R6/19/2/6

Abstract of Title of Edward and Alfred Burton to freehold and leasehold property in Eversholt abstracted by Austin of Shefford

1854

From: 1765 To: 1854

(I) Marriage settlement of 5 January 1765 Parties: (1) John Gregory the elder of Eversholt, gentleman; John Gregory the younger of Eversholt, gentleman; (2) Mary Potts of Toddington, spinster; (3) Richard Medcraft of Westoning, gentleman; William Cooke of Milton Bryan, gentleman Reciting: - intended marriage between John Gregory the younger and (2); - (2) was entitled to £500 from several securities which John Gregory the younger accepted as her marriage portion; - (1) and (2) agreed to settle (a)-(z) in trust 1st Operative Part: - (3) paid 10/- to John Gregory the elder; - (1) released (a)-(k) to (3) Property: (a) messuage in which (1) dwelt in Berry End, Eversholt; (b) messuage in Berry End near (a) in occupation of Jacob Allen; (c) pightle of pasture in Eversholt adjoining (a) (d) four closes of pasture - Little Bitmore Close, Great Barns Close, Little Barns Close, Maddle Croft - totalling 17 acres; (e) close of pasture called Pond Close of 1 acre with Harts Close S and Harryes Gates N; (f) 1½ acres of pasture called previously Ten Lands inclosed with other leasehold lands of John Gregory and called Great Bitmores with close of Ambrose Reddall E, Smith W and The Haywood N; (g) 2 acres of pasture inclosed with part of 1½ acres of leasehold land of John Gregory formerly called Lower New Close, now Long Closes; (h) 2 acres of pasture in close lately called Upper New Close, then laid together with Long Close and containing 11 acres, 3 roods abutting highway to Berry End W and shooting down to Woburn Highway S; (i) 3 acres, 2 roods of arable and ley dispersed in common fields purchased by John Gregory the elder’s father from George Hootton on 30 April 1684; (j) a acres, 2 roods of arable dispersed in Stonhill Field purchased by John Gregory’s father from William Hillersden on 3 November 1701; (k) half acre in Stonhill Field with land of Ambrose Reddall both sides 2nd Operative Part: - (3) paid 10/- to John Gregory the elder; - (1) assigned (l)-(r) to (3) Property: (l) close of pasture called Copmore Close of 10 acres; (m) close of 2 acres abutting : SE on common highway ; SW Little Field close late of Thomas Hillersden, then Brewster in possession of William Pratt; NE Maddle Croft Lane; (n) pightle of pasture on 1½ acres next to Walls Green N on which a dovehouse was built; (o) 2 acres of pasture called 10 Lands Clay inclosed with freehold land of John Gregory the elder and called Great Bitmores with close of Ambrose Reddall E, Smith W and Haywood N; (p) leashold portion of Lower New Close, part of Long Close; (q) leasehold part of pasture called Upper New Close; (r) 1 acres of arable in west Field on Adder Hill; (s) ½ acre of arable in Stonehill Field ; (r) -(s) was, on 30 April 1684 purchased by John Gregory, father of John Gregory the elder from George Hootton for 850 years; (t) 3½ acres of arable in common fields of Eversholt demised by Sarah Gibbs to John Gregory on 11 October 1661 for 900 years; (u) ½ acre on Stonehill Field next to freehold land of John Gregory the elder W and Ambrose Reddall E Habendum - to John Gregory the elder until the marriage then, as regards (a) to the use of John Gregory the elder for life, he keeping it in good repair and after his death, as well as (b)-(k) to the use of John Gregory the younger for his life, to the use of (3) during the life of John Gregory the younger in trust allowing John Gregory the younger to take rents and profits and, after his death, to the use of (2) for her life as her jointure in lieu of dower, to the use of the children of John Gregory the younger and (2) as tenants in common, to the