Elsdon : Population

The best evidence relating to the population of Elsdon in the 18th century is provided by the 1762 Militia List. Thirteen able-bodied, adult males eligible for service are listed for Elsdon, plus a further four for Mote farmstead and the miller Thomas Avere for ‘Elsdon Miln’, thirteen being by far the largest total for any individual settlement in the parish (Otterburn by comparison has only four men listed against it).

This would strongly suggests that Elsdon was still the principal settlement in the valley in the mid 18th century. The range of occupations recorded include several farmers, their sons and servants, the odd shepherd and a couple of labourers. A tailor and clogmaker (‘woodshoemaker’) resided at Mote whilst the list is completed by the miller, an innkeeper and the parish clerk.