Will of Bridget Yeates, spinster, 1844 (proved 1846)

National Archives PROB 11/2030/218

In the 1841 Census, Bridget Yeates was living with her brother Samuel Yeates (a lawyer) and their servant Jane Faulkner in the Church House in the Market Square (later W.H. Stevens' shop, then demolished to build the Bank). They were the children of Thomas Yeates, gentleman (d.1816). Samuel died on 15 Aug 1842 without making a will, and his extensive property went to Bridget (see below), along with an obligation to look after the interests of his illegitimate daughter. She used a little of her inheritance to found the Yeates Infants School in 1843 (that's why Yeates Close in Winslow has been named after her). Much of her property was sold by her executors in 1846, and the sale advert gives some additional information. It emerges that she owned a lot of land in adjacent parishes, and she must have been the biggest landholder in Winslow outside the Lowndes family.

This is a remarkably long will. Click on the links below to go straight to some of the bequests:

Painted board with details of Yeates Charity
This board was set up in the Church in 1847 with details of Bridget Yeates' Charity

This is the last Will and Testament of me Bridget Yeates of Winslow in the County of Bucks Spinster First I direct my remains may be interred in my family vault in Winslow Church Yard And Whereas soon after the death of my late Brother Samuel Yeates Esquire I entered into a covenant to purchase the sum of six thousand six hundred and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence stock either in the three pounds per centum consolidated Bank annuities or in the three pounds per centum reduced Bank annuities or partly in one of the said stocks and partly in the other of them in the names of the trustees for the respective benefits of Ann Wye Spinster (the reputed and adopted daughter of my said brother) and of her Mother Ann Simco during their lives and the life of the longer liver of them and of the children of the said Ann Wye after the decease of the survivor of them with remainder in case of the said Ann Wye’s during [sic] without issue to such uses as I may by deed or will appoint but a part only of such stock has yet been purchased I therefore direct that my Executors hereinafter named will as soon as conveniently may be after my decease by and out of the residue of my personal estate and effects complete the same if the purchase shall not be completed in my lifetime and I declare that it is not my will that my estate and interest in the said sum of six thousand ... stock or any part thereof in case of the decease of the said Ann Wye without issue shall pass on or be considered as intended in any bequest herein contained it being my intention that all such my estate and interest shall pass by deed and I give and bequest unto the Treasurer of the London Church Missionary  Society the legacy or sum of fifty pounds, to the  Treasurer of the Religious Tract Society ... fifty pounds, to the Treasurer of the London City Mission ... fifty pounds and to the Treasurer of the Bucks Infirmary of Aylesbury ... fifty pounds and I direct that my executors do as soon as conveniently ... purchase the sum of one thousand and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence stock in the three pounds per centum consolidated Bank annuities or in the three pounds per centum reduced Bank annuities in their own names or in the names of some other respectable trustees the dividends thereof to be annually applied in aid of the fund usually raised for supplying the poor of Winslow with coals and wood at a reduced price or paid to the Churchwardens or overseers of the poor of the said Parish for the purpose of being laid out in fuel to be distributed by them among the most necessitous poor in the parish in the winter season and I direct that my executors do as soon  as conveniently ... purchase the sum of one thousand and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence stock ... in their own names or in the names of the trustees for the time being of the Infant School in Winslow founded by me or three or more such trustees the dividends thereof to be annually applied to the said school and I direct that my executors do as soon as conveniently ... purchase the further sum of one thousand and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence stock ... in their own names or in the names of some other respectable trustees the dividends thereof to be annually paid to the officiating Minister of the Churchwardens for the time being of the said Parish of Winslow for the purpose of being applied in support of the Sunday School of that Parish in connexion with the Established Church and I direct that my executors ...
[p.2] purchase the further sum of fifty pounds stock ... the dividends thereof to be annually paid to the officiating Minister of the said Parish of Winslow for the purpose of being laid out by him in the purchase of Bibles Testaments and Prayer Books to be distributed among the children attending the Sunday schools in Winslow in connexion with the Established Church and I particularly direct that the four several legacies of fifty pounds each hereinbefore given and bequeathed shall be paid and the purchase of the said four several sums of one hundred and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence and one hundred and sixty six pounds thirteen shillings and four pence and fifty pounds in the three pound per centum bank annuities shall be made in the precedence of other pecuniary legacies herein bequeathed or which I shall bequeath by any codicil or codicils hereto out of such part of my personal estate not specifically bequeathed as the law permits to be appropriate by Will to charitable purposes  Also I give and bequeath unto Penelope Box of Buckingham Widow first cousin to my late Father) the legacy or a sum of fifty pounds and if she shall die in my lifetime I direct that the same shall lapse into the residue of my personal estate Also I give ... unto Matilda Smyth of Ethanbury Terrace Mornington Crescent London Widow first cousin to my late Father) the legacy or sum of fifty pounds and if she shall die in my lifetime I direct that the same shall be paid to Jane Smyth and Penelope Smyth hereinafter named in equal proportions or if only one of them shall survive me to such only one I give unto Mrs Hunt of Missenden in the said County of Bucks Widow (first cousin to my late Father) the legacy or sum of fifty pounds and in case she shall not be living at the time of my death I direct that the same shall be paid to Jane Smyth and Penelope Smyth  in equal proportions ...  I also give ...  