use of John Gregory the younger, his heirs and assigns Covenant - by John Gregory the elder with (3) to levy a fine sur cognizance de droit come ceo etc Further reciting: - bargain and sale of 12 March 1763 in which (1) Gregory Cooke bargained and sold to (2) John Gregory the younger (v) 2½ acres of arable with haydons lying together in Copmore Field in Neithermost Furlong (w) ½ acre in Copmore Field abutting N on headland of Ralph Reddel; (x) ½ acre abutting N on headland of Ralph Reddel; (y) 3 roods lying together in Ashwell Furlong abutting N on land of John Birte; (z) 3 ridges lying together in Copmore Field abutting W on ground of Stephen Rowland Further Operative Part: - (3) paid 10/- to John Gregory the younger; - John Gregory transferred (v)-(z) to (3) in trust Proviso - lawful for (3) to to sell and dispose of land during the lifetime of John Gregory and Mary Potts or the survivor, with their approbation (II) Fine sur cognizance de droit come ceo etc of Easter Term 1765 in which Richard Medcraft and William Cooke were plaintiffs and John Gregory the elder and younger were deforciants of 2 messuages, 2 cottages, 2 gardens, 30 acres of land, 10 acres of meadow, 30 acres of pasture and common of pasture for all cattle with appurtenances in Eversholt (III) Marriage of John Gregory the younger and Mary Potts at Toddington on 24 January 1765 (IV) Exchange of 10 October 1770 Parties: (1) Richard Medcraft and William Cooke; (2) John Gregory the younger of Toddington and Mary, his wife; (3) Ambrose Reddall of Eversholt, esquire Reciting: - (I); - (III); - (I) and (II) had agreed to make an exchange with (III) Operative Part: - (3) paid 10/- to (1) - (1), with approbation of (2) released (a) to (3); - (1) with approbation of (2) assigned (b) to (3); - (1) paid 10/- to (3); - (3) granted (c)-(f) to (1) Property: (a) 3 acres, 2 roods of freehold arable and ley dispersed in the common field of Eversholt [(i) in (I) above]; (b) 3 acres of leasehold arable dispersed in the common fields of Eversholt; (c) 2 acres in Copmore Close formerly in the occupation of John Daniel then inclosed with lands of John Gregory; (d) ½ acre of arable in West Field in Greenhill Furlong; (e) 5 acres of arable in Stonehill Field inclosed with lands of John Gregory in a close called Martin Moore Close; (f) piece of inclosed sweard of 1 rood in Berry End formerly part of Harts Pightle and inclosed in a close of John Gregory (V) Death of William Cooke on 21st March 1771 and burial at Milton Bryan (VI) Will of Richard Medcraft of 18 February 1777 appointing his son Nathan sole executor; proved in Archdeaconry of Bedford 21 April 1777 (VII) Death of Richard Medcraft on 24 February 1777 and burial at Westoning (VIII) Will of Nathan Medcraft of Westoning of 21 September 1785 appointing John Gregory the younger and testator’s son John Medcraft as executors; proved in PCC 27 May 1790 by John Gregory alone (IX) Lease and Release of 1 April 1791 Parties: (1) Ermin Susannah Cressy of Bedford, widow (relict, devisee in trust ane executrix of John Cressy of Bedford, farmer; John Edwards of Silsoe, carrier (devisee in trust and executor of John Cressy); (2) Judith Walduck late of Maulden, then of Ampthill, widow; (3) John Gregory of Eversholt Operative Part: - (1) and (2) released (a) to (3) for £800 Property (inter alia): (a) close of pasture called Woodcroft of 6 acres (X) Inclosure award of Eversholt of 28 July 1808 allotting to Mary Gregory, widow: - (a) land in Berry End consisting of two old inclosures called Upper Hays Gate and Lower Hays Gate which belonged to Duke of Bedford; an old inclosure called Walls Green which belonged to the Trustees of the Town Estates; piece of common land - altogether containing 7 acres, 3 roods, 18 poles bounded: E