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Staffordshire 1-100

 

 

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Staffordshire 101-200

 

ID

Date

Source

Lot No.

Text

Surnames

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

1677-1726

Bloomsbury 11 May 2000

23

Astbury (Thomas, farmer and landowner, of Swynnerton, Staffordshire, fl. 1680-1726) Account & rent book, manuscript in English, a few sentences in Greek, in several hands, mostly in the hand of Thomas Astbury, 139pp., 2pp. accounts in the hand of John Sutton, Astbury's brother in law, signatures of two Thomas Astbury's on lower covers, each f. with a Latin caption in red, ruled in red, 3ff. cut, 1 with two thirds loss, a few others corners frayed and creased, numerous ink marks and crossings out, original vellum, creased, yellowed and soiled, upper cover mostly cut away, sm. 4to, 1677-1726. N.B. An interesting account book owned by a farmer whose family had links with the pottery industry. Thomas Astbury owned 108 acres of land at Blakelow, Cheshire which he purchased in 1680 and was valued at #60 in 1691. This account book shows that the rents derived from that land and other properties, and loans repaid, that Astbury was a man of relatively prosperous means. Some of the later entries for payment of rent are receipted by Thomas Bouch, probably his agent. Astbury was also a farmer, in 1695 he recorded in a margin, ''I am to look after my sheep myself'', and the manuscript lists his purchases of wool, oats, barley, corn and timber, some of which he probably traded. One person from whom he bought ''17 Cuts of timber'' was Richard Wedgwood for which he paid 4 shillings and three pence. A Richard Wedgwood was a cheesemaker who lived at Spen Green near Congleton. Astbury's business dealings took him from his small village of Swynnerton, a few miles from Stoke on Trent to Newcastle under Lyme, Burslem, Lichfield and Nantwich in Cheshire. Astbury lists his accounts in some detail, ''paid for the warming pan & oather thinges at Stafford fare 14-6; An Accompt of what it Cost mee of my sonne Thomas since, and against his going to Woster Worcester Aprill 19th 1705?.?.?. sum is 56-11-4; 1694 The Millian ackt fund or lotterey, is as followeth. uppon one Lott one Thousand pound yearley: p: 16 yeares?.?.?. There is 100000: in all one hundred thousand my ticket is number; sixty nyne Thousand Two hundred sixtey seaven''. In addition to his business activities Astbury was a churchwarden, an overseer of the poor and kept the accounts ''for the Traind soulders'' and their ''Cloaths''. Astbury sent his son Thomas to Worcester probably to a relative as another Thomas Astbury of Worcester attended Merton College, Oxford and matriculated in 1732/3, aged 19. An intriguing connection as Worcester has a long history of porcelain making similar to that of the Potteries. Astbury also has a connection with a John Astbury who is mentioned as borrowing money, which may be the John Astbury (1688?-1743) a potter who introduced the use of Bideford pipe clay, and was buried in Stoke churchyard. Samuel Astbury, also a potter, a brother of John Astbury, married Elizabeth, the sister of Thomas Wedgwood, father of Josiah Wedgwood. #300-400

Astbury

Sutton

Bouch

Wedgwood

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2

1541

Dominic Winter 8 Nov 2000

347

An attested copy (probably contemporary) 'of the Grant of Swithamley with the Boundary thereof' to William Trafford, of Wilmslow, Cheshire in 1541, document on vellum in fine chancery hand, some browning but in good legible condition William Trafford was the younger son of Sir Edmund Trafford of Trafford Park, in what is now Manchester. William was Under Sheriff of Cheshire in 1540 and obtained a Grant for Swithamley Grange, Staffordshire from Henry VIII in 1541. The present document would probably be a contemporary copy kept by his lawyers

Trafford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3

19th century

Dominic Winter 31 Jan 2001

285

Large quantity of vellum manorial documents, 19th c., for the Manors of Newcastle under Lyme, Longdon, Cannock and Rugeley, Haywood and Great Wirley in Staffordshire, providing a wealth of genealogical and local historical information, approx. 100 documents in all, contained in a metal deed box (1) £100-150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4

