37. Constables Accounts

Some of the chief duties performed in his office as Constable were, the organising of the soldiers from the villages, bringing to account any wrong doers and attending the sessions with them, and collecting taxes.

The following are entries for 1782. "16th Feb Spent at a meeting concerning the Militia 5/-." A few days later the Constable receives 3/- for going to Settle on militia business. On March 25th are the entries "Paid to John Overend for serving three years £9.10.6. Paid to William Bolton do £9.18.6".

It appears that some men paid others to do their service. On April 13th - "Journey to Skipton to Hire a militia Man 8d. Expenses in hiring him 3/6. Paid to him for serving £12.1.6".

The Constable evidently has difficulty in getting enough men to serve. He employed the customary method, that of "pressing" the men into service. On March 16th 1782 he was paid 8d for a journey to Skipton to see about press warrants".

On Jan 8th 1780: - "Going to Skipton to answer about searching for men liable to be impressed, 8d". On Feb 26th he spent "6/6 in searching 7 different times". But there is no evidence that he found enough men to serve.

While the men were away fighting, the township made itself responsible for the well being of their families. On April 8th 1779 is "To Militia Men's wifes - Jane Molford from May11th 1778 - Sept 21st £3.0.0. (20 weeks at 3/-) and from Sept 21st to March 15th 1779 £2.10.0. (25 weeks at 2/-) also to Bannister Pety wife from July 6th 1778 to Ag 10th 6 weeks at 3/-, 18/-; and from 10th Aug to March 15th 1779 being 31 weeks at 6d per week; 15/6". It is rather strange that the weekly rate in Winter should be smaller than during the Summer months. Perhaps with the coming of Winter the Constable found that he had more people asking for relief, and had to cut down the amounts given.

There is no early record of how money was raised for the township expenses. On 14th March 1843 a township meeting was held at Mr Wm Laycocks, Dog and Gun Inn "To consult the best way to make a rate for the Mole Catcher and the Church rate". At the meeting it was resolved that one penny in the pound be collected to defray the Expenses of the Church Rate for the present year and that a penny in the pound should be levied on all farmhouses to pay the expenses of Joseph Jackson Mole Catcher. This rate produced £6.13.6.

The chief taxes which the Constable had to raise were the land Tax and the Window Tax, and in the accounts there are regular items for Land Tax and Window Warrents. In the summary of the years accounts there is "Overplus Land Tax 7/-, and Window 12/-". It appears he collected more than was strictly due from the township.