This film did not solve the mystery of the illegitimate children and in fact had little to add to the two films already viewed. It did however confirm the relationship between our Western Australian and New Zealand families, which I am sure they will find of interest.
It opened with Vestry minutes, the meetings held at various places apart from the actual Vestry room itself, at times at the Poor House, the Work House, The Georges Inn, The Checkers Inn, The Sign of Horse and Groom and covered subjects from the “pulling down and rebuilding the established parts of the Poor House”, 9 August 1807, the annual meetings for the election of incoming Overseers, Wardens and Church officers (not a Hickmott amongst them), the appointment of a medical practitioner who agreed to tend to the Poor House occupants at no lesser a sum than forty pounds annually, but this did not include the commonplace smallpox infections, and the appointment of an Assistant Overseer as follows:- “20th day of July 1825 at 10 oclock in the forenoon, Committee heretofore appointed, having reported to Vestry, the offer of Henry Herbert Paine, now of City of Rochester High Constable to accept the offer of Assistant Overseer for this Parish, on a salary of Eighty pounds a year.”
The minutes were more concerned however with items detailing relief for those in need. I have noted only those which relate to the Hickmott family:-
5th March 1812: Mr. T. Prickett to take Samuel Hickmott from Michaelmas 1812 for one year at One shilling per week.
3rd July 1819: Nathaniel Hickmott should have 1 pr of half boots, 2 Gallons of Flour, and 25 kiln Brush.
(Other needy folk in this same time frame were also allocated breeches, frocks, shoes/boots, flour and cash per week).
20 August 1819: Nathaniel Hickmott, 25 kiln Brush.
17th September 1819: Nathaniel Hickmott, another 25 Kiln Brush.
29th October 1919: Nathaniel Hickmott, 25 Faggotts.
10th December 1819: Nathaniel Hickmott, 2 Gallons Flour and 25 Faggotts.
7th January 1820: Nathaniel Hickmott, 2 Gallons Flour 25 Faggots.
3rd March 1820: Nathaniel Hickmott, pr. of shoes for his boy.
25 March 1820: Mr J Winder should take Mary Hickmott from 25th day of March 1820 to March the 25th 1821 at 1 shilling per week.
3rd March 1825: Mr W Sinderson should take Richard Hickmott from Lady Day 1825, to Lady Day 1826, and Harriott Neal and find them clothes.
5th May 1829: It was resolved that John Hickmott be lent £2.11s.0d. and to be paid by weekly instalments.
Then the minutes changed, to become Vestry Requests, set out in an itemised fashion, rather than minute book format, which were very easy to read.
14th April 1834
23th June 1834
7th July 1834
18th August 1834
27th October 1834
10th Nov 1834
Henry Smith: Wants some pay for his daughter’s child.--- 1 shilling per week.
24th November 1834
Charlotte Hickmott: Lives at Hoathley. Wants shoes and “cloths” of
different sorts.--- To come into the house.
8th December 1834
Mrs. Wm. Hickmott from Staplehurst: Wants relief.--- 5 shills. allowed.
19th January 1835
16th Feb 1835
16th March 1835
From there the film continued to cover rateable landholders, such as reported on other films and then went on to detailed accounts dating from the 1600s and barely legible, until late 1800s. I did not pursue these, for as fascinating as it may be, observing the day by day expenditure of every shilling the Parish spent, it still did not tell me that which I was seeking.
I am sorry I could not solve the problems that some of the Hickmott researchers are facing with their own particular lines but I have enjoyed delving a little into the background information and can recommend these films to those with people other than Hickmott lines, for they contain a wealth of information on many people over a time span greater than a century.
The interpretation of the items I will leave to the descendants to ponder over. Which Ann/Mary/John for instance? Thomas of 19 Jan 1835 is obviously not Thomas, brother of Samuel, for he and Thirza did not marry until 1836 and at the time Thomas and Samuel left their families with the Vestry, they were both Widowers. So many questions yet to be answered!
Good luck to those continuing with the search. I am now leaving the saga of the Hickmott family to continue with other lines but will always be interested in and open to new findings, or suggestions, on the Hickmott Family tree.
Names of Applicants--- Requests--- Comment
31st March 1834
William Boorman: Wants relief, cannot work.--- As usual.
William Hickmott, Staplehurst: Wants relief --- ___________
William Boorman: Wants relief the same. --- As last
Ann Hickmott: Lives with Mrs Wickenden at Hog Hole since
May 29th 1833. Wants clothing, a change of
pair of shoes, 1 upper petticoat, 2 aprons and
2 pr stockings and 1 pr of stays. --- To be considered (NO)
Thos. & Samuel
Hickmott : Have left their families Vestry 21 July 1834--- Chargeable. The Overseer to
act as the case requires.
Charlotte Hickmott: Lives at Hoathley. Wants shoes and clothes
of every description. Mrs. M. to attend to it.
Thirza Smith: Begs for some weekly allowance. The father is unable to support her. --- Grant! NO.
William Hickmott: Begs some relief.--- 7 shill. allow.
Thomas Hickmott Snr: Wants his name put down to tell Vestry he
shall be with them on Monday next and
should like to know what they mean to allow
him for the Child.--- Grant 1/6 per week for the
child and 10/- relief.
Thomas Hickmott Snr: Wants a bill for 3 months pay to be paid when
due. Wants relief now. --- NO.
Thirza Smith: Begs assistance for the support of her child.--- Refer to Vestry 10th Nov.
Thomas Hickmott: Wants assistance. Not having work to support
his wife and self.--- Nothing.
Nathaniel Hickmott: Wants a pair of shoes for his boy gone to
service.--- NO.
William Hickmott: Wants assistance has but little work.--- 4 galls. flour and 4 shills.
Wm Hickmott: Begs some relief.--- 4 galls. flour
Thos. & Samuel Hickmott: Begs some help to remove their families.--- Allow £3.10s and a bedstead
8th June 1835
Thirza Smith: Applies for her child pay--- 14 weeks at 1/6d per week
ALLOWED.
Dawn Miles, 1999
Hervey Bay, Queensland, Australia