Manor Court Roll October 1704
Manor of Leighton Buzzard alias Grovebury
View of Frankpledge and Court Baron held on 19th October 1704 before Francis Neale, deputy steward
Full translation (prepared by volunteer Helen Wallace)
Summary of contents
John Halsey and his wife Elizabeth surrendered to the use of John Ashwell ½ virgate of meadow in Billington Long Meade, bordering land of Richard Whymett to the east and of George Louxley to the west. John Ashwell was admitted. Richard Leech then came and presented a queen’s writ of entry to the property, which had been entered unjustly by Hugh Hunt 30 years previously. John and Elizabeth Halsey, John Hogg, and William Miller were called as warrantors and Arthur Tarsey was called as vouchee. The property was restored to Richard Leech who was admitted. He then surrendered the property to Edward Roberts junior of Billington who was admitted.
Admission of Edward Roberts junior of Billington to one messuage in Billington occupied by John Miller, with 4 closes of arable land and pasture containing 8 acres in Billington, and 9½ acres of arable land in the fields of Billington and Stanbridge, surrendered by John Hogg junior of Aldbury (Herts), maltster, and his wife Elizabeth.
Admission of Robert Clarke of Heath to 3 acres in Heath and Reach surrendered by Robert Marks, Richard Seabrooke and Mary Cooke, widow
Admission of Mark Turner of Leighton Buzzard and his wife Elizabeth to a bay structure [building] with malting floor, a malt loft above it, and another malting floor of one bay structure adjacent lying over the gateway and adjacent to Grigg Lane in Leighton Buzzard, surrendered by Katherine Turnpenny, gentlewoman
Death of Thomas Ellingham, tenant of a rood of customary meadow in the manor of Leighton Buzzard, and admission of his grandson and heir Thomas Ellingham
Admission of James Feasant [or Pheasant] to land in the North End of Leighton Buzzard next to the land of the poor of Leighton on the southern side, surrendered to him by Arthur Tarsey on 29th July 1704
Surrender on 11 August 1704 by Charles Hall to his wife Mary Hall of a customary messuage, a pightle, a close of pasture and one acre of arable land in Leighton Buzzard, with proviso that if he was still alive on 31st July 1705 (or if he previously revoked the surrender) it should be void. Charles Hall had since died and his widow Mary Hall was admitted
Surrender by John Roberts and his wife Anna, one of six daughters and co-heirs of William Birdsey (a tenant of the manor who had recently died) of a sixth share of one messuage and 40 acres of arable and grass land, and four acres of land called Lammas Ground within the fields and precinct of Eggington and Clipstone. Surrendered to the use of William Valentyne of Eggington who was admitted.
Death of Edward Seare on 29 November 1703 and admission of his son and heir Edward Seare to property left to him in his father’s will. Edward Seare (junior) admitted to the cottage in Leighton which Edward Seare (senior) and Maria Spitlethorpe, now a widow, lived.
Death of William Windsor and admission of his brother and heir George Windsor of one customary cottage in Leighton
Surrender by William Scrivener on 14th October 1704 to use of John Osmond of Leighton Buzzard, innholder, of half-acre of arable land at Lecbrooke Furlong in Middle Field in Leighton Buzzard, with Thomas Foster’s land to the east and William Lord’s land to the west. John Osmond admitted.
Death of Richard Cooke, having left (i) a cottage (now or recently occupied by William Perkins), a 2 acres close of pasture called The Grove in Billington, 4½ perches of meadin in Billington Meade, and all pasture and four cows in the common called Summerlys, to the use of Elizabeth his wife for life, with remainder to his son Thomas Cooke; and (ii) 7½ acres of arable land in the fields of Billington to the use of his son Thomas Cooke. They did not appear at the manor court so the 1st proclamation was made.
Surrender by Anne Moreton, widow, on 20 July 1704 of all land and tenements she held in the manor to the use of Thomas Herbert, citizen and victualler of London and his wife Anne for their lifetimes, with reversion to the use of John Gale and George Gale, sons of the late George Gale of Woburn. Thomasand Anna Herbert and John and George Gale all failed to appear and 1st proclamation made
Mortgage by Daniel Keepe and his wife Constance Clotilda on 2nd June 1704 of half a messuage in Heath and Reach, with half of 108 acres of arable land and subcessive land, and 8 acres of meadow in the fields and meadows of Heath and Reach, to William Griffith and his wife Sarah Spencer for £315. William Griffith and Sarah Spencer did not appear so 1st proclamation made.
Death of Richard Hilton who on 22 June 1704 surrendered all his arable land in the fields of Leighton Buzzard to the use of Josiah Keetch. 1st proclamation made as Josiah Keetch did not appear.
Death of Thomas Cherry who on 15th June 1704 surrendered a cottage and any other property held from the manor to be distributed as set out in his will. Nobody came to the court so 1st proclamation made.
Death of the Honourable Charles Leigh holding a piece of customary meadow, one close of customary pasture called Taylor’s Close with 7 acres, and a granary with two bay structures, which should descent to his grandson and heir the Honourable Thomas Lord Leigh, Baron of Stoneleigh. He did not appear so 1st proclamation made.
Death of Stephen Greene leaving one small cottage and a small backhouse belonging to it, which should descend to his eldest son and heir Stephen Greene. He did not appear so 1st proclamation made.
Death of George Lawley leaving a cottage, 3 closes of pasture containing 10 acres, and 12 acres of arable and subcessive land, which should descent to his eldest son and heir George Lawley. He did not appear so 1st proclamation made.
Death of William Jellings leaving a coattage, 77 acres of arable land and meadow, and 10 acres of pasture in Heath Reach. Not known who his heirs are. Nobody appeared so 1st proclamation made.
Death of Richard Harris leaving one small piece of customary land, his backhouse lying behind his messuage in Leighton Buzzard. His eldest son and heir is Wingfield Harris, an infant. He did not appear so 1st proclamation made.
3rd proclamation for the heirs of Lady Corbett to appear. No one came so property taken into hands of the lord of the manor.
3rd proclamation for the heirs of William Jenkins to appear. No one came so property taken into hands of the lord of the manor.
3rd proclamation for the heirs of Thomas Huxley to appear. No one came so property taken into hands of the lord of the manor.
3rd proclamation for the heirs of James Harrowell to appear. No one came so property taken into hands of the lord of the manor.
3rd proclamation for the heirs of John Grissell to appear. No one came so property taken into hands of the lord of the manor.