City of London help

[Asa]

I'm not *that* familiar with the London Land Tax records 1692-1932 (mostly because so many of my ancestors aren't on there!) but I'm trying to use them to help with a John Mason of St Mary at Hill victualler 1730, nephew of Edward Mason of Spitalfields weaver.

Looking at 1730 on the Land Tax records, there are John Masons in Candlewick, Cornhill and Tower. Does anyone know which of these is most likely to contain St Mary at Hill?

There is a John Mason of St Mary at Hill whose will is proved in 1749 and I want to establish if it's the same chap.

[maggie_4_7]

I would say the Tower.

[Asa]

Thanks Maggie, that was my instinct but I don't know anything about Candlewick. Just been looking about and I think it's to the right of where I want.

[Phoenix]

Candlewick Street was the old name for Cannon Street, if that's any help.

[maggie_4_7]

Candlewick Ward

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=46756

I don't think its Candlewick it lists the churches in that ward and St Mary at Hill isn't included.

[Rick]

St Mary at Hill is in Billingsgate ward. Your chap is there in 1749 on the Land Tax records.

[maggie_4_7]

Tower Ward

http://www.towerward.org.uk/Wards/Tower/AboutTheWard/

Looking at the map St Mary at Hill is in it, its between Eastcheap and Lower Thames Street.

[Asa]

Ah right - thank you everyone - the wards are much smaller than I expected them to be.

[Asa]

I've now got the British history online description - I always forget that site. Rick is right, thank you

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/image.aspx?compid=46750&filename=fig6.gif&pubid=332

The surname Mason gets more common every time I look at the records!

[Phoenix]

Congratulations with getting that far back with Masons in the first place. I'm stuck with one born c 1800.

[Rick]

If you just search for John Mason in Billingsgate, there are two entries for every year from 1727 to 1748 - one is always on the next page to the first. The second entry appears immeditately after The Dog Tavern. In 1749, the chap next to the Dog tavern is still there, but the first is gone. I wonder if that makes your chap the first of the two entries ?

[Asa]

It must be, Rick - thank you - his will is 1749 and his widow's 1752.

Phoenix, I don't acquire the Masons until the 1720s going backwards and there are a few wills so that helps ;)