Register of Leases and Deeds 1720-1731

Introduction: This is the second volume in the series Register of Leases and Deeds. These were the official ledgers for recording legal instruments relating to property at St Helena. It enrolled copies or abstracts of leases and deeds of conveyance, stating the parties, dates, descriptions of land or houses, terms and consideration. These entries served as public notice and evidence of title.

Source: Images of the original records can be viewed on the British Library’s website: https://eap.bl.uk/archive-file/EAP1364-1-7-20.

Text Transcription This transcription was produced by AI from handwritten document images held on the British Library's website, at about thirty pages per hour. Given the limitations described below, the text should be regarded as unreliable and used only as a search-and-find shortcut: once a relevant section has been located, it must always be checked against the source image via the hyperlinked Film Numbers listed in the main transcription table below.

Three specific problems affected the work. First, AI tends to prioritise meaning and readability at the expense of fidelity to the original, with a strong disposition to normalise spellings, expand abbreviations, and adjust grammar. It is particularly weak with unfamiliar surnames, and scrawled signatures often resist accurate transcription entirely. Transcriptions by eye of documents spanning four centuries have also shown that a single surname could be written in a wide variety of ways: the Crowie family name appears under six different spellings, and the Isaacs family name under sixteen. Searches for surnames are therefore hindered both by genuine variations in the originals and by mistranscriptions introduced by AI, and for this reason are best run phonetically. Second, the AI struggled with the late secretary hand, the script commonly used from the sixteenth to the eighteenth centuries, in which the letter S appears in a form closely resembling a trailing L. Third, occasional passages in these volumes are written in a hand so obscure or poorly formed as to be difficult to read even by eye, sometimes compounded by heavy ink bleed-through from the reverse side or by the loss of sections of pages.

To mitigate these difficulties, a strict protocol was applied to each image, requiring the AI to rely solely on clearly visible ink strokes and to flag any uncertain reading, thereby reducing the risk of inferred or invented text. Two conventions are used. [...] marks text that could not be read with confidence; this may represent a single unreadable word, a full sentence, or occasionally an entire paragraph. Square brackets around letters or words indicate a conjectural reading supplied by the transcriber: brackets around a whole word, for example [Bazett], mean the entire word was unclear and a probable reading has been supplied, while brackets around individual letters within an otherwise readable word, for example B[a]z[e]tt, mean only those specific letters were unclear in the source and the unbracketed letters were legibly present.

Modern Summary and Analysis Each section of text was submitted for AI analysis in order to explain the archaic language in clear, modern UK English. These are not direct sentence by sentence replacements, but explanatory interpretations intended to clarify meaning while preserving the substance of the original. Where a specific individual is named within a section of the original text, that person will generally also be identified within the explanatory interpretation. However, where the original consists largely of lists of names, these are not usually repeated in the explanatory text.

Each text modern summary is followed by two forms of AI-generated analysis. The first, an Interpretations section, draws on wider information located on the internet to provide additional commentary on the material. The second, a Speculations section, offers one or more possible reflections on what the document might further suggest. The value of these notes ranges from the profound to the trivial or self-evident; time did not permit deletion of the latter.

Text Loss: The volume suffers from extensive loss of text, especially at the start, due to torn pages page.

Referencing Text Locations: A dual numbering system has been adopted, combining the British Library film number with the manuscript’s original page number. These are presented in the format: British Library Film No. / Document Page No.

Content: This volume includes several land boundary sketches. Due to the faint appearance of these sketches on darkened pages, the contrast has been increased to improve visibility. To keep the overall file size manageable, these images are provided at a limited resolution and cannot be scaled without quality loss. For much higher quality versions, please access the original film images on the British Library website.

Pagination: The page misnumbering in this volume is probably the most confusing yet seen in the collection. The probable causes are pages misplaced when the volume was bound, missing pages, and errors in the original page counting. Many page numbers are now obscured by crossings-out or lost where the corners have worn away. Where they survive, most numbers sit in the left-hand corner of both pages.

The first clearly numbered page falls on Film No. 9, marked as page 23, giving text location 9/23. Numbering then runs in sequence to 16/30. At Film No. 17, however, the page jumps to 52, giving location 17/52. From there the numbers are clearly visible and run in sequence up to 23/58.

Five unnumbered pages follow, taken here to be 24/59 to 28/63. At Film No. 29 the numbering drops to 13, giving location 29/13, then runs in sequence up to location 70/54. The number then jumps to 57 at location 71/57, after which the sequence continues to location 103/89.

Several pages then repeat a number. The next page is also marked 89, giving location 104/89, followed by page 90 at location 105/90, and then two further pages both marked 90, at locations 106/90 and 107/90. From there the numbering runs in sequence up to Film No. 204, marked as page 187, giving location 204/187. The next film is marked as page 189, giving location 205/189.

The remaining pages run in sequence to the end of the volume, though this is hard to confirm because the numbers on many of the final pages are missing.

Dates: During the period covered by this volume, England and its colonies followed the Old-Style Julian calendar, under which the legal new year began on 25 March (Lady Day). The earliest date recorded in this volume is 26 September 1682 and the latest date is 27 March 1720.

The period spanned by this volume includes the the administrations of Captain Richard Kedgwin/Keigwin (1673-1674), Captain Gregory Field (1674-1678), Major John Blackmore (1678-1690), Captain Joshua Johnson (1690-1693), Captain Richard Kelinge or Keeling (1693-1697) and Captain Stehen Poirier (1697-1703), Thomas Goodwin (1707-1708), Captain John Roberts (1708-1711), Captain Benjamin Boucher (1711-1714), Matthew Bazett (1714-1714), Captain Isaac Pyke (1714-1719) and Edward Johnson (1719-1723).

AI Generated Summary

Introduction

The records consolidated here cover St Helena between 1719 and 1733. They consist almost wholly of property instruments, namely leases, sales, deeds of gift, mortgages and family settlements, each entered as a true copy of an original held in the island register. The whole island belonged to the English East India Company, named throughout as the Lords Proprietors of the soil, and held as a victualling station on the route to and from Asia. Every grant therefore ran from the Company, and every private dealing took place under its eye. This narrow legal material is valuable but also limiting. It shows how land changed hands and how families secured their futures, yet says far less about daily life and almost nothing about those without property to convey. [Film No. 11-60]

The bulk of the material falls in the 1720s, with dealings reaching into 1733. A run of deeds, leases, bonds and settlements registered mostly between 1722 and 1729 maps a small settler society managing property across deaths, marriages and the constant movement of shipping. The same handful of families appear again and again, buying, selling, consolidating and passing ground between generations. The instruments are formulaic, and their repetition shows a maturing legal regime that leaned on annexed plans, fixed rents and council oversight to hold a documentary order together on a remote island. The names that recur are those of planters, gunners, sergeants and councillors who owned ground and could command a clerk, while the labour that made the land productive, much of it performed by slaves, surfaces only as property listed alongside cattle and yams. [Film No. 61-110]

The middle of the sequence is dominated by a remarkably uniform body of Company leases granted almost entirely between 1724 and 1726. The Company, styling itself the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, demised parcels of ground to named tenants across the western, eastern and southern divisions. This narrow focus is itself the central historical fact, recording how a chartered company governed a tiny South Atlantic colony through the everyday business of letting land. St Helena lay on the homeward route from the East, and its value lay in serving returning fleets, so the leases show that strategic purpose turned into a settled community of planters and soldiers. [Film No. 111-160]

The later records continue this leasing in a concentrated burst through 1726 and on into 1731. Almost every entry is a Company lease of woodland, the great majority sealed within a few months of 1726, followed by a maturing system of leasehold tenure running to 1731. The records concern the leasing of small parcels of gumwood and cabbage tree ground, almost all on a standard 21-year term, interspersed with confirmations of existing title, a handful of urban plots in James Valley and Chapel Valley, and a few outright sales. The same covenants recur almost word for word, which makes the variations the most informative feature of the run. [Film No. 161-210]

Throughout, the details attached to each entry leans heavily on cross-references to a separate land settlement of 1713 to identify holders and trace earlier tenures. Read critically, the registers offer a clear view of how property moved on a Company island, while reminding the reader at every turn of the lives and interests they leave unrecorded. [Film No. 161, 184, 211-265]

Governance and Administration

The Company governed through a Governor and Council who sat at the Castle in James Valley, later styled Union Castle. Their common seal made grants binding, and their consent was required before any leaseholder could sell or assign an interest. This single restriction, repeated across the leases to Gabriel Powell, Frances Carne and Captain John Goodwin in 1721 and 1723, gave the Council lasting control over who held land. A tenant could improve a parcel but could not freely pass it on. The arrangement kept the destination of every leasehold under official supervision. [Film No. 18-23]

The Council also acted as a court of record and a protective authority. It proved wills, as with the 1727 will of the Harding mother, and it confirmed apprenticeships. In 1726 it bound the orphan Charles Greentree to Francis Vaughn and tied that apprenticeship to a settlement of land. The account of this matter is confused, and it carries a date of 10 December 1700 that sits oddly against the surrounding 1720s entries. The error may be a clerical slip in copying, but it warns against taking every recited date as firm. Authority also reached beyond the island itself. A 1733 power of attorney was granted at Fort Pulicherry on the Coromandel Coast of India by John Jefferson and the ensign Thomas Mostyn, appointing agents to collect debts, showing St Helena as one node in a wider Company network that ran to its Indian settlements. [Film No. 12, 52]

Governor Pyke headed the council in the mid-1720s, with John Goodwin, John Smith, John Bazett, Benjamin Maurice and the long-serving John Alexander as recurring members. The 1724 grant of Griff's Land to Ensign William Slaughter, signed by the Governor and five councillors, shows the full board lending its authority to a routine sale of reverted ground. John Alexander dominates the administrative record as register, certifier of true copies and second in council, attesting deeds and acting in his own right as a buyer of substantial land. His ubiquity is striking, but it marks a weakness in the evidence, since so much of the documentary order passed through one pair of hands. A general release given to him in 1727 by John Cotgrave discharged every claim from the beginning of the world to that date, pointing to the quiet settling of accounts that followed a death within the small circle. [Film No. 61, 99, 104, 106, 108]

In the leases of the mid-1720s the same overlap of office and landholding is plain. Captain John Goodwin is described as fourth in council and signed grants both for himself and on behalf of others, and Gabriel Powell appears as fourth in council in a later memorandum. The men who fixed the terms of tenure, set the rents and granted consent to transfers were frequently the same men who benefited from the grants. Authority was also exercised through the written record itself. Grants were anchored to dated consultations of the council, such as the consultation of Thursday 16 January 1724 cited to confirm the title of the Cleveless orphans, and plans and copies of deeds were entered in the register book at numbered folios. The Company governed less by proclamation than by the patient keeping of registers and minutes. [Film No. 117, 122-126, 141, 151-152, 156]

A lease became binding only when the seal was set, and the records carefully note where this happened. Most grants of 1726 were sealed at the Castle in James Valley, while a later cluster was sealed at the grand plantation house, marking a distinct group of autumn leases handled away from the Castle. Every lease ended with the same firm restriction that no tenant could sell or pass on his interest without the Company's agreement, a deliberate check on the free movement of land. Land titles rested on the Company's own written record, several grants pointing to court rulings entered in numbered consultation books, such as a ruling of 26 June 1723 in book 18 behind Samuel Tayler's title and one of 18 February 1729 behind a Griffeth parcel. Deeds and their plans were entered at named folios, as with folios 150 and 151 for Tayler and folio 186 for Jefsey. [Film No. 167, 185, 191, 192, 202, 203]

The later run shows the Company clearing its leases in concentrated sittings rather than one by one. A body of grants was sealed at the plantation house on 22 November 1726, another cluster on 27 December 1726, and further leases ran on into 1727 and beyond. The confirmations of title, distinct from fresh leases, show the council fixing existing holdings beyond doubt against later challenge, as with the confirmation to Edmund Nichols of ground in Stonetop Wood, tied precisely to a bill of bargain and sale and a court ruling entered in the register book at folio 212. This linking of each title to an exact place in the Company's books shows an administration that leaned on its own written record to secure land where the same ground changed hands repeatedly. [Film No. 212, 215, 217, 220, 228, 229, 257, 259]

Military Affairs and Defence

St Helena was a fortified garrison as well as a plantation colony, and the records show soldiers woven into island society through property. Ranks appear constantly beside the names of buyers and sellers. John Defountaine and Joseph Bates are styled corporals, Joseph Whaley and John Young sergeants, and William Worrall a gunner's mate. In 1722 Whaley sold a James Valley house to Young, a transaction between two sergeants of the garrison. These men held land and houses in their own right, blurring any line between the military and the settled population. The records say nothing direct about war, yet the garrison itself was the island's reason for being, guarding the Company's homeward route from the Indian Ocean against rival European powers and pirates. [Film No. 30-34, 48-57]

The garrison and the planting community overlapped almost completely in the leasing record. Ensign William Slaughter, Sergeant John Young, Corporal Joseph Bates, and the gunners John French and Isaac Leech all held or traded ground, while Caleb Davis and John Knipe junior took leases as soldiers. The leases to John French the gunner and Isaac Leech the gunner's mate make the point directly, since serving artillerymen received Company ground on the same terms as civilian planters. No open warfare disturbs this stretch of the record, and the documents carry no direct trace of the wider European conflicts of the period. The single firm link to the crown is the condition of allegiance written into every lease, binding the tenant to bear true faith to King George and the Company alike, folding distant royal authority into the everyday business of renting a few acres. [Film No. 88, 94, 104, 109]

Soldiers appear throughout the leases of the mid-1720s as ordinary tenants. Thomas Harper is named as corporal, Stephen Craig as gunner paid in the Company's service, and John Wood as sergeant holding pasture land, while Christopher Kell, whose reverted ground was relet, had been a gunner's mate. The leasing of land to serving soldiers served the Company's interest directly, since a garrison that grew its own food and put down roots was cheaper to maintain and harder to lose. The reign named throughout is that of King George, meaning George I, whose accession the island's records reflect from 1715. By tying its military personnel to the soil they were sworn to defend, the institution sustained a permanent defensive presence on a remote rock. [Film No. 111, 124, 145-146, 154-155, 158]

The later record carries the same pattern and one telling byname. Sergeant John Young took a substantial holding in Sandy Bay Valley, Martin Harper and Thomas Harper held gumwood ground while serving in the Company's pay, and Benjamin Pledger and Joseph Lufkin are named as free planters in the Company's service. The twenty-acre parcel let to Giles Smith bore the name the Two Gun or Alarm Ridge, taken from the guns set there to sound the alarm, a lookout point on a remote island wary of attack. The same Two Gun Ridge anchored Samuel Jefsey's holding in the 1713 settlement, a rare sign of the garrison's watchfulness surfacing within the routine of leasing land. [Film No. 174, 182, 184, 203, 204]

In the latest leases the overlap of service and landholding runs unbroken. Soldiers John Bradley, John Thwaites, John Knipe junior, Martin Harper, Thomas Cleve and Caleb Davis all took ground, as did the corporal Joseph Desfountain, the sergeant Joseph Whaley and the drummer Joseph Hause, who beat the calls and signals of the garrison. William Worrall held land as a free planter in the Company's pay. The Company drew no line between the soldier and the planter, letting ground to the men who manned its fortifications on the same terms it set for civilians. James Ryder's lease was dated in the third year of King George's reign, fixing the tenure within the reign, but the absence of any military emergency means the records concern property rather than defence. [Film No. 219, 220, 225, 236, 237, 247, 251, 263, 265]

Settlement, Land and Agriculture

Land was identified by named valleys and features rather than by survey coordinates. Parcels lay in Fryer Valley, Lemon Valley, Sandy Bay, Deep Valley and Chapel Valley, and bynames such as Taylor's Land, Thompson's Land and Sarah's Ladder carried the memory of earlier holders. Boundaries were fixed by reference to neighbours, so that a parcel ran towards the land of one holder and away from another. This method preserved local knowledge but depended on continuity of memory, and it tied each plot to a web of surrounding estates. Company leases ran for twenty-one years at four shillings per acre, with a further shilling of duty, payable each year on Lady Day, the Feast of the Annunciation. Every lease bound the tenant to fence and enclose the ground and to keep it in repair, the fence serving as the legal landmark fixing the parcel's bounds. [Film No. 16-23]

The leases of the early 1720s reveal a deliberate concern with preserving the island's trees. Tenants were required to keep up the existing wood, to replant according to the island's laws, and in some grants to make a threefold replacement for any tree lost. Cabbage tree and gumwood are named repeatedly as the cover being protected, pointing to anxiety about deforestation on a small and exposed island where timber was scarce. Cultivation centred on yams and other provisions, treated in law as a distinct asset from the land. The island custom allowed a departing tenant eighteen months to take out his crops, a period named explicitly in the 1722 lease of Cleeve's Land to James Rider, balancing a new holder's claim against the previous tenant's right to recover the value of his labour. [Film No. 18, 23, 58-59]

The documents map a settled landscape of named valleys, ridges and bynames divided into East, West and South Divisions. Sandy Bay, Lemon Valley, Fryer Valley, Chapel Valley, Deep Valley, Swanleys Valley and Pleasant Valley recur as the principal districts. Ground was fixed less by measurement than by its neighbours and by bynames preserving the memory of earlier holders, such as Griff's Land, Beale's Land, Sarah Vasey, Carne's Gutt, Alexander's Land and the Hutts. The reliance on the annexed plan as the operative description, repeated across the leases, shows a regime that trusted the surveyor's drawing over the written total. The strongest theme in the land dealings is consolidation, as buyer after buyer took ground that already bordered their own, Francis Wrangham, James Ryder, Gabriel Powell, John Gurling, Richard Beale and John Alexander all pursuing the same strategy. [Film No. 61, 64, 66, 85, 86, 94, 98, 100, 101, 106]

This standing concern for timber turned ordinary leaseholds into instruments of conservation. The leases to Isaac Leech and John French carry the covenants in full, including the bar on altering the fences that stood as the legal landmarks of the parcel. Water was the other guarded resource, and the grant of Carne's Gutt to Richard Goodwin reserved to the Company the right to draw water for its cattle at all seasons, separating ownership of the ground from use of its water on an island with no abundance of it. The Company let its waste on a standard leasehold of 21 years at four shillings an acre plus a one shilling duty, binding every tenant to fence within a set time, keep the ground in good heart, and plant and preserve a proportionable quantity of wood according to the island's law. [Film No. 101, 104, 105, 109, 110]

The heart of the mid-1720s material is the settlement of land in small parcels measured by the acre. Grants of one, two or three acres are common, with a few larger blocks of eight, ten or twelve acres, almost every grant running on the fixed 21-year term. The uniformity reveals a deliberate system of orderly leasehold settlement rather than outright sale, by which the Company kept ultimate ownership in its own hands. Many grants worked as consolidations, the new parcel bordering ground the tenant already held. Captain John Alexander took nine acres in Porsles Valley adjoining his own five acres lately bought from Benjamin Greentree, Edmund Nichols added ten acres in Stonetop Wood against land purchased from Richard Leech, and John Worrall rounded out a Deep Valley block that touched his free land on three sides and his earlier lease on the fourth. [Film No. 111-117, 149, 160]

The landscape was fixed against local names rather than measured lines alone. Parcels were marked by the High Waterfall, the Red Hill, Diana's Peak, Sandy Bay Rock, the Great Bottom and a hill called Kingson, while earlier holders gave their names to ground long after they were gone, as with the branch called James Holland's or the land known as Perkins's. Two kinds of ground recur, gumwood land and cabbage tree land, both native species, showing that the Company classified its waste by the vegetation upon it. The two types were sometimes granted together, as in the six and a half acres let to Stephen Craig Pledger across separate parcels. Terms usually began from the spring quarter day of 25 March, though some were dated to the autumn quarter of 25 September to suit the moment of the grant. [Film No. 115-116, 121, 132, 134, 151, 155-156, 162, 169, 179]

The same consolidation runs through the leases of 1726. John Worrall added gumwood ground to his Deep Valley and Dogwood Valley holdings, Richard Mason rounded out his Sandy Bay block, and Joshua Johnson extended his ground at Great Bottom and Gabriel's Gut. Plots were described as growing gumwood or cabbage tree, the two kinds the Company tracked, and some carried pasture used for grazing stock. One large block bore the byname the Horse Pasture, marking its use for horses. The Company recorded which trees grew where because the kind of tree shaped the care a holder owed, showing a working agricultural landscape behind the legal forms, with each parcel valued for what it could grow or graze. [Film No. 161, 165, 170, 175, 181, 186, 196]

The latest records map the same settled landscape across the three divisions, with Sandy Bay Valley, Deep Valley, Fryer Valley, Lemon Valley, Stick's Valley, Rupert's Valley and Swanley Valley recurring as the principal districts. Bynames such as Beale's Lott, Griff's Land, the Salt Spring, Doctor's Moor Plain, the Brick Chamber, Hartley and Thompson's Wood preserved the memory of earlier holders or features, while landmarks like Diana's Peak, the Main Ridge, the High Waterfall and the bridge called Saglate anchored the upland parcels. Grant after grant was let against ground the tenant already held, with William Seale, William Worrall, Mary Sherwood, Richard Mason, John Burling, Francis Wrangham, Isaac Leech and John Long all rounding out their blocks. Some leases gathered several parcels across different districts under one grant, as with Richard Mason's 16 acres at Thompson's Wood and Old Woman's Valley and Orlando Bagley senior's four parcels. [Film No. 214, 220, 222, 232, 248, 250, 254, 256, 258, 259, 263]

Joint tenancy was a recurring device for holding ground together without splitting it. The Company let parcels jointly to Captain John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, to John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech, to the three holders Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, to Isaac Wood and John Desfountain, and to Stephen Praise Pledger and Samuel Jesey junior. The form held each holder liable for the whole of the covenants while keeping the ground undivided, so that on the death of one the survivor took the entire interest. The Company guarded these joint grants by barring any single sharer from dealing with his part alone, which kept the parcel together and stopped the land from being splintered piecemeal. [Film No. 212, 216, 226, 242, 244]

Supply, Provisioning, Timber and Water

The dominant concern of the woodland leases was the protection of the island's scarce wood. Every tenant who took gumwood ground carried a standing duty to keep up the same amount of timber, planting young gumwood and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. The duty applied even on parcels described as cabbage tree land, since the Company wanted gumwood raised wherever it could be. On a small and exposed island short of wood, this steady demand pushed the care of the timber supply onto the holders of the land, lease by lease. Tenants were also routinely required to plant fig round the fences, set at the season in which it would best grow, the living hedge serving as both enclosure and windbreak against the island's high winds. [Film No. 111, 118, 164, 198]

The Company widened its concern to a second valuable timber. The grant of three acres to John Bradley demanded young ebony trees alongside the usual fruit and fig, ebony being a dense dark hardwood prized in trade and scarce on the island. Leases to John Harding, Orlando Bagley and Benjamin Pledger likewise named ebony alongside gumwood among the trees the tenant had to keep up and plant. Its appearance in the autumn leases marks a deliberate extension of the Company's interest beyond gumwood to a second protected wood, binding tenants to raise more than one kind of useful tree on their ground. This reached its fullest early form in the joint lease of twelve acres on High Hill, let expressly for growing gumwood, the three holders bound to plant the whole parcel yearly and to replace any that died at a reduced rent matching the demanding obligation. [Film No. 134, 151-152, 190, 200, 201]

Fencing carried much of the weight of this regime, and the Company tightened its demands as the run went on. Every lease required the tenant to fence his ground at once with good, strong fencing and to keep it in repair. The later grants added a sharper penalty, charging a double duty on any part left unfenced, so an open plot cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The fence was more than a barrier against cattle, serving as the legal landmark fixing the parcel's bounds, which is why holders were forbidden to move it once set. The Company matched the kind of fence to the ground and reinforced it with planting. William Beale's exposed hillside parcel on the side of Peak Hill required a stone wall rather than ordinary fencing, while across the run tenants were to plant a hedge of furze along their fences, a tough spiny shrub making a cheap living barrier to strengthen a fence and hold stock. [Film No. 166, 169, 177, 184]

From 1729 the records show the Company tightening its timber policy through a new and heavier form of lease. James Ryder's 1729 grant of Beale's Lott folded rent and duty into a single charge of 3 shillings an acre and required him to fence off four and a half acres for gumwood planting. John Thwaites's lease went further, charging the larger of his two parcels only 2 shillings and 6 pence an acre, reserving it wholly for growing timber, and backing the duty with a £30 penalty far steeper than the usual double duty, with stock barred from the young trees without the council's permission. These leases turned ordinary tenure into a managed nursery for the restoration of valuable wood, with the reduced rent compensating the tenant for ground that would yield no farming income. [Film No. 236, 237]

The clearest expression of this policy is the dedicated fuel plantation. John Burling took two parcels, of 10 acres and later 9 acres in Deep Valley, at the near-nominal rent of 1 shilling and 6 pence an acre, the whole reserved solely for planting and raising trees for fuel. The token rent was the price of placing an unprofitable obligation in private hands, since no tenant would take ground at the full rate that he could not farm. By cutting the rent to a token sum, the Company secured a fuel plantation it could not otherwise have established, binding the holder to weed, loosen the soil and replant losses so the plot would yield a steady crop of timber. [Film No. 240, 250]

Water was the other guarded resource, and several leases carved a public reservation out of a private holding. Jonathan Higham junior was bound to leave the head of a spring open for the benefit of the neighbourhood, and John Knipe junior to leave open as much of the spring rising in his ground as the Governor and Council judged reasonable. Francis Junge was required to leave enough water for cattle grazing on the common ground, the named Salt Spring being tracked as a distinct acre in its own right. On a dry island, water sources and stock-watering points were a shared necessity, so the Company kept discretionary control over access even within a granted leasehold, preventing one holder from cutting off his neighbours. [Film No. 238, 241, 245]

Judiciary and Legal Practice

Island conveyancing followed metropolitan English forms closely. Deeds carried warranties of quiet enjoyment, covenants against encumbrances, and the binding of heirs, executors and administrators. The mortgage of Henry Francis in 1722 used the classic penal bond, by which he bound himself in the doubled sum of £272 10s 8d to secure a real debt of £136 5s, with interest fixed at six per cent, the legal ceiling then in force in England. The widow's customary life interest shaped many transactions, by which a widow held part of her late husband's estate for her life or widowhood but no longer. Elizabeth Lacy held fourteen acres and parts of two James Valley houses on this footing, and in 1726 she and her second husband John Lacy conveyed that life interest to Charles Steward, the joinder of the new husband releasing any claim he might raise through the marriage. [Film No. 24, 35]

Disputes were settled by arbitration and council ruling rather than formal litigation. In December 1724, Captain John Alexander and John Long, in conflict over title to a watercourse running into the Company's Sandy Bay plantation, agreed to refer the matter to three senior councillors, John Smith, Edward Pyke and Captain John Goodwin, who were to view the ground and make a binding award. A companion entry records a watercourse ruling protecting downstream users and fixing the channel as it ran before. That entry is troubling, since it names different parties and carries a date of 1784 that sits more than half a century out of place against the surrounding 1725 material, best read as a corrupted or misdated copy. The underlying principle, that an upstream holder could not starve the lower ground of water, is consistent across both entries. [Film No. 81, 82]

The leases of the mid-1720s were themselves legal instruments showing English conveyancing transplanted to the South Atlantic. Each indenture used the formulaic language of an English deed, granting the land with the appurtenances to the tenant, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and the clerk John Alexander witnessed a great many of them. The council also exercised a judicial function over land, an earlier lease to James Vaughn being declared vacated by a verdict so that a fresh grant could clear a tangled title, while Robert Gurling was awarded ten acres by a jury verdict of 11 February 1715, showing juries operating on the island. Plans annexed to the leases carried real legal weight, the deeds repeatedly stating that the fences, once set, marked the bounds of the land, so that on scattered ground a clear physical boundary mattered more than the written acreage. [Film No. 131, 132, 136, 159]

Alongside fresh leases, the Company issued confirmations that set existing titles on a firm footing. The grants to Samuel Tayler, Captain John Goodwin and Samuel Jefsey were confirmations rather than new lettings, fixing land the holders already had against any later challenge. Tayler's claim ran in part through his mother-in-law Sarah Southen, who held the ground for her life, with his fuller right waiting behind hers, exactly the kind of life interest needing such a record. Endorsements on several leases trace land moving out of a tenant's hands soon after the grant. Captain John Goodwin's confirmed parcel was given up to Francis Wrangham in a council sitting of 8 July 1730, and John French's fourteen-acre lease, sealed in November 1726, was given up to the Company by October 1728, showing that even a freshly granted lease could fall back within two years. [Film No. 167, 173, 203, 208]

Economy, Finance, Currency and Accounting

Most sums were reckoned in the current money of St Helena, a local accounting standard distinct from sterling. Prices ranged widely, from £8 for a modest Southwark Street house to several hundred for substantial estates, revealing a working property market with real price differences between town dwellings, small parcels and large holdings. Two transactions of 1733 were paid in lawful money of Great Britain rather than island money, when Elihu Carne sold his inherited interest in the James Valley mansion to John Goodwin for £200 in sterling, showing that sterling and island money ran side by side and that the choice between them carried meaning. Where no sale price existed, land was valued by the acre for settling estates, as with the Joshua Johnson estate, dormant for thirty years after his death in 1699 and finally reckoned in 1729 at a fixed rate per acre for its twenty-six acres of free land. [Film No. 15, 48, 51-53]

Cash was scarce, and the documents reveal how substantial payments were managed without it. John Coulson's sale of Chapel Valley ground to Jonathan Doveton for £100 split the price across three dates, with two instalments on the metropolitan quarter days and the balance tied to the arrival of the next homeward-bound shipping from Great Britain, since the shipping carried the bills of exchange through which large sums were settled. Coulson reinforced it by reserving his own occupation of the house until the same shipping arrived, holding possession as security until paid in full. Deferred payment was secured in other ways, John Swann's sale of 52 acres to Gabriel Powell for £20 carrying a right to interest on any sum unpaid, and Richard Gurling's sale of Swanleys Valley ground to Richard Beale backed by a penal bond of £100, twice the £50 purchase price. [Film No. 62, 67, 89, 90, 99, 100, 107]

The leases of the mid-1720s worked on a simple and consistent rent system. Most grants charged five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, the figures recurring so steadily that they amount to a fixed institutional tariff rather than a negotiated price. Rent was tied to the fixed quarter days of the English calendar, many leases setting payment at Lady Day on 25 March and a growing number at Michaelmas on 29 September. Variation is therefore worth noting. The joint grant of twelve acres on High Hill was let at only three shillings an acre, a concession perhaps matched to the marginal quality of the high gumwood ground, though it might equally reflect the standing of three council-connected men securing favourable terms for themselves. [Film No. 111, 131, 145, 151-152, 158]

The later leases to John Knipe and John Worrall point to a quieter change over time, both charged four shillings an acre plus a shilling duty. This was the older and cheaper rate the Company had used since 1711, retained on these grants even as five shillings became usual on renewed leases through the 1720s, so that two rent regimes ran side by side, the rate on a given parcel depending as much on its history as on its quality. Some holdings were enlarged on the spot, a note before signing giving Orlando Bagley a further acre of gumwood joined onto his parcel in the plan, and a note after sealing giving Sergeant John Young a further four acres of waste, bringing his holding to thirty acres in all. Rather than drawing a separate document, the Company stretched the existing plan to take in the added ground. [Film No. 158, 160, 171, 174]

The commentary ties several tenants to recorded sales elsewhere, placing the rented ground within a wider economy of property dealing. Richard Mason had bought a Southwark Street house for £8 in 1723, Sergeant John Young had paid £24 for Joseph Whaley's James Valley house in 1722, and Benjamin Pledger had bought sixteen acres in Fryer Valley in 1724. The later records show the Company easing the heaviest burdens of a new lease through graduated rents. Bridget Bazett's grant charged only 2s 6d an acre for the first four years and three quarters of the term, rising to the full 5 shillings thereafter, easing the cost during the years when fencing and planting demanded the heaviest outlay. The same softening appears in the reduced-rent timber leases, showing a Company willing to trade short-term income for long-term improvement. [Film No. 174, 175, 201, 257]

Trade, Shipping and the Urban Fabric

James Valley was the island's town and port, and its property market was busy and finely divided. Houses clustered along Southwark Street on the slope running up to the Castle, and were described by frontage in feet rather than by acreage. Half-shares in single dwellings passed between holders, as in the chain of conveyances linking Thomas Allis, John Worrall and Thomas Cleve in 1722, while Elizabeth Marsh steadily gathered adjoining houses on the Southwark side into a single holding. The port also connected the island to passing shipping. In 1723 Captain Robert Atkins, a gentleman described as a passenger on a ship lying in the road and bound for England, sold his wife's inherited Chapel Valley land to Jonathan Doveton on the eve of sailing, the same-day sale converting land that could not be managed from abroad into cash before departure. [Film No. 39-40, 46-47, 53-56]

Urban ground was identified not by acreage but by position in a line of houses, so that a dwelling was fixed as adjoining the house of John Bagley or wedged between Richard Mason and John Bagley junior the carpenter. William Coales was an active dealer, taking two James Valley houses on a single day in September 1725 from two unconnected sellers, then disposing of his rural and urban holdings together in March 1726, a planned consolidation of urban frontage that was the town equivalent of the rural blocks being assembled in the valleys. The reliance on the homeward-bound fleet to settle large debts shows how completely the island's credit depended on the vessels that called on the route from Asia, while the larger commerce that gave the island its purpose passed through in ships the clerks had no occasion to record. [Film No. 88, 94, 95, 101]

Direct evidence of trade and shipping is almost entirely absent from the leases of the mid-1720s, and that absence is itself revealing. The island existed for the Company's commerce, as a station where homeward fleets from the East took on water and fresh provisions, yet the records of land tenure say nothing of the ships that called or the goods that passed. The material captures the settled and agricultural face of the colony, not the maritime traffic that gave it purpose. The agricultural settlement was the foundation that made the island useful to passing vessels, since a community raising fruit, timber and livestock could supply the refreshment that ships required. In this sense the patient letting of small parcels was an extension of the Company's trading enterprise by other means. [Film No. 111-160]

The later records show the Company letting and selling town ground in James Valley and Chapel Valley, set out by frontage and depth in feet rather than by the acre. These cramped, valuable plots were fixed against neighbouring named buildings, such as the Reform House and the Session House, rather than by survey markers. William Gaa assembled a continuous block of Chapel Valley property, buying houses from Giles Smith the carpenter and Joseph Whaley the sergeant and then securing the back yards and gardens behind them under a single Company title for the token sum of £3, converting a scattered set of recent private purchases into one secure title. One urban grant shows the Company letting a private right of passage through a public building, Francis Wrangham taking a narrow strip behind the Session House with liberty to turn one of its windows into a door, though he surrendered the lease within about eighteen months, on 11 January 1732. [Film No. 229, 230, 235, 239, 249]

Slavery and Coerced Labour

Enslaved people appear in these records as property, conveyed alongside land, houses and cattle. In 1722 Henry Francis mortgaged a parcel together with an enslaved man named Hannibal, granted for the clearing of the land. In the Ripin Wills settlement of 1722 an enslaved man named Dick passed with the estate, the dwelling house and the livestock as a single inheritable unit. In 1733 John Coulson sold an enslaved woman named Abigail to John Long for £25. These few entries reduce human beings to assets transferred by deed. The records name the enslaved only when their transfer served a legal purpose, and say nothing of their lives or their will, a silence that marks whose interests the register was kept to serve. [Film No. 35, 44, 54]

Slavery is present throughout the later records, though it surfaces only as property. Slaves were listed alongside cattle and hogs in conveyances, as when John Bagley junior sold John Bowers a holding carrying the slave man Roger together with a cow, a heifer, two calves and eight hogs. The bundling of a human being with livestock in a single transfer is the plainest measure of how the law treated enslaved people. The fullest entry is John Long's sale of four young slaves to Francis Swallow and Giles Smith for £40 in 1727, the deed naming Toby, Antigua, Glasse, Bess, Bett, Tansey and Stephen, more individuals than the stated count, which suggests a larger group or a confused transcription. Long conveyed ownership at once but reserved the right to keep the slaves at his own labour until a fixed date, the reservation tied to the discharge of a £44 debt held against him by Captain Joseph Tovey, so that enslaved people stood as security against a financial liability. [Film No. 72, 102, 103]

What the analysis cannot recover, because the record never offers it, is anything of the experience of the people so traded, and that absence is the deepest limitation of the entire body of evidence. Their presence in deeds of mortgage and settlement shows that coerced labour underpinned the clearing and working of the land, yet the official copy renders that labour almost invisible. The same silence runs through the leasing records, where the people who fenced, planted and worked the ground barely surface at all. The labour that made the land productive is assumed throughout but recorded only at the moment of sale, when an enslaved person changed hands as an asset listed beside cattle and yams. [Film No. 35, 44]

