Scope and Content
(i) George Nodes of Shephall (Hertfordshire) (eldest son, heir & executor of George Nodes, esq., & administrator of Jane Nodes, spinster, a devisee of George Nodes), Charles Higgs of Cliffords Inn, London, & George Draper of Hitchin, gent., (who with Edward Draper of Hitchin, gent, deceased, were trustees of George Nodes);
(ii) Edward Jones, late of Reading (Berkshire), & now of Welwyn (Hertfordshire), & John Stevenson of the Inner Temple, esq. (who survived Nicholas Pottinger of Reading, esq.);
(iii) John Nodes gent. & Mary Nodes, spinster, both of Shephall; &
(iv) Ralph Wingate of Welwyn, esq., & Robert Raworth of the Six Clerks' Office, London, gent.
Recites
(A) Will of George Nodes senior, dated 18 Mar. 1696. -- Devises to 2nd son Thomas Nodes, John Nodes, Rebecca Jones (wife of Edw.Jones), Jane Nodes (since deceased), & Mary Nodes, his Manors of Holwell & Langford, & his property [no details] in Holwell, Shillington, Arlesey, Stotfold, Henlow, Astwick, Langford, Clifton, & Biggleswade, in occupation of of Thomas Crouch, Stephen Woodfield, John Impye, William Baldocke, John Arnold & Abraham Hughes, together with other lands in Bengeo & Standon (Hertfordshire).
(B) Conveyance (Lease & Release), dated 9,10 Aug 1698; for £500: Thomas Nodes to George Nodes (party hereto). -- The said property [as in (A)].
(C) Conveyance (Lease & Release), dated 5,6 Aug. 1701: George Nodes to Charles Higgs, Edward Draper & George Draper. Itself reciting
(i) that Charles Higgs, Edward Draper & George Draper agreed to become bound with George Nodes in a Bond for securing payment of £600; &
(ii) that the Manors were charged with payment of £3000 to Edward Jones & wife Rebecca, Mary Nodes & John Nodes; &
(iii) that the premises were mortgaged for £500 to Thomas Warburton gent.).
-- The said Manors & lands. With surrender of copyhold property held of the Manors of Ramerick, Henlow Lanthony, Eatonsbury in Arlesey, & Henlow Wardon.
(D) Marriage Settlement , dated 24 Jan 1697/8:
(i) Edward Jones & Mary Jones of Remenham (Berkshire), widow.;
(ii) said Rebecca Jones; &
(iii) said George Nodes].
-- A farmhouse in Arlesey in occupation of John Cosens; & closes etc. in occupation of John Cosens & John Impey, viz: the Homestall (1/2 acre). Lorrings Close (1 acre), Heyseys (3 acres), & Menesens (1 1/2 acres); all adjoining the said messuage. Also Butchers Close (3 acres), & a close called Rosewick (1 1/2 acres). And also land in the Common Fields & Meadows.
Place names: Hobrey Home & Furlong; Stocking Field, the Brook, Statford Field.; Church Field, the Field Gate, Daneshott, Bancroft Shott, Surrycotes Shott, Brookland Shott, Lymans Shott; Ramerick Field, Spratts Piece, Danford Hill Shott, Dantford Hill, Ramerick Hill Shott, Hardland Shott, Upper Hardland Shott, Halesbushes Shott, Hellages Shott, Lowsey Land Shott, Great Dolemead Shott, Eldern Stubb Shott, Spinsters Butts Shott; Wildbury Field., Winsill Hill Shott, Crowes Nest Shott, Amphill Shott, Snailes Hill Shott, Mooreland Shott, Cranfield Shott, Shorthedge Brook Shott, Longhedge Brook Shott, Netherstonyland Shott, Upper Stony Lands, Arnwell Shott, Cadwell Hill Shott, Welbury Bottom Shott, Wildbury Hills, Flexland, Shortoverland Shott, Longoverland Shott, Short Ramsberry Shott, Pottersheath Shott, Long Ramsberry Shott; Stocking Field., Stocking Shott, Stocking Bottom, Poynthillsshott, Deadwife Shott, Lymans Hill Shott, Whittmore Shott, Longland Shott, Brookland Shott, Shallmershott, Cheeseome Shott, Portway Shott, Gallows Shott, Smale Brook Shott, Woodcocks, Long Slade Shott, Lower Middle Furlong Shott, Upper Middle Furlong Shott, Owletts Nook Shott, Woodcocks; Churchfield, Surrycotes Shott, Red Willow Shott, Ramerick Field, Great Dolemead, Little Dolemead, Wildbury Field, Ampthill Shott; Stockingfield, Oldfield Shott, Short Slade Shott, Smalebrook Shott; & a close called Baylys.
Personal names: Thomas Brown esq., Richard Welby esq., Mr.Edwards, John Impey, George Nodes esq., Thomas Young, Thomas Coleman, Richard Crawley, Thomas Baldock, Widow Crawley, Thomas Ansell, Thomas Cooper, Richard Wallis, Henry Wharton, Michael Rowell, Thomas Keynes, John Arnold, Thomas Papworth, & [blank] Bolton.
[Armoreal seal; used by all parties].