unto my Cousin Leigh Charles Smyth now living with the said Matilda Smyth and unto Henry Smyth Jane Smyth and Penelope Smyth (the brother and sisters of the said Leigh Charles Smyth) the legacy or sum of two hundred pounds each I also give and bequeath unto John Churchill Esquire Barrister at Law whose late Mother was first cousin to my late Father the legacy or sum of one hundred pounds I also give and bequeath unto James Compton and Ann Turpin both of Buckingham (son and daughter of my first cousin William Compton deceased) the legacy or sum of fifty pounds each and if either or both of them shall die in my lifetime I direct that the legacy or legacies bequeathed to him her or them so dying shall be paid and equally divided unto and among the children of the said James Compton in like manner as is directed with respect to the legacy next hereinafter mentioned I also give and bequeath unto all and every the children of the said James Compton or such of them as shall be living when the youngest survivor of them attains the age of twenty one years the legacy or sum of fifty pounds each to be equally divided between them part and share alike I also give and bequeath unto all and every the children of Benjamin Brooks of Thornborough in the said County of Bucks by his late wife Mary who was a daughter of my late first Cousin Ann who was the Wife of Abraham Sharp or such of them as will be living at the time when the youngest survivor of them attains the age of twenty one years the legacy or sum of fifty pounds each to be equally divided between them part and share alike I also give and bequeath unto my first Cousin John Eden now or late of Pimlico the legacy or sum of thirty pounds and if he shall not be living at the time of my death I direct
[p.3] the same shall be purchased and equally divided unto and among all and every the children (if any who may then be living I also give ... unto my first Cousin Elizabeth Denchfield the half sister of the said John Eden) the legacy or sum of thirty pounds and if she shall not be living ... I direct that the same shall be paid and equally divided unto and among  all and every her children ... I also give and bequeath unto [multiple space fillers over 4.5 lines] Elizabeth Compton (the Widow of my late \first/ Cousin Robert Compton deceased) the legacy ...  of nineteen guineas and if she shall not be living ... I give and bequeath the same unto her Niece Ann Adkins I also give ... unto the Widow of my said late Cousin William Compton deceased ...  nineteen guineas and if she shall not be living ... at the time of my decease I give ... one moiety thereof  the same unto the said James Compton or if he should not be living unto and among his children equally and direct that the other moiety shall be paid and divided equally unto and among the children of the said Benjamin Brooks  by the said Mary his late wife in like manner as the original Legacy hereinbefore given and bequeathed to them I also give ... unto George Robert Eden (son of Robert Eden otherwise Dobson [or Dodson] of the parish of Winslow aforesaid carpenter) the sum of twenty pounds to put him out \as/an apprentice and to be paid and applied by my executors accordingly when he shall arrive at a proper age for that purpose and the further legacy ...  of ten pounds to be paid to him when he shall attain the age of twenty one ... and in case of his death under that age I bequeath the said legacy or sum of ten pounds and also the said sum of twenty pounds or so much thereof as shall not be applied and disposed of for the purpose aforesaid with all accumulations of both the said sums unto his sister Sarah Eden if and when she may attain the age of twenty one ...  I also give and ... unto the said Sarah Eden the legacy or sum of nineteen guineas to be paid to her when she shall attain the age of twenty one ...  and if shall die under that age I give ...  the same legacy with all accumulation thereof unto her said brother George Robert Eden if and when he shall attain the age of twenty one ...  I also give and bequeath unto my first cousin William Bailey the legacy or sum of one hundred pounds and in case he shall not be living ... I direct that the same shall be paid and equally divided unto and among all an every his children (if any) who may then be living ...  I also give and bequeath unto the Widow of my first cousin John Bailey deceased (brother of the said William Bailey) the legacy ...  of fifty pounds and if she shall not be living ...  I give and bequeath the same unto her daughter and if she shall also be dead unto and among the children of the said daughter if any in like manner as is directed with respect to the legacy next hereinafter mentioned  I also give and bequeath unto the daughter of my first cousin John Bailey the legacy or sum of fifty pounds and if she shall not be living ... I direct that the same shall be paid and equally divided unto among all and every
[p.4] the children if any ... I also give and bequeath unto Reverend John Edward Bradford late curate of Winslow ... the legacy ... of four hundred pounds and if he shall die ... I give ... the same unto his nephew Cyril Jackson Stafford to be paid to him if and when he shall attain the age of twenty one years and I direct my executors ... to pay apply and dispose of the sum of five hundred pounds for the benefit of ...  Cyril Jackson Stafford in putting him out as pupil or apprentice to some profession or business or employment and in supporting and clothing him during this service as pupil or apprentice and that so much of the ... sum of five hundred pounds as shall not be paid applied and disposed of for those purposes or any or either of them shall be paid to ... Cyril Jackson Stafford when he shall attain the age of twenty one or complete the term of his service as such pupil or apprentice which shall last happen or in case of his previously dying then to ... John Edward Bradford if he shall survive his said nephew  and I declare that any sums of money which after the date of this my will be paid or advanced by me to or on account of ... Cyril Jackson Stafford shall unless I shall by any writing  express  a wish to the contrary be deemed and considered to have been paid out and advanced in part and on account of the ... sum of  five hundred pounds and be accounted for accordingly I also give ... unto John Trueman Son of the Reverend Samuel Trueman now or lately residing in Croydon in the County of Surrey Wesleyan Methodist Preacher  the legacy ... of fifty pounds if and when he shall attain the age of twenty one ... I also give ... unto Mary Ann Hirnam daughter of [blank] Hirnam who is employed at Winslow Gas Works the legacy ... of nineteen guineas if and when she shall attain the age of twenty one ... I also give ... unto my servant Martha Faulkner the legacy ... of nineteen guineas if and when she shall attain the age of twenty one ... and if she shall die under that age I give ... the same legacy and all accumulations thereof  unto her half sister Ann Faulkner my servant I also give ... unto Maria Louisa Willis and Sarah Cowley Willis daughters of David Thomas Willis one of my executors the legacy ... of nineteen guineas each to be paid when they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one ...  and in case either of them shall die under that age I direct that her legacy with all accumulations thereof shall be paid to the other of them at the same time as their original legacy  I give ... unto my Servant Ann Faulkner if she shall be living with me as servant at the time of my death but not otherwise the legacy ... of four hundred pounds and all my wearing apparel and ornaments of my person of every kind and all the goods and furniture in the front Attic of my present dwelling house and the Mahogany Dressing Table and seeing glass and bason stand in my middle Chamber I also give ... unto the Reverend William Walkinshaw McCreight Vicar of Winslow ... my eight chairs usually standing in my drawing room  I also give ... unto the said Ann Wye all my household goods and furniture plate linen books and all other my effects in and about my dwellinghouse not hereinbefore specifically disposed of  I also give ... unto my Friends the Reverend  William Walkinshaw McCreight Mrs McCreight Miss Mary Bowler Miss Mary Elizabeth West Miss Louisa Harriet Wilson Mr Charles Willis Mrs Charles Willis Mr David Thomas Willis Mrs David Thomas Willis and Miss Anna Maria Willis all of Winslow ... and Miss Maria Selby Lowndes (daughter of the late William Selby Lowndes Esquire of Whaddon Hall) or such of them as