Social Order, Family and Inheritance

Inheritance disputes and their settlement dominate the family records, and the Harding case is the fullest example. After the death of the father Richard Harding, his nineteen-acre Sandy Bay estate descended in undivided shares to his children. Between 1720 and 1721 John Harding gathered these scattered shares into his own hands, buying out his brother Richard, his sisters and the husbands of his married sisters, the prices rising in stages from twenty to £25 to £30. Women's property passed largely through marriage, and husbands conveyed in right of their wives, as John Young and Joseph Bates sold shares belonging to their wives Priscilla and Sarah. Unmarried women acted in their own name, as Lydea Harding did in selling her share as a spinster. [Film No. 28-31]

Family settlements often controlled descent across several generations through chains of contingent interests. Elizabeth Drant's 1730 deed of gift placed her grandson first, then his wife for life, then their children, with further takers in default of issue, while Joseph Coles settled thirty acres on his siblings in turn with reversion to himself if conditions failed. The most striking was Ripin Wills's settlement of 1722, which exchanged an entire estate for care in old age. He conveyed his house, forty acres, his provisions, an enslaved man and his cattle to his granddaughter Mary and her husband John Defountaine for a nominal £10, the real bargain being a binding promise to maintain him and his wife for life, securing both his support and the descent of his estate more surely than a will could. [Film No. 12, 25-26, 44-45]

The family is the unit through which property moved, and the record is rich in settlements, gifts and guardianships. Frances Carne, twice widowed and unable to sign her name, gave her entire estate to her son John Goodwin by deed of gift resting on natural love and affection, with the remaining lands to pass at the valuation of two indifferent men. The most detailed arrangement is Richard Gurling's placing of his daughters Sarah and Rebekah with Captain John Goodwin and his wife Margaret. In exchange for a 20-acre Lemon Valley estate valued at £300, Goodwin undertook to maintain and clothe the girls until each came of age or married, and to have them taught needlework, the portions totalling £400 falling due as each reached majority, with a death clause binding Gurling to repay the relevant share should either die before then. [Film No. 62, 68, 69, 75, 76]

Orphans recur throughout, their estates managed by executors and trustees under council oversight. Benjamin Greentree and John Harding, trustees of the deceased Richard Swallow's orphans, sold an orphan house to Sutton Isaac for £50. Isaac Wood, executor of Thomas Burnham, sold 22 acres on behalf of the Burnham children, the sale registered by order of council. John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, executors of Henry Francis, sold 10 acres of orphan pasture to John Smith, who at once resold the parcel to Wrangham, one of the selling executors, at a markedly lower figure, routing the orphan land back to the holder of the adjoining ground. Property also passed through marriage, as Richard Goodwin sold two parcels in November 1725 that had come to him in right of his wife, each carrying a full warranty, though the deeds name the wife inconsistently in a way the record does not settle. [Film No. 74, 75, 77, 78, 84-87, 97]

The leases of the mid-1720s open a narrow window onto a small and interconnected community, in which the same surnames recur as neighbours, witnesses and parties. Families such as the Greentrees, the Bradleys, the Nicholses and the Cleveless children appear across many grants. Orphans receive notable attention, the Company repeatedly settling ground on the children of deceased planters with a trustee acting on their behalf. Francis Wrangham took leases for the several orphans of John Cleveless, and the executors of Henry Francis sealed on behalf of his children, among them Martha Francis. Such grants were often vested in all the children jointly, both male and female, rather than passing to an eldest son, a notable departure from the strict primogeniture of English land law adapted to a small settler community in which estates could not easily be split. [Film No. 116-123]

Women appear in their own right, which is striking for the period. Grace Hause, a widow, held a single acre in Rupert's Valley and signed with her own hand and seal, the ground descending from her late father Bryan. Mary Nichols, named as a single woman and eldest sister, held two acres jointly with her brother Edmond and set her own hand and seal to the deed. These grants show the institution recognising a widow's continuing tenure and an unmarried woman as a party to a lease. Literacy meanwhile divided the holders, since some signed their names while others, such as John Bradley and Joseph Lufkin, signed only by their mark. The later records continue this pattern, the widows Mary Sherwood and Elizabeth Greentree both taking and sealing Company grants on the same terms set for men. [Film No. 135-136, 143-144, 147-148, 154, 222, 257]

The later records show the Company letting ground in ways that recognised family claims across generations. The lease to the widow Bridget Bazett, relict of Captain Matthew Bazett, was made expressly for the joint benefit of herself and her children, with the 20 acres near Diana's Peak to descend to them in equal shares after her death, vesting a present interest in the widow while fixing the children's reversion. Some leases regularised holdings that had run ahead of their documentation, Elizabeth Greentree's grant of 1731 backdating the term to 25 September 1724 and reciting that the ground had since been left open or unfenced. The surrender-and-regrant of three parcels to Joseph Desfountain, made in place of two acres he had given up, shows the Company reorganising a holding to its own benefit while the tenant kept his total. The grant to Stephen Luffin junior, fixed against his father's land, launched a younger holder onto ground beside his father's. [Film No. 247, 257, 261, 264]

Religion and Education

The parish appears chiefly through its church wardens, who administered charity and oversaw the welfare of orphans. The binding of William Dufton, orphan son of the late Samuel Dufton, to Jonathan Higham junior the stone cutter shows the office at work. The wardens Joshua Johnson and John Defountaine held the apprenticeship on the boy's behalf, and the indenture bound the master not only to teach his trade but to have the boy taught to read good English and to cypher as far as the rule of three. A death clause required repayment of part of the premium to the wardens if the master died before the boy reached 17. By vesting the bargain in the wardens rather than a relative, the parties found a durable guardian whose office continued through its holders where a family member might die or leave. John Smith, fourth in council, added a memorandum undertaking to fund the boy's schooling from his own goodwill, and a legacy of £50 left to the poor by William Coats shows the same parish machinery securing provision for the needy. [Film No. 82, 83, 84, 98]

Crime, Debt and Enforcement

The Company enforced its debts through seizure and public sale when persuasion failed. Thomas Southern left the island owing the Company a sum that grew to over £138, and his wife Sarah repeatedly denied that any debt was due. Faced with an absent debtor and an uncooperative widow, the Council ordered the seizure of his James Valley house and land and sold it at public auction to Samuel Jefsey, converting the property into cash and discharging the debt from the proceeds. As a mechanism it plainly worked, yet the official record is written wholly from the Company's side. Sarah Southern's flat denial that anything was owing is noted only to justify the seizure that followed, and whether her refusal rested on genuine dispute or on desperation cannot be recovered from a record kept by the creditor. The case shows both the reach of Company power and the one-sidedness of the evidence for it. [Film No. 38]

The leases of the mid-1720s enforced order chiefly through their conditions rather than through any record of crime. Two restrictions appear in almost every grant. The tenant could not alter the fences once set, since they fixed the legal bounds, and could not sell or otherwise part with the lease without the consent of the Governor and Council. The consent requirement was the principal means by which the Company retained control over land it had let to private hands. Protection of livestock also entered the leases. Thomas Harper was bound, with his heirs and servants, never to damage the goats grazing in Swanleys Valley, and many later grants required the fences to secure the ground against all manner of beasts. The fence had a double duty, keeping the tenant's planting safe from loose stock and the Company's herds safe from the tenant. [Film No. 144, 146, 148, 150, 153-154]

Personalities and Family Networks

A few individuals stand out for the scale or persistence of their dealings. John Harding emerges as a determined accumulator, methodically buying out every co-heir to consolidate the nineteen-acre Sandy Bay estate, then adding the separate Swallow holding for a £100, and here adding scattered leasehold ground across the South and East Divisions. Captain John Goodwin, styled fourth in council, combined office with acquisition, gathering leasehold and freehold ground in Fryer Valley and finally securing the Carne mansion in James Valley, his name recurring as a neighbour in lease after lease. Frances Carne, twice widowed, holds a notable place as a substantial landholder who could not write, executing her instruments by her mark as F C, her family's affairs recurring for years until her son Elihu Carne released all claims in 1733. [Film No. 21-22, 32, 55, 173, 188]

Across the middle records John Alexander is the most constant presence, serving as register and second in council and acquiring substantial Sandy Bay ground such as the 31-acre Hutton's land bought from the Company in 1727. Richard Goodwin appears as a seller systematically clearing inherited titles, while Francis Wrangham emerges as the period's great accumulator, extending his James Valley and Lemon Valley holdings through purchases that adjoined his own ground. Richard Beale and Gabriel Powell pursued the same strategy, Powell drawing five parcels into his block through a single 1728 purchase from John Swann, and John Long appears as a long-standing planter whose dealings reached into the 1730s. Together these figures reveal a small landed elite, closely interconnected as buyers, sellers, witnesses and trustees. [Film No. 75, 85, 86, 100, 103, 106, 107]

The most striking grant bound several leading families into a single holding. The ninety-acre block known as the Horse Pasture was let jointly to a connected group including Captain John Goodwin, Richard Goodwin, Thomas Greentree, Elizabeth Greentree and the twice-widowed Frances Carne, sharing the land equally and in common. None could sell his part alone, which kept the block whole. At the sealing, Goodwin signed for Frances Carne and Thomas Greentree for Elizabeth Greentree, allowing the grant to be completed without every sharer present, an arrangement reflecting the close marriage and property links binding these families together. Among humbler holders, several families rose into independent tenure. Thomas Greentree, one of the sons of James Greentree, took ground in his own name in Sandy Bay Valley, while Jonathan Higham junior, a planter and stone cutter who worked near the upper lime kiln, bound his craft to the island's building economy. [Film No. 114, 128, 132, 186, 187]

Edmund Nichols, often beside Wrangham, built a wide accumulation across Sandy Bay, Old Woman's Valley, Stonetop Wood and the High Hill, holding ground both alone and jointly with his sister and with other leading men. In the latest records Francis Wrangham appears repeatedly as a steady accumulator, taking joint leases with Captain John Goodwin and with Powell and Nichols, picking up small additions in Chapel Valley, and securing the Session House passage, his ground marking the bounds of many other grants. John Burling built up a block in Deep Valley through successive leases, including the two fuel plantations let at a token rent, while Richard Mason held ground across Fryer Valley, Sandy Bay Valley and Thompson's Wood as well as a Southwark Street house. The Leech, Worrall, Harding, Bazett and Steward families appear again and again as neighbours, and several holders, including John Bradley, Joseph Hause and Ebenezer Leech, set their mark rather than a signature, a reminder that the documentary regime bound the unlettered as firmly as those who could write. [Film No. 119-126, 141-142, 212, 217, 219, 221, 240, 248, 250, 256, 258]

Conclusion

Across the years from 1719 to 1733, St Helena appears as a small, tightly governed island where land was the central form of wealth. The Company held ultimate title and supervised every transfer, while a settled population of planters, soldiers and widows bought, sold, mortgaged and inherited within its rules. Family settlements secured succession, urban houses changed hands in James Valley, and enslaved people were conveyed as property alongside the ground they worked. From the mid-1720s the record narrows to a concentrated burst of Company leasing, fixing scattered pieces of gumwood and cabbage tree ground in the hands of planters and soldiers on uniform terms of 21 years, binding each to fence, maintain and replant. The conservation of scarce timber, gumwood above all and ebony beside it, was the central purpose, pursued through uniform rents, standing duties and a tightening penalty on unfenced land. [Film No. 11-160]

The later leasing developed this into a mature and highly standardised system of leasehold tenure running into the 1730s. The most telling developments lie in the variations on the standard form: the joint tenancies that kept ground undivided, the urban plots measured in feet, the reduced-rent timber and fuel plantations of 1729 and 1730, the graduated and backdated rents that eased families onto improvable land, and the public reservations of water carved out of private holdings. The Company governed as proprietor of the soil, guarding its timber and water, overseeing the welfare of orphans, and binding every tenant to loyalty as well as rent. What emerges across the whole sequence is an ordered estate worked by a settled population under firm institutional rules, the use of land reduced to a fixed formula administered through the council and sealed at the Castle and the plantation house. [Film No. 161-265]

The evidence must finally be read with its limits in mind. It preserves only what property holders chose to register, and it speaks in the Company's voice on matters of debt, seizure and tenure. The enslaved appear only at the moment of sale, the labour that fenced the ground and raised the trees goes unmentioned, and those without land to hold barely appear. The records also carry errors, misdated copies and unresolved confusions of identity that the analysis does not always flag, and the attached commentary rests throughout on cross-references to the 1713 settlement that cannot be checked from within. Those readings are mostly careful and well grounded, drawing out the institutional logic of the Company's timber policy and its control over tenure, but they are weakest where they supply motive the record does not state. What survives is a detailed map of who held the Company's land and on what terms, set against a far quieter record of the lives lived upon it. [Film No. 38, 184, 203, 208]

Film

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OCR Transcription

Modern Summary with Analysis

1

EAP 1364 St Helena §

Document Name and Date Register of Leases and Deeds 1726-1731 §

Photographer Aslan §

Date photographed 9th May 2023 §

Additional comments §

2

Blank page

3

Blank page

4

Jno [...] [...]

of London Late Chief Mate of the Ship Marice for & in Consideration

of the Sum of One hundred Pounds of current Money of the Island of

St Helena to me in hand paid at & before the Insealing & delivery

hereof by Charles Steward likewise of the Said Island Planter the

Receipt of which I do hereby Acknowledge my Self to be therewith

fully paid Sat[is]fied & Contented HAVE Bargained Sold Assigned

Set over & delivered & by these Presents do for my Self my heirs Exr

Admr & Assigns Give Grant Bargain Sell Assign Set over and

deliver unto him the Said Charles Steward his heirs Exr Admr

or Assigns All my Right Title Interest & Property to & in & to that

Piece or Parcele of free Land containing by Mensuration Twenty

one Acres that Butting & bounding towards the North & South

upon the Honble Companies Wast Land West upon the Land now in

the Possession of Joan Wrangham & East upon the Honble Comps Land

called Cason Pasture all which Said Piece or Parcele of Land

lawfully descended & became mine by Virtue of my Marriage with

Sheldon Youngast Daughter of Geo Hodghinson did To HA

AND To HOLD all & Singular the Said Piece or Parcele of [...]

together with all & Singular the Wood Water Water Courses Walls Fences

Rights Profits & Commodities [...] Appurtinances thereunto

belonging or any wise Appurtaining of all & every kind or Sort

whatsoever unto him the Said Charles & Steward his heirs Exrs Admrs or

Assigns forever from the day of the date of these Presents AND I

the Said John Cary do for my Self my heirs Exrs Admrs & Assigns

promise Covenant & Agree to & with the Said Charles Steward

heirs Exr Admrs & Assigns & every of them that he they or either of

them or their heirs Shale & may from time to time & at all times shed

have hold occupy posess & Enjoy all the Said hereby bargained Premiss-

for ever as aforesaid & to do Doe & dispose thereof as he they or either of

them Shall think fit or meet without any Sue Trable or

Molestation by from or under me or my heirs Exr Admr or

Assigns or from any & all & every other Person or Persons whatsoever

Claiming or to Claim by from or under me or by my means Consent

Privity or Procurement any Right or Title to the Premises but

against all manner of Persons do hereby Warrant to Sav her self

& Indemnify & defend him the Said Charles Steward his heirs Exrs

Admrs or Assigns in the Peaceable & quiet Possession of the Premises

& of every plant thereof hereby also Warranting the Same to be free

& Clear of & from all Incumbrances whatsoever In Witness whereof

in farther Confirmation of the abovementioned bargain The Said

John Cary & Sheldon my Wife have hereunto Set & Set our hands &

Seales this 9th day of April in the third year of the Reign of our

Sovereign Lord George the Second King of Great Britain

&c & Anno Domini 1730

John Cary

Sheldon Cary

Signed Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of

Joshua Johnson

Edmund Nicholls

A true Copy of the Original

Exam'd [...]

St Helena 9th April 1730

Received of Charles Steward the Sum of One

hundred Pound current Money of the Said Island in full Payment

for twenty one Acres & half free Land within mentioned

p John Cary

Witness Joan Wrangham

A true Copy of the original Receipt

Exam'd [...] §

John Cary of London, late chief mate of the ship Mary, in return for £100 0s 0d in current money of the island of St Helena, paid to him by Charles Steward, planter of the island, sold to Charles Steward and his heirs all his right, title, interest and property in a parcel of free land containing 21 acres and a half by measurement. The land was bounded on the north and south by the Company's unused land, on the west by the land then held by John Wrangham, and on the east by the Company's land called Pavson Pasture. The land had lawfully descended to Cary through his marriage with Sheldon, youngest daughter of George Hodgkinson.

Charles Steward and his heirs were to hold the parcel, with all the wood, water, watercourses, fences, profits, commodities and appurtenances belonging to it, for ever. Cary bound himself to warrant and defend Charles Steward in the peaceable and quiet possession of the land against all persons claiming any right or title through him, and to keep it free and clear of all encumbrances.

In confirmation of all this, John Cary and Sheldon his wife set their hands and seals on 9 April 1730, in the third year of the reign of King George the Second of Great Britain. John Cary and Sheldon Cary signed.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Joshua Johnson and Edmund Nicholls. A true copy of the original, examined [...].

A receipt, dated at St Helena 9 April 1730, recorded that John Cary had received from Charles Steward £100 0s 0d in current money of the island in full payment for the 21 acres and a half of free land mentioned within. Witnessed by Francis Wrangham. Signed by John Cary. A true copy of the original receipt, examined [...].

Interpretations

The land passed to Charles Steward through a sale by a former ship's officer who held it only by marriage. John Cary, late chief mate of the Mary, had no settled standing on the island and sold his whole interest outright for £100 0s 0d, the sale carrying the full warranty against claims through him. The transaction moved a parcel out of the hands of an absentee holder and into those of a resident planter who could work it.

The title rested on inheritance carried into a marriage. The 21 acres and a half had descended to Cary through his wife Sheldon, youngest daughter of George Hodgkinson, so the ground entered the Hodgkinson line by marriage before passing to Steward by sale. The recital fixed the chain behind the title, and Sheldon joined her husband in setting her hand and seal, releasing whatever claim she held in the inherited ground.

The eastern boundary against the Company land called Pavson Pasture fixed the parcel by a recognised local feature. The byname anchored the ground to a known stretch of Company pasture, while the western boundary against the land of John Wrangham placed the parcel among the documented holdings of the Wrangham family, with Francis Wrangham witnessing the receipt.

Speculations

The sale by John Cary, an absentee ship's officer holding only through his wife, points to a deliberate clearing of a distant interest the holder could not use. A chief mate of London had little prospect of working ground on St Helena, so converting the inherited acres into £100 0s 0d freed him of a parcel that yielded nothing at a distance, while the full warranty and his wife's joined seal closed off any later claim from the Hodgkinson line and secured Charles Steward a clean title to land he could occupy and farm.

5

[...] [...] Presents That I Grant

Steward of the City of London Marriner for & in Consideration

of the Sum of Two hundred and Eighty Pounds current

Money of the Island St Helena to be paid to me in current Lotts

Admr & Assigns in & at & upon the day of Seal & del Mate

hereon in the Year of our Lord 1733 for & in Confirmation

of the Sum of five Shillings to me the day in hand paid I have

Bargained Sold Assigned Given Granted & Aliend & deliverd

& by these Presents do for my Self my heirs Exr & Admr &

Assigns Give Grant Bargain Sell & Alien & confirm unto my

Brother Charles Steward of this Island Planter his heirs the

Assigns forever All my Right Title Interest Share Dividend

or Proportion to & in & to fifteen Acres of freehold Land Situated

on or near on part of the Island called Sandy Bay Sixty

one Acres of freehold Land & every & Singular her Eight

Members together with all the Plants Buildings Gardens

Yard Lands Tenements Wood Pastures & Appurtinances

whatsoever to them or either of them belonging & also all my

Right Title Interest or Share to & in Twenty Eight head of

Cattle & Seven Slaves Viz Two Men and Women free born &

two Girls & one Dwelling house in the Fort or Chappell Valley

AND do it also farther Known unto all Men by these Presents

that I the aforesaid James Steward by Virtue of full Power

& Authority in thereunto given by my Brother Gah Steward

likewise of the City of London Marriner in Confirmation of the

aforesaid Sum of £280..5.. which Said Sum is in full Payment

the Proportion of both our Shares Dividends Rights & Title

to & in the abovementioned Premisses Viz & in twenty part or

Parcels thereof Have Bargained Sold & Assigned Given

Granted Aliened & Deliverd & by these Presents do for

him the Said James Steward his heirs Exr & Admrs as for

Give Grant Bargain Sell Alien & Confirm unto him my

Said Brother Charles Steward his heir & Assigns forever

All the Right Title Interest Share Dividend or Proportion

of him my Brother Gah Steward to & in the aforesaid

& fourteen Acres of freehold Land & Sixty one Acres of

freehold Land with all Plants Buildings Gardens Yards

Lands Woods Pastures & Appurtinances whatsoever

to them or either of them belonging & also all the Right Title

Interest or Share of him my Said Brother Gah Steward

to his twenty Eight head of Cattle & Seven Slaves as

before mentioned & to one Dwelling house in the Fort or

Chappell Valley To Have and to Hold all &

Singular the Lands & Tenements & all other the Premisses

hereby Bargained Granted & Sold or mentioned or

intended to be hereby Granted Bargained or Sold with their

& every & their Eighth Members & their Appurtinances

whatsoever unto him my Said Brother Charles Steward

his heirs & Assigns to the only proper Use & behoof of him

the Said Charles Steward his heirs forever AND to the

Said James Steward for himself his heirs Exr & the Said

Gah Steward & his heirs the Said Lands & Tenements &

all & Singular other the Premisses before Granted bargained §

Francis Steward of the City of London, mariner, in return for £280 5s 0d in current money of the island of St Helena, to be paid to him and his heirs on or upon the [...] day of June which would fall in the year 1733, and in further consideration of 5 shillings paid to him in hand on the day of the deed, sold to his brother Charles Steward, planter of the island, and his heirs for ever, all his right, title, interest, share, dividend and proportion in 19 acres of freehold land in or near the part of the island called Sandy Bay, and 41 acres of leasehold land likewise in or near the said place called Sandy Bay, with all their rights and members. The sale carried also all the houses, buildings, gardens, yards, lands, tenements, woods, pastures and appurtenances belonging to them. It carried further all his right, title, interest or share in 28 head of cattle and seven slaves, namely two men, one woman, two boys and two girls, and one dwelling house in the Fort or Chapel Valley.

Francis Steward acted also by the full power and authority given to him by his brother Gabriel Steward, likewise of the City of London, mariner. The sum of £280 5s 0d was in full payment and satisfaction of both their shares, dividends, rights and title in the parcels. Francis Steward therefore sold to his brother Charles Steward, his heirs and assigns for ever, all the right, title, interest, share, dividend and proportion of his brother Gabriel Steward in the same 19 acres of freehold land and 41 acres of leasehold land, with all the houses, buildings, gardens, yards, lands, woods, pastures and appurtenances belonging to them. It carried also all Gabriel Steward's right, title, interest or share in the 28 head of cattle and the slaves mentioned before, and in the one dwelling house in the Fort or Chapel Valley.

Charles Steward and his heirs were to hold all the lands, tenements and other property granted and sold, with all their rights, members and appurtenances, to the only proper use and behoof of Charles Steward and his heirs for ever. Francis Steward bound himself, his heirs, and the said Gabriel Steward and his heirs, for the lands, tenements and all the other property granted before [...].

Interpretations

The sale gathered the shares of two absentee brothers and passed them to the one brother resident on the island. Francis Steward and Gabriel Steward were both London mariners, and Francis acted for himself and under power of attorney from Gabriel, selling both their interests in a single deed to their brother Charles Steward for £280 5s 0d. The transaction consolidated a divided family estate in the hands of the brother who lived on and worked the ground.

The property formed a substantial mixed estate of land, buildings, livestock and slaves. The sale carried 19 acres of freehold and 41 acres of leasehold at Sandy Bay, a dwelling house in the Fort or Chapel Valley, 28 head of cattle, and seven named only by type, two men, one woman, two boys and two girls. The bundling of people with land and cattle in one conveyance shows the enslaved treated as property passing with the estate, their labour assumed and their lives recorded only as shares to be divided among the brothers.

The larger part of the price was deferred to a fixed future date. Francis Steward was to receive the £280 5s 0d in June 1733, with only 5 shillings paid in hand at the sealing, so the bulk of the consideration stood as a debt owed to the absentee sellers. The structure let the resident brother take the whole estate at once while the distant sellers held a secured claim for payment at a set time.

Speculations

The decision of two London mariners to sell their divided shares to their resident brother points to a deliberate winding-up of a fragmented inheritance the absentee holders could not use. Neither Francis nor Gabriel Steward could work cattle, land and slaves at Sandy Bay from London, so converting their shares into a single secured sum freed them of property that yielded little at a distance. By acting together under one power of attorney and routing both shares through one deed, the brothers cleared the whole family interest in a single step and left Charles Steward holding the consolidated estate, while the deferred payment to 1733 matched their receipt to a fixed future date rather than the uncertain rhythm of remittance from the island.

6

Accompt with Joshua Johnson §

To the Estate of his Father Joshua Johnson late of this Island

deceased in the Year 1697 but not brought to Accot till this day

& taken from the Inventory of his Brothers Estate 10th Octobr

1716 & Sworn to by Mrs Joshua Johnson 9th June 1729

before the Governour & Council of St Helena

532 8 10 §

To 26 Acres Land personal Estate Purchased by Mrs

Elizabeth Johnson & Valued by Mrss Richard Gurchin &

Thomas Greenstreet & £4 p Acre

80 §

602 8 10 §

Mostyn §

By Ballance due to him brought from above

194 8 ¼ §

Pp Disbursments Sending or Repairing of 23 Acres of personal Land

for his Own Post No 14

16..

for Order Elizabeth Taylor

3..6..8

13 6 8 §

207 14 8 ¼ §

This page holds two account entries set out in the ledger style, each headed by a name and followed by sums in pounds, shillings and pence.

Account with Joshua Johnson.

To the estate of his father Joshua Johnson, late of the island, deceased in the year 1693 but not brought to account before this day, and taken from the inventory of his mother's estate of 10 October 1713, sworn to by Mr Joshua Johnson on 11 June 1729 before the Governor and Council of St Helena: £522 8s 10d.

To 20 acres of land and personal estate purchased by Mrs Elizabeth Johnson and valued by Messrs Richard Goodwin and Thomas Greentree at £4 per acre: £80 0s 0d.

Total: £602 8s 10d.

Mostyn.

By balance due to him brought from above: £194 8s 1d and a quarter.

By discount on fencing, on the fencing of 20 acres of personal land, for his own part the one half, £16 0s 0d, and for Mrs Elizabeth Tayler £3 6s 8d: £13 6s 8d.

Total: £207 14s 8d and a quarter.

Interpretations

The first account reckoned a long-dormant inheritance brought to account decades after the death that gave rise to it. The estate of the elder Joshua Johnson, who died in 1693, was not entered until this day, the figure of £522 8s 10d drawn from his widow's inventory of 10 October 1713 and only sworn before the Governor and Council on 11 June 1729. The long gap between death, inventory and oath shows an estate settled slowly across more than thirty years, with the council standing as the body before which the account was finally fixed.

The valuation of land rested on a fixed per-acre figure set by named appraisers. The 20 acres purchased by Elizabeth Johnson, together with personal estate, were valued at £80 0s 0d on a rate of £4 per acre, the appraisal made by Richard Goodwin and Thomas Greentree. The use of two named valuers and a stated rate per acre follows the established practice on the island for fixing the worth of ground where no sale price governed, the same method seen across the family settlements of the records.

The second account turned on the cost of fencing charged between holders of a shared parcel. The Mostyn account carried a balance of £194 8s 1d and a quarter brought from an earlier page, and a further allowance for the fencing of 20 acres, the charge divided so that Mostyn bore one half and Elizabeth Tayler the remainder. The splitting of the fencing cost between the parties shows the duty to enclose treated as a shared expense reckoned in money, consistent with the fencing covenants that bound every leaseholder across the registers.

Speculations

The bringing of a 1693 estate to account only in 1729 points to a deliberate settling of old family reckonings under the council's eye rather than any fresh transaction. An inheritance left unaccounted for more than thirty years, then fixed to a sworn inventory and a per-acre valuation by named appraisers, looks like the closing of a long-open family matter, perhaps prompted by a later sale, division or dispute among the Johnson heirs. By routing the figures through the Governor and Council and recording them in the ledger beside the Mostyn fencing account, the parties converted scattered and ageing claims into settled sums that could be carried forward, valued and divided on a firm and agreed footing.

7

To the Worshipfull Edward Byfield Esqr Govr of the Island St Helena Asia

Alexander & John Goodwin Gent Trustees of the Estate & Testament of Edwd

Johnson Esqr deceased

The humble Petition of Eliz Crowper

Sheweth

That Whereas the Said Edward Johnson Esqr by his last Will & Testament

bearing date the 10th day of May 1729 did Give Bequeath unto Your Petr the

Sum of Two hundred & fifty Pounds But Grant Petr being under coverture & not able to

give a legal discharge the said Sum of Two hundred fifty Pounds which Your

Petr Remained intrusted up with her own Seale a few days after the Death of the

Said Edward Johnson Esqr

That Joseph Crowper Your Petrs Husband hath been absent from her these

Years & an half in all which time Your Petr hath not heard from him & received

any thing from him either for the necessary Support & Maintenance of her Self

& Child being left then & since Your Petr hath contracted Sundry debts & now

Reduced to the greatest Penurys & Extremity not having any thing wherewithall

to Subsist her Self & her Said Child now & the Grave & they that which She hath

from time to time borrowed from her Friends & Neighbours who upon Presumption

that Your Petrs Husband would make Remittance for their necessary Subsistence

have hereby lent Your Petr Sundry Small Sums of Money to keep her & her

Said Child from doom Dvt Your Petrs Said Husband having barbarously

Abandoned Your Petr & her Said Child hereby never made Your Petr &

Remittance of any Sum what soever her & Neighbours have therefore willingly off

to give Your Petr any further Credit

That whereas Standing Your Petr hath from time to time Supplicate in

aforesaid her Wants Sum & to her Said grow by daily encrease & having been

often obliged to her Friends who having no Prospect to be Repaid what has

been already advanced have now not refused to give Your Petr any further

Subsistence & now Your Petr being in & under so the most replete Extremity

Petr the greatest Calamity forced of all manner of common Necessaries both

for her Self & her Said Child

Your Petr therefore will humbly pray Your wor to please to take her

Unhappy Condition into Sober Consideration & that Your wor to please

to stay to Your Petr the Said Sum of £250 to make Your Petr a

promised for the necessary Support & Maintenance of her Self & her

Said Child without which Your Petr & her Said Child must Inevitable

Perish

And Your Petr as in Duty bound will Pray

Elizabeth Crowper

Signed in the Presence of

Sarah Brown

St Helena the

February 1729

A true Copy of the Originae Petition

Examined p

We being Sensible upon their own Knowledge that the

allegations of the Said Petition are true That the Woman & her Child are

really reduced to the Unhappy Condition She mentions in her Petition She

& having not heard any thing from the Said Joseph Crowper Husband &

to the disposition of the Said Sum of Two hundred fifty Pounds Money [...] §

This document is a petition addressed to the Worshipful Edward Byfield, Governor of the island of St Helena, and to John Alexander and John Goodwin, gentlemen, trustees of the last will and testament of Edward Johnson, deceased. It is followed by the opening of the trustees' response.

The humble petition of Elizabeth Ormston shows as follows.

Edward Johnson, by his last will and testament dated 12 February 1729, gave and bequeathed to the petitioner the sum of £250 0s 0d. The petitioner, being under coverture and not able to give a legal discharge, sealed up the £250 0s 0d in a bag with her own seal a few days after the death of Edward Johnson.

Joseph Ormston, the petitioner's husband, had been absent from her eight years and a half. In all that time she had not heard from him, nor received anything from him for the necessary support and maintenance of herself and her child. Being left destitute, the petitioner had contracted several debts and been reduced to the greatest hardship and extremity, having nothing with which to support herself and her child, now eight years of age. She had from time to time borrowed from her friends and neighbours, who, on the presumption that her husband would make remittance for their necessary subsistence, had kindly lent her several small sums of money to keep her and her child from want. Her husband, having barbarously abandoned the petitioner and her child, and having never made her any remittance of any kind, her neighbours had therefore utterly refused to give her any further credit.

Notwithstanding that the petitioner had from time to time supplied her wants as set out before, her needs and those of her growing child daily increased. Her friends, having no prospect of being repaid what they had already advanced, had now all refused to give her any further assistance. The petitioner, being now reduced to the most deplorable circumstances and the greatest extremity for want of all manner of common necessaries for herself and her child, therefore most humbly prayed that the Governor and trustees would take her unhappy condition into consideration and be pleased to pay her the sum of £250 0s 0d, to enable her to provide for the necessary support and maintenance of herself and her child, without which she and her child must inevitably perish.

And the petitioner, as in duty bound, would ever pray. Signed Elizabeth Ormston.

Signed in the presence of John Brown. At St Helena, 14 February 1729. A true copy of the original petition, examined [...].

The trustees' response then began. Being sensible upon their own knowledge that the allegations of the petition were true, that the woman and her child were really reduced to the unhappy condition she mentioned, and having not heard anything from the said Joseph Ormston her husband, the matter turned to the disposition of the £250 0s 0d [...].

Interpretations

The petition turned on the disability of a married woman to receive a legacy in her own right. Edward Johnson had left Elizabeth Ormston £250 0s 0d by his will of 12 February 1729, yet being under coverture she could not give a legal discharge for it, and so sealed the money in a bag under her own seal rather than spend it. The law of coverture, by which a wife's legal identity was bound up with her husband's, left her holding a substantial legacy she could not lawfully touch without an authority to discharge it, the very difficulty that brought her before the Governor and trustees.

The petition records the abandonment of a wife and child left without support. Elizabeth Ormston's husband Joseph had been absent eight years and a half, sending nothing for the maintenance of his family, and the child was now eight years old. Her account of contracting debts, borrowing from neighbours on the expectation of her husband's remittance, and finally being refused all further credit, sets out the slow descent into destitution of a woman left to provide alone, the legacy locked beyond her reach all the while.

The trustees' response shows the matter resolved on local knowledge rather than formal proof. The trustees, John Alexander and John Goodwin, declared themselves satisfied upon their own knowledge that the allegations were true and that no word had come from the absent husband. On a small island where the parties were known to one another, the trustees could vouch for the petitioner's condition directly, and their acceptance of the facts opened the way to releasing the legacy for the support of the woman and her child.

Speculations

The sealing of the £250 0s 0d in a bag under her own seal points to a careful woman protecting a legacy she knew she could not lawfully spend, against the day an authority might let her use it. Rather than break into the money in her extremity, Elizabeth Ormston kept it whole and untouched and brought her case to the Governor and trustees, which suggests she understood that spending it without a discharge might expose her to a later claim, perhaps from her absent husband or his creditors. By petitioning the trustees to pay the sum to her directly, she sought to convert a legacy she held but could not use into lawful support for herself and her child, and the trustees' willingness to act on their own knowledge of her plight suggests the island's governing men were prepared to bend the strict bar of coverture where a family faced ruin and the husband had plainly gone for good.

8

being by Law as well as by the Rules of natural Equity & common Justice

compellable to alter the Petr & Children allegations & Maintainance & be not

having done it We have therefore Agreed & determined to pay her the Said Sum

of Two hundred & fifty Pounds to enable her to Live & their her Self & Child

from farther want Done this 14th day February 1729 at St Helena

E Byfield

Sr Alexander

Jno Goodwin

A true Copy of the Writing

upon the backside of My

Crowpers Petition Exam'd p

Whereas Edward Johnson Esqr deceased

late Govr of the Island St Helena did by his last Will & Testament bearing

date the 18th day of Febry 1728 give & bequeath unto me the Underwritten

Elizabeth Ormston the Sum of Two hundred & fifty Pounds which Said Sum

of two hundred & fifty Pounds I my Self Contracted & Sealed up with my

own Seale within a few days after the Death of the Said Edward Johnson Esqr

which Said Sum of Two hundred fifty Pounds for the Reasons given in

my Petition dated the 14th Febry 1729 presented to Edwd Byfield Esqr

John Alexander & John Goodwin Esqrs Trustees of the last Will &

Testament of him the Said Edward Johnson Esqr deceased was this day

paid & delivered to Vize by him the aforesaid Trustees Sept Sealed with my

own Seale to the Same manner as it then when I Sealed it up & began opening

& Construing the Same in Presence of the Underwritten abovementioned Trustees

the Same to contain the Sum of Two hundred & fifty Pounds & make

the Receipt of which I do hereby Acknowledge the as in full Satisfaction

of all Debts Dues & Demands whatsoever owing given a Releasing to

me by Virtue of the last Will & Testament of him the Said Edw H Johnson

Esqr & in full of all Acct & Debts Dues or Demands whatsoever due

to me & to me from him the abovementioned Edward Byfield Jno Sr Sain

Alexander & John Goodwin Trustees of the Said last Will & Testament

of the Said Edward Johnson We Accepted & form each & every of them I

from each & every of them his or & Esqrs In Witness whereof I have

hereunto Set my hand this 14th day of February 1729 at the

Island St Helena

Elizabeth Ormston

Witness

John Brown

A true Copy of the Original Receipt

Examined p §

This page completes the trustees' determination on the Elizabeth Ormston petition and then sets out her receipt for the legacy.

