[This section is under construction]

 

Pre-1832

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Prior to the Great Reform Act, voting was dependent on three criteria – sex, age and property. Only men over the age of 21 were allowed to vote – and only if they owned property over a certain value. It was essentially a way of making voting a rich man’s privilege, reinforced by small boroughs having more MPs than larger counties, which were predominantly inhabited by poorer workers.

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1798 Land Tax

 

This is a Land Tax Assessment carried out in 1798 on land with a value of 20 shillings or more; land valued less than 20 shillings was exempt.

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COUNTY of York N.R. PARISH of Thoralby p.150

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An Assessment made in Pursuance of an Act of Parliament passed in the 38th Year of His Majesty's Reign, for granting an Aid to his Majesty by a Land Tax to be raised in Great Britain, for the Service of the Year 1798.