George Clapham

George farmed 15 acres of land in Old Sailing and Felsted. From the Hearth Tax returns of 1662 George’s dwelling was listed as having two hearths. These taxes were subject to properties worth more than two shillings a year in rent. The poll returns of 1693 indicate that George was a freeholder and voted for Sir Charles Barrington in the 1693 by-election for ‘Knight of the Shire’ contested by the aforementioned and Benjamin Mildmay. The vacant seat was caused by the suicide of John Lamalte Honeywood, the previous ‘Knight of the Shire’. In June 1697 George was sworn in as the new Church Warden of Felsted Church.

Buried at Felsted, Essex 20th December 1698, Will dated 16th Dec 1698, proved 20th January 1699, Arch. Ct. Mdsx, Essex & Herts, available from Chelmsford Records Office/Library.