Unsigned copy of instructions given to James Webster, builder by the College
Documents about setting up a trust for the dilapidations
Correspondence about the purchase by the College
In the absence of John Waller snr, Mr Mayes sends some further details and asks for a meeting
Waller, John jnr"A terrar and rack rent valuation" of the estate at Rushden, near Higham Ferrers, Northamptonshire. A description of the buildings and lands, and the value attached. Ten pages, stitiched into a parchment cover, which was part of another legal document
Making a point about the copyhold part of the estate, "there can't in my opinion be a better purchase for you". The owner Mr Mayes, would be glad to settle as quickly as possible.
Waller, JohnSending particulars of an estate for completing the augmentation of Graveley
Wicksteed, WilliamMr Waller has given a favourable opinion of the estate, but there is a probablility of it being inclosed, which would mean further expense.
Wicksteed, Williamis not willing to run the hazard of so great an expense as an inclosure, the £12 he receives from Collegeis far more desirable. I should be glad to have the Stow-Groves Estate conveyed to me as soon as convenient.
Wicksteed, WilliamA document drawn up by John Smith, as witness to a meeting between William Saby, butcher, tenant of the Rushden Estate, and Dr Caryl, Master of Jesus College. It covers the six years from March 1772, and stipulates that if there is an inclosure, W. Saby is to be allotted lands of equal value for the sme term..
Indenture between William Coppard, Rector and the Master and Fellows of the College, and Messrs Fiske and Day: Coppard will resign the living if appointed to the Rectory of Farnborough, but would like to be re-appointed to Gravely. The College is dissatisfied with the state of repair of the parsonage etc., so Coppard has placed £400 in the hands of Fiske and Day, to pay for dilapidations after his death or resignation, he to recive interest in the meantime [Coppard died in October 1827].
Two legal documents relating to the agreement between John Warren and Mr Peppercorn.
Deed of John Warren, relating to his lease of the Rectorial farm to William Alexander Peppercorn, setting out obligations of both parties etc.
Warren, JohnOfficial 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.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipQueen Anne's Bounty has increased the amount of the loan, to cover the dilabpidations
Fisher, Osmond PhilipLetters about getting a Faculty for making improvements to the buildings on the Rectory Estate, 1828; about leasing and sub-leasing arrangements for Mr Peppercorn 1839; about the Graveley Charity Estate 1839-40; about thefts in the village 1845. There is also an 1846 letter from Henry Fardell of Wisbech, about the charity, a copyhold estate conveyed by a former Rector John Waller: his heir is a Dissenter and not interested.
Warren, JohnDiscussion of the arrangement between John Warren, Rector, and Mr Peppercorn for a lease of lands and premises appertaining to the Rectory: what does the term "accustomed rent" mean? Signed and dated by Richard Preston.
Letter from the Rector, John Parker Burkitt, 1854, about a mortgage, and an agreement 1874 about a loan from Queen Anne's Bounty.
Correspondence of the new Rector (from 1905) Osmond Philip Fisher, with the college and with Queen Anne's Bounty, trying to pay off debts and raising a new loan. [NB the old list refers to a valuation by the Sequestrator, E. Ashcoft, not on the file, apparently].
Memorandum (part of a lette?) by the Rector, describing work being done on the Rectory House, with a sketch map, and discussing ways of obtaining the money for this. Together with an application form for a loan of £300 to Queen Anne's Bounty, dated 27 May 1905. There is also a note of monies received and paid, no date or signature.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipAn exchange of letters between the Bursar and the Chief Clerk of QAB about the outstanding loan and trhe conditions for discharging it.
Asking for the college seal to be attached to a document from Queen Anne's Bounty. Is about to move into the Rectory House
Fisher, Osmond PhilipA Release and Indemnity, from the new Rector the Revd John Warren, to Messrs Fiske and Day, Trustees for the money given by William Coppard: the fnd stands at £499.4.5. The deed is dated 28 February 1829, there are two preliminary notes from Nevile Day, and one from John Warren, about the exact terms etc.
