Meaning
An agent who managed a landowner's estate or farm on their behalf, collecting rents and overseeing workers.
Description
A bailiff acted as the representative of a landowner, managing the day-to-day running of an estate or farm. Duties included collecting rents from tenants, hiring and supervising farm labourers, keeping accounts and ensuring the land was productive. The role carried considerable local authority and required literacy and numeracy. In a legal context the term bailiff was also used for officers of the court responsible for serving writs and enforcing judgements.
Also Known As
Estate Bailiff, Farm Bailiff, Court Bailiff
Commonly Found In
- Census Returns
- Estate Records
- Manor Court Records
- Trade Directories
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