Manor and Borough of Rusthall in the Hundred of Watchlingstone.
View of Frankpledge and Court Baron of Francis Dashwood Knight and Baronet,
Lord of the said Manor, held there on 5 September and continued to 6 September
1716 before Thomas Medley, Esq., Steward.
[View of Frankpledge]
Headborough: William Welford, Headborough, appeared.
Ale Taster: James Latter, Ale Taster, appeared.
Keeper of the Pound [Custos Parci] : Edmund Baker was the Keeper but is now
dead.
Jurors: William Welford, Richard Fry, Wiliam Jeffery, Thomas Appleby, William
Weller, William Hollamby, Thomas Hollamby, John Hollamby, Edward Jarret, Michael
Elmes, Edward Allen, Joseph Maynard, William Canfield, Joseph Brackpool, William
Maynard, William Crisp, John Wood, Charles Speed, Richard Brooker, Samuel Waghorne,
John Mercer, Henry Adams, Robert Mercer.
Election of Headborough:
the Jury aforesaid nominate Thomas Humphrey and John Kippingham to the office
of Headborough for the ensuing year, and the said Thomas Humphrey is elected,
and sworn into office by the Steward.
Election of Ale Taster:
the Jury nominate William Jeffery for the office of Ale Taster, and he is elected
and sworn by the Steward well to execute his office.
Now of the Court Baron.
Bailiff: Richard Taylor gentleman appeared by William Baker his deputy.
Bedell: Elias Gilbert appeared.
Homage: Richard Fry, Michael Elmes, Edward Allen, William Weller, William Jeffery,
William Baker, William Baines, William Hollamby, John Bassett, Isaac Luckhurst,
Thomas Hollamby, William Welford, John Mercer, William Coife, Edward Jarrett,
Samuel Waghorne, John Wool.
[ Note: the first entry is given in full, to show the way in which presentments
were made; subsequent entries are abstracted, with details of quitrents and
Reliefs. I have however noted the few significant deviations from the common
form - two references to Dead Heriots, and one entry mentioning the seizure
of a cow value £3 as a Heriot. ]
Death of --- Smith, Esq. The Homage present that --- Smith Esq., who held of
the Lord of this Manor as of the Manor aforesaid freely to him and his heirs
by Fealty, Suit of Court, Heriot and Relief when it happens, and by the annual
quitrent of 8d., a piece or parcel of land called Old Reed alias Hollow Reed
containing by estimation 10 acres more or less, lying near Rusthall in Speldhurst
adjacent to the land of Thomas Moon, formerly being the land of Robert Smith
Esq., has died. Heriot due, being the best beast belonging to the said --- Smith
Esq. at the time of his death. Relief, 2d., being one quarter of the rent. Sydney
Smith, a child aged 10 years, is his only son and heir. The Bailiff is ordered
to distrain on the said land for the Relief.
Recognition of John Bassett. To this Court came John Bassett, who is recognised
as tenant at a quitrent of two shillings and threepence halfpenny of a messuage,
a barn and several pieces of land containing 30 acres in Speldhurst, formerly
the lands of John Silcocks, and he made his Fealty.
Recognition of Richard Fry. To this Court came Richard Fry, who is recognised
as tenant at a quitrent of seven shillings and twopence halfpenny altogether
of four tenements, now separate, by four separate quitrents of four shillings
and ninepence halfpenny, seventeen pence, seven pence and five pence, with several
pieces of land adjoining called Mitchells and Broadfields, containing by estimation
80 acres in Speldhurst, formerly the holdings of Thomas Fry his father, and
he made his Fealty.
Death of Richard Chiverton, Knight. Richard Chiverton, Knight, who held by quitrent
of 20 pence a messuage and several pieces of land called Godlys containing by
estimation 30 acres in Speldhurst has died - Relief 5d.
--- formerly the wife of John Charlton Esq., ----, now or formerly the wife
of Andrew Charlton Esq. and ---, now or formerly the wife of Daniel Nicolls
Esq. are his daughters and coheirs. The Bailiff is to distrain for Relief etc.
Alienation of Charlton and others to John Brett. The said John Charlton and
--- his wife, Andrew Charlton and --- his wife and Daniel Nicolls and ---- his
wife formerly alienated (as it is said) a tenement called Blackhouse and two
rods of land lying near Rusthall in Speldhurst, being parcel of lands called
Godlys, to John Brett gentleman and his heirs. The quitrent is apportioned in
Court at 2d. Relief a halfpenny for which the Bailiff is to distrain.
