The hearth tax was introduced in England and Wales in1662, and was levied every year thereafter until 1688. Householders were required to pay tax at the rate of two shillings a year for each hearth within their dwelling. Those too poor to pay the tax were listed at the end of the return. The qualifications for exemption were: being too poor to pay church or poor rates; possessing property worth less than 20 shillings a year; or possessing property worth less than £10.00.
The hearth tax records form a very valuable source for local historians. For example, they allow us to calculate the approximate size of the population of the Borough at this date (roughly 1640 individuals, using a multiplier of 4.75 individuals per household). The returns also throw much light on the social structure of the Borough. Only 20 householders possessed more than five hearths, and some of these may have been innkeepers. Many of the wealthiest inhabitants were living in the `Foreign`, for example Edward Montford of Bescot Hall, John Persehouse of Reynalds Hall, and Mr Haw of Caldmore. An exceptionally high proportion (52 %) of the Borough`s population was considered to be too poor to pay the tax. In the Foreign, which included poor suburbs such as Caldmore , as well as Walsall Wood and Bloxwich, the level of exemptions was even higher (56%).
These extracts have been transcribed from the 1923 volume of the Staffordshire Record Society`s publications.
Part1. The Borough of Walsall
Josiah Freeman 2 hearths William Wheeler 2 Mrs Talbott 5 William Lowe 4 Edward Hinkes 2 John Rowley 2 William Sherwin 6 Thomas Deakin 5 George Pearson 3 John Shatwell 4 Thomas Sale 6 John Brookes 1 William Adams 2 Joseph Shorte 2 Richard Hilton 3 George Pearson 6 Thomas Egington 3 Thomas Hodgkinson 1 George Renaldes 2 Mr John Wolloston 13 Thomas Cumberlidge 3 John Sansom 2 Edward Hitchines 1 Thomas Griffin 1 John Shatwell 6 Hum. Norris 1 John Daye 2 John Wood 2 William Hayes 3 Laurence Newman 1
John Henne 2 Richard Hancox and Mrs Toye 4 Thomas Osburne , senior 4 Thomas Comberlidge 1 Bartholomew Hixon 1 Thomas Cotten 1 William Seyney 5 William Addersich 5 John Lander 3 Thomas Sheffeilde 2 Richard Lander 1 Edward Eames 4 Mr Fincher 3 Josiah Clarke 3 Edward Nicholas 4 Robert Stotsbury 4 William Hickmans 2 Richard Barton 3 Josiah Barker 4 Percivall Asborne 2 Thomas Dickson 1 Richard Coph 3 Phillip Coxe 3 Richard Nicholes 13 Thomas Sheppard 7 George Turnpeny 5 Daniel Shorte 2 Alice Burrowes 5 William Seavernes 1 Robert Mosley 4 William Horton 2 Henry Wood 6 Peter Hopkins 2 Edward Goodwin 2 Samuel Lees 3 Abraham Jorden 4 William Bott 2 Mr John Walter 6 Mrs Elizabeth Lowe 6 Thomas Tibson 7 Henry Hollis 2 John Hurbert 3 Wiliam Coxe 3 Anne Burowe 4 John Sansom 6 Simon Bibb 2 John Greene 1 William Barber 2 Sym Homer 2 John Lees 2 Mary Vaughan 2 John Ball 6 John Gould, alias Collier 5 Henry Harper 2 Richard Addams 1 Widdow Vrome 1 William Barker 1 George Ball, senior 3 George Ball, junior 2 Richard Nevall 2 Moses Curtis 1 Robert Hildicke 2 Widdow Ball 1 Richard Curtine 1 Humfrey Ashbey 1 Lucy Ball 2 Roger Clewley 6 William Archer 1 Henry Greene 1 John Curson 3 Joseph Shatwell 4 Mr Richard Blackome [the mayor] 6 Edward Dudley 2 John Reade 3 ( and 5 stopped) Joseph Allen 4 ( and 2 stopped) William Homes 1 John Gould, alias Collier 2 Christ. Nicholes 2 Mr Marke 5 Richard Chunnall 1 John Paine 6 Raph Lees 3 Mr. Ebb 5 Thomas Shatwell 2 Owen Greene 2 (of which 1 stopped) John Topinge 1 Thomas Podmore 3 George Burton 3 Thomas Day 2 Thomas Cooper 3 George Shingleton 1 Robert Bellingham 2 Richard Smyth 2 Mr William Smyth 2 John Martin 1 Thomas Nicholes 3 Solloman Bett 1 Thomas Greene 4 Anthony Whetley 6 Francis Dugmore 1 John Marshall 1 William Greene 2 John Tudman 3 Christopher Dickin 5 Thomas Dickin 3 George Lidiatt [?] 2 Richard Addamson 4 William Coxe 2 Mr Barffett 7 Nathaniel Ferres 2 Richard Spinke 1 George Hill 5 John Reade 1 Edward Tomlinson 1 Richard Oneley 1 Mr Homes House 6 Mrs Ball 4 Widdow Clarson 1 Richard Onelie 1 John Griffen 2 Mr Wolloston 5 John Sansom, junior 3 John Alsoph 1 Mr Landers house }4 Mrs Laurence three Tennants } Mr Richardes two howes 15 Mr Nathaniel Lane 4 Joseph Brookes 1 Mrs Josiah Freeman 5 Thomas Greene 1 James Oxespringe 1 Richard Oxespringe 1 Henry Hodginson 5 Francis Poulton 1
