applied for a rate of 6d in the pound for necessary relief of the poor. Granted

John Harding, chairman

7 November 1862
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School room Walkern pursuant to regular notice on the 7th day of November 1862.

Present:
The Rector
Mr S Porter junior, overseer
H Elliott, overseer
Mr Hill, surveyor
Mr Porter senior, surveyor
Mr Andrews
Mr Wright
Mr Cannon
Mr Knott
Mr GD Pearman
Thos Rowlatt

The overseers applied for a rate for the relief of the poor at sixpence in the pound. Granted.

The following gentlemen were appointed to serve on the Committee under the new Assessment Act. Mr Porter, Mr Hill, Mr Wright, Mr Morris Pryor, Mr Beecroft, Mr Thos Rowlatt, Mr Porter junior and Mr H Elliott.

John Harding, chairman

1863

6 February 1863
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School room Walkern pursuant to regular notice on the 6th day of February 1863.

Present:
Mr Thos Pearman
Mr H Elliott, overseer
Samuel Porter junior, overseer
Samuel Porter senior
Mr E Elliott

The overseers applied for a rate for the relief of the poor of 6d in the pound. Granted

The alteration to the cottage in Froghall Lane the property of James Savage in the occupation of Widow Savage to be rated at £1.10.0 instead of £2.0.0 and also the cottage adjoining in the occupation of Thos Wingrove to be rated at £1.10.0

Samuel Porter, chairman

20 February 1863
At the Vestry 20th day of Feb 1863.

Present:
Mr T Pearman
Mr H Elliott
Mr Cannon
Mr S Porter senior
Mr Hill
Samuel Porter junior

The surveyors of the highways applied for a rate of 6d in the pound and was granted.

Choosing of the constables for the year 1863, the following persons were nominated were
James Beckwith
James Savage
Charles Dearman
George Pettitt
Mr George Francis Beckwith was also chosen as assessor of taxes with Mr Thos Pearman for the year 1863

Samuel Porter junior, chairman

25 March 1863
At the Vestry meeting held at the National School 25th day of March 1863.

Present:
Mr Hill, surveyor
Mr Porter, surveyor
Mr E Elliott, overseer
Mr Porter junior, overseer
Mr E Pearman, churchwarden
Mr Ivory
Mr Stockbridge
Mr Cannon
Mr Beecroft
Mr Knott
GD Pearman
Thos Rowlatt, guardian

Names sent into the Magistrates qualified to serve as overseers: Mr J Elliott Kitchener, William Woolson, George Aylott, Charles Brown, Owen Cannon, James Knott

The surveyors accounts were audited and the balance due to the parish £25.5.11.
Mr Robt Hill and Mr Samuel Porter were nominated surveyors in the ensuing year.
Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

6 April 1863
Vestry meeting held at school Easter Monday 6th April 1863.

Present:
The rector
Mr Porter senior
Mr Porter junior
Mr SR Rowlatt
Mr Edward Pearman
Mr Thomas Rowlatt, guardian
Mr Hill senior
Mr Beecroft

The stone wardens accounts were audited and agreed to without opposition, balance due to the parish £1.15.0
The rector appointed the parish churchwarden. It was suggested that if the insurance of the church could be effected upon reasonable terms that the churchwardens should do so.

Agreed that a church rate be granted to the churchwardens at three halfpence in the pound.

Mr George Beckwith re-appointed rate collector and Sanitary Inspector at a salary of £10 per annum. The Sanitary Committee were re-elected the same as in the 1862

John Harding, chairman

8 May 1863
Vestry minutes
The overseers applied for a rate for the relief of the poor of 6d in the pound. Granted. The outdoor relief examined no alteration needed

Mr George Francis Beckwith’s new house (Irving Cottage) was put at six pounds – £5 to a 6d rate, also Henry Savage’s two cottages six pounds gross £5 to a 6d rate

30 July 1863
The Vestry requested that the Rector make inquiry in the proper quarter respecting a legacy left to the poor of Walkern by the late John Izzard Pryor of Clay Hall in this parish who died on 5th June 1861

24 September 1863

1863 October 29

1863 December 24
[a note on its own page “Have the Constables a Staff and Hand cuffs?”]

1864

19 February 1864

Present:
Mr GF Beckwith
Mr Thomas Collins
JE Kitchener (chairman)
Mr Woollston

The following persons were nominated to serve as constables for the ensuing year
James Beckwith
James Savage
William Bray
William Hills