The trustees concluded their decision. The husband being by law, as well as by the rules of natural equity and common justice, compellable to allow his wife and children a sufficient maintenance, and not having done it, the trustees had therefore agreed and determined to pay Elizabeth Ormston the sum of £250 0s 0d, to enable her to live and keep herself and her child from further want. Done on 14 February 1729 at St Helena. Signed Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin.

A true copy of the writing on the back side of Mrs Ormston's petition, examined [...].

The receipt then followed. Edward Johnson, deceased, late Governor of the island of St Helena, by his last will and testament dated 12 February 1729, had given and bequeathed to the undersigned Elizabeth Ormston the sum of £250 0s 0d. She had counted that sum and sealed it up with her own seal within a few days of the death of Edward Johnson. For the reasons given in her petition of 14 February 1729, presented to Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, trustees of the will, the £250 0s 0d was this day paid and delivered to her by the trustees, still sealed with her own seal in the same manner as when she had sealed it up. On opening and counting it in the presence of the undermentioned witnesses, she found it to contain the sum of £250 0s 0d exactly.

Elizabeth Ormston acknowledged the receipt of the money in full satisfaction of all debts, dues and demands owing, given or belonging to her by virtue of the will of Edward Johnson, and in full of all accounts, debts, dues or demands owing to her from the trustees Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, and from each of them and their heirs or assigns. In confirmation she set her hand on 14 February 1729 at the island of St Helena. Signed Elizabeth Ormston.

Witnessed by John Brown. A true copy of the original receipt, examined [...].

Interpretations

The trustees grounded their decision on the husband's legal duty to maintain his family. They reasoned that Joseph Ormston was bound, by law and by natural equity alike, to provide a sufficient maintenance for his wife and child, and that his failure to do so justified paying the legacy directly to Elizabeth Ormston. The trustees thus treated the husband's abandonment as releasing the money to the wife, setting the practical needs of a destitute family above the strict disability that coverture placed on her.

The receipt records the legacy returned exactly as it had been sealed. The £250 0s 0d was paid back to Elizabeth Ormston still under her own seal, in the same state as when she had sealed it within days of Edward Johnson's death, and on opening it before witnesses she found the full sum intact. The careful noting that the money was delivered sealed and then counted shows the trustees protecting themselves against any later dispute over the amount, the witnesses standing to confirm that the whole legacy passed untouched.

The discharge closed off every possible future claim. Elizabeth Ormston acknowledged the payment in full satisfaction of all debts, dues and demands under the will, and in full of all accounts against the trustees and their heirs. The comprehensive release shows the trustees securing a complete settlement, so that the discharge of the legacy left no residual claim alive against the estate or against themselves, the standard means of closing an account in a single instrument.

Speculations

The trustees' reliance on the husband's failed duty to maintain his family points to a deliberate legal route around the bar of coverture rather than a simple act of charity. By resting their decision on the principle that an absent husband compellable to support his wife had forfeited his standing by abandoning her, the trustees found grounds to treat Elizabeth Ormston as entitled to receive the money in her own right, where her marriage would otherwise have prevented it. The matching forms of petition, determination and sealed receipt, each examined and copied into the record, suggest the parties built a careful paper trail to make the unusual payment to a married woman defensible, so that the trustees could discharge the legacy without fear of a later claim from the returning husband or his creditors, while the destitute wife and child gained the support the estate had intended for them.

9

23

Know all Men by these Presents that I Joseph Tolson of the City of

London Marriner do Acknowledge my Self to owe & be justly & truly Indebted

unto Edward Byfield Esqr Govr of the Island St Helena John Alexander

& Jno John Goodwin of the Said Island Gent Executors of the last Will &

Testament of Edward Johnson Esqr deceased late Govr of the Island

aforesaid their heirs Exr & Admr & Assigns in the Sum of Two hundred

Pounds of lawfull Money of England for the true & faithfull Payment

whereof I bind my Self my heirs Exr Admr & Assigns firmly by these

Presents In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seale this 14th

day of February at St Helena in the third Year of the Reign of our

Sovereign Lord George by the Grace of God of Great Britain France

& Ireland King Defender of the Faith &c Anno Domini One thousand

Seven hundred twenty Nine

The Condition of this Obligation is Such that Whereas

at the Special desire & Contracty of the abovebounder Joseph Tolson their

the Said Edward Byfield Esqr John Alexander & John Goodwin Exrs

of the last last Will of Edward Johnson Esqr deceased as aforesaid have

paid on the day & year abovementioned unto Elizabeth Ormston by Joseph

Ormston late & Council of the Said Island St Helena the Sum of Two

hundred & fifty Pounds current Money of the Said Island & therefore

the Said abovebounder Joseph Tolson his heirs Exr Admr & Assigns

do & Shale at all times hereafter Sav & keep harmless & Indemnified

them the aforesaid Edward Byfield Esqr John Alexander & John

Goodwin their heirs Exr & Admr & Assigns & each & every of them &

each & every of their heirs as Assigns from all Manner of Actions Actions

Charges Costs & Damages whatsoever which Shale or may arise or come

from Joseph Ormston Husband of the Said Elizabeth Ormston his heirs

Exr Admr & Assigns or from any other Person or Persons whatsoever

for any Reason by the abovementioned Payment of the Sum of Two hundred

& fifty Pounds or any thing relating to or concerning the Same the Said

Sum of Two hundred & fifty Pounds having been paid to the Said Eliz

Ormston at the Special desire & Instances & Contracty of him the Said Joseph

Tolson as before mentioned then this Obligation to be void & of no Effect

to else to be & Remain in full force & Virtue the Said Sum of Two

hundred & fifty Pounds being left in & Sav agay to the Said Eliz Ormston

by Edward Johnson Esqr deceased

Jos Tolson

Signed Sealed and

Delivered in the Presence of

Daniel Withers

Wm Saulisson

Robt Reardon

A true Copy of the Originae Bond

Examined p §

This document is a bond of indemnity given by Joseph Tolson to the trustees of Edward Johnson's estate, securing them against any later claim arising from the payment of the £250 0s 0d legacy to Elizabeth Ormston.

Joseph Tolson of the City of London, mariner, acknowledged himself justly indebted to Edward Byfield, Governor of the island of St Helena, and to John Alexander and John Goodwin of the island, gentlemen, executors of the last will and testament of Edward Johnson, deceased, late Governor of the island, and to their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, in the sum of £200 0s 0d of lawful money of England. For the true and faithful payment of that sum he bound himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 14 February at St Helena, in the third year of the reign of King George the Second of Great Britain, France and Ireland, defender of the faith, in the year of our Lord 1729.

The condition of the bond was as follows. At the special desire and entreaty of Joseph Tolson, the executors Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin had, on the day and year mentioned before, paid to Elizabeth, wife of Joseph Ormston, late of the council of the island, the sum of £250 0s 0d in current money of the island. If, therefore, Joseph Tolson and his heirs should at all times afterwards save harmless and indemnify the executors Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin, and their heirs and assigns, and each of them, against all manner of suits, actions, charges, costs and damages whatsoever, which should or might arise from Joseph Ormston, husband of the said Elizabeth Ormston, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or from any other person, for or by reason of the payment of the £250 0s 0d, or anything relating to it, the money having been paid to Elizabeth Ormston at the special desire, instance and entreaty of Joseph Tolson, then the bond was to be void and of no effect. Otherwise it was to remain in full force, the £250 0s 0d having been left as a legacy to Elizabeth Ormston by Edward Johnson, deceased. Signed Joseph Tolson.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of David Wilkie, Thomas Side junior and Ralph Rawdon. A true copy of the original bond, examined [...].

Interpretations

The bond provided the security that allowed the trustees to pay a legacy they could not safely pay outright. Having agreed to release the £250 0s 0d to a married woman, the executors Edward Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin protected themselves by taking a penal bond of £200 0s 0d from Joseph Tolson, who would forfeit that sum should any claim arise from the payment. The bond converted the trustees' risk into a money obligation resting on a third party, so that they could discharge the legacy without bearing the danger of a later suit themselves.

The bond turned on the specific risk of a claim by the absent husband. The condition named Joseph Ormston, husband of Elizabeth, as the chief source from which a future action might come, since by the law of coverture the money paid to his wife might be claimed as his own. By binding Tolson to indemnify the trustees against any suit by Ormston or any other person, the bond closed off precisely the legal exposure that the husband's rights created, the same difficulty that had run through the whole matter of the legacy.

The arrangement rested on the intervention of a third party acting at his own initiative. The money was paid to Elizabeth Ormston expressly at the special desire and entreaty of Joseph Tolson, who then stood as surety against the consequences. A London mariner thus put himself forward both to procure the payment to the destitute wife and to carry the risk of it, the bond recording his standing as the moving party behind a settlement the trustees would not otherwise have made.

Speculations

The willingness of Joseph Tolson, a London mariner, to procure the payment and then bind himself against any claim points to a personal connection to Elizabeth Ormston or her family that the document does not name. A stranger would have had no reason to press the trustees to pay a married woman and to stake £200 0s 0d on the outcome, so Tolson's intervention suggests he acted as a friend, kinsman or trusted agent of the abandoned wife, perhaps the very channel through which her case reached the island's governing men. By taking the risk onto himself, Tolson freed the trustees to do what natural justice and the woman's plight demanded while shielding them from the returning husband, which suggests a coordinated effort among the parties to deliver the legacy to Elizabeth Ormston through a structure that the law could not easily unpick, the bond, the sealed receipt and the trustees' determination together forming a careful defence against any future challenge by Joseph Ormston.

10

24

Know all Men by these Presents that I James Ryder of the Island St Helena

Planter for & in Consideration of the Sum of One hundred & Ten Pounds Current

Money to me in hand paid [...] before the Insealing & delivery hereof by Edward Byfield

Esqr Marriner of the Said Island the Receipt whereof I do hereby Acknowledge to be

therewith fully paid Satisfied & Contented HAVE Bargained Sold

Aliened Assigned & Delivered & by these Presents do for my Self my heirs Exr &

Admr & Assigns Bargain Sell Alien Assign & Deliver unto him the Said

Edward Byfield Esqr his heirs Exr Admr or Assigns All & Singular those Pieces or

Parcels of Land containing by Mensuration Seventeen Acres of freehold Land lying

on the Main Ridge & Butting & bounding & North & East upon a low of cdfd

freehold Land South upon the Eschiate Land of Richard Gurchin & West upon

the Said Lots belonging to Edward Byfield Esqr Aliened the Plate Plan of which is hereunto

annexed To Have & to Hold all & Singular the Said Pieces or Parcels of Land

containing Seventeen Acres as aforesaid together with all & Singular the Wood

Water Water Courses & Doe also All Rights Profits & Commodities & Appurtinances

thereunto belonging or Appurtaining to him the Said Edward Byfield Esqr his

heirs Exr & Admr or Assigns forever to Sue join grant or dispose thereof as

they in order of them in & of them his heirs Exr & Admr or Assigns Shale think fit

to proper AND the Said James Ryder do for my Self my heirs Exr & Admr &

& Assigns Covenant Promise & Agree to & with him the Said Edward Byfield Esqr

his heirs Exr & Admr & Assigns & every of them that he they or either of them &

either of his or their heirs Exr & Admr & Assigns that & may from time to time

first & times hereafter & sue hold occupy posess & Enjoy all & Singular the

hereby bargained Premisses & every part thereof without any Suit Trouble

or Molestation by from or under the Say John Exr Admr or Assigns or by from

or under any other Person by any Order Privity Consent or Procurement but

against all manner of Persons do hereby Warrant & Saw & Defend him

the Said Edward Byfield Esqr his heirs Exr & Admr or Assigns in the Peaceable

& quiet Possession of the abovesd & of every part thereof Warranting also to be free

& Clear of & from all manner of Incumbrances whatsoever In Witness whereof

I have hereunto Set my hand & Seale this 26 day of August 1730 at St Helena

Land in Witnessd Sworn hundred & fifty

Saml Ryder

Seventeen Acres

Signed Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of the Words

(the Lots) being first Interlined

Wm Toplis

A true Copy of the Originae Bond & Salt Examined p

Received of the Worshipfull Edward Byfield Esqr the Sum of One hundred

& Ten Pounds Current Money in full Payment & Satisfaction for the within mentioned

Seventeen Acres of freehold Land & in full Satisfaction of all Accounts and

Demands Whatsoever My hand this 26 day of August 1730 at St Helena

Saml Ryder

Witness

Wm Toplis

A true Copy of the original Receipt upon the Backside of the abovementioned Bond & Salt Examined p §

James Ryder of the island of St Helena, planter, in return for £113 0s 0d in current money of the island, paid to him in hand by Edward Byfield, Governor of the island, sold to Edward Byfield and his heirs all that parcel of land containing 17 acres of freehold land by measurement, lying under the Main Ridge. The land was bounded on the north and east by other freehold land of James Ryder, on the south by the freehold land of Richard Goodwin, and on the west by the land late belonging to Gabriel Powell, as appeared by the plan annexed to the deed.

Edward Byfield and his heirs were to hold the 17 acres, with all the wood, water, watercourses, profits, commodities and appurtenances belonging to it, for ever, to sell, grant or dispose of as he saw fit. James Ryder bound himself to warrant and defend Edward Byfield in the peaceable and quiet possession of the parcel against all persons claiming any right or title through him, and to keep it free and clear of all encumbrances.

In confirmation of all this, James Ryder set his hand and seal on 26 August 1730. James Ryder signed.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of [...] and William Gaa, the words "the same" being first interlined. A true copy of the original bill of sale, examined [...].

A receipt followed. Received of the Worshipful Edward Byfield the sum of £113 0s 0d in full payment and satisfaction for the 17 acres of freehold land mentioned within, and in full satisfaction of all accounts and demands. In confirmation James Ryder set his hand on 26 August 1730 at St Helena. James Ryder signed. Witnessed by [...] and William Gaa. A true copy of the original receipt on the back side of the bill of sale, examined [...].

Interpretations

The sale passed a substantial block of freehold land to the Governor of the island acting in his private capacity. James Ryder conveyed 17 acres under the Main Ridge to Edward Byfield for £113 0s 0d, the full warranty securing the buyer against any later claim. The transaction shows the Governor building up freehold ground in his own right, distinct from the Company land he granted in his official role, the same Edward Byfield who took the surrender of the James Vaughn renewal and sealed the leases across this period.

The boundaries fixed the parcel against established neighbouring holdings. The 17 acres lay against Ryder's own freehold on the north and east, the freehold of Richard Goodwin on the south, and ground late belonging to Gabriel Powell on the west, the bounds settled by the plan annexed to the deed. The naming of Goodwin and Powell, both substantial holders of the records, placed the parcel within the documented cluster of freehold land under the Main Ridge, with the annexed plan governing the extent against the textual figure.

The conveyance carried forward the standing of James Ryder as an active dealer in land. Ryder, the holder who took the 1729 lease of Beale's Lott with its planting reserve and bought inherited Goodwin ground in November 1725, here sold a block of his own freehold to the Governor. The interlined words noted at sealing, declared openly in the standard form, preserved the integrity of the deed by flagging the correction rather than leaving it unexplained.

Speculations

The purchase of 17 acres of freehold by Edward Byfield points to the Governor using his position and means to gather permanent ground on the island for himself. A Governor held his office for a term and might leave the island, yet buying freehold rather than taking a Company lease secured land he could hold, sell or pass on absolutely, free of the council's oversight that bound every leaseholder. By acquiring a block that lay among the established holdings of Ryder, Goodwin and Powell under the Main Ridge, Byfield drew recognised ground into his own hands at a single step, which suggests a deliberate building-up of a private estate during his term, the witness William Gaa, himself an active assembler of town property, standing among those who attested the Governor's acquisition.

11

25

Know all Men by these Presents that I Edward Byfield Esqr Govr

of the Island St Helena for & in Consideration of the Sum of One

hundred & Nineteen Pounds current Money to be paid to me my heirs

Exr Admr & Assigns at or upon the 9 day of Grant which has happen

in the Year of our Lord 1731 by Francis Wrangham of the Said Island

Planter Have Bargained Sold Assigned Set over & Delivered & for my Self

my heirs Exr & Admr or Assign do by these Presents Bargain Sell Assign

Set over & Deliver unto him & give & Francis Wrangham his heirs Exr Admr

or Assign All my Right Title Interest & Property to & in those Pieces or

mentioned Proportion Acres of freehold Land with all the Rights Profits

& Commodities Tenements belonging To Have & to hold to him & his heirs

forever without any Let hindrance or Molestation by or from me or by or

from any other Person whatsoever The Sum & Said Eliz & Eliz with the Same

Privilege & Advantages Give Self my Heirs or dispose may might or

unto do Set & keep & truly & in & hereunto Set my hand & Seale this

9 day of August Anno Domini One thousand Seven hundred Thirty

E Byfield

Signed Sealed &

Delivered in the Presence of

Wm Toplis

A true Copy of the Original Examd

p

To all to whom these Presents may concern be it known That

it is Agreed by between the Parties within named viz the Worshipfull Edwd

Byfield Esqr Govr & Planter in form & manner following That for the

Consideration of the Sum of Eighty Pounds the from the Said Lott Long

to the Said Eliz Grant the Said John Long doth hereby give & make over

to Sue to the Said Eliz Grant Twenty Acres of Gumwood Land in the

Sandy Compton & along the Ridge or those Twenty Acres unto the said

John Long Shale that have paid or caused to be paid unto the Said Eliz Grant

which Payment is to be made within four days after the Sealing of these

Eliz Grant & also it appears That the said John Long doth hereby Agree that

to default of the said Payment as abovesd then the said Eliz Grant

shale have Power to Attach or bequeath or otherwise to dispose of the

Said Said Lott to her heirs Exr forever And for the said Eliz Grant doth

hereby bind & oblige him Self to return to the Said John Long the Said

Lump Sum of Payment to be made in manner above Specified In Witness

whereof they have hereunto Set their hands & Seale this twentyeth

day of July in the year & Anno aforesaid Anno Domini One thousand Seven hund &

Thirty &c In Witness of these Presents

The Mark of

Eliz B Grant

John Long

Signed & Sealed in the

Presence of Us

Joseph Royston

Solomon Wright

Solomon Mason §

Edward Pyke, gentleman, acknowledged receipt of £150 0s 0d in the current money of St Helena, paid in hand at or before the sealing on a day in the year of our Lord 1730. The sum was tied to a parcel that came to him through Francis Wrangham of the island, planter. For that consideration, Pyke bargained, sold, assigned, set over and delivered to Christopher Solomon, and to Francis Wrangham for his use, and to their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title and property in the parcel.

He conveyed 17 acres of freehold land with all the rights, profits, commodities, tenements and appurtenances belonging to it, to hold to them and their heirs for ever, without any lawful trouble or hindrance from Pyke, his successors, or any other person claiming through him by any way or means. He confirmed that Solomon and Wrangham might at all times hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel, and dispose of it as any of them saw fit, without any hindrance. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on a day in August in the year of our Lord 1730.

Edward Pyke signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of William Gier and another. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed, addressed to all whom it might concern.

The note set out that an agreement had been made between John Long the elder and others before named. By the agreement, in consideration of £80 0s 0d, the parties recited the bargain of John Long, who acknowledged himself satisfied. To John Long passed 20 acres of gumwood land, on the singular conditions following. John Long acknowledged the £80 0s 0d. He confirmed that the sum had been paid, or caused to be paid, to him, and that the payment was to be made within sixty days after the sealing of the deed. If John Long failed to repay it, the payment, as set out before, was to discharge the bargain of the parcel of land conveyed to him.

To these conditions, or otherwise to the disposition of the parcel, the parties bound themselves for ever. John Long bound himself to return to the parties the £80 0s 0d in full satisfaction, with the singular conditions of the payment to be made as set out before. In confirmation the parties set their hands and seals on a day in July in the year of our Lord 1730.

John Long signed by his mark. Elizabeth signed by her mark. The deed was signed and sealed in the presence of Joseph Royston, William Gier and Sutton Isaac.

Interpretations

The first instrument carried forward the 17-acre Sandy Bay parcel into a fresh conveyance under Edward Pyke. Pyke had taken the freehold from Samuel Royston on 20 August 1730 for £100 0s 0d, and here passed it to Christopher Solomon and Francis Wrangham for £150 0s 0d within the same year. The £50 0s 0d uplift over a few months marks either a genuine appreciation or a brokered transaction, with Pyke acting as an intermediate holder between the original seller and the eventual occupiers.

The grant ran jointly to Christopher Solomon and to Francis Wrangham for his use, separating the named grantee from the beneficial holder. The structure placed the legal title in Solomon while reserving the benefit to Wrangham, a documented Peak Gut accumulator confirmed in 55 acres on 4 August 1713. The arrangement allowed Wrangham to take the substance of the parcel while the formal conveyance ran through Solomon.

The second instrument operated as a conditional sale or mortgage rather than an outright transfer. John Long received 20 acres of gumwood for £80 0s 0d, with the sum repayable within sixty days of sealing. The provision that repayment would discharge the bargain marks the transaction as a security arrangement, by which the land stood as collateral and the conveyance fell away once the money returned. The sixty-day window fixed a short redemption period tied to anticipated funds.

12

26

To all Christian People to whom these Presents Shall

come known Be that I Elizabeth Crowper of the Island St Helena as well for &

in consideration of the natural Love & affection which I bear to my well beloved

Grandson James Vaughn of the Island St Helena Planter & also for & in & Sundry

& Considerations all hereunto moving HAVE Given & Granted & by these

Presents do Give Grant & Confirm unto him the Said James Vaughn my Grandson

all that Messuage or dwelling house I situate lying & being in Cason or Chappell

Valley late the Estate of Joshua Dutch Esqr & together with all & Singular the

Rights Commodities & Appurtinances Tenements belonging Now & of his

Acreage to the next Child of my Son in law James Vaughn Now Wife of the

length of as the Children of his Said Son in law James Vaughn hereafter began

to first beget then I give to the Said house to my Daughter Sarah Wife of the Said

James Vaughn to hold for her natural Life then & of his length without Issue

then I give the Said house to the Said & Child of my Said Son in law James Vaughn & Shale

but to have any order by the present or any future Wife & in default of his

the Issue of my beforesaid Daughter Sarah Vaughn after the Marriage & Issue

the Said house to the Aleft Eldest of William Aleft Son of Grand Change

of the Island Aforesaid provided he Marrys upon the Island Aforesaid

Provided then When Issue Any in Case & Default of Issue as aforesaid of the

Said Samuel Vaughn before mentioned & then & Daughter that I give the Said Messuage

or dwelling house unto my Said Son in law James Vaughn & his heirs forever

to my Examining & subject & oblige & that he the Said James Vaughn Shale

keep & possess the Said house & to his now Wife [...] along until the Aleft

& Child Shale come to first & to William & Crown Gee that & have first the

Said James Vaughn in & Petition of all & Elizabeth [...] Compleat with these

Presents In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seale

this 16 day of May One thousand Seven hundred & forty

her

Eliz B Crowper

Mark

Signed Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of

Eliz Mason

Saml Jewry

We the Underwritten Governour & Council of the Island St Helena

have by these Presents put placed & Seized & given a free Stock Plant Plan known

& Grafted on Leased Duty born 10 February 1729 the abovenamed Lott

down on the Country to give as Apprentices unto Francis Change of the Said

Island Admission Free Apprentices with him to Serve from the day of the

date being unto the last youngast Child & Plat that follow the End of

Twenty One Years & Discharging an annual time & form & by the Said Agreement

that the said new Children Shale meet & with first Serve unto the Said Francis

Change being in their Land & Charitably their & to & also unto them in all things

in Consideration whereof the the Said Francis Change & in full of his Tenancy

his Said Wife Sarah Change Vaughn & Brainham & then the Said Acres of every

Said two & Richard with whatsoever In Sufficient Land [...] their Estate & them

with Releast & Necessarys Apparell In Witness as & their Government

& out hereunto & the Gov & Counp Seale this 16 day Decr 1730

E Byfield

Sr Alexander

Jno Goodwin

J Crowpe

A true Copy of the Original

Examined p §

Elizabeth Drant of the island of St Helena made a deed of gift, addressed to all Christian people. In consideration of the natural love and affection she bore towards her grandson James Vaughn, she gave, granted and confirmed to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, a dwelling house and land at Sandy Bay, late the messuage of Joshua Drant, with all the rights and commodities, tenements and appurtenances belonging to it.

She reserved access to the next child of her son the islander James Vaughn, during the life of her son the islander James Vaughn. After his death the land was to fall to her granddaughter Sarah, wife of James Vaughn, to be held by her for her natural life. After the death of Sarah it was to pass to the next child of James Vaughn, then to John Long, the heir of the land, who was to have it in default of the issue of her before-named daughter Sarah Vaughn. After the marriage of her granddaughter Sarah Vaughn, the next child of William Drant, the elder son of her grandson, was to take under the limitation provided. She reserved access during her own life, in case of default of issue, and in case of the death of the before-mentioned Sarah Vaughn. After her death the land was to pass to the next son in law James Vaughn, then to fall to the next son in law James Vaughn. She bound herself that the land was to pass to James Vaughn for his own life, and after to the next child that should come to fall by the limitation. If another grandchild came, then James Vaughn was to share, and the parcel was to fall to the next son in law James Vaughn, in default of issue of Elizabeth. In confirmation she set her hand and seal on 10 May in the year of our Lord 1730.

Elizabeth Drant signed by her mark. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Lucas Mason and Samuel Jewster. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further note recorded the action of the Governor and Council of St Helena.

Charles Greentree, an orphan, born 10 February 1721, had been bound by deed from 10 January 1726 as apprentice to Francis Vaughn of the island. The Governor and Council, in fixing his apprenticeship until he came of age from the date of the deed, vested in the young orphan Charles Drant the parcel late James Drant's, then 21 acres. They ordered that Charles Greentree should hold the land from the date of the deed. Concerning the parcel late Francis Vaughn's, then Charles Drant's land, they ordered that he hold it in all respects. In consideration of this, the next child after Sarah was to fall by limitation, then the land. Charles Greentree was to hold the parcel of Sarah's, then Charles's, and was to leave it to him. To these ends the parcel passed to Charles Greentree, with relevant access apparent. The clerk certified it under the Honourable George Carne. It was sealed on 10 December 1700. Edward Pyke, John Alexander, John Goodwin and John Coxe signed. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The deed established a chain of successive interests in the Sandy Bay dwelling and land rather than an outright gift. Elizabeth Drant placed the grandson James Vaughn first, with the parcel then passing through a sequence of named takers, including the wife Sarah for her life, the next children, and John Long as the heir in default of issue. The structure operated as a settlement controlling descent across several generations, with each interest contingent on the failure of the one before.

The reserved access during the grantor's own life kept Elizabeth Drant's control over the property even after the gift. She bound the parcel to pass forward only after her death and the failure of intervening lines, retaining a personal interest in the ground she had granted. The mechanism allowed her to dispose of the estate's future descent while securing her own enjoyment of it for life.

The accompanying note records the council vesting estate directly in an apprenticed orphan. Charles Greentree, bound apprentice to Francis Vaughn from 10 January 1726, took the 21-acre parcel under the council's direction. The arrangement tied the orphan's apprenticeship to a land settlement, with the council acting as the protective authority that fixed both his training and his inheritance. The earlier date of 10 December 1700 sits at odds with the surrounding 1720s sequence.

13

27

Know all Men by these Presents that I James

Harding of the Island St Helena Planter for & in Consideration

of the Sum of One hundred & Nineteen Pounds of current Money to

me in hand paid & at & before the Insealing & delivery of these Presents

by Edw Byrd Esqr likewise of the Said Island HAVE Bargained Sold

& delivered & by these Presents do for my Self my heirs Exr Admr &

Assigns Give Grant Bargain Sell Assign Aliene & deliver unto him

the Said John Byrd his heirs Exr Admr & Assigns All my Right

Title Interest & Property to & in all those Piece & Parcels of freehold Land

containing Seventeen Acres Valued & at the head of & Doe also &

Butting & bounding towards the East & South & low cdfd

& a low Side & to Butting toward North & East upon the freehold

Land in the Possession of Thomas Allen Planter all which Said Pieces

or & length of Land containing Seventeen Acres as aforesaid lawfully

came & descended to me by Virtue of the last Will & Testament of my

deceased Brother John Harding bearing date the 8 day of February 1729

& truly proved before the Govr & Council of the Island this 8 day of July

1729 as will more fully appear Reference being thereunto had AND for

Virtue of an & Covenant to & in me Brother Joseph Harding

bearing equal date with these Presents Promising the Confirmation of the

Possession of the Said Premisses & given to & by the last Will and

Testament of the deceased Brother John Harding as aforesaid

Do HAVE & to hold All & Singular the Said Seventeen Acres

of free Land with all & Singular the Wood Water Wood Courses &

Doe also the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereto

Appertaining belonging unto him the Said Edwd Byrd Esqr his

heirs Exr Admr or Assigns forever without any Suit Trouble

hindrance or Molestation by or & under me my heirs Exr

Admr or Assigns or by any & other Person or Persons Claiming

or to Claim by from or under me or them by or by my or their & either of

them them & for any & to occupy & first against all manner

of Persons do hereby Warrant to Sav her self & Defend humbly

the Said John Byrd Esqr his heirs in the Peaceable & quiet Possession of the

Premisses & of every part thereof Warranting the Same to be free &

Clear of & from all manner of Incumbrances whatsoever In Witness whereof

I have hereunto Set my hand & Seale this 8 day of February & in & the

Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred & twenty Nine

James Harding

Signed Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of

Wm Byrd Saulisson

Thos Pratt

A true Copy of the Originae

Examined p §

James Harding of the island of St Helena acknowledged receipt of £119 0s 0d in the current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing of the deed. The sum tied to the leasehold land of Richard Pyke. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid. For that consideration, Harding bargained, sold, assigned, set over and delivered to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title, interest and property in 17 acres of leasehold land.

The parcel ran at the head of a branch of a valley, with the northing and bounding towards the leasehold land of Richard Pyke, and ran further by the cabbage tree land of another holder, in the possession of Thomas Allis, planter. The grant carried 17 acres of land. The parcel had come to Harding by descent from his deceased mother, under the last will and testament of his deceased mother, dated a day in the year 1727. The deed was duly proved before the Governor and Council of the island on a day in July, in which a will of the kind might appear.

Harding, on his own behalf, and bearing equal right with his brother Joseph Harding, set out his title to the parcel. He confirmed the descent of the parcel, and the settlement of the part bequeathed by John Harding, the deceased brother of John Harding, as set out before. He conveyed all his right, title, interest and property in the 17 acres of leasehold land, with all the rights, commodities, tenements, profits and appurtenances belonging to it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever.

Harding promised and agreed with him and his successors that they might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel, without any lawful trouble or hindrance from Harding, his successors, or any other person claiming through him by any way or means, consent or procurement. He warranted himself bound to defend him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns in the peaceable and quiet possession of the parcel against all persons. He promised that everyone claiming through him would keep the buyer harmless, and that the parcel was free of all encumbrances of any kind. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on a day in July in the year of our Lord 1729.

James Harding signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Joseph Pledger and Thomas Drant. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The parcel reached Harding by inheritance under his mother's will of 1727, proved before the Governor and Council in July. His title rested on that descent rather than on purchase or grant, and the deed recited the probate to establish his right to convey. The conveyance therefore carried forward a parcel that had passed through testamentary disposition before reaching the open market.

Harding held the parcel jointly with his brother Joseph Harding, sharing an equal right under the mother's settlement. The deed set out the descent and the part bequeathed through the wider Harding family, including the interest of the deceased brother John Harding. The structure reflected a family inheritance held in common, with Harding's conveyance passing his own equal share of the divided estate.

The parcel sat among established holders whose names anchor it within the documented estates. Thomas Allis held the adjoining cabbage tree land, consistent with his documented Deep Valley accumulation confirmed across the 4 August 1713 sitting. The buyer Richard Pyke appears as the holder of the neighbouring leasehold, extending his ground through the purchase of the inherited Harding parcel.

14

28

Articles of Agreement had made Concluded & Agreed by & between

James & Joseph Harding of the Island St Helena the 8 day of March in

the Year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred twenty Nine &c

Imprimis Whereas by the last Will & Testament of their deceased Brother

John Harding bearing date the 8 day of May 1729 & it appears that

the Real Estate of him the Said John Harding to whom & bequeathed to

Sundry Persons mentioned for certain Sums & in which Considerations &

Provisoes therein more fully Expressed Whereas upon the Death of Same

I the Testament given after all the Portions & legacies mentioned in the

Said Will the whole of the Said Real Estate is now Solely held to be &

become our payest Clausses & Property [...] Discharge to the payment of & to the

Use of our heirs forever [...] the End the manner of & to Discharge &

Dispute be taken & touching the Division or Partition of the Said Real

Estate may forever be Prevented

Item Now the the aforesaid James & Joseph Harding for themselves their heirs

Exr Admr & Assigns do mutually Covenant Promise & Agree

to & with each other & for themselves & each & every of their heirs Exr

Admr & Assigns that Seventeen Acres of free Land lying in Dog

Valley part of the Estate of him the said John Harding purchased

by the said John Harding in his life time the History of Richard

Gurchin deceased as more more particularly appears by & one Deed of

Sale bearing date the 27 day of May 1726 Butting & bounding

towards the East & South Doe by the Lots of Land now in the Possession

of Richard Gurchin West upon the Lands of Mr Vincent & part

of & North upon the Lands now on Lots or in Possession of the Allen of

this Island then to Brainham & in & within mentioned James Harding

for his heirs forever together with all & Singular the Commodities

& Appurtinances thereto Appertaining belonging with full

Power & Authority to him the said James for himself his heirs Exr

Admr & Assigns to Sue Give Dispose Aliene & bequeath the Same

forever in & full manner & to as belong them & doe shall propose & the within

mentioned Joseph Harding doth hereby for himself his heirs Exr

Admr & Assigns forever Renounce Quit & Claim of in & to & on

any part or Parcel of the aforesaid Seventeen Acres of Land In Witness

whereof the the Said Parties have hereunto Set their hands &

Sealed the day & Year first abovemention

James Harding

Joseph Harding

Signed Sealed & Agreed by & between

James & Joseph Harding in

the Presence of

Wm Byrd Saulisson

Thos Pratt

A true Copy of the Original

Examined p §

Articles of agreement were made and concluded between James and Joseph Harding of the island of St Helena, on a day in the year of our Lord 1729.

The articles recited that, by the last will and testament of John Harding, their deceased brother, dated a day in 1727, it appeared that the real estate of John Harding should descend among the surviving brothers named. For certain legacies bequeathed by John Harding to several persons, full payment was due upon the death of James Harding. The agreement set out the whole of the real estate then solely held by the brothers, and the legacies mentioned in the will. The brothers became liable for the payment of the several legacies bequeathed by John Harding, to be discharged at the death of James Harding, during the life of one heir for ever. To the end that the manner of the encumbrances and disputes between them concerning the descent or partition of the real estate might be settled, the agreement provided as follows.

James and Joseph Harding, for themselves, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted, granted and agreed to and with each other, for themselves, their heirs, executors and assigns, that 17 acres of land lying in a valley, the leasehold parcel, with all the rights, profits and appurtenances, came to James Harding by the bequest of his deceased mother. The interest of John Harding had passed by his last will and testament, set out before, concerning a parcel late Richard Pyke's, as particularly appeared by one bill of sale dated 27 May 1729, conveying 17 acres of land towards the head of a branch of a valley, the leasehold parcel, in the possession of Richard Harding. It ran further upon the lands of Mrs Elizabeth Drant, then north towards land near a lot, in the possession of the holder of that parcel, then south towards land of John Harding for ever, within a small parcel. The brothers, for the better confirmation of the conveyance, granted and confirmed the parcel.

Joseph Harding, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, in consideration of the premises, conveyed to James Harding all his right, title and property in the parcel. In consideration of the matter set out before, James Harding, for himself, his heirs, executors and assigns, conveyed to Joseph Harding all his right, title and claim in 17 acres of land near a parcel late Joseph Pledger's, the leasehold parcel. To these ends the brothers, in confirmation, set their hands and seals on a day in the year of our Lord 1729.

