Chief Clerks and Clerks: Clerks

Clerks

Clerks to Controller 1660-86

In 1660 two Clerks were allowed to the Controller by the terms of his patent of appointment. Following the payment of an additional allowance to a Chief Clerk from October 1660 one Clerk normally served under the Chief Clerk. In 1665 provision was made for an additional second Clerk and in the years 1667-8 for a third. (fn. 99) In the years 1672-9 from three to five Clerks were employed in the Controller's Office. In 1679 as a result of the decision to retrench naval expenditure the duties of the abolished office of Controller of Treasurer's Accounts were imposed upon the Controller and the number of his Clerks was reduced to two. (fn. 100) From 1681 until 1686 one or two additional Clerks were employed. (fn. 101)

From 1686 it is possible to distinguish the particular duties in which the Clerks in the Controller's Office were employed, and from this date they have been listed as Clerks (Bills and Accounts) and Clerks (Seamen's Wages). (fn. 102)

Clerks to Surveyors 1660-1832

In 1673 an additional third Clerk was added to the two Clerks allowed to the Surveyor by the terms of his patent of appointment. (fn. 103) From 1674 to 1686 two Clerks served under a Chief Clerk. In the years 1686-8 the Commissioners for Current Business provided for one Clerk to serve in the former Surveyor's Office. (fn. 104) Two Clerks were again employed in 1688 and the number rose to four by 1693. From then until 1796 the Clerks usually numbered between four and eight according to whether conditions of peace or war prevailed.

In 1796 following the removal of four of the Clerks to the newly created Office for Stores, provision was made for four Clerks, at salaries of £200, £100, £80 and £80, to serve under the Chief Clerk in the Surveyor's Office. (fn. 105) In 1807 the salary of the second Clerk was increased to £300. The remaining three received salaries of £150, £100 and £80 and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 106) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816 one Clerk was placed in the second class and three in the third. (fn. 107) In 1831 two of the third class Clerks were transferred to the Office for Stores, and in 1831 the position of second class Clerk was left unfilled on a vacancy. (fn. 108)

Clerks to Clerks of the Acts 1660-1796

The two Clerks allowed to the Clerk of the Acts by the terms of his patent of appointment in 1660 were effectively reduced to one in 1664 when an additional allowance was made available to one of the Clerks who thereafter was usually known as a Chief Clerk. In 1668 two additional Clerks were allowed to the Clerk of the Acts, one to receive salary from October 1664, and one from November 1667. (fn. 109) From 1673 until 1679 when the Clerkship of the Acts was held jointly, four Clerks served under two Chief Clerks. (fn. 110) In 1681 the number of Clerks fell to three. (fn. 111) In the years 1686-8 the former Clerk of the Acts Office became that of the Secretary, in which three Clerks served under a Chief Clerk. (fn. 112) On the revival of the office of Clerk of the Acts in 1688, four Clerks were employed in his Office. During the 1690s the number of Clerks grew rapidly to reach eight in 1697. Thereafter the number fluctuated between six and nine until it became stabilised at seven in 1720. From 1741 until 1784 the number of Clerks grew in every period of war and no reductions were made in periods of peace. Four additional Clerks were appointed between 1741 and 1746, one in 1758, and three between 1778 and 1781, bringing the total number of Clerks at the end of the American War to fifteen. Three vacancies were left unfilled in the years 1785-7, but the number of Clerks was again increased to fourteen in 1794. The fourteen Clerks were all transferred to the Secretary's Office following the abolition of the office of Clerk of the Acts in 1796. (fn. 113)

Clerks to Extra Commissioners 1660-1796

Two Clerks were usually allowed to each Extra Commissioner. Although they were often employed in the various Offices under the supervision of the Board, and occasionally outside the Office altogether, (fn. 114) they have wherever possible been listed under the name of the Extra Commissioner to whom they were attached, as their appointment rested with that Extra Commissioner. From 1674 to 1682 Haddock's Clerks were employed in the Ticket Office, of which he was the manager, and they have been listed as such. Between 1698 and 1702, as a result of the decision to retrench naval expenditure, no Clerks were allowed to the Extra Commissioners, with the exception of Sotherne, who with his Clerks inspected and managed the affairs of the marine regiments. (fn. 115)

