Court baron, 11 April 1722

Herts RO D/EB 664/29100

Originals in Latin unless stated (individual words are sometimes in English). Only entries concerning Winslow have been summarised here, apart from the lists of jurors and defaulters which also include Little Horwood and Granborough. This document does not contain the complete court records but only extracts.

[f.1] Court of John Duncombe esq. and William Wyatt gent., fiduciaries of Robert Lowndes

Jurors: Matthew Clarke, Robert Shelton, John Chandler, William Bence
William Glenester, William Goodman, Joseph Bigg, William Hogg
Charles Bowler, William Elliott, Robert Stevens Townesend, Nicholas Wyatt, William Stevens [illegible word]

Court Baron

Essoins: Robert Dorsett, Sarah Shaw, George Thorpe, John Hodgskinns

Jurors: Thomas Foster, Thomas Blake, John Shelton, Benjamin Sanders, William Shelton jr, Stephen Bigg
John Longbridge, Daniel Gyles, William Perkins, John Henley, Henry Townesend, John Tharpe
Thomas Rutland, George Stevens, John Mountague, Thomas Curtice, Thomas Barton

Silvester Reddall, eldest son of Edward Reddall deceased, and Susan his wife, surrendered all claim to a messuage or cottage in Winslowe where William Scott and John Allen now live, the vicarage house and yard north-west. To the use of Humphrey Reddall. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
[This probably refers to part of what became the Old Homestead in Church Street]

[f.2] Philip Bayly and John Bayly and his wife Elizabeth (who was examined by Nicholas Merwin the steward) on 5 Feb last surrendered all title to a messuage or cottage where their father Philip Bayly lives. To the use of the said John Bayly, on condition that if the said Philip Bayly pays him £27 10s on 25 March next, and £5 within two years of Philip the father's death, it is to be for Philip's use.
[Philip sr, a collar-maker, left his messuage to his two sons in his will proved in 1721. It seems to have been in Hanging Style, i.e. The Walk.]

[f.3] John Norman on 20 Dec surrendered through Nicholas Merwin the steward all the messuage where he then lived, being the east part of the messuage where John Seaton sr lately lived, and all the east part of the yard, and all the barn with garden and backyard adjoining, and all rights including entry through the Gatehouse and through the door at the corner of the yard or garden adjoining the Parlour, and liberty to place a lead channel to the well . To the use of John Norman and Ann Hampson spinster his wife, for their lives, then to their joint heirs, in default of which to John's heirs, subject to the payment of any sum/sums not exceeding £60 to any person which John and Ann direct. If the proposed marriage does not take place before the next court, the surrender is to be void. John and Ann were called to the court and did not come.
[The marriage took place; see below]

[f.4] Second proclamation made for the heirs of John Markham.
Third proclamation for Mary Urlwin after the death of her mother.
First proclamation for John Norman and Ann his wife.
First proclamation for John Bayly.

[signed] John Markham, steward there.

[part 2 f.1] Jury for Court Baron on 12 April 1722 [whose business only concerned Granborough]

Jurors: Thomas Blake, William Franklin, William Shelton, Peter Lowndes
John Shelton, William Gibbs, Richard Gibbs, Joseph Turner
John Longbridge, Joseph Gurney, Stephen Bigg, Thomas Foster

Court baron, 26 Oct 1722

Herts RO D/EB 664/M1

These records survive as notes, some of which were signed by the foreman of the jury. They were preserved in the papers of the Duncombe family.

