We are very grateful to the owners of Mount House to allow us to copy and reproduce an abstract of title from 1689 – 1802.
Abstract of some of the Deeds Spanning 1689 – 1802
The Abstract of Title of Mr Thomas Leach
To a messuage Cumplins in Henham in Essex
10th September 1689 Mich. Term 1 Geo 2d.
By feoffment with livery of seisin indorsed James Giffin and Sarah his wife for £ 28. Grant and enfeoff and convey unto Jeremy Gunne and his heirs
12th. October 1694 Said Messuage Cumplins
To hold unto and use of said Jeremy Gunne and his heirs a covenant for further assurances by him or otherwise. By feoffment with livery of seisin indorsed Jeremiah Gunne for £33 grants enfeoffs and conveys rent..Samuel Gunne and his heirs.
17th September 1709 Said Messuage Cumplins
which was purchased of John Giffin and Sarah his wife by Jeremy Gunne. To hold unto and use of said Jeremy Gunne and his heirs forever. By indre (is an abbreviation of “indenture” – RG) between Samuel Gunne of one part and John Newland other part. Witnesseth that for consideration therein mentioned said Samuel Gunne did……grant and devise unto said John Newland and his heirs said messuage Cumplin
25th June 1722 Said Messuage Cumplin
To hold unto said John Newland his heirs for 500 years at rent of a pepper corn. Subject to a proviso therein contained for said indres to be void on payment by said James Gunne his heirs unto said John Newland his executors of £31 16s on 18th September 1710. Indre … between John Newland and Samuel Gunne of the first part, Thomas Pryor
and Elizabeth his wife for……of 500 years and
that there was due from said Gunne to said Newland for principal and consideration £39 3s. It is witnessed that said John Newland in consideration of £39 3s. and of £5.. apiece paid by Pryor and Henry Bacon did with consent of said Gunne assign unto said James Pryor and Henry Bacon in trust for said Pryor and Elizabeth his wife.
26th & 27th June 1722 Said Messuage Cumplin
To hold unto said James Pryor and Henry Bacon and their executors for rent of said 500 years term upon trust for said Pryor and his wife and their heirs that said term and estate thereby assigned should attend in inheritance of said P… which were intended to be conveyed to said Thomas Pryor and wife and their heirs. By lease and release Samuel Gunne for £55 did grant and convey unto said Thomas Pryor and Elizabeth his wife and their heirs.
28th June 1725 Said Messuage Cumplin
To hold unto and to use of said Thomas Pryor and Elizabeth his wife and their heirs for ever. By indre between Elizabeth Pryor, widow of one part and George Newland of other part. For consideration therein mentioned said Elizabeth Pryor did devise and grant unto said George Newland and his executors
Said Messuage Cumplin
to hold unto said George Newland and his executors ..for 500 years subject to a proviso therein contained for said indre to be void on payment by said Elizabeth Pryor her heirs…said George Newland, his executors ..of £5 and interest on 28th June 1722
Assign all her estate term and interest in Cumplins and to said trust, the reversion and inhabitant thereof exportant on determination of 500 years was before limited to said Thomas Playle and his heirs in trust for benefit of said William Matthews and wife discharged of all incumbrances done by said Greygoose unto said Matthews.. and his wife or to such other persons or persons as he or any they should appoint
1733
By Indre tripartite betrween John Greygoose son and heir of Susan Greygoose deceased of the first part, William Matthews and Elizabeth his wife formerly Elizabeth Pryor of the second part and Samuel Wood the third.
Reciting said indre of mortgage of the 28th June 1725 and that £5 15s was not paid to said George Newland at times in said indre appointed whereby term and estate thereby granted did become absolute in law in said George Newland.
And reciting said indre of 19 Feb 1728 and that of said £34 was not paid to Susanna Greygoose at time mentioned in said indre…by reason whereof estate and term in said… became absolute in said Susan Greygoose and her executors and that there was due to said John Greygoose for principal and interest £34 10s.
It is witnessed that as well in… of £34 10s to said John Greygoose paid by said Samuel Wood in full payment to discharge of..said John Greygoose by virtue of said indre of A…As also in.. of £10 10s to said Matthews and wife paid by said Wood the said John Greygoose (by direction of said Matthews and wife) did assign unto Wood said messuage and premises Cumplins
To hold unto Samuel Wood and his executors for .. of said Term of And said Matthews and his wife for the consideration also did ratify and confirm unto said Samuel Wood his executors said messuage and premises Cumplin
To Hold unto Samuel Wood his executors ..for term of 500 years discharged of all powers and equity of ….subject to proviso that if said Matthews or his heirs should pay to Samuel Wood or his executors of £35 17s. 6d. on 10th July 1734 then the said Wood or his executors would surrender or assign all his estate and interest in ….Discharged of all incumbrances done by him unto said William Matthews and his heirs or as he or they should direct.