[p.5] may survive me a mourning ring each to be provide by my executors and presented to my said friends respectively as soon as conveniently may be after my decease and I declare and direct that the several legacies ... of money hereinbefore given or bequeathed except where it is hereby otherwise directed or whereby the same legacies ... or any parts or shares thereof respectively are bequeathed to minors shall be paid within twelve calendar months next after my decease And I direct my trustees to invest the legacies of each of the legatees under this my will who may at the time of my decease be under the age of twenty one ... in the names of them my said trustees in some bank or banks for savings or in the public funds or on government securities of the United Kingdom or on real securities in England with liberty to change the investments at their discretion for any other or others of the kind prescribed and to accumulate the yearly income by similar investments until the said legatees shall severally become entitled to receive their legacies and thereafter to transfer to them respectively both the original fund and the accumulations and I direct my executors to pay the legacy duty and all incidental expenses chargeable on the pecuniary and specific legacies hereby bequeathed so that the legatees may receive the full amount or value thereof and I give and devise unto my said servant Ann Faulkner if she shall be living with me as servant at the time of my decease but not otherwise all that my copyhold messuage or tenement situate standing and being on the market square in Winslow aforesaid in the occupations of Sarah Cole Widow and Edward Bond and some years since purchased by my said late brother of William Morris [see 3] with the appurtenances thereto belonging or appertaining To hold the same unto and to the use of the said Ann Faulkner her heirs and assigns for ever And I give and devise unto Charles Willis of Winslow aforesaid Gentleman all that my copyhold close or piece of pasture ground in Western Lane in the Parish of Winslow aforesaid in the occupation of William Jones and all those the cottages or tenements thereto adjoining and belonging two of which are in the respective occupations of James Royce and Thomas Egleton and the other is untenanted which said close and cottages were purchased by my said late brother of William Bowler [see 4 and 5] with the appurtenances thereto belonging or appertaining To hold the same and every part thereof unto and to  the use of the said Charles Willis his heirs ... subject to and charged with the payment of the sum of fifty pounds to my executors hereinafter named within twelve months next after my decease to be applied in augmentation with the residue of my personal estate and effects And I give and devise unto David Thomas Willis of Winslow aforesaid Gentleman one of my executors hereinafter named all that my copyhold close or piece of pasture ground situate in the Parish of Winslow aforesaid called or known by the name of the Lower Baulk in the occupation of the said William Jones and some years since purchased by my said late brother of  Sarah Brand Widow [see 6]with the appurtenances thereto ... To hold the same unto and to the use of the said David Thomas Willis his heirs ... And I give and devise  unto Henry Faulkner the elder of Winslow ... Carpenter Father of my said servant Ann Faulkner and to Jane his Wife all that my copyhold cottage or tenement adjoining the Church yard in Winslow ... with the shop [=part of 2] and all other the appurtenances thereto belonging as the same are now in the occupation of the said Henry Faulkner To hold the same and every part thereof unto and to the use of the said Henry Faulkner and his Wife Jane and the survivor of them for and during the term of their joint natural lives and the life of the longer liver of them and the survivor of them continuing to reside therein and keeping the same in good and reasonable repair and insured from loss or
[p.6] damage by fire I give devise and bequeath unto Rosetta Lee and Rebecca Lee both of Winslow ... Singlewomen all that my copyhold cottage or tenement in their occupation situate near the Church yard in Winslow [=part of 2] ... with the appurtenances thereto belonging To hold the same unto the said Rosetta Lee and Rebecca Lee and the survivor of them for and during the term of their joint natural lives and the life of the longer liver of them and the survivor of them continuing to reside therein and keeping the same in good and reasonable repair and insured from loss or damage by Fire Also I give and devise all the real estate to which I shall be intitled at my decease (except such parts as are hereby specifically devised or shall so by any codicil or codicils hereto and also except any estates vested in me as trustee or mortgagee but including the said messuage or tenement and hereditaments hereinbefore given and devised to Ann Faulkner in the event of her not living with me as Servant at the time of my decease and also including the said cottage and tenements and hereditaments hereby respectively devised to the said Henry Faulkner and Jane his wife and the said Rosetta Lee and Rebecca Lee from and after the determination of their several life estates and of and in the same respectively and I bequeath the residue of the personal estate to which I shall be entitled to the said Leigh Charles Smith and David Thomas Willis their heir executors administrator and assigns respectively upon Trust to sell my real estates together or in parcels by public auction or private contract at such place and time and subject to such stipulations relative to the title or the evidence of title or to the time or mode of payment of the purchase money (part whereof my be allowed to remain on mortgage on all or any part of the estates sold) or to any other matters concerned with the sale as my trustees shall judge expedient or as their Counsel shall advise with full discretion and authority to sell either subject to or discharged from or with an indemnity by impounding part of the purchase money or otherwise against any incumbrances  and also to fix reserve biddings and buy in any lot or lots at any auction and to rescind or vary any contract for sale without being liable for any consequential loss and also to convert and get in my