The Weald of Kent, Surrey and Sussex
East Sussex Record Office at The Keep
The nucleus of the [Maresfield Park] estate had been inherited by the Shelley family through the marriage in 1769 of John Shelley Bt. (d 1783) to Wilhelmina (d 1772) daughter of John Newnham of Park House in Maresfield. His grandson John Villiers Shelley Bt. (1808-1867) married Louisa Elizabeth Anne, the only child of the Revd. Samuel Johnes Knight of Henley Hall in Shropshire, in 1832. She died on 15 Mar 1895 leaving the estate to her only child Blanche Henrietta Johnes, co-heiress to the Barony of de Sudeley.
Extract from Will of Edward Payne of East Grinstead, esq

To daughter Catherine, the Mill and Millhouse, with the buildings, ponds and flow of water in the occupation of George Daws the elder And also a messuage or tenement and lands called Dunnings, Charlewood, and Martins, in Eastgrinsted, conditionally upon her paying to daughter Judith, 100

ESRO SAS/H 454
Conveyance by way of Settlement
Between John Crawfurd of East Grinsted, esq., and Gibbs Crawfurd his only son, of the 1st part, Anna Payne, spinster, (only daughter of Charles Payne late of East Grinsted decd.) of the 2nd part, and the Rev. William Tatton, D.D. and prebend of Canterbury Cathedral and Charles Scrase of London, esq. of the 3rd part. - in consideration of an intended marriage between the said Gibbs Crawfurd and the said Anna Payne and of the settlement in the said deed made by the said Anna Payne of Messuages, lands & c. belonging to her - the said Gibbs Crawfurd settled: All that messuage and farm called Dunks in Lamberhurst; a messuage and farm called Standen in East Grinsted; a messuage and farm called Lyhoth in Ardingly; a messuage and garden ground in Laleham, co. Middlesex; and 2 pieces of ground with house and buildings thereon in St Clement Danes, co. Middlesex, held on lease from the Duke of Newcastle
The said Anna Payne settled:- a messuage and farm called Hacksted and Reeds in Twynham, Bolney and Hurstperpoint, with lands belonging; a farm called Butlers in East Grinsted; a moiety of Brooklands in East Grinsted; Pigotts Fields in East Grinsted; the Burgage Tenure and Portland in East Grinsted in the possession of Mary Payne, mother of the said Anna; Farms called the Moats, the Deane, Pitchers Fields, the Brick Kiln and lands belonging
Also the tithes of Townward and Southward and the moiety of an Annuity out of lands in Eastgrinsted
All which last mentioned lands and tithes were subject to the estate for life of the said Mary Payne
Also the mill and millhouse and lands belonging and farms called Dunnings, Charlewood and Martins in East grinsted; a farm called Burley Arches with the manor belonging in Worth; the moiety of a messuage and lands called Brooklands in East Grinsted, and the moiety of an Annuity out of lands in East Grinsted; all the said last mentioned premises being devised by the Will of Edward Payne, decd. Signature of all parties
ESRO SAS/H 463
Conveyance by way of Settlement
Between John Crawfurd of East Grinsted, esq., and Gibbs Crawfurd his only son, of the 1st part, Anna Payne, spinster, (only daughter of Charles Payne late of East Grinsted decd.) of the 2nd part, and the Rev. William Tatton, D.D. and prebend of Canterbury Cathedral and Charles Scrase of London, esq. of the 3rd part. - in consideration of an intended marriage between the said Gibbs Crawfurd and the said Anna Payne and of the settlement in the said deed made by the said Anna Payne of Messuages, lands & c. belonging to her - the said Gibbs Crawfurd settled: All that messuage and farm called Dunks in Lamberhurst; a messuage and farm called Standen in East Grinsted; a messuage and farm called Lyhoth in Ardingly; a messuage and garden ground in Laleham, co. Middlesex; and 2 pieces of ground with house and buildings thereon in St Clement Danes, co. Middlesex, held on lease from the Duke of Newcastle
The said Anna Payne settled:- a messuage and farm called Hacksted and Reeds in Twynham, Bolney and Hurstperpoint, with lands belonging; a farm called Butlers in East Grinsted; a moiety of Brooklands in East Grinsted; Pigotts Fields in East Grinsted; the Burgage Tenure and Portland in East Grinsted in the possession of Mary Payne, mother of the said Anna; Farms called the Moats, the Deane, Pitchers Fields, the Brick Kiln and lands belonging
Also the tithes of Townward and Southward and the moiety of an Annuity out of lands in Eastgrinsted
All which last mentioned lands and tithes were subject to the estate for life of the said Mary Payne
Also the mill and millhouse and lands belonging and farms called Dunnings, Charlewood and Martins in East grinsted; a farm called Burley Arches with the manor belonging in Worth; the moiety of a messuage and lands called Brooklands in East Grinsted, and the moiety of an Annuity out of lands in East Grinsted; all the said last mentioned premises being devised by the Will of Edward Payne, decd. Signature of all parties
ESRO SAS/H 463
Extract of Conveyance by way of Settlement
Between John Crawfurd of East Grinsted, esq., and Gibbs Crawfurd his only son, of the 1st part, Anna Payne, spinster, (only daughter of Charles Payne late of East Grinsted decd.) of the 2nd part, and the Rev. William Tatton, D.D. and prebend of Canterbury Cathedral and Charles Scrase of London, esq. of the 3rd part. - in consideration of an intended marriage between the said Gibbs Crawfurd and the said Anna Payne and of the settlement in the said deed made by the said Anna Payne of Messuages, lands & c. belonging to her - the said Gibbs Crawfurd settled:

