Manorial chest, September 1718

Centre for Bucks Studies D/BASM/84/17

Memorand’ on the Twelfth day of September 1718 The Wooden Chest containing the Muniments concerning the Manno(r) of Winslowe and it’s Members was brought to the house of John Wyatt att Shipton (The Town of Winslowe being then very much visited with the smallpox) and then and there Opened by Mr Daniel Gyles who had the key for Winslowe John Henley who had the key for Shipton Thomas Mountague who had the key for Grandborough and William Illing who had the key for Little Horwood And there was then and there taken out of the same the Writings followeing vizt a Copy attested by Oliver Lawrence late Steward of the said Mann(or) & others of the P(re)sentments made by the Tenants & Homagers att a Co(u)rt  held the One & twentyeth day of July Anno D(omi)ni 1600 by the Steward & Comissioners of S(ir) john Fortescue  Anno  43o Eliz: and copyes of Co(u)rt Rolls made at a Co(u)rt of Survey for the said Mann(or) holden on the Eighth day of October 1660 for George late Duke of Bucks containing the Articles given in charge to the Jury and the P(re)sentments made thereupon by the Tenants and homagers of the Customes Libertyes Bounds P(re)cincts  & other Things belonging to the said Manno(r) of Winslowe & it’s Members  and a Bundle of papers containing the Memorials of severall Co(u)rts held in the time of King Henry the 8th and the Writings soe taken out were imediately sealed up & delivered to John Henley in Order to be exhibited to Comissioners appointed for examinac(i)on of Witnesses in a Cause  depending in the high Co(u)rt of Chancery between James Selby Serjt att Lawe & al’ P(lainti)ffs and William Lowndes Esq & al’ Def(endan)ts
[signed]
Tho Aldridge    Tho Foster    Wm Lowndes Sen
Will Stevens    R Lowndes
Henry Curtis   Daniel Gyles
Simon Hogson   John Henly
William Shelton jnr      Tho: Mountague
John Markham   William Illing
John Wyatt

[endorsed] Memm of what writings were taken out of the Chest in the Church the 12th Septr 1718.

This shows the procedure for keeping and producing manorial records, and perhaps explains the survival of the 1600 and 1660 documents. Two of the four keyholders were Baptists. The Selby v Lowndes case (National Archives, C 11/1919/6) concerned the boundary of Whaddon Chase and whether or not Shucklow fell inside it.

View of frankpledge with court baron, 13 October 1718

Centre for Bucks Studies D/211/37

Originals in Latin unless stated (individual words are sometimes in English, marked with "...").

Manor of Winslowe with members. View of Frankpledge with Court Baron of Robert Lowndes esq., 13 Oct 5 George 1718 by Nicholas Merwin, gent, steward.

Essoins: none

Jurors for the lord King:
Thomas Foster, Simon Hogson, William Glenister, John Henley
William Stevens, John Wyatt, Thomas Watts, William Elliott
John Woodward, William Bence, Robert Smith, Richard Benbowe jr
John Faulkner, John Bond sr, Thomas Deely, Moses Burnham

Thomas Blake was duly summoned and did not appear; amerced [ ]s 6d.

Common fine due and payable: 16s 4d from the inhabitants of Winslowe, 16s 4d [sic] from the inhabitants of Shipton, 10s 4d from the inhabitants of Grandborough, 12s 4d from the inhabitants of Little Horwood, and from certain inhabitants of the separate vills and hamlets of Oveing & Northmarston £1 6s 4d.

Officers chosen

William Goodman was chosen and sworn to serve in the office of constable for Winslowe for the following year in place of Robert Bouden deceased.
Thomas Hazzard was chosen tithingman of the same in place of John Budd deceased.
Simon Hogson & Henry Stutsbury were chosen assessors of the same in place of Abraham Day & John Bollard.

William George was chosen constable of Shipton in place of William Elliott.
Richard Teagle was chosen hayward [custos agrorum] for the same in place of John Cox.

Court baron

Essoins: Joseph Bigg, Mathew Hobbs, Richard Gibbs, Robert Stevens with many others.

[English] Wee p(re)sent that Martha Glenister  Single Woman on the Thirtieth day of September last was delivered of a Male Child which if born alive would by the Laws of this Realm  have been a Bastard And that She endeavoured to conceal the Death thereof whereby She is Guilty of Murther According to the form of the Statute in that Case made and provided And wee further p(re)sent that the said Martha att the time of such Murther Committed was possessed of the severall Goods & Chattels in the Schedule hereunto annexed.