residuary personal estate and to invest the monies to arise from such real estate and residuary personal estate in the names or name of the trustees or trustee for the time being of my will in or upon any of the public stocks funds or securities of the United Kingdom or any real securities in England with liberty for the said trustees or trustee to vary and transpose the investment from time to time for any other investments of the description aforesaid and upon further trust to permit and empower the said Ann Wye Spinster (the reputed and adopted daughter of my said  brother) to receive the annual income of the said monies or the stocks funds and securities whereon the same shall be invested during her life and after her decease upon further trust to permit and empower the husband of the said Ann Wye if she shall leave a husband her surviving to receive the  annual income of the said monies or the stocks funds and securities whereon the same shall be invested during his life and after the decease of the said Ann Wye and her husband if she shall leave a husband her surviving Then as to as well the capital as the annual product thenceforth to become one In Trust  for all or any one or more of the children of the said Ann Wye lawfully to be begotten for any such interest or interests in such shares and in such manner as the said Ann Wye whether covert or sole by any deed or deeds with or without power of revocation to be by her duly executed or by her will or by any codicil thereto shall appoint and in default of appointment In Trust for all and every the children and child of the said Ann Wye lawfully to be begotten
[p.7] who being a son or sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or marry under that age with the consent of her or their parent or parents or guardian or guardians for the time being and to be divided between or amongst the said children if more than one in equal shares as tenants in common and if there shall be but one such child then the whole to be in trust for such one or only child and if there shall be no child of the said Ann Wye who under the trust hereinbefore declared shall become entitled to the said trust monies stocks funds and securities then and in such case after  the decease of the said Ann Wye and of the husband (if any) and such failure of issue as aforesaid in Trust as to one equal fifth part or share thereof for the said Leigh Charles Smyth his executors administrators and assigns as to one other equal fifth part or share thereof for the said Henry Smyth his executors ...   as to one other equal fifth part ... for the said Jane Smyth her executors ...   as to one other equal fifth part ... for the said Penelope Smyth  her executors ...   as to one remaining equal fifth part ... for the said George Bailey his executors ... provided nevertheless and I hereby declare that my said trustees or trustee shall have a discretionary power to postpone for such period as to them or him shall seem expedient the conversion or getting in of any part of my residuary personal estate which at my decease shall consist of stocks funds or securities of any description whatsoever of the sale of any part of my real estate but the unsold real estate and outstanding personal estate shall be subject to the trusts hereinbefore contained concerning the monies stocks funds and securities as aforesaid and the rents and yearly produce thereof shall be deemed annual income for the purposes of such trusts and such real estate shall be transmissible as personal estate under the ultimate trust hereinbefore contained and I devise all real estates if any which at the time of my death shall be vested in me as trustee or mortgagee to the said Leigh Charles Smyth and David Thomas Wilkes subject to the equities affecting the same respectively and I empower the trustee or trustees for the time being  of this my will to give receipts for all monies and effects to be paid or delivered to such trustees or trustee by virtue of my will and declare that such receipts shall exonerate the person taking the same from the liability to see to the application or disposition of the monies or effects therein mentioned and I empower the trustee or trustees ... to compound or allow time for the payment of any debt or debts due to my estate and to settle all demands against my estate and all amounts between my and any person or persons on such terms as my trustees or trustee shall in their or his discretion think expedient and to refer any matters in difference relating to my affairs to arbitration and I  declare that if my trustees or either of them or any person or persons to be appointed under this clause shall die or be unwilling or incompetent to execute the trusts of my will it shall be lawful for the competent  trustees or trustee for the time being if any whether retiring from the office of trustee or not or if none for the executors or administrators of the last surviving trustee to substitute by any writing under his or their hand or hands any fit person or persons in whom alone or as the case may be jointly with the surviving or continuing trustee or trustees my trust estate shall be vested and I exempt every trustee of my will from liability for losses occurring without his own wilful default and authorise him to retain and allow to the cotrustee or cotrustees all expenses incidental to the trusteeship and I appoint the said Leigh Charles Smyth and David Thomas Willis to be Executors of my will and it being my desire that
[p.8] the said Leigh Charles Smyth and David Thomas Willis or either of them as may be arranged between them may act as attorneys and solicitors or Attorney and solicitor in all matters relating to my property and affairs and shall make the usual professional charges I do expressly direct that they respectively shall notwithstanding their acceptance of the office of trustee and executor of my said will and their acting in the execution thereof be entitled to make the same professional charges and receive the same pecuniary emoluments and remuneration for all business done by them respectively and all attendance time  and trouble given or bestowed by them respectively in or about the execution of the trusts and powers of my said will or the management and administration of my trust estate real or personal as if they or he not being trustees or executors or trustee or executor of my said will were employed by the trustee or executor ... thereof as Attorneys or Solicitors or Attorney or Solicitor to such trustee or executor ... and shall be entitled to retain all of my trust monies or to be allowed and to receive from their or his cotrustees if any out of the same monies the full amount of such charges any rule of equity to the contrary notwithstanding nevertheless without prejudice to the rights or competency of the said Leigh Charles Smyth and David Thomas Willis respectively to exercise the authority control and discretion of a trustee of my said will In Witness whereof I the said Bridget Yeates the Testatrix have to every sheet of this my last will and testament contained on ten sheets of paper my hand this seventh day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty four

