Scope and Content
Recites:
Lease and release of 23 and 24 March 1729 [Z728/1]
Lease and release of 2 and 3 January 1730
i) John Pedley, yeoman and wife Katherine
ii) George, Viscount Torrington
consideration - £850
i) release to ii)
- messuage or farmhouse and dovehouse in Clifton
- homestall adjoining to orchard of said messuage (2 acres)
- other pightle (3 x ½ acre)
- 75 acres in common fields
covenant to levy fine
Fine of Hilary term 4 George II
Assignment of mortgage of 4 January 1730/1 [Z728/2]
Will of Viscount Torrington of 8 July 1732 [Z728/3]
Bargain and sale of 30 January 1732
a) Pattee, Viscount Torrington, George Byng, esquire, his brother
b) Francis Welles, gentleman
c) Jonathan Ward, esquire
Pattee in consideration of 5s and for barring all estates tail in George Byng etc. bargained and sold to b)
- all premises in Clifton wherein Pattee had any estate of inheritance or freehold
to intent to make b) a tenant to the freehold against whom a common recovery with voucher of George Byng should be suffered before end of the present Hilary term
to hold to such uses as a) should direct and to uses in will of George, Viscount Torrington deceased
Recovery of Hilary Term 6 George II
Bargain and sale of 2 March 1832
I) Pattee, Viscount Torrington, George Byng
II) Margaret, Viscountess Dowager Torrington, Robert Byng, John Byng, Edward Byng, brothers of said Viscount
III) Thomas Corbett, esquire, William Corbett, esquire
In pursuance of the intentions of the late Viscount Torrington, and for settling the manors
I) confirm to III)
- premises in Clifton (50 acres) in occupation of William Lisles, and purchased from Mary Lee
-75 acres in common field of Clifton in occupation of John Pedley and purchased on 2 and 3 January 1730
to be held by III) to intent that said Margaret should receive £100 per annum
reciting other remainders
provisions for jointures and portions
Lease and release of 4 and 5 April 1733 [Z738/4]
Articled of agreement of 9 August 1736 being the marriage settlement between Colonel George Byng and Elizabeth Daniel, niece of Richard Master. If Pattee, Viscount Torrington should die without issue and title descend to said George, then said Elizabeth should receive annuity of £600 per annum charged on the freehold estate with the payment of £5000 to be raised for the younger children. Also Elizabeth should not receive the interest for £4000 (part of her fortune) but the same, if she survive said George, together with the interest of the £5000 (total £9000) should be used for the maintenance of the younger children. Said £5000 to be divided between them at 21
Assignment of 5 June 1740
A) Richard Lee, gentleman, eldest son of Mathew Lee, gentleman, by Margaret his wife, also deceased
B) Edward Lee, gentleman, The Reverend Edward Miles, clerk and wife Mary (said Edward and Mary being the only surviving children of said Mathew and Margaret)
C) Pattee, Viscount Torrington
reciting that Richard Lee deceased, grandfather of A), was by a lease of 18 June 1652 and of the Assignment thereof possessed of the remainder of a term of 500 years
also reciting marriage settlement of 24 December 1694 between Mathew Lee and Mary Rudd. In consideration of £800 which William Rudd, father of Mary, was to pay for her marriage portion, Richard Lee assigned to trustees
- messuage in Clifton lately erected by him
- close pasture adjoining on E. called Bilberry House Close (10 acres) in occupation of said Richard
- pasture on W. side called Home Close (4 acres) then in occupation of Peter Ivory
- meadow at N. end of Berry Close called Spencers Mead (2 acres) then in occupation of Peter Ivory
- Flagg Mead Close (3 acres) in occupation of John Samms
- Berry Mead (16 acres)
- Chappell Mead (15 acres)
- Long Close (8 acres)
- Bilberry House Close (8 acres)
- close of pasture ploughed up by Peter Ivory (6 acres)
- Henlow Close in Hitchin Close (8 acres)