10th of October 1718 an Inventory of Martha Glenister’s Goods

In the House A Little Table 0li-2sh-6d Three little formes 0li-1sh-0d Thirty Four pounds of Pewter att 7d p(er) pound 0li-19sh-10d Eight plates at 8d apeice 0li-5sh-4d Two Warming pans a scimmer & forke 0li-6sh-0d Two Kettles 0li-6sh-6d One Bell mettle Mortar 0li-4sh-8d Bellows & Tongs & hangers & links  0li-1sh-6d A Tub a barrell a bucket & a ball & 8 bottles 0li-6sh-6d A  Stooll & a Chair  0li-1sh-0d Up stairs A bedstead Curtains & Curtain Rods 1li-0sh-0d A ring 0li-5sh-0d A large Boulster & pillow 0li-16sh-0d. 4li-15sh-10d A Fether bed 1li-19sh-0d A large porridge pott 0-7-4  A brass frying pan a skillet an Iron fork a tin driping pan a bowl & a Wooden platter 0li-3sh-6d Seven pair of Sheets at 5s a pair 1li-15sh-0d Three pillow beers & a Table Cloath 0li-5sh-0  These goods appraized by Wm Shelton John Wright Elizabeth Stutchbury Mary Shelton.

[Martha was baptised either in 1682, the daughter of Joseph Glenister of Shipton (d.1713), or in 1695, daughter of William and Elizabeth Glenister. She would presumably have been tried at the Bucks Assizes, but it doesn't look as if the relevant records have survived - the next session would have been at Aylesbury for Lent 1719. As a Martha Glenister was kept in prison at Buckingham for a year in 1720-21 for having a bastard, presumably she was acquitted in 1718.]

Wee p(re)sent that Mary the Wife of Phillip Bayly of Winslowe in the County of Bucks Coller maker and Mary the Wife of Francis Collins of Lee Grange in the parish of Quainton in the County aforesaid Labourer the 29th day of September last past to disturb the peace of his Maj(est)ies Leige Subjects & especially of Benjamin Saunders the Younger late of Winslowe afors(ai)d Baker dec(ease)d (who att that time was afflicted with the small pox) voluntarily & Malitiously with intent to disturb & destroy the said Benjamin Saunders & that he might not recover of the said disease One Warming pan did ring and sound in the night time of the same day soe that the said Benjamin Saunders might not sleep and a Great Quantity of water neare the room where the said Benjamin Saunders was in Bed sick of the said disease did pour down against the Peace of our Sovereign Lord the King his Crown & Dignity to the evill example of all others  in Such Cases delinquents And Wee further p(re)sent that the ringing or sounding of the said Warming pan and pouring down of the said water the said Benjamin Saunders took no rest but languishing to the Twelfth day of this instant departed this life

[Benjamin Saunders was buried on 12 Oct 1718. Philip and Mary Bayly lived at the corner of Bell Walk and The Walk, and Mary Collins was their daughter. If the case was taken further it would probably have gone to the Bucks Quarter Sessions, but it's not mentioned in the Epiphany 1719 records.]

Samuel Norman jr died since the last court seised of 8½ acres of land. William Norman is his brother and heir. Due as heriot by composition: 10s. William was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

John Budd died since the last court seised of the reversion expectant on the decease of Elizabeth Budd widow his mother of a messuage late in the occupation of Philip Budd sr deceased. John Budd infant aged 3 is his son and heir. Due for a heriot: a "gray gelding" worth £5. John Budd infant was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.
[This was the eastern part of the future Arundel House site, on the west of the High Street]

Hester wife of William Franklin died since the last court seised of a messuage in the Markett Place of Winslowe which William holds for his life. Robert Stevens only son of Robert Stevens of Grandborough yeoman is Hester's brother and heir, of full age. Heriot arises. Robert was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.
[This was the western part of 12 Market Square]

Robert Bowden died since the last court seised of a "plott" of pasture in Grandborough and common of pasture for 1 cow and 5 sheep. Joseph Bowden infant aged 14 is his son and heir. Heriot: a black gelding worth £3 10s.