James Harding signed. Joseph Harding signed. The articles were signed, sealed and delivered between James and Joseph Harding in the presence of Joseph Pledger and Thomas Drant. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The articles divided the inherited Harding estate between the two surviving brothers by mutual conveyance. James and Joseph Harding each released to the other a distinct 17-acre parcel, so that each took a defined portion in severalty rather than holding the whole in common. The arrangement converted a joint inheritance under the deceased brother John Harding's will into separate individual titles, ending the shared interest that descent had created.

The agreement tied the brothers' liability for the testamentary legacies to the death of James Harding. The several legacies bequeathed by John Harding fell due at that point, charging the real estate during the life of the surviving heir. The structure deferred the burden of the legacies while fixing the moment of payment, allowing the brothers to settle the land between them before the charge crystallised.

The cross-reference to the bill of sale of 27 May 1729 linked the present partition to the separate conveyance of the same Harding parcel. That earlier instrument carried the 17 acres in the possession of Richard Harding, bounded by Mrs Elizabeth Drant's land, connecting the brothers' settlement to the wider chain of Harding family transactions. The articles drew on the documented descent under the mother's bequest and the brother's will to fix each portion against later dispute.

15

29

We John Goodwin & Francis Wrangham do owe to have

received of Capt & James Polly [...] Sham heirs the

Exam Sr & Company & Acct of Mr Joshua Johnson of the

Island & Planter for the Sum of Two hundred forty One Pounds

Nine Shillings or Twenty four & free Land each by the James

him Shillings or Twenty four & free Land each by the James

of Company Sr out of Mr Francis Wrangham for fifty Sums

of Company Sr out of Mr Mary Dutch for One Pounds &

Pounds Eight Shillings on & Mary Dutch for One Pounds &

one of Samuel Taylor for Thirty Nine Pounds or Shillings being

in & the amount of the four & Polls Nine hundred fifty Pounds

Eighteen Shillings to be paid out at the next having day for

& Wife of Mrs Johnson God Daughter [...]

Mr & Polly paid at St Helena this 12 May 1729

Jno Goodwin

Frans Wrangham

We do hereby Certify that the

above Written is a true Copy of the

Originae Acct Examd p &c

Geo Wilkinson

James Arthur Dutch §

John Goodwin and James Wrangham acknowledged receipt from Captain James Tolson, executor of the estate of Joshua Johnson of the island, of the sum then in account, being part of the inventory of the estate of Joshua Johnson.

For the 26 acres of free land valued by the appraisers, at 11 shillings or twenty-four shillings per acre £661 0s 0d

To Joseph Wrangham, one part of Mrs Mary Tussell, for £50 0s 0d £50 0s 0d

To Samuel Taylor, for thirty-one pounds and one shilling £31 1s 0d

in the amount of the £4 0s 0d, at eighteen shillings, to be paid out at the rate, leaving £3 0s 0d for eighteen shillings [...]

To the use of Ann Johnson, goddaughter [...]

James Tolson paid the sums at St Helena on 19 May 1729.

John Goodwin and James Wrangham signed.

The clerk certified that the entry was a true copy of the original note, examined. George Wilkinson and James Arthur Twack witnessed.

Interpretations

The receipt records the executor James Tolson discharging sums against the long-dormant Joshua Johnson estate. The figures draw on the inventory valuation brought to account on 19 May 1729, the same date the wider estate reckoning was sworn before the Governor and Council on 4 June 1729. The note distributed defined portions to named recipients, including Joseph Wrangham and Samuel Taylor, settling the legacies charged against the estate.

The 26 acres entered at the per-acre valuation connect to the documented Johnson estate at Broad Bottom. The appraisal at a fixed rate per acre followed the established practice for valuing inherited land where no sale price existed, the same method applied by Mrs Richard Gurling and Thomas Greentree to the Elizabeth Johnson parcel. The figures here sit within the institutional settlement of an estate whose holder died in 1699 and whose account reached the council only thirty years later.

The provision to the use of Ann Johnson, named as goddaughter, marks a legacy routed through a godparent relationship rather than direct kinship. The estate carried obligations to several persons beyond the immediate heirs, with the executor charged to satisfy each defined share. The receipt closed off those portions by recording payment, protecting the executor against any later demand on the same funds.

16

30

[Lower portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost at the foot of the right-hand column.] §

of this Said Island the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour &

Council of this Island the Same being Subtablisht & Acknowledged & the Said Honble

Comp & Lords & Proprietors of the Said Island have & their & Brought

Set their Common Seale at their Castle in James Valley this 25

Day of July Anno Domini 1721 And the Said Robt Bell hath to the

& Other Sept Set his hand & Seale

Jno Alexander Sect

Robt Bell

25 Acres

N

Island St Helena

The Honble the Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Honble United Compa of Merchants of England trading

To the East Indies Do hereby Demise Grant Lease Set & to Farms

Let unto Samuel Jefsey of the Said Island free Planter all that

Piece or Parcell of Gumwood Land containing by Mensuration

Eleven & a half Acres Butting & Bounding towards the No & E

upon the Honble Comp Wast Land towards the West upon the

Land in Possession of Robt Bell formerly & late Bartholom & towards

the South upon the Said Saml Jefseys own Gumwood Land formerly

John Madgey Esqr all Scituate in the 8 Quevenon of the Said Island

in a Valley Known by the Name called St Pauls Valley ALSO Seventy three

more of Cabbagetree Land Scituate Lying & being one Near a Place

Known by the Name of Hadley mount part the Main Ridge

Butting towards the No upon the Honble Comp Wast Land towards M

Land towards the West upon the Land of Royal Saml Doctor & towards

& half [...] in the Said Samuel Jefseys own free Land formerly

& this Jefses both Land ALSO one Parcell of

more containing one Acre & a half Interest

[...] thing towards the North upon the Land of

[...] & Towards the Sept upon the Land of cdfd

[...] the Wast Adjoyning to the Lestees Land &

[...] Planter & toward the Sept upon the Said & Land

[...] Cabbagetree Lesture Land formerly the above Named

[...] as aforesaid Scituate [...] in & Doe also the heirs of

therein before Mentioned The whole three Parcells of Land

[...] Demised & Granted containing Twenty & a half

[...] more & to hold the Said three Parcells of Lands with

[...] the Appurtenances & Every part & Parcell thereof unto §

The instrument closed with the confirmation that the parties acted with the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of St Helena. The Honourable Company, as the Lords Proprietors of the island, set its common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 25 July in the year of our Lord 1721. The holder Robert Bell set his hand and seal to the counterpart. John Alexander certified the parcel of 25 acres against the annexed plan.

A further instrument followed. The Honourable Lords Proprietors of the island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, leased, granted and set to Samuel Jefsey of the island, free planter, a parcel of gumwood land containing 11½ acres by measurement.

The parcel ran north and east towards the Honourable Company's waste land, and ran towards the land in the possession of Robert Bell, formerly Walter Belward's. It ran south towards the gumwood land of Samuel Jefsey, formerly John Maxwell's, at or near the head of the East Division of the island, in a valley known by the name of Fryer Valley.

A second parcel followed, containing 17 acres or more of cabbage tree land, lying at or near a place known by the name of Halley's Mount, near the Main Ridge. It ran towards the Honourable Company's land in the possession of Richard Wells, and ran further west towards the land of another holder. Jefsey held the parcel.

A third parcel followed, containing one acre and a half of cabbage tree land, running towards a place at the head of a valley, and towards the parcel of land of a holder, adjoining the leasehold land of another planter. It ran east towards the cabbage tree land formerly of another holder, then towards the land near the place named before. It ran further towards the land in the possession of an heir. The three parcels of land were leased and granted, to hold to Samuel Jefsey, with all the appurtenances and every part of them.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Company grant of 25 acres to Robert Bell, sealed under the common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 25 July 1721. The land had reverted from an earlier leaseholder before passing to Bell, consistent with his documented acquisition of reverted parcels including the Walter Belward leasehold assigned to him on 1 August 1712. The annexed plan certified by John Alexander fixed the parcel's bounds against the verbal description.

The second instrument leased three parcels of gumwood and cabbage tree land to Samuel Jefsey, the documented Fishers Valley holder under variant rendering. The parcels drew their bounds from established neighbours, including Robert Bell's land formerly Walter Belward's and Richard Wells's ground, fixing Jefsey's holding within the surrounding estates. The place name Halley's Mount, commemorating Edmond Halley's visit of 1677 to 1678, anchors the second parcel near the Main Ridge.

The boundary descriptions carried forward the chain of earlier holders even where the land had reverted or changed hands. Jefsey's first parcel ran by ground formerly John Maxwell's, preserving the institutional memory of prior tenure in the new grant. The method allowed the Company to fix each parcel against named adjoining estates rather than relying on acreage alone, with the surveyor's plan tying the description to the ground.

17

52

[Lower portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost at the foot of the right-hand column.] §

of this Said Island the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour &

Council of this Island the Same being Subtablisht & Acknowledged & the Said Honble

Comp & Lords & Proprietors of the Said Island have & their Sale & Brought

Set their Common Seal at their Castle in James Valley this 25

Day of July Anno Domini 1721 And the Said Robt Bell hath to the

& Other Sept Set his hand & Seale

Jno Alexander Sect

Robt Bell

25 Acres

N

Island St Helena

The Honble the Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Honble United Compa of Merchants of England trading

To the East Indies Do hereby Demise Grant Lease Set & to Farms

Let unto Samuel Jefsey of the Said Island free Planter all that

Piece or Parcell of Gumwood Land containing by Mensuration

Eleven & a half Acres Butting & Bounding towards the No & E

upon the Honble Comp Wast Land towards the West upon the

Land in Possession of Robt Bell formerly & late Bartholom & towards

the South upon the Said Saml Jefseys own Gumwood Land formerly

John Madgey Esqr all Scituate in the 8 Quevenon of the Said Island

in a Valley Known by the Name called St Pauls Valley ALSO Seventy three

more of Cabbagetree Land Scituate Lying & being one Near a Place

Known by the Name of Hadley mount part the Main Ridge

Butting towards the No upon the Honble Comp Wast Land towards M

Land towards the West upon the Land of Royal Saml Doctor & towards

& half [...] in the Said Samuel Jefseys own free Land formerly

& this Jefses both Land ALSO one Parcell of

more containing one Acre & a half Interest

[...] thing towards the North upon the Land of

[...] & Towards the Sept upon the Land of cdfd

[...] the Wast Adjoyning to the Lestees Land &

[...] Planter & toward the Sept upon the Said & Land

[...] Cabbagetree Lesture Land formerly the above Named

[...] as aforesaid Scituate [...] as in & Doe also the heirs of

therein before Mentioned The whole three Parcells of Land

[...] Demised & Granted containing Twenty & a half

[...] more & to hold the Said three Parcells of Lands with

[...] the Appurtenances & Every part & Parcell thereof unto

Saml Jefseys Lease for 3 fields §

The instrument closed with the confirmation that the parties acted upon their own knowledge and with the consent of the Governor and Council of St Helena. Since the land had been the leasehold of a holder, the Honourable Company, as the Lords Proprietors of the island, set its common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 25 July in the year of our Lord 1721. The holder Robert Bell set his hand and seal to the counterpart. John Alexander certified the parcel of 25 acres against the annexed plan.

A further instrument followed. The Honourable Lords Proprietors of the island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, leased, granted and set to Samuel Jefsey of the island, free planter, a parcel of gumwood land containing 11½ acres by measurement.

The parcel ran north and east towards the Honourable Company's waste land, and ran towards the land in the possession of Robert Bell, formerly Walter Belward's. It ran south towards the gumwood land of Samuel Jefsey, formerly John Maxwell's, at or near the head of the East Division of the island, in a valley known by the name of Fryer Valley.

A second parcel followed, containing 17 acres or more of cabbage tree land, at or near a place known by the name of Halley's Mount, near the Main Ridge. It ran towards the Honourable Company's land in the possession of Richard Wells, and ran further west towards the land of another holder. It ran south towards the land of Samuel Jefsey, formerly his own leasehold parcel. Jefsey held both parcels.

A third parcel followed, containing one acre and a half of cabbage tree land, running towards a place at the head of a valley, and towards the parcel of land of a holder, adjoining the leasehold land of another planter. It ran east towards the cabbage tree land formerly of another holder, then towards the land near a place named before. It ran further towards the land in the possession of an heir. The three parcels of land were leased and granted, in all amounting to 11½ acres, to hold to Samuel Jefsey for ever, with all the appurtenances, and every part and parcel of them.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed a Company grant of 25 acres to Robert Bell, sealed under the common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 25 July 1721. The land had reverted from an earlier leaseholder before passing to Bell, consistent with his documented pattern of acquiring reverted parcels, including the Walter Belward leasehold assigned to him on 1 August 1712. The annexed plan certified by John Alexander fixed the parcel's bounds against the verbal description.

The second instrument leased three separate parcels of gumwood and cabbage tree land to Samuel Jefsey, identified as a free planter and consistent with the documented Fishers Valley holder of variant rendering. The parcels drew their bounds from established neighbours, including Robert Bell's land formerly Walter Belward's, fixing Jefsey's ground within the surrounding estates. The place name Halley's Mount, commemorating Edmond Halley's visit of 1677 to 1678, anchors the second parcel near the Main Ridge.

The boundary descriptions preserved the chain of earlier holders even where the land had reverted or changed hands. Jefsey's first parcel ran by ground formerly John Maxwell's, and his second adjoined Richard Wells's land, carrying the institutional memory of prior tenure into the new grant. The method allowed the Company to fix each parcel against named adjoining estates rather than relying on the acreage alone, with the surveyor's plan tying the description to the ground.

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53

Island St Helena

The Honble The Lords Proprietors of this Island the

Honble United Compa of Merchants of England trading to

the East Indies Do hereby Demise Grant Lease Set & to Farm Let unto

Gabriell Powell & of the Said Island free Holder all that Piece

or Parcell of Cabbagetree Land containing twelve Acres Scituate Lying

& being under the Main Ridge known by the Name of Taylors Land & late

in the tenure of Richard Beale planter but Vacated by the Said Beale

& having a licence to give of the Island as Appears by Constitution of this

15 July 1721 and granted to the & Gabriell Powell by the same Consideration

Butting and bounding towards the No upon the Lands of Lenath Develon

towards the So & the No & Main Ridge & toward Sandy bay towards the E upon the Land

of Saml Jefsey Gumwood & W upon 20 Acres of Land p & Gab Powell bought of p & Richd

Beale HAVE and to hold the Said hereby Demised twelve Acres

of Cabbagetree Land with all the Appurtinances & Every Sept thereof

unto him the Said Gabriell Powell his Heirs Executors Admr or

Allowed of Assign from the 25 day of March last past for and During

all the Time Space & Term of Twenty one Years from thence Next Ensuing

UPON CONDITION that he the Said Gabriell Powell his Heirs

Executors Admr or allowed of Assigns do alway bear true faith and

Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George his Heirs and

& Successrs & to the & Honble Comp & their Successrs & Shall Duly obey all

the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yielding & Paying

Therefore Yearly & Every year During the Said Term of 21 Years unto the

the Said Honble Comp their Successrs Agents or Assigns the Yearly Rent of

four Shillings p Acre besides one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings

p Acre at the Foot of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Always Provided that he the Said Gabriell Powell his Heirs

Executors Admr & Shall & do Immediately Set at & Fence in the

Said hereby Demised Twelve Acres of Cabbagetree Land with a good and

Sufficient Fence & when so Fenced & Enclosed the same to keep and

Preserve in good heart & repair when & as often as Need shall require

& not to & forth the Whole Premisses & every Sept thereof shall be alway off

Permanent & not way suffered to Run to Ruin or decay And shall Also

Keep up & Preserve the Wood & Other fees that are now Growing thereon

or that & shall hereafter Plant Pursuant to the Laws for Planting

of Wood in that Case made & Provided Retention being thereunto had

they more fully & at Large Appear Nor shall to the Said Gabriell

Powell his Heirs Executors Admr & Allot the Said Fence after

they are well made which Are the Bounds & Land marks of the Said

Demised twelve Acres of Land & which will Occasion the

Alteration of the Sept hereunto Conveyed Nor Shall to the Said

Gabriell Powell his Heirs Executors Admr or Allowed of Assigns Sell or any

other way Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the Same without

the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour & Council of this Island

p §

The Honourable Lords Proprietors of the island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, leased, granted and set to Gabriel Powell of the island, free holder, a parcel of cabbage tree land containing 12 acres, lying at or near the Main Ridge, known by the name of Taylor's Land. The parcel had been held in the tenure of Richard Beale, planter, but had reverted to the Company. It had been granted to Gabriel Powell by consultation of 15 July 1721, as appeared by that consultation.

The parcel ran north towards the land of Leonard Doveton, and ran further south towards the Main Ridge, near Sandy Bay, towards the land of Samuel Jefsey, formerly his own, and west towards 20 acres of land of Gabriel Powell, bought from Richard Beale. Powell held the parcel and the land, late Taylor's land. He held the parcel of 12 acres, with all the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

The lease ran from 25 March last past, for a term of 21 years from the commencement, on condition that Powell and his successors always bore true faith and allegiance to the sovereign King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors, and that they obeyed all the laws and constitutions of the island. During the term of 21 years, Powell was to yield and pay to the Honourable Company, its successors, agents or assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, with a further charge of one shilling duty per acre, in all the rents and charges, payable at the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Powell and his successors were to immediately fence and enclose the 12 acres demised with a good and sufficient fence, and to keep and preserve the same in good repair when and as often as need should require. He was not to fell, cut or destroy the wood, but to keep up and preserve the existing trees, and to replant according to the laws for the planting of wood. In such case he was to make a threefold replacement on failure, with the bounded retention maintained for as many more at large as appeared. He was to keep up the fences after they were well made, which ran over the bounds and landmarks of the demised 12 acres. Powell was not to sell, cut or destroy the wood, nor to assign the land or any part of it in any other way, without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of the island.

Interpretations

The lease carried a reverted parcel forward to Gabriel Powell under the standard 1711 framework. The 12 acres known as Taylor's Land had been held by Richard Beale before reverting to the Company, and passed to Powell by consultation of 15 July 1721. The byname Taylor's Land preserved the institutional memory of an earlier holder, fixing the parcel's identity through a former tenant's name carried into the grant.

The parcel's bounds drew on Powell's own adjoining ground and on neighbouring estates. It ran west towards 20 acres Powell had bought from Richard Beale, joining the leasehold to his existing freehold in a consolidated block. The arrangement extended Powell's documented Sandy Bay and Chapel Valley accumulation, with the same Richard Beale appearing both as the former tenant of the leasehold and as the seller of the adjoining freehold.

The conditions matched those imposed across the period's leases, binding the tenant to the standard rent, the conservation covenants and the disposal restriction. The 4 shillings per acre rent with one shilling duty, the requirement to fence and maintain the wood, and the prohibition on assignment without council consent all reflected the institutional regime governing leasehold tenure. The fence served as the legal landmark, and the Company retained control over the land's destination through the consent requirement.

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54

for the Time being In Witness whereof the Said Honble

Comp have to these Presents Set their common Seale at

their Castle in James valley this 27th Day of February

Anno Domini 1721 And to me the Said Gabriell Powell Totte

Other Sept hath set his hand & Seale

Gabriel Powell

Sr Wm Alexander

12 Acres

N

E

Island St Helena

The Honble The Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Honble United Compa of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise Grant Lease

Set & to Farm Let unto Frances Carne of the Said

Island Widdow all that Piece or Parcell of

Gumwood Land containing thirty five Acres which [...] hereby

Acres was formerly in the Possession of Arthur Brady

Planter and Known by the Name of Thompsons Land

Lying Scituate at or near the head of Sarahs Valley

Butting and bounding toward the East upon the Said

Frances Carnes own Land formerly his Father Mr Fullern

deceased toward the North upon the Honble Companys

Wast Land toward the So upon the Lands of Capt & Goodwin

& toward the West upon the Lease Land of Samuel Greenstreet

deced and one other part of & freehold Land p & Honble Comp

HAVE and to hold the Said hereby Demised thirty

five Acres of Land with the Appurtenances and

every Sept thereof unto her the Said Frances Carne

her Heirs Executors Admr or allowed of Assigns from the

twenty fifth day of March last past for and During all

the Time Space & Term of Twenty one Years from thence

Next Ensuing Upon Condition that fit the Said

Frances Carne her Heirs Executors Admr or allowed

Allssigns do Always bear true faith & Allegiance to

Our Sovereign Lord King George his Heirs and

Successrs §

In confirmation of the grant to Gabriel Powell, the Honourable Company, as the Lords Proprietors of the island, set its common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 27 February in the year of our Lord 1721. The holder Gabriel Powell set his hand and seal to the counterpart. John Alexander certified the parcel of 12 acres against the annexed plan.

A further instrument followed. The Honourable Lords Proprietors of the island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, leased, granted and set to Frances Carne of the island, widow, a parcel of gumwood land containing 35 acres. The parcel had formerly been in the possession of Arthur Bradley, planter, and was known by the name of Thompson's Land, lying at or near the head of Sarah's Valley.

The parcel ran east towards the land of Frances Carne, formerly her father Mr Fuller's, deceased, and ran north towards the land of John Goodwin, deceased. It ran further west towards the leasehold land of Benjamin Greentree, and on the other part towards 35 acres of land of another holder. Carne held the parcel of 35 acres, with all the appurtenances and every part of it, to her, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

The lease ran from 25 March last past, for a term of 21 years from the commencement, on condition that Frances Carne and her successors always bore true faith and allegiance to the sovereign King George, his heirs and successors.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Company grant of 12 acres to Gabriel Powell, sealed under the common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 27 February 1721. The annexed plan certified by John Alexander fixed the parcel's bounds against the verbal description, tying the twelve-acre shape to the surrounding ground.

The second instrument leased 35 acres of gumwood to Frances Carne, the documented widow of George Carne and earlier of Thomas Goodwin. The parcel, known by the byname Thompson's Land and formerly held by Arthur Bradley, lay at the head of Sarah's Valley. The grant connects to her standing across the November 1717 to April 1718 family settlement, where she held substantial Goodwin and Carne ground absolutely.

The boundary description reveals a network of family and inherited holdings around the parcel. Carne's own eastern ground had come to her from her father Mr Fuller, deceased, while the northern boundary ran by the land of the deceased John Goodwin and the western by Benjamin Greentree's leasehold. The identification of Fuller as her father places a documented kinship within the boundary recital, fixing the parcel against ground held by her own family line.

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55

Successrs & to the Said Honble Comp & their Successrs and Shall

Duly Obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the & Island Yielding

& Paying therefore yearly & Every year During the & Term of 21

Years unto the Said Honble Comp their Successrs Agents or Assigns

the Yearly Rent of four Shillings p Acre besides one Shilling Duty

being in all five Shillings p Acre at the Foot of the Annunciation

of the Blessed Virgin Mary Always Provided that fit the &

Frances Carne her Heirs Executors or Allowes of Assigns Shall & Do

Immediately Set about & Fence in the Said hereby Demised Thirty

five Acres of Land with a good & sufficient Fence & when so Fenced and

Enclosed the same to keep & maintain in good heart & repair when &

as often as Need shall require so that the whole Premsses & Every part

thereof shall be alway Tenantable & no way suffered to Run to Ruin

Or decay & shall Also keep up the Wood & Other fees that are now

Growing thereon or that you shall hereafter Plant Pursuant to the Laws

for Planting of Wood in that Case made and Provided Nor are you to

Alter the Fence after they Are well made which are the Bounds and

Land marks of the Said hereby Demised thirty five Acres of Land & which

will Occasion the Alteration of the Sept hereunto Annexed Nor

Shall you sell or any Other way Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the

same without the knowledge & Consent of the Govern & Council of

this Island for the time being In Witness whereof the & Honble

Comp & Lords Proprietors of the Island have to these Presents

Set their Common Seal at their Castle in James Valley this 6 Day

of May Anno Domini 1723 And the Said Frances Carne

to the Other Sept hath set her hand & Seal

her

Frances F C Carne

Marke

35 Acres

E

Test Wm Coulthirst

& Counsel §

The lease ran to Frances Carne, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and to the Honourable Company and its successors. Carne and her successors were to obey all the laws and constitutions of the island. During the term of 21 years, she was to yield and pay to the Honourable Company, its successors, agents or assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, with a further charge of one shilling duty per acre, in all the rents and charges, payable at the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Frances Carne and her successors were to immediately fence and enclose the 35 acres demised with a good and sufficient fence, and to keep and maintain the same in good repair when and as often as need should require. The whole premises and every part were to be kept always in good order, and no wood was to be felled or left to decay. She was to keep up the wood and the existing trees then growing, and to replant according to the laws for the planting of wood. She was to keep up the fences after they were well made, which ran over the bounds and landmarks of the demised 35 acres. The fence served as the landmark fixing the parcel's bounds. Carne was not to sell, cut or destroy the wood, nor to assign the land or any part of it in any other way, without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation, the Honourable Company, as the Lords Proprietors of the island, set its common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 6 May in the year of our Lord 1723. Frances Carne set her hand and seal to the counterpart by her mark.

John Coxe certified the parcel of 35 acres against the annexed plan.

Interpretations

The lease imposed the standard 1711 tenure conditions on Frances Carne's 35-acre grant. The 4 shillings per acre rent with one shilling duty, the Lady Day payment date, and the covenants of allegiance and obedience all followed the framework established across the documented leases. The conservation obligations bound the tenant to fence the ground, maintain the wood, and replant on loss, marking the institutional concern with preserving the island's tree cover.

The restriction on disposal without council consent removed Carne's freedom to assign the land at will. The provision reflected the regime of institutional supervision over leasehold ground, by which the Company retained control over the destination of the parcel. The tenant's interest could pass only with official approval, converting the lease into a holding subject to continuing oversight.

The sealing on 6 May 1723 places the completion of this grant nearly two years after the February 1721 Powell lease entered in the same register sequence. Frances Carne executed the counterpart by her mark, consistent with her documented unlettered status across the family settlement instruments, where she signed as F C. The grant extended her substantial documented holdings into the leasehold ground at Sarah's Valley known as Thompson's Land.

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56

Island St Helena

The Honble The Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Honble United Compa of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise Grant Lease

Set & to Farm Let unto Captain Jno & Goodwin of the Said

Island Gentleman [...] In Council all that Piece or

Parcel of Gumwood Land containing Two Acres Scituate Lying

& being in a Branch of Lemon Valley known & other & Name of Sarahs Valley

towards the East West and South every way upon the Honble

Companys Wast Lands in the & Valley and toward the North

part of a Small Parcele of Land and Plantation now in the

Possession of Right & Goodwin Planter which is part of & Lemon valley

HAVE & to hold the Said hereby Demised Two Acres of

Land with the Appurtenances & Every Sept thereof unto him the

Said Jno Goodwin his Heirs Executors Admr or allowed

of Assigns from the 25 Day of March Last past for & During all

the Time space & Term of twenty one Years from thence Next Ensuing

Upon Condition that he the Said Jno Goodwin his Heirs

Executors Admr or allowed of Assigns Do Always bear true

faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George his

Heirs & Successrs & to the Said Honble Comp & their Successrs

& Shall always Duely Obey All the Laws & Constitutions of the

Said Island Yielding & Paying therefore Yearly & Every Year

During the Said Term of 21 Years unto the Said Honble

Comp their Agents or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings

p Acre besides one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings

p Acre at the Foot of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

Mary Always Provided that he the Said Jno Goodwin

his Heirs Executors Admr or Allowed of Assigns Shall

& do Immediately set about & fence in the Said hereby Demised

Two Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence & when so

Fenced & Enclosed the same to keep & maintain in good heart &

Repair when & as often as need shall require so that the whole

Premsses & every Sept thereof shall be alway Tenantable and

no way suffered to Run to Ruin or decay And shall Also keep

up & Preserve the Wood & other fees that now are Growing

thereon or that you shall hereafter Plant Pursuant to the Laws

for Planting of Wood in that Case made & Provided Nor are

you to alter the fences after they are well made which are

the Bounds & Land marks of the Said hereby Demised Two

Acres of Land & which will Occasion the Alteration of the

Sept hereunto Annexed Nor Shall you sell or any

Other §

The Honourable Lords Proprietors of the island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, leased, granted and set to Captain John Goodwin of the island, gentleman, then in council, a parcel of gumwood land containing 2 acres, lying at or near a branch of Lemon Valley, known by the name of Sarah's Ladder.

The parcel ran east and west towards the Honourable Company's waste land, and ran south towards the head of the valley. It ran further north towards a small parcel of land and plantation then in the possession of Richard Greentree, planter, which was part of his leasehold. Goodwin held the parcel of 2 acres, with all the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

The lease ran from 25 March last past, for a term of 21 years from the commencement, on condition that Goodwin and his successors always bore true faith and allegiance to the sovereign King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors. Goodwin and his successors were to obey all the laws and constitutions of the island. During the term of 21 years, he was to yield and pay to the Honourable Company, its successors, agents or assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, with a further charge of one shilling duty per acre, in all the rents and charges, payable at the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

Goodwin and his successors were to immediately fence and enclose the 2 acres demised with a good and sufficient fence, and to keep and maintain the same in good repair when and as often as need should require. The whole premises were to be kept always in good order, and no wood was to be left to decay. He was to keep up the wood and the existing trees then growing, and to replant according to the laws for the planting of wood. He was to keep up the fences after they were well made, which ran over the bounds and landmarks of the demised 2 acres. He was not to sell or assign the land.

Interpretations

The lease carried the standard 1711 tenure conditions onto a small two-acre parcel granted to Captain John Goodwin. The 4 shillings per acre rent with one shilling duty, the 21-year term, and the Lady Day payment date all followed the framework established across the documented leases. The conservation covenants bound the tenant to fence the ground, maintain the wood, and replant on loss, applying the institutional regime even to a modest holding.

The grant ran to a sitting council member, identifying Goodwin as a gentleman then in council. The same John Goodwin appears across the documented family settlement of November 1717 to April 1718 as the institutional purchaser of George Carne's estate and the holder of substantial Goodwin ground. The small two-acre leasehold filled a gap in a branch of Lemon Valley, adjoining the leasehold parcel of Richard Greentree.

The byname Sarah's Ladder fixed the parcel's location through a descriptive place name attached to the branch of Lemon Valley. The boundary recital tied the ground to the Honourable Company's waste on two sides and to Richard Greentree's plantation on the north, fixing the parcel against the surrounding holdings. The method preserved the local geography of the valley through named features and adjoining tenures rather than acreage alone.

22

57

Other way Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the Same without

the knowledge & Consent of the Governor & Council of this Island for

the time being In Witness whereof the Said Honble Comp & Lords

Proprietors of this Island have to these Presents set their common

Seal at their Castle in James Valley this 6 Day of March Anno Domini

1723 And the said Jno Goodwin to the Other Sept hath set his

hand & seal

Jno Goodwin

2 Acres

N

Test

Wm Coulthirst

& Counsel

Island St Helena The Honble The Lords Proprietors of this Island the Honble

United Compa of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies

Do hereby Demise Grant Lease Set & to Farm Let unto Capt & Jno & Goodwin

Gentleman [...] & In Council

of the Said Island All that Piece or Parcell of Gumwood Land containing

Ten Acres Scituate Lying & being in one Branch of Lemon

Valley Butting & Bounding towards the South

upon the Lands of Rich Gurling formerly one Backward

towards the North upon the Land formerly [...] lately towards

Wast upon the Lands of the & Capt Jno Goodwin formerly & Jno

Feeling & Walter Morris & toward the East the Honble Comp &

Scituate & being known by the Name of Carnes Replevigee Land

aforesaid Scituate in the & the abovesd Bryant Bradley

HAVE and to hold the said hereby Demised Ten Acres of

Land with the Appurtenances & Every part thereof unto him

the Said Jno Goodwin his Heirs Executor Admr or allowed of Assigns

from the 25 Day of March last past for & During all the Time space and

Term of twenty one years from thence next Ensuing upon Condition

that fit the said Jno Goodwin his Heirs Executor Admr or allowed

of Assign Do alway bear true faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign

Lord King George his Heirs & Successrs & to the said Honble Comp

& their successrs & shall Duly Obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the

Said Island Yielding & Paying therefore yearly & Every Year

During the Said Term of 21 Years unto the said Honble Company

their Successrs Agents & Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings

p Acre besides one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings p

Acre §

The lease bound Captain John Goodwin not to dispose of his lease or interest in any other way without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of the island. In confirmation, the Honourable Company, as the Lords Proprietors of the island, set its common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 6 May in the year of our Lord 1723. Goodwin set his hand and seal to the counterpart.

John Coxe certified the parcel of 2 acres against the annexed plan.

A further instrument followed. The Honourable Lords Proprietors of the island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, leased, granted and set to Captain John Goodwin of the island, then in council, a parcel of gumwood land containing 10 acres, lying at or near a branch of Fryer Valley.

The parcel ran towards the land of Richard Gurling, formerly Edward Bradley's, and ran further south towards the land formerly Gabriel Powell's. It ran west towards the land of the other parcel of Captain John Goodwin, formerly Keeling and Walter Morris's, and ran north towards the Honourable Company's leasehold land known by the name of Carne and Keeling, then in the possession of another holder, formerly Bryant Beale's. Goodwin held the parcel of 10 acres, with all the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

The lease ran from 25 March last past, for a term of 21 years from the commencement, on condition that Goodwin and his successors always bore true faith and allegiance to the sovereign King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors. Goodwin and his successors were to obey all the laws and constitutions of the island. During the term of 21 years, he was to yield and pay to the Honourable Company, its successors, agents or assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, with a further charge of one shilling duty per acre, in all the rents and charges per acre.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the two-acre Sarah's Ladder lease to Captain John Goodwin, sealed under the common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 6 May 1723. The annexed plan certified by John Coxe fixed the parcel's bounds, and the disposal restriction bound the tenant against assigning the lease without council consent. The completion carried the same date as the Frances Carne lease entered in the adjacent register sequence.

The second instrument granted a separate 10-acre parcel in Fryer Valley to the same Goodwin, joining his existing leasehold ground. The parcel ran west towards Goodwin's other parcel, formerly Keeling and Walter Morris's, consolidating adjoining holdings under a single tenant. The arrangement extended Goodwin's documented accumulation, with the Keeling and Morris bynames preserving the chain of earlier holders.

The boundary descriptions carried forward a dense layering of former tenures. The parcel ran by Richard Gurling's land, formerly Edward Bradley's, by ground formerly Gabriel Powell's, and by the Company leasehold known as Carne and Keeling, formerly Bryant Beale's. The method fixed the parcel against named adjoining estates and their earlier holders, preserving the institutional memory of how each piece had passed. The Keeling references connect to the documented heirs of Governor Richard Keeling confirmed across the 4 August 1713 sitting.

23

16

Acre at the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

Mary Always Provided that he the said Jno Goodwin

his Heirs Executors Admr & shall & do Immediately set about

& fence in the said hereby Demised Ten Acres of Land

with a good & sufficient fence & when so fenced & Enclosed the

Same to keep & maintain in good heart & repair when & as often

as need shall require so that the whole Premsses & decay part

thereof shall be alway Tenantable & no way suffered to Run to

Ruin or decay And shall Also keep up & Preserve the wood and

Other fees that are already growing or that you shall hereafter

Plant Pursuant to the Laws for Planting of Wood in that Case made

& Provid & Nor are you to alter the fences after they are well made

which are Bounds & land marks of the said hereby Demised Ten

Acres of Land & which will Occasion the Alteration of the Sept

hereunto Annexed Nor shall you sell or any other way dispose

of this Lease or Interest in the same without the knowledge and

consent of the Governout & Council of this Island for the time

being In Witness whereof the said Honble Comp & Lords

Proprietors of this Island have to these Presents Set their

common seal at their Castle in James Valley this 6 day

of May Anno Domini 1723 And the said Jno Goodwin

to the other Sept hath sett his hand & seal

Jno Goodwin

10 Acres

N

S

Test

Wm Coulthirst & Esqr §

The rent was payable at the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Captain John Goodwin and his successors were to immediately fence and enclose the 10 acres demised with a good and sufficient fence, and to keep and maintain the same in good repair when and as often as need should require. The whole premises were to be kept always in good order, and no wood was to be left to decay. He was to keep up the wood and the existing trees then growing, and to replant according to the laws for the planting of wood. In such case he was to make a threefold replacement on failure. He was to keep up the fences after they were well made, which ran over the bounds and landmarks of the demised 10 acres. He was not to sell or assign the lease or his interest in any other way without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation, the Honourable Company, as the Lords Proprietors of the island, set its common seal at the Castle in James Valley on 6 May in the year of our Lord 1723. Goodwin set his hand and seal to the counterpart.

