Document drawn up by Tithe Commissioner Thomas James Tatham, following a meeting of landowners and tithe owners in the parish. Confirmation by Tithe Commissioners 2 January 1844. Copy without the seal
A petition signed by communicants and adult members of the congregation, explaining that the pews in the chance are unsatisfactory and seats and in their position with their backs towards the communion table. The whole church needs reseating: if the College with pay for the chancel pews, the parishioners will pay for the seating in the body of the church. With a covering letter signed by the Vicar and Churchwardens, and a letter from the Curate, R.H. Marsh, on the same subject, dated 1892.
Letters from Osmond Cookson, Vicar 1893-1904, most of them with no date of year, about dilapidations relating to the church, and ways of raising the money, including negotiating a loan from Queen Anne's Bounty. One letter is dated 1895 and one has a note of income and expenditure for 1896.
Schedule of land required for the construction of the railway, and its value, drawn up by Edward Long, Surveyor and Valuer, with covering letter to the College.
The advowson of Graveley was given to the College in 1558 by the Master, the Rev.John Fuller, who had bought it from the Crown, with the Manor of Graveley. It was formerley the property of Ramsey Abbey. See the grant of Letters Patent of Philip and Mary 5.3.58 (Cal.Pat. Rolles 1557-8, p.40). The original is in the Steel Press, shelf 8. The benefice was united with that of Yelling on 1.January.1929, the College retaining the right of presenting every alternate turn.
See also material relating to Stow Groves, in a separate brown box, not listed here.
Agreement between Charles Wing and Joseph Rushbrook of Graveley, William Rushbrook of Lavenham, and George Wing of Mildenhall, farmers,on the one part, and F [orT] Jackson of Middleton, on the other, for the lease of the Rectory farm, for 11 years, with covenants for good husbandry. The tenant undertakes the outside repair of the parsonage house.
Letter between College officials on the grievances of Gravely parish: the Rector, William Coppard, has claimed non-residence on the ground of ill-health, but has let his house fo nearly 18 years and is living in Kent. Letter has no date of year, perhaps 1820s.
Official agreement between John Parker Birkett, Rector of Gravely, and the Governors of Queen Anne's Bounty, for a mortgage of £1616.8.0, for building new farm buildings and enlarging existing ones. The document has been stamped with notes of extensions of the mortgage, and with a final discharge in December 1904.
Correspondence with the Rector, W.O. Cleave, and with Queen Anne's Bounty office, about whether to reinstate farm buildings destroyed by fire and insufficiently insured; also negotiations for he sale of the Rushden estate to a local builder.
A six-page report (typescript) by Charles Bidwell, of Bidwell & Sons, land agents and surveyors, with comments on the state of the land and its use. Also two handwritten notes, unsigned and undated, giving details of income, NB. W.O. Cleave was Rector until his death in August 1904.
Letter from Messrs Wade-Gery and Brackwenbury, (solicitors?): Dr Cleave's creditors can only expect a small dividend; this is largely due to the dilapidations, assessed at £566.
Reporting a letter fom Queen Bounty, about money still owing. He has used his own money on improvements to the house, andwas responsible for a new cesspool at a fairly sanitary distance from the drinking water, which necessitated an entirely new system of drains.
Ecclesiastical Insurance Office, Ltd.: particulars of fire insurance policy no. 169422. A 3-page list of all the buildings and equipment on the property (37 items).
Further details of suggested improvements and costs, thanks to the college for its help. The letter of 15 March discusses the suggested union of the parishes of Papworth St Agnes and Papworth Everard, in case this affects Graveley.
Reasons for doing the work now: the tenant is a churchman, 'one of the first essentials in this Cromwellian neighbourhood' and it is good time to get rid of the dour results of the "Landlord - Tenant", "Church - Non-Conformist" quarrel between Canon Birkett and Pentelow, which has done so much to strangle Recotr after Rector of Graveley.
Letter setting out his financial situation and debts, accompanied by a detailed table of expenditure over the years 1905-1921 (i.e. during his incumbency)
Comments on finances of J.H. George, who is the only definite applicant - it is unlikely that any Jesus man will take it, 'I could not induce any of them to look at it'. Encl;oses not of income from Mr George
Letters from the Rector J.H. [or F.H.] George, abou the financial problems of the living. The final letter. 8 October [1926?] regrets his departure and hopes some one else will soon be found.
Letters to the Master inviting the College to appoint a representative to the Commission to discuss the union of parishes. The Graveley Church Council is not in favour.
Letter from the Vicar, asking for a grant from the Proby Fund to build a new vicarage, the present one was described by the surveyor as 'only a cottage of a very ordinary description'.
Correspondence with the Vicar, A. Lukyn Williams, and Mr Walter A Sandeman of Morden House, Guilden Morden, about a proposed transfer of land, agreed by both parties. There are references ot plans, which are not on the file, also to a draft deed of exchange, in July 1901.
A document described at the end as "A copy of a terrier in Mr Hawby's [?] hands of the glebe land belonging to the Rectory of Harlton". Four lists of land in the 'Brook Feild' [sic], the 'Windmill Feild', the Home Feild', and the 'Low Field'.
Printed poster for the sale of a 'Desirable tenement', with orchard and pasture, copyhold, to be sold at auction at the Red Lion Public House, Harlton, 8 December 1825. Conditions relating to the sale written inside, with a note that it was purchased by G.G. Humfrey. With a note to the Master that Mr Humfrey purchased the estate for 161 guineas (9/12/3).