[p.1] Court of John Duncombe esq. and William Wyatt gent., fiduciaries of Robert Lowndes esq., 26 Oct 9 George [I] 1722 by John Markham gent., steward

Essoins: Oliver Mayne and Edward Showler

Jurors: John Cox, James Britain, Thomas Hazard, Thomas Deely
Joseph Gyles, Robert Eden, John Coles, William Capp
Henry Emerton, Robert Hill, Jonathan Townesend, Thomas Stevens

Constables of Winslowe: William Stockley and Robert Shelton in place of George Barrett and Mathew Deeley

Tithingman: Thomas Hazard in place of William Dancer

Court baron

Essoins: John Shelton, William Bence, John Mountague and Thomas Curtice

Homage: Thomas Foster, Thomas Blake, Augustine Seaton, William Frankin
Robert Dorsett, Thomas Urlwin, John Robinson, Zachary Cooley
Thomas Watts, Henry Stutsbury, Thomas Miller, Robert Stevens sr
Thomas Mountague, Benedict Holland at Elme, George Thorpe & William Stevens Tyled House

Richard Bigg gent. and Elizabeth his wife on 25 May last surrendered a messuage in Great Horn Street now in the occupation of John Ayres known as the Well House, with barns, outhouses, backyards, etc. To the use of Oliver Mayne of Winslowe Bricklayer and Ann his wife for their lives, then John Mayne their son. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

[p.2] They also surrendered:

and the separate pieces of arable land, uncultivated land, meadow and pasture in the common fields of Winslowe which Richard formerly acquired from Thomas Miller and Priscilla his wife:

[p.3] To the use of John Simpson of Dunton, gent., provided that it will be void if Richard and Elizabeth pay him £200 on 26 Nov next at his domicile in Dunton. John was called and did not come. 1st proclamation made.

Henry Townesend jr on 10 Aug last surrendered a messuage in Shipton in the occupation of William George and 3 acres of meadow or grassland in the common fields of Shipton:

To the use of Robert Stevens of Grandborough Yeoman, provided that it will be void if Henry pays him £61 10s on 10 Feb next at his domicile. Robert was called and did not come. 1st proclamation made.

Daniel Gyles and Mary his wife out of court on 22 Aug surrendered all those separate tenements now or late in the separate occupations of Daniel Gyles, Daniel Hams, Benjamin Scott, William Redding, John Tomms and Richard Pitkin or their subtenants at the Townesend of Winslowe near the Cowe Street, the common street west, the close of Robert Lowndes esq. in the occupation of William Gibbs east. [This property was mortgaged by Daniel Hams in 1704]
[p.4] To the use of Thomas Foster, Thomas Whiteaves, John Wright and John Cox on special trust that they allow the vicar, churchwardens and overseers of the poor of the parish of Winslowe for the time being or the majority of them to make "a Workhouse" from the premisses and in the same to place, keep and "employ" the poor inhabitants of the parish of Winslowe. Rent [blank], fine [blank].

Mary Urlwin infant came to this court and sought to be admitted to a messuage, close, 29 acres of land and common of pasture for 10 cows and 60 sheep in Grandborough on the death of her mother Mary wife of James Urlwin.

[pp.5-6] Charles Bowler sr surrendered 20 acres of land in Shipton once acquired from William Glenister. To the use of John Hogston in perpetuity. A procedure of common recovery followed: Augustine Seaton claimed the land; John Hogston called to warranty Charles Bowler, who called William Weltch. Robert Gibbs, minister of the court, delivered seisin to Augustine. They all then surrendered the land to the use of Charles Bowler in perpetuity. Rent 5s, fine £2.

[p.7] Frances wife of Charles Bowler sought admission to a cottage which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of Francis Glenister her father deceased, presented at the court on [blank]. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
[This was the cottage in Sheep Street left to Frances by her father Francis Glenister in 1681 after the death of her mother Ann]
Charles Bowler sr and Frances his wife surrendered a cottage in Sheep Street now in the occupation of Charles Bowler jr, son of Charles Bowler sr, and 3 acres of arable land in the fields of Shipton:

The cottage to the use of Charles jr and Dinah his wife for their lives, then their joint heirs, or Charles' heirs. The land to the use of Charles sr and Frances his wife for their lives, then their joint heirs, or Charles' heirs. Rent [blank], fine 6s.

