While it might be difficult to ever really know who has been on Father Christmas’ naughty list, documents held by the archives and local studies service can give us a good idea.
Evidence that not everyone has behaved themselves during Christmases past can be found at the Beverley Treasure House where records from the Christmas Quarter Sessions for the East Riding of Yorkshire, dating back more than 300 years, reveal a variety of interesting misdemeanours at this time of year.
These include the case of William and Martha Gibson of Sculcoates who, on New Year’s Day 1808 were accused of “drinking tipling whoring and misbehaving themselves unlawfully” in their house with other men and women of “evil name and fame”.
Also, the case of a cowardly constable, who refused to tackle a rabble of ten men rioting in Driffield Market Place during December 1808, although who could blame him.
And the incident involving James Hews who, on Boxing Day 1825, was found “wandering about in the streets…in an indecent state of nakedness although having decent cloths in his possession and begging about from door to door and demanding alms with threats and intimidation from those who refused to relieve him.”
Collections Officer Sam Bartle said: “It is fascinating to be able to look back at past Christmases to see what sort of mischief people got up to.”
However, not all of the court’s business at Christmas time was filled with miscreants, rogues, and vagabonds – take James Bacchus’ case for example, during Christmas 1709. He was a war veteran who had served under Charles II and later settled in Howden, but “by reason of his Children leaving of him he is fallen into Extream Poverty and utterly unable to maintaine himself.” It was pleaded that Bacchus be given “a yearly Pention towards his Support for the short tyme he has to live.”
And, in the true spirit of Christmas, the justices of the peace granted him 40 shillings, equivalent to around £150 in today’s money and three weeks wages for a craftsman at the time.
For more information about the Quarter Sessions records, please visit the research room of the Treasure House, Champney Road, Beverley.
