MB2/HC1/6/4473

Correspondence from Charity Commission and Borneo Linnells Solicitors re legal position of land at Houghton Conquest, and implications of proviso in indenture under which property to revert to heirs of Charles Armstrong if Methodist worship should cease at the site. Includes photocopy of certified copy [made 1862] of indenture as follows:

2002

From: 1818 To: 2002

Date: 12 December 1818 Parties: (1) John Armstrong of Houghton Conquest, farmer; (2) William Baker of Houghton Conquest, farmer; John Bennett of Flitwick, farmer; Matthew Goss of Houghton Conquest, shoemaker; George Walker of Ampthill, labourer; Thomas Row of Ampthill, straw plait dealer; William Cumberland of Bedford, shoemaker; Isaac Wale of Bedford, tailor Property: (a) Chapel in Houghton Conquest used as a Wesleyan Methodist Chapel, together with a cottage and close of pasture land adjoining containing c. 1 acre and 2 roods, now in the occupation of (1); (b) close of arable land called Green Lane Close containing c. 4 acres; (c) close of pasture land called Wickets Close containing c.1 acre; (d) cottage now in the ocupation of Francis Brazier; (e) cottage now in the occupation of Joseph Stonebridge - all properties (a) to (e) situate in Houghton Conquest. Operative part: (a) to (e) conveyed by (1) to (2) in return for payment of 10s Covenants: - That (2) shall make the premises available for Methodist worship and that pew rents and other rents received for the cottages, lands etc. should be applied to repair and improve the Chapel, with surplus to be used for the benefit of preachers fo the Ampthill Wesleyan Methodist Circuit etc. - "Provided always and in case the said Society shall at any time think proper to discontinue attending the said place of Religious Worship at Houghton Conquest aforesaid and actually discontinue attendance for the space of twelve months then and in such case and immediately after such discontinuance such Instrument adn Assurance shall be executed as counsel shall advise for the purpose of vesting the said Chapel, cottages, lands, heredits adn premises to the use fo Charles Armstrong (nephew of the said John Armstrong) his heirs and assigns for ever". Witnesses: John Upton of Bedford, gentleman; William Prior of Bedford, tailor Endorsements: - conveyance dated 20 February 1959 between (1) Trustees of Houghton Conquest Methodist Church; and (2) John Stanley Holmes and Frederick Walter Groom. Land (b) as described in deed conveyed by (1) to (2) - conveyance dated 20 February 1959 between (1) Trustees of Houghton Conquest Methodist Church; and (2) Horace Edwin Turvey. Land (c) as described in deed conveyed by (1) to (2) - conveyance dated 14 May 1965 between (1) Official Custodian for Charities; (2) Trustees of Houghton Conquest Methodist Church; and (3) Sylvia Stella Humphrey. Land having a frontage to Rectory Lane of 42 feet known as Plot Number 2 delineated on plan [missing] conveyed to (3). - conveyance dated 25 May 1965 between (1) Official Custodian for Charities; (2) Trustees of Houghton Conquest Methodist Church; and (3) Joyce Irene Storton. Land having a frontage to Rectory Lane of 42 feet known as Plot Number 1 delineated on plan [missing] conveyed to (3). - conveyance dated 16 August 1965 between (1) Official Custodian for Charities; (2) Trustees of Houghton Conquest Methodist Church; and (3) Rubina Pearl Watts. Land having a frontage to Rectory Lane of 42 feet known as Plot Number 3 delineated on plan [missing] conveyed to (3).

item

2033

Armstrong, John,
Baker, William,
Bennett, John,
Goss, Matthew,
Walker, George,
Row, Thomas,
Cumberland, William,
Wale, Isaac,
Brazier, Francis,
Stonebridge, Joseph,
Armstrong, Charles,
Upton, John,
Prior, William,
Holmes, John Stanley,
Groom, Frederick Walter,
Turvey, Horace Edwin,
Humphrey, Sylvia Stella,
Storton, Joyce Irene,
Watts, Rubina Pearl

HOUGHTON CONQUEST, Houghton Conquest Rectory Lane, Houghton Conquest fields, FLITWICK, AMPTHILL, BEDFORD, Methodist Church, Methodist buildings, DEEDS, farmer, shoemaker, straw plait dealer, tailor