A SELECTION OF 24  DEEDS RELATING TO
THE COUNTY OF KENT  1501-1897

BENENDEN                                                                        1587,
1588

BETHERSDEN                                                                    1528

BREDGAR                                                                          1501

DOVER                                                                              1824

EAST MALLING                                                                  1777

FINGLESHAM                                                                    1676

GUSTON                                                                            1824

HACKINGTON                                                                    1593

HAWKHURST/SANDHERST

HERNE                                                                               1537,
1873, 1880

HERNE BAY                                                                       1865

HIGH HALSTOW                                                                1837

LYMINGE                                                                           1653,
1749, 1778

MILTON-NEXT-GRAVESEND                                             1854

PETHAM                                                                            1677,
1867

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST, ISLE OF THANET                          1696

WAREHORNE, SNARGATE etc                                          1622,
1682

BENENDEN                                                                                                    1588

BARGAIN AND SALE

Grant by Richard Bishop of Lewes in the county of Sussex, tailor, in
consideration of £140.... to Richard
Sharp of Benenden in the county of Kent,
clothier, of all that messuage or tenement, one barn,
one close, one garden, one forstal and 10 pieces of
land called Osbarnes,
containing in total 30 acres by estimation, of meadow, pasture and wood, lying
and being in the parish of Benenden, above the denne of Dengullynden, abutting
the lands of John Duke to south and
west, the lands of Richard Fowle north, the lands of William Gibbon and the denne road there to the east, and another piece of land
there abutting the lands of the said Richard
Wells to the south, and the said denne road to
west, and the lands late of William Evernden to the north and east, and one other piece of
land remaining lying and being to the Queen’s highway there to the north, the
lands of William Evernden
north and east and the said denne road to south and
east... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD to the use of the said Richard Sharp his heirs and assigns
forever, of the chief Lords of the fee....

Dated 20th September 30 Elizabeth I (1588)

Attached to the seal tag is a
seal, in red wax, ca 1” x ¾ “, bearing the impression of the initials R B
within a round floral device.

The witnesses are named on the dorse. They are: Leonard
Bisshpppe, Robert
Morymer and Lawrence
Wells, scribe.

BENENDEN                                                                                                    1587

DEED TO LEAD TO A COMMON RECOVERY

Indenture made 18th
June 29 Elizabeth (1587)  BETWEEN Anne Bishop of Battle, in the county of
Sussex, widow, and James Fawden of Bucksted, in the
same county, of the one part, and Stephen
Turner of Arlington, in the said county, clerk, and Richard Bishop of Lewes in the said county, yeoman, of the other
part.... WITNESSETH that it is covenanted granted concluded etc.... between the
said parties.... that the said James
shall put and suffer the said Stephen
and Richard to purchase and sue for
the against the said Anne and James one recovery.... of all that messuage or tenement called Osborne, and of all the lands tenements and hereditaments
to the same messuage pertaining, situate lying and
being in the parish of Benenden in the county of
Kent, and of all the lands of the said James
in Benenden, by the name of one messuage,
one barn, one garden, one orchard, and 34 acres of land in Benenden...
to the use of Anne Bishop her heirs
and assigns forever....

Signed: Stephen Turner Richard Bishop

The witnesses are Thomas Anscombe
and John Alfroke

BETHERSDEN                                                                                                 1528

FEOFMENT

Feofment
by Thomas Bresynden,
senior, Germaine Glover, John Glover, senior, and William Turnore
of Bethersden, in the county of Kent, at the request
of John Tylle
to Thomas Dalby,
clerk, Stephen Whetherynden,
senior, Nicholas Glover and Stephen Wethrynden,
son of George Wetherynden, of Bethersden, of a piece of land called Wellemede, containing by estimation
2 acres of land in Bethersden, on the den of Rynsole, adjoining
lands of Henry Husy,
senior, east, lands of the chantry of Bethersden south and west, and the King’s highway north,
which said piece of land the grantors had, amongst other lands, by the grant of
the said John Tylle,
to be held to the use of Thomas Dalby his heirs forever....

Dated at Bethersden 25th December 20 Henry VIII (1528).

BREDGAR                                                                                                        1501

QUITCLAIM

Quitclaim by Joane A Dene of the parish of Bredgar, in the county of Kent, widow, to Robert Henekyr of the parish of Bredgar, to one acre of land lying and being in the parish
of Bredgar in a field called Denysfylde, above le lynche, to
the lands of the said Robert Henekyr towards the east and west, to lands of Richard at Wode
towards the north, and to lands of the heirs of John A Dene towards the south....

Dated at Bredgar 2nd July 16 Henry VII (1501).

The witnesses are:  Richard
at Wode, Thomas
Drury, John Elbryghte
and many others.

Attached to the document is a
seal, in red wax, ca 1 ½ cms dia,
bearing the impression of a fleur de lis (?) within
an octagonal border.

DOVER                                                                                                           1824

LEASE FOR A YEAR

Indenture dated 5th
July 1824  BETWEEN  John Finnis of the town and Port of Dover, in the county of
Kent, timber merchant, and Thomas Vinter the younger of Dover, gentleman, of the one
part, and John Cutfeld
of Deal, in the said county of Kent, gentleman, of the other part....  WITNESSETH that for an in consideration of
5/-  they the
said John Finnis
and Thomas Vinter  HAVE
bargained and sold unto the said John
Cutfield, his executors, administrators and
assigns  ALL THAT  piece or parcel of arable land, containing by
estimation 2 acres and 10 perches (formerly in three pieces or parcels and
stated to contain 2 acres and ½ rod), lying and being in Deal aforesaid in the
said county of Kent, and in a certain shot there called Chamberlains fee, abutting
to land of John Henderson towards
the northeast, to lands late of Simon
Pritchard and now of Thomas
Pritchard towards the northeast, to land late in the occupation of Stephen Mackney,
now belonging to John Iggulden,
esquire, towards the southeast, and to a road or highway there towards the
southwest, formerly in the tenure or occupation of Thomas Foreman and Mary
Foreman, widow, since that of Andrew
Long, afterwards of Thomas Hayman
and William Haymen
or one of them, late of John Mourilyan and now or late of John Bedwell.... TO
HAVE AND TO HOLD..... for the term of one whole
year....