18th-20th century

Dominic Winter 8 Mar 2001

547

An extensive archive of manuscript and printed documents, 18th-20th c., relating to Staffordshire, including numerous printed sales particulars, including the famous 'Moseley Estate', maps and plans for the Cannock mineral railway, coal and mineral particulars, early illustrated bill heads, plans and maps of Cannock enclosure, a plan of the main line Derbyshire-Staffordshire Junction railway, manorial court rolls from the 18th c., auction particulars etc, contained in a large metal deed box.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5

1843-1851

Dominic Winter 8 Mar 2001

548

Minute book for the manors of Cannock and Rugeley, 1st November 1843 - 4th November 1851, listing details of Courts Baron held in the two manors during that period, 566 pages of manuscript , original vellum boards with usual dusting and scuffing, folio. Of considerable interest to local historians and genealogists of this important industrial and coal mining area lying just north west of Birmingham. This present minute book complements a similar volume for 1869-1872 sold in these rooms in June 2000 (lot 321).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6

19th century

Dominic Winter 8 Mar 2001

549

Group of nine mainly vellum legal documents, 19th c., relating to various land and property transactions in Staffordshire, including the sale of 'The Rose and Crown Inn', West Bromwich and the sale of the 'Village Tavern', Cobridge, Burslem

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7

1663

Dominic Winter 8 Mar 2001

550

Extensive scroll document on paper, 26th March 1663, being a hereditable bond between various parties for lands and property in 'Graydon and Lightwood', written in a fine chancery hand on a scroll of paper approximately 1ft 6ins wide and 7ft long, some fraying to edges and one small portion towards the base torn away, not affecting text, which is in clear legible condition Remarkable document from the reign of Charles II, referring to a particularly high status transaction. Lightwood is a village lying just south of Stoke-on-Trent in Staffordshire, and the present document could yield new information on the area of the Potteries just after the Restoration. Parties to the document include: George Howe, Stephen Johnston, Joseph Blair, Mark Sher and others.

Howe

Johnston

Blair

Sher

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8

1828, 1855

Dominic Winter 8 Mar 2001

551

Four extensive vellum documents, comprising forty-two individual leaves, 1828 and 1855 relating to the settlement of the marriage of the Earl of Litchfield to Lady Harriet Hamilton, providing considerable information on the settlement, payments to be made, lands to be transferred etc, some dusting to outside surfaces, and usual scuffing, but in generally good condition Documents relating to the marriage settlements of such high status people are rarely seen. The Earls of Lichfield, unusually, live in the county where the title derives. The family seat is Shugborough Hall, near Stafford, and of course the present Earl of Lichfield is the celebrated society photographer and cousin to the Queen.

Litchfield

Hamilton

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9

1633

Dominic Winter 8 Mar 2001

552

Indenture, 3pp large folio, c. 1633, being a copy of the sale transaction of Stafford Castle, document in ink written in a fine chancery hand, some worming, weakness in the folds of page three, but in clear legible condition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10

17th-19th century

Dominic Winter 11 Apr 2001

423

Collection of vellum manorial documents, 17th-19th c., relating to the manors of Agardlsey, Marchington, Longdon, Cannock & Rugeley, together with a Court Roll of 1747 for the Manor of Great Wirley, an order stopping a public footpath, a large vellum petition to Westminster concerning a water mill, a merger of tithes rents by the Earl of Litchfield, Lord Bagot etc, a vellum indenture for the Estates of Lord Bagot and other documents. A fascinating collection of documents providing considerable research information on and area of Staffordshire in the general areas of Stafford, Rugeley and Cannock. The earliest document is an exchange contract from 1674. £100-150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11

1851-1859

Dominic Winter 11 Apr 2001

424

Minute book for the manors of Cannock and Rugeley, 5th December 1851 to 26th July 1859, listing details of Courts Baron held in the two manors during that period, 565 pp of manuscript, outer boards somewhat distressed but contents in good order. Of considerable interest to local historians of this area just north of Wolverhampton which was at time emerging as a major coal and mineral production zone. This present volume complements those sold in these rooms in June 2000 (lot 321) and March 2001 (lot 548).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12

18th century

Dominic Winter 16 May 2001

457

Relief of the Poor. Crude booklet, 18th c., containing manuscript entries listing the names of all the inhabitants of Rugeley who paid a levy of twopence in the pound for the relief of the local poor. The booklet contains the individual names of more than 200 people together with amounts collected from each. An important historical document giving a unique reference to the inhabitants and population of this Staffordshire town which lies just north of the Birmingham connurbation. At this time, Rugeley, which in the 19th c. became an important coal mining and industrial area was an agricultural market town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13

19th century

Dominic Winter 16 May 2001

458

Collection of thirty-two vellum documents 19th c., including details of estates, documents referring to the porcelain trade, old mills, and an interesting document concerning the arrangements for Lord Bagot's estates between Lord Bagot and Eleanor Bagot.