In the years 1793-6, on four occasions Extra Commissioners were appointed to the office of Deputy Controller. On each occasion they were allowed to retain their two Clerks and to replace them when vacancies arose. Le Cras died in office in 1793; Marshall and Wallis in 1795. Their Clerks were retained and paid salaries until suitable vacancies on the establishment arose. A similar policy was adopted towards the Clerks of Hamond, appointed Controller in 1794, and Hope, who was in office at the reconstitution of the Board in 1796, when the office of Extra Commissioner was discontinued and no provision was made for personal Clerks to serve any of the Principal Officers and Commissioners.

In the years 1660-80 the two Clerks received salaries of £30. From 1692 onwards a higher salary was paid to one of the Clerks who was usually known as the First or Chief Clerk to the Extra Commissioner. The status of such Clerks, however, was not significantly higher than that of other Navy Board Clerks and no distinction has been made between First and Second Clerks in the following list.

Clerks (Victualling Accounts) 1661-1796

In the years 1661-2 and 1664-5 an allowance of £30 was made available to a Clerk to examine the pursers' and victualler's accounts. (fn. 116) Following the creation of the office of Controller of Victualling Accounts in 1667 provision was made for three Clerks to serve in his Office. (fn. 117) From 1672 two Clerks served under a Chief Clerk. In 1680 the number of Clerks was reduced to one, and one Clerk was also employed by the Commissioners for Current Business in the Office for Examining Victualling Accounts. (fn. 118) In 1689 the number of Clerks was increased to two, and rose gradually to reach four in 1696, five in 1701 and seven in 1703. Thereafter the number remained at six or seven until 1725, when it was reduced to three. In 1731 the duty of examining and passing pursers' accounts was transferred from the Navy Board to the Victualling Office, (fn. 119) and from then until 1796 the number of Clerks was fixed at two. In 1796 the two Clerks were annexed to the Office for Examining Treasurer's Accounts. (fn. 120)

Clerks (Ticket Office) 1666-1829

Until 1666 no Clerks appear to have been employed exclusively in the Ticket Office. (fn. 121) In the years 1666-7 two Clerks Assistant were employed in the Office, and shared the business with other Navy Board Clerks. (fn. 122) The management of the Office was entrusted in December 1668 to the Controller of Treasurer's Accounts and from then until his resignation in 1672 it is probable that his Clerks were chiefly responsible for examining tickets. (fn. 123) Following the appointment of a Manager of the Office in February 1673, two Clerks were appointed to assist him. (fn. 124) Three additional Clerks were employed later in 1673. (fn. 125) These five Clerks together with the Manager were discontinued in 1674 at the conclusion of the Third Dutch War. In October 1674 the management of the Office was entrusted to an Extra Commissioner, Haddock, when the two Clerks allowed to him by the terms of his patent of appointment became Ticket Office Clerks. (fn. 126) In the years 1677-8 an additional third Clerk was employed. (fn. 127) In 1682 Haddock was appointed Controller, and it has been assumed that the former Ticket Office Clerks whom he took with him to the Controller's Office continued to be employed in the examination of tickets. (fn. 128) In 1686 the Commissioners for Current Business provided for a Chief Clerk only to be employed in the Ticket Office. (fn. 129) Following his reappointment as Controller in 1688 Haddock continued to manage the Ticket Office until 1692 when its management was attached to the office of Controller of Treasurer's Accounts, who became responsible for the appointment of its Clerks. The following table demonstrates the major changes in the size of the establishment in the period 1688-1796.