Signed : John Finnis  Thomas
Vinter

The witnesses are named on the dorse. They are: Edward
Knocker, Edward Elwin, clerks to
Messrs Knocker, solicitors in Dover.

EAST MALLING                                                                                              1777

LEASE FOR A YEAR

Indenture dated 7th
February 1777 BETWEEN William Beckett,
late of Hunton, but now of Snodland
in the county of Kent, carpenter, only son and heir of William Beckett, late of East Malling, in the said county,
bricklayer, deceased, who was one of the two sons and a devisee named in the
last will and testament of William
Beckett of Larkfield, in the parish of East
Malling, bricklayer, deceased of the one part and John Gilder of Snodland, yeoman, of the
other part  WITNESSETH  that for and in consideration of 5/- the said
William Beckett HATH bargained and
sold to the said  ALL  that messuage or
tenement with the garden, backside etc.... situated lying and being in the
parish of East Malling, formerly in the tenure or occupation of the said William Beckett, deceased, father of
the said William Beckett party
hereto, since of Mary Beckett, widow
, late of Thomas Bouer
and now in the tenure or occupation of James
Pett.... and which said messuage
etc were in and by the last will and testament of the said William Beckett the grandfather given and devised to the said William Beckett the father.... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD  for the term of one whole year

Signed:  William
Beckett

The witnesses are named on the dorse. They are: William
Russell and A H Dyne

FINGLESHAM, IN THE PARISH OF
NORTHBOURNE                                      1676

Indenture tripartite dated 13th
December 28 Charles II (1676)
BETWEEN  John Simmons of the parish of Northbourne, in the county of Kent, yeoman, of the first
part, Robert Simmons of the parish
of Westbere, in the county of Kent, yeoman, of the
second part, and Francis Simmons of the said parish of Northbourne, of the third part, sons and co-heirs in gavelkind
of John Simmons, late of the parish
of Northbourne, deceased..... WHEREAS the said John Simmons the father, is his lifetime, was seized in his demesne as
of fee simple of one messuage or tenement, one barn,
one stable, one garden, and one piece of arable land, the said yard adjoining,
containing by estimation 3 acres and 22 perches of land, lying and together
adjoining and being in the parish of Northbourne at a
place .... called Finglesham,
to the said street there towards the southwest, to lands now or late of Leonard Smith towards the northwest,
and to lands of the heirs of Thomas
Brett towards the northeast  AND  of and in one other parcel of arable land
containing by estimation 4 acres... lying and being in the said parish of Northbourne at or near a place there called Fingelsham, to the lands of the heirs of the said Thomas Brett towards the northeast and
northwest, to the lands of the heirs of the said Thomas Brett and to a certain
dyke there towards the southeast, to the lands of the heirs of William Ald,
to the lands of the heirs of Robert Keystone, and to the lands of the heirs
of Mathew Heely,
now of Andrew Kingsford, and to the
lands of the heirs of John Lancelott towards the southwest  AND  of
one other parcel of arable land containing by estimation 5 roods of land, lying
and being in the parish of Northbourne at or near a
certain place there called Finglehsam, to the King’s
highway there towards the southwest, to the lands of Stephen Holman towards the northwest, to the lands of the heirs of
the said Thomas Brett towards the
northeast, and to the lands of the heirs of the said Leonard Smith towards the southeast
AND of one parcel of marsh or brooke
containing by estimation 6 acres, lying and being in Northbourne,
at a place called Finglesham, to the lands late of Valentine Parker gentleman, now of Thomas Simmons, to the southeast, to
the stream there towards the northeast, to the lands of the heirs of the said Thomas Brett and to the droveway there towards the southwest, and to the lands of John Boys esquire, and lands now or
late of John Kingsford towards the
northwest  ALL  which said premises the said John Simmons the father purchased of John Kingsford and Daniel Kingsford, late of Northbourne,
yeomen......

The deed is incomplete.

FRINDSBURY                                                                                                  1861

LEASE

Indenture dated 11th
March 1861  BETWEEN  Alfred
Edward Kidwell of Rochester, in the county of Kent, auctioneer and
appraiser of the one part, and William Kimmins of Frindsbury in the
said county of Kent, miller, of the other part
WITNESSETH  that in consideration of
the surrender this day made of an Indenture of Lease dated 11th
March 1856 and made between Robert Kidwell of the one part, and the said William Kimmins
of the other part, and of rents and covenants hereinafter reserved.... on the
part of the said William Kimmins..... HE the said Alfred Edward Kidwell DOTH by these
presents demise and lease unto the said William
Kimmins
ALL THAT  piece or parcel of
ground, situate, lying and being in the parish of Frindsbury,
containing from north to south on the east side thereof, abutting on a certain
road or way leading from Frindsbury Street to a windmill at present in the
occupation of the said William Kimmins 113’ 8” of assize and from north to south on
the west side thereof, abutting to
meadow land in the occupation of the said William Kimmins 115’ and from east to
west on the north side thereof, abutting the windmill aforesaid, 12’ of assize,
and from east to west on the south side thereof abutting to other part of the
land belonging to the said Robert Kimmins  29’ of
assize.... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the said piece or parcel of ground etc.... unto
the said William Kimmins,
his executors, administrators and assigns from 25th March
instant.... for the term of 94 years.... YIELDING AND PAYING therefore yearly
the rent of £2/10/0 by equal half yearly instalments at or upon 25th
March and 29th September... free and clear of all taxes etc... AND
FURTHER THAT THE said William Kimmins shall
and will within 12 months from the date hereof at his own cost erect, build and
set up one or more buildings to be used as a warehouse or as a cottage upon the
said ground.... and he shall expend £100 at the least.... and he shall erect a
stone wall or boundary fence of not less than 4’ 6” in height at the east side
of the said parcel of ground....

Signed:   William
Kimmins

The witness is named on the dorse. He is John
Ball (?), solicitor in Rochester.

