Title
Farms in Clapham
The Green Farm and Clapham Park Farm
Declaration by John Crisp in the matter of the sale by the trustees of the will of George, late Earl of Ashburnham, deceased, to James Howard and Frederick Howard, of the Clapham estate
John Crisp, Offa Street, Bedford, farmer, declares that he is 72 years old and has lived at Clapham or neighbourhood for 49 years.
He knows the estates of the late Earl as in sale particulars of 24 and 25 November 1812, and of the present Earl, as in sale particulars of 10 September 1862, and which have been contracted to be sold to the Howards
In 1813 he was employed by the agent, William Custance, and successive agents, as manager of the woods on said Estate.
On sale plan of November 1812 (marked A) the parts coloured yellow, pink and blue represent those coloured yellow, green and pink on sale map of 10 September 1862 (marked C).
Greater portion of estate on A was sold by George, Earl of Ashburnham. Further portions sold by his son, the present Earl
Clapham Park Farm (Lot 1 in C) was from 1816 until about 1829 in occupation of Joseph Traylen, for whom he acted as Bailiff, as tenant of said Earl
Then was let to Joseph Traylen and his brother, William Traylen, who remained tenants until 1841 when succeeded by his son, John William Crisp, until 1847, when he was succeeded by another son, Benjamin Frederick Crisp, until Michaelmas 1852. Then in hand until Michaelmas 1854, when he superintended the management of the farm for the late Receiver, Mr Lambert Hotchkins.
In 1855 farm let to Mr John Blott, who is still tenant.
When he went to reside in Clapham in 1813, Clapham Park Wood (shown green on A and C) comprised 95a, but portions have been grubbed up and added to the farm ie 14 and part of 12 on C were grubbed up previous to 1843.
In sale particulars of 26 July 1843 (B), property constituting Lot VI is stated to contain 204a 0r 39p. Of the wood containing 87a 3r 30p, the following have been grubbed up since 1843:
Part of 12 on C, 5a 0r 31p
15 on C8a, 16 on C6a 3r 9p
Total 20a
This total being added to the 116a 1r 9p in B make 136a 1r 9p as in C
With regard to The Green Farm (Lot 2 on C), this was divided many years ago. Part was from 1815 to c 1829 in occupation of John Bazeley
Other part (with other lands, since sold) was let to John Bazeley, son of above
Said farm was afterwards in hand. He managed it for Mr Joseph Pennington, the then agent, until it was let to Mr John Robinson, who was succeeded by Mr James Hilton who was tenant until 1841, when he [Mr J Crisp] became tenant and is so still.
He believes Schedule is true extract from Schedule to deed of 22 October 1816, being a mortgage by George, Earl of Ashburnham, of part of his Beds estates to Hugh, Duke of Northumberland and Peter, Lord Gwyder, to secure £19,403 4s 3d.
Many changes have taken place in the farm since. Pieces of land, forming part of Lot 2 in C, and numbered 8, 9, 10 are same pieces of land as comprised in lease to John Bazeley of 19 June 1815 ie:
Cow Butts No 8 on C
Other part of Carol field,
Mashing Vat, Cow Butts
(Pasture), Cow Butts (arable) No 9
Bushey Close and barn
Bells Close No 10
Messuage, lands etc as in lease to John Bazeley dated 1 March 1814 comprising 226a 23p, with exception of Far Field (17a 3r 17p) and Clover Field (17a 1r 27p) constituted remainder of land in Lot 2 of C
Homestead and lands numbered 1-16 on C and being Lot 1 are same property as mentioned in Schedule as containing 107a 27p and comprised in lease to Joseph Traylen of 8 February 1815.
The difference of 29a 27p having arisen from portions of Clapham Park Wood having been grubbed up and added to the farm
Signature of John Crisp
Made before Thos W Turnley
With declaration that John Crisp could not read but a friend (W Hotchkiss) had read it to him 24 November 1862
Schedule
'In the occupation of John Bazeley at the Rent of £180 under Lease dated 19 June 1815' [as in Z 659/1]
'In the occupation of the said John Bazeley at a rent of £330 - under lease dated 1 March 1814' [see Z659/10]
'In the occupation of Joseph Traylen under lease dated 8 February 1815 at the rent of £133' [as in Z 659/4]
'In hand ...relating to Clapham Park Wood, Great Stalling Wood and Spinney' Total 103a 3r 7p
Further signatures of John Crisp and Thos W Turnley