[ Census 1831; Northumberland; MS and Printed ] Archive of manuscript and printed material relating to the conduct and content of the census of 1831 (Northumberland).

The passing, in June 1830, of a parliamentary 'Act for taking an Account of the Population of Great Britain, and of the Increase or Diminution thereof'(see Item 14) directed that the overseers of the poor should 'take an Account of the Number of Persons found within each Parish and Place'. This measure was seen by the Whig government (and in particular by Lord John Russell) as providing vital information preparatory to the passing of the Parliamentary Reform Bill. The present collection not only presents a body of information regarding the overseers (see Item 6: 'By referring to the population returns you will see which of the Overseers have signed them as we have no other way of coming at the knowledge of it.') but also provides an insight into the workings of local government at a period of historic change in British government.27 items, all clear and complete, and all but the last (see Item 16 below) in excellent condition on lightly-aged paper. Items 14 and 15 printed; the rest in manuscript in a variety of hands.Compiled by a number of high constables (Hugh Boag, George Fawcus, William Gibson, William Fenwick, William Morrison) of the country of Northumberland, and sent, as part of the populaton returns, to Robert Thorp, Clerk of the Peace, Alnwick. Mainly comprising lists of the overseers of the poor of the several parishes and townships.ITEM 1. Manuscript account, on printed form, dated 'Michs. Sessions, 1831', for '521 Returns made by the Overseers of the Poor of the several Parishes & Townships, in the County under the Population Act at the rate of 1s/. for each return as fixed by the same act (11. Geo. 4th.. Cap: 30 - Sec.10)'. 8vo, 2pp. Broken down into five wards: Castle, Tindale, Morpeth, Coquetdale, Bamburgh, and Glendale ('521 at 1/- £26. 1. 0').ITEM 2. Manuscript letter, dated 'South Side July 28. 1831', from William Fenwick to Robert Thorp, Clerk of the Peace. Docketed '(1) With Lists of Townships &c in East Divn. Coq. Ward'.ITEM 3. Manuscript letter, dated Kilham, 17 August 1831, from Hugh Boag to Robert Thorp, Clerk of the Peace, Alnwick. 8vo, 2 pp, in bifolium. Containing the details for the 'West Division of Glendale Ward'. Parishes of Brankson, Carham, Ford, and Kirknewton. Docketed '17th Aug. 1831 recd. 20th. High Constable for the West Divn. of Glendale Ward | Northumberland | Population Enquiry (List of Townships)'.ITEM 4. Manuscript, by William Morrison, High Constable, docketed 'List of Townships & Overseers, North Divsn. Coquetdale Ward'. Docketed '39 Townships'. 8vo, 3 pp. Parishes of Alnham, Ilderton, Ingram, Edlington, Whittingham, and Eglingham (a Part).ITEM 5. Manuscript, by George Fawcus, High Constable for South Divison of Bambury Ward, headed 'Townships & Parishes in the So. Division of Bamburgh Ward'. 8vo, 2 pp. Docketed 'South division of Bamburgh Ward | List of Townships and Overseers delivered by the High Constable' and '24 Townships'.ITEM 6. Manuscript letter by William Gibson ('For Mr Brown | Wm Gibson'), addressed to 'Robert Thorp Esqe | Clerk of the Peace | Alnwick', dated Chalton, 1 August 1831, Alnwick. 8vo, 2 pp, in bifolium. Containing list, docketed '1831 | East division of Glendale Ward. List of Townships and overseers delivered by the High Constable'. The details of the overseers of eleven townships are given. Gibson writes 'By referring to the population returns you will see which of the Overseers have signed them as we have no other way of coming at the knowledge of it.'ITEM 7. Manuscript copy of letter, containing list, docketed '1831. Population Returns. Copy List of Townships and Overseers for The East division fof Coquetdale Ward.' By William Gibson. Begins 'Agreeable to your request I have sent you a list of the townships &c as soon as I could procure them from Mr. Widdell - they are as follows [...]'. Details of eleven townships are given. Letter ends 'I will probably be at Alnwick on Saturday first and will call to see if this is all right & if any thing further is wanted'.ITEM 8. Manuscript list, by William Fenwick, docketed 'Population Returns East Divison Coq. Ward | List of Townships & names of Overseers made by the High Constable'. In letter to 'Robt. Thorp Esqre | Clerk of the Peace'. 8vo, 2 pp, in bifolium. Parishes of Alnwick, Eglington, Felton, Guyson (Extra parochial), Warkworth.ITEM 9. Manuscript list, headed 'Townships & Parishes in the South Division of Bamburgh Ward'. Compiled by George Fawcus, High Constable, South Division, Bamburgh Ward. Foolscap, 1 p. Docketed on reverse '1831. Populaton returns. Copy Lists of Townships and Oversees for The South Division of Bamburgh Ward'. ITEM 10. Manuscript list, by William Fenwick, High Constable, headed 'East Division of Coquetdale Ward'. Foolscap, 1 p. Parishes of Alnwick, Bassington, Swarland, Woodhouse, and Guyson (Extra Parochial). Docketed 'Population Returns | East Division Coq. Ward | Copy List of Townships & Names of Oversees made by the High Constable'.ITEM 11. Manuscript list, docketed 'Population returns North Division Coq: Ward | Copy List of Townships &c. Made by the High Constable'. Foolscap, 2 pp, on bifolium. Parishes of Alnham, Iderton, Ingram, Edlington, Whittingham, and 'Eglington Parish (a part)'.ITEM 12. Manuscript list, headed 'East Division of Coquitdale Ward'. Compiled by William Fenwick, High Constable. Foolscap, 1 p. Parishes of 'Alnwick, Eglington, Felton, Shilbottle, Guyson, Warkworth. Docketed on reverse 'List of Townships & Overseers in East Divn. Coqe Ward | 27 Townships'.ITEM 13. Twelve manuscript lists, uniform on foolscap (32.5 x 20.5 cm) bifoliums, giving the names of the overseers of a total of 402 townships in 65 parishes. All arranged in two columns, except for the second (B, in three columns).A. 