GUSTON                                                                                                        1824

LEASE FOR A YEAR

Indenture made 10th
June 1824  BETWEEN  Mary
Ann Church of Court Lees near the
city of Canterbury, spinster (only surviving daughter and heiress of Jatt Church, intestate, who was a devisee
named in the last will and testament of his grandfather Jatt Church, late of the town and port of Dover, in the county of Kent,
clerk of the cheque of Dover Harbour) of the one part, and Joseph Iggulden the younger of the town
and port of Dover, miller, of the other part
WITNESSETH  that in consideration
of 5/- she the said Mary Ann Church HATH bargained and sold unto the said Joseph Iggulden  ALL THAT messuage
or tenement, with the outhouses and one piece or parcel of land thereunto adjoining
and belonging, containing in the whole by estimation 20 perches, situate, lying
and being in the parish of Gusson als
Guston in the said county of Kent, near the church
there, and abutting to the highway towards the northwest, formerly in the
tenure or occupation of John Rolfe,
since of John Upton, then of John Castle, afterwards of ----- Goldsak, and now
of Henry Marlow... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD for the term of one whole year.....

HACKINGTON                                                                                                  1593

LEASE

Indenture dated 30th October 24 Elizabeth BETWEEN
the Mayor and Commonality of the city
of Canterbury of the one part, and Sir Roger Manwood,
knight, chief Baron of the Exchequer of the other part.... WTINESSETH that the
said Mayor and Commonality do to farm let unto the said Sir Roger all those two parcels of ground of the late hospital of
poor priests in Canterbury, containing 12 acres, lying together in Hackington in the county of Kent, and near Canterbury,
whereof one parcel containing by estimation 4 acres and 3 yards boundeth by the lands of the late William Rooper, esquire east and south,
to the other parcel of the said hospital land west, and to the highway towards Tyler Hill north, and the other parcel
containing by estimation 7 acres 36 percchers boundeth by the first parcekl
east, to the lands latre of Robert Thompson now of
the saiod Sir Roger and to the lands of the said St JOh’s hospital west, to the said highway north.. TO HAVE
AND TO HOLD the said two parels of ground in fee farm
forever, YIELDING and paying therwefpre yearly £4.. at the dwelling house of the
chamberlain.

Attached is but ¼ of the seal of the city of Canterbury, originall y ca 4 “dia

Endrosed: The purchase of my
grandfather hos hall for which he payes
£4 to poor priests yearly#

Livery of seizing was made by the below named attorney 3rd
November 1395. John ----- Stephen Bassock
and Henry Bingesby?

HAWKHURST/SANDHERST      12
wm 3

ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE

Indenture dated 25th March 12 William III (    )
BETWEEN William Woods of Sandherst in the
county of Kent, blacksmith, of the one part, and Thomas Parkins
of Warehorne in the county of Kent, yweoman, of the other part
WHEREAS|  John Dunke,
late of Hawkherst in the said county of Kent,
wheelwright (sine deceased) by his indenture dated 13th October in 1
st year W 3 made BETWEE the said John Dunke of the one part, and William Woods of the other
part,... i consideration of £50... did
demise rant bargain and sell and to farm let.... ALL that ONE  messuage or tenmenet wherein the said Joh Dunke did then dwell, one barn, one workhouse, on outhouse,
one garden, one orchard, one close and nine pieces of land to the said messuage belonging, situate lying and being in the svereal parishes of Hawkhersta nd Sandherst, containing in the
whole by estimation 30 acres.... then in the occupation of the said John Dunke... TO HAVE AND T HOLD... until the full
end and term of 1000 years... YIELDING AND PAYING therepre
yearly one pepper corn... under a proviso... tha if
the said John Dunke his heirs executors
administrators or assigns ashould pay unto the said
William Woods the sum of £52/10/0 ... on 14th October 1690 THAT THEN
the said indenture to be void.... AND WHEREAS THE
SAID John  Dunke by one indenture dated 11th
November 1 w 3... made between the said John Dunke
and William WEoods in consideration of £50 did demise
etc untothe said William Woods ALL that the messuage etc to have andr to hold
for the residue of the said term of 1000 yeatrs...
NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that the said William Woods..
for and in consideration of £110 paid to him by Thomas Parkins...
the said William Woods HATH bargained, sold, assigned, transferred etc unto the
said Thomas Parkins/... the said recited indenture od demise... together with the resdieu
of q10000 years...

Signed:  William Woodes

The witnesses, who are namd on the
dorse, are:
Sam Petter, junior and Sam Durant.

HERNE 1537-8

Indenture made 17th May 28 Henry VIII (    ) BETWEEN Thomas Kenett
clerk on the one part, and John Sethe of Hern in the county of Kent on the other... WTINESSETH that
the said Thomas Kenett for and in consideration of
£20... as for £40...hath bargained and sold unto the said John Sethe all his purparty and part
of all those lands, tenements and other hereditaments
being in Hern and Recuklver
in the county of Kent, which were Isabell his mathoer’s and he the said Thomas Kenett coenants to the said John Sethe that he before the feast of the Purification of our
Lady next shall make a good sure lawfull estate in
fee simple of and in the said purparty, which is of a
yearly value of £3/6/8... and the said Thomas Kenett shall on he east of St John
the Baptist 1537 paY unto the said Richard Knowler £12 and shall by that means and shall by that means
again have lands sold to him by indenture dated 1st July.. and then within 1`4 days next shall make good title to the
said J S who covenants to pay T K £o in the feast of the apostle simon juine coming ad £20 in east
of Ss Simon and Jude 15387.

Sige3ned:  Thomas Kente clerk

Seal red tag 1” x 1”, initial T K in circle.