Thomas Miller and Priscilla his wife, customary tenants, on 22 May last surrendered a messuage or messuages in Winslowe, late the estate of Thomas Tomlins, now in the separate occupations of Robert Grange, John Norman and John Stevens, containing 3 bays at the front and 2 bays "backwards", the house late Sarah Shaw's east, the house late Mr Richard Bigg's late in the occupation of Nicholas Spooner west, with all yards, gardens, backyards, except the liberty of Mr Richard Bigg on the surrender of Pownall Short. To the use of Henry Langley of Leighton Buzzard gent., on condition that the surrender is to be void if Thomas and Priscilla pay him the full sum of £50 with 5% interest on 22 Nov following at his dwelling-house in Leighton Buzzard. Henry was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.
[This refers to 8-10 Horn Street]

Thomas Urlwin and Ann his wife, customary tenants, on 3 May last surrendered a messuage in the Great Horn Street now in Thomas' occupation, with all houses, outhouses, buildings, barns, stables, yards, orchards, gardens. To the use of John Egerton of Bissiter gent., on condition that the surrender is to be void if Thomas and Ann pay him the full sum of £80 with interest on 4 Nov following. John was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

[f.1v] Thomas Urlwin and Ann his wife on 13 Oct 1718 before the court surrendered the said messuage to the said John Egerton on condition that the surrender is to be void if they pay him the full sum of £20 and interest on 3 May following.

Henry Langley of Leighton Buzzard gent. and Jane his wife [nee Gyles], customary tenants, on 12 July last surrendered:

To the use of Henry and Jane and their heirs and assigns forever. Henry and Jane were called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

John Budd deceased on 7 Sep last surrendered to the use of his will by William Franklin and Joseph Turner the reversion (expectant on the decease of Elizabeth his wife) of the copyhold messuage in Winslowe in which he now lives, which he "purchased" from Mr Richard Bigg, and of 1 acre of copyhold land in the parish of Winslowe which was given to him by his brother Philip. But whether he made his will or devised the premisses, the homage do not know. 1st proclamation for the heirs of John Budd.
[In fact he did make his will. The property was at 36-40 High Street.]

Edward Turnham and Mary his wife, John Robinson and Elizabeth his wife, Richard Bigg and Elizabeth his wife (Mary, Elizabeth and Elizabeth having been examined alone) surrendered the messuage in which John Robinson lately lived and George Dandridge lives now, with stable. And the messuage in which Edward Footman now lives, with the "shopps". To the following uses: To the use of Oliver Mayne of Winslow "Bricklayer" on condition that if Mary Turnham and John Robinson pay him the full sum of £32 and interest on 14 April following, the surrender is to the use of Mary for her life, then to John and his heirs forever. Oliver, Mary and John were called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.
[This refers to 2 Horn Street]

Robert Eden sr of the Townsend Carpenter, Benjamin Saunders and Elizabeth his wife, customary tenants, surrendered a cottage in Winslowe and 1 acre of "Layes" in Sheep Coate Furlong extending to the cottage, to the following separate uses: To the use of William Eden of Winslowe Yeoman, on condition that if Robert pays him the full sum of £35 and interest on 14 April next at William's dwelling-house in Winslowe, then the surrender will be to the use of Robert, his heirs and assigns forever. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
[Sheepcote Cottage was in or near Western Lane]

Robert Eden of the Sheep Street and Ann his wife, customary tenants, surrendered 5 acres of arable land in the common fields of Winslowe:

To the use of William Eden Yeoman for his life, then to the use of Elizabeth his wife for her life, then to William's rightful heirs, paying to John Wright £60 within 6 months of the decease of Katherine Eden widow or at some other time. Rent [blank], fine [blank].

Robert Gibbs and Richard Bigg surrendered an undivided half of a messuage in the occupation of Benjamin Bigg, Richard Allen, John Longbridge and [blank] Miller or one of them called The Bell Inn with houses, outhouses, buildings, structures, malthouses, barns, stables, yards, orchards, gardens, backyards, "sheep pens". To the use of Ann Bigg widow of Benjamin Bigg for her life, then to Jane Bigg one of her daughters and Jane's heirs forever. Rent 3s 6d, fine [blank].

2nd proclamation for Ann Ward
2nd proclamation for Joan Ward
2nd proclamation for Elizabeth, Francis, Andrew and Thomas Budd
12th proclamation for Thomas and Richard Barton
9th proclamation for William Lowndes esq. and other trustees of Winslow
4th proclamation for John Plaistead on a surrender presented 26 April 1717
[f.4r] 4th proclamation for Thomas Blake on the death of his father presented 26 April 1717
14th proclamation for John Simpson on the surrender of John Mountague
6th proclamation for Samuel Norman

End of this court
Nicho: Merwin Steward

Court baron, 13 December 1718

Manor of Winslowe with members. Court Baron of Robert Lowndes esq., 13 Dec 5 George 1718 by Nicholas Merwin, gent, steward.