Bagot

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

14

1796

Dominic Winter 20 June 2001

350

Industrial Revolution - Staffordshire. The original agreement for the founding of the brass and wire works in Stoke on Trent November 29th 1796, manuscript on eleven large paper leaves written in a neat secretarial hand, good condition. The agreement, between George Vernon and Richard Keys defines the nature of the business 'the making of brass, of selling and of bartering the same for the term of 50 years'. It also defines the way in which the business should be conducted, stockholding, responsibilities of the directors etc. Vernon and Keys invested œ500 each in setting up the business, which was established at 'Stoke near Stone'.

Vernon

Keys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15

1859

Dominic Winter 20 June 2001

394

Staffordshire Potteries. Important indenture on vellum dated 1859, for the establishment of a china manufacturing partnership in Slippery Street, Shelton, Stoke on Trent, between William Brock and Herbert George Allen. The firm was established under the name 'Brock and Allen'.

Brock

Allen

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

16

17th century

Dominic Winter 20 June 2001

395

Document on paper, 17th c., being manuscript notes on the title of Richard Cope to lands at Chesterfields in Shenston, Staffordshire, written in English in a fine chancery hand, approx. 10 x 7ins, small portion missing from the bottom right hand corner affecting a few words but overall clear and legible, framed and glazed.

Cope

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

17

18th/19th century

Dominic Winter 20 June 2001

396

Large collection of paper documents 18th/early 19th c., relating to a large number of properties mainly in the Cheadle, Stone, Stoke-on-Trent and Leek areas of North Staffordshire, including a number dealing with the enclosing of common land in Cheadle, abstracts of title for various properties, including the Manor of Radings purchased from the Duke of Devonshire, the title to the manors of Cheadle and Kingsley in the name of Sir Joseph Banks and many others, slight water damage to some, but all in generally good legible condition.

Banks

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18

1880

Bloonsbury 21 June 2001

73

Wolverhampton.­ Conveyance of Land, Malthouses and hereditaments situate near Church Street Wolverhampton in the County of Stafford, manuscript indenture on vellum, 2pp., ruled in red, pen and ink map of the property on verso of second page, 420 x 745 and 570 x 745mm., 22nd January 1880; and 35 other indentures including 17 Wolverhampton, 7 Hampshire, 5 Kent, v.s., nineteenth century. (36). £75-100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

19

19th century

Dominic Winter 29 Aug 2001

398

Collection of approximately thirty vellum documents, 19th c., including appointments by the Bishop of Oxford and Lady Bagot, offers including the sale of a chapel, old mills, farms, public houses etc. One particularly interesting document relates to the sale of a china manufacture and another relates to an exchange of land (with attached coloured outline plan)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

20

18th century

Dominic Winter 3 Oct 2001

339

Group of five documents on vellum late 18th c., all relating to land and property at Buttonton in the Moors in North Staffordshire all in fine condition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

1777

Dominic Winter 3 Oct 2001

355

Wolverhampton. Document on vellum dated April 26th 1777, signed by George Molineux and his wife Jane, both of Wolverhampton, and John Wightwick, being a conveyance for some allotments in North Staffordshire George and Jane Molineux owned the land, known in those days as 'Mr Molineux's close' in the centre of Wolverhampton which is now the world famous Molineux Stadium, home to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Wightwick is also a famous name in Wolverhampton history, with a large area of the City's suburbs named after him.

