Horsted Keynes - Giles Moore's Journal
Giles Moore was the Rector of Horsted Keynes from 1655 to 1679. When
Moore was admitted as Rector, Britain was a Protectorate
under Oliver Cromwell. Moore's journal records both great national
events and the minute details of country life. Much of his income came
from tithes, which he negotatied with the land owners.
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It is difficult to connect named individuals to my family history.
However, familiar names such as HILLS, LANGRIDGE, WOOD etc. appear
throughout the journal.
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Blencowe (1848) explains that in Oliver Cromwell's
time the 'triers' were empowered to approve any new clergy. This was instead
of the traditional method of institution and induction.
I, Giles Moore, was admitted Rector of Horsted Keynes by the Commissioners
for the approbation of Publique Preachers sitting at Whitehall, on the
1st of Feb., 1655-56.
 1656
- Marriage of Richard and Susan WOOD
The WOODs are first mentioned in 1656...
For marrying Richard WOOD and Susan his wyfe I had 5s.
1657
and 1659 - Gifts from the HILLS and others
The HILLS make their first appearance in 1657...
There was given to mee in this moneth of October by,
- Mr. HILLS, a pig
- G. CHAPMAN, a pig
- Widdow WOOD, a pig
- G. PELLING and
- Widdow LANGLEY, a piece of porke.
- Wm SWALE, a rabbit
- Widdow LUCAS, a bottle of meade
- G. MARTIN, a bottle of meade
- John BROOKE, a pig
- Wm. FIELD, a large pig
As my surname is Tagg, I was intrigued by the following entry. (The
hyper dictionary defines tagg as sheep of the first year.)
I received of Edwd. WICKHAM of Ardingleigh for the keeping of 5 ewes
and 5 taggs from the 3rd. of December till Lady Day, besides the giving
him a cwt. and half of hay in the snow form which I took nothing, 16s.
6d.
The HILLS, LANGRIDGES and others gave Christmas presents in 1659...
I gave to YOUNGs boy for bringing me a fat little pig 6d. To HILLS
mayd for a fat capon by him sent 6d. To LANGRIDGES boy for another pig
6d. To G PELLINGS girl for a capon 6d. To John BURLEYs boy for a fat
pullet 6d. To G. VINALLS girl for a capon 6d. and to HILLS son for two
bottles of meade 6d.
1660
and 1661 - Restoration of the Monarchy
In a later entry he mentions the Restoration
of the Monarchy .
23rd April [1660]. This being King Charles II coronation ...
After the restoration of the Monarchy, by the Act of Uniformity, all
those who had been admitted to livings under Cromwell had to be inducted.
Also, Moore had to pay first fruits. As Lara
E Eakins Tudor History Glossary explains, first fruits refers to the
first year's revenue from the clergy's living, which had to be paid to
the crown.
On the 30th Oct [1661]. I was served with a writ out of the Exchequer,
and I entered a bond of £40 to appear before the Barons of the
Exchequer at Westminster, in unam mensum primè futuram, there
to compund with my first fruites. On the 19th Nov. I entered my first
appearance, giving Mr. Farringdon of the First Fruits Office 10s in
part payment of further charges which might accrue; and I left 35s.
in Nat Catchpole's hands to prove and perfect the businesse. I came
out of town and left it imperfect, because of the Bishop's absence,
from whom I was to have a certiorari. I payed Dr. King for the induction,
then given mee in St. Martin's church, 13s. I met Mr. Halle at Hd. Caines
to give mee induction, by whom I was inducted, and on whom and George
Brett I bestowed a dinner, costing £1. 6d.
1664
- John WOOD
Returning to local matters
10th October [1664]. I bargained with John WOOD, tanner, that for the
present yeare hee should pay mee, for all the tythes of his own land
and of Drayland, both of which he used, his owne being £40 a yeare,
and Drayland £15, £2. 10s. Upon his owne land he had 10
acres of wheate, and 8 of oates, 3 acres of tares [vetch], 1 acre of
barley, and 6 acres of grasse.
Blencowe (1848) has added the transcript
of a letter...
Sir
Because I understand that you are the first and leading man of the
jury impannelled for John WOOD of this parish, tanner, and my loving
friend and neighbour, whose case is to be tried at these assizes, I
shall desyre you therefore, as for his owne, so for my sake alsoe, to
doe him all lawful favour you may thereon, and to the best of your judgement
to serve him therein, whom for your kindnesse therein shewne to him,
you will find him no lesse thankful, than you will your friend and servant
Giles Moore
1666
- Great Fire of London
After the Great
Fire
of London (1666)
I gave to the collection for the building of London after the fire
£1.
1667
and 1668 - Dealings with the WOODs, LANGRIDGES and others
Another WOOD is mentioned in 1667
23rd March. I give Rd. WOOD for 2 dozen of mouses which hee had caught
on a holiday which hee begged of mee, and for watching the pond and
carrying fyshe to some friends, 2s 6d.
May 1st [1668]. This yeare I began to keepe kyne, and bought of Goodwyfe
WARD a cow, which (as she says) was but 8 yeares old, for which I payed
£2. 12s. I bought also a branded cow of John WARD, the tanner,
being (as hee says) but 8 yeares old for which I payed £4, together
with her calfe, which I sold to LANGRIDGE the butcher, for 8s., and
I gave for a heifer 3 yeares and a halfe old of his own breeding £3
10s. I payed Gower, the carpenter, and his man for 1 days worrke making
up the cow stalls 3s. For 2 leaden milk pans had at Lindfield I payd
£1. I lost yearly by hiring of land and keeping of kyne at the
least ... per an., let it prove so dripping a season.
4th May. I payed J. DUVALL his wages due for 1 yeare £5. I payd
J. WOOD, mason, and his servant for 2 days worke 6s., hee raysing mee
4d. a day on what I formerly gave himselfe and man.
1670
- A Marriage Certificate for John LANGRIDGE
In 1670 he gave John LANGRIDGE a marriage certificate...
7th February I received of John LANGRIDGE, butcher, for a certificate
that he was thrice asked, and for his marriage, though he was marryed
elsewhere, 2s. 6d.
1671
- Dealings with John LUCAS, John WOOD and others
After the restoration Moore often mentions taxes and he believed that
he was overtaxed on several occasions.
21st June [1671]. I went to Mr. BAKER of Mayfield, justice and commissioner,
for redresse about my taxes, in which I had been overtaxed by Mr. Wyatt,
John LUCAS, and John WOOD ...
21st October [1671]. My nephew Eustace came to mee out of the Isle
of Wight, and stayed with mee till the 1st of February, in which time
I lent him sundry moneys, amounting altogether to £3 13s., which
he promised to pay, besydes which I payd for his horse going on Thomas
WOODs ground while he was with mee, coming to 6s 6d.
This yeare [1677] John WOOD had 16 acres of as good wheate as could
be growne, wheate being then at 5s. a bushell.
December 21st [1678]. I gave to the briefe for the rebuilding of St.
Pauls £2.
The parish register states
Mr Giles Moore, minister of this parish, was buryed the 3rd of October,
1679.
References
Blencowe, R. W. (1848) 'Extracts from the
Journal and Account Book of the Rev. Giles Moore, Rector of Horsted Keynes,
Sussex from the Year 1655-1679, vol. 1, pp. 65-127.
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