Essoins: none
Complaints: none

Homage:
William Shelton jr, John Henley, Benjamin Saunders
Joseph Turner, Richard Gibbs, Thomas Wright
James Budd, William Shelton jr [sic], Roger West
William Franklin

William Norman, brother and heir of Samuel Norman jr deceased, sought admission to 8½ acres of land which came into the lord's hands on Samuel's death. The lord granted seisin to William, to hold by rent of 2s 1d. Fine 17s.
William then surrendered the following pieces of arable land, meadow and pasture in the fields and parish of Winslowe:

To the use of William Norman until the solemnization of a marriage intended by the grace of God between him and Mary, eldest daughter of Joseph Huse of Wockingham gent. After the solemnization of the marriage, to the use of William for his life. After his decease, to the use of Mary Huse for her life as part of her jointure and maintenance if she survives William. After the decease of both of them, to the use of all the children of their bodies (the eldest son excepted), both male and female, in such "shares" and under such conditions as William appoints by any charter or writing or by his will in writing, signed and sealed in the presence of three credible witnesses. For want of such direction, to the use of all the children of the bodies of William and Mary (the eldest son excepted), whether male or female, in such "shares" and under such conditions as Mary appoints by any charter or writing or by her will in writing, signed and sealed in the presence of three credible witnesses. For want of such direction, to the use of all the children of the bodies of William and Mary (the eldest son excepted), to be equally divided between them. For want of such children, to the use of the eldest son of William and Mary. For want of such issue, to the use of William Norman, his heirs and assigns. William and Mary were called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.
[This land passed to William and Mary's daughter Mary Norman (later Ryder) who surrendered it to her brother Samuel in 1759]

Samuel Norman Grocer and Martha his wife surrendered:

To the use of Samuel until the solemnization of an intended marriage, by the grace of God, between his son William Norman and Mary Huse, eldest daughter of Joseph Huse of Wockingham gent. After the solemnization of the marriage, to the use of William for his life. After his decease, to the use of Mary Huse for her life for the residue of her jointure and "in Lew & Satisfaction" of her dower (the messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments likewise surrendered or conveyed to Mary for jointure excepted). After the decease of William and Mary, to the use of all the children of their bodies (except the eldest son), whether male or female, in such "shares" and under such conditions as William appoints by any charter or writing or by his will in writing, signed and sealed in the presence of three credible witnesses. For want of such direction, to the use of all the children of the bodies of William and Mary (the eldest son excepted), whether male or female, in such "shares" and under such conditions as Mary appoints by any charter or writing or by her will in writing, signed and sealed in the presence of three credible witnesses. For want of such direction, to the use of all the children of the bodies of William and Mary
[f.2v] (the eldest son excepted), to be equally divided between them. For want of such children, to the use of the eldest son of William and Mary. For want of such issue, to the use of William Norman, his heirs and assigns. On trust that Samuel, William and Mary out of the rents and profits of the two last-mentioned messuages pay Mary Gyles spinster and her assigns during her life £12 annually, with which the premisses are charged. Samuel, William and Mary were called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

Procedure of common recovery: Samuel Norman and Martha his wife surrendered the above properties to the use of James Budd. William Francklin complained on a plea of land of two messuages. Samuel and Martha called Abraham Day to warranty. Robert Gibbs, minister of the court, delivered seisin. All surrendered to Samuel Norman, his heirs and assigns forever. Rent 1s, fine 5s.
[The property involved included The Crown, land at the rear, probably the future Punch House, and (the first one mentioned) probably part of 7 Market Square or the Rose and Crown]

John Seaton of Winslowe Carrier and George Blake of Thornton Grazier, customary tenants, and George's wife Mary on 29 Dec inst. surrendered a piece of land in Winslowe which John "purchased" of one Robert Seaton, and the messuage lately erected on it, now in the occupation of John's mother Mary Seaton widow, the yard of Augustine Seaton lying north and east. And also 8 acres of arable land, meadow and grassland in the common fields of Winslowe:

To the use of Peter Goldsworth of Winslow gent, on condition that if John pays him the full sum of £102 10s on 29 June next without any deduction for "Taxes", then the surrender is to be to the use of John, his heirs and assigns forever. Rent [blank], fine [blank].
[John Seaton d.1723 inherited the land from his father John Seaton d.1693. Mary Blake was his sister. The land purchased from Robert Seaton was in Horn Street; see 1696 court. The land had been mortgaged to George Blake in 1708.]

End of this court
Nicho: Merwin Steward

Copyright 30 March, 2018