- Swallow Bush in Shefford Close (7 acres)
to hold for remainder of said term on various trusts
A) has now entered on the premises and has attained 21
by assignment of 29 July 1730 A) assigned to George late Viscount Torrington all said property for £600 for residue of term of 500 years subject to redemption on payment of £615. Default made in payment so legal estate in said premises became vested in Viscount Torrington for remainder of term
Said George Viscount Torrington and C) have advanced various sums to A) amounting to £968 (total £1568)
now A) in consideration of £1599..7s (i.e. £1568 and £31..7s for interest) due to C) and £800..13s paid to A) by C)
A) and B) assign to C)
- above property in Clifton
for remainder of term of 500 years
Lease and release of 23 and 24 November 1741
1) Sir Wolstan Dixie, baronet
2) Pattee, Viscount Torrington
3) Thomas Corbett
The inheritance of said property expectant upon on determination of said term of 500 years became vested in 1)
2) has applied to 1) for a release and conveyance of the fee simple
Said mortgage by reason of great length of time not being redeemable and of little or no value to 1)
now 1) at nomination of 2) releases to 3)
- messuages etc. and croft of land adjoining
- close pasture called Bakerswicke (8 acres)
- Sallow Bush Close (8 acres)
- 80 acres in common fields of Clifton
formerly in tenure of Michael Sheffield and then of John Whitebread
- other messuage once John Ravens
- 20 acres in common fields of Clifton
- Berry Mead (16 acres)
- 2 closes pasture called the 12 acres (12 acres)
- part Berry Close (3½ acres)
all formerly in tenure of Paul Fletcher
- Long Close (8 acres)
- part of Chappel Mead otherwise Scroops Mead (10½ acres)
- 30 acres arable lying in common fields of Clifton
once in tenure of Samime Hills
- other part of Chapell Mead otherwise Scrooper's Mead (10½ acres)
- Flagg Meadow (2 acres)
- 2 other parts of Berry Close (7 acres)
all once in occupation of Richard Jeggle
- messuage in occupation of Richard Dilley
- close adjoining (8 acres)
- Henlow Close (10 acres)
then in occupation of Walter Rolt
- messuage etc. and close adjoining (2½ acres)
late in occupation of George Taylor
- other messuage and close adjoining (3 acres)
late in occupation of John Etheridge
- Greenhills Close (6 acres) in occupation of Walter Rolt
- Greenhill Meadow (8 acres) in occupation of John Snoresby
- Round Mead (3 acres) once in occupation of Nicholas Haggis
- capital messuage with meadow etc. once in occupation of William Woodfield
all in Clifton, Meppershall, Netherstanden, Overstanden, Shefford, Millbrooke, Stamford and Dutton in Bedfordshire
to hold to use of 3) in trust for 2)
Lease and release of 4 and 5 June 1742
i) Pattee, Viscount Torrington, and Lady Charlotte his wife
ii) George Byng
iii) Charles Montagu
iv) Thomas Corbet
v) George Pocock, esquire, Edward Bramston, esquire
vi) William Daniel
reciting that i) were desirous and iii) consented, that such of premises in Clifton, Meppershall, Netherstanding, Overstanden, Shefford, Millbrook, Stamford and Dunton comprised in term of 500 years as purchased by i) for £2400 conveyed to iv) in trust, and also property purchased of John Mathew and wife Elizabeth for £140, should be settled
Also i) out of affection for his issue etc. and also desirous that premises in above places comprised in said 500 years as were purchased for £1600 by George, Viscount Torrington, his father, for residue of said term, were conveyed in trust for Pattee, and settled to the same uses without equivalent for the same to be paid out of £8000
now premises were conveyed to v) for various uses, and to vi) for residue of said 500 years in trust to attend the inheritance. Premises purchased of John Mathews and wife were conveyed to v) to various uses. Premises granted to v) were granted to uses as in marriage settlement.
