RootsChat.Com
General => The Common Room => Topic started by: fisherj on Friday 30 January 15 22:16 GMT (UK)
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Can someone please explain what it means if someone was admitted (or made) burgess.
I have looked this up in a dictionary but have to admit I still don't understand what it would have meant for my ancestors - blacksmiths and colliers - who were "made burgess" in the nineteenth centuries.
If you can explain what they would have had to do and what they would have got out of doing this it would be really helpful,
Thank you
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wiki
Burgess is a word in English that originally meant a freeman of a borough (England) or burgh (Scotland). It later came to mean an elected or unelected official of a municipality, or the representative of a borough in the English House of Commons.[1]
so they must have been well respected members of the community. quite what they had to do Im not sure .Documents refer to "..the mayor, aldermen and burgesses" so they were quite honoured.
hope that helps
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Yes - but - your reply only makes me curious to find out more!
They seem to be of lowly trades - collier and blacksmith in the early and mid nineteenth century in Pembrokeshire. Three generations in one family (- Grandfather, father, son).
I didn't think working classes would have any honours bestowed on them back then!!
Why or how they should be deemed as honoured or given some particular responsibility I can't imagine.
Interesting.... many thanks....
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A burgess was a citizen of a borough, having full municipal rights e.g. being able to vote.
It was probably to do with the Municipal Corporations Act 1835 See Section V at http://www.rootschat.com/links/01enl/
Stan
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The Bristol and Avon Family History Society website had a good explanation, from which the following bits are taken:
"The freedom of the town and the freedom of the craft guilds were also closely linked, and it was difficult, and at some periods virtually impossible, for a man to set up as a master in his own craft or trade and take apprentices without first being admitted a freeman.
Until 1835, admission to freedom was fourfold. As early as 1344 it was laid down that a man could claim admission:
1. as the son of a freeman,
2. by serving at least seven years apprenticeship to a burgess,
3. by marrying the widow or daughter of a freeman, or
4. by redemption, ie by paying a large sum to purchase the privilege."
"The most interesting of these four ways is apprenticeship. Since apprenticeship could lead to freedom, it was necessary for the Corporation to keep an accurate record. Master and apprentice would come before the mayor and particulars of the apprenticeship indentures would be taken. "
"Many burgesses must have had the right to claim admission in two or more ways, for the sons of freemen would also serve an apprenticeship to their trade. It was common for men to take up freedom shortly after completing their apprenticeship. No-one could become a burgess until he was twenty one.
There was another important and interesting privilege attaching to the status of freeman. Until the Reform Act of 1832, Bristol's two Members of Parliament were elected by the votes of the freeman of the City. "
One of my 2x gr-grandfathers is recorded as taking his burgess oath in Nottingham in 1858.
Koromo
Added: Found the link at last for the article on the bafhs website:
http://www.bafhs.org.uk/research-room/sources/bristol-burgesses (http://www.bafhs.org.uk/research-room/sources/bristol-burgesses)
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This article explains who had the right to vote in Counties and Boroughs
https://familysearch.org/learn/wiki/en/Poll_Books_in_England_and_Wales
See my post about Burgesses in Nottingham.
http://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=688353.msg5324449#msg5324449
Stan
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Thank you Stan and Koromo for your very helpful replies. I've gone from wondering why/how my ancestor, a collier/ag lab, should be admitted as a burgess to wondering why more people did not do so! I find it hard to believe that he was one of only 3% of the population who was entitled to vote - if I have understood these articles correctly.
Again - many thanks.
Regards
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Are you familiar with Welsh newspapers online -
http://welshnewspapers.llgc.org.uk/en/home
Might find mention of your "rellies" there?
(Search tip - if you use a search key of more than one word wrap the search key in " ")