Exemptions, Borough of Walsall John Clemson Thomas Ablin William Bradbury John Glover Widow Prickrill John Seney Jobe Athersich Edward Kegg Richard Greene Widdow Whorall Edward Spinke William Peate Widdow Shorte Widdow Webbe Widow Wedge Widow Peate Francis Collier Widdow Barber Thomas More Widdow Eagers John Dunte William Byrch Thomas Tudman Mary Jenings Steeven Pratt Widdow Packington John Clarke Widdow Newby Thomas Griffine Richard Jenings Thomas Wagstaffe John Wilson William Homes Widdow Holte Widdow Rocke John Reade Widdow Curson Widdow Jackson Thomas Brookes John Peate Thomas Lander Widdow Woodward Thomas Heapes Widdow Bott John Harris Widdow Hokford Benjamin Brindley John Wheeley Matthew Wood John Tatine Widdow Smyth John Highedowne George Smyth Henry Guy Jane Stone Anthony Greene Edward James Widdow Cartine James Owle Edward Cottrill John Biddle William Burry John Sanson Thomas Hathley John Heape Thomas Gould Thomas Meeson Edward Stone Edward Kings Widdow Hatbey Hugh Tibson John Sleigh Henry Shirleton [?] Edward Onyons Richard Hinley Richard Dudley Thomas Dudley John Yeates Thomas Norris John Shaw Richard Browne Eliz. Gibson Widdow London Robert Harrison John Harrisson Samuel Perry Widdow Mills Thomas Underhill Henry Bauge Nicholas Sleigh Edward Smyth Thomas Yeattes[?] Richard Stringer Richard Tutt Thomas Greene William Tayler Widdow Barnes John Williams John Morgin Edmund Bradshaw Widdow Athley Nicholas Groves Walter Rich Richard Woodward George Lidyatt John Rowe Christ. Jackson John Farr [?] Widdow Comberlidg Richard Hunte Widdow Ball George Dudley Richard Jackson Thomas Patte Thomas Reynaldes Walter Pettey Thomas Yeomans Thomas Wood Robert Perkinson George Frances William Taverner Robert Ball Widdow Barber William Wood Robert Ball William Spurrier Thomas Richards Thomas Ashforde Widdow Boman Thomas Higgins Raph Parker Isaac Smyth Richard Smyth John Tibson Edward Hodgkinson Humfrey Ball William Pooton Henry Hollins John Cockspringe Thomas Wolleston John Cottrill Humfrey Perkinson Widdow Smyth William Ryder John Baxter Widdow Alpott Anne Troute[?] John Clarson Widdow Chatterton William Greene Widdow Cole John Tewe Owin Greene Thomas Addams Nicholas Sillvester Widdow Pratt James Stone John Holte Richard White Widdow James Humfrey Mason Thomas Hogkins John Turner Widdow Chatterton William Swancott Alice Barratt Humfrey Flecher William Royder Widdow Ropier Mathew Owen Richard Sanders Robert Cooke John Williams Thomas Hedley Widdow Challingwood Thomas Pratty Henry Browne Robert Harrison Thomas Barber Widow Undrill Thomas Smyth William Smyth
Part 2: Walsall Foreign[Including Caldmore, Walsall Wood and Bloxwich]
Edward Montford, Esquire 14 John Pershous, Esquire 9 Henry Stone, gentleman 9 Mr Haw 9 Francis Pursell, gentleman 11 John Alport, gentleman 7 John Cowley, gentleman 5 William Backer 1 William Reade 1 William Addams 1 Thomas Woodward 1 Nicholas Parker 3 John Slayney 4 Richard Geninges 1 Edward Lytly 1 John Smyth 3 William Harrison 1 Richard Rayley 2 Fabrian Newman 1 Samuel Wood 1 John Lea 1 John Redworth 1 John Stubbs, gentleman 2 William Stubbs, junior 2 George Symcox 2 Widdow Greene 1 Peter Whorwood 1 John Kinge 1 Raph Heath 1 Weston Noble 5 Thomas Batlier, junior 1 John Speede 1 William Brookes 1 John Brookes 1 John Standley 1 Math: Colborne 2 