In 1796 provision was made for nineteen Clerks to serve under a Chief Clerk in the Ticket Office. A salary of £400 was made available to the second Clerk, of £200 to the third and fourth, of £150 to the fifth, sixth and seventh, of £120 to the eighth and ninth, of £100 to the tenth and of £90 to the eleventh and twelfth. The eight junior Clerks received a salary of £80. (fn. 130) In 1807 the office of Second Chief Clerk was revived and the number of Clerks reduced to eighteen. (fn. 131) The salary of the second Clerk was increased to £450, of the third to £350, of the fourth to £300, of the fifth to £250 and of the sixth to £200. The remainder were paid salaries ranging from £180 to £80 and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 132) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816 four Clerks were placed in the second class, and fourteen in the third. (fn. 133) The number of second class Clerks was increased to five in 1822 following the discontinuation of the office of Second Chief Clerk. (fn. 134) The Office was abolished in 1829 when sixteen of the Clerks were transferred to the Ticket and Wages Branch, one to the Secretary's Office, and one to the Office for Stores. (fn. 135)

Clerks (Treasurer's Accounts) 1667-1822

Following the creation of the office of Controller of Treasurer's Accounts in 1667 provision was made for four Clerks to serve in his Office. (fn. 136) From 1674 three Clerks were employed under a Chief Clerk. The office of Controller of Treasurer's Accounts was discontinued in 1679 and its duties passed to the Controller. One of his Clerks, Winchurst, was transferred to the Controller's Office with the same duties and has therefore been included in this list. (fn. 137) The office was revived in 1691 and from then until 1796 the number of Clerks varied between three and five according to whether conditions of peace or war prevailed. (fn. 138)

In 1796 provision was made for eight Clerks to serve under the Chief Clerk in the Office for Examining Treasurer's Accounts. A salary of £250 was made available to the second Clerk, of £150 to the third, of £100 to the fourth, of £90 to the fifth, and of £80 to the sixth. The Chief Clerk and two Clerks from the discontinued Office for Examining Victualling Accounts were annexed to the Office at salaries of £100 and £80 respectively. (fn. 139) In 1807 the number of Clerks was reduced to seven. (fn. 140) The salary of the second Clerk was increased to £350, and of the third to £250. The remainder were paid salaries ranging from £150 to £80 and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 141) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816 two of the Clerks were placed in the second class, and five in the third. (fn. 142) The Office was abolished in 1822 when one of the Clerks was superannuated, five were transferred to the Offices for Bills and Accounts and for Foreign Accounts and one to the Secretary's Office. (fn. 143)

Clerks of the Control 1669-79

In 1669 provision was made for five Clerks of the Control to assist the Controller in his duty of examining and balancing storekeepers' accounts. One of the Clerks with a salary of £80 was resident at the Navy Office. The remaining four with salaries of £120, £100, £80 and £70 were stationed at Deptford, Chatham, Portsmouth and Woolwich respectively. (fn. 144) In 1671 they were placed under the supervision of the Controller of Storekeepers' Accounts, (fn. 145) and on the discontinuation of that office in 1676 appear again to have been supervised by the Controller. The offices were discontinued in December 1679 as a result of the decision to retrench naval expenditure. (fn. 146)

Clerks (Storekeepers' Accounts) 1671-1822

In the years 1669-79 the Clerks of the Control were largely responsible for controlling the storekeepers' accounts. (fn. 147) In addition between 1671 and 1676 the Controller of Storekeepers' Accounts was allowed two Clerks. (fn. 148) On the revival of the office of Controller of Storekeepers' Accounts in 1680 provision was made for one Clerk to serve under a Chief Clerk, but by 1682 four Clerks were regularly employed in his Office, and this number was retained by the Commissioners for Current Business in 1686. (fn. 149) From 1688 until 1712 the number varied between four and six. In 1712 additional Clerks were employed and from then until 1725 the number rarely dropped below eleven. In 1725 the number was reduced to seven, and remained at seven or eight until 1796.

