List of acts of the Parliament of Great Britain, 1735–1739 facts for kids
This page lists important laws made by the Parliament of Great Britain between 1735 and 1739. These laws are called "acts." Great Britain was a country that included England, Scotland, and Wales.
Before 1801, laws were made by the Parliament of Great Britain. After 1801, laws were made by the Parliament of the United Kingdom.
When people talk about these old laws, they use a special number called a "chapter number." For example, "39 & 40 Geo. 3 c. 67" means it was the 67th law passed during the time when King George III was in his 39th and 40th year of being king.
Sometimes, old laws didn't have a short, easy-to-remember name. Later, some of them were given shorter names to make them easier to talk about.
Also, before April 8, 1793, a law was considered to be in effect from the very first day of the Parliament meeting where it was passed. This means the year listed for a law might actually be the year before it was officially approved.
Contents
Laws of 1735 (9 Geo. 2)
The Parliament met from January 15, 1736, to May 20, 1736.
Public Laws of 1735
Many laws were passed to help run the country. These included laws for:
- Taxes: Laws like the Taxation Act 1735 and Land Tax Act 1735 were passed to collect money for the government.
- Army Rules: The Mutiny Act 1735 set rules for the army and how soldiers were paid.
- Roads and Bridges: Several acts focused on improving travel. For example, the Kent Roads Act 1735 and Buckinghamshire Roads Act 1735 helped repair and widen roads. The Windsor Bridge Act 1735 allowed for the repair of the bridge over the River Thames.
- City Improvements: Laws like the Saint Martin's in the Fields Watching Act 1735 and Street Lighting, London Act 1735 helped make cities safer and brighter by setting up night watches and street lights.
- Social Changes:
* The Witchcraft Act 1735 was an interesting law. It got rid of older laws that punished people for being witches. Instead, it punished people who pretended to use witchcraft or magic to trick others. * The Spirit Duties Act 1735, also known as the Gin Act, put a tax on certain alcoholic drinks and required sellers to have a license. * The Relief of Shipwrecked Mariners Act 1735 helped sailors who were shipwrecked or in trouble in foreign ports.
- Other Important Laws:
* The Westminster Bridge Act 1735 started the process of building a new bridge across the River Thames in Westminster. * The Foreign Enlistment Act 1735 made it illegal for British citizens to join foreign armies without the King's permission. * The Charitable Uses Act 1735 aimed to control how land could be given for charity, to prevent it from being permanently taken out of circulation. * The Corrupt Practices at Elections Act 1735 tried to stop bribery and unfairness in elections for Members of Parliament.
Private Laws of 1735
Private acts were usually about specific people or groups, often dealing with their land or family matters. Many of these laws allowed people to change their last names, often to inherit money or property from someone else's will. For example, the John Harrison's Name Act 1735 allowed John Harrison to change his name to Newport. Other private acts dealt with selling or managing family estates, or naturalizing (making citizens of) people from other countries.
Laws of 1736 (10 Geo. 2)
The Parliament met from February 1, 1737, to June 21, 1737.
Public Laws of 1736
Again, many laws were passed for the general good of the country:
- Yearly Laws: Laws for taxes (like the Taxation Act 1736 and Land Tax Act 1736) and army rules (the Mutiny Act 1736) were passed again.
- Local Improvements:
* The Worcester Roads Act 1736 and Southampton Roads Act 1736 continued efforts to improve roads. * The Worsley Brook Navigation Act 1736 aimed to make a river easier to travel on by boat. * The Aylesbury Gaol and Shire Hall (Rate in Buckinghamshire) Act 1736 allowed money to be raised to build a new jail and courtrooms.
- Financial Rules: The Stock Jobbing Act 1736 was made to prevent unfair practices in the buying and selling of stocks.
- Social Regulations:
* The Plays and Wine Licences Act 1736 and Licensing Act 1737 (also known as the Plays Act) regulated plays and public entertainment, especially near universities. * The Insolvent Debtors Relief Act 1736 aimed to help people who were in prison because they couldn't pay their debts.
- Special Cases: The Alexander Wilson (Provost of Edinburgh) Act 1736 was a specific law to remove a city leader in Edinburgh and fine the city's government due to a serious incident.
Private Laws of 1736
Similar to 1735, many private acts in 1736 were about changing names (like the Anthony James's Name Act 1736 and John Harvey's Name Act 1736), managing family estates, or allowing people to become British citizens. Some laws also dealt with enclosing common lands for farming, such as the Purton (Wiltshire) Inclosure Act 1736.
Laws of 1737 (11 Geo. 2)
The Parliament met from January 24, 1738, to May 20, 1738.
Public Laws of 1737
The Parliament continued to pass laws for the country's needs:
- Regular Laws: Annual laws for taxes (like the Taxation Act 1737 and Land Tax Act 1737) and army rules (the Mutiny Act 1737) were passed.
