Transcribed by Susan D. Young.

Crown Copyright, courtesy of www.nationalarchives.gov.uk.  Hearth Tax Assessment Lady Day 1664, duplicate transmitted to the Exchequer 17 Aug 1664.  PRO:  E179/249/37A.  Also, centre for Kentish Studies call number Q/RTh.

The Hearth Tax was introduced in England and Wales by the government of Charles II in 1662 at a time of serious fiscal emergency and provided an account of the persons and number of hearths and stoves, in their respective possessions, both chargeable and non-chargeable.  The original Act of Parliament was revised in 1663 and again in 1664.  Collection of the Hearth Tax continued until the tax was finally repealed by William and Mary in 1689.  Under the terms of the original grant, each liable householder was to pay one shilling for each hearth within their property on each collection of the tax.  Payments were due twice annually, at Michaelmas (29 September) and Lady Day (25 March), commencing Michaelmas 1662.

Parish of Orpington

Chargeable

SURNAME	GIVEN NAME	NO. OF HEARTHS
Abbott	Richard	3
Abbott	Henry	6
Abbott	John	3
Beveridge	Mr	8
Bland	Mr	6
Boddenham	Mr	13
Browne	Mr	15
Chandler	Ezechiell	2
Clay	Clement	2
Cross	Nicholas	1
Croucher	Michaell	3
Death	Thomas	2
Dyer	John	1
Gilpin	Mr	6
Gouldsmyth	Fortunatus	2
Greenwood	Robert	1
Jennings	William	2
Kickly	Littlegroome	6
Lane	Jesper	3
Lane	John	2
Lane, Jr.	Jesper	2
Mace	William	2
Maynard	Daniell	2
Miller	Henry	2
Milles	Richard	-
Powell	Ben[jamin]	2
Small	Robert	3
Spencer	The Lady	13
Staple	Henry	7
Staple	Henry	3
Stych	Mr. for his house at Croton	7
Stych	Mr. more for his house at the Towne	7
West	Ralph	2
White	James	2

Not Chargeable

SURNAME	GIVEN NAME	NO. OF HEARTHS
Rowland	Edward	2
Colman	William	2
Dodd	George	1
Wild	Daniel	3
Bancks	Robert	1
Cooke	George	1
Jackson	Nicholas	1
Shott	Robert	2
Wilkenson	Thomas	2
Pann	Widdow	2
Drew, Jr.	George	2
Hunter	Peter	2
Coleman	John	2
Watson	John	2
Chamndler, Sr.	Ezechiel	2
Wild	Giles	2
Freeland	William	2
Blackman	Thomas	1
Watts	Matthew	2
Lymber	John	2
Walker	Edward	1
Knott	Edward	2
Drew, Sr.	George	2
Ward	Samuell	2
Ashmore	Widdow	2
Bigg	William	1
Edward Chapman & George Phillip, Borsholders