VII DECLINE OF SMALL LANDOWNER 133 



Here the number has decreased to nearly one-third, and 

 the acreage to less than one-fifth. 



I. 



Note. In analysing these surveys, the Demesne has been excluded 

 because this was leased. Also all outside the Demesne who held more 

 than 100 acres, because they would probably not be farming their 

 own land. Of course the occupying owner of the seventeenth century 

 has not in all cases lost the land in the eighteenth century, but he has 

 ceased to farm it. 



Passing to the next table (II), dealing with fifteen parishes 

 taken from various counties, we find that, according to the 

 surveys from Henry VIIFs reign to the year 1704, there 

 were 472 freeholders or copyholders, and 59 cottagers, 

 whereas before or by 1786 the number of owners occupying 

 had fallen to 92 and 35 cottagers, and the number of owners 

 to 225, besides 41 who owned cottages, and 13 who might 

 be either owners only or occupiers as well. This would 

 make a grand total of 330 or, including Lord Leicester, 

 who possessed most of eight parishes, of 331 owners above 

 six acres, and 76 owning cottages. 



And now to come to Table III. Here you will see that 

 in 1785, there were in Oxfordshire alone, out of some 301 

 parishes, no less than 96 in which there were no owners 

 occupying at all ; and 75 in which the number was less 

 than 6. 



In Wiltshire, in 1780, out of 50 parishes, 4 with no 

 owners who occupied their lands, and 17 in which the 

 number was under 6. 





