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.