John Snitch (Snytch) 1666, was a Carpenter and Overseer of the
Poor for Potton. Overseers were chosen from prominent men in the town,
usually of yeoman or master craftsmen class and above. Two served at any
one time and their period of office lasted one year. It was the job of the
overseer to collect the Poor Rate and to distribute it to the needy. John
left the sum of £100 plus a cottage and land in his will which made him a rich
man, leaving nearly half of his wealth to the poor. John went down in the
history of Potton, his memory being kept alive as young apprentices were sponsored
under the terms of his will for the next couple of hundred years. In 1699,
the money brought "Harvey's Lands" and the profits were used in the
way he wanted until 1877. His charity is still there today, integrated in
to The Potton Consolidated Charities. He was buried in a prominent position in
Potton church graveyard and his grave stone can be seen to this day. The
wording on his gravestone say's "Here lieth the Body of John Snitch who departed
this life June ye 12 1687. He gave one Hundred Pounds the Interest of
which is to put out Poor Children Apprentice (sic) Born in ye Parish of Potton".
He is also recorded in the burial register as "1687 June 13 Jn Snitch carpenter
who gave an hundred pound to use of the poor of Potton".
Click on John Snitch's Charity button above.
This plaque is located
inside Potton Church
Thomas Snitch 1703, was a Cottager and a Taylor.
James Snitch 1739, rented 147 acres of farm land from the
Whitbread Estate in Southill. He was also the Church Warden and on the
Jury List 1810 for Southill, still farming land in Southill in 1822.
William Snitch 1761, was a tailor in Huntingdon along with his
father Thomas.
Francis Snitch 1761, paid Hearth Tax for 1 hearth in Potton
in 1761.
Elizabeth Snitch 1767, produced
a Sampler of the County of Bedfordshire at the age of 12 yrs. (see page on
Elizabeth Snitch Sampler)
Rebecca Snitch 1768, farmed 4 acres of land from the Whitbread
Estate in 1801. She is the daughter of James 1739.
Thomas Snitch 1784, was a publican of the "White Lion"
public house , Huntingdon Street, St Neots, in
the 1841 census for St Neots. He was still registered as the publican in
1851 (Kelly's Directory).
Frank Snitch 1790, of Southill was the Overseer of the poor for
Southill, Church Warden, Trustee of the Southill Charity and Receiving Officer and Registrar of birth,
marriages and deaths for the Wixamtree Hundred. He was a High
Constable and collector of county rates for Southill and was on the Jury List
1830 for Southill. He was a Lieutenant
in the Bedfordshire Dismounted Horse Artillery and can be found mentioned in the Bedford
Muster List 1539 - 1831. Frank still owns farmland in 1827.
Charles James Snitch 1796,
was a Doctor in Covent Garden and had a letter to the editor published in
the Times Newspaper dated 26 October 1826 in respect of the editor casting
aspersions on Charles's character. I have found 3 further
different cases that Charles James Snitch was also involved in at "The Old
Bailey" these can be read at the following addresses:
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18400706-name-295&div=t18400706-1850#highlight
(acknowledge oldbaileyonline.org)
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18411129-name-625&div=t18411129-110#highlight
(acknowledge oldbaileyonline.org)
http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t18440819-name-246&div=t18440819-1929#highlight
(acknowledge oldbaileyonline.org)
Thomas
Snitch 1804, was a Corporal in 31st Foot Regiment in Agra, West Bengal, India
and married Susanne Walsh a widow of another soldier of the same regiment.
He joined the regiment on 9th January 1826 and was discharged from the army aged 42
on 22 May 1847 and became a pensioner after 21 years service.
17years and 2 months of his service was spent in Tropical Climates. His
service record shows he was in Afghanistan in 1842 and was present at the
engagement of Mazeena and Tezeen and was awarded a medal for his service
in the area.
The 31 Foot Regiment is now 1st Battalion East Surry Regiment. The 31st spent 22
years in India during which time it fought in the First Afghan War and
First Sikh War. After the disastrous retreat form Kabul in January 1842 an
avenging army was sent in under the command of General Pollock. They were
at Mazeena, the Tezeen Valley and Jugdulluck before capturing Kabul. It
was not a victory that the British Army could be proud of, as wanton
destruction was encouraged. Villages were looted and burned and the main
bazaar at Kabul was destroyed. The 31st gained the battle honour CABOOL
1842 for this campaign. Click on the link below to read more on 31st
Regiment of Foot and it's history
http://www.britishempire.co.uk/forces/armyunits/britishinfantry/31stfoot.htm
Francis
Snitch 1815, was a Carpenter and Wheelwright in Offord Cluny/Darcy.
Thomas Snitch
1817, was a Yeoman & Farmer (Kelly's), in Offord Darcy.
Rachel Snitch 1841, was born in
Agra, West Bengal, India. Her father was Thomas Snitch and her mother
Susanna Walsh.
James Snitch 1846, was the publican of "The
Bell" public house at Little Stukeley (Kelly's 1894-1914).
Elizabeth Snitch 1862, was born to Eliza
Snitch in Huntingdon Union Work House.
Arthur Snitch 1863, emigrated
to the USA and landed in New York before travelling across the states to Cleveland Ohio where he
settled. His Father William Snitch and mother Sarah Knight also emigrated
with Arthur. In the 1910 US Census Arthur was listed as an alien and not a
naturalized citizen of the USA. His descendants are still in Cleveland to
this day.
James Snitch 1863, became
a Congregational Minister and was the minister of Union chapel, Houghton.
George Snitch 1865, was a
Telegraph Messenger (1881) and a sorter
in the post office (1901 census).
John Thomas Snitch 1876,
emigrated to NSW Australia 28-5-1928 with his sons Leonard Frederick, Arthur
George and daughters Flora Alice and Edith Elizabeth.
Thomas Snitch 1887, Emigrated to Quebec in
Canada on 15th June 1925 at the age of 38, on the ship: Athenia. He
was employed by the Canadian National Railway as a Diesel Engine
Supervisor and was the on board engineer responsible for the maintenance
of the first diesel electric rail car to travel across Canada during it's
record breaking time of 67 hours. Thomas Snitch is the 6th person
from the left in the photograph.
Lucy Snitch
1891, had her throat cut when she was aged 9 by James Peetit aged 13 (see
Extracts from documents).
Albert
James Snitch 1901, was the Pearly King of Hornsey and a member of the Pearly Kings & Queens Family.
Alfred George 1903, emigrated to Western
Australia where he married Stella Maud.
Roy Lincoln Snitch 1914, was Mayor of
Coniston, Ontario, Canada from 1947 to 1962
Edward Norman Snitch 1918, was awarded The George
Medal for bravery in 1952 in his capacity as a CID Officer in the Metropolitan
Police. The medal was presented by Queen Elizabeth 2 in 1953.
Arthur Snitch 1920, attempted to save a man from
drowning (see Extracts from Documents).
Peter Alan Snitch 1944, was awarded the (BEM),
British Empire Medal in 1988.
Thomas Dana Snitch 1947, was a founder member of
the Canadian Rock Group WARPIG. Thomas played Keyboard/Guitar & Vocals.
The group was formed in 1969 and released their first album in 1971.
John Paul Snitch 1968, is the Singer/Guitarist
of the backing group 3 Legged Dog (3ld) as well as this group he also plays in
the band, G.U.T. in Australia. The first album he played on was about
1989. The band 3ld are a backing group for other artists.
Michele Louise Snitch 1969, Was awarded the
(MBE), Member of British Empire Medal.
Stephen Snitch 1983, plays professional Rugby League Football for Huddersfield
Giants (2006).
