Wednesday, 16 September 2026

Westminster Rate Books, 1634 - 1900.

 


This link takes one to the various rate books compiled for each parish but it is not indexed.


Each rate book has been photographed and then later digitalised by the Church of the Latter Day Saints


https://www.familysearch.org/en/search/image/index?owc=https://www.familysearch.org/service/cds/recapi/collections/2489869/waypoints

Below is the link to the indexing.

https://www.familysearch.org/en/wiki/England,_Westminster_Rate_Books_Digital_Folder_Number_List



It is useful to have Street maps to hand in order to make sense of the routes taken by the collectors.

John Roques Map of 174

Horwood's map of 1799 is also very useful.

https://www.layersoflondon.org/map/overlays/horwood-1799



Here is an example 005134929.

Bedford Bury Ward, Scavengers Ledger for 1735 Image no 122.

Peter's Court off St Martin's Lane

This was the premises of the St Martin's Lane Academy begain in 1735 at the former Russells Meeting House.

Benjamin Rackstraw is on the corner of Peter's Court and St Martin's Lane (north side of the court entrance.

https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/P_Banks-28-125




Russell's meeting house (later the home of the St Martin's Lane Academy) is not rated suggesting that the building is vacant - no mention of Roubiliac or Hogarth.