Bridget Yeates [signature]

This sheet of paper and the nine sheets hereto annexed were severally signed by the said Testatrix Bridget Yeates in the joint presence of us who in her presence and the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof –
George Cowley [signature] Surgeon Winslow 
W H Lindsey [signature] Clerk to Messrs Willis & Son Solicitors Winslow

This is a Codicil to the last will and testament of me Bridget Yeates of Winslow in the County of Bucks Spinster, which will bears the date of the seventh day of December One thousand eight hundred and forty four I revoke and make void the direction in and by my said will given to my executors to apply and dispose of the sum of five hundred pounds for the benefit of Cyril Jackson Stafford therein named in manner therein expressed and all and every the clauses directions and declarations in my said will contained with respect to the said sum of five hundred pounds  and in lieu thereof I direct my executors pay apply and dispose of the four hundred and sixty pounds in supporting and clothing the said Cyril Jackson Stafford or otherwise for his benefit during his minority as they shall think fit and that so much of the sum of four hundred and sixty pounds that shall not be so paid applied and disposed of shall be paid to the said Cyril Jackson Stafford when he shall attain the age of twenty one years or in case of his dying under that age then to his uncle the Reverend John Edward Bradford if he shall survive his said Nephew and I declare that any sums of money after the date hereof be paid or advanced by me to or on account of the said Cyril Jackson Stafford shall unless I shall by any writing express a wish to the contrary be deemed and considered to have been paid and advanced in part and on account of the said sum of four hundred and sixty pounds and to be accounted for accordingly and I direct my executors to pay the legacy duty and all incidental expenses chargeable on the said sum of four hundred and sixty pounds out of the residue of my personal estate and effects and I
[p.9] ratify and confirm my will in all other respects and declare that the same with this codicil do together and alone contain my last will and testament  In Witness whereof I the said Bridget Yeates the Testatrix have hereunto set my hand this third day of March in the year of our Lord  one thousand eight hundred and forty five

