View of frankpledge and court baron, 1 May 1724

Herts RO D/EB 664/M1

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 is not the official court roll but a draft version kept among the papers of the Duncombe family.

[p.1] Manor of Winslowe with members. Court of View of Frankpledge with Court Baron of John Duncombe esq. surviving fiduciary of Robert Lowndes esq., held there on 1 May 10 George [I] 1724 by John Markham gent, steward of the manor.

Essoins: none

Jurors: John Cox, John Chandler, John Coles, William Elliott
William George, Richard Bendboe, Thomas Deely, William Deblois
John Hodgskinns, Edward Showler, Thomas Barton & John Mountague

Officers elected:
Hayward [custos agrorum] of Shipton: John Glenester

Court Baron

Essoins: Richard Bigg gent., Thomas Blake, Eliza Budd, John Henley, John Bowden, Numan Willeatt & James Woodward with many others

Jurors: Thomas Foster, William West, Robert Shelton, Benjamin Sanders, Henry Stutsbury, Oliver Mayne
Richard Gibbs, Thomas Gibbs, Robert Miller, William Perkins, Robert Stevens sr, Thomas Rutland
Thomas Mountague, George Thorpe, William Stevens butcher[?] & George Illing

The Honourable William Lowndes esq. died since the last court seised of several customary lands and tenements.

Thomas Grimes died since the last court seised of 4 acres of land in Winslowe. Thomas Grimes jr is his grandson [nepos] and nearest heir. There is due to the lord for heriot by composition 21s. Thomas jr was called and did not come. 1st proclamation made.

[p.2] Thomas Smith died since the last court seised of 5 acres of land in Winslowe. Thomas Smith jr is his son and nearest heir and of full age. There is due to the lord for heriot a land of wheat worth 35s. Thomas jr sought to be admitted tenant. Rent [blank], fine 10s.
Thomas jr then surrendered the 5 acres:

To the use of Thomas Smith and Abigail his wife for their lives, then the heirs of their bodies, or Thomas' heirs. Seisin was granted to them. Rent [blank], fine 10s.

[p.3: Little Horwood only]

[p.4] Peter Lowndes of Winslow Yeoman out of court on 31 Jan last surrendered a messuage in Winslowe now in the occuption of Richard Gibbs, with all barns, stables, buildings, yards, orchards, gardens, backyards, etc. And a close called The Home Close adjoining and belonging to the premisses, with trees, hedges and fences, now in the occupation of the said Richard Gibbs, the house and orchard of the Vicar west. Except for a small piece of land adjoining the yard now belonging to the domicile of Peter Lowndes on the north side, as now set out, containing towards the west from Mr Lowndes' house in the occupation of Richard Bull 25 feet in length, and towards the north 23 feet in width. Peter Lowndes is to fence the west side and George Barret the north side of the piece of land. To the use of George Barrett of Winslowe Glover, who sought to be admitted tenant. Rent 3d, fine 5s.
[This refers to part of the Old Homestead / Abbot's House in Church Street; the close, later known as Peter Lowndes' Close, is now part of the Churchyard]

[p.5: Little Horwood only]

[p.6] William Gibbs out of court on 25 March last surrendered a cottage in Tinkers End in Winslowe now in the occupation of himself or his subtenants, containing 2 bays of structure, with barn, yard, orchard and backyard. To William's use for his life, then to John Gibbs and Ann his wife in perpetuity. John and Ann sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
[See further below]

[p.7] Simon Hogson, John Wright and Richard Wiseman surrendered a messuage now in the occupation of James Young, lately erected, with the "Garden Plott" belonging to it, recently acquired by John Seaton deceased from Robert Seaton, the yard of Augustine Seaton lying north and east. And 8 acres of arable land, meadow and grassland in the fields of Winslow, lately also surrendered by John Seaton deceased to Peter Goldsworth gent., and by him surrendered to Simon, John and Richard. To the use of Robert Seaton of Peterborough Brazier for the term of his life, then to Elizabeth his wife for the term of her life, then to Robert's heirs. Robert and Elizabeth were called but did not come. 1st proclamation made.
[See October 1723 for a previous part of this transaction]

[signed] Tho: Foster

Alice Guesse widow, John Cooper jr and Alice his wife, and Elizabeth Guesse spinster surrendered 2 acres of arable and grassland lying together in Old Mill Feild, the land of Samuel Norman north, abutting on the king's highway leading from Winslowe to Great Horwood. To the use of Benjamin Saunders and Elizabeth his wife for their lives, then to Benjamin's heirs. Benjamin and Elizabeth sought to be admitted. Rent 6d, fine 4s.

[signed] Tho: Foster

Humphrey Reddall surrendered a cottage as it is now divided, with the barn adjoining it, now in the occupation of William Scott. To the use of William Scott and Elizabeth his wife, who sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
[This probably refers to another part of the Old Homestead. Elizabeth was Humphrey Reddall's daughter.]

