Parishscapes 2007 - 2010
Tithe apportionments
APPORTIONMENTS, WHAT ARE THEY?
You may have noticed that each plot of land on the tithe map is identified by a number. This number relates to a document called the apportionment schedule. This unwieldy document, which is not easy to consult, was in some cases actually glued to the map. The apportionment provides a wealth of information about the plot of land in question – owner, tenant, land use, name, etc. Historically, it was on the basis of the map and this document that the tithes were fairly apportioned and commuted to a cash payment.
Parishscapes volunteers, supervised by Martin Smith (Otter Valley Association), have transcribed a number of the apportionments and are still working on others, making the information much easier for you to read and search through when compared to the above image! Now that the maps are on-line we are adding the apportionment data to this website page in the table below.
Tithe map apportionments currently available (click on the parish you are interested in). For Beer, please see Seaton & Beer.
HOW TO USE THE APPORTIONMENT DATA
If you open an apportionment online you can only view it. However, if you save it to your computer, you can then open it in Adobe, and the document then becomes searchable.
FURTHER, YET FURTHER
Although this is already going to be a big step forward for those interested in local history in the East Devon AONB area, we aim to go considerably further by the time the project finishes. Volunteers are currently linking the apportionments digitally with the geo-rectified tithe maps by making each plot of land into a ‘polygon’ (this involves two separate stages and many, many hours of work). The result will allow you to interrogate the tithe maps directly, principally regarding tenurial relations, land ownership and land use.
If you want to get involved, contact Phil Planel (East Devon AONB Parishscapes Officer) Mondays to Wednesdays on: pplanel@eastdevon.gov.uk / 01404 46663 / 01404 549173 or 07734 568987