Recognition of Thomas Hollamby. To this Court came Thomas Hollamby who is recognised
as tenant at a quitrent now apportioned in court of 14d., of a messuage, a barn
and several pieces of land containing by estimation 7 acres near Lockyers Gate
in Speldhurst, formerly the holding of Thomas Bourne. He paid threepence halfpenny
relief, and made his Fealty.
Alienation - William Weller to George Hooper. William Weller held by quitrent,
now apportioned in Court at 6d., two pieces of land being parcel of lands formerly
Bournes, containing by estimation 4 acres, near Lockyers Gate in Speldhurst.
He has alienated it to George Hooper of Tunbridge gentleman and his heirs -
Relief one penny halfpenny, for which the Bailiff is to distrain.
Recognition of Nicolas Wood. To this Court came Nicolas Wood who is recognised
as tenant , holding to him and his two sons and heirs by quitrent now apportioned
in Court at 4d. a parcel of land formerly Bournes, called Jacksons Croft, containing
by estimation one acre and one rod, lying near to Rusthall in Speldhurst. He
paid 1d. Relief and made his Fealty.
Recognition of Susan Baker, spinster. To this Court came Susan Baker spinster
who is recognised as tenant at a quitrent now apportioned in Court at 10d. for
3 pieces of land formerly Bournes, containing 5 acres, lying by the lane leading
from Rusthall to Farneham She paid twopence halfpenny Relief and made her Fealty.
Recognition of William Welford. To this Court came William Welford and was recognised
as tenant at a quitrent now apportioned in Court of a penny halfpenny of a parcel
of land formerly Bournes containing one rod, on which a house called by the
name of "le Hand and Scepter" has been built, lying between Rusthall
and Lockyers Gate in Speldhurst. He paid a halfpenny Relief and made his Fealty.
Alienation of Jefferey to Edward Allen. Reuben Jefferey held a tenement and
3 rods of land near Lockyers Gate in Speldhurst by quitrent of twopence farthing.
He has alienated the premises to Edward Allen of Tunbridge Walks and his heirs.
Relief - a halfpenny. Edward Allen was present in Court and made his Fealty.
Death of Robert Hollamby. Robert Hollamby held by quitrent of two shillings
and threepence halfpenny a messuage, a barn and four hundred acres of land called
Great Dornden at Lockyers Gate in Speldhurst. He has died - Relief sixpence
halfpenny. By his will he left the premises to Ann his wife during the minority
of his son John, and then to the said John and his heirs. Ann has married John
Wool, and they were present in Court, paid the Relief and made Fealty.
Recognition of Edward Jarrett. Edward Jarrett is recognised at tenant of a messuage,
orchard and parcel of land containing by estimation 2 acres near Rusthall Common
in Speldhurst, by quitrent of 6d., formerly of John Mercer of Hartridge. He
was present in Court and made his Fealty.
Recognition of John Mercer. John Mercer is recognised as tenant of a moiety
of 7 acres of land on which a messuage and barn are now built, lying adjoining
Rusthall Common in Speldhurst, by a penny halfpenny quitrent, formerly of Thomas
Weller. John was present in Court and made his Fealty.
Alienation of Weller to John Mercer. Thomas Weller, who held by quitrent of
a penny halfpenny the other moiety of the said 7 acres of land, has alienated
it to John Mercer and his heirs - Relief a halfpenny. John Mercer was present
in Court and made his Fealty.
Recognition of William Weller. To this Court came William Weller and was recognised
as tenant of a messuage, garden, orchard and 8 pieces of land containing 17
acres near Rusthall in Speldhurst, formerly Curds, by quitrent of 21d.: also
3 other pieces called Clappers of 7 acres adjacent to Luggins Lane near Rusthall,
formerly Jeffereys, by quitrent of fourpence halfpenny. He made his Fealty.
Recognition of William Coife. To this Court came William Coife and was recognised
as tenant of several pieces of land containing 25 acres in Speldhurst by quitrent
of 21 and a half pence. He made his Fealty.