Also the mill and millhouse and lands belonging and farms called Dunnings, Charlewood and Martins in East grinsted; a farm called Burley Arches with the manor belonging in Worth; the moiety of a messuage and lands called Brooklands in East Grinsted, and the moiety of an Annuity out of lands in East Grinsted; all the said last mentioned premises being devised by the Will of Edward Payne, decd. Signature of all parties
ESRO SAS/H 463
Conveyance for £800
William Ballard and Richard Ballard of Wadhurst, gents, sons of Thomas Ballard, gent, deceased, to Thomas Sanders of Wadhurst, gent
Watercorn Mill called Peppermill and grubland 25 acres in Lamberhurst, Sussex, in occupation of John Walter; lands called Carters, Rownden and Rownden Meade (52 acres); lands called Remisses, Calhill, Gildridges (55 acres) in occupation of Richard Launder otherwise Eastland. All in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst. Lands in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst granted to Thomas Ballard by John Whitfeld, esq, by deed of 25 May 1622. 20½ acres land in Corsley Wood near Lefforde in Wadhurst, abutting NW on a highway leading from a messuage of Thomas Sanders to a messuage formerly of James Bellingham and now of Robert Sanders, N on a watercourse running from the said highway, E and S on lands called Lefforde in Lamberhurst, now in occupation of John Gromebridge. Lands called Bewkes, Lightfoots otherwise Liffords (30 acres) in occupation of John Gromebridge in Wadhurst and Lamberhurst, abutting S on Freake land formerly in occupation of Thomas Darrell, esq, and now of Thomas Sanders
Premises were devised to William Ballard and Richard Ballard by will of their father, Thomas Ballard 14 Dec 1622. Recites partition of 8 Apr 1633 (DYK/521)
Witnesses: Thomas Houghton, George Tokefeilde, John Knight
East Sussex Record Office reference DYK/523
Conveyance for £10
Marye Ballard of Lamberhurst, Kent, widow, to Thomas Sanders of Wadhurst, gent
Water corn mill called Pepper Mill and grubland 25 acres in Lamberhurst, Sussex. Messuages called Carters, Rowneden and Rowneden Meade (52 acres) in Lamberhurst and Wadhurst. Messuages called Remisses, Calhill, Gildredge (55 acres). Messuage and 40 acres land formerly in occupation of John Gromebridge
Marye Ballard holds the premises for life by grant of her husband Thomas Ballard, deceased. Thomas Sanders is to pay MB £1,000 by 1 Jun 1636
Witnesses: Robert Steede, John Baker, John Richardson
Seal: armorial
East Sussex Record Office reference DYK/530
Deed of feoffment - ref. SAS-WH/250 - date: 10 Jan 1653
By John Sawyer of Mayfield, yeoman, eldest son and heir of Thomas Sawyer late of Mayfield, yeoman decd., to Anne Sawyer of Mayfield, widow, mother of the said John (late wife of the said Thos. Sawyer) - in lieu of dower and thirds which she has release - of 4 pieces of land theretofore called Botterells and then Woods land containing 24 ac. in the occupation of the said John Sawyer in Mayfield near a place called Bodlestrewe, namely to the highway from Colkins bridge to Hethfeild, E., lands late of Thos. Peckham and then of John Maynard, clerk, E. and S. and to the highway from Burwash to Mayfield, S. and lands called Churchlands, W. and N
Deeds and documents previously belonging to Mr Wallace H Hills at East Sussex Record Office
Deed of feoffment - ref. SAS-WH/326 - date: 25 Aug 1657
By John, Lord Bergevenny, to Thomas Sawyer senr. of Frant, co. Sussex, forester, - for £10 - of a cottage with the orchard and backside belonging at or near Colshorne Gate in Retherfield, bounding to the highway from Dengate Cross to Socberrie hill, S. and W., to the demesne lands of the said Lord called the Inhams, N. and E. Term, the lives of the said Thomas and of Thomas Sawyer junr. and John Sawyer, sons of the said Thomas Sawyer senr.; rent 2 good capons alive at St. Thomas's day yearly
Deeds and documents previously belonging to Mr Wallace H Hills at East Sussex Record Office

