Title
Bargain and sale [see also Z210/143]
1. Francis Read, Maulden, yeoman (vendor)
2a. Isaac Bradnack, Bedford, Minister of the Gospel
2b Richard Lovell, Bedford, cordwainer
2c John Bennett, Flitwick, farmer
2d John Boddington, Ampthill, schoolmaster
2e William Stonbridge, Ampthill, straw dealer
2f Evan Jones, Ampthill, carpenter
2g Thomas Row, Ampthill, straw dealer (purchasers)
Whereas: 2 have contracted with 1 for the purchase of a parcel of ground for 10, and 2 out of monies partly subscribed by or collected from the Society of Methodists and partly borrowed for the purpose erected a chapel for the purposes of divine worship by the Methodist Society on the piece of ground.
Witnesseth: conveyance by 1 to 2
All that: parcel of ground at Maulden, abutting south on a barn occupied by John Payne, towards the north and west on a close of pasture which together with the said piece of ground was sold to Francis Read by Ezra Eagles and Sarah his wife, and on the east the Clophill to Bedford road.
Dimensions: 30 yards north to south and in breadth 20 yards east to west
And also: building now standing on the said ground used as a chapel by the Society of Methodists, together with all ways, paths, watercourses, lights &c., save the liberty of Ezra and Sarah Eagles to repair the barns and outbuildings of a messuage adjoining the ground occupied by John Payne, doing no wilful damage
and also that no preacher shall be sent to the Chapel for more than two years successively without the agreement of the trustees or the majority of them.
provided also: that if the trustees find that the doctrine, conduct or abilities of any preacher(s) appointed by the conference is erroneous, immoral or deficient the trustees shall proceed according to the Rules of Pacification in the Minutes of Conference of 1795 which rules shall also regulate all alterations as to times or additions of public worship in the Chapel.
and: it is agreed by the parties that it shall be lawful for the trustees to collect and receive from worshippers money as they think reasonable and all other rents and profits of the Chapel and premises, except such collections as may be made for the use of the Society of Methodists, and to apply the money in discharging the debts, taxes, repairs and other necessary expenses of the Chapel and towards the support of the preachers stationed by the Conference in the Circuit in which the Chapel is contained. Any surplus money to go towards the support of the preaching of the Gospel in the said Circuit and among poor Methodists in Maulden and elsewhere as the trustees, the Superintendent Preacher and the men, leaders of classes and stewards of the Chapel shall think proper.
and it is further agreed that in case the Society of Methodists at Maulden become extinct or in case the trustees agree that a larger or more convenient chapel shall be necessary, then it shall be lawful for the trustees to sell and dispose of the said chapel, and to keep receipts for the purchase money and be answerable for the loss, misappropriation or non application of the money, the money to be used in the purchase or building of a new chapel.
and it is further agreed by the parties, that as soon as the trustees by death or incapacity cease to be members of the Methodist Society, or refuse to act, or otherwise be reduced to the number of three, then the surviving trustees and the Superintendent Preacher shall within three months appoint further trustees from the Methodist Society at Maulden
Provided always: that it shall be lawful to appoint new trustees, the total number to be at least seven at all times
and upon further trust: that in case the Conference appointed by the deed of 28 February 1784 should cease or be dissolved, or the deed cease to be acted upon, or in case the Conference should refuse to appoint a preacher to Maulden for three calendar months, except in the case of sickness of the preacher, then the trustees can nominate a person to preach God's Holy Word in the Chapel, provided they preach no other doctrines and are sufficiently able and moral in their conduct
signed & sealed by the parties
witnesses: Thomas Hall, Richard Eland
Endorsed: received by Francis Read the consideration money of 10 on the date due. Signs by mark. Witnesses: Thomas Inskip, James Boddington.
Note: due the 10 July 1818 to Francis Read upon Clophill [deleted and replaced by Maulden] Chapel 270