Phrase definition please

[nzams]

Hello all,

I have searched online but have been unable to find the definition for the following phrase;

'in the Rackett'

Ref Birth - Date; 10 Nov 1755 / Name; George son of Thomas Stephenson in the Rackett / Location; St Michael le Belfry, Yorkshire, England.

It is mentioned quite a few times with other people as well within the parish records.

Many thanks

[DaveKe]

Could it be "Rocket" ?   Stephenson's Rocket is quite famous.   Maybe it is some kind of irony.

[DaveKe]

Actually,  if it was used in reference to other people as well,   you will find that it refered to a particular street or precinct within the town or parish.   The Rackett is probably around the corner from the Shambles, the Maze or the Warren.     This church is in the middle of the old town of York.

[Geoff-E]

Could it be "Rocket" ?   Stephenson's Rocket is quite famous.   Maybe it is some kind of irony.

It wasn't very famous at all; it wasn't built till 70odd years later.

[nzams]

Actually,  if it was used in reference to other people as well,   you will find that it refered to a particular street or precinct within the town or parish.   The Rackett is probably around the corner from the Shambles, the Maze or the Warren.     This church is in the middle of the old town of York.

This seems to make sense and is probably very much a local saying for the location.  I did a little more search with your help and found a reference online to the York Minster Archives as follows;

*** a lease of the north part of tenement in Petergate (in the parish of St Michael-le-Belfrey), known as the 'Old Rackett',***

It would be nice to find a map of some description so it is worth a visit to the Borthwick Institute at some stage in the future.

Thanks again for your help.

[DaveKe]

There are a bunch of old maps of York online.

The first half-dozen I looked at wanted 11 pounds to look at more closely.   If you persist with that,  you might find a free one.

[nzams]

There are a bunch of old maps of York online.

The first half-dozen I looked at wanted 11 pounds to look at more closely.   If you persist with that,  you might find a free one.

Will do thanks ..... George's father was a staymaker so the family probably leased some of the building mentioned above or a building in the area for work and living .....

[DaveKe]

http://maps.nls.uk/view/100945706

This one is quite nice but I don't see any Rackett on it.

http://maps.nls.uk/view/102344815

This one is also quite nice,    and shows a lot of detached portions of sT Michael the Belfry parish,  which might be relevant.  But no racket.

[stanmapstone]

The description of the enumeration district in the 1841 census is;
That part of the Parish of St Michael le Belfrey, commencing in Low Petersgate with and including the house occupied by Mr Arrowsmith on one side and the Reverend Mr Butler on the other side including the Rackets Grape Lane, and the East side of Stonegate to and including the house occupied by Mr Caul Engraver.
You can see the location on the Town Plans at http://www.old-maps.co.uk/maps.html?coords=460317,452076
The Rackets are not shown.


Stan