28 March 1864
Easter Monday.

Present:
The Rector (chairman)
Thomas Rowlatt jnr (guardian)
Mr SR Rowlatt (churchwarden) – appointed by Rector
Edward Pearman (churchwarden) – appointed by Parish
Mr Woollston (overseer)
Mr Kitchener (overseer)
Mr Beckwith
Mr Porter snr
Mr Porter jnr
Mr Knott
Mr Stockbridge
Mr Hill
Mr Thomas Pearman (overseer)

The churchwardens’ accounts were audited, balance due to parish £7.4.2½d
The following names were sent to the Magistrates qualified to serve as overseers
George Aylott jnr
Charles Brown
James Knott
Owen Cannon

GF Beckwith appointed Rate Collector at £10 per annum

Stonewarden’s accounts were audited, balance in favour of Parish £22.10.2d
Churchwarden’s accounts, balance in favour of Parish £3.4.3d

13 May 1864

Present:
The Rector, chair
Mr Rowlatt, guardian
Mr G Aylott, overseer
H Elliott, stone warden
Mr Hills, stone warden
Mr G Beckwith
Mr Woolston

The overseer of the poor applied for a rate for the relief of the poor of 6d in the pound which was granted.

The Union Assessment Committee Act of 1862 was discussed and explained.

The drainage of the lower end of the village leading to Hertford was also discussed and many proposals made. The Rector was requested to write to the Earl of Essex to send his agent to advise the parishioners as to the main drain crossing his Lordship’s property.

13 June 1864
The overseers applied for a rate for the relief of the poor of 6d in the pound. Granted.
Charles Brown, chairman

23 September 1864
The overseers applied for a rate for the relief of the poor of 6d in the pound. Granted.
John Harding, chairman

10 November 1864
The overseers applied for a rate for the relief of the poor of 6d in the pound. Granted. The surveyor also applied for 6d in the pound, which was granted.
Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

22 December 1864

Present:
The Rector
Thomas Rowlatt
George Beckwith

The overseers called the attention of the vestry to an order of the committee appointed to the Court of Quarter Sessions for the county of Hertford to send in a statement of the “total amount of the full and fair annual value of the whole property in the parish” liable to be assessed towards the county rate at the present time. After careful revision of the rate book and other documents, the form sent was filled in and returned, of which the following is a copy.
John Harding, chairman

Description of Property Rated	Estimated Extent	Gross Estimated value	Full fair annual value of the whole property within the Parish	By whom was the valuation made & the manner in which it was made
Lands and farm buildings	a . r . p 2912 . 1 . 0	£ . s . d 3357 .11 . 0	£ . s . d 2998 .5. 0	The valuation were made by the Church wardens and overseers
Houses and Gardens	12. 2. 36	1113 . 3 . 0	889 . 10 . 0	And revised and a few alterations made by the
Tithe Commuta-tion		665 . 15 . 6	544 . 0 . 0	Union Assessment Committee at Hertford
	2924. 3. 36	5136. 9. 6	4431 .15 . 0

 

1865

3 February 1865

Present:
George Pettitt
Phillip Dilley, chairman
GF Beckwith
James Bray

James Bray cottage and premises taken into consideration and it was agreed to be rated at £3.5s per annum
The overseers applied for a rate for the relief of the poor of 6d in the pound. Granted.

Phillip Dilley, chairman

20 February 1865
At a Vestry meeting for the purpose of choosing constables for the year 1865, the following persons were nominated
James Beckwith – Carpenter
James Savage – Bricklayer
Thomas Estwick – Shopkeeper
Emmanuel Gentle – Saddler

Present:
George Pettit
George Aylott, overseer
George Beckwith, overseer

George Pettit, chairman

27 March 1865

Present:
Mr Hill
Mr Porter
Mr Ivory
Mr Pettit
Mr J Bray
Mr H Elliott
Mr G Beckwith
Thos Rowlatt

Overseers accounts were examined, balance due to the parish £77.11.9

The following names were sent into the Magistrates as eligible to serve as overseers. James Knott, Owen Cannon, Robert Hill, George Francis Beckwith. It was agreed that George Francis Beckwith be appointed as rate collector at a salary of £10 per annum.

The stone wardens accounts were examined and audited, a balance of £35.2.5 ½ in favour of the parish.

The following names were sent into the magistrates as eligible to serve as stone wardens. Mr Robert Ivory, Mr Samuel Porter jnr, Mr Robert Hill and Mr Porter sen.