Thomas Foster, John Cox and William Gibbs sought to be admitted to a messuage in Shipton and 1 acre of land in the Cowepasture of Shipton with common of pasture for 1 cow belonging to it, which came into the lords' hands on the surrender of William Evans presented at the court on 9 Oct 1721. They were admitted on the trusts and intentions mentioned in the surrender. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

[signed] Tho: Foster

[p.8] John Morris surrendered 1 acre of arable land called The Picks in Demoram Feild, the land of the Viccaridge south. To the use of Benjamin Sanders and Elizabeth his wife for their lives, then to Benjamin's heirs. Benjamin and Elizabeth sought to be admitted. Rent 3d, fine 2s.

[signed] Tho: Foster

William Evans and Frances his wife, Thomas Foster, John Cox and William Gibbs surrendered a messuage in Shipton and 1 acre of land in the Cowepasture of Shipton with common of pasture for 1 cow belonging to it. To the use of Mary Bigg of Swanbourne spinster, on condition that it will be void if William pays her £20 on 4 November next. Mary sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

[p.9] John Adams of Lutterworth, Leics, Woollen draper, out of court on 20 April last surrendered a messuage in Winslowe now in the occupation of Henry Brind, his subtenants or assigns, with yards, gardens, stables, outhouses etc. And also an undivided third of a piece of ground called The Gateway belonging to the tenement lately called The Angell Inn. And (a third) of a piece of ground called The Yard lately belonging to the same inn. John Adams, Richard Bigg and Thomas Foster hold the ground jointly. To the use of Barbara Gataker of Swanbourne widow, who sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

Frances Elliott widow and John Elliott, mother and brother of Robert Elliott deceased, sought to be admitted to a messuage in Shipton and 8 acres of land in the common fields of Shipton belonging to the messuage, which came into the lord's hands on the surrender of the said Robert presented at the court on 3 May 1723 [recites will].
[p.10] Seisin was granted to Frances for her life, then to John. Rent [blank], fine 16s, heriot by composition 30s.

[p.11] John Gibbs and Ann his wife, customary tenants, surrendered their reversion expectant on the death of John's father William Gibbs of a cottage in Tinkers End in Winslowe now in the occupation of William or his subtenants [see above]. To the use of William Shelton, Richard Gibbs and William Gibbs the churchwardens and Henry Stutsbury and William George the overseers of the poor of the parish of Winslowe and their successors. On condition that if John Gibbs or any "Child or Children" of his family will not at any time in future be chargeable to or receive relief from the inhabitants of the parish of Winslowe, then the surrender will be void. William Shelton et al. sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine [blank].
[At the Michaelmas 1724 Quarter Sessions, John Gibbs was in trouble "for running away and leaving his family to become chargeable to the parish. Later he was "discharged on giving security", which must refer to this transaction.]

Mary Turnham, John Robinson and Mary his wife, and Oliver Mayne and Ann his wife surrendered a messuage in Winslowe in which Mary Turnham and John Robinson now live, with barns and stables. And a messuage adjoining it in which Edward Footman lately lived, with all inns[?] [tabernis]. To the use of James Tatham of North Marston Malster, on condition that it will be void if Mary Turnham and John and Mary Robbinson pay him
[p.12] £65 with interest on 1 November next. James sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 10s.
[The property must have been an inn: at the Epiphany 1724 Quarter Sessions, Mary Turnham, victualler, was indicted "to answer for harbouring vagrants and selling ale and beer without licence", and absconded; John Robinson, victualler, was her surety.]

1st proclamation made for Robert Seaton and Elizabeth his wife
2nd proclamation for the heirs of Henry Townesend
2nd proclamation for Kezia Thorpe and William Thorpe
5th proclamation for John Bayly

End of this court
John Markham steward

View of frankpledge and court baron, 21 October 1724

[p.1] Manor of Winslowe with members. Court of View of Frankpledge with Court Baron of Robert Lowndes esq., held there on 21 October11 George [I] 1724 by John Markham gent, steward of the manor.

Jurors: Benjamin Dudley, Philip Bailey, Zachariah Cooley, Humphrey Reddall
Stephen Bigg, Francis Robinson, Matthew Deeley, Henry Brind
John Gibbs, George Stevens, John Bailey and William Perkins

Due to the lord as the common fine from the inhabitants of Winslowe 16s 4d, from the inhabitants of Shipton 8s 4d, from the inhabitants of Grandborough 11s 4d, from the inhabitants of Little Horwood 12s 4d, and from the inhabitants of Oveing and North Marston 26s 8d.