1740
By lease and release both tripartite … made between Samuel Wood, Playle nephew of heir of Thomas Playle deceased of first part. Elizabeth Matthews (widow and relict of William Matthews deceased) of the second part and John Turner junior of the third.
Reciting said indre tripartite of 19 Feb 1728 and as or to export (?) £..therein recited and said John Turner had agreed for purchase of said premises (int. alia). It is witnessed that in consideration of £40… thereof to said Samuel Wood to whom ..were mortgaged and in discharged thereof…£4 resided of said purchase money to said Elizabeth Matthews paid by said Turner and of £5 to said Samuel Playle the said Samuel Playle by direction of said Elizabeth Matthews did bargain sale and release unto said John Turner and his heirs said messuage Cumplins or so much thereof as was freehold.
To hold unto and to use of John Turner and his heirs.
Mich Term 1 Geo 2 (1728) levy a fine unto John Bacon and his heirs of (int. alia)….
Indre of a fine levied between James Bacon (Plaintiff ?) and William Matthews and Elizabeth his wife and John Willis & Dorothy his wife Defendant of two messuages, two cottages and five acres of land (in occupation”?) in Henham and Farnham.
By Indre Tripartite between George Newlands of the first part, William Matthews and Elizabeth his wife, late Elizabeth Pryor, and James Bacon of the second part and Susan Greygoose, widow and Thomas Playle of the third part.
Reciting said last indre of devise and mortgage and that said £15 and interest was not paid to said George Newland according to said proviso whereby said terms and estate of 500 years by .. recited indre. Granted, became absolute in said George Newland was due to him for principal and interest £176 5s.
It is witnessed that as well in consideration of £17 5s to said George Newland paid by said Susan Greygoose for the debt of said Matthews and wife in full of a principal money and interest due and owing to said Newland on said mortgage and also in consideration of 15 to said Matthews and wife paid by said Susan Greygoose. The said George Newland … consent and direction of said William Matthews and wife did assign unto said Susan Greygoose said messuage and premisies by said recited indre granted.
To hold unto said Susan Greygoose and her executors for .. of 500 years term and reciting that as William Matthews and wife with John Willis and Dorothy his wife did
….levy a fine……………It was agreed that said fine should ensure as to said messuage and premises…
To the use of Susan Greygoose and her executors for a term of said 500 years to corroborate and confirm said term subject to the condition therein meant touching said term and estate and redemption thereof and after expiration or determination of said term and sub thereto
To use of said Thomas Playle and his heirs. Upon Trust that said Thomas Playle and his heirs should convey and assure said premises subject to a term of 500 years to such person and persons and for uses and purposes.. said William Matthews and Elizabeth his wife.. by any writing or writings under their hands and seals executed in the presence of two or more witnesses direct. And for want of such direction upon trust for said Matthews and his wife for both their lives and after ..deceased of the survivor of them and in case said Elizabeth should him survive then upon trust to convey and assign same premises unto such person or persons and for such uses and purposes as said Elizabeth Matthews should by any writing or writings under her hand and seal executed in the presence of two or more witnesses or by her last will in writing duly executed …..or appoint.
Proviso… and said Susan Greygoose did consent with said William Matthews and wife that if they or either of them or either of their heirs should pay unto said Susan Greygoose, her executors £34 13s on 20th Feb 1729 then she would…on..
By indenture tripartite between Samuel Wood of first part, said Elizabeth Matthews of second, and said John Turner, Charles Wale and John Winstanley of the third. Reciting said Samuel Wood stood possessed in nature of mortgage of messuage and premises Cumplin or so much as there was freehold for … of a term of 500 years commencing, as in seisin of mortgage of 28th June 1725 mentioned which premises are redeemable on payment of £40 thereupon due to Samuel Wood for principal and interest.
And also reciting last indre of lease and release. It is witnessed that in consideration of £40 to said Samuel Wood (in full sale principal and interest due to him on said security and the same sum of money mentioned to be paid him by said last indre of release by said John Turner and of £5 apiece to said Wood by said Wale and Winstanley paid said Samuel Wood by direction of said Elizabeth Matthews by appointment of said John Turner did assign unto said Charles Wale and John Winstanley said messuage Cumplins. Confirmed in said term of 500 years.
To hold unto said Wale and Winstanley their executors.. forterm of 500 years in trust for said John Turner and his heirs to attend inhabitants.
