Northamptonshire Hearth Tax - Beeby

It seems that just about everything at some time or other has been taxed.

The Hearth Tax returns and assessments of 1662-1674 relate to a levy of two shillings on every hearth (fireplace) in the house.

The number of hearths is a clue to wealth and status.

Over seven hearths usually indicates gentry and above, between four and seven hearths, wealthy craftsmen and tradesmen, merchants and yeomen.

Between two and three hearths suggests craftsmen, tradesmen and yeomen.

The labouring poor, husbandmen and poor craftsmen usually only had one hearth.

There are many gaps in the records, partly because of the loss of documentation, but partly also because of widespread evasion of this most unpopular tax.

1662
Rushden Christopher Bebe 1
Hargrave nil  
Irthlingborough nil  
Lt Addington Richard Beeby 1
Gt Addington James Beebie 1
  John Beebie 1
  John Beebie 1
  Alexander Beebie 3
1663
Gt Addington Alexander Beeby, a local tax oficial?  
Lt Addington Richard Beeby snr 1
Irthlingborough nil  
1669-1670
Rushden xpe Bebe 1
Hargrave nil  
Irthlingborough Richard Beeby 1
Thigdon William Beeby 1
Lt Addington Richard Beeby 1
  Martha Beeby 1
Gt Addington ? Beeby 3
  William Beeby 1
  John Beeby 1
  James Beeby 1
1674 (Lady Day)
Irthlingborough Richard Beeby 1
Woodford Robert Beeby 1
Lt Addington Martha Beeby 1
Gt Addington William Beeby 2
  William Beeby 1
  James Beeby 1
  John Beeby 1
Rushden Christopher Beeby 1
Hargrave nil  

Note: This contradicts the Great Addington village history book.