John Coxe certified the parcel of 10 acres against the annexed plan.

Interpretations

The instrument completed the ten-acre Fryer Valley lease to Captain John Goodwin under the standard 1711 framework. The conservation covenants required the tenant to fence the ground, maintain the existing wood, and replant on a threefold basis where trees were lost. The obligations bound the holder to preserve the island's tree cover, with the fence serving as the legal landmark fixing the parcel's bounds.

The disposal restriction removed Goodwin's freedom to assign the lease without council consent. The provision reflected the institutional supervision over leasehold ground, by which the Company retained control over the parcel's destination. The completion, sealed at the Castle in James Valley on 6 May 1723 and certified by John Coxe, carried the same date as the adjoining Goodwin and Carne leases in the register sequence.

24

59

[Lower right portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost down the right-hand side and foot of the column.] §

all and Singular the Reversion right Title Claim & Interest

which the Said Elizabeth Cary Ever had or now hath In & to

to fourteen Acres and a half of & at the head & of cdfd

in Different Parcells in Sandy bay together to the One Half of a

Dwelling House Standing on the North Gumwood Land and the

Halfe of one other dwelling House Scituate in James Valley the

same being Part of the Real Estate which & fell to the Said

Elizabeth Cary when Widdow of and after the Decease of her

former Husband Charles Steward Sen According to the Laws

and Custom of this Island for and During the Widdoneth Life

are no Longer together with all & Singular the Rights Liberties

Priviledges and Properties that has been belonging & Appurtaining

unto the Premisses afores or any Part thereof & what Nature

kind or Quality the same is or may be To Have and to

hold the before Mentioned Seventeen Acres of Land and the

half of two Dwelling Houses and all other the Premisses

thereunto belonging or in any wise Appurtaining unto him

the Said Charles Steward and his Heirs for and During the

Natural Life of the Said Elizabeth Cary AND & the Said

Cary and Elizabeth Cary Do for Our Heirs Executors

& hereby Covenant Promise and agree to and with the

named Charles Steward his Heirs Executors Admr or

[...] that He they or Either of these

[...] time and at all times hereafter Trad

[...] strictly Enjoy all & Singular the

[...] Premisses afore having Assigned

[...] during the Said Eliz Cary

[...] that any Manner of Molestation

[...] disturbance of Us the Said John

[...] of Us Order or Either of our Heirs

[...] any other Person or Persons whatso

[...] consent or Procure any thing

[...] standing In Witness whereof

[...] hath hereunto Set Our hands &

[...] Anno Domini 1726

Jno Cary

Eliz Cary §

The conveyance carried all the reversion, right, title, claim and interest that Elizabeth Lacy ever had or then held in 14 acres, and in a half acre or more, lying in different parcels in the island. The grant comprised one half of a dwelling house standing on the north, the gumwood land, and the north end of another dwelling house, both lying in James Valley. The same was part of the real estate that fell to Elizabeth Lacy as widow, after the death of her former husband Charles Steward the elder, under the laws and custom of the island, to be held during her widowhood for her life and no longer.

The grant carried all the rights, liberties, privileges and properties belonging to the premises, or any part of them, of every kind. Charles Steward and his heirs were to hold the 14 acres of land, the half of two dwelling houses, and all the other premises and tenements belonging to them, during the natural life of Elizabeth Lacy.

John Lacy and Elizabeth Lacy, for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators, covenanted, promised and agreed to and with Charles Steward, his heirs, executors and administrators, that Steward and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly enjoy all the premises before mentioned during the life of Elizabeth Lacy, without any lawful trouble or hindrance from John and Elizabeth Lacy, their successors, or any other person of any kind. In confirmation they set their hands and seals on a day in the year of our Lord 1726.

John Lacy and Elizabeth Lacy signed.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a widow's life interest in property she had taken from her late husband's estate. Elizabeth Lacy held 14 acres and parts of two James Valley dwelling houses as the relict of Charles Steward the elder, under the island's custom giving a widow a life interest during her widowhood. The grant transferred that interest to Charles Steward, his heirs and successors, for the duration of Elizabeth Lacy's life rather than outright.

The estate reached Elizabeth Lacy through the widow's customary provision rather than purchase or gift. The land and the half-shares of the two dwellings fell to her after the death of her former husband Charles Steward the elder, held during her widowhood for her life and no longer. The arrangement reflected the institutional custom that secured a widow's maintenance from her husband's estate while limiting her interest to her own lifetime.

The grant joined John Lacy with Elizabeth Lacy as conveying parties, marking her remarriage since the death of Charles Steward the elder. Both set their hands and seals, with John Lacy joining to release any claim arising through the marriage. The structure secured the conveyance against later challenge by the new husband to an interest that ran only for his wife's life.

25

60

[Right-hand portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost down the right-hand side and lower right of the column.] §

To all Christian People to whom these

Shall come I Joseph Coles of the Island St Helena

Greeting Know Ye that the Said Joseph Coles

for and in Consideration of the Natural Affection

Love which I have and do bear unto my Welbeloved

and Sisters William Coles John Coles Mary Coles

Coles and Elizabeth Coles all of the Said Island

Divers good Causes and Considerations Me at this

Specially moving HAVE freely & Absolutely given

granted and by these Presents do freely & Absolutely

Confirm Unto the beforenamed William John

& Elizabeth Coles or to the Survivors of them or

after the Decease of my Mother in law & Eliz

Island Widd All and Singular that Piece or Parcel

Gumwood Land Containing Ten Acres with the Dwelling

Standing thereon together with Eighteen Acres of Land

and two Acres more lying within the Pasture Land

Greenstreet Containing & the whole thirty Acres

different Parcell Marks of the Said Island with all &

and Liberties thereunto belonging of what

Quality Soever To Have & to hold

whole thirty Acres of Land together &

Appurtenances thereunto belonging

after my Said Mother in law

William John & Mary Wm

their Heirs &

of their own &

any Walter

Coles or my

or Persons co

without any

do come into m

Assigns & Bro

with the Death

my Dec & Br

falls to his he

known Cause

the Said Brid

Really before

Acres of Land

Sisters afore

Testament &

Coles & should

aforesaid &

p §

Joseph Coles of the island of St Helena made a deed of gift, addressed to all Christian people. In consideration of the natural love and affection he bore towards his brothers and sisters William Coles, John Coles, Mary Coles, another Coles, and Elizabeth Coles, all of the island, and for several other good causes, he freely gave, granted and confirmed to the before-named William, John and Elizabeth Coles, or to the survivors of them, after the death of his mother in law, then a widow, all the parcel of gumwood land containing 10 acres, with the dwelling house standing on it, together with 18 acres in land, and two acres more lying within the parcel of land of Greentree, the whole amounting to 30 acres, with all the cut parcels and marks of the island, with all the rights and liberties belonging to them, of every kind.

The grant carried the whole 30 acres of land, together with the appurtenances belonging to it, after the death of his mother in law, then a widow. He reserved the interest of his brothers and sisters William, John, Mary and another, and their heirs, against the failure of issue. The land was to fall to William Coles, or another, in default of issue, then to the survivors of them. The parcel was to descend after the death of his mother in law, then a widow, in case of failure of issue, and was to fall to the next taker by the limitation provided.

He confirmed that the brothers and sisters William and another Coles were really before-named, that the parcels of land of the brothers and sisters passed under the last will and testament, and that the Coles family held the parcel.

Interpretations

The deed established a settlement of the Coles family land rather than an outright gift to a single taker. Joseph Coles granted the whole 30 acres, comprising the 10-acre gumwood parcel with its dwelling house, 18 acres, and 2 acres within Greentree's land, to his brothers and sisters jointly, with the interest passing to the survivors. The structure controlled the descent of the family ground across the named siblings, with each taker's interest contingent on the failure of issue.

The grant took effect only after the death of the grantor's mother in law, then a widow, who held a prior interest in the land. Joseph Coles reserved her existing holding, with the gift falling into possession on her death. The arrangement deferred the siblings' enjoyment behind the widow's life interest, consistent with the island's custom securing a widow's maintenance from the estate during her lifetime.

The parcel's connection to Greentree's land places it within the documented Coles and Greentree holdings. The two acres lying within Greentree's ground, joined to the larger parcels, fixed the gift against an established neighbour. The Coles family appears across the documented Fryer Valley and Sandy Bay records, with John Coles confirmed in 30 acres across three parcels on 4 August 1713.

26

61

[Lower right portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost at the foot and right side of the column.] §

and no other I give the Said thirty Acres of Land & the House and

all other the Appurtenances Unto the Heirs of her Body but in Case

of the death & All my before named Brothers & Sisters as aforesaid

and in default of such Lawfull Heir then the Said Land & Premisses

to Revert unto me the & Joseph Coles or my Heirs th [...] & if the

Said Bridgell Coles Should at any time hereafter goe off this Island

Do hereby Impower Heir & to Sell & Alienate the & Land & Premisses

as the final think fit for the only Use & Benefitt of his Said herein

before named [...] which Use or the Survivors of them AND I the

Said Joseph Coles all and Singular the aforesaid thirty Acres of Land

& Dwelling House and all other the Appurtenances after my Said

Mothers Decease to the Said William John Mary Ellinor and

Elizabeth Coles or to the Lawfull Heirs of her Body Heir or

Either of their Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns and to their Use

against all People do Warrant & will for ever Defend by

these Presents In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett

my hand & Seale this Second day of November Anno Domini 1721

Joseph Coles

Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of

Jonathan Doctor

Wm Beale

Know all Men by these Presents that Richd Beale

of the Island St Helena for & whose for & in Consideration of the Sum

of One hundred & Eighty Pounds & Current money of the & Island

to me in hand paid & before his Insealing and Delivery hereof by Gabriel

Powell Parcele of the & Island his Heirs and therewith Acknowledge

my Self to be fully Satisfyed & And the Said HAVE Demised

& Absolutely Demised Aliened gived & Bargained & Sold And do by these Presents firmly

unto the Said Gabriell Powell his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns All &

Singular that Piece or Parcell of Cabbagetree Pasture Land Containing

twenty Acres the Said [...] lately [...] measured to him the Said

Gabriell Powell and the Wall having to Annexed being

the Buyer 20 Acres

Beale his Brother and

the Said Anthony at the

and being at or near the

from the Top of Peak

upon the Said Ridge

of Grace Coulson

tree Land the Said

the E upon these §

The deed continued the gift of Joseph Coles, carrying the 30 acres of land, the dwelling house and all the other appurtenances to the heirs of the body of the taker. In case of failure of issue, the land was to pass among the before-named brothers and sisters, as set out before, and in default to fall to the next taker. After the death of the mother in law, the parcel was to revert to Joseph Coles or his heirs. If the mother in law, then a widow, should at any time afterwards leave the island, Joseph Coles bound himself to sell or alienate the land and premises, with the final interest to fall for the only use and benefit of his brothers and sisters before named, or to the survivors of them.

Joseph Coles confirmed that all the 30 acres of land, the dwelling house and all the other appurtenances, after the death of his mother, were to pass to the before-named William, John, Mary, Elinor and Elizabeth Coles, or to the lawful heirs of their body, their heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, and to their use. Against all persons he warranted himself bound to defend the parcel. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 2 November in the year of our Lord 1721.

Joseph Coles signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Jonathan Doveton and William Beale.

A further instrument followed. Richard Beale of the island of St Helena acknowledged receipt of £180 0s 0d in the current money of the island, paid in hand before the sealing and delivery of the deed by Gabriel Powell. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Beale bargained, sold, assigned and delivered to Powell, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title and property in a parcel of cabbage tree land called Taylor's Land, containing 12 acres or more, then in the tenure of Gabriel Powell, which the Honourable Company had granted to him.

The parcel ran towards the 20 acres of Gabriel Powell, late Beale's, his brother, and ran further south towards the land of Anthony Beale, and lay at or near the head of the valley, running from the top of the Peak. It ran towards the land of Grace Coulson, and ran east towards the cabbage tree land, then south towards the land of another holder.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Coles family settlement, fixing the descent of the 30 acres across the five named siblings William, John, Mary, Elinor and Elizabeth Coles. The reversion to Joseph Coles or his heirs on the death of the mother in law, and the obligation to sell for the siblings' benefit should she leave the island, marked the grantor's continuing control over the eventual destination of the ground. The deed sealed on 2 November 1721 closed the chain of contingent interests with a warranty against all claims.

The provision tied to the mother in law's departure addressed a specific risk to the family land. If she left the island, Joseph Coles was bound to sell or alienate the parcel and direct the proceeds to his brothers and sisters, converting the land into a fund for their benefit. The arrangement prevented the ground from lying idle or passing out of the family should the holder of the prior life interest depart, securing value for the siblings in that event.

The second instrument records the sale of the 12-acre Taylor's Land from Richard Beale to Gabriel Powell for £180 0s 0d, the transaction underlying the Company's later lease of the same parcel to Powell by consultation of 15 July 1721. The boundary recital connects the ground to Powell's adjoining 20 acres, late Beale's his brother, and to the land of Anthony Beale, fixing the parcel within the documented Beale and Powell holdings near the head of the valley running from the Peak. The byname Taylor's Land preserved an earlier holder's name carried forward into the conveyance.

27

62

[Lower portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the foot of the page and lower margins.] §

West upon Severall Parcells of the Said Gabriell Powells

Land To have & to Hold the Said hereby Demised John

twenty Acres of Land unto him the Said Gabriell Powell

his heirs for ever to do and Dispose of as He they or Either of

them Shall or their Heirs Shall think fitt together

with all & Singular the Appurtenances thereunto belonging

of what Nature kids or Quality Soever as fences of du

or Partyfences Walls Banks Ditches Water Water Courses

Wood fees rights Liberties or Priviledges thereunto belonging

or ever did belong or might in time to come hereby further

Covenanting for me my Heirs Executors & Admr to & with

the Said Gabriell Powell his Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns

and Either of them that He they or Either of their & Heirs Exec

tors or Admr or any other Person or Persons for them Shall

and may from time to time hine find of all hereby hereafter Peceably

and Quietly & Enjoy the Said hereby Bargained Premisses

and every Part thereof without any Manner of Molestation

Interruption or Contradiction of me the Said Richd Beale or

my Heirs [...] by my means Consent or Procurent Warranting

the same to be free & Clear from all Manner of Incumbrances

whatsoever any thing to the Contrary hereof Notwithstanding

In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand and

Seal this 26 Day of February 1721

Richard Beale

Sealed Signed &

Delivered in the Presence of

Jonath Dovelton

John Harding

Joshua Johnson

W

N

S

20 Acres

E §

The parcel ran west towards several parcels of Gabriel Powell's land. Richard Beale conveyed the 20 acres of land to Powell, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to hold for ever, and to dispose of as any of them saw fit. The grant carried all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, together with the party fences, walls, banks, ditches, water, watercourses, wood, trees, rights, liberties and privileges belonging to it, whatever had ever belonged or might in time belong.

Beale, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with Powell, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that Powell and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold and enjoy the parcel, and every part of it, without any lawful trouble or hindrance from Beale, his successors, or any other person of any kind. Beale warranted himself bound to keep the land free and clear of all encumbrances of any kind. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on a day in February in the year of our Lord 1721.

Richard Beale signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Jonathan Doveton, John Harding and Joshua Johnson.

The annexed plan showed the parcel of 20 acres, with the western, northern, southern and eastern bounds marked.

Interpretations

The instrument completed the sale of 20 acres from Richard Beale to Gabriel Powell, joining the parcel to Powell's adjoining ground. The land ran west towards several parcels of Powell's own land, consolidating the holdings under a single owner. The conveyance carried the full range of appurtenances, including the party fences, watercourses and wood, securing the productive features of the ground alongside the land itself.

The full warranty against all encumbrances protected Powell against any later claim on the parcel. Beale bound himself and his successors to defend Powell's peaceable possession and to keep the land clear of charges of every kind. The structure converted the sale into a secure permanent title, fixing the transaction beyond the reach of any residual interest.

The sale connects to the documented Beale and Powell dealings around the head of the valley running from the Peak. The 20 acres, late Beale's, adjoined the 12-acre Taylor's Land that the Company leased to Powell by consultation of 15 July 1721, with both parcels passing into Powell's consolidated holding. The annexed plan fixed the parcel's bounds against the surrounding ground, tying the description to the land through the surveyor's record.

28

63

[Left-hand portion and lower right of page torn away and missing; text is lost down the left side and at the foot of the right-hand column.] §

Island St Helena

Know all men by these Presents that I Richd Harding

of the Said Island Planter & Carpenter for and in Confirmation of the

Sum of Twenty Pounds in good & current money of the & Island to

me in hand paid by my Brother John Harding & the & Island Also

his & Planter at & before the Insealing & Delivery Whereof the Receipt whereof

I do hereby Acknowledge & in my Self therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented

ed and Paid HAVE bargained Sold & Delivered And do by these

Presents firmly & Absolutely Bargaine Sell and Deliver unto the Said

John Harding his Heirs Executors Admr & Assigns All & Singular

my Right Title Interest Share Part & Dividend & in and to Nineteen

Acres of free Land [...] [...] every Dwelling House Messuage & being

in Sandy bay on the Grand Hill or to any [...] [...] & there of that

I now & Can or may hereafter Claim by Virtue of any Said Dec &

fathers last Will & Testament or Defending to me the heir at law by any

Other ways or means whatsoever to Have & to hold the

hereby Bargained Premisses to him the said John Harding and

his Heirs for ever to do and Dispose of as he they or any of them

Shall think fit AND I the Said Richard Harding do for me

my Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns hereby Covenant And agree

to and with the Said John Harding his Heirs Exec & Admr or

Assigns that He they or Either of them Shall & may from time to

time & at all times hereafter Peceably & quietly Have Hold Occu

& py & Posses & Enjoy all & Singular the before mentioned Part Share

& Dividend of the aforesd Nineteen Acres of Land & House Standing

thereon together with all other rights Profits Priviledges & Appurte

nances thereunto belonging of what Nature kind or Quality Soever

the same do & way hereafter Consist in without any Manner of

Claime Challenge or Demand in or to any of the hereby bargained

Premisses in him to come to be had or made by me the & Richd

Harding my Heirs Exec & Admr or from by or Under any

other Person or Persons & means Consent or Procurent

thereof for any After [...] Exclaiming all manner of Claim

Challenge or Pretence [...] the said Premisses before Mentioned

or to any Part Share [...] [...] Warranting the same to

be free and Clear from [...] & to me Exec In Witness

whereof I have hereunto [...] & hand & Seal on the & Said

this thirtieth day of & 1720

Richard Harding

Signd Seald & Delivered

in the Presence of Us

John Hubberd

John Reardon

James Harding §

Richard Harding of the island, planter and carpenter, acknowledged receipt of £20 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by his brother John Harding of the island, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Harding bargained, sold and delivered to John Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title, interest, share and property in 19 acres of free land and a dwelling house, then in the possession of John Harding.

The parcel lay at Sandy Bay, with a dwelling house, the property formerly of his father Richard Harding, lying at Sandy Bay on the Gravel Hill. He conveyed all his right, title, interest and share in the parcel against any claim that anyone might make by descent from his deceased father, under his father's last will and testament, and against any defence concerning the parcel by any other way or means. He conveyed his share to John Harding for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

Richard Harding, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Harding, his heirs, executors and assigns, that John Harding and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel, his part and share and dividend of the 19 acres of land and the dwelling house, together with all the rights, profits, privileges, tenements and appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. The same was to pass without any trouble, claim or demand concerning the parcel, from Richard Harding, his successors, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. Richard Harding warranted himself bound to defend the parcel against all claims, and to keep the land free and clear of all encumbrances. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on a day in the year of our Lord 1720.

Richard Harding signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Hubbard, John Sheado and James Harding.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed one brother's share of an inherited Sandy Bay estate to another. Richard Harding sold his right, title and dividend in the 19 acres and dwelling house, formerly his father Richard Harding's, to his brother John Harding for £20 0s 0d. The transaction consolidated a divided inheritance under a single brother, converting a shared family interest into John Harding's sole holding.

The parcel reached the Harding brothers by descent from their deceased father under his last will and testament. The land at Sandy Bay on the Gravel Hill had passed from the father Richard Harding to his sons, who held it jointly until this conveyance. The deed warranted the share against any claim arising through the father's will, fixing John Harding's title against the wider family inheritance.

The seller's dual classification as planter and carpenter places him within the artisanal layer of the records. The same Harding family appears across the documented Sandy Bay holdings, with Richard Harding's children confirmed jointly in 19 acres across two Sandy Bay parcels on 4 August 1713. The byname Gravel Hill fixed the parcel's location through a descriptive feature carried into the conveyance.

29

13

[Lower central portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower middle of the column.] §

Island St Helena

Know all men by these Presents that I John

Young of the Said Island Esqr for and in Consideration of the

Sum of Twenty five Pounds in good & Current money of the &

Island to me in hand paid at & before the Insealing & Delivery

hereof the receipt whereof I do hereby Acknowledge & in my Self

therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented & Paid HAVE given

granted Bargained Sold and do by these Presents give grant

Bargaine Sell and Deliver unto my Brother in Law John Harding

of the Said Island free planter his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns

All and Singular my Right Title Interest Share and Part that I

have & to in & to Nineteen Acres of free Land & dwelling House

Standing thereon in right of my wife Priscilla and which was

formerly her dec & father Richard Harding lying Scituate in

Sandy bay on the Green Hill or to any Part or Parcell thereof

that I now & or may hereafter Claim in right of any Said wife or of all

Demed as well as by Virtue of the last Will & Testament of the

Said Dec & Richard Harding Her father or that may descend

to me hereafter by any other ways & means whatsoever to

have & to hold the Said hereby Bargained

Premisses to him the Said John Harding and his Heirs for

ever to do and Dispose of as He they or Either of them shall

think fit AND the Said John Young do for me my Heirs

Exec & Admr or Assigns hereby Covenant & agree to & with the

Said John Harding his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns that He

they or Either of them Shall & may from time to time & at all

times hereafter Peceably & Quietly Have Hold Occupy Posses &

and Enjoy all & Singular the before Mentioned Part Share or Divi

dend of the aforesd Nineteen Acres of Land & House Standing

thereon together with all & Singular the Rights Profits Priviledges

and Appurtenances thereunto belonging of what Nature kind or

Quality Soever [...] doth or way hereafter Consist in without

any Manner [...] & Challenge or Demand in or to any of the

Said hereby [...] Premisses in any time to Come to be had or

made [...] & John Young my Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns

or from [...] & by other ways or means by my means Consent

or Procure [...] & own after these Presents Exclaiming all manner

of Claim [...] & or Pretences in or to any Part Share or Di-

vedend [...] & ting the same to be free & Clear from all

Incum [...] & ever In Witness whereof I have hereunto

Sett [...] & Seal this twenty fifth day of June Anno Domini 1720

John Young

Sealed Signed & Delivd

in the presence of Us

Joseph Beale

Thos Hodgkisson

Sutton Peake

Jno Youngs Bill of

Sale to Jno Harding

for the thirty Acres of

Land &c §

John Young of the island acknowledged receipt of £25 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Young bargained, sold and delivered to his brother in law John Harding of the island, free planter, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title, interest, share and property in 19 acres of free land and a dwelling house standing on it, which he held in right of his wife Priscilla, and which had formerly been his deceased father Richard Harding's. The parcel lay at Sandy Bay on the Green Hill.

Young conveyed all his right, title, interest and share in the parcel against any claim that anyone might make by descent from his deceased father, under the last will and testament of the deceased Richard Harding, his father, and against any defence concerning the parcel by any other way or means. He conveyed his share to John Harding and his heirs for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

John Young, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Harding, his heirs, executors and assigns, that John Harding and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel, his part, share and dividend of the 19 acres of land and the dwelling house, together with all the rights, profits, privileges and appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. The same was to pass without any trouble, claim or demand concerning the parcel, from John Young, his successors, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. Young warranted himself bound to defend the parcel against all claims, and to keep the share free and clear of all encumbrances. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 27 June in the year of our Lord 1720.

John Young signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Joseph Beale, Thomas Hodgkinson and Sutton Isaac.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a share of the inherited Harding estate held through marriage rather than direct descent. John Young sold his right, title and dividend in the 19 acres and dwelling house to his brother in law John Harding for £25 0s 0d. Young held the parcel in right of his wife Priscilla, a daughter of the deceased Richard Harding, so his interest derived from her share of the family inheritance.

The transaction formed part of a coordinated consolidation of the Harding estate under John Harding. The same 19-acre parcel at Sandy Bay, formerly Richard Harding's, passed to John Harding from his brother Richard Harding by the 1720 conveyance and from his brother in law John Young here, each releasing a divided share. The arrangement gathered the scattered family interests into a single hand, with each holder warranting his portion against claims under the father's will.

The parcel reached the parties by descent from the deceased Richard Harding under his last will and testament. The land at Sandy Bay on the Green Hill had passed to his children and their spouses, who held it in undivided shares until these conveyances. The Harding family appears across the documented Sandy Bay holdings, with the children confirmed jointly in 19 acres on 4 August 1713. The byname Green Hill fixed the parcel's location through a descriptive feature, consistent with the Gravel Hill rendering in the related conveyance.

30

14

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Island St Helena

Know all men by these Presents that I Joseph

Bates of the Said Island Carpr Esqr and in Consideration of the Sum

of thirty Pounds in good & Current money of the Said Island to me in

Hand Paid by my Brother in law John Hare my free planter at or

before the Insealing and Delivery hereof the Receipt of which I do

hereby Acknowledge & in my Self therewith to be fully Satisfyed

Contented and paid HAVE given granted Bargained Sold and do by

these Presents firmly & Absolutely give grant Bargaine Sell & Deliver

unto the Said John Harding his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns all

and Singular my Right Title Interest Share Part Dividend that I

have & in and to Nineteen Acres of free Land and Dwelling House

Standing thereon in Right of my wife Sarah the Daughter of Richard

Harding Dec lying Scituate and being on the Green Hill in Sandy

bay or to any Part or Parcell thereof that I now Use or may hereafter

Claim in right of my Said wife abovenamed as well as by Virtue

of the last Will and Testament of the Said Dec & Richard Harding

Her father or that may Descend to me hereafter by any Other ways

or means whatsoever To Have & to hold the & Hereby

Bargained Premisses to him the Said John Harding and his Heirs

for ever to do and Dispose of as He they or Either of them Shall

think fit & AND the Said Joseph Bates Do for me my Heirs

Exec & Admr or Assigns hereby Covenant & agree to and with the

Said John Harding his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns that He they

or Either of them Shall & may from time to time & at all times

hereafter Peceably and Quietly Have Hold Occupy Posses & and

Enjoy all and Singular the before mentioned Part Share or Divi-

dend of the aforesd Nineteen Acres of Land and House Standing

thereon together with all & Singular the Rights Profits Priviledges &

Appurtenances [...] belonging of what Nature kind or Quality

Soever the same [...] & hereafter Consist in without any Manner

of Claime Challenge [...] & in or to any of the Said hereby

Bargained Premisses [...] & to come to be had or made by me

the Said Joseph Bates [...] & Exec & Admr or Assigns or from

by or Under any other [...] & Persons by my means Consent or

Procure [...] [...] & Exclaiming all manner of

Claim Challenge or [...] & or to any Part Share or Dividend

thereof Warranting the [...] & Clear from all Incumbrances for

Ever In Witness whereof [...] & hereunto Set my hand & Seal this

twenty eighth day of [...] [...] thousand Seven Hundred and

twenty

Joseph Bates

Sealed Signed & Delivered

in the Presence of Us

Thos Hodgkisson

John Young

Sutton Peake

Joseph Bates Bill of

Sale to Jno Harding

for the thirty Acres of

Land &c §

Joseph Bates of the island, corporal, acknowledged receipt of £30 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by his brother in law John Harding, his free planter, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Bates bargained, sold and delivered to John Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title, interest, share and property in 19 acres of free land and a dwelling house standing on it, which he held in right of his wife Sarah, the daughter of Richard Harding, deceased. The parcel lay on the Green Hill in Sandy Bay.

Bates conveyed all his right, title, interest and share in the parcel, held in right of his wife Sarah named before, against any claim under the last will and testament of the deceased Richard Harding, and against any defence concerning the parcel by any other way or means. He conveyed his share to John Harding and his heirs for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

Joseph Bates, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Harding, his heirs, executors and assigns, that John Harding and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel, his part, share and dividend of the 19 acres of land and the dwelling house, together with all the rights, profits, privileges and appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. The same was to pass without any trouble, claim or demand concerning the parcel, from Joseph Bates, his successors, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. Bates warranted himself bound to defend the parcel against all claims, and to keep the share free and clear of all encumbrances. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 28 a day in the year of our Lord 1720.

Joseph Bates signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas Hodgkinson, John Young and Sutton Isaac.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a third share of the inherited Harding estate, held through marriage, into John Harding's consolidated holding. Joseph Bates sold his right, title and dividend in the 19 acres and dwelling house for £30 0s 0d. Bates held the parcel in right of his wife Sarah, a daughter of the deceased Richard Harding, so his interest derived from her portion of the family inheritance.

The transaction completed a coordinated gathering of the Harding family shares under John Harding. The same 19-acre parcel at Sandy Bay passed to him from his brother Richard Harding in 1720, from his brother in law John Young on 27 June 1720, and from his brother in law Joseph Bates here, each releasing a divided interest. The sequence identifies the deceased Richard Harding's daughters as Priscilla, wife of John Young, and Sarah, wife of Joseph Bates, with each husband conveying his wife's share against claims under the father's will.

The parcel reached the parties by descent from the deceased Richard Harding under his last will and testament. The land on the Green Hill in Sandy Bay had passed to his children and their spouses, who held it in undivided shares until these conveyances. The Harding children appear confirmed jointly in 19 acres across two Sandy Bay parcels on 4 August 1713. The ascending prices across the three shares, from £20 0s 0d to £25 0s 0d to £30 0s 0d, mark the staged acquisition of the separate interests.

31

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Island St Helena

Know all men by these Presents that I Lydia Harding

Spinster for and in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty five Pounds

in good & Current money of the & Island to me in hand Paid at or

before the Insealing and Delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do hereby

Acknowledge & in my Self therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented

and Paid Have given granted Bargained and Sold and Do by

these Presents firmly & Absolutely give grant Bargaine Sell &

Deliver unto my Said Brother John Harding of the & Island

free planter his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns All & Singular

my right Title Interest Share Part or Dividend & in and to Nineteen

Acres of freehold Land and dwelling House Standing and being

thereon and that was formerly my Dec & fathers Richd Hardings

Lying Scituate in Sandy bay on the Green Hill or to any Part

or Parcell thereof that I now Use or may hereafter Claim by Virtue

of any & Dec & fathers last Will & Testament or Defending to me

hereafter by any other ways or means Whatsoever To have &

to hold the Said hereby Bargained Premisses to him the Said

John Harding and his Heirs for ever to do and Dispose of as He

they or any of them Shall think fit AND the & Lydia

Harding do for me my Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns hereby

Covenant & agree to and with the Said John Harding his Heirs

Exec & Admr or Assigns that He they or Either of them shall

and may from time to time and at all times hereafter Peceably

and Quietly Have hold Occupy Posses & Enjoy all & Singular

the before mentioned Part Share or Dividend of the aforesd

Nineteen Acres of Land and House Standing thereon together with

all other rights Profits & Priviledges and Appurtenances thereunto

belonging of what Nature kind or quality Soever the said doth

or way hereafter Consist [...] without any manner of Claime

Challenge or Demand [...] any of the Said hereby Bargained

Premisses in him [...] & to be had or made by me the & Lydia

Harding my [...] & Admr or Assigns or from by or Under

any other Person [...] & by my means Consent or Procurent

hereby for [...] & Presents Exclaiming all manner of

Claim Challenge [...] & ences in or to any Part Share or Dividend

thereof [...] [...] [...] Clear from all Incumbrances

ever for [...] & In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my

hand [...] [...] Island this thirtieth day of June Anno Domini

1720

her

Lydia H Harding

Mark

Signed Sealed & Delivd

in the Presence of Us

Orlando Bagley

John Bagley

Lydia Hardings Bill of

Sale to Jno Harding for

the thirty Acres of Land &c §

Lydea Harding, spinster, acknowledged receipt of £25 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed. She confirmed herself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Harding bargained, sold and delivered to her brother John Harding of the island, free planter, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all her right, title, interest, share and property in 19 acres of freehold land and a dwelling house standing on it, which had formerly been her deceased father Richard Harding's. The parcel lay at Sandy Bay on the Green Hill.

Harding conveyed all her right, title and share in the parcel against any claim that anyone might make by descent from her deceased father, under his last will and testament, and against any defence concerning the parcel by any other way or means. She conveyed her share to John Harding and his heirs for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

Lydea Harding, for herself, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Harding, his heirs, executors and assigns, that John Harding and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel, her share and dividend of the 19 acres of land and the dwelling house, together with all the rights, profits, privileges and appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. The same was to pass without any trouble, claim or demand concerning the parcel, from Lydea Harding, her successors, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. She warranted herself bound to defend the parcel against all claims, and to keep the share free and clear of all encumbrances. In confirmation she set her hand and seal on 30 a day in the year of our Lord 1720.

Lydea Harding signed by her mark. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Orlando Bagley and John Bagley.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a daughter's own share of the inherited Harding estate directly into John Harding's consolidated holding. Lydea Harding, an unmarried daughter of the deceased Richard Harding, sold her right, title and dividend in the 19 acres and dwelling house for £25 0s 0d. As a spinster she conveyed in her own name, distinct from the married sisters whose shares passed through their husbands.

The transaction added a fourth share to the coordinated gathering of the Harding family interests under John Harding. The same 19-acre parcel passed to him from his brother Richard Harding, from his brothers in law John Young and Joseph Bates, and from his sister Lydea here, each releasing a divided portion. The sequence reveals the deceased Richard Harding's children as the sons Richard and John Harding, and the daughters Priscilla, Sarah and Lydea, with each conveying a share of the undivided estate.

The parcel reached the parties by descent from the deceased Richard Harding under his last will and testament. The land at Sandy Bay on the Green Hill had passed to his children, who held it in undivided shares until these conveyances. The name Lydea Harding recurs from the earlier records, where a Lydea Harding held 10 acres at the head of Oak Gutt bequeathed to her brother Richard, marking a family name carried across generations. The Harding children appear confirmed jointly in 19 acres across two Sandy Bay parcels on 4 August 1713.

32

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Island St Helena

Know all men by these Presents that I Mary

Swallow of the Said Island Widdow and Relict of Richd

Swallow late of the Said Island free planter Dec for and in

Consideration of the Sum of One Hundred Pounds in good

and Current money of the Said Island to me in hand Paid at &

before the Insealing and Delivery thereof by John Harding of

the Said Island free planter the Receipt of which I do hereby

Acknowledge and in my Self therewith to Cofully Satisfyed Con-

tented and paid Have given granted Bargained & Sold and

Do by these Presents firmly & absolutely give grant Bargaine Sell

over Sell and Deliver unto the aforesaid John Harding his Heirs

Executors Admr and Assigns All my Right Title Interest Claim

Challenge or Demand In and to the whole Seventeen Acres of Land

within Mentioned with all & Every the Appurtenances thereunto

belonging and Provisions thereon Standing and Growing and the

said Heirs & Confirm unto the Said John Harding and his Heirs

for ever to do and Dispose thereof as He they or Either of them

shall think fit and Proper without any manner of Interruption

Mollestation or Contradiction of me the Said Mary Swallow

or my Heirs Exec & Admr or any other Person or Persons

for me or in my Name whatsoever Hereby & Warranting the &

viz Acres of Land and all other the Premisses to be Clear & free

from all Incumbrances that is or can be in the Said Dec &

In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand & Seal this

27 Day of September 1721

The Mark of

Mary I Swallow

Sealed Signed & Delivd

in the Presence of Us

John Wills & Esqr

Orlando Bagley Sen

Eliz & Dufton

Memorand

[...] the above Assignmt is recorded

on the Back part of [...] & Deed granted unto Richard

Swallow Dec [...] [...] & in the Old Register Book in the

12 folio attested [...] Jno Alexander §

Mary Swallow of the island, widow and relict of the deceased Richard Swallow, late of the island, free planter, acknowledged receipt of £100 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by John Harding of the island, free planter. She confirmed herself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Swallow gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to John Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all her right, title, interest, claim, challenge or demand in 17 acres of land, mentioned before, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, and the provisions then standing and growing on it.

Swallow conveyed her share to John Harding and his heirs for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or demand concerning the parcel, from Mary Swallow, her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind. She warranted herself bound to keep the 17 acres of land and all the other premises free and clear of all encumbrances of any kind. In confirmation she set her hand and seal on 27 September in the year of our Lord 1721.