Molineux

Wightwick

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

22

18th century

Bloomsbury 22 Nov 2001

78

Lichfield. Indenture quadrupartite between John Taylor "of the City of Lichfield Butcher", Frances Taylor, James Robinson, John Floyer and Thomas Moore of "All that Messuage, Burgage, or Tenement... Being within the said City of Lichfield in a certain Place comonly called the Butcher Roe heretofore in the Tenure of One John Wood Tanner", Ds.s. "John Taylor", "Ffrances Taylor", "James Robinson", "John Floyer" & "Tho: Moore", manuscript on vellum, 2ff., wax seals, both 600 x 806mm., 20th February 1731 ß Indenture between Richard Burnes and John Leonard of the City of London Enameler "hath grant bargained sold... All that Close piece or parcel of land situate... in the City and County of Lichfield at a certain place there called Boley Bottom", D.s. "Rd Burnes", manuscript on vellum, 41 lines, 590 x 827mm., 12th May 1763 ß Smith (Jonathan, ?doctor) Mrs Leanard Dr: to Jno: Smith, manuscript doctors receipt, 385 x 156mm., 23rd November 1761, manuscripts, folds; and 13 others, Staffordshire deeds relating to Abbotts Bromley, Newton in Blythfield and Longdon, v.s., 5th January 1682 - 3rd February 1764 (16). Michael Johnson (1657- 1731), father of Samuel was a bookseller in Lichfield. In addition he started a tanning business "a third of a mile from his shop. Various tanners worked for him - his son was to suprise people years later by knowing 'the whole process of tanning' - and Michael welcomed the chance to travel even more, riding around the the countryside to buy skins for the business." - Walter Jackson Bate. Samuel Johnson, 1984. One of the signatories, John Floyer is presumably a relation of Sir John Floyer (1649-1734), physician; Samuel Johnson was, by his advice sent to London to be touched by Queen Anne for the "evil" [scrofula]. Floyer was the first to make regular observations on the rate of the pulse.

Taylor

Robinson

Floyer

Moore

Wood

Burnes

Leonard

Smith

Johnson

Bate

 

 

23

1631

Dominic Winter 12 Dec 2001

528

George Villiers, Duke of Buckingham. Document on vellum with fine bold signature of Buckingham to the base, dated 1631, written in a legible legal hand, some dusting to outer surface and once folded but in good overall condition, overall size approx 22x22cm A fine document from the first year of the Restoration. Buckingham hearby appoints Edward Freeman his Deputy Steward for all his land holdings in Staffordshire. These lands had only just been retored to Buckingham by Charles II in return for his consistent and active support during the Protectorate. The revenue from his estates was such that he was reputed to be the richest man in the kingdom. The document is also countersigned by Sir Edward Massey (1619?-1674?) Royalist Major General during the Civil War and later MP for Gloucester. (1)

Villiers

Freeman

Massey

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

24

1841

Dominic Winter 12 Dec 2001

529

Manuscript bill from Thomas Hatfield, of the Albion Iron Foundry, Rugeley, Staffordshire, 1pp, folio, with decorative top border, January 22nd 1841, made out to a Mr Elley and listing various transactions throughout 1840, mainly for wrought iron gates, signed by Hatfield to base, in generally good condition, with one filing hole to centre

Hatfield

Elley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25

1712-1799

Dominic Winter 12 Dec 2001

530

Group of seven vellum indentures, 1712-1799, relating to the sale of the Lordship of Butterton in Staffordshire, all in good condition The group provide considerable information on the land on the Manor. One of the documents also grants the rights of a pew in the Chapel of Butterton in the coveted position standing directly under the reading desk. At a time when church services were of enormous length with sermons often taking an hour or more, it was obviously important to have a comfortable seat. Butterton is a village lying some 5 miles east of Leek, in the Peak District National Park.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

26

18th/19th century

Dominic Winter 30 Jan 2002

402

Collection of thirty-one vellum indentures 18th/early 19th c., relating to the sale of a large number of properties including two for the sale of potteries, three for the sale of pubs, a mansion house in Burslem, and documents granting mineral rights, some with schedules of land etc.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27

1812, 1814, 1830

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

272

Two vellum indentures dated 1812 and 1814, relating to properties in the Abbots Bromley area of Staffordshire, one of the parties being John Bamford, together with a manuscript receipt for the Rugeley and Stone Turnpike Road, dated 1830. Two intriguing documents. The name Bamford is famous in the area, which lies just south of Uttoxeter, and today is famous around the world for the JCB road digger company based at Rocester only a few miles north. It is possible that John Bamford mentioned on these documents is an ancestor of the present family.

