Scope and Content
Parties:
(i) John Williamson of Baldock [Hertfordshire], esquire;
(ii) Rev John Alington, rector of Little Barford, eldest son of Rev William Alington of Twywell [Northamptonshire] by Sarah, his wife, deceased, who was eldest daughter of (i);
(iii) John Paxton of Saint Neots [Huntingdonshire], watchmaker;
(iv) William Alington;
(v) Rev Charles Atmore Ogilvie MA, fellow of Balliol College, Oxford;
(vi) William Medland of Saint Neots, gentleman
Operative Part:
- to make provision for (ii) and his family and to settle the freehold inheritance of Little Barford Manor and for 10/- paid him by (iii), (i) enfeoffed (a)-(n) to (iii)
Property:
(a) Manor of Berkford in Bedfordshire and Huntingdonshire;
(b) toft on which farmhouse in Little Barford and Eynesbury [Huntingdonshire]formerly in the occupation of Samuel Berry, since taken down, stood and is now laid into the farmyard of (c);
(c) farmhouse with dovehouse, barns, stables and outhouses;
(d) close of pasture of 12 acres, 1 rood, 32 perches, called Home Close or Dovehouse Close, (formerly several closes including toft where a farmhouse once stood [this may be (b) the wording is unclear], close of pasture of 5 acres, 3 roods, 3 perches, lane leading to and from Spring Close containing 1 acre, 1 rood, 11 perches and Spinney Close);
(e) old close of 10 acres, 1 rood, 11 perches adjoining (d) formerly Grove Close and Land Close but for many years laid into one close;
(f) three new closes of meadow adjoining each other containing 27 acres, 3 roods, 14 perches;
(g) new closes of arable adjoining each other and containing 201 acres, 3 roods, 13 perches in Topthorne Field;
(h) three new closes of arable containing 27 acres, 20 perches adjoining each other in North Field
(f)-(h) allotted to Henry Tingey in three allotments at Little Barford inclosure
(i) toft on which a cottage formerly stood formerly in the occupation of William Wheeler but since taken down, with yard, orchard and garden;
(j) old close of pasture called Print Close adjoining N side of (i);
(k) old close of pasture adjoining S of (i)
(i)-(k) contained 3 acres, 20 perches and for several years had formed one close opposite dwelling and garden late of William Mole containing 3 acres, 35 perches bounded N by Dolls Lane, W by high road leading through Little Barford to Tempsford all formerly in the occupation of William Mole now Thomas Fowler
(l) cottage divided into several tenements and close of pasture adjoining containing 2 acres heretofore in occupation of Thomas Adams;
(m) close of pasture adjoining (l) and containing 3 acres;
(n) land called Brook Street Lane
(l)-(n) were formerly in the occupation of Henry Adams, deceased, since James Page, now Thomas Fowler
Habendum:
- to (iii) to the use of (i) for ever to the intent that (i) may acquire absolute seizing for an estate of freehold and be enabled to levy a fine sur cognizance de droit come ceo etc to the use of (iv)
Agreement:
By (i)-(vi) that future fines to be levied would have the cognizee standing possessed to the use of (ii) for life, to the use of (v) for the life of (ii) in trust to preserve contingent remainders permitting (ii) to take rents and profits and after the death of (ii) to the use of the first son of (ii), in default of which, to each successive son of (ii), in default of which to all daughters of (ii) as tenants in common, to the use of (ii) for ever`
Provisos:
- (ii) to be able to lease the manor for up to 21 years;
- (iv), during the life of and with consent of (ii), may be able to sell parts of the manor
Witnesses:
- William Peppercorn of Saint Neots, solicitor;
- Edward Stratton, servant to John Alington;
- Thomas Baker of Little Barford, labourer