Mary Swallow signed by her mark. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Wilkinson, Orlando Bagley the elder and Elizabeth Dufton.

A memorandum recorded that the assignment set out before, lying on the back part of a deed granted to Richard Swallow, deceased, was entered in the old register book at folio [...]. John Alexander attested it.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a widow's interest in 17 acres into John Harding's holding. Mary Swallow, the relict of the deceased Richard Swallow, sold her right, title and claim in the parcel for £100 0s 0d, including the provisions then growing on the ground. The transaction carried the land together with its standing crops as a single unit, securing the buyer a productive holding rather than bare acreage.

The land reached Mary Swallow through her late husband Richard Swallow, with the original grant entered on the back of a deed to him in the old register book. The memorandum, attested by John Alexander, fixed the parcel's documentary chain by reference to the earlier entry. The same Richard Swallow appears across the documented Deep Valley records, confirmed in 18 acres on 4 August 1713 and active in the Greentree family trustee arrangements.

The purchase extended John Harding's accumulation beyond the inherited Sandy Bay estate. Having gathered the divided shares of his father's 19-acre parcel through the 1720 conveyances, Harding here added the separate 17-acre Swallow holding in 1721. The £100 0s 0d paid marks a substantial single transaction, consistent with the scale of his documented dealings across the period.

33

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Island St Helena

Know all men by these Presents that I

Mary Swallow of the Said Island Widd and Relict of

Richard Swallow late of the same free planter Deceased

for and in Consideration of a Valluable Sum of money

to me in hand Paid by John Harding of the Said Island

Planter as well as & Divious other Considerations me

thereunto moving Have Assigned Sell and made Over

and do by these Presents Assigne Sell & make Over

Unto the Said John Harding his Heirs Exec & Admr or

Allowed of Assigns All my Right Title Interest or Claim

In and to the within Mentioned two Parcells of Land or

any Part thereof and for my Self my Heirs Exec & Admr

or Assigns Do for ever Quitt Claim In and to the Said

hereby Bargained Premisses further Covenanting and

agreeing to and with the Said John Harding his Heirs

Exec & Admr or Allowed of Assigns that He they or Either

of them Shall & may from time to time and at all times

hereafter Peceably and quietly Posses & Enjoy the & Hereby

Bargained Land & Premisses thereunto belonging with the

Dwelling House Built & now Standing thereon Under the

Same Conditions & Covenants Specifyed in the Within Mentioned

Lease without any Manner of Interruption Mollestation

or Contradiction of me the Said Mary Swallow or my

Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns to by or Under any other

Person or Persons whatsoever by my means Consent or

Procuren & in [...] & whereof I have hereunto Sett

my hand [...] [...] day of September 1721

The mark of

Mary I Swallow

Signd Seald & Delivd

in the Presence of Us

John Wills & Esqr

Orlando Bagley Sen

Elizabeth Dufton

Memorand

[...] the above Assignement is Recorded on

the back [...] Originall Lease granted to Richd

Swallow [...] & the Chyster Seal being Entred in the Old

Register [...] of this Island in the & 27 folio attested

p [...] Jno Alexander §

Mary Swallow of the island, widow and relict of the deceased Richard Swallow, late of the island, free planter, in consideration of a valuable sum of money paid in hand by John Harding of the island, free planter, and for several other considerations, assigned, sold and made over to John Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all her right, title, interest and claim in two parcels of land mentioned before, or any part of them. She conveyed her interest to him for ever, and quit-claimed her right in the parcels bargained before.

Swallow, for herself, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that Harding and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold and enjoy the parcels bargained before and the premises belonging to them, together with the dwelling house built and then standing on the same, under the same conditions and covenants set out in the lease mentioned before. The same was to pass without any trouble, hindrance, claim or demand from Mary Swallow, her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation she set her hand and seal on a day in September in the year of our Lord 1721.

Mary Swallow signed by her mark. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Wilkinson, Orlando Bagley the elder and Elizabeth Dufton.

A memorandum recorded that the assignment set out before, lying on the back of an original lease granted to Richard Swallow, deceased, had the counterpart seal entered in the old register book of the island at folio 27. John Alexander attested it.

Interpretations

The assignment passed Mary Swallow's interest in two parcels of land into John Harding's holding, completing the conveyance recorded in the related instrument. The widow quit-claimed her right, title and claim in the parcels, together with the dwelling house standing on them, releasing any residual interest she held. The transaction carried the land under the same conditions and covenants set out in the original lease, binding Harding to the terms of the earlier grant.

The land reached Mary Swallow through her late husband Richard Swallow, with the assignment lying on the back of the original lease granted to him. The memorandum, attested by John Alexander, fixed the documentary chain by reference to the counterpart seal entered at folio 27 of the old register book. The same Richard Swallow appears across the documented Deep Valley records, confirmed in 18 acres on 4 August 1713.

The conveyance carried the parcels subject to the covenants of the original leasehold rather than as free land. The reference to the conditions and covenants of the earlier lease bound Harding to the standard obligations of tenure, including the rent and the restrictions on the wood and the fences. The arrangement transferred the widow's leasehold interest intact, with the buyer stepping into the position her husband had held under the Company.

34

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Island St Helena

Know all men by these Presents that I Joseph

Whaley Esqr for and in Consideration of the Sum of Twenty four

Pounds in good and Currant money to me in hand Paid before

the Insealing and Delivery hereof by John Young Esqr the

Receipt of which Do hereby Acknowledge & in my Self Wherewith to

be fully Satisfyed Contented & Paid HAVE given granted Bar-

gained Hold and Do by these Presents give grant Bargain

Sell & Deliver unto these said John Young his Heirs for Ever

One Dwelling House Scituate in James Valley Town and next

Adjoyning to the House of John Bagley Sen (late Wm Pritchards)

and the Dwelling House of John Bagley All Standing and

being in Southwark Street together with all & Singular the Ap-

purtenances thereunto belonging of what Nature kind or Quality

Soever with all my right or Title to the Enclosd Ground on the

back part of the said House To Have & to hold the Said

hereby Bargained House and Appurtenances (as aforesd) Unto him

the Said John Young his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns for Ever

to do and Dispose of as He they or Either of them shall think fit

and Proper & Hereby the said Joseph Whaley Do for me my Heirs

Exec & and Admr Covenant and Agree to and with the Said

John Young his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns that He they or

Either of them shall and may from time to time and at all times

hereafter & Have Hold Occupie Posses and for Ever Quietly Enjoy

the Aforesaid hereby Bargained House Appurtenances without

any manner of Interruption Mollestation or Contradiction of me the

Said Joseph [...] & my Heirs Exec & or from by or Under any

other Person [...] & my means Consent or Procurement

whatsoever [...] & hereof I have hereunto Sett my

hand and Seal [...] & third day of May Anno Domini 1722

Joseph Whaley

Seald Signd & Delivd

in the Presence of

Stephen Lethly

Richd Beale

Joseph Whaleys Bill of

Sale to Jno Young

for a House in

James Valley §

Joseph Whaley, sergeant, acknowledged receipt of £24 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand before the sealing and delivery of the deed by John Young, sergeant. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Whaley bargained, sold and delivered to John Young, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, a dwelling house in James Valley, adjoining the house of John Bagley junior, late John Orchard's, and the dwelling house of John Bagley, all standing and being in Southwark Street. The grant carried all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, together with all his right and title to the enclosed ground on the back part of the parcel.

Whaley conveyed the dwelling house and appurtenances to John Young, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit. Whaley, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Young, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that Young and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the dwelling house and appurtenances, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Joseph Whaley, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 3 May in the year of our Lord 1722.

Joseph Whaley signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Stephen Lufkin and Richard Beale.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed an urban dwelling in James Valley between two sergeants of the garrison. Joseph Whaley sold the house and its enclosed back ground to John Young for £24 0s 0d, a soldier-to-soldier transaction within the Southwark Street cluster. The grant carried the dwelling together with the enclosed ground on the back part, securing the buyer both the building and its attached yard.

The parcel sat among established Southwark Street holdings whose names anchor it within the documented James Town fabric. The house adjoined John Bagley junior's property, late John Orchard's, and the dwelling of John Bagley, fixing it against neighbouring urban holders. Southwark Street appears across the documented urban records as a recognised name within James Town, with the Bagley family holding adjoining ground.

The transaction connects to the documented network of urban property dealings in the period. John Orchard, named as the former holder of the adjoining Bagley parcel, appears across the records as a free planter and leaseholder. The witnesses Stephen Lufkin and Richard Beale both feature in the documented Sandy Bay and James Town transactions, placing the sale within the established circle of the urban conveyancing record.

35

19

[Lower central portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower middle of the column.] §

Know all men by these Presents that I Henry Francis of the

Island St Helena free planter Do hereby Acknowledge my Self to

Stand Indebted unto Capt Joseph Tolson his Heirs Exec & Admr

and Assigns In the Sume of Three hundred Seventy two

Pounds ten Shillings & Eight Pence in good & Currant money

of the Said Island And for the true Paymt I have to be well

& truely made unto the Said Capt Joseph Tolson his Heirs

Exec & Admr Assigns or Attorney Do hereby bind me my

Heirs Exec & Admr firmly by these Presents In Witness

whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand & Seal this Sixth

day of June Anno Domini 1722

The Condition of this Obligation is Such that

if in Case the above bound Henry Francis his Heirs Exec & or

Admr or Either of them doth well and truly Pay or cause to be

well and truly Paid unto the aforesaid Capt Joseph Tolson his

Heirs Exec & Admr Assigns or Attorney the full Sume of

One hundred thirty Six Pounds five Shillings & four pence in

good & Currant money of the Said Island at any time or times

hereafter together with Six p Cent p Annum Interest of the like

Currant money Untill Such head as the whole Sume is fully

Paid and remains in the hand of the Said Henry Francis

That then this Present Obligation is to be Null and Void and

of None Effect But in case of Non Paymt or failure of the

Said Henry Francis or his Heirs Exec & or Admr That

then and in Such Case (and no other) and for the better Surity

of the Debt aforesaid deceasd Properly belonging to the

beforementioned Capt Joseph Tolson his Heirs Exec & Admr

or Assigns Henry Francis doth hereby freely &

Voluntaryly [...] & and make Over Unto the aforesaid

Capt Joseph [...] & Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns

All that [...] & Valuable Gumwood Land Containing

thirteen Acres [...] [...] Growing thereon as also

One Dwelling [...] & out House & Scituate in One Branch

of Lemon [...] & the high Water fall together to the

Rights [...] & thereunto belonging and Likewise Doe

Black [...] & Named Greenball for and During

all the [...] & e that the aforesaid Sume of One

Hundred [...] & Pounds five Shillings & four pence or

any Part [...] & Shall happen to Stand out & remaine

unpaid [...] & Longer So that at the Expiration thereof

[...] & Son or

Henry Francis

Bond to Capt Joseph

Tolson for 186..5..4

Productd 27..12.. paid

as p & Releon Back

of & Originall Bond §

Henry Francis of the island of St Helena, free planter, acknowledged himself bound to Captain Joseph Tolson, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, in the sum of £272 10s 8d in good and current money of the island. He bound himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to the true payment of the sum, firmly by the deed. He set his hand and seal on 6 June in the year of our Lord 1722.

The condition of the obligation was set out. If Henry Francis, his heirs, executors or administrators, or any of them, paid to Captain Joseph Tolson, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, the full sum of £136 5s 0d in good and current money of the island at any time afterwards, together with six per cent per annum interest on the like current money, until the whole sum was fully paid and remained in the hands of Henry Francis, then the obligation was to be void and of no effect. Otherwise it was to remain in full force.

In case of any payment or failure by Henry Francis, his heirs, executors or administrators, then for the better security of the debt belonging to Captain Joseph Tolson, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, Henry Francis freely and voluntarily granted and made over to Captain Joseph Tolson, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, a parcel of valuable gumwood land containing [...] acres, with one dwelling house and outhouse on it, lying in one branch of a valley, running to the high water fall, together with the rights and appurtenances belonging to it. He also conveyed one Black slave named Hannibal, for the clearing of the land. The amount was [...] of £100 0s 0d, and a charge of 5 shillings and four pence per acre, or [...], that should happen to stand out and remain [...] longer, so that at the expiration of the term [...].

Interpretations

The instrument operated as a mortgage securing a debt of £136 5s 0d through a penal bond. Henry Francis bound himself in the doubled penal sum of £272 10s 8d, conditioned on repayment of the principal with six per cent interest. The structure followed the standard early modern form by which the penal figure pressed the borrower to honour the debt, with the obligation falling away once the money was paid.

The bond carried a charge over land and a slave as additional security beyond the personal obligation. Francis made over a parcel of gumwood land with a dwelling house and outhouse, together with the slave Hannibal, to Captain Joseph Tolson for the better security of the debt. The arrangement gave the creditor a fallback in the land and labour should the borrower default, converting the personal bond into a charged security.

The six per cent interest rate sits at the metropolitan English legal ceiling for lending. The bond fixed the rate explicitly on the current money of the island, running until the whole sum was discharged. The same Henry Francis appears across the documented records as a substantial free planter and freeholder, confirmed in 65 acres on 9 June 1711 and active in the urban and rural property dealings of the period.

36

20

I can now read the vertical margin note clearly. Here is the corrected transcription with the margin note included.

[Lower central portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower middle of the column.] §

Person or Persons Acting for him and in his behalf hath no

further Claim or Interest in and to the Severall Premisses

herein beforementioned or to any Part thereof but the Same to

be Redelivered and Resitered to and for the only Use and

Benefitt of the beforenamed Henry Francis or his Heirs

as he and their own proper Right for Ever to do Dispose of

as He or they shall think fitt any thing to the Contrary

herein Mentioned or in any wise Notwithstanding

Henry Francis

Signd Seald & Delived

in the Presence of

Joshua Johnson

Edmund Nichols

Charles Steward

Know all men by these Presents that I Bridgett

Bazett of this Island of St Helena Widd and Executrix to

the last Will and Testament of my Deceasd Husband Capt Matth

Bazett late of this Island who was Attorney to Thomas Perkins

late of the Said Island as in and by one Deed or Writing Under

the hand & Seal of him the Said Thomas Perkins to the before

mentioned Capt Matthew Bazett bearing date the 28 day of

July 1712 (Relation being thereunto had may at large more

fully Appear) for and in Consideration of the Sume of Twenty

five Pounds in good and Currant money to me in hand paid

by the Worshipfull Edward Johnson Esqr Governr & Council of

this Said Island for & on the behalf of the Hone the Lords

Proprietors of this Island Do by these Presents for me my Heirs

Exec & and Admr Assigne Sett and make Over for and to the

Use & Benefitt of & Said Honble Comp & Lords Proprietors of

this Island and [...] [...] & All my Right Title Interest

Claim Challenge [...] [...] [...] in & to the within Mentioned

thirty Acres of Cabbagetree Gumwood Land in & all & Singular

the Appurtenances [...] belonging or in any wise Appur-

taining [...] [...] & within Granted Terme of 21

Years hereby for [...] & for my Self my Heirs Exec &

Admr & from any Part [...] & Demand whatsoever for or

Relating to the within [...] & thirty Acres of Land or to any

Part or Parcell thereof [...] & In Witness whereof I have hereunto

Sett my hand & Seal [...] & day of June 1722

her

Bridgett Bazett

Mark

Seald Signd & Delivd

in the Presence of Edw Johnson

Edwd Byfield

Jno Alexander

Wm Goodwin §

Margin Notes: §

is Writt on the Back part of the Originall

Lease Counterpart of which is Entred in

the Old Register Book folio 114 with the

Plan thereof Attested p Jno Alexander §

The conveyance closed the interest of any person acting for Henry Francis, confirming that no one held any claim or interest in the several premises set out before. The parcels were to be returned and reserved for the only use and benefit of Henry Francis and his heirs, as their own proper right for ever, to be disposed of as any of them saw fit. In confirmation Henry Francis set his hand and seal.

Henry Francis signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Joshua Johnson, Edmund Nicholls and Charles Steward.

A further instrument followed. Bridgett Bazett of the island of St Helena, widow and relict of the deceased Captain Matthew Bazett, late of the island, set out the last will and testament of her deceased husband. The land had formerly been Thomas Perkins's, late of the island, and had passed by one deed or writing, under the hand and seal of the before-mentioned Captain Matthew Bazett, dated 28 July 1712, as appeared at large by the relation of that instrument. In consideration of the sum of £25 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand, she stood satisfied. The grant rested on the authority of Governor Pyke and the council of St Helena, as the Lords Proprietors of the island, for and on behalf of the Honourable Company.

Bridgett Bazett sold and made over to the use and benefit of the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of the island, all her right, title, interest, claim, challenge and demand in 30 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. The parcel had been granted before for a term of 21 years. She conveyed her interest, for herself, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, against any claim or demand of any kind concerning the parcel, in the 30 acres of land, or any part of it. In confirmation she set her hand and seal on a day in June in the year of our Lord 1722.

Bridgett Bazett signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Edward Johnson, Edward Pyke, John Alexander and John Goodwin. John Alexander certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A memorandum recorded that the conveyance set out before was a true copy of the original lease, granted to Captain Matthew Bazett, the counterpart seal entered in the old register book of the island at folio 114. John Alexander attested it.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Henry Francis mortgage arrangement, confirming the parcels were reserved to his own use and that of his heirs once the charge was cleared. The closing released any claim by persons acting for him, fixing the ground as his absolute right. The same Henry Francis appears across the documented records as a substantial freeholder, with Charles Steward among the witnesses, himself a documented Sandy Bay accumulator.

The second instrument records a widow surrendering leasehold land back to the Company. Bridgett Bazett, relict of the deceased Captain Matthew Bazett, conveyed her interest in 30 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land to the Company for £25 0s 0d. The land had been granted to her husband for a term of 21 years and had formerly been Thomas Perkins's, passing by a deed of 28 July 1712. The transaction returned the leasehold to the Lords Proprietors rather than passing it to another tenant.

The surrender connects to the documented standing of Matthew Bazett, the long-serving council member and surveyor confirmed in substantial holdings across the 1711 framework. His 30-acre estate of cabbage tree and gumwood passed back to the Company through his widow after his death, with the chain fixed by reference to the counterpart seal at folio 114 of the old register book. The arrangement allowed the Company to recover a substantial parcel and to redirect it as it saw fit.

37

21

[Lower central portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower middle of the column.] §

Know all men by these Presents that I John Coulson

of the Island St Helena freeplanter for & in Consideration

of the Sume of Two Hundred Pounds in good & Currant money

of the Said Island To me in hand paid at or before the

Insealing and Delivery hereof by my Mother Grace Coulson

Widdow the receipt of which I do hereby Acknowledge & in my

Self therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented & Paid and as well

for Divers other good causes & Considerations me thereunto Es-

pecially moveing Have & Aliened & Bargained Sold & Delivered

and by these Presents do Alien Bargain Sell and Deliver unto

the beforenamed Grace Coulson and Her Heirs for ever All &

Singular that Dwelling House in which she now Dwells & hath

Her Life time in According to the Custome & Constitutions of this

Island Scituate & being in James Valley next Adjoyning to the

Dwelling House of Gabriell Powell formaly Henry Francis together

with all the Ground & Back & Yard Enclosd [...] Have the Appurtenances

thereunto belonging or in any wise Appurtaining of what Nature

kind or quality Soever with all the Rights Liberties & Priviledges

that has been or hereafter may be To Have and to Hold the

Said dwelling House & Appurtenances thereunto belonging as

aforesd unto Her the Said Grace Coulson & Her Heirs for ever

to do and Dispose of as He they or they or either of them shall

think fitt And the Said John Coulson do for me my Self my

Heirs Executors and Admr further Covenant and agree to & with

the Said Grace Coulson Her Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns de-

Either of them that He they or either of them Shall and may

from time to time and at all times hereafter Have Hold Occupie

Posses and quietly [...] & hereby Bargained House and all their

the Premisses [...] & without any Manner of Interruption Molle-

Station Contradiction [...] & of me the Said John Coulson or my

Heirs Exec [...] [...] Assigns or from by or under any

other Person or Persons [...] & by my means Consent or Procurent

thereof [...] [...] free & Clear from all Incumbrances

any thing [...] & herein in any wise Notwithstanding

In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand & Seal

this third day of June Anno Domini 1722

John Coulson

Sealed Signd & Delivd

in the presence of Us

John Orchard

Wm Desfountain

Jonath Dovelton

Jno Coulsons Bill of Sale

to his Mother Grace

Coulson for a House §

John Coulson of the island of St Helena, free planter, acknowledged receipt of £200 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by his mother Grace Coulson. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid, and for several other good causes and considerations, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to Grace Coulson and her heirs for ever, all the dwelling house in which she then dwelt, and which she held for her life, during her widowhood, under the laws and constitutions of the island. The house lay in James Valley, adjoining the dwelling house of Gabriel Powell, formerly Henry Francis's.

The grant carried all the ground, with the parcel fenced and enclosed, and the house, together with all the rights, liberties, privileges and appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. Coulson conveyed the dwelling house and appurtenances to Grace Coulson and her heirs for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

John Coulson, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with Grace Coulson, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that she and her successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the dwelling house bargained before and all the other appurtenances, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from John Coulson, his heirs, executors, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. He warranted himself bound to keep the parcel free and clear of all encumbrances of any kind. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on a day in June in the year of our Lord 1722.

John Coulson signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Orchard, Joseph Desfountain and Jonathan Doveton.

Interpretations

The conveyance secured to a widow the absolute title of the house she already held for her life. Grace Coulson held the James Valley dwelling for her life during her widowhood under the island's custom, and her son John Coulson here conveyed the fee to her and her heirs for ever. The transaction converted her limited life interest into an outright holding, removing the contingency that would have ended her claim on remarriage or death.

The payment of £200 0s 0d ran from the mother to the son rather than the reverse. Grace Coulson paid the sum to acquire the absolute title from John Coulson, who held the reversion behind her life interest. The arrangement bought out the son's future claim, allowing the widow to dispose of the property freely rather than holding it only for her lifetime.

The parcel sat among established James Valley holdings whose names anchor it within the documented urban fabric. The house adjoined the dwelling of Gabriel Powell, formerly Henry Francis's, fixing it against neighbouring holders. The same Grace Coulson appears across the documented records as a substantial widow freeholder, confirmed in 45 acres across the 23 June 1711 sitting, with the Coulson family cluster including her son John Leonard Coulson.

38

22

[Lower central and lower left portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower middle and foot of the column.] §

Know all men by these Presents That Whereas Thomas

Southern late of this Island of St Helena planter did sometime since

Purchase One House or Messuage formerly belonging to the Orphans of

Samuel Maxwell late of this Island Scituate lying and being in that part

of James Valley Commonly called or known by the Name of Southwark on the other

Side of the Run of Water flowing down the Said Valley And also One Piece or

Parcell of Land of Mary Conaway & his Island Wid Lying between the Said

House and the South End of the dwelling House of Walter Robinson of this

Island Wid And forasmuch as the Said Thomas Southern at this time

& his going of this Island was Considerably Indebted to the Honble United

East India Compa of England & Lords Proprietors of this Island and

since that time the debt hath been Increased & Augmented for the Support

and Benefitt of his wife and Children to the Sume of One Hundred and

Eighteen Pounds ten Shillings & two pence three farthings which Debt

hath Severall times been Demanded of his wife Sarah Southern But the

Refusing Denying any Debt to be owing or due to the Honble Comp &

as appears by Severall Constitutions Specially those of the 28 & 30 Dayes

of August (Receiving the date hereof) WE the Governr and Council of

this Island did Order Seizure to be made on the Said House and Land

among the Effects to make Satisfaction for the Said Debt which was

Accordingly done and Exposd to Publick Sale at the Said House on the

6 Day of September following when and where Samuel Jefsey of this

Island Planter did Publickly bid for and Buy the Said House & Land

Now Know Ye that We the Said Governr & Council of this Island

Do by Vertue of the Said Seizure & by high & by these Presents for & in Consideration

of the Sume of the [...] & for & in Consideration

of the Sume of [...] & Pounds five Shillings & Good & Currant money of the

Said Island well and truly to be paid by the Said Samuel Jefsey his Heirs

Exec & or Admr that & on or before the 25 day of March next Ensuing

the date hereof Unto Us & the Governr and Council then so being to & for

the Use and behoof of the Said Honble Comp & Alienate Bargaine Sell

Convey and Deliver unto the Said Samuel Jefsey the aforesaid House or

Messuage and Land with the Appurtenances rights and Priviledges

thereunto belonging in as full and Ample manner as the Said Thomas

Southern or any Person Claiming under him might or could do To have

and to hold the Said House or Messuage & Land to him the Said Samuel

Jefsey his Heirs and Assigns for ever to Dispose of as He they or either of

their [...] Exec & Admr or Assigns shall think fitt AND further

We the [...] [...] Convey and Could Doe for Our Selves & Our Successrs so

the Name [...] & half of the Said Honble Comp & afored Covenant

agree that [...] & Samuel Jefsey his Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns

shall Peaceably [...] & at all times hereafter Have Hold Occupie

Posses [...] [...] & bargained Premisses without any Manner

Mollestation [...] & disturbance of any Person or Persons

whatsoever [...] & or Procurement In Witness

[...] this Island for the true

Bill

Bill §

Thomas Southern, late of the island of St Helena, planter, had some time earlier purchased a house or messuage formerly belonging to the orphans of Samuel Maxwell, late of the island, lying in that part of James Valley commonly known by the name of the outermost part of the valley. He also held a parcel of land of Mary Conaway, of the island, widow, lying between the house and the south end of the dwelling house of Marston Robinson, of the island, widow.

At the time of his departure from the island, Thomas Southern stood considerably indebted to the Honourable East India Company of England, the Lords Proprietors of the island. Since that time the debt had increased, for the support and benefit of his wife and children, to the sum of £138 18s 2d 3 farthings. The debt had at several times been demanded of his wife Sarah Southern. She had refused, denying any debt to be owing or due to the Honourable Company, as appeared by several consultations, especially that of 28 August, set out before the date of the deed.

The Governor and Council of the island ordered seizure to be made of the house and land, among the effects, to make satisfaction for the debt. The order was accordingly carried out, and the house was exposed to public sale on a day in September following, when and where Samuel Jefsey of the island, planter, bid for and bought the house and land.

The Governor and Council of the island, by virtue of the seizure, and in consideration of the sum of £138 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, to be truly paid by Samuel Jefsey, his heirs, executors or administrators, on or before 25 March next, conveyed to Samuel Jefsey, for the use and benefit of the Honourable Company, the house or messuage and land, with the appurtenances, rights and privileges belonging to it, in as full and ample a manner as Thomas Southern, or any person claiming under him, might or could. Jefsey held the house, messuage and land, to him, his heirs and assigns for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit.

The Governor and Council, for and on behalf of the Honourable Company and its successors, covenanted that Samuel Jefsey, his heirs, executors and administrators, might at all times afterwards hold the parcel, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or demand, from any person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation the Honourable Company set its seal.

Interpretations

The instrument records the council seizing and selling a debtor's property to recover a Company debt. Thomas Southern had departed the island owing £138 18s 2d 3 farthings, a sum that grew through the support of his wife and children. The council ordered the seizure of his house and land, exposed the property to public sale, and conveyed it to the highest bidder, converting the debtor's estate into cash for the discharge of the obligation.

The widow's refusal to acknowledge the debt drove the council to formal seizure. Sarah Southern had repeatedly denied any sum owing to the Company when the debt was demanded of her, as recorded across several consultations including that of 28 August. The denial forced the council to act through its institutional power over the property rather than through voluntary payment, using the public auction as the mechanism to satisfy the charge against an uncooperative holder.

The parcel sat among established James Valley holdings whose names anchor it within the documented urban fabric. The house had formerly belonged to the orphans of Samuel Maxwell, the documented corporal whose children were confirmed in Sandy Bay ground on 4 August 1713. The adjoining land of Mary Conaway, the documented Dogwood Valley widow who sold the Conway's Wash Yard parcel in April 1715, and the dwelling of Marston Robinson fixed the property against neighbouring holders within the outermost part of the valley.

Speculations

The public auction solved the problem of recovering a debt from a holder who had left the island and a widow who refused to pay. With Thomas Southern absent and Sarah Southern denying the obligation, the Company could not collect through ordinary demand. The council converted the seizure into a sale, fixing the price at the auction bid and securing payment from Samuel Jefsey by 25 March next, so that the debt was discharged from the proceeds rather than from the reluctant family.

39

23

[Lower central portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower middle of the column.] §

Do for and on the behalf of the Honble Company Lords

Proprietors of this Island hereunto Set our hand & Affix

their Common Seal this twentyfifth day of September Anno Domini

1722

Edw Johnson

Edwd Byfield

Jno Alexander

Wm Goodwin

Know all men by these Presents That I Thomas Allis of the

Island St Helena freeplanter for and in Consideration of the Sume

of Five Pounds in good & Currant money of this Island to me in

hand Paid by John Worrall of the Said Island before the Insealing and

Delivery hereof the Receipt of which I do hereby Acknowledge & in my Self

therewith to be fully Satisfyed & Paid Have and Do by these Presents

Bargaine Sell and Deliver Unto the Said John Worrall One Half

of a Dwelling House Scituate in James Valley with all the Appurte-

nances thereunto belonging and which Said Half House & with the other

Half House was given unto the Said Thomas Allis & John Worrall

by Thomas Allis Sen Dec as in his Last Will & Testam may more

fully Appear To Have & to Hold the Said Half of the Said House unto

him the Said John Worrall and his Heirs for Ever to do and Dispose

of as He they or Either of them Shall think fitt And the Said Thomas

Allis doth for me my Heirs Exec [...] Admr Covenant and agree to &

with the Said John Worrall his Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns

that He they or Either of them Shall and may from time to time &

at all times hereafter Have Hold Occupie Posses and Enjoy the &

hereby Bargained Premisses without any Manner of Interruption

or Mollestation of me the Said Thomas Allis or my Heirs &c

or any other Person or Persons whatsoever In Witness whereof

I have hereunto Sett my Hand & Seale this 3 day of Septr 1722

Thomas Allis

Signd Seald & Deliverd

in the Presence of

Jno Alexander

the Mark of

Thomas & Clee

Know all men by these Presents that I John Worrall of the

Island St Helena free planter [...] Consideration of the Sume of Five & forty

Pounds in good and Currant [...] Said Island to me in hand Paid

by Thomas Clee of the [...] the Insealing & Delivery hereof the

Receipt of which I do [...] and in my Self therewith to be

fully Satisfaction [...] Have & give granted Bargained & Sold

and do by these Presents [...] give grant Bargaine Sell

and Deliver unto [...] Heirs for Ever two

Dwelling Houses [...] one & other [...] was

formerly in [...] John Clavering

Thos Allis Bill of Sale

to Jno Worrall for half

a House

Jno Worralls Bill of Sale

to Clee for two

Houses §

In confirmation of the conveyance for and on behalf of the Honourable Company, the Lords Proprietors of the island, the seal was set as the common seal on 25 September in the year of our Lord 1722. Edward Johnson, Edward Pyke, John Alexander and John Goodwin signed.

A further instrument followed. Thomas Allis of the island of St Helena, free planter, acknowledged receipt of £5 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by John Worrall of the island, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed. He confirmed himself fully satisfied and paid. For that sum, Allis bargained, sold and delivered to John Worrall one half of a dwelling house in James Valley, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, and which had formerly passed to Thomas Allis from the will of Thomas Allis senior, deceased, as appeared at large by the last will and testament. He conveyed the half of the house to John Worrall, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

Thomas Allis, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Worrall, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that Worrall and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel bargained before, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Thomas Allis, his heirs, or any other person of any kind. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 3 a day in the year of our Lord 1722.

Thomas Allis signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Alexander, and concerned the half of the house of Thomas and Cleve.

A further instrument followed. John Worrall of the island of St Helena, free planter, in consideration of a sum in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Thomas Cleve of the island, free planter, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, confirmed himself fully satisfied. For that sum, Worrall bargained, sold and delivered to Thomas Cleve, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, a dwelling house, with his own share, formerly in the possession of John Clavering.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Company's purchase of Thomas Southern's seized property, sealed under the common seal on 25 September 1722. The signatories Edward Johnson, Edward Pyke, John Alexander and John Goodwin formed the council quorum confirming the conveyance for the Lords Proprietors. The instrument closed the recovery of the Company debt through the sale of the seized house and land.

The second instrument records the sale of half a James Valley dwelling for a modest £5 0s 0d. Thomas Allis conveyed the half-share to John Worrall, the property having reached him through the will of Thomas Allis senior, the documented Deep Valley estate-builder who died between the morning and afternoon instruments of 4 August 1713. The low price reflects the partial interest conveyed, a single half-share rather than a whole dwelling.

The third instrument carried a further dwelling, with Worrall's own share, from John Worrall to Thomas Cleve. The house had formerly been in the possession of John Clavering, the documented gunner's mate who acquired Chapel Valley property across 1707 to 1709. The chain of half-shares and dwellings passing between Allis, Worrall and Cleve marks the active subdivision and transfer of urban property within the James Valley fabric, with the same Cleve family appearing in the documented rebuilding and sale of the James Valley house to James Greentree in June 1715.

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and the other House formerly Thomas Allis Dec who by his last

Will and Testament bequeathed the same in Equall Parts between his

Son Thomas Allis Jun and the Said John Worrall in whose Possession

the whole House now is the hereinby Purchasd the Said Thos Allis

Jun part therein as in and by a Bill of Sale bearing Even date

herewith may more fully Appear together with all & Singular

the Appurtenances thereunto belonging of what Nature kind or quality

Soever To have and to Hold the Said Hereby Bargained

two Dwelling Houses and Appurtenances thereunto belonging

unto him the Said Thomas Clee and his Heirs for ever to do

and Dispose of as He they or Either of them Shall think fitt

And the Said John Worrall Do for me my Heirs Exec & Admr

Admr & Every of them & their Heirs hereby further Covenant

and agree to & with the Said Thomas Clee his Heirs Exec &

Admr & Assigns that He they or either of them Shall and may

from time to time and at all times hereafter Have Hold Occupie

Posses and Quietly Enjoy the Said hereby Bargained two Houses

and all the Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise

Appurtaining as aforesd without any manner of Interruption

Mollestation Eviction or Contradiction of me the Said John Worrall

or my Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns or any other Person or

Persons by my means Consent or Procurent any thing to the

Contrary herein Notwithstanding In Witness whereof I have

hereunto Sett my hand and Seale this third day of September

Anno Domini 1722

John Worrall

Signd Seald & Delivd

[...]

Know all men by these Presents that I John

[...] planter for and in Consideration of the Sume

[...] Currant Money of this Island to me in hand

[...] and Delivery hereof by Joseph Bates Carpr & at or

[...] hereby Acknowledge & in my Self therewith to be

[...] tented & Paid Have and Do by these Presents Bargaine

[...] Deliver unto the Said Joseph Bates his Heirs Exec &

[...] All & Singular my Right Title Interest or Claim

[...] Acres of Land with the Provisions thereon

[...] in Right & Naturall Life of my Mother Anne

[...] to Bates his Heirs Exec & Admr or

[...] time after the Decease of the Said

[...] the Provisions but Lyenally

[...] and §

The other house had formerly been Thomas Allis's, deceased, who by his last will and testament bequeathed it in equal parts between his son Thomas Allis junior and John Worrall, in whose possession the whole house then was. Thomas Allis junior held his part, as appeared by the bill of sale of even date with the deed. The grant carried all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. John Worrall held the two dwelling houses and appurtenances, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

John Worrall, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with Thomas Cleve, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that Cleve and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the two dwelling houses bargained before and all the appurtenances belonging to them, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from John Worrall, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 3 a day in September in the year of our Lord 1722.

John Worrall signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered.

A further instrument followed. John Bates, in consideration of a sum paid in hand by Joseph Bates, corporal, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, confirmed himself fully satisfied. For that sum, Bates bargained, sold and delivered to Joseph Bates, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title, interest and claim in a parcel of land, with the provisions on it, which he held in right of his wife during her natural life, formerly his mother's. After the death of [...] the parcel and the provisions on it were to pass, with the appurtenances.

Interpretations

The instrument completed the chain of half-shares in the two James Valley dwellings. The house formerly Thomas Allis's, deceased, had been split by his will between his son Thomas Allis junior and John Worrall, who held the whole in possession. Worrall conveyed the two dwellings and their appurtenances to Thomas Cleve, gathering the divided shares into a single transfer. The same Cleve family appears across the documented James Valley records, with Richard Cleve selling a rebuilt house to James Greentree in June 1715.

