Records of the Isle of Man Rolls Office: Tithe Composition Book

This material is held atIsle of Man Public Record Office

  • Reference
    • IM 1586 S107
  • Dates of Creation
    • 10 Apr 1841
  • Name of Creator
  • Language of Material
    • English
  • Physical Description
    • 1 volume

Scope and Content

A hardback volume containing information relating to the Tithe Commutation Act, covering the landowners of each parish and the valuation of their land in accordance with the Act. The book covers the entire island, parish by parish. The volume is the corrected and confirmed valuation presented to the Court of Exchequer and deposited in the Rolls Office thereafter.

The volume comprises written entries, divided into eight columns: landowners in alphabetical order, occupiers, number of the plan (blank), names and description of lands and premises, quantities in statute measure, money value of tithe, money value of rent charge apportioned in lieu of tithe, remarks. Quantities and money value columns each subdivided into three (quantities subdivisions labelled 'A', 'R', 'P'; money value subdivisions each labelled '£', 's', 'd'). Some landowners are not listed in alphabetical order, but numbering is used to indicates their proper place in the sequence.

Administrative / Biographical History

Tithe Commutation records were created as a result of activities carried out under an Act for the Commutation of Tithes in the Isle of Man in 1839 (The Tithe Commutation Act 1839).

The valuers responsible for gathering the information were nominated by agents representing the parishes, themselves elected to be agents by the Captain and landowners of each parish. There were four valuers nominated by the parish agents, and the valuers worked in pairs to gather the information on the land of the six sheadings of the island, with one pair responsible for three sheadings each. One pair of valuers was responsible for the valuation of land in the sheadings of Michael, Ayre and Garff, while the other pair of valuers had the responsibility of gathering the information of the sheadings of Glenfaba, Middle and Rushen.

In addition to the four valuers nominated by the parish agents, the Lieutenant Governor nominated a fifth valuer, to serve as chairman of the valuers and have the responsibility of periodically providing the Lieutenant Governor with reports relating to the proceedings of the valuers. All valuers had certain rights awarded to them to aid in their duties, including the right to enter land and the right to call upon people for inquiries.

The Tithe Commutation Act 1839 meant that agricultural tithes paid to the Church were commuted to an annual cash payment based on the valuation of property. Unlike English tithe plans of a similar date each property was surveyed and drawn separately. Although most date from circa 1840 some landowners submitted earlier plans. All landowners were required to furnish the valuers with a map, plan or survey of the extent, contents and bounds of any lands under their consideration. The valuers issued a number to every map, plan or survey they received.

All the tithe estimate and valuation information was entered into volumes, one for each parish. These register - or parish estimate volumes - were delivered alongside the maps, plans and surveys to a specially convened Exchequer Court at Castle Rushen on 19 February 1841. The volumes were then deposited into the Rolls Office and open to inspection for 30 days for any objections. After the alterations had been amended the Lieutenant Governor ordered and directed competent persons to divide and apportion the said composition of £5575. This information was then entered into The Tithe Composition Book. The Book after being examined, corrected and confirmed by the Court of Appeal was then deposited in the Rolls Office on 10 April 1841.

Arrangement

Tithe Composition Book entries are arranged by sheading and parish.

Access Information

This series is open. For information on visiting the Isle of Man Public Record Office please see our website: www.gov.im/pro .

Other Finding Aids

Please see our website for catalogues: www.gov.im/pro .

Archivist's Note

Series level description created by James Holmes, UCM Intern, in May 2019 under supervision by Gavin Rowan, Records & Archive Officer.

Appraisal Information

Record selected for permanent preservation by Angela Haighton, Public Records Officer, in Sep 2015.

Custodial History

Records comprising this series were originally consigned on 25 Jan 1997 at the Record Office under Section 3(8) of the Public Record Act 1999. Records were fully transferred on 10 Sep 2015, under Section 3(4) of the Public Record Act 1999.

Accruals

No accruals expected.

Related Material

Also held at the Isle of Man Public Record Office:

  • S3 - Records of the Isle of Man Rolls Office: Tithe Commutation Plans;
  • S106 - Records of the Isle of Man Rolls Office: Tithe Parish Registers.