HERNE BAY                                                                 1865

MORTGAGE

Indenture made 7th November 1865 BETWEEN Isabella
Chandler of Herne Bay, in the county of Kentm
spinster, of the one part, and John Deedes, George Neame and Robert Lake (hereinafter referred to as the
mortgagees), of the other part.... WHEREAS  the said UIsabella
Chandler is holder of 16 shares and 1 ½ shares of £120 euqal
shre in the above society No 2600-2615 and A105....
in pursuance of the said society to lend her £990.... NOW THIS INDENTURE
WITNESSETH THAT IN CONISDERATION OF £990 she THE SAID Isabella hath ranted and
conveyed unto the said society ALL those 8 several messuages
or tenements (two of which are in course of erection) and lately erected and
built by the said Isabella upon a piee of land
hereinafter mentioned.... and now in the several tenures or occupations of
----- Hemery, ----- Stoneham, ----- Foles, William Huver, ----- Kean
and ----- Willett, and fronting to and abutting a certain new street called
Charles Street  AND ALSO ALL THAT piece
or parcel of land being part of a certain field or piece of land called Capston Field, situated in Herne Bay, in the parish of
Herne, and which said piece of land with the abutments thereof is more clearly
delineated in the margin of an indenture dated 20th April 1835 made
between Thomas Norman Wightwick and Montague
Kingsford of the first part, Edward Reynolds Collard of ther
second and Isabella Chandler of the third.... O HAVE AND TO HOLD unto the use of the mortgagees.... subject to a proviso for
redemption...

Signed: Isabella Chandler

On fodorse:

The Kent and Canterbury Building Society acknowledge receipt of all monies
lent. Dated 7th December 1880.

HERNE 1873

CONVEYANCE

Indenture dated 2nd July 1873  BETWEEN
Thomas White Collard of Broomfield in the parish of Herne in the county
of Kent, farmer, and Thomas White Collard, surveyor, of the one part, and Rihard King of Orhard Terrace,
Southampton, in the county of Hampshire, gentleman of the other part... WHEREAS
Edward Reynolds Colland, late of Herne Bay. Esquire,
made his last will and testament dated 12th November 1868, whereby
he devised amongst other hereditaments   all
HIS REEHOLD HEREDITAMENTS SITUATED IN THE PARISH OF Herne.... unto the said
Thomas White Collard of Broomfield and Thomas White Collard of Canterbury... upin the trusts thereinafter expressed.... and that it
should be lawful for his said trustees to dispose of all or part of his hereditaments etc.... AND WHEREAS  the said testator died 27th
August 1869... and his will was proved on 16th
October 1869 by JuliaCollard his widow and sole
executrix.... NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH that in consideration of
£298/7/0.... they the said.///// do grant convey etc
unto the said Richard King ALL that piece or parcel of land , situated, lying
and being in the parish of Herne, on the southside opf a street there called Charles Street, containing by admeasurment on that side 117’, and bounded on the east in
part by land belonging to Mrs Smart, in other part on the east and containing
on that side 72’ and in part on the south by land belonging to the trustees of
the said Edward R C in other part on the south by land belonging to T Chandler
and J Adams respectively, and on the other part on the south and containing on
the side ------ and on the west side thereof by land belonging to the said
trustees and containin on tha
side 72’, which said piece or parcel of land forms [part of xa
certain field known as Capston Field.... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD....

A SHCEDULE IS GIVEN:

26TH February 1873

Indenture of Reconveyance between Sir George Rendlesham Precott bart, Leonard Tollner, Haryy George Ay=ustin and John
Noyes of 1st part, Herbert Tritton Sankey and Rest William Flint of 2nd and Thomas
White Collard of Broomhall and Thomas White Collard of Canterbury of 3rd

26th February 1873

Indenture of Covenant to produce deeds....

17th December 1872

Receipt for suession duty of Edward Rey Clifford
Collard, Frank Finnis Collard and Willouighby
Reynolds Collard, expectant upon the deasth of Julias Collard.

10th March 1873

Receipt for succession duty of Edwrad Ciollard in respect of the annuity of £52/10/0 charged on
the residuary estate of Edward Reynolds.

2Signed: Thomas W C  Thomas W C

Witnessesw Robert Sankey  sol Canterbury.

HERNE                                                                                                             1880

MORTGAGE

Indenture made 24th December 1880  BETWEEN
Isabella Chandler of Herne Bay, in the county of Kent, spinster, of the
one part, and Isaa Ratcliff, James Potter, builder,
and Elizabeth Ann Godden, widow, all of the city of Canterbury (mortgagees) of
the other part  TINESSETH  that i
consideration of £1500 the said Isabella Chandler  DOTH
give and convey unto the mortgagees
ALL THOSE  8 messuages
or tenements, situated lying and being at Herne Bay in the parish of Herne, in
the county of Kent, known as Nos 1 – 8 St Thomas
Cottages, and now or late in the several tenures or occupations of James Nash,
William Stoneham, Mrs Baslington, Mrs Flawes, the said Isabella Chandler, John Kinght.... which said messuages
have lately been erected by the said Isabella Chandler on a piece of land
conveyed by her by Indenture dated 20th April 1865 between T N Whightworth and M Kingsford of the first part, Edward R C
of the second and Isabella Chandler of the third.... TO HOLD the said messuages to the said mortgagees and their heirs....
subject to a proviso for redemption....

Signed: Isabella Chandler  Isaac C  R James P and E

Attached to the document is a receipt of the Sun Fire Oice, London dated 6th Jul 1880 for one year’s prem,ium on the value of £2200.
Premium paid £1/13/0 and signed by John Collard and Son, Agents.

On the dorse:

Memo that by indenture dated 11th Otober 1884 between Rest William F and Herbert Tritten Sanket of the first part
and William Jones of No 7 St Thomas Cottasges, lately
in the occupation of Mr Inderwick and then of the
said William Jones, was conveyed to William Jones in fee simple.

