Scope and Content
(i) Diana Smith, late Bedford, now Maulden, widow, Edward Orlebar Smith, Maulden, clerk (only son & heir of Sawyer Smith and Diana)
(ii) Oliver St. John Cooper, Tilbrook, clerk, Elizabeth Cooper, Sarah Cooper (the younger children of Oliver St, John Cooper &Judith his 1st wife, deceased.); Hon. Hen. St. John, late Melchbourne, now Covent Garden, Esq.
(iii)John Marsh, Felmersham, & wife Ursula, Thomas Orlebar Marsh, Felmersham, clerk (only son & heir of John & Ursula)
(iv) William Bithrey, Radwell, gent.
Reciting:
articles of agreement, 19 Nov 1768
(i) Diana Smith
(ii) Oliver St. John Cooper
(iii) John Marsh & Ursula
(iv) William Bithrey
to parition the estate, except the Manor of Felmersham, into 3 lots, and appoint as valuers John Fox of Dean and Thomas Harrison, Stony Stratford
Reciting:
Division by valuers, 16 Nov 1768
Parties to draw lots
Lot A: House late occupied by John Marsh [see Jeffries map] garden and land adjoining, including Pound Close and 2 closes at the Hardwick next Paine's barn, with the middle plot in the new enclosure, and road over the 1st plot of the enclosure from the white gate at the bottom of Lynch Hill near sheep pens, along the ridgeway where there was an ancient road before the enclosure and subject
to a road to the furthermost lot; 1/2ac of the Home close adjoining the farm. ( Marsh )
Lot B: Farmhouse with the Home Close (except the 1/2 ac above ), farm buildings and the further plot in the new enclosure ( St. John Cooper )
Lot C: House called the cottage, with buildings and home close, and 3 closes at the Hardwick with the barn; first plot in the new enclosure subject to road as before (Smith)
Agreement to stand possessed as above to uses, and covenant to levy a fine.
Conveyance by Oliver St. John Cooper, Diana Smith and Edward Orlebar Smith to (iii)
A. Cottage formerly called the Bell, formerly occupied by William Davies, then John Waklin, since John Marsh; close adjoining on east, and plantation on it; Pound Close adjoining on west (part planted with fruit trees) site of the Grange [see Ref X98]; 1/2ac of Home Close, rest of Home Close W, highway N & E, Felmersham Town House, the vicarage garden and ground of Edward Walter south; Pettins Close and Brooks Close in the Hardwick; second or middle allotment lately enclosed, Ouse north,
Felmersham - Harrold road south, Stone Pits, Francis Gregory and O. St. John Cooper west;
to use of John and Ursula Marsh for life, then to Thomas Orlebar Marsh.
by (iii) and (i) to Oliver St. John Cooper & Henry St. John
B. Farmhouse, Felmersham; Home Close; third or further allotment as above, Charles Wildbore west, (iii) south & east; all late occupied by Godfrey Grey, now William Shrive.
to use of O. St. John Cooper for life, then in trust to Henry St. John to sell, and divide proceeds between Elizabeth & Sarah
by (iii) and Oliver St. John Cooper to (i)
C. Cottage, Felmersham, with close adjoining, formerly occupied by Thomas Marriot, carpenter deceased, now Richard Brooks;
Plumbers Close, Middle Close Barn Close with barn on Middle Close at the Hardwick; first allotment as above, Gad Meadow & Sheep Pens east, (iii) west.
to use of Diana Smith for life, then to Edward Orlebar Smith.
witnesses: Richard Lovesey, Samuel Broadfield, J. Miller, Thomas Morton, David Willis, Edmund Reilly, Thomas Moreton.
endorsed: copy of fine Mich. 1772
Plt: William Bithrey
Def: Diana Smith, Edward Orlebar Smith, Oliver St.J. Cooper , John Marsh & wife Ursula , Thomas Orlebar Marsh
--- 3 messuages, 3 cottages, 6 barns, 4 stables, 3 gardens, 3 orchards, 90 ac arable, 20ac meadow, 30 ac pasture,Felmersham