In 1796 provision was made for eight Clerks to serve under the Chief Clerk in the Office for Examining Storekeepers' Accounts, all at salaries of £80. (fn. 150) The salaries of the second and third Clerks were increased to £150 and £100 respectively in 1798. (fn. 151) In 1807 the salaries of the eight Clerks were fixed at £250, £200, £150, £110, £100, £90, £85 and £80, the last six Clerks being recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 152) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816 one Clerk was placed in the second class and seven in the third. (fn. 153) In 1820 the number of Clerks was increased to ten by the addition of one second class and two third class Clerks from the Slop Office and by the removal of one third class Clerk to the Office for Bills and Accounts. (fn. 154) The Office was abolished in 1822 when two of the Clerks were superannuated and the remaining eight were transferred to the Office for Stores. (fn. 155)

The Clerks employed by the Controllers of Storekeepers' Accounts resident at Cadiz 1694-7 and at Lisbon 1708-10 are not included in these lists.

Clerks (Bills and Accounts) 1686-1832

In 1686 the Commissioners for Current Business made provision for one Clerk to serve in the former Controller's Office under the Chief Clerk responsible for delivering out all Bills. In 1687 a second Clerk was appointed. (fn. 156) Following the re-establishment of the office of Controller in 1688, it is possible to distinguish those Clerks employed in the examination of bills and accounts from those employed in the payment of seamen's wages. (fn. 157) The following table demonstrates the major changes in the size of the establishment in the period 1688-1796.

In 1796 provision was made for eighteen Clerks to serve under the Chief Clerk in the Office for Bills and Accounts. A salary of £500 was made available to the second Clerk, of £300 to the third, of £250 to the fourth, of £150 to the fifth, of £130 to the sixth, of £120 to the seventh, of £100 to the eighth, and of £90 to the ninth and tenth. The nine junior Clerks received a salary of £80. (fn. 158) In 1807 following the creation of a distinct Office for Foreign Accounts the number of Clerks was reduced to fourteen. (fn. 159) The salary of the second Clerk remained at £500 and the salaries of the third to sixth Clerks were increased to £350, £300, £250 and £200. The remainder were paid salaries ranging from £180 to £80 and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 160) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816 four of the Clerks were placed in the second class and ten in the third. (fn. 161) In 1822 the number of third class Clerks was increased to eleven. (fn. 162) In 1829 provision was made for six second class and eighteen third class Clerks to serve in the Office. (fn. 163) One second class and two third class Clerks were transferred to the Office from the Transport Branch in 1830. (fn. 164)

Clerks of the Proposition 1686-8

In 1686 provision was made for two Clerks with salaries of £80 to keep the accounts of the 'Proposition' by which the Commission for Current Business governed its expenditure. (fn. 165) The offices were discontinued on the abolition of the Commission for Current Business in 1688.

Clerks to Commissioners for Current Business 1686-8

In 1686 provision was made for one Clerk to be attached to each Commissioner for Current Business. Their salaries ranged from £50 to £30. (fn. 166)

Clerks to Commissioners for Old Accounts 1686-9

In 1686 provision was made for six Clerks from the establishment of the discontinued Navy Board to serve as Clerks to the Commissioners for Old Accounts with the salaries they had received before March 1686. (fn. 167) Between October 1688 and June 1689 the Clerks returned to the Offices from which they had been drawn. (fn. 168)

Clerks to Commissioners for Examining Accounts (Incurred 1686-8) 1688-9

From 13 October 1688 four Clerks were employed to examine the accounts incurred by the Commissioners for Current Business, at the salaries they had been receiving at the discontinuation of the Commission for Current Business. On 22 June 1689 they returned their books and papers to the Navy Office and were paid salaries to Midsummer 1689. (fn. 169)

Clerks (Seamen's Wages) 1688-1829

From 1688 it is possible to distinguish a distinct set of Clerks employed by the Controller in the payment of seamen's wages from those employed in the examination of bills and accounts. (fn. 170) The following table demonstrates the major changes in the size of the establishment in the period 1688-1796.