The witnesses are Robert Sankey,
solicitor un Canterbury, and George Cox, clerk to
Messrs Sankey

HIGH HALSTOW                                                                                              1837

LEASE FOR A YEAR

Indenture dated 23rd June 1837 BETWEEN Elizabeth Everest of the parish of Hoo otherwise St Warburgh, in the
100 of Hoo, in the county of Kent, widow, Richard Everest of the parish of Allhallowe in the said 100 and
county, yeoman, and Henry Everest of
the parish of Hoo, esquire, of the one part, and William Fuller of Temple Bar in the
city of London, esquire, of the other part WITNESSETH that for and in consideration
of 5/- the said Elizabeth Everest et
al  HAVE bargained and sold unto the said
William Fuller  ALL that messuage
or tenement and the barn, stable, yard, backside, garden and orchard....
situated lying and being at or near a certain street commonly called sharnaly street in the parish of High Halstow in the 100 of Hoo,
formerly in the tenure or occupation of John
Overy, since of ----- Meaking, since that of Thomas Stirrup, afterwards of John Wood, since of John Saunders, deceased, late of Richard Everest, afterwards of the
devisees in trust of his will, and now of James
Everest  AND ALSO  all that piece of land lying and being in the
parish of High Halstow, containing by estimation 3
acres.... adjoining to the orchard aforesaid
AND ALSO  all that one piece of
land lying and being in the parish of High Halstow,
containing  by estimation 7 acres of
land  AND ALSO  all that piece of land now or late meadow
lying and being in High Halstow, containing by
estimation 3 acres of land  AND ALSO  all those two pieces of marsh in the parish
of High Halstow.... commonly called poplars, containing by estimation 9
acres  AND ALSO  all that one piece of land commonly called brackfield,
containing by estimation 12 acres of land, lying and being in the parish of St Warburgh  AND
ALSO  all those other two pieces of land,
containing by estimation 7acres of land
AND ALSO  all that one other piece
of land lying and being in St Warburgh, containing by
estimation 7 acres of land  AND ALSO  all that one other piece of land in St Warburgh, containing by estimation 7 acres of land  ALL
which said several pieces of land were formerly in the tenure of the
said John Overy,
since of the said ----- Meakins
(sic), since that of John Stirrup,
afterwards of the said John Wood,
since of the said John Saunders,
deceased, late of the said Richard
Everest the testator and now of ----- (sic)
AND ALSO  all those several pieces
of land arable, meadow and pasture to the said messuage
last mentioned also belonging, being in several parishes of St Warburgh and High Halstow, and
were formerly in the tenure or occupation of John Thompson, afterwards of ----- Dobson (sic), since of widow
Stirrup, since that of John Price,
after that of Ann Price his widow,
since of the said John Saunders,
deceased, late of the said Richard Everest the testator, his assigns or undertenants, but now of ----- (sic)  AND ALSO all those other seven pieces of land
containing together by estimation 34 acres, lying and being at or near a
certain bridge or place called Sharnwell bridge
in the parish of High Halstow, and formerly in the
occupation of the said John Thompson,
since of ----- (sic), afterwards of the said John Price, after that of the said Ann Price, since of the said John
Saunders, deceased, late of the said Richard
Everest, and afterwards of the said devisees and now of the said James Everest  AND ALSO
all that messuage or tenement situated in a
certain street called Sharnall Street in the parish of High Halstow.... together with the lands enjoyed with the same messuage, together with 28 acres of land.... situated lying
and being in the parishes of High Halstow. St Warburgh and Stoke, formerly in the tenure or occupation of
William Boreley, afterwards of William Usher, since of John Saunders, deceased, late of the
said Richard Everest, but now of the
said James Everest  AND ALSO all those several pieces of land
commonly called Ropers, adjoining
together, being at or near a certain place called Ropers in the parish of St Warburgh, in
the tenure or occupation of widow Dann, formerly containing by estimation 29 acres and 30
perches, but since found to contain 39 acres and 22 perches, but including half
the roads 40 and 35 perches.... and which said pieces of land were heretofore
in 8 several pieces and were then described separately in manner following, viz   one piece of
furze land, containing by estimation 10 acres....  ONE OTHER piece of land commonly called Little Broom Close, containing by
estimation 3 acres, one piece of land commonly called Long Borow, containing by estimation 7
acres of land, one piece of land theretofore divided into two several pieces of
land, containing by estimation 6 acres of land, commonly called Great Ropers, one piece of land commonly
called little Ropers, containing by estimation 3 acres of land, one other piece
of land commonly called Brown close,
containing by estimation 3 acres  AND TWO
OTHER several pieces of land commonly called the grove, containing by estimation 3 acres of land all which said
last 8 mentioned pieces of land were heretofore in the tenure or occupation of widow Dann,
afterwards of George Harrold,
after that of William Gilbert, since
of Thomas Hulkes,
late of the said Richard Everest,
his assigns or undertenants, late of the said
devisees and now of the said James Everest  AND ALSO
all that messuage tenement and cottage and two
pieces of meadow or pasture land thereunto belonging.... containing by
estimation 8 acres .... lying and being in the parishes and 100 of Hoo and near or adjoining to the road leading from Hoo Mill to St Mary, formerly in the tenure or occupation
of George Gates, since of Richard Ballard, late of the said Richard
Everest, afterwards of the devisees in trust, and now of the said James Everest.... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD  for the term of
one whole year.....

Signed:  Elizabeth Everest   Richard Everest   Henry Everest

Attached to the seal fold of the document are three seals,
of irregular shape, badly born, but bearing an indistinct full armorial
achievement.

The witnesses on the dorse are: George Essell
and Gabriel Couves

LYMINGE                                                                                              1653

BOND

Bond by Richard Woollet of Elham,
in the county of Kent, gentleman, to Andrew
Smitheat of Lyminge, in
the said county, yeoman, in the sum of £121. Dated 3rd
August 1653.

The condition of the bond is the performance
of covenants contained in one pair of indenture dated of even date.

Signed: Richard Woollet

The witnesses are:  William
Brockman, John Hogben
and Edward Hogben.

The tongue has the major portion
of a seal appended to it, in red wax, bearing the impression of a stag’s head.