John Norman and Ann his wife (late Ann Hampson) sought admission to:

All came into the lord's hands on the surrender of John Norman presented at the last court. Seisin was granted to John and Ann for their lives, then their joint heirs, or John's heirs, subect to the payment mentioned in the surrender. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

[pp.8-10] John Markham deceased made his will on 1 March 1720, whose tenor follows in these words [text of the will in English; the will was proved at St Albans (Herts RO 160AW16 / 11AR117, not checked)]:

In the name of God Amen I John Markham of Little Horwood in the County of Bucks Yeoman being weake in body but of Sound and perfect minde and memory praised be Almighty God therefore and calling to mind the Certainty of death and the Uncertaine tyme thereof doe this first day of March Anno D(omi)ni 1720 make and Ordeyne this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following (that is to say) First and principally I Com(m)end my Soul into the hands of Almighty God my Maker hopeing through the Merritts death and passion of Jesus Christ my Saviour to be made partaker of Everlasting life and my Body I Com(m)itt to the Earth to be decently Buryed at the discrec(i)on of my Executrix herein after named and as for such Temporall Estate as itt hath pleased Almighty God to Bestowe upon me I Give and Dispose thereof as followeth Impr(im)is I Give Will Devise and Bequeath unto Sarah Wesson my Goddaughter the Sum(m)e of Twenty pounds of lawfull mony of Greate Britaine to be paid unto her in man(n)er hereinafter menc(i)oned (vizt) Tenn pounds thereof within Two Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth my Wife and Tenn pounds the residue thereof within Four Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth my Wife by Joseph Turner of Winslowe in the said County of Bucks Chirurgeon or his Heires out of my Coppyhold Messuages Lands and Tenements  hereinafter Bequeathed unto him Item I Give ...  unto my Kinswomen Elizabeth Wesson Rebeccah Wesson Anne Wesson Susannah Wesson and Joannah Wesson daughters of Joseph Wesson of Little Horwood aforesaid  Tenn pounds apeece ... Five pounds thereof within Two Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ...  Five pounds the residue thereof within Four Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth by Joseph Turner or his Heires ...  Item I Give ... unto my Goddaughters Sarah Turner and Elizabeth Walton Twenty pounds apeece ... Each of them Tenn pounds within Two Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... Tenn pounds the residue ... within Four Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... by Joseph Turner ... Item I Give ... unto my kinsman John Bence of Mursley the Sum(m)e of Twenty pounds to be paid unto him ... Tenn pounds within Two Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... Tenn pounds the residue ... within Four Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... by Joseph Turner... Item I Give ... unto George Thorpe and Mary Thorpe Children of my kinsman George Thorpe of Grandborough Tenn pounds apeece ... to be paid unto them ... Five pounds within Two Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... Five pounds the residue ... within Four Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... by Joseph Turner ... Item I Give ... unto my kinsman Thomas Bence of Winslowe Cordwainer  the Sum(m)e of Five pounds to be paid unto him ... Fifty Shillings thereof within Two Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... Fifty Shillings the Residue ... within Four Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... by Joseph Turner ... Item I Give ... unto the Three Children of W(illia)m Bence Brother  to the said Thomas Bence Five pounds apeece to be paid unto them ... Fifty Shillings thereof within Two Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... Fifty Shillings the Residue ... within Four Yeares next after the death of Elizabeth ... by Joseph Turner ... Item I Give ... unto my Welbeloved friend Thomas Walton of Little Horwood the parish of Little Horwood aforesaid Wooddard ... Five pounds ... to be paid unto him within One Year next after my death by the said Joseph Turner or his Heires out of my Coppyhold ... hereinafter Bequeathed unto him Item I Give ... unto Samuell Foster of Swanbourne Clerke Nicholas Merwin of Winslowe Gent and Peter