Also to uses limited to manors of Westhay and Faldo to take effect after death of George Byng. Uses in term of 1000 years for younger children of i)
Appointment of 1 August 1747
a) George Viscount Torrington, and Lady Elizabeth his wife
b) Sir Danvers Osborne, baronet, and William Daniel, esquire
reciting that Pattee, Viscount Torrington, died in February 1747 without issue. Brother a) became entitled to the premises subject to rent charge of £400 to Lady Margaret Torrington, and £400 and £700 to Lady Charlotte
a) have issue - an eldest son and the Honourable John Byng
now to provide a jointure for Lady Elizabeth
Viscount Torrington appoints to Lady Elizabeth
- Pedleys Farm in occupation of William Lyles, containing
- pasture and dovehouse (4 acres)
- Butts Close (1 acre)
- meadow in Stanford Holme (5 acres 9 perches)
- 25 perches meadow in Brook Furlong Meadow
- 2 roods in Hill Field
- 7½ acres in Green Knoles
- 13 acres 3½ roods arable in Hocfield
- 21 acres in Eastfield
- 36 acres 1½ roods
- 35 acres 3 roods in Hitchin Field
- Mathews Farm in occupation of Abraham Whiston, containing
- Bakerswick (8 acres)
- Great Greenhills (5 acres)
- Little Greenhills (3 acres)
- 3 perches lammas Sward in Start Meadow
- 13 perches of Lammas Sward in Brook Meadow
- 158 acres in common fields of Clifton
- Berry Farm or Lees Farm in Clifton in occupation of Samuel Neal, containing
- Bilberry Close adjoining on E. (10 acres)
- Home Close on W. (4 acres)
- Spencer's Mead on N. (2 acres)
- Hagg Mead (3 acres)
- Berry Mead (16 acres)
- Chappell Mead (15 acres)
- Hay Close (8 acres)
- Bilberry House Close (8 acres)
- close next above (6 acres)
- Henlow Close in Hitchinfield (8 acres)
- Sallow Bush Close in Shefford Field (7 acres)
all above are in Clifton, Meppershall, Netherstanden, Overstanden, Shefford, Millbrook, Stamford and Dunton
to hold to Elizabeth, Viscountess Torrington, from death of her husband for her jointure and in bar of dower
also said George, Viscount Torrington, to make provision for his younger children, limits and appoints to b)
- aforementioned premises, subject to said rent charges
to hold for 500 years at peppercorn rent
on trust to provide £5000 as potion for younger children
George, Lord Torrington, died on 7 April 1750. His widow died in 1759
Bargain and sale of 29 January 1762
(enrolled in Chancery, 8 February 1762) [Z728/6]
Exemplification of Recovery of Hilary Term 2 George III
I) Edward Dickinson, demandant
II) William Daniel, tenant
III) Lord Torrington, vouchee
relating to before mentioned premises in Clifton
Mortgage of 6 July 1765 [Z728/7]
Demise of 6 July 1765
A) George Viscount Torrington
B) John Hewitt Hagar, esquire
C) Honourable John Byng, esquire, brother of A)
reciting that A) has lately borrowed £2000 from C) and entered into a bond with him for £4000 and interest at 4% per annum
A) to better secure repayment of said £2000 and interest, demised at request of C) to B)
- Gastlings and Duxell End Farms in Southill
term - 400 years
to be redeemed on payment of £2000 and £40 in January next
B) declares that said £2000 is money of C) and that his name is only used in trust for C) and will assign premises to C) for remainder of said term, if requested
Lease and release of 8 and 9 July 1765 [recited in Z728/8]
Charge of 1766
i) George Viscount Torrington
ii) John Byng
iii) William Daniel
iv) Thomas Lambard, esquire
consideration - £2000 paid to i) by iv)
i) charges and demises to iv)
- part of premises in above Release in parish of Wardey
term - 250 years
If any sale is made of premises in Release of 9 July 1765 then £2000 of proceeds to be paid to iv)
Interest at £4..10s% per annum
also ii) and iii) assign the premises demised to iv) for residue of term of 500 years in deed of 1 August 1747 and to give said £2000 a preference in payment to £5000
Settlement of 9 March 1767
a) John Byng
b) Arthur Forrest, esquire, Bridget Forrest, his eldest daughter
c) George Viscount Torrington
d) William Daniel
e) Edmund Earl of Corke and Orrery, John Loveday, esquire
marriage was intended between a) and Bridget Forrest
a) had intended to assign £3000, part of his portion of £500, to e) on trusts for that purpose
now a) with consent of c) and d) transfers to e)
- said £3000 and interest
to hold on various trusts and conditions
Assignment of 24 February 1768
I) John Hewitt Hagar, Honourable John Byng
II) George Viscount Torrington
III) Edward Dickinson, esquire
