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Rare 1768 Terrier Reveals Village Past
7 Dec
Summary
- A rare 1768 land survey of Chesterton has been acquired by Cambridgeshire Archives.
- The document details field boundaries, land values, and tenant names from the 18th century.
- Acquisition was made possible by a donation from the Friends of the Nations' Libraries.
Cambridgeshire Archives has secured a significant historical document: a detailed survey of John Chettoe's property in Chesterton dating back to 1768. This rare 'terrier' offers a unique glimpse into the life of the village, long before it became a suburb of Cambridge, documenting field boundaries, land values, and the names of its tenants. This find is particularly noteworthy as no other terriers from this period for Chesterton are known to exist.
The acquisition, made possible by a £350 donation from the Friends of the Nations' Libraries, a charity supporting cultural institutions, allows the archives to bridge a gap in their existing collection. They already possess other documents related to the landowner, including his will and correspondence, making this terrier a crucial addition to understanding Chesterton's past and its transition from a rural estate to an urban community.
Archivists emphasize the terrier's value for historians and the public interested in land use and social history. It vividly captures the landscape and community structure of Chesterton during the reign of George III. This acquisition highlights the importance of such documents in connecting the present to the lives and environments of past generations, appreciating the historical journey of the county.
