Part I - Aspley Guise from the How Papers

Summary

Aspley Guise

Aspley Guise is in the north-west of the area under consideration, and is one of the most westerly parishes in the county. “ The Town is built on a dry Sandy Soil, the Air healthy, yet within the last 2 or 3 years agues have been an almost universal complaint.” It was enclosed in 1761. The manor had been in the hands of the Sadleir family since the seventeenth century, but at this time they seem to have been for the most part nonresident. There is an assessment extant for 1750, which clearly shows the principal residents ; it would seem that the list is of occupiers from whom the tax was collected, and proprietors are cited incidentally, e.g., “for Sadlers land.” Apparently the early assessors were not much concerned with the ultimate sources of taxation; the quotas for the several parishes were stipulated, the incidence being usually upon the occupier and the apportionment largely a matter of tradition. How, and presumably his father before him, were the principal taxpayers. The Duke of Bedford is next in order, then Cope, who occupies the Vaux property, and the Rev. Hall. Other men of substance are obviously Walter Scott, Joseph Brampton, Sir Boteler Charnock, bart., John Goodman, Thomas Hart, John Monk, John Smith, George Turney, John Woodcraft and John Walduck; also Robert Sawell, of whose property more will be heard later.

It is not easy to gather from the assessments of 1750 and 1783 alone the fortunes of the several owners of land, but a few hints are to be found in other places. In 1717 the Duke of Bedford had purchased Aspley Woods of one Samuel Brook for ￡710 15s., and in 1752 the advowson and rectory were conveyed to him for ￡400. In 1794 A. Bumsted parted with Upper and Lower Fritnells and Fritnells Mead, some 6 ac. 3 r., for ￡315 ; Carnest Field, 4 ac., was purchased of E. Goodman and others for ￡320 in 1801, and in 1821 E. Millard parted with four messuages and land called Hog Stye for ￡160.