Returns of Poor Livings 1708 and 1720
Before the Reformation a clerical tax, called Annates, or First Fruits and Tenths (the whole of the first year's profits of a benefice) was paid to the Papal Treasury in Rome. Following the Reformation they were paid to the Crown. In 1703 Queen Anne was persuaded to divert the income of the First Fruits and Tenths to Governors who would use the income some £17,000 per annum at that time, to augment the income of the poorer clergy.
Following the establishment of Queen Anne's Bounty by the The Queen Anne's Bounty Act 1703 (2 & 3 Anne c 20), all the parishes in the Diocese of York were surveyed to see if they could benefit from the Bounty.
The returns for Aughton were as follows:
1708
Aughton
| Property, Goods, Chattels, Dues and Oblations | £ | s. | d. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid in Aughton at ye Audit | 8 | 0 | 0 |
| A house & yard | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Churchyard | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Paid in Ellerton at ye Audit | 6 | 0 | 0 |
| A hemp garth | 0 | 5 | 0 |
| Churchyard at Ellerton | 0 | 1 | 6 |
| A close at Wheldrake | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Half an acre of land at Wheldrake | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| A close at Sandholm | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| One close & 3 acres & half of meadow at East Cottingwith | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| 2 pasture gates | 0 | 15 | 0 |
| 8 acres of arable land | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| One house | 0 | 12 | 0 |
| 5 Mens Parts of 4 half acres of meadow | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Surplice Fees | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Sum | 32 | 12 | 6 |
1720
Cottingwith, East
Yearly value £9 15s. 10d.
John Day & John Horseley both of East Cottingwith aforesaid yeomen Do joyntly & severally make oath That they are well acquainted with the Chapelry of East Cottingwith & that the same amounts yearly to the sum of nine pounds fifteen shillings & ten pence or thereabouts & the same ariseth as followeth viz: The sum of nine pounds three shillings & ten pence Rent of an house ^ severall pieces of land And the Sum of twelve shillings yearly or thereabouts by offerings & that the same is in the Donation of Alice Bethell widow and that William Storr clerke is the present Minister of the said chappel & that they do not know of any other improvements or augmentation belonging to the said Chapelry.