Bamford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

28

1636

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

273

Royal warrant in the name of Charles I, c. 1636, written in latin in a neat and legible chancery hand on a single sheet of vellum large calligraphic printed initial 'C', with a portion (about a quarter) of the Royal Seal still attached by the original vellum tag, 310x180mm. The document concerns a land settlement involving the Trafford family of Swithamley Hall, near Leek

Trafford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

29

17th/18th century

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

274

Important archive of documents relating to the Leek area, 17th/early 18th c., comprising a considerable number of accounts documents for the area, an indenture from the reign of William and Mary, and papers concerning the establishment of title by William Trafford of Swithamley Grange to an area of land called 'Pheasants Clough' citing a considerable number of people involved with the land dating back to 1650 as well as two manuscript family pedigrees of the Trafford family. Documents which will doubtless provide local historians and genealogists with considerable new information on the area, and the Trafford family who were (and are) considerable land owners in Staffordshire and Cheshire, and of course the name which is known the world over for its connections to the Trafford areas of Manchester.

Trafford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

30

1708

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

275

Interesting indenture on vellum dated 1708, preventing anyone other than William Trafford of Swithamley Hall from holding the ancient title of Head Barron of the township of Heaton, written in a fine legible hand, with 18 red wax seals to base, in fine, fresh condition. An interesting reflection on an early 18th c. power struggle. The document cites that 'some persons being owners or inhabitants of new houses within the township have of late endeavoured to get themselves or their under tenants into the said office of Head Barron.' Trafford as local lord of the Manor obviously felt his power base threatened, and this document effectively quashes any attempt to remove him from the office

Trafford

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31

1853

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

276

Printed Act of Parliament dated 1853, extending the powers of the Staffordshire Potteries Waterworks, and providing a compensation water supply for those affected by the company's activities, some fraying to edges but otherwise in clean condition, 27pp, folio. An important Act in the development of the Potteries. Of particular interest is the list of names and mill and landowners who had been deprived their water supply by the diversion of natural sources down to Stoke on Trent. This included the famous Cheddleton Flint Mill.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

32

1841

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

277

Manuscript bill from Thomas Hatfield, of the Albion Iron Foundry, Rugeley, Staffordshire, 1pp, folio, with decorative top border, January 22nd 1841, made out to a Mr Elley and listing various transactions throughout 1840, mainly for wrought iron gates, signed by Hatfield to base, in generally good condition, with one filing hole to centre

Hatfield

Elley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33

1848

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

278

Printed estate plan of Trent Vale Farm, 1848, showing each field with adjoining landowners mentioned, some slight fraying to bottom edge not affecting map, but otherwise in good condition, on paper, 750x560mm. The farm lay in the parishes of Stoke on Trent and Trentham and this plan was obviously drawn up prior to its sale by auction.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

34

1687-1827

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

279

Group of six deeds on vellum 1687-1827, chronicling the development of Tamworth Workhouse, all in fine condition, including three good examples of the Borough seal, and examples of the seals of the noblemen involved in the transactions, together with a group of six 18th c transcripts of documents relating to Tamworth 1674-1742. A fascinating group which provide the history of the establishment and development of the workhouse in Tamworth. Included is the original release of 1687 by Viscount Weymouth to the town of a barn and waste ground to convert the barn into a workhouse, the grant of 1741 from the Earl of Northampton of a workhouse newly erected in Gungate Street, and later grants and leases.

Weymouth

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35

1641-1897

Dominic Winter 7 Mar 2002

297

Group of five documents on vellum and paper, 1641- 1897, earlier documents with usual dusting to outer surfaces but otherwise in good order. A group of interest to historians of Wolverhampton and the Black Country, including two vellum documents relating to 'Ashmore Brooke' which is most probably the area now known as Ashmore Park - a large housing estate on the Lichfield side of Wolverhampton. One of these documents involves the Moseley family, ancestors of Sir Oswald Moseley. The group also includes a document relating to a school in Tettenhall, Wolverhampton, an agreement relating to a property in Bridge Street, Smethwick, and a document relating to the Bushnall Fields area near Dudley.

Moseley

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

36

1810

ebay

 

This is a superb combination of 4 documents, the main one being the Will of John Jump of Uttoxeter, Stafford. Attached to it are various items which are pertaing to the estate and Probate and authentication. The will page is 16 x 12 and is written on watermarked lined paper. Mentions his daughters Mary & Sarah Jump and Mr Lewis Birch.

