More on Chimney Money from Infoplease:

• Chimney Money - Chimney Money or Hearth money. A Crown duty for every fireplace in a house (14 Car. ii. c. 2). ...
• Hearth Money - Hearth Money (See Chimney Money.) Source: Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, E. Cobham Brewer, 1894 ...
• Dictionary of Phrase and Fable: C - Definitions, origins, and illustrative excerpts for words, phases, and literary allusions starting with "C"