Goldsworth of Winslowe  Gent Five pounds apeece ... to be paid unto them within One Yeare and One day next after my death by the said Joseph Turner or his Heires out of my Coppyhold ... Item I Give ... unto my Kinsman John Markham of Little Horwood my Kinswoman Alice Bence and Anne Bence Sisters of the said Thomas Bence and my Welbeloved friends William Quay Carpenter Anthony George and Eleanor White Widdow Twenty Shillings apeece ... to be paid unto them within One Yeare and One day next after my death by the said Joseph Turner or his Heires out of my Coppyhold ... Item my Will meaneing and desire is that in Case any or either  of my Legatees herein before menc(i)oned shall happen to depart this life before his her or theire Legacy or Legacyes shall \shall/ [sic] become due and payable That the Legacy or Legacyes him her or them soe dying shall goe to the said Joseph Turner and his Heires and I doe Give and bequeath the same Accordingly Item I Give ... all and every my Freehold lands Tenements and and Hereditaments whatsoever in the Parish of Little Horwood aforesaid and the Appurtenances belonging to the same unto my Loveing Wife Elizabeth Markham for and dureing  the Terme of her naturall life and from and after her death Then to the said Joseph Turner and his Heires and Assignes forever   Item I Give ... all and every my Coppyhold Messsuages Tenements and Hereditaments whatsoever in the Parish of Little Horwood aforesaid wherein I have any Estate in possession Reverc(i)on or Remainder And alsoe my One Yard land Com(m)on and One Quarter of One Yards lands Com(m)on in the Com(m)on Field and Common Com(m)onable places of Little Horwood aforesaid and other the Appurtenances whatsoever  whatsoever to my s(ai)d Coppyhold Mesuages lands and Com(m)ons belonging or in any wise Apperteyneing unto the said Elizabeth Markham my Loveing Wife for and dureing  the Terme of her naturall life and from and after her death Then to the said Joseph Turner ... forever He the said Joseph Turner and his Heires paying out of the same to my Legatees herein before menc(i)oned the Legacyes or Sum(m)es of Money herein before Bequeathed unto them att such tymes and in such manner as is herein before menc(i)oned  But in Case the said Joseph Turner and his Heires shall Neglect or Refuse to pay any or either of the Legacyes herein before menc(i)oned or any parte thereof when the same shall be due and payable Then I Give ... all my Arrable lands in the Parish of Little Horwood aforesaid which are Coppyhold and  the Appurtenances thereto belonging unto the said Peter Goldsworth and his Heires to the Intent that the said Peter Goldsworth and his Heires shall and may sell and dispose of the Same or soe much thereof as shall be ...
usable needful for the payment of my Legacyes here before menc(i)oned & all such out of the Money ariseing by such Sale Pay & Discharge my Legacyes herein before menc(i)oned & all such reasonable charges as he or they shall \sustain/ be at or putt unto concerning the same And after the Payment of my said Legacyes & Charges as aforesaid reconvey & Pay the overplus of such Lands & Money unto the said Joseph Turner & his Heires
[The following section in italics is recorded only in the Turner v Markham Chancery case]
Item I Give and Bequeath unto the said Joseph Turner my Jack Spitt and dripping Pann to be delivered unto him Imediately after the death of my Wife  Item I Give and Bequeath all the Rest of my Goods Chattells and Personall Estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto the said Elizabeth Markham my loving Wife whome I make full and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament she Paying my debts and Funeral Expences  And Lastly I doe hereby Revoke and make Voide all former Wills by me heretofore made and doe declare this to be my last Will and Testament  In Witness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and Yeare first abovewritten. 
John Markham [signature]
Signed Sealed Published and Declared in the p(re)sence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses in the p(re)sence of the Testator and the alteration concerning the payment of Waltons Legacy being made before  the Signing & Sealing hereof Thomas Curtice W(illia)m Heady Henry Willmer

[p.11] The death of John Markham was presented at the court on 9 Oct 1721. Joseph Turner now sought admission. Rent [blank], fine [blank].