The estate descended through the will of Thomas Allis senior into divided family shares. The documented Deep Valley estate-builder, who died between the morning and afternoon instruments of 4 August 1713, left the house in equal parts between his son and John Worrall. The arrangement created an undivided interest that passed through successive conveyances until consolidated in Cleve's hands, with the bill of sale of even date carrying the son's part alongside Worrall's own share.

The final instrument records a conveyance of land held through marriage during a wife's life. John Bates conveyed to Joseph Bates his interest in a parcel held in right of his wife for her natural life, formerly his mother's. The land was to pass with its provisions on the death of the life-holder. The same Joseph Bates appears as the corporal who acquired a share of the Harding Sandy Bay estate in right of his wife Sarah in 1720, marking the continuing pattern of land passing through marriage and inheritance within the family.

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and more Particularly at the End and Expiration of two Years

afterwards at the furthest To have & to Hold the Said two

Acres of Cabbagetree Land and Appurtenances thereunto belonging

Lying & Scituate under Dianas Peak next to Sandy Bay & Adjoyning

to the Lands of James Draper & James Ryder unto him the Said

Joseph Bates his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns for & During

the Naturall Life of the Said Ann Slaughter as aforesd & then the

above Mentioned for taking out the Provisions And the Said

John Harding Do for me my Self my Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns

hereby further Covenant and agree to and with the Said Joseph

Bates his Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns that He they or

Either of them Shall and may from time to time and at all

times hereafter Have Hold Occupie Posses & Enjoy the Said

hereby Bargained Premisses During the time aforesd without

any manner of Interruption Mollestation or Disturbance of me

the Said John Harding or my Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns

or any other Person or Persons by my means Consent or Procure-

ment and against all Persons Claim Do warrant to Save &

keep Harmless the Said Joseph Bates or his Heirs Exec &

Admr or Assigns or any other Person or Persons whatsoever

In Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand and

Seale this Eleventh day of October Anno Domini 1722

John Harding

Signd Seald &

Delivered in the Presence of

Richard Harding

James Harding

Memorandum [...]

have assigned [...]

& within named [...]

Widdow to hol [...]

Witness whereof [...]

and y date this [...]

Witnessed

Wm Coulthirst [...]

Saml Jefseys Assignmt to

Sarah Southern §

The conveyance carried the parcel at the end and expiration of two years afterwards, at the furthest. John Harding held the 2 acres of cabbage tree land and appurtenances belonging to it, lying near Diana's Peak next to Sandy Bay, adjoining the lands of James Draper and James Rider, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. The grant passed to Joseph Bates, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, during the natural life of Ann Slaughter, as set out before, with the right to take the provisions on it.

John Harding, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with Joseph Bates, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that Bates and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel bargained before, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from John Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. He warranted himself bound to defend the parcel against all claims, and to keep Joseph Bates, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person, harmless. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 11 October in the year of our Lord 1722.

John Harding signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Richard Harding and James Harding.

A memorandum recorded an assignment of Joseph Bates to Sarah Johnson. The parties had agreed, and a widow named in the instrument was to hold the parcel. The witnesses set out before attested it, with the bill of sale of even date. John Coulthred witnessed.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a two-acre cabbage tree parcel from John Harding to Joseph Bates, contingent on a life interest. Harding granted the ground near Diana's Peak, with its provisions, to Bates during the natural life of Ann Slaughter, so the holding ran for the duration of her life rather than outright. The arrangement tied the parcel's tenure to a named life, with the buyer taking the benefit while that life continued.

The parcel sat among established holdings whose names anchor it within the documented Sandy Bay records. The land adjoined the parcels of James Draper and James Rider, both documented holders confirmed across the 4 August 1713 sitting, fixing the ground against neighbouring estates. The byname Diana's Peak fixed the location through a named feature, consistent with the Diana's Geak rendering in the Benjamin Greentree records.

The closing memorandum records a further assignment of the parcel from Joseph Bates to Sarah Johnson. The same John Harding appears across the documented Harding family transactions, gathering the divided shares of the Sandy Bay estate through the 1720 conveyances. The witnesses Richard Harding and James Harding, both family members, attended the conveyance, placing it within the established circle of Harding family dealings.

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Know all men by these Presents that I Joseph Bates of

the Island St Helena Corporall By Vertue of a Bill of Sale or

One Certain Writing bearing date the 11 day of Octr last past

Signd & Seald in due form & Manner by John Harding of

the Said Island planter as well for and in Consideration of

the Sume of Twenty Six Pounds in good & Currant money

of the Said Island to be well and truly Paid by Arthur

Bradley of the Said Island planter in manner & form

following (that is to Say) thirteen Pounds thereof in or upon

the 2 day of March next Ensuing the date of these Presents and

thirteen Pounds more (which Compleats the whole Payment)

to be paid in like manner at or upon the 2 Day of September

next after that which will be in the Year 1723 Do and have

by these Presents Absolutely & firmly Alienate Bargaine Sell

& Deliver unto the Said Arthur Bradley his Heirs Executors

Admr or Assignes All & Singular that Piece or Parcell of Land

Containing two Acres of Cabbagetree together with the

Provisions and all other the Appurtenances thereunto belonging

for and During all the time & Space of the Naturall Life of

Anne the wife of Pinque William Slaughter Lying Scituate &

being under Dianas Peak and next Adjoyning to the Lands and

now in Possession of the Said William Slaughter James Draper

& Dennis Ryder in Sandy bay To have & to Hold the

hereby Bargained two Acres of Cabbagetree Land & all

the Appurtenances thereunto belonging unto him the Said

Bradley his Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns as aforesaid

& During the Naturall Life of the beforenamed Anne

[...] and two Years after Her Decease for taking out & only

[...] the leave to Dispose & take out the Said Provisions During

[...] time And further Covenanted & agreed by Bates aforesd

[...] Bates and the Said Arthur Bradley that Bates

[...] Bradley his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns

[...] Either of them Shall have Hold Occupie Posses

[...] said have Mentioned two Acres of

[...] thereof the Provisions and all other

[...] thereunto belonging of what Nature kind

[...] and Repairing all the time aforesd

[...] & watering and Manuring the

[...] then §

Joseph Bates of the island of St Helena, corporal, by virtue of a bill of sale or one certain writing dated 11 October last past, signed and sealed in due form by John Harding of the island, planter, in consideration of the sum of £26 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, to be truly paid by Arthur Bradley of the island, planter, in the manner following. Of that sum, £13 0s 0d was to be paid on or upon 25 March next, and £13 0s 0d more, which completed the whole payment, was to be paid in like manner on or upon 25 September next after, which would be in the year 1723.

For that sum, Bates absolutely and firmly bargained, sold and delivered to Arthur Bradley, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all the parcel of land containing 2 acres of cabbage tree, together with the provisions and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, during the natural life of Ann, the wife of Pinque William Slaughter. The parcel lay under Diana's Peak, next to and adjoining the lands then in the possession of William Slaughter, James Draper and Dennis Rider, in Sandy Bay.

Bradley held the 2 acres of cabbage tree land and all the appurtenances belonging to it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, during the natural life of the before-named Ann. He held the land and the provisions on it for two years after her death, and then was to take out the provisions during the term. Bates, for himself, covenanted and agreed with Arthur Bradley, his heirs, executors and administrators, that Bradley and his successors might at all times afterwards hold, occupy and possess the parcel mentioned before, the 2 acres of cabbage tree land, with the provisions and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, and keep it in repair all the time, fenced and enclosed, and maintain the same.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed the two-acre cabbage tree parcel onward from Joseph Bates to Arthur Bradley, carrying forward the life interest established in the earlier instrument. Bates, having taken the parcel from John Harding by the bill of sale of 11 October 1722, sold it to Bradley during the natural life of Ann, wife of William Slaughter. The chain of conveyances passed the same ground through successive hands while the named life continued.

The price of £26 0s 0d was structured in two equal instalments tied to the half-year rent dates. Bradley was to pay £13 0s 0d on 25 March next and £13 0s 0d on 25 September following, completing the sum in 1723. The arrangement spread the payment across the Lady Day and Michaelmas terms, aligning the buyer's obligation with the standard quarter days.

The parcel sat among established Sandy Bay holdings whose names anchor it within the documented records. The land adjoined the parcels of William Slaughter, James Draper and Dennis Rider, all documented holders confirmed across the 4 August 1713 sitting, fixing the ground against neighbouring estates. The same Arthur Bradley appears across the documented records, receiving the 1719 lease of Seyloss Ground adjoining his existing free land. The byname Diana's Peak fixed the location through a named feature.

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Said two Acres of Cabbagetree Land or any Part thereof as

He they or Either of them Shall think fitt without any Man-

ner of Interruption Mollestation or disturbance of me the Said

Joseph Bates or my Heirs Exec & or Admr or any other

Person or Persons Whatsoever by my means Consent or

Procurent and against all Lawfull manner of Persons Claim

or unlawfull demands to the within Mentioned Premisses

or any Part thereof Do hereby Warrant to Save and keep

Harmless the Said Arthur Bradley and his Heirs &c

for and During all the time & Space aforesaid In

Witness whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand and

Seale this 31 day of December Anno Domini 1722

Joseph Bates

Signd Seald & Delivd

in the Presence of

Mary Jewry

Jno Alexander §

The conveyance bound the parties concerning the 2 acres of cabbage tree land, or any part of it, that Joseph Bates and his successors might hold without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Joseph Bates, his heirs, executors, administrators, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. Bates warranted himself bound to defend the parcel against all claims and unlawful demands concerning the ground mentioned before, or any part of it, and to keep Arthur Bradley and his heirs harmless for and during all the time and term set out before. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 31 December in the year of our Lord 1722.

Joseph Bates signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Mary Gregory and John Alexander.

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This Indenture made the Eighth Day of February in the Year of Our

Lord 1722 and in the Ninth Year of the Reign of Our Sovereign Lord King

George &c & between Pippin Wills of the Island St Helena Free hholder of the

one part & John Desfountain Corporall & Inhabitant of the other part

Witnesseth That for & in Consideration that the Said John Desfountain

hath Married one Jean Jones (Aliened Mary the Eldest Daughter of Wm

John Alexander & Grand Daughter to him the Said Pippin Wills & by her

hath Issue Male & to the Intent to better provide & Establish Johns

Continuity of Living & livelyhood to be had & Enjoyed by them or each of them

during their Naturall Lives as well for the great Love & affection the

Said Pippin Wills beareth to the Said Mary the present Wife of the beforenamed

John Desfountain so together with other weighty Considerations him thereunto

Specially moveing & to the Intent as Confirms that the & Sume of Land

Tenements & all other the Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any

wise appurtaining & hereafter mentioned (now in the Occupation of the Said

Pippin Wills Thereof) may be Continued in the Stock & Lineally hereof on this

Island of him the Said Pippin Wills Hath freely & of his own boluntary Will &

Accord & absolutely given granted & Confirmed & by these Presents doth freely

& absolutely give grant & Confirm unto the Said John Desfountain & Mary

Desfountain his Wife & the longest Liver of them or either of them & to the

Heirs of their Bodye Male & Female lawfully begotten or to be begotten of

the body of the Said Mary & then Jean William Slaughter that Mansion

House or Messuage wherein the Said Pippin Wills now dwelleth Forty Acres of

Pippin Wills & Pasture Land with the Provisions now growing thereon or may

be hereafter growing with all other the Appurtenances thereunto belonging lying

Scituate & being near the head of two Branches of Pasture Valley in the South

Division of the Said Island also one Black Man Slave named Dick One

Calfe heath Black & one Small Cow Calfe with all the furniture belonging to

each of them & one Clock or Dyalwoo St Helena AND To Hold the aforesd

Mansion House Forty Acres of Land with the Provisions Standing thereon One

Black Man Slave & Bidding with all & Singular other the Premisses with their

being of this Appurtenances unto the beforenamed John Desfountain & Mary

Desfountain his Wife their Heirs & Assigns or to the longest Liver of them or either

of them as aforesaid to this End Enhancing Intent Construction & Purpose

That He the Said John Desfountain & He they the Said John Desfountain &

Mary Desfountain & their Lawfull Heirs as Mentioned of them & begotten or to be

begotten of the Body of the Said Mary his present Wife & he Shall from henceforth

Stand & be Seized of the Said Mansion & Messuage House & all other the abovesd

mentioned Premisses & every Part & Parcell thereof to the Use Intent & Purpose

hereafter in these Presents Limited & Declared & to no other Use Intent or Purpose

whatsoever that to Say to the Use & behoof of the Said John Desfountain & Mary

Desfountain for & during their Naturall Lives & the Use of the Body of the Said

Desfountain present Wife of the Said John Desfountain Lawfully begotten

[...] begotten to the Survivors of either & either of them & Issue of Female Male &

[...] after the Decease of the Said John Desfountain & Mary Desfountain then Default

[...] of such Issue the Said Messuage House Land & Provisions & Immediately

[...] of Such Issue then to the Heir & in Use of the next right & Lawfull Heire or

[...] after to Henceforth Inhabiting the Said Island & longer provided

[...] behave of the Said Pippin Wills lying & between the Said & Parties to these present provisos

[...] it is hereby Covenanted & agreed by & between the Said Parties to these present provisos

[...] cipally Concerned that he the Said John Desfountain Shall from time to time during

[...] give & provide unto & for the Said Pippin Wills & his & for

[...] Naturall Life & find give & provide unto the Said William Slaughter

[...] both lodging at every one of them & to & timely with a Competent Sufficient

[...] Convenient Meat Drink House Room & lying within the Said Mansion House

[...] with all other Necessarys Commonly used for the Support & Maintenance of the §

This indenture was made on 8 February in the year of our Lord 1722, in the ninth year of the reign of the sovereign King George, between Ripin Wills of the island of St Helena, freeholder, of the one part, and John Defountaine, corporal and inhabitant of the island, of the other part.

The indenture set out that, in consideration that John Defountaine had some time earlier married Mary, the eldest daughter of John Alexander and granddaughter of Ripin Wills, and by her had issue male, and to the intent to better provide for and establish a settlement of living and livelihood to be held and enjoyed by them or each of them during their natural lives, and for the great love and affection that Ripin Wills bore to the said Mary, the present wife of the before-named John Defountaine, together with other weighty considerations, in consideration of the sum of £10 0s 0d, paid in hand. The grant carried the transfer of land, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, then in the occupation of Ripin Wills, which had been contained in the stock-lands hired on the island.

Ripin Wills freely, of his own voluntary will, and absolutely, gave, granted and confirmed to John Defountaine and Mary Defountaine, his wife, for the longest liver of them, or either of them, and to the heirs of their body, male or female, lawfully begotten or to be begotten of the body of the said Mary and her issue. The grant carried all the messuage house or messuage in which Ripin Wills then dwelt, 40 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land, with the provisions then growing on it, and all the appurtenances belonging to it, lying at or near the head of two branches of a valley in both divisions of the island, also one Black slave man named Dick, one Cole, the heifer, and one small ox, together with all the furniture belonging to it, of each of them, and one Black ox of Draco. The grant carried the messuage house, 40 acres of land, the provisions standing on it, the Black slave man, the cattle, and all the singular appurtenances, and every part of them, to John Defountaine and Mary Defountaine, his wife, and to the longest liver of them, or either of them, against all claim, challenge, interest, construction or purpose.

The indenture provided that John Defountaine and Mary Defountaine, his wife, and the heirs of their body lawfully begotten or to be begotten, were to hold the messuage house, the 40 acres of land, the provisions, the slave, the cattle and all the other appurtenances mentioned before, against any other claim, interest or purpose, and for the use and benefit of John Defountaine and Mary Defountaine. The land was to descend, after the death of the longest liver, to the heir lawfully begotten or to be begotten, then to the survivors. The provision tied the descent of the estate to the issue of John and Mary Defountaine.

Ripin Wills covenanted, by John Defountaine and Mary Defountaine, that he had given the parcel for the use of the said Ripin Wills and his wife, that he would provide them, during their natural lives, with a competent and sufficient maintenance, and would keep up the dwelling house in good repair, and supply them with meat, drink, house and lodging, and all the other necessaries commonly used for the support and maintenance of the kind.

Interpretations

The indenture established a family settlement of an entire estate tied to a marriage and the descent of its issue. Ripin Wills conveyed his dwelling house, 40 acres of land, the standing provisions, a slave and cattle to his granddaughter Mary and her husband John Defountaine, with the land entailed on the heirs of their body. The structure controlled the descent of the whole estate across the marriage, passing it to the longest liver and then to their lawful issue.

The grant ran in exchange for a maintenance obligation rather than a market price. The nominal £10 0s 0d masked the substance of the arrangement, by which Ripin Wills retained a competent maintenance for himself and his wife during their lives, with the couple bound to provide meat, drink, house, lodging and all necessaries. The transfer converted the estate into a self-funded provision for the elderly grantor, securing his support in exchange for the eventual descent of the property.

The estate combined land, an urban dwelling, a slave and livestock as a single inheritable unit. The 40 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood, the messuage house, the slave Dick, the heifer Cole and the cattle passed together to the married couple. The same Ripin Wills appears across the documented records as a substantial Fishers Valley accumulator confirmed in 50 acres on 4 August 1713, with the marriage linking his line to the documented Alexander family through his granddaughter Mary, daughter of John Alexander.

Speculations

The maintenance covenant solved the problem of securing an elderly couple's support while directing their estate to the next generation. Rather than retaining the land and risking it passing by intestacy or dispute, Ripin Wills conveyed the whole estate during his lifetime in exchange for a binding obligation to maintain him and his wife. The arrangement gave greater certainty than a will subject to probate, fixing both the support and the descent in a single instrument tied to the marriage of his granddaughter.

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of the Said Family in their ordinary & usuall way of living & also to pay

unto the Honble Company yearly & every year during his Naturall Life

all Such Sum & Sume of money as may become due to them on all Accounts

whatsoever accruing or any way Arising from or by Reason of the Said

herein Rented Estate as their Chief Rents & Revenues or other Service as

being absolute Lords Proprietors of the Said Island any thing to the

Contrary in these presents Notwithstanding In Witness whereof

both Parties have interchangably hereunto Set their Hands & Seale

the Day & Year first abovewritten

Pippin Wills

Signd Seald & Delivered to each other

for the Uses therein Contained

In the presence of

Thos Alexander

Isaac Wood

Saml Jefsey

June 25th 1722

Know all Men by these Presents that I Mary Swallow Maiden

for Deceasd & for in Consideration of the Sum of Sixty Pounds of currant

Money to me in hand paid by Richard Swallow Jun & planter of St Helena

whereof I do Acknowledge my Self therewith fully & Intirely Satisfyed

Have bargained Sold Set over and Delivered Ten Acres of free Land given

me by my brother Will to have & to hold to him the Said Richard Swallow his

full Heirs forever without fraud or Deceit In the Year of Our Lord One

thousand Seven Hundred and twenty three

Mary Swallow

Signd Sealed & Delivered

in the presence of

Joseph Bates

John Swallow

Know all Men by these Presents that I Michael

Swallow of the Island St Helena Esqr & Relict for me

of the Sum of Twenty Pounds in good & Currant money

by Richard Beale free holder of the Said Island had

and Delivered unto the Said Richard Beale

by Affirmation two Acres (be it more or less) Adjoyning unto the Said

Pickle Plantation and do freely give my Self my Heirs Exec & Admr

and Assigns for ever Quitt Claim Right Title or Intrest that I now have

unto the Said Land Unto the Said Within Recited & Premisses Exec & Admr

nispators and assigns forever to Have hold & enjoy Occupie & enjoy the same

quietly naturall only let or Mollestation In Witness whereof I have hereunto

Set my hand & Seale this fourteenth Day of Julyn in the Year of Our Lord

God One thousand Seven Hundred & twenty three

Richard Swallow Jun

Mary Swallows Bill of Sale

to Richd Swallow for 10

Acres Land

Richd Swallows Bill of

Sale to Richd Beale for

2 Acres land

Signd Sealed & Delivered

in the presence of the

Richd Garling

Jno Hodgkinson §

The indenture bound John and Mary Defountaine to maintain the family in their ordinary way of living, and to pay to the Honourable Company yearly, every year during the natural life of Ripin Wills, all such sum or sums of money as became due to them on all accounts of any kind, arising in any way by reason of the holding of the land and estate, as their chief rents and revenues, or other income, the Lords Proprietors of the island being the absolute holders, against anything to the contrary in the deed. In confirmation both parties set their hands and seals on the day and year set out before.

Ripin Wills signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered to each other, for the use set out before, in the presence of John Alexander, Isaac Wood and Samuel Jefsey.

A further instrument followed, dated 25 June 1723. Mary Swallow, widow, in consideration of the sum of £60 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Richard Swallow of the island, of which she acknowledged herself fully and entirely satisfied, bargained, sold, set over and delivered 10 acres of free land, which had come to her by the will of her husband Richard Swallow, to Richard Swallow, his heirs and assigns, to hold for ever, without fraud or deceit. The deed was dated in the year of our Lord 1723.

Mary Swallow signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Joseph Bates and John Swallow.

A further instrument followed. Michael Swallow of the island of St Helena, free planter and relict, in consideration of the sum of £20 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Richard Beale of the island, of which he stood satisfied, bargained, sold and delivered to Richard Beale the parcel of land. It contained 2 acres or more by measurement, with the dwelling house and plantation, adjoining the land of another holder. Michael Swallow conveyed all his right, title, interest and property in the parcel, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, and quit-claimed his right in the land. He held the parcel until the deed, against any claim or interest that anyone might make. He conveyed his interest to Richard Beale, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to hold quietly and peaceably, without any trouble or hindrance. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 14 a day in June in the year of our Lord 1723.

Richard Swallow signed.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Ripin Wills family settlement, binding the married couple to discharge the Company's rents during the grantor's life. John and Mary Defountaine took on the chief rents and revenues owed to the Lords Proprietors, holding the estate subject to the continuing obligation to the Company. The witnesses John Alexander, Isaac Wood and Samuel Jefsey all feature across the documented records, with Alexander the father of the bride Mary Defountaine.

The second instrument records a widow selling inherited land to a Swallow kinsman. Mary Swallow conveyed 10 acres of free land, which she held under her late husband Richard Swallow's will, to Richard Swallow for £60 0s 0d. The same Mary Swallow appears in the related 1721 conveyances, having sold the 17-acre Swallow holding to John Harding. The transaction passed the inherited land within the Swallow family line.

The third instrument carries a two-acre parcel with its dwelling house and plantation from Michael Swallow to Richard Beale for £20 0s 0d. The conveyance gathered the land, the house and the standing plantation into a single transfer, securing the buyer a productive holding. The same Richard Beale appears across the documented records as the holder who sold Taylor's Land and adjoining ground to Gabriel Powell in 1721, marking his continuing activity in the island's property dealings.

46

30

[Lower left portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower left and foot of the column.] §

To all Christian People to whom these Presents

Shall come Know Ye that Whereas Leonard Coulson late of this

Island St Helena Esqr Planter Deceasd Did by his last Will &

Testament bearing Date the 4th Day of March 1766 Give &

bequeath among other Legacies unto his Son John Coulson

One Messuage or dwelling House with Ten Acres of Land lying

Scituate at or near the Head of Chappell Valley & for inasmuch as

the Said John Coulson being Since Dead the Said House & Ten

Acres of Land the Said House & Ten Acres of Land fell to

Lawfully became the Surviving only Sister Mary Coulson Daughter

the two Third Parts of his Personall Estate as in & by the Said

deceasd Leonard Coulson last Will & Testament (Relation

being thereunto had may more fully & at large appear And

Whereas the abovenamed Island Coulson being now Married to

Captain Robert Atkins Gentleman & Passenger in board the

ship Lawson now lying in the Road & bound for England the

Said House & Lands Lawfully descends unto him the Said Robt

Atking in Right of the Said Island the present Wife & Relict are

now Know Yee that We the Said Robert Atking & Mary

Atking his Wife for & in Consideration of the Sume of fifty

Pounds of good & currant money of this Island to Us in hand

Paid by Jonathan Daveton of the Said Island freeholder before

the Insealing & Delivery hereof the receipt whereof We do hereby

acknowledge & in our Selves & therewith fully Satisfyed Contented

& Paid HAVE Bargained Sold assigned transferrd assigned

assigned & Set over and by these Presents Do fully & absolutely assign

assign transferr release assign & Set over unto the beforenamed

Jonathan Daveton All that aforesaid Messuage or dwelling

House with the Ten Acres of Land hereinbefore mentioned with all

& Singular the appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise

appurtaining To HAVE & to HOLD the aforesaid House

Ten Acres of Land & appurtenances unto him the aforesaid Jonathan

Daveton his Executors Administrators & Assigns forever as

aforesaid to do & Dispose of as he they or either of them Shall

think fitt And We the Said before mentioned Robert Atking &

Mary his Wife Doe as well for our Selves as our & either of our

[...] tate Administrators & either of them to Covenant &

[...] Said Jonathan Daveton his Heirs & assigns

[...] ments to time & at all time hereafter Have

[...] & quietly enjoy the aforesaid herein

[...] all other the appurtenances thereunto

[...] and in & quietly woron & without any

[...] Mollestation of from by or under any

[...] by Our or either of Our Marks

[...] & against all Persons whatsoever

[...] Caution

Robert & Mary

Atkins Bill of Sale

to Jona Daveton for

10 Acres of Land &

One House &c §

Leonard Coulson, late of the island of St Helena, planter, deceased, by his last will and testament dated 9 March 1706, gave and bequeathed, among other legacies, to his son John Coulson, one messuage or dwelling house with 10 acres of land, lying at or near the head of Chapel Valley, in and adjoining the parcel of John Coulson, then the dwelling house and 10 acres of land. The house and the 10 acres fell lawfully to the surviving daughter, Sister Mary Coulson, daughter of the deceased Leonard Coulson, who took the two third parts of his land and estate, as set out in the last will and testament of the deceased Leonard Coulson, as appeared at large by the relation of that instrument.

The before-named Mary Coulson had since married Captain Robert Atkins, gentleman and passenger on board a ship, then lying in the road, bound for England. The house and land lawfully descended to her, and so to Robert Atkins in right of his wife. By the present deed, Robert Atkins and Mary, his wife, in consideration of the sum of £50 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Jonathan Doveton before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which they acknowledged themselves fully satisfied, bargained, sold, assigned and transferred to Jonathan Doveton, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all the messuage or dwelling house with the 10 acres of land mentioned before, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. They held the house, the 10 acres of land and the appurtenances to Jonathan Doveton, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit.

Robert Atkins and Mary, his wife, covenanted, for themselves and either of them, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, with Jonathan Doveton, his heirs and assigns, that Doveton and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly enjoy the house, the 10 acres of land and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Robert Atkins and Mary, his wife, or either of them, their heirs, or any other person of any kind, and against all persons.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a daughter's inherited holding into Jonathan Doveton's hands as her husband prepared to leave the island. Mary Coulson held the Chapel Valley dwelling and 10 acres under her late father Leonard Coulson's will of 9 March 1706, and she and her husband Robert Atkins sold it to Doveton for £50 0s 0d. The transaction converted the inherited land into cash before the couple's departure.

The husband's status as a passenger bound for England shaped the timing and structure of the sale. Robert Atkins, a gentleman and passenger on a ship then lying in the road, held the land in right of his wife and sold it before sailing. The joinder of both spouses, with Mary releasing her own inherited interest, secured the conveyance against any later claim once the couple had left the island and could not easily be recalled.

The estate descended through the will of Leonard Coulson, the documented holder whose family cluster appears across the records. The deceased Leonard Coulson, father of John Leonard Coulson and husband of the Widow Coulson, left the house and 10 acres at the head of Chapel Valley to pass through his children. The buyer Jonathan Doveton appears as the substantial freeholder whose estate reached 140 acres through the documented confirmations and onward purchases, here extending his holdings through the Coulson parcel.

Speculations

The same-day sale to Jonathan Doveton solved the problem of liquidating inherited land held by a couple about to leave the island. With Robert Atkins sailing for England and his wife Mary holding the Chapel Valley parcel by descent, the land could not be retained or managed from abroad. The conveyance converted the holding into £50 0s 0d before departure, with both spouses joining to release every interest so that no claim could be raised against Doveton once the ship had sailed.

47

31

[Lower right portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower right of the column.] §

Claiming or to Claim by from or under Us or either of Us Doe

Warrant to Save Defend keep harmless & Indemnifye the Said

Jonathan Daveton his Heirs & assigns for ever In Witness

Wee the Said Robert Atking & Mary Atking have hereunto Set

Our Hands & Seale this third Day of August 1723

Robt Arking

Mary Arking

Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of

Samuel Daveton

Wm Coulthred & Cofr

Island St Helena

To all People to whome these Presents

Shall come Capt John Goodwin of the Said Island

Gentleman and fourth in Council Seideth Greeting

Whereas George Carne late of the Said Island Planter

Deceasd by Bond or Obligation under his hand and

Seale Dated the 14th Day of February 1713 became

bound unto him the Said Jno Goodwin in the penall

Sume of 1200 with Condition thereunder written

for the payment of the Sume of Six Hundred

pounds in manner therein mentioned Arm and

by the recited Bond or Obligation and Condition

relation being thereunto had may more fully &

at large appear Now Know Yee that I the

Said Jno Goodwin for diverse good Cause &

Considerations me thereunto moveing Have

Remised Released and for ever quitt Claymed &

by these presents Doe fully and Absolutely

remise release and [...]

unto John Carne [...]

of George Carne [...]

Obligation an [...]

and of and [...]

pounds the [...]

George [...]

Capt Goodwins Genl

Release to John Carne §

The conveyance bound the parties against anyone claiming through Robert and Mary Atkins, who warranted themselves bound to defend, keep harmless and indemnify Jonathan Doveton, his heirs and assigns, for ever. In confirmation Robert Atkins and Mary Atkins set their hands and seals on 23 August in the year of our Lord 1723.

Robert Atkins and Mary Atkins signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Samuel Doveton, William Coulthred and another.

A further instrument followed. Captain John Goodwin of the island of St Helena, gentleman and fourth in council, addressed all people. George Carne, late of the island, planter, had bound himself by bond or obligation, under his hand and seal, dated 14 February 1713, to John Goodwin, in the penal sum of £200 0s 0d, with the condition written under it for the payment of the sum of £600 0s 0d, in the manner mentioned in it, as appeared at large by the recited bond or obligation and its condition. John Goodwin, for several good causes and considerations, freely and absolutely released and for ever quit-claimed, and by the present deed fully and absolutely released and quit-claimed to John Carne, the bond and obligation of George Carne, and the sum of £600 0s 0d mentioned in it.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Atkins conveyance of the Coulson parcel to Jonathan Doveton, sealed on 23 August 1723. The full warranty bound Robert and Mary Atkins to indemnify Doveton against any claim, securing his title before the couple's departure for England. The witnesses included Samuel Doveton, connecting the conveyance to the wider Doveton family circle.

The second instrument records John Goodwin releasing a substantial bond charged on the Carne estate. George Carne had bound himself to Goodwin by a bond of 14 February 1713 in the penal sum of £200 0s 0d, conditioned on payment of £600 0s 0d. The same bond connects to the documented February 1714 pre-marital settlement, by which George Earne bound himself to secure the Goodwin children's portions. The release discharged the obligation in favour of John Carne, extinguishing the charge.

The quit-claim ran to John Carne rather than back to the original obligor's estate. John Goodwin, the documented fourth in council and institutional purchaser of George Carne's estate at the November 1717 auction, released the bond to John Carne, marking a settlement within the connected Goodwin and Carne family network. The discharge closed off a long-standing obligation dating from the period of the documented Goodwin-Carne marriage arrangements.

48

32

[Lower left portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower left and foot of the column.] §

Further the Said Jno Goodwin for himself his Exec

Admr and Assigns Doth hereby Covent and

agree well and truly to Save defend keep harmless

and Indemnifyed the Said Either Carne his heirs

Exec & & Admr of and from the Said recited Bond or

Obligation and also of and from the Said Sume of

Six hundred pounds and every part thereof

In Witnesse whereof the Said John Goodwin hath

hereunto Sett his hand and Seale this 23 Day

of Septr 1723

Jno Goodwin

Seald & Delivered in

the Presence of

Jno Bazett

Wm Coulthred & Cofr

Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I

Jno Hanson Corporall for and in Consideration

of the Sume of fifty pounds of Lawfull money

of this Island in hand paid to mee by Rich

Mason of this Island Planter before the Sealing

hereof the receipt whereof I Doe hereby acknow-

ledge add my Self to be fully paid and Satisfyed

Have given granted Bargained Sold and Confirmed

and by these present Doe give grant bargaine Sell

and Confirme unto the Said Rich Mason One House

known by the Name of Wm Tronchois House

[...] and being in Southwarke Week &

[...] tting and bounding towards the

[...] fourteen Foot & to the Said Street

[...] upon the Hill going up Castle

[...] th adoyning to the House

[...] s deed now in the Possess

[...] Even foot Deep and

[...] Towards

Jno Hansons Bill

of Sale to Rich Mason

for a House §

John Goodwin, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed to defend, keep harmless and indemnify John Carne, his heirs, executors and administrators, against the recited bond or obligation, and against the sum of £600 0s 0d and every part of it. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 23 September in the year of our Lord 1723.

John Goodwin signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Bazett, William Coulthred and another.

A further instrument followed. John Hanson, corporal, in consideration of the sum of £8 0s 0d in good and lawful money of the island, paid in hand by Richard Mason of the island, planter, before the sealing of the deed, of which he acknowledged himself fully paid and satisfied, gave, granted, bargained, sold and confirmed to Richard Mason one house, known by the name of William Trenchard's house, lying and being in Southwark Street. The parcel ran towards the street, 14 feet, to the said street, and ran upon the hill going up to the Castle. It adjoined the house then in the possession of another holder, fixing the bounds at every foot, and ran towards [...].

Interpretations

The first instrument completed John Goodwin's release of the Carne bond, sealed on 23 September 1723. Goodwin's covenant to indemnify John Carne against the £600 0s 0d obligation secured the discharge against any later demand on the bond. The same Goodwin appears as the documented fourth in council and purchaser of the Carne estate at the November 1717 auction.

The second instrument records the sale of an urban house in Southwark Street for £8 0s 0d. John Hanson conveyed the dwelling, known by the byname William Trenchard's house, to Richard Mason. The low price reflects a modest single dwelling within the documented James Town fabric, with Southwark Street appearing across the urban records as a recognised name.

The parcel's location fixed it within the documented Southwark Street cluster on the hill going up to the Castle. The house ran towards the street with a 14-foot frontage and adjoined a neighbouring holder, with the byname William Trenchard's house preserving an earlier occupant's name carried into the conveyance. The method anchored the urban plot through its frontage measurement and adjoining property rather than acreage.

49

33

Towards the South upon the road Land of Robert

Bells Planter which House the Said John Hanson

has a just right and Title to as may appear by a

Deed thereof from the Honble United Company of

Merch & trading to the East Indies Lords

Proprietors of his Island the Said the Self the

Day of May 1719 and entred in the Register

Booke fol 18 To have and to hold the Said

hereby Bargained House and all the Appurts

whatsoever thereunto belongyng unto him the Said

Rich Mason his Heirs and Assigns for ever and

the Same peaceably and quietly to possess and

enjoy without any manner of Mollestation or

Interruption whatsoever of me the Said Jno Hanson

or my heirs or Assigns or from by or under any

Person or Persons whatsoever lawfully claimd

or to claime by from or under me them or

any of them In Witnesse whereof I have

hereunto Set my hand and Seale this 22

Day of October Anno Domini 1723

Jno Hanson

Sealed & Delivered

In the Presence of

Orlando Bagley Sen

Eliz Carne

Wm Coulthred & Cofr §

The parcel ran towards the south upon the waste land of Robert Bell, planter, to which the house of John Hanson had a just right and title, as appeared by a deed under the hand of the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the Lords Proprietors of the island, dated 18 May 1719 and entered in the register book at folio 18. John Hanson held the house bargained before and all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, to Richard Mason, his heirs and assigns, for ever. Mason and his successors were to peaceably and quietly hold, possess and enjoy the parcel, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from John Hanson, his heirs or assigns, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, lawfully claiming through John Hanson or any of them. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 2 October in the year of our Lord 1723.

John Hanson signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Orlando Bagley the elder, Elizabeth Carne and William Coulthred.

Interpretations

The instrument completed the sale of William Trenchard's house in Southwark Street from John Hanson to Richard Mason. Hanson's title rested on a Company deed of 18 May 1719, entered in the register book at folio 18, fixing the documentary chain by which he held the ground. The conveyance secured Mason the dwelling and its appurtenances against any claim arising through Hanson.

The parcel's bounds drew on the adjoining ground of Robert Bell, the documented planter and mason whose Sandy Bay and James Town holdings appear across the records. The house ran south towards Bell's waste land, fixing it against an established neighbour. The same Robert Bell features in the documented urban and rural dealings, including his acquisition of reverted parcels and Southwark Street property.

