Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837. Originally published by University of London, London, 2006.
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'The household below stairs: Cartakers 1660-c. 1829', in Office-Holders in Modern Britain: Volume 11 (Revised), Court Officers, 1660-1837, (London, 2006) pp. 431-435. British History Online https://www.british-history.ac.uk/office-holders/vol11/pp431-435 [accessed 24 April 2024]
In this section
Cartakers 1660–c. 1829
Cartakers were responsible for providing wagons, carts, etc. when the court went on progress. (fn. 1) In 1660 the establishment of the cartakers consisted of a clerk of the carriages or clerk of the cartakers appointed by royal warrant and yeomen and grooms appointed by lord steward's warrant. There was originally a sole clerk. A second served from 1662 although at times reduced to supernumerary status. The remuneration consisted of wages of £6 13s 4d and board wages of £54 15s, increased to £60 in 1664 but reduced to £43 6s 8d in 1680. The offices were abolished, but for one supernumerary, in 1685. (fn. 2)
A single yeoman served from 1660 to 1689 when there was an increase to three. There was a reduction to two in 1702 and to one in 1761. Remuneration consisted of wages of £5 and board wages varying from £40 in 1664 to £35 in 1680. In 1685 a salary of £40 was provided. In 1689 wages were fixed at £5 and board wages at £45. In 1761 these were consolidated into a salary of £50. (fn. 3)
The number of grooms fluctuated considerably between 1660 and 1668, declining from five to two. Three served from 1668 to 1761 except during the years 1685–8 and 1702–27 when there was again a reduction to two. From 1761 a single groom served. Remuneration consisted of wages of £2 13s 4d and board wages varying from £40 in 1664 to £27 6s 8d in 1680. In 1685 a salary of £30 was provided. In 1689 wages were fixed at £2 13s 4d and board wages at £37 6s 8d. In 1761 these were consolidated into a salary of £40. Supernumerary grooms were appointed between 1661 and 1696. (fn. 4)
In 1782 the office of groom was abolished and that of yeoman, redesignated simply “cartaker”, became the sole officer of the department at £50 a year. In 1812 this officer was made redundant at St. James's at a salary of £39 increased to £45 in the following year. He was still receiving this sum in 1829. (fn. 5)
Tailcartakers “had anciently, when the Court was furnish'd with Provisions by the several Counties, considerable employment; being employ'd for conveying such Provisions to Court.” But when purveyance was abolished at the Restoration they became virtual sinecures. They were appointed by the lord steward. Four “Cartakers of London” were listed in 1660. By 1664 they were established at £2 3s 4d apiece. This remained their number and remuneration until their abolition in 1761. (fn. 6)
The cart-loader made £18 5s in board wages. (fn. 7)
Clerks of the Carriages 1660–1685
| 1660 | 16 Aug. | Paine, J. |
| 1662 | 9 July | Scoresby, W. (to the Queen) |
| 1668 | 1 Oct. | Scoresby, W. (to the Queen) |
| 1674 | 16 Mar. | Palmer, C. |
Supernumerary Clerk of the Carriages 1662–1668; 1685–1688
| 1662 | 1 Dec. | [?] (fn. 8) |
| 1664 | 1 Oct. | Scoresby, W. |
| 1685 | 1 July | Scoresby, W. |
Yeomen 1660–1782
Grooms 1660–1782
Supernumerary Grooms
(1661–1667; 1669–1671; 1677–1684; 1686–1687; 1696)
| 1661 | 11 Oct. | Mott, J. |
| 1662 | 1 Dec. | [?] (fn. 8) |
| 1662 | 1 Dec. | [?] (fn. 8) |
| 1664 | 1 Oct. | House, D. |
| 1669 | 15 Apr. | Mason, R. |
| 1677 | 28 June | Miller, H. |
| 1681 | 18 Feb. | Douglas, S. |
| 1686 | 1 Feb. | Douglas, S. |
| 1696 | 20 May | Munden, W. |