Excise officers

[Scrabble]

Simon

Is there a chance you could look up my Exciseman ancestor on Athens please? I've tried TNA online without result.

He was James Wellman born c.1775 died Sept 1828 Union Street, Hoxton, E London. On his childrens' christenings he was recorded as a gentleman but on his daughter's marriage cert he was "Exciseman". I have his marriage 1820 (no parents or occ mentioned) and burial record but no indication of his origins. Any info at all would be helpful.

Thank you.

[sihuss]

Hi Scrabble,

I had a look on your behalf but I'm afraid the result was rather disappointing.

I found one reference to a John Wellman working in Fowey (Cornwall) as a clerk for a customs collector, but nothing at all on a James, Jas, J or otherwise.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news.

Sorry,

Simon.

[Lady Di]

Thanks for all the information posted above.

That's a great help in building up a picture of the life and times of my excise officer.


Di

[Scrabble]

I had a look on your behalf but I'm afraid the result was rather disappointing.

I found one reference to a John Wellman working in Fowey (Cornwall) as a clerk for a customs collector, but nothing at all on a James, Jas, J or otherwise.

Hate to be the bearer of bad news.

Simon
Thank you, I really appreciate your looking for this. I had noticed that there were Wellmans in Cornwall but James married in Holborn, London, and died in Hoxton, London so he could have come from anywhere really. I will keep casting about, experience has shown that sometimes a clue comes along eventually!
Best wishes
Pat

[sanqhar]

This is not specific to names, but an interesting adjunct to the Excise Officers way of life.

When an excise officer visited a trader on revenue business he would keep a written record.  This would have to include how long he spent on the premises.  In an era when few people could afford a watch how did he do it?  Note, I said "he" as women did not join the the "Outdoor Service" as officers till 1971.

Excise officers were locally based and without a watch would have to keep an ear open for the church or town hall clock.  If he had heard the clock strike 10 (am) then he would note the record as "mp10" (without quotes), this stood for "morning past 10".  If he left the premises after 2pm then he would record the time as "ep2", which stood for "evening past 2".  Noon had its own notation, "pn" for "past noon".  If the time to be recorded was on the hour then it would be "m10" (morning 10), "e2" (evening 2) or "n" (noon).

The sharp amongst you will realise that this was open to abuse.

So "mp10 to mp11" could be 2 minutes work or nearly 2 hours, e.g. 10:59 to 11:01 =2 minutes, or it could be 10:01 to 11:59 =nearly 2 hours.

This system, known as "Excise Notation" was still in use until the early 70s,  yes I do mean the 1970s.

tom

[ScouseBoy]

About 40 years ago  I worked in an office with someone who had previously worked for the Customs and Excise.

He was attached to a Scotch whisky distillery,  and they had to record quantity produced I suppose.

[lindymm]

Hello folks,

I also have an ancestor who was an excise officer. If anyone has any information on him, or if someone, perhaps Simon, could look for him in ATHENS, it would be very much appreciated.

George Titterton born ~1776

Residences:
  - Southwark & Bermondsey, Surrey, England
  - possible records from Westminster & Shoreditch, Middlesex, England and Lambeth, Surrey, England.

Profession:
  - Excise Officer (children's birth/baptism records)
  - Superannuation Excise Officer (1851 census)

Family:
  - wife Elizabeth (maiden surname unknown)
  - children Charlotte Elizabeth, Rebecca & Richard James Titterton

Thanks,
Lindy

[sihuss]

Hi Lindy,

Have found one page referring to the cessation of his superannuation due to his death on 20 September 1854.

That of any interest?  He is described therein as a 'permit writer'.

Simon

[lindymm]

Hi Simon,

Thanks for that. Helped me confirm an uncertain death date for him.

Cheers,
Lindy