Recognition of John Hollamby. To this Court came John Hollamby and was recognised
as tenant of a messuage, barn and 8 acres of land held by quitrent of one penny
halfpenny, near Lockyers Gate beside [super] Rusthall Common in Speldhurst,
formerly Simons. He paid a halfpenny Relief and made his Fealty.
Death of John Fry. John Fry, who held by quitrent of 12d. a messuage, barn,
stable and 18 acres lying towards them [ ad inde spectam] in Speldhurst, formerly
the holding of Thomas Fry his father, has died - Heriot, the best beast, Relief
3d. By his will he devised the premises to Thomas Fry his son. The Bailiff is
to distrain for Relief.
Recognition of Edward Allen. To this Court came Edward Allen and Judith Allen
his sister, who were recognised as tenants by quitrent of 6d. of 8 acres of
woodland formerly part of the lands of John Fry aforesaid in Speldhurst, who
alienated it to the said Edward and Judith on 18 May, 3 William and Mary. The
said Edward Allen made his Fealty.
Alienation of Baines to Joseph Gascoigne gentleman. William Baines, who held
by quitrent of 6d. two pieces of land with a messuage erected thereon near Rusthall
Common in Speldhurst adjacent to land formerly of Edward Baker towards the north,
to Rusthall Common towards the east and to land of Thomas Weller and John Mercer
towards the south and west, alienated the premises on 10 April 1716 to Joseph
Gascoigne of the parish of St. Clement the Deacon [?] in the Duchy of Lancaster
[ de poch. Sti. Clementis Decanoq. in Ducas Lancastrie ] gentleman and his heirs.
Relief, a penny halfpenny. The said Joseph was present in Court, paid the Relief
and made his Fealty.
Licence for Joseph Gascoigne to dig turf. At this Court by the consent of the
Homage Joseph Gascoigne was given licence to dig turf on the Waste or Common
of the Lord to repair the piece of land called Rusthall Bowling Green, and he
paid a Fine of 6d.to the Lord [ effodend. petam sup. Commun. sive Vastum Dni.
Hujus Manerij p. repacon. et emendacon. eujusdam pecie terr. vocat Rusthall
Bowling Green Et Dat Dno. fine inde vid.]
Alienation of Willett to Henry Adams. Thomas Willett held, to him and his wife
Anne for life and to the heirs of the body of the said Thomas, by quitrent of
sevenpence halfpenny, a messuage, barn, garden, orchard and 5 pieces of land
lying towards them formerly called Allen Johns and now called Gibbs containing
6 acres, near the place now or formerly called Gibbs Cross between Rusthall
Common and Lankington Green in Speldhurst, formerly John Waghorne's. Thomas
and Ann have alienated the premises to Henry Adams and his heirs - Relief 2d.
Henry was in Court, paid the Relief and made his Fealty.
Recognition of Edward Allen. To this Court came Edward Allen; he and his sister
Judith were recognised as tenants of a piece of land of 2 acres in Speldhurst,
parcel of the aforesaid land called Allen Johns, formerly John Waghorne's, held
by quitrent of twopence halfpenny. Edward made his Fealty.
Death of Henry Constable. Henry Constable who held by quitrent of 2d. a messuage
and garden near Lower Green in Speldhurst, formerly Thomas Jefferys', has died.
Dead Heriot 3s.4d. because he had no live beast; Relief a halfpenny. By his
will he devised the premises to John Constable his son and his heirs. John was
present in Court, paid the Relief and made his Fealty.
Alienation of Crundwell to John Ketch. ... Crundwell who held by quitrent of
4d. a tenement and an acre of land on which a shop has been built [ sup. qm.
Shopa olim edificat] near Lower Green close to Rusthall Common in Speldhurst
, formerly the land of Edward Archer, has alienated the premises to John Ketch.
Relief, 1d. The said John was present in Court and made his Fealty.
Death of Mary Turner widow. Mary Turner widow held by quitrent of 20d. pieces
of land called Brickhall otherwise Brickilne and Curls Land containing 16 acres
lying in Farneham, and other lands called Mercers near Rusthall in Speldhurst
by quitrent of 5d., formerly the lands of John Turner. She has died - Relief
sixpence halfpenny.
John and Thomas Godden gentlemen of Croydon, Surrey, are her brothers and heirs.
The Bailiff is to distrain on these lands for the said Relief and for Fealty
to be made at the next Court.
