Slaughterhouses: books

An Act of 26 Geo.IIIc. 71 (1786) passed to discourage the stealing of horses for slaughter, required every person keeping a slaughter house to take a licence. Such licences were granted by justices of the peace on receipt of a certificate from the minister and churchwardens of the parish, indicating that the applicant was a fit and proper person. Copies of licences were entered into a book kept by the Clerk of the Peace. Slaughtering without a licence was declared a felony. ; Licensed slaughter house keepers were obliged to keep an account of all animals brought to them for slaughter. These books were to be produced on demand to a justice or inspector.; Parish vestries were authorised to appoint an inspector who likewise was to keep a book in which to enter details of animals slaughtered. These books were to be produced for inspection at Quarter Sessions.; This Act did not apply to curriers killing diseased or aged horses.; These records include Westminster.