LYMINGE                                                                                                       1778

LEASE FOR A YEAR

Indenture dated 25th
March 1778 BETWEEN Anthony Hoopper of Sampsons Gigs near
the Hermitage in the county of Middlesex, mariner, (one of the sons of and
devisees named in the last will and testament of Roger Hooper, late of Ramsgate in the Isle of Thanet, in the county
of Kent, mariner, deceased) of the one part and William Rigden of the parish of Lyminge, gentleman of the other part  WITNESSETH  that for and in consideration of 5/-  he HATH bargained and sold unto the said William Rigden
ALL THAT one full equal undivided moiety or half part of and in  ALL THAT
messuage or tenement with barns, stables,
outhouses, buildings, gardens orchard and 1 parcel of meadow land to the same
adjoining, containing by estimation 2 acres of land, situate lying and being at
Itchinghill
in Lyminge, in the county of Kent  AND ALSO of and in ALL THOSE 2 parcels of
arable land called Beltens,
containing in the whole by estimation 12 acres, lying and being in Lyminge, abutting to the highway there towards the south,
and to lands heretofore of William Rigden towards the west, north and east  AND ALSO of and in three parcels of arable
and rough ground called shortwoods,
containing in the whole by estimation 128 acres, lying and being in Lyminge aforesaid, abutting
to lands heretofore of William Rigden towards the east, to the highway there to the
south and west, and to lands heretofore in the occupation of William Swaine
towards the north  AND ALSO of and in ALL
THAT parcel of arable land called heeze lond, containing by estimation 3 acres, lying and being
in Lyminge, abutting to other lands heretofore of the
said widow Spicer towards the south,
to lands heretofore of William Brockman esquire towards the west, and
the Highway towards the north and east
AND  of and in one other parcel of
arable land called sleedes,
containing by estimation 5 acres, in Lyminge,
abutting the King’s highway towards the south, to lands heretofore of John Hogben towards the west, and to
lands heretofore of Henry Nickols towards the north and east  AND ALSO of and in one other parcel of arable
land called westfield,
containing by estimation 8 acres, lying in Lyminge,
abutting the King’s highway towards the east and south, to other lands
heretofore of the said widow Spicer
towards the north, and to lands heretofore of the said Henry Nickols towards the west... all
which said premises are now or late were in the tenure or occupation of Edward Hogben.....
TO HAVE AND TOLD FOR THE TERM of one whole year.....

Signed:  Anthony
Hooper.

Attached to the seal fold is a
seal, in red wax, ca 3 cms dia,
bearing the impression of a man’s bust facing the right.

The witnesses are named on the dorse They are: John Pebble, Herbert Hooper and John Fagg.

MILTON NEXT GRAVESEND                                                                          1854

RELEASE

Indenture dated 17th
June 1854  BETWEEN  Edward
Lacey of Gravesend, in the county of Kent,
esquire, of the one part, Joseph Almond
Cropper of Gray’s Inn, in the county of Middlesex, esquire, of the other
part  WHEREAS by an indenture of Release
dated 21st August 1841 made between George Frederick Cobham of Camden Place, Camberwell, in the county
of Surrey, builder, and William Burt
Wright of Camden Place, builder, of the first part, and John Bond Dixon of Basinghall
Street, in the city of London, gentleman, and John Nickols
the younger of Seething Lane in the same city, gentleman, of the second part,
the said Edward Lacey
therein described as of St Paul’s churchyard in the city of London, bookseller,
of the third part, and Robert Cole of No 14 Tokenhouse
Yard in the same city, gentleman, of the fourth part.... the plot, piece or
parcel of land with two messuages erected thereon....
therein more particularly described and intended to be granted were conveyed
unto the said Edward Lacey
and his heirs.... NOW THIS INDENTURE WITNESSETH
that the said Edward Lacey.... doth direct that the plot etc shall from
thenceforth remain to the use of the said Joseph
Almond Cropper, his heirs and assigns, forever.... NOW THIS INDENTURE
FURTHER WITNESSETH  that
in consideration of £600... the said Edward
Lacy  DOTH  release unto the said Joseph Almond Cropper  ALL
that piece or parcel of land and the two messuages
thereon erected on a part thereof called Echo
Grove, in the parish of Milton next Gravesend, in the county of Kent, and
bounded on the north by the land belonging to the said Joseph Almond Cropper, on the east by a public carriage road called
Parrock Lane, leading from Gravesend to Cobham,
and to the old turnpike road from London to Rochester on the south, by a carriage
road or way leading from the said parrock lane and
from and by the works and premises of the Milton and Gravesend Waterworks Co,
to certain cottages and premises now or lately belonging to William Harvey, and on the west by land
which belongs to the said Joseph Almond
Cropper, and was sold by him to Richard
Tunstall, which piece of land intended to be
hereby conveyed and the land above mentioned, to be contiquous
thereto on the north and west are an eastern part of a close of land which was
called South Hill Field and contains
6 acres, 2 rods and 5 perches...  TO HAVE
AND TO HOLD the said plot of land etc....
forever.....

Signed:  Edward
Lacey   Joseph Almond Cropper

The witness, who is named on the dorse, is:  Thomas Cheesman,
solicitor in Gravesend.

PETHAM                                                                                                        1677

RECEIPT AND ACQUITTANCE OF A
LEGACY

Receipt and acquittance
by Edward Gurney of Pettham in the county of Kent, yeoman, youngest son of Edward Gurney, late of the parish of St
John the Baptist in the Isle of Thanet, yeoman, deceased, stating that he has
received and had of his brother John
Gurney of the parish of St John the
Baptist, yeoman, the full sum of £200... being the
legacy given and bequeathed to him by his father in and by his last will and
testament.... dated 23rd September 1659...

Dated 16th
October 1677.

Signed:  Edward
Gurney.

The witnesses are:  Thomas
Best, junior, and Thomas Jull.

The documents is sealed with a
paper on wax seal, indented into the margin of the paper document, in red wax,
ca 1.5 cms dia, bearing the
impression of a building (a castle?).

Another paper document within is a
receipt, dated 18th November 1675.

Received of John Gurney, my natural brother, at or before the date hereo,f £30 for the interest for 1 ½ year on £200, now in
the hands of the said John Gurney,
which was given and bequeathed to me by the last will and testament of my
father Edward Gurney.

Signed: Edward Guerney.