Fragment of probate of the will of James Hope of Rye

Legible bequests

  1. To his brother Robert Hope, farm and lands at Egerton, Kent
  2. To Henry King his apprentice, after the death of Judith Hope his wife messuage, brewhouse, stable, buildings, yard, garden and backside in his own occupation
  3. To his sister Margaret Brightman, his messuage and butcher's shop in Middle Street, Rye
  4. To his daughter Elizabeth Hope, moiety of his goods and chattels
Executrix: Elizabeth Hope
Witnesses: J Lamb, T Hudson, Edwin Wardroper

John Villiers Shelley Bt. (1808-1867) married Louisa Elizabeth Anne, the only child of the Revd. Samuel Johnes Knight of Henley Hall in Shropshire, in 1832. She died on 15 Mar 1895 leaving the [Maresfield Park] estate to her only child Blanche Henrietta Johnes, co-heiress to the Barony of de Sudeley. Blanche married Hervey Charles Pechell in 1871 and died on 12 Apr 1898. The estate was sold by a devisee under her will on 14 Dec 1898 to Count Alexander Munster.
The land was originally part of the Maresfield Park Estate (2,657 acres in Maresfield, Danehill and Fletching), which in 1899 was sold by Hervey Charles Pechell to Count Alexander Munster of Derneberg, Hanover, Germany. In 1915, by order of the High Court of Justice, the property became vested in the Public Trustee as custodian for England and Wales under The Trading with the Enemy (Amendment) Act 1914. On 18 Sep 1924 the Public Trustee was empowered to sell the estate to William Henry Abbey of Uckfield House for 61,714 pounds sterling. On 25 Sep 1924 part of the estate, comprising some 1,327 acres, was sold to Thomas Place the younger of Ullingswicke, Northallerton (Co. Yorks)

