The tithings of Stoke Bishop
It is possible to date the building of Stoke House from the records of tithings given by the Cann family, because the tithes were directly related to the value of land and property.
The tithes given by the residents of Stoke Bishop went directly to the poor of Stoke Bishop. Although this was a state tax, the tithes were collected and administered by the church wardens of the parish. Examples of the use of tithes were for the keeping of children, for sickness, for carrying cripples, for the paying bone-setters, for the making of graves, and for paying bell ringers on coronation day.
The tithings of the Parish of Westbury-on-Trym were recorded in what was called the 'Poor Book'. For each year between 1656 and 1698, a record was kept of who gave what and to whom it was administered. The parish was divided between Westbury, Stoke Bishop and Shirehampton.
From the Poor Book we can see that the rateable property of Sir Robert Cann went up considerably between 1666 and 1669.
An extract from the 'Poor Book', 1656
'a ratement or an asseasment made for the relief of the poore of the p'rish of Westbury-uppon-trim...for this yeare 1656 according to the valuacon of every mans land or living at the rate of three half pence a pound as followeth vigt :-'
Extracts from the Poor Book, The Tithing of Stoke Bishop, 1666-1669
1666 Sr Robert Can £30. 05s. 05d
1667 Sr Robert Can £77. 12s. 10d
1668 Sr Robert Can £101. 16s. 10d
1669 Sr Robert Can £109. 18s. 02d
Notes
In 1656, then again in 1658 and 1659, there are two entries in the Poor Book under the name Mr Can. It seems likely that these are two different members of the Cann family owning, or living in, separate accommodation in Stoke Bishop.
From the Poor Book it can be seen that the spelling of Cann changed. Between 1656 and 1683 it was spelled 'Can'. In 1684 it was spelled 'Cam', and between 1685 and 1697 it was spelled 'Cann'. Wilkins asserts that names were written according to how they sounded and that the wardens who kept the records could barely sign their own names.
The residents of Stoke Bishop did not always pay their full tithe. It is recorded by the church wardens that in 1696 Sir Thomas Cann did not pay the full amount.
Wilkins describes how, 'In 1663, for the King's subsidy, Sr. Robert Can's goods were assessed by "partial" commissioners at £10 and he paid £2 13s 4d.'
Bibliography
H. J. Wilkins (ed), Transcription of the 'Poor Book' of The Tithings of Westbury-on-Trym, Stoke Bishop and Shirehampton from AD. 1656-1698 (Bristol: Arrowsmith, 1909).