Recognition of Francis Winnington. Francis Winnington of Broadway, Worcestershire,
Esquire now holds in right of Anne his wife, only daughter of William Jackson
gentleman, by quitrent of ninepence farthing, a messuage, stable, buildings
and four acres of land adjoining called the Rockhouse near Rusthall Common in
Speldhurst.
Recognition of Thomas Appleby. To this Court came Thomas Appleby and was recognised
as tenant of a moiety of a messuage or tenement , barn and half an acre of land
near Rusthall Common in Speldhurst, held by quitrent of twopence halfpenny.
He was present in Court and made his Fealty.
Recognition of Samuel Waghorne. To this Court came Samuel Waghorne and was recognised
as tenant of the other moiety of the said messuage or tenement, barn and half
acre of land. [ quitrent not given] He was present in Court and made his Fealty.
Death of Elizabeth Colbran widow. Elizabeth Colbran widow held by quitrent of
twopence halfpenny a tenement, barn and 5 acres of land adjoining at Dunny [sic]
Bottom near Rusthall Common in Speldhurst. She has died - Relief, three farthings.
By her will she devised the premises to Thomas and John Appleby her nephews
and their heirs and now it is ordered etc. [sic]
Alienation of Hopton to Brett and Wilding. Edward Hopton held by 12d. quitrent
a messuage, two barns and several pieces of land adjoining containing by estimation
20 acres. He has alienated the messuage, one barn and 7 acres to John Brett
gentleman and his heirs, the quitrent for which is apportioned in Court at 8d.
The said Edward Hopton has alienated the other barn and 5 acres of land to Thomas
Wilding and his heirs. The quitrent is apportioned in Court at 4d. Thomas Wilding
died before the holding of this Court and by his will he left the premises to
Thomas Wilding his eldest son who has also died - Relief 1d. Ann, now wife of
Isaac Luckhurst, is his only sister and heir. The said Isaac was present in
Court, paid the Relief and made his Fealty.
Death of Robert Hollamby. Robert Hollamby held by 12d. quitrent a messuage,
a barn and 4 parcels of land containing by estimation 9 acres at Lower Green
in Speldhurst, formerly the lands of Thomas Hunt deceased. Robert has died -
Relief 3d. By his will he left the premises to William Hollamby his eldest son
and his heirs, which William was in Court, paid the Relief and made his Fealty.
Death of Edmund Baker. Edmund Baker who held by quitrent of 12d. several parcels
of land formerly of Thomas Hunt, containing by estimation 12 acres at Lower
Green in Speldhurst has died - Heriot seized, a cow value £3; Relief 3d.
By his will Edmund left the premises to William Baker and his heirs. William
was present in Court, paid the Relief and did his Fealty.
The said Edmund Baker also held by quitrent of 3d. another piece of land formerly
of Thomas Hunt containing by estimation 2 acres at Bletchers bridge - Relief,
three farthings. By his will he devised the premises to Edmund, John, Walter
and Thomas Baker his nephews and their heirs and it is ordered etc. [sic]
The said Edmund Baker also held by quitrent of twopence halfpenny 3 tenements,
3 gardens, a stable, barn and 3 parcels of land containing by estimation 2 acres
near Rusthall Common in Speldhurst - Relief, three farthings. By his Will he
left the premises as follows -
one tenement to his son William Baker and his heirs:
another tenement and barn now in the occupation of Dorcas Baker widow to the
said Dorcas and her assigns for life and after her death to Edmund, John, Walter,
Robert and Thomas Baker his nephews and their heirs:
one other tenement and land and the rest of the premises to Susan Baker his
daughter and her heirs.
The said William Baker and Susan Baker were present in Court, paid the Relief
and made their Fealty.
Death of Edward Jeffery. Edward Jeffery held by quitrent of 19d. a messuage,
barn and several pieces of land called Butlers containing by estimation 20 acres
at Rusthall in Speldhurst, formerly the lands of William Jeffery his father.
He has died - a dead Heriot of 3s.4d. paid because he had no live beast; Relief
fourpence threefarthings. By his will dated 7 July 1715 he left the premises
to his son William Jeffery for life, with remainder to Edward Jeffery, eldest
son of the said William, and his heirs. William was present in Court, paid the
Relief and made his Fealty.