Officers elected:
Constables of Winslowe: James Britain and Robert Eden in place of Thomas Ives and Robert Gibbs jr
Constable of Shipton: John Henley in place of William Perkins
Tithingman of Winslowe: Joseph Brookes in place of Thomas Hazard

Court Baron

Essoins: Charles Bowler, John Morris, Samuel Norman, John Bowden & George Illing with many others

Jurors: Thomas Foster, Thomas Blake, Simon Hogson, John Shelton, John Spratley, Thomas Watts
John Wright, John Henley, William Elliott, Robert Stevens jr, William Stevens Tyled House, John Thorpe
Hugh Thorpe, Henry Emerton, Thomas Rutland jr, Thomas Curtice and Thomas Barton

William Deverell died since the last court, seised of 11 acres of land. John Deverell is his brother and nearest heir. There is due to the lord for heriot a land of wheat worth [blank]. John was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

Jane Glenester widow died since the last court, seised of a messuage in the Markett Place of Winslowe. Ann wife of William Hobbs is her daughter and nearest heir. There is due to the lord for heriot [blank]. Ann was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.
[She was the widow of Joseph Glenister, grocer, d.1713]

[p.2] Stephen Bigg gent. and Margaret his wife out of court on 10 August last surrendered a cottage in Winslowe with barn, stable, backyard, yards, gardens etc. in the separate occupations of John Markham gent. and John Baldwin. To the use of Alexander Markham infant, son of John, who sought admission. Rent [blank], fine 5s, fealty respited.

John Spratley out of court on 29 July last surrendered a messuage in Winslowe now in the occupation of George Blake, and a messuage adjoining it now in the occupation of Thomas Stevens, with all houses, outhouses, barns, stables, etc., and all right and title to any part of the premisses. To the use of Edward Brookes of Stow, Bucks, gent., on condition that it will be void if John pays him £30 15s on 30 January next. Edward was called and did not come; 1st proclamation made.

[p.3] Peter Lowndes of Winslowe Yeoman out of court on 25 September last surrendered separate pieces and parcels of arable land, ley and pasture lying dispersed in the fields and parish of Winslowe containing 6½ acres, now in the occupation of Richard Gibbs. To the use of Thomas Whiteaves of Winslowe Malster, who sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 13s.

William Townesend sought to be admitted to a messuage and 44½ acres of land lying in the common fields of Shipton which came into the lord's hands on the death and surrender of Henry Townesend deceased presented at the court on 25 Oct 1723, the tenor of whose will follows in these words [blank].
[p.4] Seisin was granted to William according to the form of the will. Rent [blank], fine 89s, heriot [blank].
Jonathan Townesend sought to be admitted to 5½ acres of land in Shipton [as above]. Seisin was granted according to the form of the will. Rent [blank], fine 11s.

[p.5] John Chandler and Alice his wife, customary tenants, surrendered a cottage in Winslowe with use of the adjoining well, now in the possession of Thomas Day, the domicile of Ann Eden west and Robert Smith east. To the use of Henry Firth and Susan his wife for their lives and Henry's heirs. They sought admission. Rent 2d, fine 5s, heriot 2s.
[This was in Horn Street]

[signed] Tho: Foster

Thomas Grimes sought to be admitted to 4 acres of land in the common fields of Winslowe which came into the lord's hands on the death of Thomas Grimes his grandfather presented at the last court. Rent [blank], fine 8s, heriot by composition 21s.

Zacharias Cooly and Thomas Rutland surrendered a messuage in Winslowe with all outhouses, buildings, structures, yards, gardens, backyards etc. in the occupation of Zacharias Cooley and Samuel Norman jr, as the premisses are now divided, except liberty to place timber in the wall joining the bays of the structure on the south side and to fix it there when necessary, on payment of half the charge in repair of the same wall belonging to the tenement of Joseph Gurney from time to time. To the use of Thomas Thorpe of Addington Yeoman, on condition that it will be void if Zacharias pays him £30 15s on 21 April next.
[p.6] Thomas Thorpe sought to be admitted. Rent [blank], fine 5s.
[This refers to 3 The Walk]

[signed] Tho: Foster

Samuel Norman and Martha his wife and Augustine Seaton and Ann his wife surrendered a messuage in the occupation of Mark Morris in Winslowe, the house of Robert Seaton west and Ann Udden widowe east, with all barns, stables, yards, gardens, orchards, backyards etc. To the use of John Burrall of Winslowe Butcher and Jane his wife for their lives, then to John's heirs. They sought admission. Rent [blank], fine 5s.

John Henley of Shipton Yeoman and Katherine his wife surrendered 2 half-acres of land in the common fields of Shipton:

To the use of John Morris of Winslowe Chapman and Alice his wife for their lives, and to the heirs of their bodies, or Alice's heirs. They sought to be admitted.
[p.7] Rent [blank], fine 2s.

6th proclamation made for John Bayly
5th proclamation for John Simpson
3rd proclamation for Joseph Holloway
3rd proclamatoin for Robert Seaton and Elizabeth his wife
2nd proclamation for the same on the surrender of Hogson, Wright & Wiseman
2nd proclamation for Henry Langley

End of this court

Copyright 12 May, 2020