The Barritts of the Fenlands - Page 2
Parish Registers, Registrations, Census Returns
Victoria acceded to the throne in 1837 and quite a few changes took place which have been invaluable to family researchers. Up till then the clergy had taken care of the nations spiritual needs and had faithfully recorded them. Henry VIII had appointed Thomas Cromwell to be Vicar General, as he had devised the legislation than made the English church independent of Rome, culminating in the Act of Supremacy of 1534. From 1536 he supervised the dissolution of the monasteries and in 1538 ordered the incumbents of all Parish Churches to record all baptisms. marriages and burials in a register. These were to be kept in a secure chest with three locks, the keys of which were to be kept, one by the clergyman, the other two separately by the two churchwardens, so that the chest could only be opened in the presence of all three of them.
From 1600 the incumbents made annual copies of the registers, from Lady Day to Lady Day approximately six years out of every seven and these were sent to their Archdeacons. The exceptions being bishops visitation years, when the transcripts were sent to the Bishop. Most Archdeacons and Bishops Transcripts have survived and are mainly held in the County Record Offices in conjunction with the ancient registers where they may be viewed either directly or via microfilm or microfiche. Some Cambridgeshire transcripts are kept in the University Library.
From 1837 it became law that all live births had to be registered and a registry was established embracing perhaps 10 Parishes. The nearest Registration District to the Barritt family home was Thetford but there was a Sub-District Office at Methwold which was much nearer. Later generations also registered births and deaths at Downham Market. It was the responsibility, and still is, of the Rector or Vicar of the Parish to submit copies of the marriage entries as they occur. These registrations are kept at the General Register Office and copies obtained only by searching the indexes and paying a fee.
However, incumbents continued to record baptisms, marriages and burials and when the registers are full the Bishop prefers the Clergyman to deposit them at the County Record Office.
Another change that took place in 1837 was a law which converted the tithes, paid by land and property owners, to a rent charge. I believe this has never been repealed, but is never enforced. About 1970, when I had premises in Ludgate Circus, London, I received a tithe/rent charge request from St. Brides, Fleet Street, but it was an entirely voluntary payment. In order to implement the 'Apportionment of the Rent Charge in Lieu of Tithes' it was necessary to prepare Tithe Maps of all Parishes in the Kingdom.
The Tithe Map for Feltwell (PRO.IR30/23/204) was prepared in 1837 by Lenny and Croft, Surveyors of Bury Saint Edmunds and is a work of art considering it was produced by using the 22 yard chain method. The chain had rings either end and by staking one and running the chain out, re-staking and further crossovers it was possible to survey the whole Parish, which measures approximately nine miles by four miles, with a great degree of accuracy. I have overlain a modern Ordnance Survey map on my copy of the Tithe Map and I cannot fault it.
The Tithe Map, if seen in conjunction with the Apportionment (PRO.IR29/23/204) gives a comprehensive picture of the Parish in that year. From the map I know that Samuel was a farmer on the fen and that his 'homestall' was just east of the Little Ouse River and adjacent to a drainage windmill on the Creeks End Mill Drain. I have visited the site on two occasions, with the permission of the then owner of Bank Farm and have found pieces of brick and tiles - remnants of Samuel's homestall.
From the Apportionment I know that Samuel Barritt was the occupier of 77 acres, owned by Christopher Pemberton and it consisted of Drove, Farm, Homestall and Fen Ground. This became subject to an annual Rent Charge of �4 10s. I have marked Samuel's homes tall in red on the map on Page 1. Samuel also occupied 37 acres owned by Ebenezer Foster next to Feltwell Anchor public house. This was mainly Fen Ground and the bank of the Little Ouse River and although within the Feltwell boundary was not subject to tithes or rates.
Mr. Robert Wright of the City of Norwich was appointed valuer to apportion the sum agreed to be paid by way of Rent Charge in Lieu of Tithes amongst the several lands of Saint Mary and Saint Nicholas in Feltwell and found as follows: Gross Rent Charge payable to the Tithe Owner in Lieu of Tithes (the Rector): �1,296. He also valued the price of an Imperial Bushel of Wheat at 7s 01/4d, Barley at 3s 111/2d and oats at 2s 9d.
Census Returns were started in the 19th Century but it was not until 1841 that much information was given other than a poll count. The 1841 Census was taken on 14th June and the enumerators were instructed to record the actual ages of children under 15 years, but ages of adults to be recorded as the lowest of the term of 5 years within which the age is. Samuel's age is recorded as 55 whereas his real age was 59. Occupations were given and 'yes' if born within the county and 'no' if both elsewhere. Subsequent Census Returns give actual age, relationship to head of the house, marital status, occupations and Parish of Birth. Samuel and Mary had both died before the 1851 Census, so their place of birth is not known.
The full entry for Samuel's household in 1841 (PRO.H0107/774) shows Samuel, a farmer. aged 55, his wife Mary, aged 50. the twins William and Rebecca aged 15, Sarah aged 15, Harriet aged 13 and Rachael aged 9. Also resident with Samuel were 9 agricultural labourers aged from 25 down to 13. He must have needed these to tend his 114 acres.
At the age of 62 Samuel Barritt died of dropsy on 25th May 1845 at Feltwell and was buried there five days later. He had written his will fifteen days before he died and it was proved at Feltwell by Rev. Matthew Parrington the Curate who had been appointed Surrogate by the Worshipful Charles Evans. Principal of the Episcopal Consistorial Court of Norwich, on 24th February 1845. Effects sworn under �300. A brief summary of his will as follows:
'I appoint my dear wife Mary Executrix and Andrew Pryor the Younger of Northwold Executor. They to collect all moneys due and to pay any debts including testamentary expenses. I bequeath to my wife all household effects, live and dead farting stock and other goods and chattels. I bequeath to my wife all my real property and after her death, Andrew Pryor to sell for best price obtainable, plus all furniture and pay to my two youngest daughters Rachael and Harriet, �10 each. The balance to he equally divided between all my children, Including Rachael and Harriet.'
Mary Barritt survived Samuel by 16 months. She died of a diseased heart on 20th September, 1846 at Feltwell and was buried there five days later aged 59.
© Ron Barritt - March 1995