Henry Townesend acknowledged himself satisfied of £62 8s mentioned in a conditional surrender made at the court on 2 May 1693 by Thomas Blake, late of Winslowe, deceased.

Sarah Gyles widow surrendered a barn in the occupation of Phillip Bayly, Michael Goodman and William Scott, adjoining the messuage of Sarah Goodman wife of William Goodman in Winslowe. To the use of Sarah wife of William Goodman. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

William Dradge jr sought admission to a messuage or messuages in Winslowe late the estate of Thomas Tomlin, now or late in the separate occupations of Mary Grainge widow, John Norman and John Stevens, containing 3 bays "in the front" and 2 bays "backwards", the house of Sarah Shaw spinster east, the house of Mr Richard Bigg late in the occupation of Nicholas Spooner west, with all yards, gardens and backyards (except the liberty of Mr Richard Bigg on the surrender of Pownall Short), which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of Thomas Miller and Priscilla his wife presented at the court on 11 April 1721. Rent 4d, fine 5s.

[p.12] Robert Tims and Sarah his wife surrendered a cottage in Winslowe in the occupation of Ann Cooke, formerly Marian Tims widow. To the use of Mathew Hobbs, on condition that it will be void if Robert pays him the full sum of £30: £3 on 25 March 1724 and each subsequent 25 March. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

Richard Betham and Joseph Bigg surrendered:

To the use of Robert Stevens jr, on condition that if Joseph pays him the full sum of £100 on 30 April following at Robert's domicile in Grandborough, the surrender will be to the use of Joseph. Rent [blank], fine 10s.

[p.13] Daniel Gyles surrendered a piece of land in Winslowe, formerly parcel of a close belonging him called the Home Close, which was divided from the other part of the close by Daniel's father William Gyles deceased to build a house or structure called the Meeting House, with the structure lately erected there extending from the ground of Mr Samuel Norman 43½ feet to the south and from the garden late Joseph Harding's 25 feet to the east, and liberty of ingress at all times to the Meeting House or parcel of land in and through the backyards, yards and "Gatewayes" belonging to Daniel, leading from the said house to the street near the "Poole" called Pillers Ditch. To the use of John Bowler.
[A procedure of common recovery followed:] Robert Jackman complained against John Bowler about a tenement and a rood of land in the form of a writ of entry on disseisin en le post. John called to warranty Daniel, who called William Welch.
[p.14] Robert Gibbs, minister of the court, delivered seisin to Robert Jackman. John, Robert and Daniel then surrendered the piece of land with the Meeting House to the use of Daniel Gyles and Joseph Turner. Rent [blank], fine [blank].
[p.15] Daniel Gyles and Joseph Turner surrendered the parcel of land [described as above] divided by William Gyles to build the "Meeting House for such People who are or shalbe called or distinguished by the Name or Names of Baptists dissenting from the Way and Comunion of the Church of England and Presbitery to meet in for to Worshipp and serve God", and the Meeting House. The piece of land extends from the ground of Mr Norman allocated for the Evesdropps of his barn 43½ feet to the south, from the garden late Joseph Harding's 25 feet to the east, and liberty of ingress [as above]. To the use of Thomas Mountague of Grandborough Yeoman, Elias Clarke of Quainton gentleman, James Britain of Winslowe Yeoman, William Foster of Oveing gentleman, Mathew Deely of Winslowe Bricklayer, Thomas Wootton jr of Whitchurch Tayler, Robert Bell of Swanbourne Yeoman, Daniel Gyles jr of Winslowe Draper & Daniel Deely of Winslowe Bricklayer. On trust that they and the survivors of them and the heirs of such survivors should afterwards permit the house called the Meeting House and parcel of land and other liberties belonging to it to continue and be designated a place of public worship, so that such person and persons who are or will be distinguished or called by the names of Baptists, Dissenters from the way and communion of the Church of England and Presbytery, can be gathered together for God. Rent [blank], fine [blank]

2nd proclamation made for John Baily

End of this court
John Markham steward