PARISH OF ST JOHN THE BAPTIST,
ISLE OF THANET                                    1696

PROBATE COPY OF WILL

Will dated 22nd April 8
William III (1696). I John Gurney of
the parish of St John the Baptist in the Isle of Thanet, yeoman, being sick and
ill in body but of good and present sense and memory.... do make and ordaine this my last will and testament... first I give and
devise all that my messuage or farme
house wherein I now dwell, with all the barns, stables etc.... and all the
lands arable and pasture containing 100 acres.... and all other my messuages, lands and tenements whatsoever and wheresoever, unto John
Gurney, my son, his heirs and assigns forever, paying to Elizabeth my daughter at her age of 21 years
or her day of marriage  ----- ...... and
I will that my executors.... shall.... educate, bring up, take care and provide
for my said daughter Elizabeth until
she shall receive her said legacy.... I give and bequeath to Rebecca my loving wife my two silver
cups, which were hers before her marriage, also I give to my wife my best bedsted, with the bedding, and all other furniture
thereunto belonging.... together with sufficient linen of all sorts and other
household stuffe and household goods sufficient..... to furnish a room. Also I give to the poor of the parish of
St John the Baptist 10/-, to be distributed among them according to the
discretion of the churchwardens and overseers of the said parish. Also all the
residue of my goods and chattels whatsoever I give and bequeath to my son John Gurney. Also I make and ordain the
said Rebecca and the said John Gurney executors of this my last
will and testament. I desire my loving brother Andrew Hills to be advising, aiding and assisting overseer in the
management of this my last will.

The witnesses are: Andrew Hills, Elizabeth Gibbons and John
Evers.

Probate was granted on 16th
May 1696.

WAREHORNE, SNARGATE, TENTERDEN,
BRENZETT and elsewhere           1622

DEED OF SETTLEMENT

Indenture tripartite made 27th
November 1622  BETWEEN George Phillipps
of Kemsing, in the county of Kent, esquire, of the
first part, Thomas Whetenhall
of East Peckham, in the said county, esquire, and Mary his wife, of the second part, and Sir Edward Hale of Tunstall, in the
county of Kent, knight and Baronet, Robert
Curtys of Tenterden in
the said county, gentlemen, and Joseph Stace of London, of the third part   WTINESSETH
that the said George Phillipps in consideration of a marriage already had
between the said Thomas Whetenhall and
the said Mary his wife, she being
the sole daughter of the said George
Phillipps,
and for the better preferment, maintenance and advancement of the said Thomas and Mary in time to come, and for the natural love etc. the said George Phillipps
beareth to the said Mary his daughter.... and for the establishment and continuance of
all and singular the messuages, lands etC.... hereafter mentioned, for so long as it shall please
almighty God in the blood and kindred of the said George Phillipps.... HE HATH granted,
bargained, sold, enfeoffed, confirmed.... unto the
said Edward Hale, Robert Curtys
and Joseph Stace,
their heirs and assigns forever  ALL  that his messuage
or tenement and six pieces of fresh marsh, containing by estimation 52 acres,
lying and being in the parish of Warehorne in the
county of Kent, and now or late in the tenure or occupation John Strood
or his assigns and also five other pieces of fresh marsh, containing by
estimation 31 acres, lying and being in the parish of Snargate
in the county of Kent, and now or late in the tenure or occupation of the said John Strood
or his assigns  AND  all that one garden, two orchards and
eighteen pieces of land, meadow and pasture to the said messuage
belonging, containing by estimation 99 acres, situated and being in Tenterden aforesaid, and now or late in the tenure or
occupation of John Stephen or his
assigns, by virtue of a  demise thereof
made to him by the said George Phillipps by indenture dated 10th June 13
James I (1615).... ALL which above mentioned premises the said George Phillipps
hath heretofore conveyed to the use of Tymothie, his now wife, during her life for her jointure, if
she happen to survive and outlife him.... as by an
indenture dated 17th June 14 James I (1616) BETWEEN the said George Phillipps of the one part, and Sir Edward Culpepper of Wakehurst, in the county of Sussex, knight, father of the
said Tymothie
of the other part.... and the said George Phillipps
further hath conveyed by these presents unto the said Sir Edward Hales, Robert Curtys and Joseph
Stace  ALL
that other messuage, with one garden, two
orchards and diverse several pieces of land, containing by estimation 34 acres,
situate lying and being in Tenterden, now or late in
the tenure or occupation of John Withersden or his assigns.... AND all that other piece
of land in Tenterden called the lymes, containing by estimation 6
acres, adjoining to a lane lying between it and the said piece of land called the Lymes, now
or late in the tenure of occupation of John
Stephens  AND  also all those other two pieces of land in Tenterden, containing by estimation 7 acres, now or late in
the tenure of occupation of John Young
or his assigns  AND  all that piece of land in Tenterden
containing by estimation 1 acre, now or late in the tenure or occupation of Glide or his assigns,  AND  all
those several pieces of marshland in Tenterden, in
the level of East Maytham,
containing by estimation 26 acres,
AND  all those two several pieces
of fresh marsh, containing by estimation 11 acres, lying and being in the
parish of Brenzett in the county of Kent.... AND all those
several pieces of marsh lands, containing by estimation 27 acres, lying and
being in Sherleyes Moore in the parish of Ebeney and Apledore, in the
county of Kent, now late in the several occupations of Sir Edward Hales and Stephen
Curtis or their assigns.... AND all those several pieces of woodland in Tenterden, containing by estimation 29 acres.... AND also
all other the messuages, lands, meadows, pastures,
woods, marshes and hereditaments whatsoever of him
the said George Phillipps,
situated in the county of Kent.... except certain grounds and closes of pasture
and wood, containing by estimation 42 acres, lying and being in the parish of Tenterden, lately purchased of Robert Sheppard, esquire... TO HAVE AND TO HOLD all the said messuages, land etc.... unto the said Sir Edward Hales, Robert Curtys and Joseph
Stace,
their heirs and assigns.... to the only use and behoof
of the said George Phillipps
and his assigns, for and during the term of his natural life.... and from and
after his decease concerning the messuage and six pieces
of fresh marsh, containing 52 acres in the parish of Warehorne....
and concerning the said five other pieces of fresh marsh, containing 31 acres
in the parish of Snargate.... and the
said other messuage and barn and 99 acres of land,
meadow and pasture in Tenterden.... to the use and behoof of Tymothie his now wife.... for and during the natural life
for her jointure.... and if it fortune the said Tymothie to die
before him.... that it may be lawful for him to make the said premises to the
use of any such other wife or wives as he shall be happy thereafter to marry,
for the next life of such a wife or wives....... and after the decease of the
said George Phillipps
and Tymothie
his wife.... then to the use of the first son of the body of the said George lawfully begotten and the heirs
male of his body of such first son, and for default of such issue ,then to the
use and behoof of the second son, the third son
etc.... in default of male issue, if the said George have any female issue other than the said Mary, now the wife of Thomas Whetenhall,
then to her the moiety of all the last mentioned messuage
etc....and for default of any such issue then the
said moiety to remain and come to the use of the said Thomas Whetenhall and Mary his wife.... for the term of their
natural lives.... and after their decease to the use of the first son of their
bodies.... then to the second, third etc... and in default of any issue
whatsoever, a moiety of the premises (delineated) to the use and behoof of Susan
Curtis, the wife of William Curtis
and sister of the said George Phillipps, for and during the term of her natural
life.... and after her decease to the use and behoof
of Robert Curtis, his heirs and
assigns.... and with respect to the other moiety, to the use and behoof of Margaret
Gibbons, the wife of Robert Gibbons, sister of the said George Phillipps,
her heirs and assigns for and during the term of her natural life, and after
her decease to the use and behoof of Obadiah Gibbon, Robert Gibbon, Faregift Gibbon, John Gibbon, Samuel Gibbon, sons of the said Margaret.... forever in common by several equal parts and
portions.... and if the said Thomas Whetenhall should fortune to have a son, then George Phillipps
will pay the further sum of £500 to be paid within 5 years after the said son
shall be born.... and furthermore it shall be lawful for the said George Phillipps
at any time hereafter during his natural life, in writing.... in the presence
of two or three credible witnesses, to revoke and make void.... all the said
uses, estates etc... as shall be assented to by the
said Thomas Whetenhall....

