Shingay Manor Quit Rentals 1737-1797

In respect of Merry’s Farmstead, 78, 80 and 82 Hay Street part copyhold of Manor of Shingay cum Wendy

Extracted from Rental Book 1737-1768 and Quit Rental Receipt Book 1760-1797

1737 onwards            William Warboys with 1s quit rent

1737                            William Warboys now Wilson

1743-54                       William Warboys

1749                            William Warboys paid 1s. Messuage and half an acre of land late Revells or Rowells. Paid for 5 years leaving 2 years in arrears

1754                            William Warboys late Wilson now Kirbyshire

1755                            Sarah Kirbashire wife of Benjamin late William Warboys
A messuage and close adjoining with ye appurtenances containing half an acre in Steeple Morden

1768                            Sarah Kirbashire wife of Benjamin late William Warboys of Steeple Morden sometime Wilsons
Steeple Morden copy messuage & close containing ½ acre.

1761                            Sarah wife of Benjamin Kirbyshire paid 14 years rent 14s

1772                            Sarah Kirbashire paid 11 years 11s

1779                            Sarah wife of John Bellamy paid 2 years 2s

1782                            John Bellamy paid 3 years 3s

1785                            Chandler Merry late Bellamy paid 3 years 3s

1787                            Chandler Merry paid 2 years 2s

1788                            Chandler Merry paid 1 year 1s

1790                            Chandler Merry paid 2 years 2s

1792                            Chandler Merry paid 2 years 2s

1794                            Chandler Merry late Warboys paid 2 years 2s

1796                            Chandler Merry paid 2 years 2s

1797                            Chandler Merry paid 1 year 1s

Explanation of Quit Rent

Quit rent is a payment imposed on occupants of freehold or leased land in substitution for performing services for a higher landowning authority, in feudal times a Lord and ultimately the Sovereign.

Under feudal law, the payment of quit rent  freed the tenant of a holding from the obligation to perform services, such as ploughing and other agricultural activity. Or it freed the occupier of the land from the burden of having others exercising rights that would affect the land. For example, by hunting across it, to the detriment of farming.

You were “quit” of carrying out the feudal services, having paid money in lieu.