Thomas Hamnett 1 Thomas Brookes 1 Richard Hicson 1 William Smyth 1 Thomas Whitshouse 1 George Lea 1 Peter Reade 1 Edward Harrison 1 George Haukens 1 Thomas Bayly 1 Nicholas Baylie 1 Francis Froste 4 Thomas Middelton 1 John Piner 1 John Litley 1 Robert Greves Cald. 2 William Brockehouse 2 Mr Woollossen 3 Geggory Woodward 3 John Hanson 1 John Carter 1 George Harrison 1 John Greene 2 Jerrim Sambrooke 1 William Horton 1 William Billingson 1 Richard Leabande 1 Henry Cottrill 1 Mr Richard Bursall 3 Widdow Paviour 1 Widdow Packington 1 John Beckett 1 Richard Beckett 1 William Tonkes 1 Thomas Becket 1 John Smyth 2 Widdow Chapman 1
The house whearein William Chapman lived 1 John Horton 2 Edward Goodwin 3 John Goodwin 3 John Shelton 1 William Morris 1 William Goodman 1 John Harrison 1 John Jeninges 4 Mr John Haukes 4 Mr John Byrch 4 John Hall 1 William Woode 1 Stephen Harrison 1 John Butler 1 Widdowe Wood 1 John Wiggin 4 John Martin 1 Thomas Smyth 1 Thomas Latham 1 John Birch 1 Thomas Byrch 1 Richard Mills 1 William Lander 2 Walter Harte 1 Thomas Harrison 1 Richard Waddame 1 William Reddinge 2 Mr William Scott 5 Richard Smyth 1 Luke Bott 1 Nicholas Tudman 2 Oliver Byrch 2 Mr Bourne, Minister 3 Edward Wolloston 1 Francis Match 1 John Hadmore 2 Thomas Moulde 5 William Cottrill 1 William Hyckins 2 Richard Underhill 1 Richard Heyley 1 Joseph Whitehouse 1 Dorothy Bridge 1 Edward Haukins 1 John Robinson in Mr George Pershouse house 3 Mr Sansomes mill 2 Mr Hawe in 2 houses in Caldmore 2 John Standley 1 Samuel Tudman 1
Exemptions John Daniell Thomas Millward Thomas Dugmoore Widdow Granger Thomas Parrocke Widdow Rockworth Thomas Wrixon John Purrocke William Wrixon Widdow Heath Thomas Bonde John Smallman Raph Harrey John Standley Robert Kerkeland William Goulde Robert Laurence Widdow Dudsbury Richard Hadley Thomas Jeffres Hugh Deakin Widdow Allport Henry Bussage Edward Palmoore Godfrey French Charles Micline Widdow Cooper Thomas Arrowsmyth Widdow Cheeke Richard Baylie Thomas Badder John Greene Edward Daniell Zach. Pearson Richard Parkes Stephen Badden Richard Standley Edward Wood Humfrey Cockin John Wrixon John Trawford John Hancox Lewes Neule Thomas Hancox Randel Neavell Francis Barker Widdow Heath John Winsor John Stoakes Nicholas Redings Francis Stoakes Nicholas Beckett John Harrisson Thomas Reddinge John Webbe Thomas Hawkes George Kinge Widdow Harrison Widdow Smyth Edward Harrison John Stoakes Thomas Page Thomas Hopkins Thomas Bellisson Thomas Chatterton John Barlowe Robert Allen Widdowe Trayforde Edward Allen Widdow Barlowe Robert Tayler Thomas Helme Thy. Badder John Simons John Badder Joseph Drake John Russell John Pitt John Harper Thomas Small John Mosse Henry Stoakes Widdow Lichfeild John Greene Widdow Meeson John Greene, junior Richard Bonde Thomas Clewes Raph Backer Wiliam Clewes John Daniell John Fletcher Edward Hatley John Nicholas Widdow Lord Edward Peace Thomas Litley John Stone Richard Penson Widow Smyth Widdow Dyott Thomas Horton Thomas Dyott John Bellison Widow Middleton Rand. Cockin Widow Horton Joseph Stoakes Francis Hancox John Matthewes John Kerkeland Thomas Caven Widow Kirkland Thomas Royley Robert Kerkeland Hum All=yott Henry Blewes Levey Berch Samuel Blewes Richard Hallvey Thomas Elliott Widdow Kesterton Joane Parker John Harrison Richard Parker Richard Launder Edward Barsley Thomas Brookes Richard Stephens William Kesterton Edward Lander Henry Kesterton Edward Harrison John Webster Robert Kerkeland Thomas French Widow Kerkeland Nicholas Harvey Thomas Stoakes Thomas Milner William Dusebury Samuel Halte John Bayley William Lees Widow Haykins Thomas Morris Widow Hollis Henry Browne Widdow Yeate, John Webbe James Penne Amb. Engilbie Henry Barber Geffery Robinson John Greene Widdow Harris William Tayler William Bedworth Thomas Petty Edward Terry Anne Allen