168
THE ESSEX NATURALIST.
By the kindness of Mr. C. Hall Crouch, I have been allowed
to make extracts from MS. copies of the Woodford Church-
wardens' and Overseers' Accounts, made by the late Mr. F. G.
Emler and now in Mr. Crouch's possession.
In view of the present extreme rarity, probably the absolute
extinction, of the polecat in Epping Forest, it is somewhat
surprising to find that this animal was common there in the late
18th century, judging from the number of specimens brought in
to the vestry officials for payment. In the year 1770, for instance,
eleven polecats were paid for, in the following year no fewer than
nineteen and in 1772 fourteen. In the two years 1777-78 thirty-
seven polecats in all were produced : there is indeed evidence
in the Accounts that some of the poorer parishioners (including
a woman !) were then making a business of catching these
"vermin" as a means of adding to their incomes. In 1780
thirteen polecats were killed, in 1788 twelve and in 1789 ten.
From these totals we may conclude that these animals were quite
common in Epping Forest at this period. Subsequent years
show a marked fall in numbers, the annual total being usually
only two or three polecats: this was no doubt due to the persis-
tent onslaught of earlier years. The latest year in which polecats
are mentioned is 1839.3
The standard reward for polecats brought in was 8d. per
head ; hedgehogs, stoats and weasels (then very numerous)
being rewarded at 4d. each. It is noteworthy that foxes also
were paid for : in 1740 three foxes were brought in and 10s.
paid for them. In 1742 3s. 4d. was paid for one fox and in 1787
the production of four dog-foxes was rewarded at the same rate
of 3s. 4d. each, while a bitch-fox brought twice that amount. In
1767 also a bitch produced 6s. 8d. and in 1791 three bitches
yielded a reward of 6s. 8d. apiece.
In 1778 6s. 8d. was paid for an Otter, whereas in 1780 only
one shilling was granted ; these were the only payments recorded
for this animal.
It should be noted that, in these Woodford accounts, distinc-
tion is made between polecats, stoats and weasels, these animals
being differently priced. This is important to remember, as in
some other parishes these "vermin" are lumped together and it
is consequently then impossible to determine their relative
abundance.
As late as 1839 payment was made by the churchwardens of West Ham for destroying
a polecat. The entry in the churchwardens' accounts runs :—"Dec. 16. Benjn. Butler
for destroying a Pole Cat. 8d."