Bridget Yeates [signature]

signed by the said Testatrix Bridget Yeates in the joint presence of us  who in her presence and the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof –
W H Lindsey [signature]
Benjamin Cole [signature] Clerks to Messrs Willis & Son Solicitors Winslow

Proved at London with a Codicil the 2nd of January 1846 before the worshipful John Danbury Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oaths of Leigh Churchill Smyth (in the will written Leigh Charles Smyth) and David Thomas Willis the executors to whom Ad(ministrati)on was granted having been first sworn duly to Administer      

Admission of Bridget Yeates, 1842 Manor Court

Centre for Bucks Studies D/X/872/3

This copy of the court roll records the copyhold property which Bridget Yeates inherited from her brother Samuel in 1842; punctuation added.

The Manor of Winslow with its members on the County of Bucks

The view of Frankpledge with the Court Baron of William Selby Lowndes Esquire Lord of the said Manor there holden on Monday the thirty first day of October in the year of our Lord one Thousand eight hundred and forty two and the sixth year of the reign of our sovereign lady Victoria by the grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland Defender of the Faith Before Robert Appleyard Gentleman Steward there

Bridget Yeates sister and heir of Samuel Yeates Admission

Also at this court the Homage aforesaid upon their oath present that Samuel Yeates late of Winslow in the County of Bucks Gentleman deceased late one of the customary Tenants of this manor, who whilst he lived held unto him and his Heirs of this Manor by copy of Court Roll Fealty Suit of Court Rent Heriot and other services and customs:

  1. All that cottage or Tenement in Tinkers End in the parish of Winslow ... late in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Budd and now of William Keys and George Reading with the piece of garden ground and yard thereto adjoining and occupied therewith To which said premises with others ... Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General Court Baron held in and for this Manor on the twenty sixth day of October one Thousand eight Hundred and seven on the surrender of Mary Eden under the yearly quit rent of Four pence [see 1]
  2. And also all those several  Cottages or Tenements situate standing  and being in Winslow ... in the several occupations of Henry Faulkner the elder George Walker Mary Whitehall and Rosetta Lee lately erected and built by the said Samuel Yeates upon the scite of certain Messuages or Tenements and buildings which were sometime since consumed by fire to part whereof the said Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General Court Baron held ... on the twenty sixth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and seven on the surrender of Charles King and Sarah his Wife and to the remaining part thereof at a General  Court Baron held ... on the twenty sixth of October One Thousand eight Hundred and thirteen on the Surrender of Joseph King and Mary his Wife under the yearly Quit rents of three pence and six pence [see 2]
  3. And also all that brick Messuage or Tenement situate and being in the Market Square of Winslow ... formerly in the occupation of William Seaton since of William Morris and now of [blank space] Fleet To which last described premises Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General Court Baron held ... on the twenty fifth of October one thousand eight hundred and thirteen on the Surrender of the said William Morris and Hannah his Wife under the yearly Quit Rent of Three pence [see 3]
  4. And also all that Messuage some time converted into two Cottages or Tenements situate ...  in a certain lane called Western Lane in the parish of Winslow ... and another Cottage or Tenement sometime since erected by ... Samuel Yeates on the Ground thereto adjoining with the orchard piece or parcel of Land or Ground thereto adjoining or belonging  [see 4]
  5. And also all that new enclosed piece or parcel of Meadow or pasture ground situate ...  on the South side of the said Messuages Cottages or Tenements containing by admeasurement one acre and seventeen perches some time since in the several tenures or occupations of Thomas Bignell Richard Scott and William Higgins late of William Bowler John Handcock and William Neale and now of William Jones George Egleton and [blank] Penfold and [blank] To which last described premises Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General  Court Baron held ... on the twenty eighth day of October One Thousand eight Hundred and sixteen on the Surrender of William Bowler and Ann his Wife under the yearly quit rent of One Shilling and three pence  [see 5]
  6. And also all that Close of Pasture Ground lying and being in Winslow ... called or known by the name of Lower Baulk heretofore in the occupation \of/ William King afterwards of John Brand late of James Hall and now of William Jones [see 6]
  7. And also all that Customary inclosed Close Lot Plot Piece or Parcel of Land or Ground lying in a certain Field called the New Mill Field containing by admeasurement Four Acres and seven perches late in the occupation of Joseph Neale and now of Charles Willis To which last described premises Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General  Court Baron held ... on the twenty sixth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and eighteen on the Surrender of Sarah Brand under the yearly quit \rent/ of  Two Shillings and three pence [see 7]
  8. And also all that Close or enclosed pasture or Meadow Ground situate ... in the Hamlet of Shipton in ... Winslow ... with the Cow House and other Buildings thereon erected containing in the whole by admeasurement Two Acres and a half (be the same more or less) late in the occupation of James Burnham and now Elizabeth Mary Bull (To which last described premises Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General  Court Baron held ... on the thirtieth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty on the Surrender of ... James Burnham and Martha his wife under the yearly quit rent of Eight pence [see 8]
  9. And also all that Cottage or Tenement in Winslow ...  with use of the well thereunto adjoining heretofore in the occupation of Thomas Day afterwards of William Burrell late of William Verney and now of John Wilmer (To which last described premises Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General  Court Baron held ... on the thirtieth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty on the Surrender of William Verney and Elizabeth his wife under the yearly quit rent of two pence [see 9]
  10. And also all that Plot or Allotment of Land or Ground situate in Bow Mead Common in Grandborough in the said County of Bucks containing by admeasurement Twenty six Acres one Rood and sixteen perches now and for some time divided into two parts) some time since in the occupation of John Coker late of William Drinkwater  and now of James Butcher  (To which last described premises Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General  Court Baron held ... on the twenty sixth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and twenty nine on the Surrender of ... William Reade and Elizabeth his wife under the yearly quit rent of Five shillings and four pence
  11. And also all that piece of parcel of arable Land Meadow or Pasture Ground situate ... in the said New Mill Field in the parish of Winslow ... containing Nineteen Acres one rood and twenty perches (more or less) late in the occupation of Thomas Jones since of Richard Baldwin and now of James Warner [see 11]
  12. And also all that other piece or parcel of pasture or swerd Ground situate ... in the said New Mill Field in ... Winslow ... containing Six Acres and twenty five perches (more or less) in the occupation of the said Thomas Jones since of the said Richard Baldwin and now of the said James Warner  (To which last described premises Samuel Yeates was admitted Tenant at a General  Court Baron held ... on the twenty ninth day of October One Thousand Eight Hundred and thirty on the Surrender of George Parrott and William James Bailey  under the Yearly Quit rent of Eight Shillings and seven pence)

with the rights members and appurtenances to the said several and respective Hereditaments and Premises belonging or in any wise appertaining lately died so seised thereof and intestate leaving Bridget Yeates of Winslow ... Spinster Sister and customary Heir him surviving Now to this Court comes Bridget Yeates in her own proper person and desires of the Lord of this Manor to be admitted Tenant to the premises aforesaid with the appurtenances To whom the Lord of this Manor  by the hands of the said Steward grants seisin thereof by the Rod To have and to hold the premises aforesaid with the appurtenances unto the said Bridget Yeates her Heirs for ever of the Lord by the Rod at the will of the Lord according to the custom of this Manor by the several yearly rents hereinbefore mentioned accounting together to nineteen shillings and seven pounds pence Fealty Suit of Court Heriot and other Services and customs therefore due and of right accustomed  And she gives to the Lord for fines for such her estate so to be had in the premises Six Pounds five shillings and she is thereof admitted Tenant  &c and her fealty is respected until &c

Exam(ine)d by
Rob(er)t L. Appleyard
Steward

Sale of the property and land of Bridget Yeates – April 17 1846

Bucks Herald, 28 March 1846

Valuable Freehold, Leasehold, Copyhold Land and Tenements,
Situate in the several parishes of Winslow, North Marston, Grandborough, Swanbourne, and Mursley in the County of Bucks, together with 15 Gas Shares in the Aylesbury and Winslow Companies and a Mortgage for £200 from the Trustees of the Buckingham and Wendover turnpike road; To be sold by Auction by MR BOX,
On Friday, 17th April, 1846, at the Bell Inn in Winslow, at Four o’Clock in the Afternoon, by Order of the Devisees in Trust under the Will of the late Miss Bridget Yates, deceased, in the following Lots viz:-

LOT 1.
All that highly-desirable LEASEHOLD MESSUAGE, late in the occupation of Miss Yates, situate in the Market Square, Winslow, containing entrance passage and three parlours on the basement, with kitchen and cellar beneath, and drawing room and four chambers above, with water closet and other accommodations. [= Second Church House, whose lease was bought by Samuel Yeates in 1803; demolished to build The Bank]

LOT 2.
Two Valuable Copyhold and Freehold Closes of Arable and Pasture Land, in the Parish of Winslow, in the occupation of Mr. George Mayne, containing 29A. 1R. 9P.