Jump

Birch

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

37

1823

ebay

 

This is a document of Proof of Will by the Clerk to the Bishop of Litchfield and Coventry and carrying the Bishops Seal. The document is on a single sheet of beautifully watermarked paper and clearly written, signed and sealed. The size is about 10 x 8 inches and the condition is very good. The Deceased was one William Garle an Innkeeper of Uttoxeter. Mentions widow Ann Garle.

Garle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

38

1737

Dominic Winter 15 May 2002

484

Extensive indenture on three sheets of vellum dated 1737, being the settlement of a large area of land and property in the village of Baton under Needwood, Staffordshire, on behalf of Mary Busby, widow and her son Edward, together with a tribunal settlement on land in Clanfield, Oxfordshire, linking Mary and Edward Busby to that area, two obligation bonds taken out by Edward Busby for a total of the then collosal sum of ,400 and a deed of exchange for the lands in Clanfield to Robert Stevens. The Busbys clearly had considerable land holdings in Clanfield and it is probable that the enormous sums of money raised by Edward via the two obligation bonds was to fight a claim against him and his mother for title to the estate - he lost.

Busby

Stevens

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

39

1856

ebay

 

A document on VELLUM DRAWN UP IN 1880 AS A MORTGAGE OF A MESSUAGE OR HOUSE LAND AND PREMISES AT BLOXWICH IN THE COUNTY OF STAFFORD ON THE ROAD FROM BLOXWICH TO WOLVERAMPTON. BETWEEN JOSEPH ROBBINS VALE, AWL BLADE MAKER AND THE WOLVERHAMPTON FREEHOLDERS PERMANENT BENEFIT BUILDING SOCIETY.GUARANTEED ORIGINAL - SIZE 23 INS X 25 INS, ORIGINAL WAX SEALS AND EMBOSSED REVENUE

Vale

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

40

1592

Dominic Winter 26 Jun 2002

488

Essex (Robert Devereux, 2nd Earl). Scarce letter signed with autograph subscription, dated August 22nd, 1592, addressed to Richard Bagot, steward of his estates at Chartley in Staffordshire, introducing 'my good friend Mr Phillips' and ordering Bagot to provide Phillips with 'all the sport' he can and also to deliver what game Phillips requires, in fine condition, written at the top of a single sheet of paper , folio. At the time he wrote this letter Essex was reaching the pinnacle of his power. Dashing, handsome and headstrong, Essex quickly found favour with the ageing Queen Elizabeth I, and while it is not clear whether they actually became lovers, they certainly had a stormy and dangerous relationship. Essex was executed in 1601 after his famous rebellion against the Queen, in which he bribed William Shakespeare to perform the overlong Richard II at the Globe in order to keep most of the Queen's loyal supporters occupied while he tried to seize power. Letters of the Earl of Essex are of the greatest rarity.

Bagot

Phillips

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

41

1660

Dominic Winter 26 Jun 2002

521

Alton. Attractive vellum indenture dated April 4th, 1660, being the lease by Sir Thomas Ingram to John Carill, of Harting, Sussex and Humfrey Weld of Lulworth Castle, Dorset, of part of the manor of Alton and other property in Alton, Farley, Stanton, Bradley etc and parts of manors in Yorkshire, written in a clear legible hand on two large leaves of vellum, signed by all parties, save Ingram (so presumably this was his copy), other parties include Francis Talbot, Earl of Shrewsbury and his wife, and Robert Brudenell, Baron of Stonton, with elaborate calligraphic initial letter, retaining four pendant wax seals attached by original vellum tags. The area referred to in this document is now occupied by the famous leisure park Alton Towers.