Signed: George Phillipes   Robert
Curtis

The witnesses are: Edward Cason, William Newbon, John Plomer, Roger Cobir, Richard Emery, John Stephens, John Young, John Witherden, Edward
Esterfield and James Clarke.

This is a true copy examined with
the original indenture, dated 26th January 1686, by us John Mascall and William Finch.

WAREHORNE                                                                                                1682

RELEASE

Indenture dated 20th
November 1682 BETWEEN Robert Brodnax, citizen and haberdasher of London, and Anne his wife, of the one part, and William Whittall
of Wye, gentleman, and Ralph Nightingale
of Wye, innholder, of the other part...
WITNESSETH  that for consideration of four
score and ten pounds paid by William Whittall to Robert
Brodnax and 5/- paid to Robert Brodnax by Ralph Nightingale.... he the said Robert Brodnax
HATH granted, bargained, sold and released unto the said William Whittall and Ralph Nightingale forever.... ALL those free marsh lands situate,
lying and being in Warehorne als
Werehorne in the county of Kent, containing by
estimation 6 acres of land, heretofore in the occupation of Humphrey Asherst....
and now or late in the tenure or occupation of the said William Whittall....
abutting to a certain lane there called Bowall Lane to the
east, to the lands now or sometimes of George
Phillips, esquire, to the east, south and west, to certain lands parcel of
the manor of Warehorne, and to certain lands of the
rectory of Warehorne to the north... TO HAVE AND TO
HOLD unto the said William and Ralph forever and he the said Robert Brodnax
and Anne his wife will before the
end of Hilary Term next acknowledge and levy a fine....

Signed:  Robert
Brodnax

Endorsed to the  effect that the Fine was levied on 21st
February 1682.

The witnesses, who are named on
the dorse, are:
William Millett and Richard Blaney.

LYMINGE                                                                                                       1749

PROBATE COPY OF WILL

17th May 1749

Copy of the will of Roger Hooper
(attested by three witnesses).... whereby he devised to Jane his wife for and during the term of her natural life  ALL
that messuage, farm and lands, situate, lying
and being in the parish of Lyminge, in the county of
Kent, and then in the occupation of E(?)
Hooper the younger, subject to and charged during his wife’s life with the
yearly rent of £6, clean of all taxes and deductions to his son Steven Hooper, and from and after the
decease of his wife the testator devised the said messuage
etc to his sons Anthony Hooper and Steven Hooper, equally to be divided
between them, share and are alike to hold as tenants in common. Proved at London 8th July 1752.

NB The testators widow Jane Hooper is lately dead, his son Anthony is living. His son Steven survived him (the testator) and
died some years since, intestate, leaving his son Herbert Hooper his only
son and heir. The said Herbert is
now aged about 18 years.

PETHAM                                                                                                        1867

LEASE

Indenture dated 18th
June 1867 BETWEEN William Christian
of Flaxland
in the parish of Petham, in the county of Kent,
yeoman, of the one part, and Thomas Uden of Flaxland, labourer, and Emma his wife, of the other part...
WTINESSETH  that the said William Christian  HATH  demised and leased unto the said Thomas Uden
and Emma his wife  ALL THOSE two houses or cottages with the barn,
yard, buildings, gardens and several pieces of land arable, pasture and wood
land thereunto belonging and adjoining, containing together 10 acres by
estimation, called Flaxland,
situated near Gaerling Green in the parish of Petham, and now in the occupation of the said William Christian and Thomas Uden
(except and reserved to the said William Christian during his life the house or
cottage in which he now resides with the garden, lodge and ground adjoin thereto
up to the barn... together with the use of the well, and also except all
timber) TO HAVE AND TO HOLD the premises hereby demised from 10th
October next during the life of Thomas Uden, and after his decease to the said Emma, if she survive him during the term
of her life.... YIELDING AND PAYING therefore £10 yearly.... and to pay all
land taxes etc and to keep the property in repair.....

Signed: William Christian  Thomas Uden  Emma Uden

The witnesses are named on the dorse. They are:  Robert Sankey,
solicitor in Canterbury,
Thomas Gambrill of Petham, farmer.