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14 Feb 1777 - Lease for a Year

French Grass Ground, Thorney Bush, Fir Tree Ground, New Close and the Three Marle Grounds

In his will of 1761, linen draper of the Borough and Hendford Robert Glisson left all his lands, including Larkhill, French Grass Ground, Thorney Bush, Fir Tree Ground, New Close and Three Marle Grounds (Marle Close), to his four daughters - Betty the wife of Richard Manning, Mary the wife of John Wright, Sarah Glisson and Martha Glisson - although ensuring payments from the produce of the rents went to his widow Betty for her life. By 1777, the lands were held by Robert Glisson's daughter Mary, wife of John Wright.

In this Lease for a Year of 1777, Mary leased the lands to her brothers-in-law Richard Manning of Culmstock, Devon, and Robert Winter of Sherborne, Dorset, who had married Sarah Glisson in 1767 (after her father's will). Although Martha had married Thomas Andrews in 1764, neither are mentioned in documentation referring to the lands, since Martha had died in 1767, aged 37.

The following day, an Indenture of 15 February 1777 was drawn up, selling the lands to the brothers-in-law for the sum of £840 (around £140,000 at today's value).

map

The lands, coloured green, owned by Robert Glisson at the time of his 1761 will. He also owned lands in Back Street (today's South Street) the locations of which are presently unidentified.

14 February 1777 - Lease for a Year

This Indenture made the fourteenth day of February In the Seventeenth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and seventy seven Between Mary Wright of Yeovil in the County of Somersett Widow of the one part and Richard Manning of Culmstock In the County of Devon Gent and Robert Winter of Sherborne in the County of Dorsett Mercer and Draper of the other part Witnesseth that the said Mary Wright for And in Consideration of the sum of Five shillings of Good and lawfull money of Great Britain to her in hand paid by each of them the said Richard Manning and Robert Winter before the Sealing and Delivery hereof (the receipt whereof is hereby Acknowledged) Hath Granted Bargained and sold And by these presents Doth Grant Bargain and Sell unto the said Richard Manning and Robert Winter One undivided Third Part (the whole in three equal parts to be Divided) Of and in All that Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse and of the Backside and Garden thereto adjoining and belonging scituate and being in a certain Street called Back Street in Yeovill aforesaid And also of All those Four Acres and half of Pasture ground (be the same more or less) heretofore known by the name of Pen Close but now known by the name of the Orchard lying behind of the said Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse And next adjoining to the said Backside and Garden And also of all those Several Pieces or Parcells of Pasture ground in Yeovil aforesaid now inclosed with other Lands herein after particularly mentioned but heretofore two Distinct Closes and then known by the name of Larkhill and containing together by estimation Six Acres (be the same more or less Which said Messuage Tenement or Dwellinghouse Backside Garden Orchard and Several Parcells of Ground called Larkhill and Premisses are now in the Occupation of Betty Glisson Widow Mother of the said Mary Wright or her Tenants Also of All those two Closes or Parts or Parcells of Two Closes of Pasture ground One of Which is now known by the name of the French Grass Ground and the other by the name of Thorney Bush in which said are now Closes the aforesaid Two Closes called Larkhill are now included having been for Severall Years past thrown into and Included therewith and made Parte and Parcell thereof And which said Closes including the Larkhill's contained together by estimation Seventeen Acres (be the same more or less) Also of All that Close of Pasture ground now called or known by the name of Firr Tree Ground containing by estimation Eight Acres (be the same more or less) Also of All that Close of Pasture ground now called or known by the name of New Close containing by estimation Two Acres (be the same more or less) And Also of All those Three Closes of Pasture ground now called or known by the name of the Marle ground containing together by estimation Eleven Acres (be the same more or less) In Which said last mentioned Closes called Marle grounds or one of them is included One Acre of Ground or thereabouts for many years past inclosed therewith The Fee and Inheritance Whereof is by Purchase now Vested in the said Mary Wright Richard Manning and Robert Winter All which last mentioned Closes called the French Grass Ground Thorney Bush Firr Tree Ground New Close and the Three Marle Grounds are lying and being in the West Field of Yeovil aforesaid And were heretofore known by Different Names And for the Greatest Part Were inclosed in the Manner they now are by Robert Glisson Deceased late Father of the said Mary Wright Who dyed Seized of the whole thereof (Excepting the Acre of Ground aforesaid) And also of all and all manner of Houses Outhouses Edifices Buildings Backsides Gardens Orchards Emoluments Hereditaments and Appurtenances Whatsoever to the aforesaid Messuage Tenements or Dwellinghouse Closes Lands and Premises belonging or in any wise Appertaining or therewith now or at any time heretofore held used Occupyed or enjoyed or Accepted reputed deemed taken or known as part or parcell thereof And the reversion and reversions Remainder and Remainders unto issues and Profitts thereof To have and to hold the said one undivided Third Part (the whole in Three equal parts to be Divided) of and in all and singular the aforesaid Messuage Tenement or Dwelling House Closes Pieces and Parcels of Ground Lands Hereditaments and Premises hereby Granted Bargained and Sold or [nidant?] Mentioned or intended so to be and of all rights [word illegible] and Appurtenances unto the said Richard Manning and Robert Winter their Executors Administrators and Assigns from the day next before the day of the date hereof for and during and unto the full and end and term of one whole year thence next ensuing Yielding and Paying therefore on the last day of the said term unto the said Mary Wright her Heirs or Assigns the rent of One Peper corn (If Demanded) Which said Grant Bargain and Sale hereby made is so done To the Intent and Purpose That by virtue hereof and by force of the Statute for Transferring [word illegible] into Possession They the said Richard Manning and Robert Winter may be in the Actual Possession of the aforesaid Third Part of the Premises aforesaid and be thereby enabled to take [word illegible] and Release of the same Premises to them and their Heirs by Deed Indented intended to bear date the day next after the day of the date hereof

In Witness Whereof the Partye first above named to these Presents have interchangeably set their Hands and Seals the day and year first above Written

Mary Wright [signature]