Ingram

Carill

Weld

Talbot

Brudenell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

42

1746

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

855

Remarkable letter from William Chaloner from Guisborough to his attorney at Leek in Staffordshire, dated April 20th, 1746, including a long reference to the state of the Highland Rebels and predicting an inevitable battle, written in a fluent legible hand, fine seal in black wax, straightline Northalerton mark, with direction on address panel 'by Stone bag', 1p, folio. The Battle of Culloden had actually taken place five days before this letter was written, but with the lack of instant communication in those days, Chaloner would not have known this. He comments that '...the rebels have met their match Gen Bland having forced his way across the River Spey and cut a great many to pieces several hundreds have surrendered up their arms to him and gone about their affairs with a partdon to go and cultivate their lands...' He also comments on the dreadful state of the Highland Army, saying that they are 'obliged to eat horse and dog flesh' and that 'they neither will, nor dare fight against that deavelish mann cauld Wolly Cumberland, which I really believe to be true'. He then goes on to say that 'last Tuesday the two armies were within eight miles of each other so that a battle must be either by this or in a few dayes, provided they will stand.' he also reports on a vast army transported from London by ship landing in Newcastle to bolster Cumberland's already considerable force of 15,000. A remarkable and extremely scarce letter, which gives a vivid picture of the end of the grant enterprise of Bonnie Prince Charlie and the fate of his Highland followers. It also reinforces the fact that the majority of the army didn't want anything to do with the Rebellion, and it is interesting that even at this late stage of the Rebellion those who deserted the cause were pardoned and returned to their lands.

Chaloner

Bland

Cumberland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

43

1746

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

856

Fine autograph letter from William Chaloner from Guisborough to his attorney at Leek in Staffordshire, dated January 27th, 1746, reporting on the movements of the Duke of Cumberland in pursuit of the Jacobite rebels and commenting on the Battle of Falkirk, written in a fluent legible hand, seal tear but otherwise in good condition, straightline Northalerton mark, and freefranked by 'Bowes', with direction on address panel 'by Stone bag', 1p, folio. Contemporary reports on the progress of the Highland Rebellion are now becoming scarce on the market. In this letter Chaloner comments, '...this very morning the Duke of Cumberland went from Northallerton on his way to Scotland in order to intirely rout all ye Rebels. God knows our forced behaved very badly at Falkirk, & a third of our army did not engage ...'

Chaloner

Cumberland

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44

1538

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

878

Rent Roll for Handsworth, 1538, vellum scroll (now separated in two) written in English in legible hand, written entirely to one side, with signature to lower margin and approx. one quarter of the reverse, some damage and loss to top right hand corner of document, affecting intial lines of text, some browning and soiling to initial portion of scroll, majoritity of document in fine fresh condition, approx. 99 x 6.5 inches (252 x 17cm) An important and unusually complete early manuscript. The document mentions the Parish of Handsworth, also Birmingham and Aston etc. Listing a considerable number of land and property holders in that area, the location and annual rents payable are also refered to in detail

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45

18th century

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

961

Leek. An Account of what Heaton is Worth per Annum, mid-18th c., manuscript table in ink on paper listing all the landowners and occupiers in the area with details on how much each one pays, together with two further manuscript documents, the first providing a table of the lunes of leek Parish and the second providing a table of lunes raised in Heaton for the repair of the Highway for the year

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46

c1580, 1787

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

962

Leek. The Rent Roll for Swithamley, c. 1580, written in English on leaves of paper stitched together to form a continuous roll, some fraying on bottom affecting text, but otherwise in clear legible condition, with endorsement in a later hand (probably 18th c.) 'An ould Rentrole' to verso, approximately 8ft x6ins. An important document, listing everyone who lived in the Leek area of Swithamley in the latter half of the reign of Elizabeth I. Date derived from watermarks. Although this document has no title it comes from a body of papers bearing the legend 'All the papers in this Drawer belong to the Swithamley Estate as looked over by Mr Wright January 20 1787'.

Wright

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

47

1858-1873

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

963

Leek. Five manuscript books, 1858-73, being the rent rolls of the Swithamley Estate in the Leek area of Staffordshire, listing tenants, land occupancy and rent paid with remarks where necessary, one with crude card wrappers, rest with marbled paper wrappers, titles pasted to outer covers. A fine record of who lived on the estate and what land they occupied during a fifteen year period.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

48

1832-1841

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

964

Leek. Important group of seventeen documents on paper, 1832-41, being the rent rolls for the manor of Swithamley Hall, Staffordshire, providing a considerable number of names and land occupancy, some dusting and fraying consistent with age but otherwise in good condition and legible throughout. Interleaved with the rent rolls are a large number of receipts of paper recording rents paid in kind by the various tenants, and thus providing a vivid picture of what life was like on the estate throughout almost a decade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

49

19th century

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

965

Leek. Fine collection of documents on paper, early 19th c., all relating to the sorry story of Joseph Meakin of the Laund Estate, Leek, including an arrest warrant against him, legal papers concerning his appearance at the Staffordshire Assizes, and papers relating to the sale of his estate in order to pay off his creditors, including two printed posters advertising the sale, accounts documents etc, one letter with interesting postal history content with the address panel 'Mr Joseph Meakin, Laund, To be left at Butchers Arms, Leek, Staffordshire'. The hapless Meakin appears to have got himself into considerable money problems, and the court case appears to surround his passing off a forged œ50 note.