1763
By indre between said John Turner of one part and Jabez Wyate and Thomas Rankin of the other part. Witnesseth that for consideration therein mentioned said John Turner did grant …their executors said messuage Cumplin: or so
Witnesseth that for ……and devise unto said Wyate and Rankin or their executors the said mesdsuage Cumplin or so much thereof was freehold.
To hold unto said Jabez Wyatt and Thomas Rankin or their executors for 4,000 years at rent of a pepper corn. Subject to a proviso: therein contained that if said John Turner or his heirs should pay unto said Wyate and Rankin or their executors £20 with lawful interest on 27th May ..the.. and the term and estate thereby granted should be void.
Note: this deed has been cancelled – a receipt appearing for the payment of all principal and interest.
1764
By indre of lease and release made by John Turner and Hannah his wife of one part and James Foster of the other part. Witnesseth that in consideration of £65 10.6d. by said James Foster to said John Turner in hand paid the said John Turner and did grant bargain sell therein received and confirmed James Foster and his heirs
Said messuage and premises Cumplin
To hold to said James Foster and his heirs for ever. Duly executed and attended and received for consideration money indorsed by will in writing said James Foster did give and devise unto his wife Susan Foster and his heirs. All his messuages, cottages, land and heriditaments …freehold and copyhold and all other his seal.. in the kingdom of Great Britain to hold to her and her heirs for ever
1802 – the said Susan Foster afterwards intermarried with Richard Leach of Henham in the county of Essex, gentleman.
29 & 30th Setptember 1802
By indre of lease and release made by Richard Leach & Susan his wife of the one part and Thomas Leach of Friday Street, London of said part reciting that said Thomas Leach had advanced and lent to Richard Leach & Susan his wife diverse sums of money amounting to the sum of £364 11s for securing the payment thereof and of such ..sums as the said Thomas Leach should advance to them.
It was witnessed that for in consideration of said sum of £364 11s so advanced as offered (?) the …what they said Richard Leach & Susan his wife did acknowledge they said Richard Leach & Susan his wife did grant bargain ….received and confirmed anew (?) said Thomas Leach
Said Messuage or Tenement & Premises Cumplin
To hold to him said Thomas Leach, his heirs and executors for ever upon trust .. upon trust to p… said Susan Leach to occupy same for her life and after the determination of that estate upon trust that the said Thomas Leach should sell and dispose of said premises for the best price that could be obtained for the same and where received should be sufficient discharge for such purpose money and expenses for trust that ..Thomas Leach should in the first place after such sell should retain to himself so much monies as to discharge said sum of £364 11s and such other monies he should advance for the support of said Richard Leach and Susan his wife and …monies should… from said ………of same should be paid over to said Richard Leach & Susan his wife and the sum of – from said Richard Leach and Susan his wife………………………..
Trinity Term 42 Geo 3rd
Note of assign between said Thomas Leach plaintiff and said Richards Leach & Susan his wife defendants of two messuages, two cottages, two gardens and four acres of land with the appurtenances, in Henham on the Mount.
The said Susan Leach is lately dead and the sum of £364 11s and diverse other sums of money are still due to said Thomas Leach from said Richard Leach.
From these deeds we can find some information about the names by reference to the parish records and SEAX records
Susan Greygoose, widow, was buried at Stanstead on the 5th. March 1767
Henry Bacon, of Henham, married Grace Petty pn the 20th May 1712
John Newland died on the 5th Sept 1728 at Henham
George Newland was buried on the 15th July 1757 at Henham
1728 – the draft of a letter written on 9 January 1728 at Harlow by Mr R. Harrison to Governor Feake about the value of the Henham estates –
” Harlow, January 9 1728
Sir, Upon ye information I received from you by yours of Saturday that your Henham estate would be sold the 15th of this Instant January I went on Tuesday morning last to get you best information….. the value of it the rents I find to be as follows –
The HaIl Farm rented by Mr. George Guyver 161: 19: 6.
The Lodge Farm rented by Mr. Tho. Playle 168 : 15: 0.
1729 13th November – a copy of the letter sent to G. Feake November by R. Harrison about the advertisement and his Henham estate – “Sir Yours of the 11th Current I received and am sorry to hear by yours of the basenesse of the people at Henham I have this day sent the inclosed you sent me for Mr Smith to him and also one of the advertisements hereunder written to be nailed on the Church porch on Sunday next immediately before Divine Service begins (viz).
Whereas
I have also written over 3 more of them in strong vellum and have sent them to Mr Playle to fix one on the Smith’s Forge one other on the Cock sign post and to let the Church Clerk or Cryer of the parish publish the other all over the town and parish and then fix it up at the mill or some other of the most frequented parts of the town by which measure I hope to find out the offender.
The original documents are below.
