Spaxton: Local government

LOCAL GOVERNMENT.

Until the 16th century or later part of the parish was in Merridge tithing in Andersfield hundred and part in Spaxton tithing in Cannington hundred. (fn. 1) During the 17th and 18th centuries it was divided into 10 divisions or tithings for administrative purposes: Ebsley, Fursegate, Merridge, North Street, Padnoller, Pightley, Radlet, Spaxton, Splatt, and Tuxwell. (fn. 2) For the land tax there were 7 tithings: Merridge, North Street, Pightley, Lower Plainsfield, comprising Radlet and Padnoller, Spaxton, including Splatt and possibly Fursegate, Tuxwell, and the Spaxton division of Aisholt tithing which included Ebsley. (fn. 3) The tithingman of Spaxton paid 'burghright' and other taxes for Pightley Malet at Cannington hundred court in 1521. (fn. 4) In 1650 the Spaxton tithingman complained that his expenses in repairing stocks and conveying prisoners had not been paid. (fn. 5)

Extracts from court rolls for Spaxton manor survive from between 1328 and 1403, (fn. 6) and rolls for 1423-5, 1427, 1459, (fn. 7) 1531, (fn. 8) 1579, 1587-8, 1592, 1594, and 1599-1605. (fn. 9) Courts were still held in the later 17th century when the tenant of the capital messuage had to entertain the lord and his officers twice a year. (fn. 10) The 1425 court roll contained a separate entry for Fursegate. There was a hayward in 1425 and in 1427 a neif was reported living away from the manor. (fn. 11)

Court rolls for Stockland Lovel survive for the years 1507-23 and courts were held once, and sometimes twice, a year. (fn. 12) Court rolls for Merridge survive for 1603 (fn. 13) and 1632 (fn. 14) and there are presentments of courts held at Waterpits, Merridge, 1812-33 mainly concerning abuse of the commons and waste. (fn. 15) Courts were held twice a year at Radlet in the 14th and 15th centuries (fn. 16) and suit was owed to Tuxwell cum Radlet manor in 1580 and 1633. (fn. 17) Pleabury was administered with the Hody family estates in the area and court records survive for 1540-1 and 1546. (fn. 18)

There was a parish beadle in 1607. (fn. 19) Churchwardens were being appointed on a property rota by 1636, absentee owners having to pay a fine for not serving or to provide a deputy. (fn. 20) Shortly before then collectors for the poor were recorded (fn. 21) and by 1697 the overseers were four in number. Four highway surveyors divided the parish between them in 1699. In 1700 the number of overseers was changed to two to reduce the cost, and in 1706 a new rota of 15 principal inhabitants was established to serve as wardens and overseers. In 1735 the number of eligible people was brought down to 12, and each year the two overseers were to receive £4 in expenses to work within the parish, and on retiring at the end of the year were to serve as churchwardens. (fn. 22)

The 15 principal inhabitants of 1706 were also to act as a vestry concerned with poor relief and church repairs, and each in turn had to provide a meal for his fellows. Poor relief from 1706 was to be administered on the first Friday of every month at a certain tombstone in the churchyard. From 1735 relief was given monthly on Sundays. (fn. 23)

Spaxton formed part of the Bridgwater poorlaw union in 1836, Bridgwater rural district in 1894, and Sedgemoor district in 1974. (fn. 24)