Thomas Chattock was born circa 1776 in Castle Bromwich. On 20th May 1777 he married Sarah Noble , daughter of William Heatley Noble and Mary Bratt. Over a period of eight years, Sarah gave birth to six known children, three boys and three girls.

Whilst we don’t have many details of Thomas’ life, we do know that he lived at Park Hall and that in 1785 he registered for a license to shoot game.

Game Keeper and Gaming License

From 1710 onwards, every Lord of a Manor was legally required to appoint one gamekeeper who had the authority to kill game as their deputy on that particular estate. The register was held by the Justices of the Peace and each named individual had a licence to kill game and to capture it out of season for breeding purposes.

The Game Acts of 1784 and 1785 made it compulsory for individuals wanting to kill game to take out a certificate from the Clerk of the Peace, which cost 2 guineas per annum.

After 1st October 1784 the fine for “qualified persons” killing game without a certificate was £50. (A person was qualified by ownership of property). Refusal to show the certificate or disclose the name and abode incurred the same fine. The 1785 Act came into force at the end of July 1785 and, after then, if someone was caught killing game without a certificate they had to pay a penalty of £20.

Gamekeepers could also register for a certificate, through the deputation of the Lord or Lady of the Manor. A gamekeeper’s certificate was 10s 6d, but they were also liable to a £20 fine if they were caught killing game outside the Manor where they were employed.

The Clerks of the Peace were required to forward the list of names and abodes to the Stamp Office once a year. People who did not obey the law were prosecuted, including for keeping “Engines” to kill game; the “engines” were snares and tunnels. Landowners also posted notices in the papers if they found snares. The press of the time had a bit of a field day. For example, they queried whether a cat that first took home two hares and later on a partridge be fined, or could the owner be fined for keeping a cat to kill game?

In 1796 the shooting season was shortened from 1st September to the 1st March because sportsmen were trampling the corn. The new season was to be 14th September to 14th February the following year.

Thomas’ Death and Burial

Thomas died at Park Hall on 4th November 1817. He was buried in Castle Bromwich graveyard.

Sacred to the memory of Thomas Chattock of Park Hall who departed this life on the 4th day of November 1817, aged 74 years. Also of Sarah, wife of the above, who departed this life June 20th 1837, aged 80 years.