- Infrastructure and Public Services:
* More road acts were passed, such as the Middlesex Roads Act 1737 and Hertfordshire Roads Act 1737. * Harbour improvements were addressed with the Dover Harbour Act 1737 and Minehead Harbour Act 1737. * The River Thames (Lastage and Ballastage) Act 1737 helped regulate how goods were loaded and unloaded on the River Thames. * The Liverpool Dock Act 1737 allowed for expanding the dock and improving lighting in Liverpool. * The Christchurch, Middlesex (Lights and Watch) Act 1737 focused on lighting streets and organizing night watchmen.
- Social and Economic Laws:
* The Distress for Rent Act 1737 aimed to help landlords collect rent and prevent tenants from committing fraud. * The Corn Exportation Act 1737 made it a crime to damage property or hurt people to stop corn from being exported. * The Parliamentary Privilege Act 1737 was about the special rights of Members of Parliament. * The Retailers of Spirits Act 1737 continued to enforce rules about selling alcoholic drinks. * The Cloth Manufacture Act 1737 regulated the making of woollen cloth in Yorkshire.
Private Laws of 1737
Private acts in 1737 included laws for managing the estates of important families like the Duke of Devonshire and the Duchess of Bedford. There was also a divorce law, the Divorce of Sir William Morice from Lady Lucy Wharton Act 1737, which was very rare at the time and required a special act of Parliament. Many acts allowed for the enclosure of common lands, such as the Ashenden (Buckinghamshire) Inclosure Act 1737.
Laws of 1738 (12 Geo. 2)
The Parliament met from February 1, 1739, to June 14, 1739.
Public Laws of 1738
The pattern of laws continued with:
- Annual Laws: The Taxation Act 1738, Mutiny Act 1738, and Land Tax Act 1738 were passed.
- Public Works:
* Laws for roads continued, like the Lincoln Roads Act 1738 and Derbyshire Roads Act 1738. * The Ealing Church Act 1738 and Woolwich Church Act 1738 allowed money to be raised to finish or rebuild churches. * The Bath Roads, Streets, etc. Act 1738 helped improve roads leading to Bath and also focused on cleaning, paving, and lighting the city streets.
- Social and Economic Issues:
* The Price of Bread, etc. Act 1738 regulated the price and size of bread. * The Wool Act 1738 aimed to prevent wool from being illegally sent out of Great Britain and Ireland to other countries. * The Joanna Stephens' Reward (Cure for Stone) Act 1738 was a unique law that promised a reward to a woman named Joanna Stephens if she shared her secret cure for kidney stones with the public. * The Gaming Act 1738 was passed to try and stop excessive and dishonest gambling. * The County Rates Act 1738 made it easier to collect local taxes for county services. * The Bath Hospital Act 1738 established a hospital in the city of Bath.
- River Navigation: The River Lee Act 1738 aimed to improve navigation on the River Lee and help supply water to London.
Private Laws of 1738
Private acts in 1738 again included many laws about managing family estates, such as the Duke of Norfolk's and the Duke of Portland's estates, allowing them to grant building leases. There were also several laws allowing people to change their names to inherit property, like the John Mould Name Act 1738.
Laws of 1739 (13 Geo. 2)
The Parliament met from November 15, 1739, to April 29, 1740.
Public Laws of 1739
This year saw laws related to the ongoing needs of the country and some new challenges:
- Standard Laws: The Taxation Act 1739, Land Tax Act 1739, and Mutiny Act 1739 were passed.
- Military and Trade:
* The Supply of Seamen Act 1739 and Naval Prize Act 1739 were important for the navy and merchant ships, especially during wartime, to ensure enough sailors were available and to manage prizes captured from enemies. * The Commerce with Spain Act 1739 was passed to stop trade with Spain, likely due to political tensions or war.
- Social and Economic Laws:
* The Naturalization Act 1739 (also known as the Plantation Act) made it easier for foreign Protestants to become citizens if they settled in British colonies in America. * The Frauds of Workmen Act 1739 aimed to prevent dishonest practices by workers in various industries like wool, linen, and iron. * The Gaming Act 1739 was amended to further control horse races and prevent excessive gambling. * The Parliamentary Elections (Fraudulent Conveyances) Act 1739 tried to stop people from creating fake property ownership to vote in elections. * The Foundling Hospital Act 1739 confirmed and expanded the powers of a hospital for abandoned children, helping them to care for and educate more young children.
- Infrastructure:
* Road acts continued, such as the Warwick, etc., Roads Act 1739 and Oxfordshire Roads Act 1739. * The Whitehaven Harbour Improvement Act 1739 helped improve the harbour and roads leading to the town. * The Staines Bridge Act 1739 focused on maintaining a key bridge and highway. * The River Medway Navigation Act 1739 and River Colne, Essex, Navigation Act 1739 aimed to improve river travel.
Private Laws of 1739
Private acts in 1739 again included laws for managing family estates, such as the Earl of Halifax's estate, and allowing people to change their names, like the Thomas Bettesworth Name Act 1739. Several acts also dealt with enclosing common lands for farming, such as the Bewholme Inclosure Act 1739.
See also
