Tithes on hops (1717)

Post date: Feb 25, 2013 8:10:11 PM

The following document is in Kent archives (reference CKS-P45/3/5) and although what the particular issue surrounding tithes is not clear it does show that hops were a sufficiently important economic issue by 1717 to warrant 4 vicars signing the following declaration:

May 4, 1717

We whose names are underwritten do testify if when Hops, filberts & fruit trees are planted together in grounds within our several parishes, we receive tithes both for the hops & also for the fruits and filberts; and when the hops are misplanted, we receive tithes for the for the fruit and filberts, either according to the tenth of the value, or otherwise, as we agree for the same.

[Signed]:

Ch. North, vicar of W. Farleigh

John Richards, Vicar of Teston

Ja Hunter, Vicar of Wateringbury

John Lyng, Vicar of Yalding

James Hunter was vicar of Wateringbury from 1695 to 1729.

Filberts are a nut also known as cobnuts.