In the same year constables were commanded to make diligent search for
all straggling seamen and watermen who were of able bodies, fit for
service at sea, and, to impress them, giving them one shilling. The
assessment in Madeley of 4s. in the £, for 1694, produced, on land,
works, &c., £149 1s. 4d., “one pound having been abated on the
lime-works.”
TAX UPON MARRIAGES, BIRTHS, BURIALS, &c.
In 1695 the Madeley constables were to collect duties upon “marriages,
births, and burials, and upon bachelors and widows,” for carrying on the
war with France, according to the rank of the individuals.
In 1696, and 1697, we find constables have various duties assigned them;
and in 1698, they are required to carry out an act for preventing frauds
and abuses in the charging and collecting, and paying of duties upon
marriages, births, and burials, bachelors and widows. Also for
collecting a quarterly poll for the year.
In 1702 instructions are given to constables to present all papists,
Jesuits, and all others that have received orders from the see of Rome.
Also all popish recusants and others that do not come to their several
parish churches within the divisions.
In 1703 they were to collect subsides for her majesty (Queen Anne), for
carrying on the war with France and Spain, and to charge those who had
not taken the oath of allegiance double.
In 1708 constables were to ascertain what masters or servants gave or
took greater wages than were allowed by law.
Our account of instructions to constables continues to 1714, but nothing
to merit comment occurs. Many names of old Madeley families occur, which
we shall notice hereafter.
RENT AND VALUE OF LANDS IN THE LORDSHIP OF MADELEY, in 1702.
Demesne lands in Madeley, (537a. 3r. 33p.) or those attached to the Court
House, with the 770 trees upon it, valued at twenty years purchase, was
said to be £6,459 10s. 4d.; yearly rent, £289 13s. 6d. The whole acreage
of Madeley, including the above, was 2073 acres, the yearly value of
which was £1,021; trees, 3369; loads of wood, 160; purchase, £17,366 9s.
4d. For names of proprietors, see Appendix.
We find from a survey of the lordship of Madeley, that the demesne lands
of the Court in 1786, belonged to Richard Dyett, Esq., one of an old
Shropshire family, from whom it was purchased by William Orme Foster,
Esq., about the year 1830.