now said Honourable John Byng, in consideration of £2000, at request of II) paid by III) and 5s to John Hewitt Hagar
said John Hewitt Hagar, at request of John Byng and II) assigns to III)
- premises in mortgage of 6 July 1765
to hold for residue of term of 400 years
Deed poll of 24 February 1768 by which Edward Dickinson declares that said £2000 was the money, not of himself, but of Viscount Torrington, and he will assign the premises for the residue of said term to Viscount Torrington, if requested
Assignment of 24 February 1768
1) John Byng
2) Viscount Torrington
3) William Daniel Master (formerly William Daniel)
4) Edward Dickinson
now 1) irrevocably 4) as his attorney to sue for and recover from 2) £2000, part of said £5000
also 3) covenants that he will stand possessed of the premises comprised in term of 500 years for residue of said term
in trust, as to £3000, for the purposes in deed of 9 March 1767, and as to £2000 in trust for 4)
Deed poll of 24 February 1768 by which Edward Dickinson declares that said £2000 was the proper money of Lord Torrington, and that he will, if requested, transfer said £2000 to said Lord Torrington
The Case
Mr Astley has verbally purchased from Lord Torrington, the farms etc., mentioned in particulars annexed, at £7100, and is ready to pay if Lord Torrington can give him a title
Above abstract is believed to relate to other estates than those purchased by Mr Astley, and his Lordship's steward's help may be needed to distinguish them
Mr Madocks is requested to advise whether his Lordship can make a good title to the purchaser
With copy of Mr Madock's answer
Does not appear that certain deeds do comprehend the title of the estate to be purchased by Mr Astley. Should be stated how long the vendor's family have been in receipt of the rents. Other deeds should be looked for as probable that some parts of the estates being included in conveyances of other parts
Thinks a good title may be made. Does not understand how Pattee and his brother were tenants for life. However Recovery suffered by present Lord Torrington has cured that irregularity
Conveyances must begin by reciting settlement of 1765, and Lord Corke, Mr John Byng and Mr George Byng, with consent of Viscount Torrington, are to be the conveying parties, and Mr John Byng and Lord Corke and Mr Loveday must join in a Release to the purchaser of his £5000 portion, and Mr Harris must assign his term to a trustee for the purchaser.
signed by John Madocks, Lincoln's Inn
21 Sep 1769
The Case
Query. Whether Lord Cork, John Byng and George Byng can, with consent of Lord Torrington (by virtue of power in settlement of 1765) make a good title to the purchaser of the Clifton estate
And is draft of deed 'left herewith' a proper deed to vest use of purchased premises in Mr Astley and his heirs, the consideration money being paid by Mr Astley to Lord Corke, John Byng and George Byng
With copy of Mr Duane's answer
A power of selling similar to that in the marriage settlement is now generally vested in all settlements. Has never heard validity of it disputed. Therefore conveyance that has been prepared is 'very proper'
signed by Mathew Duane, Lincoln's Inn
14 Feb 1770
Lease and release of 25 and 26 February 1770 [recited in Z728/8]
Bargain and Sale (enrolled in Chancery 20 August 1770)
i) George Viscount Torrington
ii) Edmund, Earl of Cork and Orrery, John Byng, George Byng
iii) Richard Astley
Consideration - £7100 paid to ii) by iii) at request of i)
- premises in Clifton
to use of iii) for ever
Assignment of 26 February 1770 [Z728/8]
Will of Richard Astley of 14 April 1770 [Z728/9]
Will proved 13 February 1778
Will of William Yates, Edmonton, Middlesex
... to John Yates, Charterhouse Square, London, grocer, and William Loveday, same place, oilman
- all his property at Clifton or elsewhere in Bedfordshire
on trust to pay proceeds to testator's wife, Elizabeth Yates, for life, and after her death, on trust for sale
said John Yates and William Loveday appointed executors
Administration, with will annexed of above, granted by Prerogative Court of Canterbury, on 10 January 1788, to widow Elizabeth Yates
Lease and release of 9 and 10 October 1797 [Z728/10]
Assignment of 10 October 1797
a) Rene Payne, Lothbury, London, esquire, Joseph Nutt, London, esquire (executors of will of Edward Payne, late of Kings Arms
Yard, Coleman Street, London, esquire, who was surviving executor named of Francis Buxton, late of Tooks Court, London, gentleman deceased)
