Release: Broadway

Description

Indenture quadripartite between George Townsend of Lincoln's Inn, Middlesex, esquire, William Livesey of Staple Inn, London, esquire, Anthony Stephens of the City of London, fishmonger and Elizabeth Stephens of the Parish of St. Andrew, Holbourne, London, widow, executors of the last Will and Testament of John Stephens late of Staple Inn. gentleman deceased, of the first part, William Stephens of the Parish of St. Andrew, Holbourne, esquire, eldest son and heir of the said John Stephens, of the second part, William Thomson of the Middle Temple, London, esquire, Mary, his wife and John Stephens of the same place, gentleman, which said Mary and John are the two only younger children of the said John Stephens deceased, of the third part, Robert Constable of Grays Inn, esquire and Roger Bellwood of the Middle Temple, esquire of the fourth part. Recites that John Stephens the father in and by his last Will and Testament dated 25th May 1658 among other things gave to each of his younger children viz. John Stephens party to these presents and Mary the wife of the said William Thomson, the sum of £700 apiece for their portions and provided that in case his personal estate should not amount to so much deducting what afterwards in his said will was bequeathed then the said John Stephens willed that the portion of £700 apiece should be raised by the sale or leasing of his grounds called Dorne Knapp grounds and a piece of new inclosed ground of meadow and pasture next adjoining to Buckland Wood in Broadway, Worcs.: to which intent the said John Stephens gave the said lands to his Executors to be accordingly sold or leased - he also willed that the said younger children's portions should be sold at their respective ages of 21 years or his daughter's day of marriage which should first happen - if either she die within that age or time then 1/2 of his or her portion to go to the survivor - he constituted the said Elizabeth Stephens his wife and the said George Townsend, William Livesey and Anthony Stephens Executors of his Will and afterwards on 25th May 1658 died - the said William Thomson on 17th June 1668 married the said Mary who is yet under the age of 21 years - by virtue of the said Will she and William Thomson are become lawfully entitled to her said portion; and as the personal estate of the said John Stephens did not nor as yet extend over and above the payment of his just debts and other legacies and the premises to be sold or leased are supposed upon sale not sufficient to pay the said younger children's portions, this Indenture witnesseth that for a satisfaction to be made and given of the said portions or so much thereof as the said lands will raise and for the settlement of the said lands in order to a sale for the raising of the said several portions, and in consideration of the sum of 5/- paid by Robert Constable and Roger Bellwood to the said George Townsend, William Livesey, Elizabeth Stephens, Anthony Stephens and William Stephens they, with the consent of William Thomson and Mary his wife and John Stephens the son, signified by their being made parties to these presents, have granted to the said Robert Constable and Roger Bellwood (in their actual possession thereof now being by virtue of a bargain and sale made to them for one year by the above parties by Indenture dated 23rd July 1672 [ER3/3312] and by force of the statute for transferring uses into possession) and to their heirs and assigns all those said closes or inclosed grounds of meadow and pasture known as Dorne Knapp grounds, and the new enclosed piece of ground of meadow and pasture next adjoining to Buckland Wood in Broadway late in the tenure of Anthony Sambish of Broadway and John Muckley, upon special trust and confidence that they shall with all convenient speed make sale of the lands and premises or so much as the lands will amount unto or raise. Signed by George Townsend, William Livesey, Anthony Stephens, Elizabeth Stephens, William Stephens, W: Thomson, Mary Thomson and John Stephens. Seals lost. Witnesses to the signatures of Elizabeth Stephens, William Stephens, William Thomson, Mary Thomson and John Stephens: Hanna Stephens, George Forrest and Henry Headley. Witnesses to the signatures of William Livesey and Anthony Stephens Henry Headley: William Williams and Jacob Stone (two Attornies of Will Chappels). Witnesses to the signature of George Townsend: Elizabeth Baron and Ste: Mundy (Mr. Townsend's Clerk).