Field numbers and measurements on maps

[Kenton]

I have been pouring over some old maps from the late 1800s and early 1900s and see that the fields have either three numbers or four number. I know now this is based on parish and the national grid respectively. However often there is a number under the field no.
eg. Field No 123
Underneath 2.57

I am wondering whether the latter number relates to the acreage of the field, which would seem to make sense.

If anyone can clarify the meaning that would be great. Thank you for your time in reading this.

Kenton

[km1971]

Hi Kenton

Yes it is as you say. The field number relates to the surveyor's field book, and the number is the acreage to three decimal places.

Another symbol you will see, looks like a stretched S and is called a brace. They are used to combine areas together so the surveyor only has to measure the combined space. So if a field was divided by say a fence, he would brace the two parts together and give a combined acreage. Likewise if the field has a pond, by bracing the pond to the field he did not have to measure the pond separately.

Ken

[Kenton]

Many thanks Ken - this is a real help.
Kenton

Hi Kenton

Yes it is as you say. The field number relates to the surveyor's field book, and the number is the acreage to three decimal places.

Another symbol you will see, looks like a stretched S and is called a brace. They are used to combine areas together so the surveyor only has to measure the combined space. So if a field was divided by say a fence, he would brace the two parts together and give a combined acreage. Likewise if the field has a pond, by bracing the pond to the field he did not have to measure the pond separately.

Ken

[GFHWP]

Ken

It sounds as if you are looking at the 1:2500 Ordnance Survey maps and from the dates quoted these will be the County Series maps, identifiable by the reference name which will be the county/roman numeral/arabic numeral : eg.  Kent XV1 13.
These maps all show what are termed as parcel numbers. That is a number allocated to each defined parcel (enclosure) lying within a certain parish. Numbers were originally allocated on a consecutive basis across the parish but changes such as subdividing fields or removing fences stopped that and so they went on to an arbitary numbering system.
The allocation of the number was determined by the surveyor or cartographer at the OS and it referred to an area on the map bounded by a standing  physical feature, such as a wall or hedge although sometimes non physical features such as the imaginary line of the parish boundary or  change in ground surface, such as the edge of a track, could delimit the parcel.
For each parcel the area was shown below the parcel number. Eg 1.672 would represent an area of 1.672 acres.
Occasionally the parcel number would run to 4 digits although this was not too common and should not be confused with the 4 digit reference given on the Ordnance Survey National Grid map, which does, as you say, refer to the grid reference.
Parcel numbers on NG maps reflect the grid reference to the nearest 10m of the centre of the specific parcel and so although they look arbitary are in fact unique identifiers.
As  Kenton has said, the brace  is used to link separately defined areas of ground into one single parcel.  Where there is a gap in the brace it means that the feature crossed (such as a road) is not included in the numbered parcel.
Also not included in this system were built up areas as that would have cluttered up the map. There was a symbol placed on the map to indicate this – it looks like a lollipop.
If you are doing research into land holdings then understanding this system will be of help as in rural areas the land deeds often listed the property owned by reference to the parcel numbers on the particular OS maps.

Hope that all makes sense.

Phil

[Kenton]

Many thanks for this additional information Phil - much appreciated.

I am doing a local history presentation soon which includes maps so I needed to check up on my facts re field/parcel numbers and sizes.

Kind regards
Kenton

[GFHWP]

You're welcome.

I used to have a job where interpretation of map data was a major consideration so if you are stuck on any point feel free to pm me.

Phil

[sunnylew]

I know it's been a long time since this thread was active, but does anyone out there know what the Surveyor's field books contain, and where they are archived (if at all)?

Would they show the names of who occupied/owned the fields?

[km1971]

Like most things historical the first question is where and when?

The original OS Field Books do not appear to have been kept. I know that the OS Historical Map Archive was broken up in 2008 prior to their move to the new headquarters. I worked in a next door office for a while. The plans and maps went to various libraries around the country. But when I was there no mention was made of the original surveyors field books.

However, you can use the valuation survey ordered by the Finance Act of 1909-10. This levied a tax on the increase in the value of land. They used a set of OS plans onto which the surveyor would write the field details. The resulting field books survive in the National Archives. Information recorded includes details of the occupier/owner.

Another avenue is to ask at the local Record Office as it appears they hold the original valuation plans. Although a number of records were destroyed by WW2 bombing. However the NA have a set as well - http://labs.nationalarchives.gov.uk/wordpress/index.php/2010/04/valuation-office-map-finder/

If your interest is of the early 1870s then you have the Owners of Land for England and Wales. But you will need to identity the acreage from a plan first, as it does not use field numbers. It was for owners of more than one acre and did not include London.

Ken

[jo90]

Good Afternoon everyone I found this website via google when trying work out a map sign.


                                                                                                                                                  o
Im trying to confirm for once and for all what the lollipop sign means. it looks a little like this   |   but the O is joined to the | bit so it looks like a stick man with no arms or legs.

 The sign is normally on fence lines around a village or town and reverses either side of said fence alternatively.

Does anyone know what this means or where I can find out what it means.

Many thanks

JO90