Office Keeper c. 1667-1870

The position of Office or Chamber Keeper first makes its appearance in September 1667. (fn. 1) Its holder was the senior of the subordinate officers of the Treasury and was responsible for the general custody of the building and the provision of the usual necessaries. In 1835, at the time of the reorganisation of the Treasury Messengers, the Office Keeper was made their Superintendent. (fn. 2) In 1852 the office was united to that of Housekeeper. (fn. 3)

In 1668 the salary attached to the office was fixed at £40. (fn. 4) In 1694 an allowance of £300 was substituted out of which the usual incidents had to be found. (fn. 5) In 1712 this was increased to £400 out of which fixed annual charges of £40 and £12 were payable to the 'Under Chamber Keeper' (Doorkeeper) and 'Cleaner' (Housekeeper). (fn. 6) In 1739 there was a further increase to £480. (fn. 7) In 1786 the then Office Keeper stated that his net income after deductions was £175. (fn. 8) In 1793 a salary of £200, clear of all deductions, was substituted. This was reduced to £150 in 1798. (fn. 9) It was fixed at £180 in 1822, at £220 in 1829 and at £180 in 1835. (fn. 10) Finally in 1855 a salary of £200 rising by annual increments of £5 to £250 was established for the combined offices of Office Keeper and Housekeeper. (fn. 11)

LIST OF APPOINTMENTS

Footnotes