Meakin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50

1846-1877

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

966

Silk Mills. Important group of indentures, 1846-1877, all relating to the establishment of a silk mill in Cheadle, Staffs, including conveyance and lease documents, mortgages, abstract of title etc., documents on paper and vellum. The documents tell the whole story of the setting up of the silk mill at a place which in 1846 was known as Petty Mires. The story continues through to 1877 when the business, then operated by Durrant and Co., transferred its interests to Phillips and Kay, of Manchester.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

51

19th century

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

967

Good collection of documents, 19th c., including papers concerning the sale of an estate at Onecote, including four manuscript plans, two colour-printed plans, and three vellum indentures relating to a property called The Riddings, at Alton, one bearing the signature of the Earl of Shrewsbury. The area covered by the vellum indentures may well today include areas of the popular theme park Alton Towers.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

52

1821-1909

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

968

Group of seven printed sales particulars, 1821-1909, relating to the sale of properties in north Staffordshire, some with attractive ground plans and maps, including properties in Leek, Alton, Newcastle, Ipstones, Smallthorne, Hartington and Alstonefield, together with similar particulars for a property at Whittington, near Chesterfield, Derbyshire, all in very fine condition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

53

1819-1889

Dominic Winter 2 & 3 Oct 2002

969

Group of seven very attractive printed broadsides, 1819-89, all advertising sale by auction of various properties including the Laund Estate, Leek, land at Fradswell, farm property seized under a distraint for rent and various properties at Cauldon, all in fine condition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

54

1796

Dominic Winter 5 Nov 2002

421

The original agreement for the founding of the brass and wire works in Stoke on Trent November 29th 1796, manuscript on eleven large paper leaves written in a neat secretarial hand, good condition. The agreement, between George Vernon and Richard Keys defines the nature of the business 'the making of brass, of selling and of bartering the same for the term of 50 years'. It also defines the way in which the business should be conducted, stockholding, responsibilities of the directors etc. Vernon and Keys invested œ500 each in setting up the business, which was established at 'Stoke near Stone'.

Vernon

Keys

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

55

19th century

Dominic Winter 5 Nov 2002

458

Extensive archive of letters, family papers etc., mid 19th c., relating to the Spender Clay family of Ranesmore, Burton on Trent, including legal papers, accounts documents relating to land transactions, rents etc, agreements, wills, vellum indentures etc. The Spender Clay family had considerable wealth. One document suggests a fortune of about œ200,000. This archive thus provides considerable primary source material for one of the wealthiest families in the Burton on Trent area.

Spender Clay

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

56

1831

Dominic Winter 5 Nov 2002

459

Extensive multiple sheet vellum indenture, dated 1831, being the deed of exchange of messuages and other properties in the parishes of Cheadle and Dilhorne, Staffs, with an extensive manuscript schedule listing properties and a very large folding hand coloured map showing the area covered by the indenture. An important primary source for local historians and genealogists of this area of North Staffordshire. The map is particularly well executed in pen with wash colours.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

57

1852

ebay

 

Large vellum indenture dating 7th December 1852. The names involved are Thomas Simpson of Hanley, William Hatton of Wolstanton and Samuel Browne, farmer. It concerns parcels of land called Broomy Field and Hall Crofts. There is a seal and a 2 shilling & six pence revenue stamp. 26” x 22”, Excellent. It has an old watermark/stain and a little fading of the ink. There are no tears.

Simpson

Hatton

Browne

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

58

1855

ebay

 

Large vellum indenture from 1855 The names involved are Samuel Edwards of Newcastle Under Lyme, auctioneer and upholstere, Thomas Simpson of Hanley and Rev. William Henry Wright of Cornwall. I think it is a mortgage type document for the sum of £600. 30” x 24”, Excellent. Just a little soiling

Edwards

Simpson

Wright