'List of the Overseers of the Poor of the several Townships in the Parishes of Belford and Bamburgh, forming the North Division of Bamburgh Ward in the County of Northumberland for the Year 1831'. Foolscap, 1 p, on bifolium. Docketed '30 Townships'. Parishes of Belford and Bamburgh.B. 'A List of the several Parishes and Townships in the East Division of Castle Ward in the County of Northumberland, with the Overseers of the Poor appointed for the Year 1831'. Foolscap, 1 p, on bifolium. Details arranged in three columns. Docketed '24 Townships'. Parishes of Tynemouth, Earsdon, Wallsend and Horton.C. 'A List of Townships & Overseers of the Poor in the West Division Castle Ward, County of Northd. for the year 1831'. Foolscap, 2 pp, on bifolium. Docketed '53 Townships'. Parishes of Newburn, Ponteland, Gosforth, Saint Johns, St. Andrews, Heddon on the Wall, and All Saints.D. 'List of Townships and Overseers of the Poor in the South Division Coquetdale Ward, County of Northd. for the year 1831'. Foolscap (32.5 x 20.5 cm), 1 p, on bifolium. Docketed '7 Townships'. Parish of Elsdon.E. 'A List of Parishes and Townships in the West Division of Coquetdale Ward County of Northumberland also of Overseers appointed to each for the Year 1831'. Foolscap, 2 pp, on bifolium. Docketed '44 Townships' Parishes of Allentow, Hallyston, Rothbury, and Long Framlington Parochial Chapelry.F. 'A List of Parishes, Townships and overseers of the Poor in the East Division of Morpeth Ward, County of Northumberland, 1831'. Foolscap, 1 p, on bifolium. Docketed '22 Townships.' Parishes of Bethall, Fellon, Warkworth and Woodhorn.G. 'A List of Parishes and Townships in the West Division of Morpeth Ward, County of Northd., also of Overseers appointed to each, for the Year 1831'. Foolscap, 3 pp, on bifolium. Docketed '80 Townships'. Parishes of Bolam, Hartburn, Hebburn, Longhorsley, Mitford, Meldon, Morpeth, Netherwitton Chapelry, and Whatton.H. 'A list of Overseers of the poor of the East Division of Tindale Ward'. Foolscap, 3 pp, on bifiolum. Docketed '49 Townships'. Parishes of Bywell Saint Andrew, Bywell Saint Peter, Corbridge, Halton Chapelry, Ovington, Shotley, Slaley, and Whittonstall.I. 'A list of Overseers of the poor in the No. East Division of Tindale Ward'. Foolscap, 2 pp, on bifolium. Docketed '33 Townships', with initialled note regarding new parish boundaries. Parishes of Chollerton, Cosenside, Kirkhale, Kirkwhelpington, Stamfordham, Birtley, Thockrington, and Kirkheaton Chapelry.J. 'A list of Overseers of the poor in the No. West Division of Tindale Ward'. Foolscap, 3 pp, on bifolium. Docketed '23 Townships'. Parishes of Bellingham, Falstone, Greystead, Haydon Chapelry, Newbough Chapelry, Simonburn, Thorneyburn, Warden, and Wark. The third page carries a note regarding an act of parliament 'for erecting five distinct Rectories & Parishes within the Rectory & Parish of Simonburn'.L. 'A list of Overseers of the poor of the South Division of Tindale Ward'. Foolscap, 1 p, on bifolium (with second leaf trimmed). Docketed '19 Townships'. Parishes of Allendale, Hexham, Hexhamshire, and Saint John Lee.M. 'A List of Overseers of the poor in the West Division of Tindale Ward'. Foolscap, 1 p, on bifiolium. Docketed '18 Townships'. Parishes of Haltwhistle, Kirkhaugh, Knarsdale, Lambley, and Whitfield.ITEM 14. Printed copy of 'An Act for taking an Account of the Population of Great Britain, and of the Increase or Diminution thereof. [23d June 1830.]'. Foolscap, 19 pp (paginated 301-319). Stitched as issued. With the first seven pages annotated in a contemporary hand (with reference, among other things, to 'Overseers Duties'), and with manuscript notes on the blank reverse of the last leaf, headed 'Duties of High Constables, Overseers, Justices & Clerks of Peace, in England'. Docketed 'II. Geo. IV. c. 30 - Clerk of the Peaces Copy of the Population Act for 1831'.ITEM 15. Printed circular from John Rickman, Clerk Assistant, House of Common, to 'The Clerk attending the Magistrates'. Foolscap, 2 pp. Dated 13 June 1831. Requesting the recipient's 'aid, which cannot but be serviceable in correction of the Returns which will come before the Magistrates for proper attestation'. The reverse carries the 'Formula, No 1.'ITEM 16. Covering leaf, 8vo, in manuscript, docketed '1831. July | Population En quiry | Returns of Townships by the High Constables -'. 8vo, 1 p. In poor condition: grubby, aged and torn, with loss (not affecting text). With the red ribbon used to tie the package.