Survey of St Ives, 1728

Lesley Akeroyd of the Norris Museum in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, shares a survey of the town from 1728

How a barrel-maker could survey and map the town so beautifully is a mystery

The land tax, first introduced in 1692, was in place in various forms until 1963. Some land-tax assessment records survive in local archives and can be a useful source for tracing ancestors before the census, especially as they were used to determine who was allowed to vote until 1832. The land tax has also left behind a unique jewel – a survey of St Ives, Cambridgeshire, conducted by a local resident, which provides a fascinating snapshot of the town in 1728. The survey is now held by the Norris Museum, St Ives, where museum assistant and archivist Lesley Akeroyd tells us more about it.

Can You Describe The Map For Our Readers?

Edmund Pettis’ Survey of St Ives, 1728 is a small leatherbound book of 54 pages which was re-bound in the 19th century. There are also three separate large maps: one of the common fields, another of the enclosed fields, and a map of the whole parish. These are the earliest plans of the whole town, including the outlying areas. The buildings, many of which no longer survive today, are drawn, and areas of land are identified, with their owners’ names entered in accompanying neatly written tables. Much of the survey is devoted to the calculations required to assess the amount of land tax for 1732 from individuals in the town. There are lists of tax payments for 1732, with alterations as properties changed hands.

Why Did You Choose It?

It is one of my favourite things in the Norris Museum! It was given to the museum soon after it opened in 1933 – it is unique, and so important for the history of the town. The maps show the old field names such as Tenterleas, Thorndown and Bowlings, which have been used by St Ives Town Council to name housing developments in the town. There is even a Pettis Road.

We also get a sense of Pettis’ personality through the few personal comments he makes, which show him to be a man of strong opinions. He also describes the case of a local printer, “Mr Robt Rakes”, who “chanced to print some thing that did not sute the times nor pleas a cartain Knight who brou’t him under prosecution & fine”. He tells us that he lived in Hampshire until at least 1682 before moving to St Ives in 1688. He married twice, and on his marriage bond in 1691 he is described as a cooper. Quite how a barrelmaker became someone who could accurately survey and map the town so beautifully is a mystery. He was buried in St Ives in 1738 aged 75.

What Does It Show About The History Of St Ives?

The maps enable us to see how far the town had been enclosed while, interspersed with the lists and maps, are pages recording facts about the town. Pettis gives information about the purchase of the manor by the Earl of Manchester and matters concerned with

the Monday market, all of which helps to build a clearer picture of the town in the early 18th century.

He also records what he knows of the history of St Ives, such as the great fire which burned down half the town in 1689: “Tusday April 30 Hear happened a sudden & dreadful fire In a malt house at the end of whitehart lane… the wind being very high it ran up to the street, flew cross the sheep market consuming all to the river side with part of the Bridge Street… It laid in ashes several Inns, messuages and dwelling houses belonging to 122 persons and families.”

One of the survey’s most attractive features is the drawing of the elevation of the buildings in the centre of the town, most of which no longer exist in the same form.

Pettis includes details about the weather, and refers to contemporary events such as the fire at Ramsey in 1731. He also copied out facts that attracted his attention. These range from copies of letters written by Oliver Cromwell, to the drawing of an unusual dial, comments on the calendar and currency. Although theh survey iis not on display in the museum, there is an excellent facsimile in the main gallery. There is also an interactive display where visitors can explore Pettis’ town map in detail.

What Other Documents Are In Your Collections?

Our benefactor Herbert Norris (1859–1931) was born in St Ives but lived most of his life in Cirencester, Gloucestershire. He had a great interest in local history, and collected books and manuscripts relating to Huntingdonshire. He left his collection and estate to St Ives, which became the basis of the Norris Library and Museum. This includes Poor Law records, apprenticeship indentures, title deeds, wills, maps, sale particulars, photos, paintings and books.

We also have the archive of Sidney Inskip Ladds (1867– 1950) of Huntingdon, a church architect and restorer who enjoyed local history and was one of the authors of the Victoria County History of Huntingdonshire.

You can search the items we hold via our site at norris museum.org.uk/discover.