Returns from parishes made under the Defence of the Realm Act, 38 George III c.27,...

INTRODUCTION

These returns are a chance survival among Land Tax Assessments. Only a relatively few Hundreds and parishes are represented. The year and chapter of the statute are not mentioned in the preamble of the returns, but many are dated April 1798 and the Defence of the Realm Act 38 George III c.27 may be inferred

The returns comprise:

A: Schedule No.1: giving total numbers of men between 15 and 60 years; numbers infirm or incapable; numbers serving in Volunteer Corps and armed associations; aliens; Quakers; numbers incapable of removing themselves.

B: Schedule No.2: giving statement of live and dead stock, waggons, carts, corn mills and the amount of corn they can grind in a week, flour, meal, malt and local produce.

C: Schedule No.3: giving numbers of persons willing to serve, whether on foot or on horseback, how armed and whether willing to act as servants with cattle, servants with teams or guides.

D: Form No.1: return by nobility, gentry and yeomanry giving subscribers names and the numbers of waggons, carts, horses, drivers and conductors they can provide.

E: Form No.1: return by millers giving subscribers names, the names and situations of water and wind mills, how many sacks of flour can be produced by each mill in 24 hours and whether the wheat is provided by subscribers.

F: Form No.2: return by bakers giving subscribers names, the number of loaves that can be baked in 24 hours by the usual number of lands and with extra help, the quantity which would keep each oven working constantly, the fuel used and whether in plentiful supply.

Returns D to F above described exist only for Portsdown Hundred. In the following list it can be assumed that returns A to C exist unless otherwise stated. All dates found are noted. Some returns relate to the parish, some to the tithing and others do not indicate which. They are arranged by Hundred, as follows:

Q22/1/2/5/1-14: Basingstoke Hundred

Q22/1/2/5/15: Bentley Liberty

Q22/1/2/5/16-24: Bermondspit Hundred

Q22/1/2/5/25: Bishops Waltham Hundred

Q22/1/2/5/26-35: Crondall Hundred

Q22/1/2/5/36: Fawley Hundred

Q22/1/2/5/37-42: Holdshott Hundred

Q22/1/2/5/43-49: Micheldever Hundred

Q22/1/2/5/50-68: Odiham Hundred

Q22/1/2/569-84: Portsdown Hundred: These returns comprise schedules and forms A-F unless stated otherwise. There are several bundles for both Portsea and Portsmouth. The relationship between them is not clear, however the names of the constables and tithing men have been used to identify the separate bundles.