In 1796 provision was made for fourteen Clerks to serve under the Chief Clerk in the Office for Seamen's Wages. A salary of £300 was made available to the second Clerk, of £150 to the third, fourth and fifth, of £120 to the sixth and seventh, of £90 to the eighth and of £80 to the remainder. (fn. 171) In 1807 the salary of the second Clerk was increased to £400, of the third to £250, and of the fourth and fifth to £200. The remainder were paid salaries ranging from £180 to £80 and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 172) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816, three Clerks were placed in the second class, and eleven in the third. (fn. 173) In 1819 it was determined that the total number of Clerks should be reduced to eleven by leaving vacancies unfilled. (fn. 174) One vacancy was left unfilled in 1819 but in 1822 following the transfer of two Clerks from the Allotment Office the number of Clerks was fixed at thirteen, three in the second class, and ten in the third. (fn. 175) The Office was abolished in 1829 when two of the Clerks were superannuated, and the remainder were transferred to the Ticket and Wages Branch, the Secretary's Office, the Office for Bills and Accounts and the Office for Stores. (fn. 176)

Petition Clerks 1695-1832

In 1695 following the prohibition of the practice whereby clerks in the Navy Office acted as agents for the receipt of seamen's wages, a salary of £50 was made available to Harcourt Masters to prepare petitions from seamen for the Board's consideration. (fn. 177) The salary was discontinued in August 1698, but revived in the following November. At the same time a salary of £30 was made available to James Graves to assist Masters. (fn. 178) Graves was appointed sole Petition Clerk at a salary of £50 following Masters's resignation in 1708. (fn. 179) On Graves's death in January 1727, Thomas Pearse, a Clerk to the Clerk of the Acts, was awarded an allowance of £50 in addition to his salary for his service as Petition Clerk, (fn. 180) but following his discharge in October 1727 the office was invariably filled by a Clerk who held no other position in the Navy Office. From then until 1796 appointments to the office appear to have been made by the Clerk of the Acts. (fn. 181) In 1796 the office was made a stationary appointment at a salary of £150 and was loosely attached to the Secretary's Office. (fn. 182) In 1807 the salary was increased to £200 and the duties extended to cover the reception of all individuals making inquiries at the Navy Office. (fn. 183) On the introduction of a progressive salary scale in 1816 it was provided that the holder of the office should be a third class Clerk. (fn. 184)

Clerks (Allotment Office) 1795-1822

Eight Clerks were appointed during 1795 and 1796 to conduct the business arising from the provision allowing seamen to allot part of their pay for the maintenance of their wives and families. Two of the Clerks had formerly served as Clerks to the Clerk of the Acts, two in the Ticket Office and two as Clerks to Extra Commissioners. The remaining two were recruited from outside the Navy Office. (fn. 185) In 1797 a distinct Allotment Office was formally established, when provision was made for the eight Clerks plus the Remittance Clerk from the Secretary's Office to serve under a Chief Clerk. A salary of £250 was made available to the second Clerk, of £200 to the third, of £150 to the fourth, of £120 to the fifth and sixth, of £100 to the seventh, and of £80 to the remainder. (fn. 186) In 1807 the salary of the second Clerk was increased to £350, of the third to £250, and of the fourth to £200. The remaining six Clerks were paid salaries ranging from £150 to £80 and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 187) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816, three of the Clerks were placed in the second class, and six in the third. (fn. 188) The Office was abolished in 1822 when four of the Clerks were transferred to the Ticket Office, two to the Office for Seamen's Wages and one to the Secretary's Office. The remaining two were superannuated. (fn. 189)

Clerks (Secretary's Office) 1796-1832

In 1796 provision was made for thirteen Clerks to serve under the Chief Clerk in the Secretary's Office. A salary of £300 was made available to the second Clerk, of £200 to the third, of £150 to the fourth and fifth, of £120 to the sixth and seventh, of £100 to the eighth and ninth, and of £80 to the remainder. (fn. 190) The number of Clerks was reduced to eleven in 1803 when two Clerks were removed to form a distinct Contract Office. (fn. 191) In 1806 the Commissioners of Naval Revision found that the business of the Office had nearly doubled since 1796, and that twelve Temporary Clerks were in employment. (fn. 192) In 1807, therefore, the number of Clerks was increased to eighteen, to include two Clerks from the abolished Naval Works Department. (fn. 193) A salary of £450 was made available to the second Clerk, of £350 to the third, of £300 to the fourth, of £250 to the fifth, and of £200 to the sixth. The remainder were paid salaries ranging from £180 to £80 and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 194) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816, five of the Clerks were placed in the second class, and thirteen in the third. (fn. 195) The number of second class Clerks was increased to six in 1829. (fn. 196) In 1830 one first class (second section) Clerk and two third class Clerks were transferred to the Office from the Transport Branch. (fn. 197)

