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  Collection of the Hearth Tax continued until the tax was finally repealed by William and Mary in 1689.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.

Lathe of St. Augustine

East Stower Mouth Borough

Chargeable

SURNAME	GIVEN NAME	NO. OF HEARTHS
Browne	Edward	1
Chandler	John	1
Clarke	Joseph	1
Culmer	George	3
Dead	William	1
Hogben	Thomas	2
Norwood	Richard	2
Smithson	William	4
Stadder	Lawrence	4
Wilkinson	Thomas	1
Wood	James	2

Not Chargeable

SURNAME	GIVEN NAME	NO. OF HEARTHS
Cladis	Henry	1
Foreman	Thomas	1
Harris	Michaell	1
Lukecock	Thomas	1
Pointer	Thomas	1
Smyth	Edward	2

Borsholder: Joseph Clerke

West Stowermouth Borough

Chargeable

SURNAME	GIVEN NAME	NO. OF HEARTHS
Harlow	Richard	2
Harrison	Widdow	4
Jenkin	Henry	4
Kennett	James	1
Parkhurst	Dr.	7
Penny	John	2
Reader	John	6
Spaine	Thomas	5

Not Chargeable

SURNAME	GIVEN NAME	NO. OF HEARTHS
Halams	David	1
Knowler	Thomas	1
May	Widdow	2

Borsholder: Richard Horlow

Constable: Robert Knowler