LOT 3.
A Freehold Close of Rich Pasture Land, called Peasey Close, in the Parish of Winslow, in the occupation of Mr Thomas Lomath, containing 2A. 0R. 38P. [west of Granborough Road, where the council houses were later built]

LOT 4.
A Copyhold Cottage and Garden in the Town of Winslow, in the occupation of Mr. John Willmer [see 9]

LOT 5.
A Desirable Copyhold Close of Pasture Land, called Eden Close, situate at Shipton,  in the Parish of Winslow containing 2A. 2R. 4P., with cow hovel thereon in the occupation of Mrs. Bull. [see 8]

LOT 6.
Two copyhold Enclosures of Pasture Land (with slated cowshed) called Bough Mead, in the Parish of Grandborough, in the occupation of Mr. James Butcher containing 21A. 1R. 16P.
N.B. – The intended Buckinghamshire Railroad will pass through this Lot.

LOT 7.
Four exceedingly Luxuriant Closes of Freehold Pasture Land, well fenced and watered, in the Parish of North Marston, in the occupation of Mr. John Ward containing 16A. 1R. 6P.

LOT 8.
A Freehold Close of Rich Arable Land situate near Pitchcott, in the Parish of North Marston, now occupied by Mr. George Thorne containing 2A. 1R. 13P.

LOT 9.
Two valuable Freehold Closes with newly-erected cow-shed thereon, situate near the Neptune public-house in the Parish in Swanbourne, on the road from Winslow to Aylesbury containing 13A. 1R. 18P., in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Picton.

LOT 10.
A Freehold Cottage and Garden in the Village of Swanbourne, lately occupied by Thomas Hinton.

LOT 11.
A Leasehold Close of superior Grazing Land, in the Parish of Mursley, with a cowhouse thereon, called Stepnill’s, comprising 10A. 3R. 12P., occupied by Mr. John Carr.

LOT 12.
Five shares of £20 each in the Aylesbury Gas Company.

LOT 13.
Five shares of £10 each in the Winslow Gas Company.

LOT 14.
Five, ditto, ditto

LOT 15.
Mortgage for £200, from the Trustees of the Turnpike Road from Wendover to Buckingham.

Further Particulars, with Conditions of Sale, may be had a few days before the Sale, on application at the place of Sale; or at the Offices at Mr D.T. Willis, Solicitor, Winslow; or those of the Auctioneer, Buckingham.

The lots which didn't sell this time were offered for sale again in August 1846, when they were described in more detail.

Notes

1. This was later joined to The Boot.

2. These houses were in Church Walk near the Market Square. Bridget Yeates gave the one in the middle for a school. Henry Faulkner's has been absorbed into Church Walk House and the others have been demolished.

3. Pigot's Directory 1842 lists Sarah Cole in the High Street. In the will, the property is "in the occupations of Sarah Cole Widow and Edward Bond and some years since purchased by my said late brother of William Morris". Ann wife of Benjamin Sharp, formerly Ann Faulkner, was admitted tenant at the 1846 manor court to "a brick messuage in the Market Square formerly in the occupation of William Seaton since of William Morris late of [ ] Fleet and now of Benjamin Sharp"

4. Three cottages in Western Lane. D.T. Willis was admitted tenant as Charles Willis' heir in 1846.

5. Enclosure allotment 48 (1 acre awarded to Stephen Gibbs in 1767; he sold to John Goodman in 1776; sold to Thomas Bowler in 1798). D.T. Willis was admitted tenant as Charles Willis' heir in 1846.

6. Lower Baulk. Joseph Dudley sr bequeathed it to Joseph Dudley jr in 1799.

7. Enclosure allotment 39 (4 acres awarded to Susanna Bigg in 1767; left with "the Great Baulk" to her niece Sarah Susanna Ripley in 1784), at the end of Western Lane

8. Eden Close in Shipton, presumably Shipton enclosure allotment 12. Sold to William Selby-Lowndes for £275 (1846 manor court).

9. Probably at the west end of Horn Street. It was bought by Thomas Green of Winslow, labourer, for £30 (1846 manor court).

11 & 12. Enclosure allotments 21 and 22 (25 acres awarded to Samuel Norman in 1767; later acquired by the Burnhams), either side of Verney Road.

Lot 6 was sold to George Cross of Winslow, draper, for £600 (1846 manor court).

Copyright 6 October, 2023