Genealogy Chat

according to 1851 census my 3X gr-grandfather was a 'Farm Baliff employing 137 men. Marriage cert for 2X gr-grandparents just showing 'Baliff'. Does anyone know what a Farm Baliff is? Thanks Sue

Its a good job -in management - bit surprised about 137 men being employed though. (Are you sure it doesnt say 137 acres perhaps?) Whats the details, name etc. so we can all have a snoop. Have a google and you will find the occupation details. Normally a farm bailiff acts on the part of land owners as their representative, collecting the rents and such.

He would have been an officer of the sheriff, a land steward acting on behalf of the Landowner or Landlord. The bailiff being in charge of seeing that the tenant farmer(s) kept the farm(s) in a good state and paid the rent on time. He acted as a 'middle man' between the two, although I suspect he was more on the landowner's side than the tenant farmer.... ;)

Sort of a foreman, Manager, Farm bailiff to the owner. Rod

Would be interesting to have a peak - in case it is a variation - say he worked for the county rather than a private landowner or something. I know I found one way back who was really a powerful bloke, arranging the sales of farmland to the railways at that time.

Thanks all, You could be right about acres. Reference is William Richardson b 1806 Ulceby Lincs, living in Barlings Lincs. Folio 81 page 3

Hi Susan - had a peek - looks like 157 acres, employing 2 man servants. Boy, he has a lot of kids though - suppose you saw the further 4 on the next page!