b) John Yates
c) Lord Ongley
d) John Harvey, esquire
Francis Buxton, to whom premises were assigned for remainder of terms of 1000 years and 500 years in trust for Richard Astley, has died. By his will he appointed Edward Payne and Henry Spencer executors, who proved same in Prerogative Court of Canterbury. Edward Spencer died in lifetime of Edward Payne, who is also dead
now a) at request of b) and appointment of c) assign to d)
- premises as in last recited lease and release
to hold for residue of said terms of 1000 and 500 years
in trust for c)
Deed of covenants of 19 January 1798 [Z728/11]
Lease and release of 15 and 16 June 1800 [recited in Z728/12]
Lease and release of 17 and 18 June 1800 [Z728/12]
[also reciting]
Lease and release of 30 and 31 December 1700
I) Powlett, Earl of Bolingbroke, Lord St John of Bletsho
II) Samuel Ongley, London, merchant
by which I) released to II)
- divers Manors, capital and other messuages, farms etc. in Warden, Stampford, Southill, Shefford, Broom, Campton, Meppershall and Clifton, but the piece of meadow now called the Droves was not particularly specified
Lease and release of 9 and 10 August 1720
1) Thomas Baldwyn, gentleman, Jonathan Baldwyn, gentleman
2) Sir Samuel Ongley, Old Warden, knight
by which 1) release to 2)
- tithes and tenths of corn, grain and hay and wood from Stamford and Stamford Bury in Southill
- Rectory and tithes in Stamford and Stamford Bury
to hold to use of 2) for ever
Will of Sir Samuel Ongley of 10 June 1725 ( proved Prerogative Court of Canterbury)
... to nephew Samuel Ongley for life
- dwelling house at Warden
- annuity of £500, chargeable out of rents of Manor and lands in Bedfordshire as a provision for him and his sister Judith Ongley till her portion of £5000 should become payable
...nephew Nicholas Godschall, London, merchant, and Robert Henley, St Clement Danes, Middlesex, gentleman
- freehold and copyhold Manors, lands etc.
on trust to permit Samuel Ongley to receive the rents for his life, and then to his sons, in tail male. In default of such issue, then to Robert Henley and wife Anne, for life, and then their son John Henley and his sons in tail male, in default to Samuel Henley and sons in tail male, then to Robert Henley, their third son etc.
Samuel Ongley died without having had a son
Robert and Anne Henley are dead
John and Samuel Henley died infants without issue
Robert Henley came into possession of the estates and took the name of Ongley in addition. He was created Baron Ongley. He married Frances Gosfright and died in 1785 leaving 2 sons, present Lord Ongley born 3 October 1771 and Samuel Henley Ongley, esquire, and 4 daughters
Lease and release of 8 and 9 November 1792
i) Robert, Lord Ongley
ii) Mordaunt Lawson Clennell, Staples Inn, London, gentleman
iii) George Edwards, Henlow, esquire
to bar all estates tail and vesting in fee simple in i)
i) released to ii)
- farms, lands etc. in Stamford and Stamford Bury in Southill, to which piece of land exchanged under said Inclosure Act belonged
- piece of meadow or sward ground called the Droves (2 acres) in Clifton, in occupation of John Arch
to intent that ii) might become tenant of the freehold for suffering a good common recovery in which iii) was to be demandant and i) the party vouchee
to use of i) for ever
Recovery of Michaelmas term 33 George 3
Enclosure award of 11 December 1800 by which the Commissioners set out to Lord Ongley from the estate of William Horne and wife Ann and Arthur Bold and wife Martha
- pieces of ground (1 acre 3 roods 32 perches) in common fields of Clifton, and timber
--- In Upper Ryelands Furlong
----- one land (1 rood 25 perches)
N. and S. Lord Ongley
----- one land more ( 1 rood 17 perches)
N. Lord Ongley
S. James Whittingstall
--- In Greenhill Furlong at Shefford Lane End and running across the road from Shefford to Clifton
----- 2 lands lying together with the grass at the N. end (3 roods 22 perches) with the pollard and other trees standing thereon
E. Lord Ongley
W. - Dixie
----- one land (1 rood 8 perches) abutting S. on the Shefford Road
E. Lord Ongley
W. Simpson Anderson, esquire
in lieu of certain tithes, lands etc. of Lord Ongley in Southill assigned by the Commissioners to William Horne and wife Ann and Arthur Bold and wife Martha [c.1800]
Endorsed 'received 1 July 1797. Sold by the Right Honourable Lord Ongley with other lands to Mr John Arch, 1804
For Mr Hindley, on behalf of the Right Honourable Lord Ongley'