by Ridgmont Road; NW, E and N by old inclosures of Dame Elizabeth Monoux; S and W by old inclosure of Mary Gregory; - (b) land at Higher Berry End consisting of an old inclosure called Woodcroft of John Gregory (son of Mary Gregory) of 4 acres, 3 roods, 25 poles exclusive of any right of way for Mary Gregory along adjoining land of Duke of Bedford adjoining Park Wall bounded: NW and SW by old inclosures of the duke; SE by old inclosure called Little Field of Lewis; SE and NE by old inclosures of Mary Gregory (XI) Will of Mary Gregory of 5 August 1817 devising to her son John all premises in occupation of Jeams Potts except Martin More Close which she devised to grandson John Purratt, daughter Sarah Welch and daughter Elizabeth Potts, provided they bore the expense of her funeral and paid her debts; devising to her son John the house where she lived with all furniture and linen and making son-in-law John Welch sole executor - proved in Archdeaconry of Bedford 23 October 1823 (XII) Letters of administration of effects of John Gregory, son of Mary granted by Archdeaconry of Bedford to his sisters Sarah Welch and Elizabeth Potts (XIII) Deed to lead to the uses of a fine of 6 May 1833 Parties: (1) John Purrett of Tebworth, farmer and Elizabeth, his wife; (2) John Welch of Battlesden, farmer and dairyman and Sarah, his wife; (3) Elizabeth Potts of Eversholt, widow; (4) Charles Willis of Winslow [Buckinghamshire], gentleman Reciting: - (I); - (1)-(3) wished to limit and assure freehold lands below and had agreed to levy a fine sur cognizance de droit come ceo etc; Operative Part: - (4) paid 10/- to (1)-(3); - (1)-(3) covenanted with (4) to levy a fine sur cognizance de droit come ceo etc to destroy all estates in tail and barring dower of Elizabeth Purrett on (a)-(i) Habendum: - one third to use of appointments by John Purrett, to the use of John Purrett for life, to the use of (4) during the life of John Purrett in trust for John Purrett, to the use of the heirs of John Purrett - one third to use of appointments by (2), to the use of (2) for life, to the use of (4) during the life of(2) in trust for (2), to the use of the heirs of (2) - one third to use of appointments by (3), to the use of (3) for life, to the use of (4) during the life of (3) in trust for (3), to the use of the heirs of (3) Property: (a) farm house in Higher Berry End, Eversholt, formerly in the occupation of John Gregory the elder, and John Gregory the younger wth a garden and yard; (b) messuage and garden in Berry End near (a) formerly in the occupation of Jacob Allen, then Elizabeth Potts; (c) old close of pasture previously called Maddle Croft alias Marle Croft and then called Dovehouse Close containing 6 acres, 3 roods, 14 poles; (d) pightle of pasture containing 2 roods, 22 poles; (e) pightle of pasture called The Green of 1 roods, 26 poles; (f) orchard or pasture of 1 acre, 1 rood, 35 poles exclusive of a lane or common which had been added to it; (g) old close of pasture called Barn Close of 5 acres, 2 roods, 30 poles exclusive of Lower Hayes Gate and Walls Green which now formed part of it (h) land in Berry End consisting of two old inclosures called Upper Hays Gate and Lower Hays Gate which belonged to Duke of Bedford; an old inclosure called Walls Green which belonged to the Trustees of the Town Estates; piece of common land - altogether containing 7 acres, 3 roods, 18 poles bounded: E by Ridgmont Road; NW, E and N by old inclosures of Dame Elizabeth Monoux; S and W by old inclosure of Mary Gregory; (i) land at Higher Berry End consisting of an old inclosure called Woodcroft of John Gregory (son of Mary Gregory) of 4 acres, 3 roods, 25 poles exclusive of any right of way for Mary Gregory along adjoining land of Duke of Bedford adjoining