Death of John Jeffery. John Jeffery held by 13d. quitrent several parcels of
land containing by estimation 20 acres at Lower Green in Speldhurst, formerly
the lands of John Stace. He has died - Relief threepence farthing. Richard,
John, Henry and Thomas Jeffery are his sons and heirs and it is ordered etc.
[sic]
Death of Thomas Groombridge. Thomas Groombridge held by 3d. quitrent 3 parcels
of landing lying near land called Michells adjoining Gibbs Cross in Speldhurst
formerly the lands of -----. He has died - Relief three farthings. By his will
he devised the premises to Thomas Wales his kinsman and his heirs and it is
ordered etc. [sic]
Death of Reuben Jefferey. Reuben Jefferey who held by 9d. quitrent a messuage,
barn and garden near Lower Green in Speldhurst has died - Relief, twopence farthing.
By his will it is said that he devised the said premises to John Jefferey his
brother, and his heirs, and it is ordered etc. [sic]
Alienation of Leader to Samuel White. George Leader Esq. held by quitrent of
10d. [sic] a messuage, barn and 8 acres of land lying between Rusthall Common
and Lower Green in Speldhurst. He has alienated the premises to Samuel White
of Lothbury in the City of London, merchant and his heirs. Relief, twopence
farthing [sic] being a quarter of the quitrent. The Bailiff is ordered to distrain
for the Relief.
Recognition of Ann Moon widow. Ann Moon widow is recognised as holding by quitrent
of elevenpence halfpenny, to her and her assigns for life with remainder to
Thomas Moon her only son and heir, a messuage, barn and several parcels of land
adjoining containing [blank] acres near Rusthall Common in Speldhurst.
Presentments for Encroachments.
Debora White widow continues to use a smith's forge erected on Bishops Down,
being an Encroachment on the Waste of the Lord - fined 6d.
William Jeffery has erected a smith's forge upon Bishop's Down, being the Waste
of the Lord, without Licence or permission [concessione] of the Lord - fined
6d. The Bailiff is to command the said William to obtain licence from the Lord
before the next Court under pain of a fine of 12d.[ I am not sure if this is
a correct reading.]
Abraham Spooner gentleman has encroached on a parcel of land lying upon Bishop's
Down with posts, being part of the Waste of the Lord, without Licence or permission
- fined 6d. He is to remove the posts before Christmas next on pain of a fine
of 12d.
The bridge leading to the Chapel at Mount Sion and the fence adjoining the Common
are decayed by the fault of the tenants and occupants of land on Mount Sion
in Tunbridge , who are to repair them before Christmas next under pain of a
fine of 30s.
William Dewe Esq. formerly encroached on the Waste of the Lord and erected "Anglice
the Front of five houses" being six feet in length and seven feet high
[ ? - "sex pedes in latitud. apud un. finem inde et Septem pedes apud alter
finem " ] Fined 6d. If he continues this encroachment until the next Court
then a fine of 13s.4d. will be exacted.
Michael Elmes formerly encroached on the Waste of the Lord called Bishops Down
by erecting a shed [" Edificij vocat a Shed " ] without Licence from
the Lord. Fined 6d.
Samuel Shepherd Esq. enclosed parcels of the Waste of the Lord and formerly
erected a messuage, stables and other buildings without Licence or Concession.
Fined 6d. The Bailiff is to command him to remove the buildings before the next
Court upon pain of a fine of 2s.6d.
William Field formerly erected a smith's forge on Bishops Down, being part of
the Waste of the Lord, without Licence or concession - fined 6d.
Defaulting tenants.
The Homage present that George Lord Bergaveny, Richard Goodhugh Esq., William Dewe Esq., Francis Winington Esq., John Charlton Esq., George Hooper gentleman, John Brett gentleman, John Gooden gentleman, Thomas Gooden gentleman, Samuel White merchant, Thomas Fry, John Appleby, Thomas Wales, John Jeffery, Edmund Baker, John Baker, Walter Baker, Robert Baker, Thomas Baker, Dorcas Baker widow, Richard Jefferey, John Jefferey and Henry Jefferey are Tenants of this Manor and have defaulted - amerced 4d. each for their non-attendance at this Court.
Election of Bailiff - The Homage present William Weller for the office of Bailiff for the ensuing year and he is duly elected.
Election of Beadle - Eli Gilbert is elected.
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