Clerks (Stores Office) 1796-1832

In 1796 provision was made for five Clerks to serve under the Chief Clerk in the Office for Stores. A salary of £300 was made available to the second Clerk, of £150 to the third, of £100 to the fourth, and of £80 to the fifth and sixth. (fn. 198) In 1807 the salary of the second Clerk was increased to £350, of the third to £250, of the fourth to £150, and of the fifth to £110. (fn. 199) The fourth, fifth and sixth Clerks were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 200) On the introduction of a full progressive salary scale in 1816, two of the Clerks were placed in the second class, and three in the third. (fn. 201) In 1822 following the abolition of the Office for Examining Storekeepers' Accounts, the number of second class Clerks was increased to four, and of third class Clerks to ten. (fn. 202) One second class and one third class Clerk was reduced in 1828, and not replaced. (fn. 203) In December 1830 four third class Clerks, two from the Transport Branch and two from the Surveyor's Office, were added to the establishment. (fn. 204)

Clerk to Second Assistant Surveyor 1801-10

A salary of £80 was made available in 1801 to a Clerk to the Second Assistant Surveyor. The salary was increased to £100 in 1806. The office was discontinued in 1810. (fn. 205)

Clerks (Contract Office) 1803-32

On the formation of a distinct Contract Office in 1803 provision was made for one Clerk to serve as an assistant to the Chief Clerk at a salary of £150. (fn. 206) The salary was increased to £200 in 1807, (fn. 207) and on the introduction of a progressive salary scale in 1816, the Clerk was placed in the third class. (fn. 208) In 1830 an additional third class Clerk was transferred to the Office from the Transport Branch. (fn. 209)

Clerks (Foreign Accounts) 1807-29

On the creation of the Office for Foreign Accounts in 1807 provision was made for six Clerks to serve under the Chief Clerk. The six Clerks appointed in 1807 were all transferred from the Office for Bills and Accounts, three from clerkships and three from temporary clerkships. A salary of £350 was made available to the second Clerk, and of £250 to the third Clerk. The remainder were paid salaries ranging from £140 to £80, and were recruited into the new grade of junior clerk in 1811. (fn. 210) On the introduction of a progressive salary scale in 1816, two of the Clerks were placed in the second class and four in the third. (fn. 211) In 1822 the number of third class Clerks was increased to six. (fn. 212) On the abolition of the Office in 1829 one of the eight Clerks was superannuated, and the remaining seven were transferred to the Office for Bills and Accounts. (fn. 213)

Clerk to Receiver of Fees 1814-29

From 1798 to 1814 the Receiver of Fees was served by a Temporary Clerk. In 1814 provision was made for an established Clerk with a salary of £150 to replace the Temporary Clerk. (fn. 214) In 1816 on the introduction of a progressive salary scale the Clerk was placed in the third class. (fn. 215) The office was discontinued in 1829 when the Clerk was transferred to the Office for Bills and Accounts. (fn. 216)

Librarian 1816-32

The office of Librarian or Library Clerk was created in 1816, when it was provided that the holder should be a third class Clerk. (fn. 217)

Clerks (Ticket and Wages Branch) 1829-32

In 1829 provision was made for five second class and fifteen third class Clerks to serve in the newly created Ticket and Wages Branch. (fn. 218) Six additional third class Clerks were added to the Branch in June and November 1829, and in 1830 one second class Clerk was transferred from the Transport Branch. (fn. 219)