From Chicklade And Pertwood, A Short Parish History by E.R. Barty, M.A., Chicklade, Old Rectory, first published December 1955:
THE TERRIERS 1783 AND 1704
In answer to the Bishop’s queries regarding “a true and perfect Terrier’ the Rev. Benjamin Blatch replied that there was a Parish Plan and Award in accordance with the Act of Enclosure (1781).
It is fortunate that the Terrier or Inventory of 1783 still exists as it extends our knowledge of the parish during this period and the incumbency of the Rev. Benjamin Blatch “A True and perfect tenet of all the Glebe lands, Meadows, Gardens, Houses, Barns, Stables, Outhouses, Tithes, Profits, Privileges, Advantages whatsoever belonging to the Parsonage of Chicklade in the County of Wilts, within the Diocese of Sarum and the Deanery of Chalk made and taken by the view of us whose names are hereunto subscribed this fourth day of August in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three.”
“One Parsonage house built of stone and thatched with straw about forty-seven foot in length and eighteen in breadth containing two small rooms and two pantries on the ground floor, one room at the north end floored partly with wood and partly with stone – the other at the south end floored with stone only and the pantries with earth. Three chambers with elm floors ceiled but not wainscoted – also one barn eighteen foot wide, fifty-eight foot in length with a small wing about twenty foot long – also a stable joining to the barn at the north end but under one roof and covered with thatch, also one farm-yard, one meadow and garden together containing three rood and fenced with a dead hedge.”
“The Parish being lately divided by Act of Parliament the arable Glebe land is in one entire piece situated at the west end of the parish on the left hand of the turnpike road leading from Chicklade to Mere and contains thirty-two acres two rood and thirty-two perch and is bounded on the north by the above mentioned turnpike road, on the east by the road leading from Chicklade to Hindon, on the south by the old London road and on the west by the lands of Harry Edgell Esqe. and Elias Lucas.
“Furthermore we own, confess and acknowledge that all Tithes of everything growing and increasing in the said Parish of Chicklade are and may be taken and received by our Minister at the usual times of our having and taking the increase in our substances as Corn, Hay, Wool, Lambs, Pigs, Calves, Eggs, Honey, Apples and all other tithes both small and great are and may be taken in kind.”
“We also acknowledge and confess offerings to be due and that according to the accustomed manner and times they ought to be had and received by our Minister.”
“The furniture of the church is as follows:- Two Bells, A Font in the church. In the Chancel a Communion Table with two small linnen cloths, a small Chalice and a small plate of Silver; the plate with this inscription “John Hibberd and Elias Lucas, Chicklade – Anno Domini 1705′; one Pewter Flagon, one Oak Chest, a small box annexed to the Communion Table containing the Plan and Award of the Parish.”
“The church is maintained by the Parishioners and the Chancel by the Minister.”
“The churchyard Fence on the west side by the Inhabitants.”
“The north side by Mr. Richd. Randall and The South and east by the Minister.”
“The Clerk’s and Sexton’s wages are paid by the Parish and appointed by the Minister.”
“Signed by
Benjamin Blatch, Rector of Chicklade
Wm. Blake, Churchwarden
Richard Randall, Churchwarden
Nathan Wright, Inhabitant.”
A Terrier of the early 18th Century (1704) contains a long description of fields, etc., but merely mentions one Parsonage house (no account of its size and number of rooms) – one barn, one cow-house, one cart-house, one Backside, one Garden containing 17 poles, one little meadow containing 61 poles and a quarter of a pole; Also Feeding and Pasturage for eight cows and horses on commonable fields and Downs of Chicklade; the right to cut down and carry away of wood in proportion to that cut down by other inhabitants; Tithes and Tenths, Corn, Hay, Wool, Lambs, Piggs, Calves, Eggs, Apples, Honey and all other Tithes both small and great are and may be taken in kind.
Luke Simpson, Rector
Henry Burnett, John Halbert? } Churchwardens
The mark of Elias E. Lucas.
It has already been noted that in 1662, in answer to a Bishop’s Query, the churchwardens “presented’ that “there was no Terrier as yet belonging to the Parish.’