Thos Rowlatt, chairman

1866

1867

22 April 1867
Easter Monday
The re-letting of the Ardely poor land was discussed

24 October 1867
Joseph and Daniel Warner’s new house in Froghall Lane was re-rated from ten shillings to six pounds gross and five pounds rateable.

1868

25 March 1868

Present:
Mr GD Pearman
Mr Sam Porter, surveyor
Mr S Porter junior
Mr GF Beckwith, overseer
Mr Stockbridge
T Rowlatt, guardian
Mr Hill
Mr G Beecroft

The following names sent to the Magistrates as eligible to serve as overseers, Mr Sam Porter jun, Mr Robert Ivory, Mr Hill, Mr GD Pearman.

G Beckwith to collector of rates at a salary of £10 per annum.

9 July 1868
The overseers made complaint that the medical officer had neglected to attend Mr Clinton, was unanimously agreed should be referred to the Board of Guardians. A copy of Dr Tily’s letter to the Board of Guardians was made respecting Rachel Holes not being able to do the work sufficient to support her. It was agreed that she should be offered the house with the sanction of the Board of Guardians.

23 July 1868
The medical officer’s letter, presented and read at the Hertford Board of Guardians on Saturday the 18th inst was produced and read over, and commented on, when it was resolved that as the letter was addressed to the Board, the Vestry respectfully solicit the Board to protect and vindicate their Guardian, Mr Rowlatt from such undeserved aspersions and insulting language contained in the medical officers letter, and request that they will when occasion requires it, forward the correspondence between the parties concerned in this controversy to the Poor Law Board. It was also stated that the parishioners generally feel aggrieved at the increase of the medical expenses.

John Harding, chairman

27 August 1868
The overseers applied for a poor rate of six pence in the pound which was granted.
Also that George Waldock’s house should be rated at gross and estimated rental £6.10.0 and the rateable value £5.0.0.
Also that Mr Bray’s house, brewhouse and premises be rated at £20.0.0 gross and £17.0.0 rateable value.
Also the vestry request the Hertford Board of Guardians to furnish them with the correspondence from the Poor Law Board in reference to Mr Tily’s letter.

GD Pearman, chairman

16 September 1868
As Mr H Elliott occupier of the Poors land and Padcroft field has left the parish without the knowledge of anyone and his property sold off, the church wardens and parishioners think it is right and proper to re-let the said land by tender and each tender be sent in on or before the 7th September to the churchwardens of this parish. It was agreed that Mr GD Pearman should see Messrs Spe[..] and Hawks to have advice about the re-letting of the said land.
Also it is requested that Mr Tily’s letter should be sent up to the Poor Law Board.

GD Pearman, chairman

1869

25 March 1869
It was agreed that Mr Robert Hill be appointed way warden for the ensuing year.
Thos Rowlatt, chairman

29 March 1869
At the Easter Monday Vestry meeting

Present:
The Rector
Revd J Bishop
Mr SR Rowlatt, churchwarden
Mr Thos Pearman, churchwarden
Mr Rowlatt, guardian
Mr Beckwith, overseer
Mr Stockbridge

Churchwardens accounts audited and passed balance in favour of churchwardens £2.5.7¼d.
The Rector appointed Mr SR Rowlatt his churchwarden, the parish chose Mr Thos Pearman.
A penny church rate was proposed by Mr Thos Rowlatt and seconded by Mr Beckwith, agreed.

Proposal of Mr Robert Hill, objects to being appointed warden, Mr G David Pearman to be requested to accept the office proposed that Mr Robert ivory and Mr Sam Knight be appointed overseers, the accounts be left until the next Vestry on account of the paucity of ratepayers present.

John Harding, Chairman

15 April 1869
Mr GF Beckwith be appointed collector of rates at a salary of ten pounds per annum.
The tender for the Poor land was opened.
Mr G Potter £8 for the 3a 1r 17p
Mr Andrews 32/6d per annum
Mr Fitzjohn 44/0d per annum
Mr Bracy 43/0d per annum
Agreed that Mr Fitzjohn’s tender be accepted

Thomas Rowlatt, chairman

13 December 1869
Vestry minutes pursuant to regular notice, to take into consideration the alterations contained in the instructions from the Poor Law Board, and also to obtain a rate for present use.

There were present:
The Rev Francis Bishop, curate, and Messrs
F Beckwith
Beacroft [sic]
Ivory
S Porter senior
S Porter junior

The overseers applied for a poor rate of one shilling in the pound, payable in two instalments. Granted.
Francis Bishop, chairman