Park Wall bounded: NW and SW by old inclosures of the duke; SE by old inclosure called Little Field of Lewis; SE and NE by old inclosures of Mary Gregory - (h)-(i) with 2 other plots, were on inclosure of Eversholt awarded to Mary Gregory; - (a)- (i) in occupation of Samuel Harris (XIV) Fine sur cognizance de droit come ceo etc of 1833 (XV) will of John Purrett, maltster, of 18 June 1833 devising messuage in Berry End in occupation of Samuel Harris, cottage in Berry End in occupation of Elizabeth Potts and all land in Eversholt in occupation of Samuel Harris to his wife Elizabeth and brother Thomas in trust for sale; bequeathing to the executors all money arising from the sale of leasehold land. Proviso that if testator entered any agreements for sale the executors should concur and stand possessed of sale monies - proved in PCC 14 February 1834 (XVI) R6/19/2/2 (XVII) R6/19/2/3 (XVIII) Letters of Administration of 15 April 1835 granted by Archdeaconry of Bedford reciting: - (I), (VII) and (VIII); - that John Medcraft survived John Gregory then died without having proved the will of Nathan Medcraft; will of John Medcraft of 23 February 1797 appointing his sister Sarah, who later married Ezra Eagles, sole executrix, she proving the will in PCC on 30 September 1797; - letters of administration of the estate of Richard Medcraft granted by Archdeaconry of Bedford in April 1810 to Sarah Eagles; that Sarah Eagles had recently died; that neither Nathan Medcraft, John Gregory nor Sarah Eagles had disposed the leasehold property vested in Richard Medcraft and William Cooke in trust; - the leasehold property of Richard Medcraft had become vested in John Welch and Sarah, his wife, Elizabeth Potts, Thomas Purrett, Elizabeth Purrett and Mary Purrett and there was no legal personal representative of Richard Medcraft and that John Welch and Sarah, his wife, Elizabeth Potts, Thomas Purrett, Elizabeth Purrett and Mary Purrett could not make a legal title for want of a personal representative of Richard Medcraft; - Operative Part: that administration of the estate of Richard Medcraft was granted to John Green (XIX) Affidavit of John Welch of 14 April 1835 regarding John Gregory and Mary, his wife (née Potts): - they had four children - John Gregory of Eversholt who died an intestate bachelor; Mary who married John Purrett of Tebworth, yeoman; Sarah who married John Welch; Elizabeth who married and was now widow of James Potts, late of Eversholt, farmer; - he was intimately acquainted with John Purrett and Mary, his wife, John Purrett, Thomas Purrett and Mary Purrett who were the only issue of their marriage; - Mary Purrett died in the life time of her husband leaving John Purrett, eldest son and heir-at-law who died in November 1833 and carried on business of farmer and maltster in Tebworth (XX) R6/19/2/4 (XXI) R6/19/2/5

item

Burton, Edward,
Burton, Alfred,
Austin, George,
Gregory, John,
Potts, Mary,
Gregory, Mary,
Medcraft, Richard,
Cooke, William,
Allen, Jacob,
Reddall, Ambrose,
Smith,
Hootton, George,
Hillersden, William,
Brewster,
Pratt, William,
Reddel, Ralph,
Birte, John,
Rowland, Stephen,
Cooke, Gregory,
Daniel, John,
Medcraft, Nathan,
Cressy, Ermin Susannah,
Cressy, John,
Edwards, John,
Walduck, Judith,
Monoux, Elizabeth,
Purratt, John,
Welch, Sarah,
Gregory, Sarah,
Potts, Elizabeth,
Gregory, Elizabeth,
Welch, John,
Willis, Charles,
Harris, Samuel,
Medcraft, Sarah,
Eagles, Sarah,
Eagles, Ezra

EVERSHOLT, Eversholt Ridgmont Road, Eversholt Higher Berry End Farm, Eversholt Higher Berry End, marriage settlements, Eversholt fields, town and local roads, specific marriages, Eversholt Maddle Croft Lane, Eversholt Adder Hill, deaths, burial, MILTON BRYAN, WESTONING, wills, widow, farmer, administrations, dairyman, maltster