Scope and Content
1. John Arthur Lainson, University College, Oxford, esq. (the lessor, the definition to include his heirs and assigns)
2. John Walker, Goldington, farmer (the lessee)
1 grants to 2 all that:
: messuage or tenement and farm, pieces or parcels of land at Goldington known as Highfields, now in the occupation of 2, which said parcels of land contain 163 acres, 1 rood and 11 perches (described in the schedule), with all houses, buildings, barns, stables, yards, ways, waters, watercourses, hedges, fences, easements, profits, advantages, rights and appurtenances whatsoever, saving all mines, minerals, chalk, gravel, sand, stones, quarries, brick earth and clay and all timber and other trees and pollards, and also saving unto 1 the liberty of ingress and egress at all reasonable times for him and his agents to view the condition and usage of the premises. Also saving to 1 the exclusive right of hunting, coursing, shooting, fishing, fowling and sporting.
2. to hold the premises for the term of 14 years from 11 October 1868, at an annual rent of £170 for the first year, and during the residue of the term the sum of £270 by two equal half-yearly payments on 25 March and 29 September annually. 2 to pay to 1 all tithes due. 2 also to pay to 1 the further yearly rents of £50 per acre pro rata which shall be used contrary to the covenants herein contained. And the rent of £50 per acre pro rata of meadow or pasture land which 2 shall plough up or convert into tillage without the consent in writing of 1 obtained in advance
2 agrees to:
- pay the rent at the time and manner appointed
- pay all present and future rates, assessments and taxes
- to repair the buildings upon the said premises and the post and rail fencing round the stack yard, being allowed proper rough wood and materials for repairs, and leave at the expiration of the lease glass windows and glazings with lead belonging, shelves, fixtures, hinges, locks, keys, bolts and bars belonging to the buildings in good and tenantable repair. And also all gates, gate irons, stiles, posts, pales, rails, pumps, walls, hedges, ditches, banks, bridges, drains, watercourses and fences, and to preserve the fences and trees from being injured by cattle, sheep or otherwise.
- after the expiration of the first year of the term to cause the internal an external woodwork of the messuages, buildings and premises to be painted with two coats of oil paint in a workmanlike manner, such painting to be of the same description and colour as heretofore.
- to cause all the gutters and troughs belonging to the messuage and buildings to be cleaned out in April and October every year
- at all reasonable times every year to scour out and cut the ditches and fences where shall be most wanted.
- to the satisfaction of 1. drain such part or parts of the land as 1 or his agents, providing the tiles for that purpose.
- not to take two successive crops of corn grain or pulse from any part of the arable land but to use, manage and cultivate the same arable lands in a proper husbandlike manner, and at the end of this demise to leave the said arable land on fourth in fallow, one fourth in wheat, one fourth in good clover or beans, and one fourth in barley
- to yearly spend fodder and to consume into muck on the said premises with horses, sheep, bullocks or other cattle all the turnips, mangel, hay, straw, chaff and clover which shall arise from the said premises, except during the last year of the demise.
- to allow 1 or incoming tenant in the last year of the demise sow grass seeds on any land where summer corn shall be then sown, and to allow ten days notice of such sowing, and 2 to harrow in the said seeds on request on having an allowance for the same.
- to allow 1 or incoming tenant at any time after 29 September preceding the last year of this demise to enter the land as shall be fallowed to prepare it for roots or wheat crops and to carry out the manure for such crops and to be allowed sufficient stable room for the horses.
- at the end of this demise to leave upon the said premises all hay, turnips and mangel produced by the premises that year, except that needed for the support of the horses, sheep, bullocks or other cattle of 2.
- to lay the crop of corn grain and pulse hay, straw, chaff and fodder which shall arise from the premises in the last year of the demise into or near the barns, and to thrash it in a husbandlike manner, and leave all the dung arising in a proper state in the barns or yards adjoining for the benefit of 1 or incoming tenant
- to cause all the muck, dung and compost which shall be made upon the premises in the last year of the demise (except such part as shall be used by 1 or incoming tenant in preparing the root and wheat crops as described) for the benefit of 1 or incoming tenant.
- to do or cause to be done, without making any charge, the cartage of materials which shall be required for repair and erection of buildings and drains.
- to level all mole and ant hills, and to endeavour to destroy all the moles and ants, and to cut and mow all rushes, thistles and seeds on the premises.
- not to hew, fell, cut down, lop, stubb up or destroy, without the consent of 1 in writing or of his steward or bailiff any timber or trees, except any appointed to him for repairs, and to preserve the young trees of all kinds, standing, growing or being on the premises
- no to assign over or part with the possession of the premises without the written consent of 1.
- not to take or keep any horses whatever on the premises by way of agistment
- not during the term of demise to mow or cut for hay more than one third of the pasture or meadow land, and not during the last year of the demise to mow or cut more than one half of the clover or artificial grasses on the premises, and not to mow or cut any of the land more than once during the last year.
- to relinquish and give up when required by 1. any land for building, planting or exchange, or for any other purpose being afterwards allowed a proportionate reduction in the rent of £270, any difference to be settled by arbitration. Provided always that not more than 20 acres of land shall be given up under this clause.
- to use his best endeavours to preserve the game and wildfowl and eggs and nests of same on the premises, and to bring actions against anyone trespassing or offending.
- to pay interest at the rate of 5% on such money as 1. shall expend in erecting, building and completing upon the said premises the two new cottages hereinafter mentioned, such interest to be paid half-yearly.
- having paid the rents and performed the covenants described shall peaceably enjoy the premises without interruption from 1.
1. within one year of the date hereof to erect, build and completely finish two cottages upon such part of the estate as 1 or agent may think fit
1. shall throughout the said term insure and (unless where by any policy or policies shall be vacated or forfeited by any act of 2.) keep insured from any damage by fire the said messuage and buildings to their full value, to repair or rebuild the property should any damage occur through fire
1. shall allow to 2. rough wood, fencing and timber stuff for keeping in repair the posts, pales, gates, rails and fence belonging to the premises
- and any difference to be settled by arbitration, and to conform to the provisions of The Common Law Procedure Act, 1854
Provided always that if the rent or any party of it shall be in arrear for 21 days after the day of payment stipulated, or if 2. shall not reside in the messuage, or shall be declared bankrupt (other financial conditions follow), it shall be lawful for 1. to re-enter the premises, such entry shall not extinguish any rent due or any other liability
Schedule [references to numbers on plan, but no plan present]
Monks Close etc. (meadow; 32a, 3r, 31p)
Calves Close etc. (arable; 12a, 2r, 5p)
Little Field (arable; 16a, 0r, 2p)
Cottage, garden, yards and buildings (1a, 2r, 23p)
Little Mead (meadow; 9a, 1r, 26p)
Spinney (wood; 38p)
Little Field (arable; 9a, 13p)
Little Field etc (arable; 23a, 24p)
Eighteen Acre Grove etc (meadow; 20a, 2r, 12p)
Cow Close etc (meadow; 26a, 2r, 36p)
Nine Acre Grove etc (11a, 1r)
Signed: John Arthur Lainson. 11 October 1868; expires: 11 October 1882