Probate of the Will of John Bridger the elder of Rotherfield, yeoman

Creation dates: 9 Feb 1721
Proved at Lewes, 27 Sept 1723

Pecuniary legacies to 4 grandsons, Thomas, William, Edward and Samuel Wickens, sons of John Wickens of Rotherfield and Elizabeth his wife (daughter of the testator); two grand daughters, Ann and Mary Wickens, daughters of the said John & Elizabeth; Mary Hoadly and Elizabeth Hoadly, daughters of John Hoadly and Elizabeth his wife, testator's grand daughter; to grand daughter Sarah, daughter of son John Bridger and wife of William Brown of Withyham, and to said granddaughter's children John Brown, Sarah and Mary Brown

To grandson John Bridger at 21 a farm and tenement in Merwith, co. Kent

Residuary legatee and executor: son John Bridger

Reference: East Sussex Record Office SAS-WH/328

Tithe record:
Farm name: Bullrushes or Upper Dunnings
Landowner: CRAWFURD, Robert
Occupier: RUSSELL, William
Area: 0 acres 2 rods 35 perches (0.71875 acres)
ESRO TDE/45/2/1356
Will of Edward Payne of East Grinstead, esq
Devise of a messuage or tenement, lands and woods belonging called Sandhills in Worth in occupation of William Herle, to brother John Payne, esq., John Toke of Godinton, co. Kent, esq., Henry Campion of Hurstperpoint, esq., and Leonard Gale of Worth, esq., In Trust to sell or mortgage for payment of debts
Trustees to receive rents and profits of all messuages, lands & c. until testator's children should attain 21 or be married, for payment of debts and maintenance of children
Devise to son Charles Payne in tail, the Burgage and Portland in which testator dwelt in Eastgrinsted and the barn and lands called the Moats, Pages croft and the Riddens, the last containing 20 ac. Also other lands called the Riddens, 12 ac.; the Shorts, the Scrubbs, the Balcombe Field, and the Up Field; the oasthouse and lands called the Dean; lands called Piggotts Fields or Collins Pitchers Field; all in Eastgrinsted in the occupation of testator, John Withers and John Butching
Also Kiln and lands in Eastgrinsted in the occupation of William Brasted, lands in Eastgrinsted in the occupation of James Overy Also the manor of Chiddingly and messuage or tenement and lands called Chiddingly in Westhothly, then or late in the occupation of Thomas Killick Also the tithes of Townward or Southward in Eastgrinsted
To daughter Philadelphia Payne, a messuage or tenement and lands called Sewells, Latters and Newlands in Barcomb in the occupation of William Knapp, conditionally upon her paying 100 to testator's daughter Anne
To daughter Catherine, the Mill and Millhouse, with the buildings, ponds and flow of water in the occupation of George Daws the elder And also a messuage or tenement and lands called Dunnings, Charlewood, and Martins, in Eastgrinsted, conditionally upon her paying to daughter Judith, 100
To daughter Elizabeth, a messuage or tenement and freehold land called Hacksted and also customary lands and tenements called Reedes holden of the manor of Saddlescomb, the said freehold and copyhold lands being in Twineham, Bolney, and Hurstperpoint, in the occupation of Henry Lintott, conditionally upon her paying to testator's daughter Bridgett, 100
To daughter Anne, the manor of Burley Arches and a messuage or tenement and lands called Burley Arches in Worth
To two daughters, Judith and Bridgett a messuage or tenement and lands called Brooklands in Eastgrinsted and an Annuity of 5 issuing out of lands formerly of Edw Payne, esq., George Drewry and others
Daughters not to claim any share in 1000 under the terms of their mother's marriage settlement
To son Charles all household goods and stuff, with exceptions. and specific gift of items of plate to daughter Philadelphia
Wife to have her living in the said Burgage and Portlan and the use of household goods until son Charles should attain 21
Guardians of children:- Wife Anna and brother John Payne and John Toke, Henry Campion and Leonard Gale
Executors:- said wife and brother John Payne
Proved at Lewes, 6 May, 1714
ESRO SAS/H 454

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