Scope and Content
(i) Edmund Wylde of the Inner Temple, Esq
(ii) Hen Chester of Lidlington, Esq, Oliver Luke of Haynes Esq, Thomas Snagge of Millbrook Esq, James Beverley of Beggary, Eaton Socon, Esq, Humphrey Monoux of Wootton Esq, George Wylde of the Inner Temple Esq, Thomas Daniel of Newbury, Silsoe, Esq, Francis Clerke of Wotton, gent,; Matthew Denton of Houghton Conquest, gent,; Thomas Christie of Bedford gent.
(iii) Samuel Christie and Nicholas King of Bedford and Edward Bride of Houghton Conquest.
Recites Order of Chancery, 13 Apr 1659, made at Bedford by John Harvey, Gaius Squire, Richard Edwards, John Cockayn and William Whitbread, reciting an inquisition by the Chancery Commissioners at Bedford, on the evidence of Francis Beckett, Richard Sugar jr,; John Fary, John Higgins, William Wheeler, John Cox, Francis Clerke, John Perratt sr, John Church, John Loe, John Fitzhugh, William Mason, William King, Richard Deane and John Crouch, "honest and lawful men of this county", it appeared that Sir Francis Clerke late of Houghton Conquest, knight, on 5th June 8 Chas I was siesed of:
-- a new erected messuage in Houghton Conquest, and a pightle of past, and dovehouse thereon standing, lately purch of Mayor and citizens of London, and also of the manor of Dame Ellensbury; also of messuage and ground cd Sandys in Thickthorne End, late purchased of Richard Woodward.
These he conveyed to trustees for school and almshouses (see elsewhere for details). Of the trustees the following are since dead: Richard Conquest, Saunders, Lewis Conquest, Audley, Wingate, Griggs and Woodward, Henry Pigott is now seised of Dame Ellensbury manor. John Hinde, clerk, was placed schoolmaster at Houghton by Sidney Sussex College from Ladyday, 1655 until 1658, followed by Wm Carr, who continues. Pigott has not paid the rentcharge out of the manor.
Commision ordered:
Pigott to pay:
Wylde to pay Hind £8 due to him; and to Carr £16;
Wylde to make new feoffment. A copy of the feoffment is to be kept in a chest in the chancel, the minister keeping one key, one of the churchwardens another, and the schoolmaster the third. Present indenture is appointment in pursuance of order.