"An Act for better enabling Incumbents of Ecclesiastical Benefices to demise Lands belonging to their Benefices on Farming Leases"
Correspondence between the officers of Queen Anne's Bounty, the college, and the Rector Dr W.O. Cleave, about situation following the death of J. Birkett: his widow has no money, and a large family, one tenant is on the verge of bankruptcy, some land is not let, etc.
Letter from the Rector, letter about stock held by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners
Fisher, Osmond PhilipStandard valuations, and discussions about rents, building cottages, and insurance. With a note 'plans removed to cabinet'.
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).
Messrs Looker & Theakston to O,P, Fisher, setting out the terms for employing Mr Herbert as tenant farmer.
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.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipReasons 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.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipLetter setting out his financial situation and debts, accompanied by a detailed table of expenditure over the years 1905-1921 (i.e. during his incumbency)
Fisher, Osmond PhilipFundraising and accounts for repairs to the Tower, and for a new Bell- frame. Also correspondence and accounts about buying a piece of land to extend theChurchyard for burials. The documents include handwritten church accounts from Easter 1910 to Easter 1911, and a printed list of subscribers and summary accounts for the period May 1907 to May 1914. The Rector appeals to the College as Lords of the Manor.
Copy of a letter from Fisher, as Chairman of the Parish Meeting, to the Rural District Councillor Mr Ashcroft, arguing against the proposition that he ought to build cottages for labourers. He has put seven houses in order, and repaired and erected farm buildings, and is out of pocket. More could be done with Trotter's Charity Land. He would like to build, but economic conditions prevent it.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipExplaining what improvements he wants to make to the farm buildings (with a sketch), which are now hampering the new tenant Mr Herbert 'a young man belonging to an old respected farming family'.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipFurther on financial arrangements, and the consent of the College.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipIncome and expenditure from Easter 1920 to Easter 1921, signed by the Rector and the Churchwardens.
Discussing a claim for Quit Rent by Miss Chamberlain, and thanking the College for its seal, in the matter of the loan for dilapidations.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipRules for the letting of allotments, agreed October 1887, with notices of October 1906 inviting applications to hire allotments from Michaelmas 1907. Also a plan of the allotments, with names of holders, dated Michaelmas 1919.
Reports on a meeting of the Court Baron of the Manor, finds he owes the College various rents, in spite of what he has spent on the parish, asks what help the College can give. Is expecting a visit from the Commissioners under the Food Production Acts.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipCorrespondence with the Rector about raising money for improvements to farm buildings.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipMainly discussion of the finances of the benefice, and attempts to get a grant from the Ecclesiastical Commission.
Letter from the Rector to the Bursar, asking permission to use money held by Queen Anne's Bounty - the balance of insurance money for a fire in 1893 - for different purposes, viz. improving the land and farm buildings. There is a formal letter from his Agents, a specification and three plans of the changes he is suggesting. Some fields have been cleard of brambles at his own expense, and are now available for sheep; two fields are full of enormous thorn bushes and brambles and are let to the M.F.H. [Master of Fox Hounds] for sporting purposes. The file concludes with a Faculty of 1908 authorizing the change in expenditure.
Fisher, Osmond PhilipLetter from Evelyn Young of Fen Drayton, to O.P. Fisher, with a list of some of the Rectors of Graveley 1345-1904, and some notes by Fisher on the life of St Botolph, one copied from a MS lent by Mrs Conybeare, late of Barrington, 1905.
Standard forms for valuations: 1914; 1920; and a description of 'Copyhold glebe lands and premises' 1917. The 1914 form notes that the shooting tenant has given notice to quit 'owing to poaching by responsible and irresponsible persons', which has depleted the game.
Letter from Messrs Dilley,Theakston & Read, Landf Agents. To O.P. Fisher, seding duplicated forms of allotment agreement 'to carry out the new arrangement with your tenants'. One form has a list of the tenants on the back, with notes going up to December 1923.