The Local Historian Volume 15 Number 2 May 1982

By Christopher J. Harrison

Discussion of the value of Elizabethan field surveys and the possible uses of this source, with comment upon their weakness as a source of data on the socio-economic structure of rural communities. These surveys (which rarely include any map or plan) are usually listings of the position, acreage and frequently the name of every plot of land, and were intended to provide the lord of the manor and his steward with a detailed record of holdings. They were often associated with the preparation of rentals. They may provide details of the status of individuals if they deal with freehold properties, but in instances where much of the land was sub-let they do not allow the researcher to reconstruct the real pattern of holdings or tenancies within a community. The article illustrates this problem with a case-study of Cannock, Staffordshire, which has surveys of the conventional type, as well as other court roll information, but also one which lists sub-tenancies. The former evidence implies that about 15% of the land was sub-tenanted, whereas the more detailed record shows that in reality the proportion of sub-tenanted land in 1554 was 64%. Harrison suggests that one way of checking the validity of conclusions reached from conventional surveys is to place the number of tenancies against the number of identifiable dwellings - the surplus of the latter might represent sub-tenants as well as landless labourers.

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By Brian Thomas Waites

Lyndon, Rutland, was the home of Thomas Barker, a friend and eventually brother-in-law of Gilbert White of Selborne. Barker kept a very detailed weather diary - probably the best which survives from 18th century England - between 1748 and 1763, and this source has been extensively used by climate historians. It gives not only the obvious evidence of the type of weather, but also specific data on wind direction and strength, rainfall, temperature and pressure, together with anecdotal descriptions of natural phenomena, crops and garden plants. He was a major contributor to the Proceedings of the Royal Society. Other diaries, now apparently lost, probably existed for the remainder of the period 1733 to 1798.

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By Leslie Ellison

Ellison considers that the cases which came before the petty sessional courts in the 19th century reflected the range of problems experienced by the poor and deprived sections of urban society. He argues that there are two main categories of petty crime: i) socially acceptable crime, such as allowing cattle to stray, parking offences, driving offences, and non-payment of rates or rent; and ii) the 'unacceptable' crimes, which were those against society, such as drunkenness, profanity, violence, vandalism, theft and minor sexual offences. In his detailed case-study of the relationship between crime and deprivation he uses the example of the small market town of Barnard Castle, County Durham, looking at 1871 and 1872 so that cross-reference can be made to the 1871 census. He compares his findings with an 1849 survey of the incidence of cholera, to emphasise the 'package' of social problems experienced by those in the poorest districts of the town.

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By Peter Christie

The Gentleman's Magazine was published continuously from 1731 to 1908, so was one of the longest-ever publications. During much of this period it fulfilled its original aim, which was to reproduce for a general audience of gentlemen items of 'wit, humour or intelligence' from newspapers, together with other items 'of use or amusement'. It is thus a compilation of a grand miscellany of descriptions, news items, poems, satirical pieces, gossip and scandal. Although its method of compilation (much of its content was submitted by contributors) means that it was anything but systematic, its eclectic breadth of coverage makes it unique among historical sources. The article describes some of the main types of information which may be encountered in its pages and also refers to the partial indexes which are available.

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By Margaret Noble

The potential of land tax returns for studies of land ownership and agrarian change has been long recognised, although it is not without controversy, but in this article it is suggested that the value of this source for urban historical research has not been acknowledged. This might be because of the number of entries likely to be involved (perhaps 300 for a town of only 1000 people), but is also because the focus on rural communities has simply ignored the towns. Research on six market towns in the East Riding of Yorkshire for the period 1780-1830 forms the basis of the case-study in the article. There is a discussion of the content of the returns and the methodology of the research, including sampling by year and categorising of entries and individuals. After 1827 descriptions were included and these help to build up a clear picture of the character of the property in the six towns. Analysis involved assessment of land holdings, turnover of land and property, owner occupation and tenancies. In the study a key finding concerned the way in which land was released for urban development at a time of substantial population increase, and the predominance of subdivision within the existing built-up area is noted. The change in proprietorship, and the important influence of small landholders rather than large estates in providing building land, are identifiable. Changes in wealth are also noted, as people moved between categories of taxpaying, and it is suggested that multiple occupancy and structural changes in the property market could readily be seen by the end of the 18th century.