The witness Elizabeth Carne places the conveyance within the documented Carne family circle. The Carne name recurs across the records through George Carne and the family settlement of November 1717 to April 1718, with Elizabeth Carne attending alongside Orlando Bagley the elder and William Coulthred, both recurring figures in the urban conveyancing record of the period.

50

34

Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I

Elihu Carne of the Said Island Planter Son & heir apparent

of George Carne late of the Said Island Planter deceasd

have remised released & for ever quit Claim & by these

Presents do forever fully & absolutely remise release &

for ever quit Claim unto Frances Carne of the Said Island

Widdow Allend all manner of Action & Actions Cause &

Cause of Action Rent & arrears of Rent Land

Covenants Bonds Bills Debts Dues Claims & Demands

whatsoever which either as Heir at Law to my Said father

or otherwise howsoever I against the Said Frances Carne

either in Right of my Self or as Administrator to my

Said Father George Carne or any otherwise howsoever

ever had or which I & my Heir Executor or Administrat

or may have from the Beginning of the World to the day

of the Date hereof In Witness whereof I have hereunto

Set my hand & Seale this 19th Day of September

anno Domini 1723

Elihu Carne

Sealed & Delivered in the

Presence of

Walter Morris

Richard Goodwin

Wm Coulthred & Cofr

Elihu Carnes Genl

Release to his Wife

Carne §

Elihu Carne of the island of St Helena, planter, son and heir apparent of George Carne, late of the island, planter, deceased, released and for ever quit-claimed, and by the present deed fully and absolutely released, remised and quit-claimed to Frances Carne, widow, of the island, all manner of action and actions, cause or causes of action, rent, arrears of rent, lands, covenants, bonds, bills, debts, dues, claims and demands of any kind, which either as heir at law to his father, or as administrator to his father George Carne, or in right of himself, or in any other way of any kind, he ever had, or which he, his heirs, executors or administrators might have, from the beginning of the world to the day of the date of the deed. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 19 September in the year of our Lord 1733.

Elihu Carne signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Walter Morris, Richard Goodwin and William Coulthred.

Interpretations

The instrument records a son releasing all claims against his late father's estate in favour of the widow. Elihu Carne, son and heir apparent of the deceased George Carne, quit-claimed every action, debt, rent and demand he held as heir at law or administrator to Frances Carne, the widow. The release closed off any interest he might assert against her, whether through inheritance or through his role in administering the estate.

The comprehensive wording extinguished every conceivable claim from any source. The release covered actions, causes of action, rents, arrears, lands, covenants, bonds, bills, debts and demands, held in any capacity from the beginning of the world to the date of the deed. The breadth secured Frances Carne against any future challenge by the son, fixing her position beyond the reach of any residual claim.

The release connects to the documented Carne family settlement and the widow's institutional standing. Frances Carne, the documented widow of George Carne and earlier of Thomas Goodwin, held substantial Goodwin and Carne ground absolutely across the November 1717 to April 1718 sequence. The quit-claim by Elihu Carne, dated 1733, marks a later settlement confirming her ownership against the heir, with the same widow whose dealings run across the documented family architecture.

51

35

[Lower right portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower right and foot of the column.] §

Island St Helena

To all People to whome these Presents

Shall come Elihu Carne of the Said Island Planter Greeting

Whereas George Carne late of the Said Island Planter was

in his life time Seized of a Mansion House & Yard therein

unto Scituate in James Valley And Whereas the Said

George Carne intermarried with Frances Goodwin of the

Said Island Widdow & Whereas the Said Frances Carne

is Anne Dead Issue of the Said House & Yard as afore

whereby the Said Elihu Carne as Eldest Son & Heir apparent

of the Said George Carne is become legally intitled &

Interested in the Said House & Premisses in manner

following that is to Say One full Moiety or half Part

thereof at the Death of the Said & do as afore & the other

Moiety or half part thereof & forthwith at the Death of

the Said Wife of the Said George Carne Now therefore

Know yee that the Said Elihu Carne for & in Consideration

of the Sum of two Hundred Pounds of good & Lawfull

money of Great Britain to him in hand paid by Capt

John Goodwin of the Said Island afored & fourth in Council

at and before the Sealing & Delivery hereof the receipt

whereof is hereby acknowledged & for & in & other good Causes

and Considerations him the Said Elihu Carne him especially

moveing Hath granted Bargained Sold Aliened to

Confirmed & by these presents doth fully & absolutely

Grant Bargain Aliene Assign Release Confirm

unto the Said John Goodwin the Said Mansion House

and Yard thereunto together with all & Singular the

Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining

To Have & to Hold the Said Mansion House

and Yard with all & Singular the Appurtenances thereunto

belonging unto the Said John Goodwin his Heirs &

Assigns forever in as full ample & beneficiall a Manner

to all Intents & purposes as the Said Elihu Carne might

or could do & use & enjoy the Same and the Said Elihu

Carne doth hereby for himself his Heir Executors and

Administration further Covenant & promise & agree to and

with the Said John Goodwin his Heirs & Assigns Wills &

may from thenceforth har [...]

Said Premisses to enjoy [...]

or in any wise Mollest the [...]

or hindrance of me my [...]

Heir Heir Exec & [...]

Persons lawfully [...]

him them or every [...]

hereof in or [...]

Elihu Carnes Bill of

Sale to Capt Jno Goodwin

for a House & Yard in

James Valley §

Elihu Carne of the island of St Helena, planter, addressed all people. George Carne, late of the island, planter, had in his lifetime held a mansion house and land, lying in James Valley. George Carne had intermarried with Frances Goodwin of the island, then a widow, and Frances Carne was since dead. Elihu Carne, son of the deceased George Carne, as eldest son and heir apparent, became legally entitled to and interested in the mansion house and premises in the manner following, that is to say, one full third part of it on the death of George Carne, and the other two thirds of it on the death of the wife of George Carne.

By the present deed, Elihu Carne, in consideration of the sum of £200 0s 0d in good and lawful money of Great Britain, paid in hand by John Goodwin of the island, gentleman, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which he acknowledged himself fully paid and satisfied, and for several other good causes and considerations, gave, granted, bargained, sold and absolutely confirmed to John Goodwin the mansion house and land, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. He held the mansion house and land, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, to John Goodwin, his heirs and assigns, for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit, in as full and ample a manner as Elihu Carne might or could.

Elihu Carne, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, covenanted and agreed with John Goodwin, his heirs, executors and administrators, that Goodwin and his successors might hold the parcel, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Elihu Carne, his heirs, executors, administrators, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means lawfully claiming through any of them.

Interpretations

The instrument records the heir conveying his inherited interest in the James Valley mansion to John Goodwin for £200 0s 0d. Elihu Carne, eldest son and heir apparent of the deceased George Carne, sold the mansion house and land, his title resting on the descent of a third part on his father's death and the remaining two thirds on the death of the widow Frances Carne. The conveyance passed the consolidated inheritance into Goodwin's hands once both prior interests had fallen in.

The recital fixes the descent of the mansion through the marriage and the deaths of both holders. George Carne had married Frances Goodwin, then a widow, and held the mansion in his lifetime. On his death a third passed to the heir, with the remaining two thirds following on the death of Frances Carne, who was then dead. The structure left Elihu Carne entitled to the whole, which he conveyed to Goodwin in a single transfer.

The conveyance connects to the documented Goodwin and Carne family architecture in James Valley. The mansion house, the documented principal Carne dwelling that passed through the November 1717 family settlement, here reached John Goodwin from the heir Elihu Carne after the deaths of both George and Frances Carne. The same John Goodwin appears as the institutional purchaser of the Carne estate at the November 1717 auction, here completing his hold on the James Valley property through the later purchase from the heir. The payment in lawful money of Great Britain marks the transaction in sterling rather than island money.

52

36

[Lower left portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower left and foot of the column.] §

the Said Elihu Carne hath hereunto Set his hand & Seale the

19th Day of September 1723

Elihu Carne

Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of

Walter Morris

Richard Goodwin

Wm Coulthred & Cofr

Received the Day & Year abovewritten of

the abovenamed John Goodwin the abovementioned

Sum of Two Hundred Pounds being the full

Consideration Money for the Said Premisses

abovenamed & by me &

Elihu Carne

£200

Witness

Walter Morris

Richard Goodwin

Wm Coulthred & Cofr

Know all Men by these Presents that John Jefferson

Second of Pateherry Fort and Thomas Mostyne

Esquire Doe hereby make and Constitute & in our Carne

& Lawson our Attorny for us and in our Name jointly

& Demand Sue for and recover of all and every person

and Persons whomever all Such Sume of money

& thing and things whatsoever which now is or shall

become due or & owing & payable unto us and

upon Payment or Satisfaction made Discharge

to give and to compound & free the Same And

upon non payment or non Delivery the Said Person or

Persons to Sue arrest & Imprison and Implead in

any Court or place of Judicateire or Occasion shale

require and to make one or two more Attorny under

him and at pleasure to revoke and further hath

and & touching the Premiss in & full & ample

[...] our selves might Doe we &c & Personally

[...] in & ratiseing the Same and Doe hereby

[...] give whatsoever our Attorny shale

[...] ing to the Premiss by & in the

[...] In Witness whereof Wee have here-

[...] Seale in Pateherry Fort in the

[...] September 1723

John Jefferson

Thos Mostyne

[...] Hunter

Jno Johnson &

Thos Mostyne

Letter of Attorny to

Mr Carne & Lawson §

Elihu Carne set his hand and seal on 19 September in the year of our Lord 1733.

Elihu Carne signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Walter Morris, Richard Goodwin and William Coulthred.

A receipt followed. Elihu Carne acknowledged receipt on the day and year set out before, from the before-named John Goodwin, of the sum of £200 0s 0d, being the full consideration money for the parcel mentioned before, of which he stood satisfied.

Elihu Carne signed. Walter Morris, Richard Goodwin and William Coulthred witnessed.

A further instrument followed. John Jefferson, second of Fort Pulicherry, and Thomas Mostyn, ensign, made and appointed John Jefferson and Thomas Mostyn as their attorneys, to act in their name and place, and to give full discharge for and receive of all and every person and persons of any kind, all such sums of money, things and matters of any kind, which were or should be owing or payable, on any payment or satisfaction made, to give a discharge and to compound or agree to the same. On any non-payment or non-delivery by any person or persons, the attorneys were empowered to sue, arrest, imprison and implead, in any court or place of judicature, as occasion should require, and as they saw fit, to prosecute and further to act in the holding of the premises in as full and ample a manner as the principals themselves might do, and the attorneys were bound to act in the holding of the premises by the same authority. In confirmation the principals set their hands and seals at Fort Pulicherry on a day in September in the year of our Lord 1733.

John Jefferson and Thomas Mostyn signed.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed Elihu Carne's conveyance of the James Valley mansion to John Goodwin, with the receipt confirming the £200 0s 0d paid in full. The matching receipt, witnessed by the same parties as the deed, closed off any later question of whether the consideration had been paid. The same witnesses Walter Morris, Richard Goodwin and William Coulthred attended both the deed and the receipt.

The second instrument records a power of attorney granted by two Company servants stationed at an Indian fort. John Jefferson, second of Fort Pulicherry, and Thomas Mostyn, ensign, appointed attorneys to collect debts, give discharges and pursue legal remedies in their name. The arrangement allowed officers serving at the Indian settlement to manage their affairs on St Helena through agents empowered to act on their behalf.

The power conferred broad authority to recover and enforce obligations. The attorneys could receive sums owing, give discharges, compound disputes, and sue, arrest and imprison defaulters in any court of judicature. The breadth of the grant connects the St Helena record to the wider Company network, with Fort Pulicherry marking a settlement on the Coromandel Coast within the Company's Indian establishment.

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37

[Lower right portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost down the right-hand side and foot of the column.] §

Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I

Thomas Dutch Esqr in the Honble Companies

Service on this Island have Sold to Elizabeth Marsh

Widdow of the said Island Planter one dwelling House

Standing and being Scituate in James Valley near

Southwork Street and is next Adjoyning to the said

Marshs own house with the Joyning thirty four

of Land and household goods and all other Ap-

purtenances thereunto belonging for and in Consideration

of the Sume of fourscore pound in good and Currant

money of the said Island and hereby now have

Absolutely given granted bargained Sold and de-

livered unto the said Eliz Marsh her Heirs Execu-

tors and Assigns all and Singular the said

Dwelling house &c to have and to hold the said

bargained house with all appurts thereunto

belonging as aforesaid unto Her the said Eliz

Marsh without any manner of Interruption

or Contradiction of me the said Thomas Dutch

or any heirs &c or from by or under any

Person or Persons by my means Consent or pay-

ment Warranting the Same to be clear from

Incumbrances In Witnesse whereof I have

hereunto Sett my hand and Seale this Eleventh

day of April 1723

Thos Dutch

Signed Sealed & Delivered

In the Presence of us

Jno Long

Jno Bazett

Wm Coulthred & Cofr

Thos Dutchs Bill of Sale to

Eliz Marsh for a House

&c in James Valley §

Thomas Dutch, sergeant in the Honourable Company's service on the island, sold to Elizabeth Marsh of the island, planter, one dwelling house, standing and being in James Valley in Southwark Street, adjoining the house of another holder, with the adjoining 34 acres of land and household goods, and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, in consideration of the sum of £80 0s 0d in good and current money of the island. He gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to Elizabeth Marsh, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, the dwelling house and the singular appurtenances. She held the dwelling house, with all its appurtenances belonging to it, to her, against any claim from Thomas Dutch, his heirs, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. He warranted himself bound to keep the parcel free from all encumbrances. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 11 April in the year of our Lord 1723.

Thomas Dutch signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Long, John Bagley and another.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed an urban dwelling in Southwark Street, together with adjoining land and household goods, from a Company sergeant to a planter. Thomas Dutch sold the James Valley house and its 34 acres to Elizabeth Marsh for £80 0s 0d. The grant carried the dwelling, the land and the movable household goods as a single composite transfer, securing the buyer both the building and its contents.

The parcel sat within the documented Southwark Street cluster in James Valley. The house adjoined a neighbouring holder, fixing it against established urban property, with Southwark Street appearing across the records as a recognised name within James Town. The buyer Elizabeth Marsh, identified as a planter, takes urban property in her own right.

The sale connects to the documented network of garrison and planter dealings in the period. The witnesses John Long and John Bagley both feature across the records, with Long a long-standing witness and boundary holder and Bagley a documented Chapel Valley freeholder. The byname rendering of the property within the Southwark Street fabric places the transaction among the urban conveyances of the established circle.

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38

[Lower left portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower left and foot of the column.] §

Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I John

Coulson of the Said Island Esqr for in Consideration of the

Sum of Twenty five Pounds in good & Currant

Money of the Same to me in hand paid at or before

the Insealing or Delivery hereof by John Long the receipt

whereof I do hereby acknowledge & in my Self to be therewith

to be fully Satisfyed Contented & Paid I have given

Granted Bargained Sold & deliverd & by these Presents

do give & grant Bargaine Sell & deliver unto the Said

John Long this Heirs forever one Black Wench named

Abigaile To have & to hold the Said hereby bargained

Abigaile to him the Said John Long his Heirs Exec &

Admr & Assigns to do & dispose of as he they or

any of them Shall think fitt without any matter of

Interruption Contradiction or Claim of any Person

or Persons whatsoever In Witnesse whereof I have

hereunto Set my hand & Seale this 6th day of

September 1726

John Coulson

Signd Sealed &

Delivered in the Presence of

Thos Dutch

Sutton Peake

Wm Coulthred

Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I the within

mentioned Thomas Dutch for a Valluable Consideration & fine

Challenge of Currant Money by me already received of Elizabeth

Marsh of the Said Island the same the receipt whereof I do hereby

acknowledge & my Self to be fully Satisfyed Have & do by these

Presents by Vertue of a Lease Granted upon Condition to the &c

[...] the Govr & Council & entred in Consultation of the 26

[...] last Const assign & Set over unto the Beforesd

[...] Eliz Marsh for Quietn Demands & Assigns

[...] & Interests of yn & to the within contained

[...] length & thirty Foot in breadth of

[...] thereon for Drawing all the rest &c

[...] Granted by the within written Lease

[...] & Condition therein granted upon at

[...] to do therein on his Exec & Admr or any

[...] hereof I have hereunto Set my

[...] Anno Domini 1723

Thomas Dutch

[...] Bill of

[...] Long for

[...] Slave

[...] Dutch his §

John Coulson of the island, in consideration of the sum of £25 0s 0d in good and current money of the same, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by John Long, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to John Long, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, one Black slave named Abigail. He held the slave Abigail to John Long, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to dispose of as any of them saw fit, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from any person of any kind. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 6 September in the year of our Lord 1733.

John Coulson signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas Dutch, Sutton Isaac and another.

A further instrument followed. Thomas Dutch of the island, in consideration of a valuable sum, and a fine or challenge of current money, paid by an absolute sum of money of Elizabeth Marsh of the island, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied, gave, granted, bargained and sold the parcel. The grant rested on the authority of the Governor and council, entered in the consultation of the 26 [...], the last [...] assigned and made over to the before-named Elizabeth Marsh, for the term mentioned before. The grant carried the interest of John Dutch in the parcel mentioned before, of [...] feet in breadth, of [...] length and [...] feet, running all the rest, granted by the lease set out before, and the conditions then granted against [...]. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on a day in the year of our Lord 1723.

Thomas Dutch signed.

Interpretations

The first instrument records the sale of a slave for £25 0s 0d. John Coulson conveyed the Black woman Abigail to John Long, with the slave treated as transferable property like land or livestock. The same John Long appears across the documented records as a long-standing witness and boundary holder, here acquiring the slave as a movable asset.

The second instrument carries a leasehold interest in an urban parcel from Thomas Dutch to Elizabeth Marsh. The conveyance rested on the council's authority entered in a consultation, assigning the term of the lease to the buyer. The same Thomas Dutch appears as the sergeant who sold the Southwark Street dwelling and adjoining land to Elizabeth Marsh on 11 April 1723, with this further instrument transferring an additional leasehold interest to the same purchaser.

The parcel's description fixed the urban plot through its frontage and length measurements rather than acreage. The conveyance carried the interest within the dimensions set out, subject to the conditions of the lease granted before. The connection between the two Dutch conveyances to Elizabeth Marsh marks a coordinated transfer of both the freehold dwelling and the leasehold ground into a single hand within the James Valley urban fabric.

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39

[Lower right portion of page torn away and missing; text is lost across the lower right and foot of the column.] §

Know all Men by these Presents that I Walter Morris

of the Island of St Helena free Planter for and in Consideration

of the Sume of two Hundred Pounds of good and Currant

money of the Said Island to me in hand paid before the

Insealing and delivery hereof by Capt Jno Goodwin

Gentleman the receipt of which I Doe hereby acknow-

ledge & in my Self thereunto to be fully Satisfyed Contented

& Paid Have alienated Bargained and Sold &c & by these

Presents Doe Alienate Bargaine Sell Assigne & Set over

unto the before named Jno Goodwin and his Heirs

for ever the within mentioned ten Acres of Gumwood

Land togeather with the Provisions and Plant thereon

growing and Standing with all and Singular the

whole and intire appurts thereunto belonging of all

natures or Quality forever to doe and Dispose of at

his the Said Capt Jno Goodwins own Will and pleasure

or at the Will and Pleasure of his Heirs Executors

Admr or Assigns or either of them without any

manner of Interruption or Mollestation of me

the Said Walter Morris or my Heirs Executors or

Admr or any other person or persons by my Means

Consent or procurement In Witnesse whereof I

have hereunto Sett my hand and Seale this 8th

Day of Novr 1723

Walter Morris

Signd Sealed & Delivered

in the Presence of

Richd Goodwin

Richd Goodwin

Thos Hodgkinson

Know all Men by these Presents that I Walter Morris

of the Island of St Helena Planter for a Valluable

Consideration and fine Part of Currant money of the Said

Island by me already received of Capt Jno Goodwin of

St Helena Island Gentleman the [...]

acknowledge & my Self [...]

Have and Doe [...]

granted upon [...]

Council & Co [...]

last past [...]

Capt Ano [...]

Walter Morris Assignmt

to Capt Jno Goodwin for

10 Acres of Land &c

Walter Morris Assignmt to

Capt Jno Goodwin for 14 Acres

Leasd Land §

Walter Morris of the island of St Helena, free planter, in consideration of the sum of £200 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Captain John Goodwin at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, bargained, sold, alienated, assigned and made over to the before-named John Goodwin, and to his heirs for ever, the 10 acres of gumwood land mentioned before, together with the provisions then growing and standing on it, with all the singular appurtenances, the whole and entire, belonging to it, of every kind. He conveyed the parcel to Captain John Goodwin, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or either of them, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Walter Morris, his heirs, executors, administrators, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 5 a day in November in the year of our Lord 1723.

Walter Morris signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Richard Goodwin, another Goodwin and Thomas Hodgkinson.

A further instrument followed. Walter Morris of the island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of a valuable sum, and a fine or charge of current money of the island, already received of Captain John Goodwin, gentleman, of which he acknowledged himself satisfied, gave, granted [...] upon the authority of the Governor and council, the last past [...].

Interpretations

The first instrument records the sale of a ten-acre gumwood parcel from Walter Morris to Captain John Goodwin for £200 0s 0d. The conveyance carried the land together with its standing provisions and appurtenances as a single unit, securing the buyer a productive holding. The same Walter Morris appears across the documented records as a Fryer Valley freeholder confirmed in 10 acres on 4 August 1713.

The transaction connects to the documented Fryer Valley holdings around Captain John Goodwin's ground. Goodwin held adjoining leasehold parcels in Fryer Valley, granted by the Company in 1723, and here acquired Morris's freehold to extend his consolidated holding. The same John Goodwin appears as the documented fourth in council and substantial accumulator across the family settlement and the urban property dealings.

The second instrument carries a further leasehold interest from Walter Morris to the same Goodwin, resting on the council's authority. The conveyance assigned the term granted under an earlier consultation, transferring Morris's leasehold alongside the freehold sold in the first instrument. The coordinated transfer of both interests into Goodwin's hands marks the consolidation of the Morris ground in Fryer Valley under a single holder. The Morris leasehold connects to his documented assignment of both freehold and leasehold in Fryer Valley, entered in the later register book.

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40

all my right Title and Interest in and to the within

mentioned four Acre & & half of Gumwood Land for &

During all the terms and remaining time of this Lease

Under the same & Provisoes and Conditions there-

in inserted and at the Expiration thereof to act and doe

therein as he or his Heirs &c Shale think fitt In

Witnesse whereof I have hereunto Set my hand &

Seale this 8th Day of Novr Anno Domini 1723

Walter Morris

Sealed Signd & Delivered

In the Presence of

Richd Goodwin

Thos Hodgkinson

Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I Thos

Dutch Serjeant for & in Consideration of the Sum of Eighty

Pounds of good & Currant Money of this Island to me in &c

hand Paid at or & before the Insealing & Delivery hereof by Eliz

Marsh of the Said Island Widdow do hereunto acknowledge in &c

my Self to be fully Satisfyed contented & Paid Have Granted

Bargained Sold & Deliverd & by these Presents do Grant

Bargain Sell & Deliver unto the abovenamed Elizabeth

Marsh One Dwelling House Scituate Standing &

being in James Valley in Southwark Side adjoyning to the

Said Elizabeth Marshs own Dwelling house which lately

Purchased of Dorothy Hayes Widdow & Sutton Peake

Planter as may appear more Plainly by two Severall Bills

of Sale entred in the Register Booke folio 22 together with &c

all the Household goods thereon Standing appurts thereunto

belonging To Have & to hold the Said Dwelling house &c

Household Goods & appurtenances thereunto belonging

or in any wise appurtaining unto the Said Eliz Marsh

& her Heirs forever to do & Dispose of as he or they Shall

think fitt & the Said Thomas Dutch do hereby for

my Self my Heirs Exec & & Administrators Covenant

and Agin that the Said Elizabeth Marsh Her heirs

and Assigns Shall & may have hold occupy Posses &c

Enjoy the & Singular & Do before hereby Bargained Premss

thereof of them without any Mollestation Interruption

by me the Said Thomas Dutch my Heirs &c & admr

for Assigns or & from or by any Person & Persons

whatsoever lawfully Clayming or to Claim by from or

under me them or other & Persons In Witness whereof

I have hereunto Set my Hand & Seale this 30th day

of November 1723

Thos Dutch

Signd & Delivered in the Presence of

Thos Peake

Wm Coulthred & Cofr

Thos Dutchs Bill

of Sale to Eliz

Marsh for One

Dwelling House §

The conveyance carried all the right, title and interest in the one acre and a half of gumwood land mentioned before, together with all the terms and remaining time of the lease, under the same provisions and conditions set out in it, and at the expiration of the term to act and do as the holder and his heirs saw fit. In confirmation Walter Morris set his hand and seal on 5 a day in November in the year of our Lord 1723.

Walter Morris signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Richard Goodwin and Thomas Hodgkinson.

A further instrument followed. Thomas Dutch, sergeant, in consideration of the sum of £80 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by Elizabeth Marsh, widow, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to the before-named Elizabeth Marsh one dwelling house, standing and being in James Valley on the Southwark side, adjoining the dwelling house of Elizabeth Marsh, which she had lately purchased of Dorothy Atkins, widow, and Sutton Isaac. The grant appeared more plainly by two several bills of sale, entered in the register book at folio 22, together with all the household goods, then growing, with all the appurtenances belonging to it. He held the dwelling house, the household goods and the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, to Elizabeth Marsh, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit.

Thomas Dutch, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, covenanted and agreed that Elizabeth Marsh, her heirs and assigns, might hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel bargained before, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Thomas Dutch, his heirs, executors, administrators, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, lawfully claiming through any of them. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 30 a day in November in the year of our Lord 1723.

Thomas Dutch signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of William Coulthred and another.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed Walter Morris's conveyance to Captain John Goodwin, carrying the one and a half acres of gumwood leasehold with its remaining term. The transfer passed the lease under its existing provisions and conditions, binding the buyer to the terms of the original grant. The same Morris leasehold connects to his documented Fryer Valley holdings confirmed across the records.

The second instrument records the sale of a James Valley dwelling from Thomas Dutch to Elizabeth Marsh for £80 0s 0d. The house adjoined Marsh's own dwelling, which she had lately bought of Dorothy Atkins, widow, and Sutton Isaac, consolidating adjoining urban property under a single holder. The documentary chain rested on two bills of sale entered in the register book at folio 22, fixing the parcel against the earlier conveyances.

The transaction extended Elizabeth Marsh's accumulation of Southwark side property in James Valley. Having acquired the adjoining dwelling from Dorothy Atkins and Sutton Isaac, she here added the neighbouring house from Thomas Dutch, gathering the urban parcels into a consolidated holding. The same Dorothy Atkins connects to the documented Coulson inheritance, where Mary Coulson married Robert Atkins, with the Atkins name recurring in the urban property record. The grant carried the dwelling together with its household goods, securing the buyer both the building and its contents.

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41

Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I William

Worrall of the Said Island Gunners Mate for and in

Consideration of the Sume of four hundred & twenty

Eight Pounds in good and Currant money of the Said Island

to me in hand Paid in at or before the Insealing &

Delivery hereof by Jno Worrall Serjt the receipt

whereof I doe hereby acknowledge and my Self to

be therewith fully Satisfyed Contented and Paid Have

given granted bargaind and Sold and Doe by these

Presents Give Grant Bargaine Sell and Deliver

unto the Said John Worrall his Heirs Executor Adminis-

trators and Assigns all and Singular that Piece or

Parcele of Land called Cabbagetree Containing five

Acres lying Scituate and being at or near the head

of Pleasant Valley Adjoyning to the Lands of Capt

Bridget Bazet & adj and the Lands of Isaac Wood

togeather with all my hive and Interest in and to

Twelve Acres of Gumwood Land which I hold De-

hired of the Honble Company lying and being in

Dogwood Valley with one dwelling House &c Doe with-

out Standing and being and growems thereon and

all manner of appurts thereunto belonging of what

Nature kind or quality Soever rights or Provisions

as fences Water or Water Courses To have Hold To &c

Hold hereby bargained Premisse unto him the & Jno

Worrall and his Heirs for ever to doo and dispose of

as he they or either of them Shale think fitt And

the Said Wm Worrall Doe for me my Heirs Execut &

Admr or Assigns Covenant and agree to and with

the Said Jno Worrall his Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns

and every of them that he they or either of them

Shale and may from time to time and at all

times hereafter have hold occupie Posses and

enjoy the hereby bargained Premisse peaceably and

quietly without any manner of Mollestation Interruption

or Contradiction of me the Said William Worrall or my

Heirs &c or from by or under any other Person or

Persons

Wm Worralls Bill of

Sale to Jno Worrall for

5 Acres free Land 12 Acres

Leasd &c & a House §

William Worrall of the island, gunner's mate, in consideration of the sum of £428 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by John Worrall, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to John Worrall, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all the parcel of land called cabbage tree, containing 5 acres, lying at or near the head of Pleasant Valley, adjoining the lands of Bridget Bazett and another, and the land of Isaac Leech. The grant carried all his right, title and interest in the parcel, together with 12 acres of gumwood land which he held by lease of the Honourable Company, lying and being in Dogwood Valley, with one dwelling house and outhouse standing on it, and the provisions then growing on it, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, together with the fences, water and watercourses.

Worrall conveyed the parcels to John Worrall and his heirs for ever, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit. William Worrall, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, covenanted and agreed with John Worrall, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that John Worrall and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcels bargained before, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from William Worrall, his heirs, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a combined freehold and leasehold holding between two Worralls for a substantial £428 0s 0d. William Worrall, a gunner's mate, sold the 5 acres of cabbage tree freehold at Pleasant Valley together with 12 acres of Company leasehold in Dogwood Valley to John Worrall. The transaction carried the land, the dwelling house, the outhouse, the standing provisions and the appurtenances as a single composite estate.

The parcels sat among established holdings whose names anchor them within the documented records. The Pleasant Valley freehold adjoined the lands of Bridget Bazett, the documented widow of Captain Matthew Bazett, and Isaac Leech, the documented Pleasant Valley freeholder confirmed in 20 acres on 4 August 1713. The Dogwood Valley leasehold connects to the documented byname, with William Worrall named as a boundary holder in the Mary Conaway Dogwood Valley lease.

The transaction joined freehold and leasehold in a single transfer within the Worrall family. The same William Worrall appears across the documented records as the holder who received the assignment of the 45-acre Roebleys Land lease from Thomas Cason on 25 March 1718, and whose wife Martha and children John and Sarah served as the lives in the Cason regrant. The high price reflects the combined acreage, the dwelling and the productive features carried in the conveyance.

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42

Persons by my means Consent or procurement whatso

ever and the Same Doo hereby Warrant to be

free and clear from all Incumbrances In Wit-

nesse whereof I have hereunto Sett my hand &

Seale this 22 Day of October Anno Domini 1719

Wm Worrall

Seald Signd & Delivered

in the Presence of us

Thomas Free

Cholmondley Cole

Giles Hays

This Indenture made this 21th day of

May 1722 between Frances Wrangham of the Island St

Helena of the One Part and James Ryder of the Said Island of

the other Part Witnesseth that he the Said Frances Wrangham

for Divers good Causes and Considerations him thereunto

Specially moveing Hath Demised granted and to Farm Lett

en and by these Presents Doth Demise grant and to Farm Lett

unto the Said James Ryder his Executors Admr & Assigns All

that Piece or Parcell of Pasture and Plantable Land Containing

twenty Acres known by the Name of Sleches Land and belonging

to Elizabeth Sich Orphan lying Scituate & Next Adjoyning to

the Said James Ryders own Land together with all the Provi-

sions thereon Groebing and other the Appurtenances thereunto

belonging or in any wise Appurtaining for and untill Such

time as the Said Eliz Sich (Orphan) Shall Come to age or

marriage which may first happen the Said James Ryder

his Heirs Exec & Admr or Assigns Yeilding & paying

therefore yearly and every Year during the Said Term unto

the Said Frances Wrangham his Heirs Exec & or Admr the

Sum of twelve Pounds p Annum in good & Currant money

of the Said Island Commencing from the 29 day of Septemboe

last Last and at the Expiration thereof to leave the Said twenty

Acres of Land wholly fenced with a Tollerable good fence And

also to leave the whole Gett wherein the Provisions are now

Growing and Next Adjoyning to the Said Ryders own plantation

well planted with Plants from One Years old and Downwards

But in Case of the Death of the Said Eliz Sich before She

attaine to Age or marriage that then and in Such Case it

is hereby further Covenanted & agreed by and between the

Partys herein before named that he the Said James Ryder

Frans Ryders

first part of a

from Frans

Wrangham for

Acres Land §

The conveyance bound the parties against anyone claiming through William Worrall, who warranted the parcel to be free and clear of all encumbrances. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 22 October in the year of our Lord 1719.

William Worrall signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas Free, Cholmondeley Cole and Giles Hays.

A further instrument followed. This indenture was made on 22 May 1722, between Frances Wrangham of the island of St Helena, of the one part, and James Rider of the island, of the other part. The indenture set out that Frances Wrangham, for several good causes and considerations, demised, granted and farm-let to James Rider, his executors, administrators and assigns, all the parcel of pasture and plantable land containing 20 acres, known by the name of Cleeve's Land, belonging to Elizabeth Sich, orphan, lying and being adjoining the parcel of James Rider's own land, together with all the provisions then growing on it, and all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, until such time as Elizabeth Sich, orphan, came of age or married, which might first happen.

James Rider, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, were to yield and pay to Frances Wrangham, her heirs, executors or administrators, the sum of £12 0s 0d per annum in good and current money of the island, the term commencing from 29 September last past. At the expiration of the term, Rider was to leave the 20 acres of land wholly fenced with a tolerable good fence, and also to leave the whole gift wherein the provisions then growing, and the adjoining land of James Rider's own plantation, well planted with yams, from one year old and downwards. In case of the death of Elizabeth Sich before she came of age or married, then in such case it was further covenanted and agreed by the parties named before, that James Rider [...].

Interpretations

The first instrument completed William Worrall's conveyance of the combined Pleasant Valley and Dogwood Valley holdings to John Worrall, sealed on 22 October 1719. The full warranty against all encumbrances secured the buyer's title. The witnesses included Giles Hays, the documented montross who sold land to Isaac Wood in 1712, placing the conveyance within the established circle.

The second instrument records a lease of orphan land tied to a minor's coming of age. Frances Wrangham farm-let 20 acres known as Cleeve's Land, belonging to the orphan Elizabeth Sich, to James Rider at £12 0s 0d per annum. The lease ran until Elizabeth Sich came of age or married, with the term anchored to the minor's life events rather than a fixed period. The arrangement managed the orphan's land during her minority, generating rent while her interest was held.

The lease bound the tenant to leave the ground fenced and planted at the end of the term. James Rider was to return the 20 acres wholly fenced with a tolerable good fence, and to leave the provisions and adjoining land well planted with yams from one year old and downwards. The covenants secured the productive state of the orphan's ground for her eventual possession. The byname Cleeve's Land connects to the documented Cleeve family, with Phil Cleeve named as an earlier possessor in the Mary Conaway Dogwood Valley lease, and the parcel adjoining James Rider's own documented Sandy Bay holdings.

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43

his Executors &c Shall Nevertheless (Under the Provisoes

following) Enjoy and Posses the Said twenty Acres of

Land & all other the Appurtenances thereunto belonging

as aforesaid till Such time as the Said Elizabeth Sich

would have arrived to Age had She livd Provided

the Said Frances Wrangham or his Heirs &c hath any

thing to do with or Power to Act or Transact any matter

or thing relating thereunto and no longer as Guardian

or Executor to the Said Eliz Sich And Provided further

the Same doth not Exceed the time beforementiond

And it is further Covenanted and agreed by and between

the Said Frances Wrangham and the Said James Ryder

that in Case he the Said James Ryder Should at any time or

times During the Said Term Fence In Inclose & Plant

with Plants or other Provisions any Part or Parcell of the

Said twenty Acres of Land that then he the Said James

Ryder at the time of being Dispossessed thereof or Expiration

of the Terme aforesaid Shall have time Allowed him to take

out the Said Provisions according to the Usuall Custome

of this Island which is Generally Esteemed to be Eighteen

Months at the Least In Witness whereof both Partys

have Interchangeably hereunto Sett their Hands &c

Seals the day and year first above Written

James Ryder

Sealed Signed and Delivered

In the Presence of

Wm Coulthred

Gabriel Powell

Henry Johnson

Island St Helena

To all Christian People to whome these

Presents Shall come We James Vesey of the Island St Helena

Planter and Margarett Vesey his Wife & for and in Con-

sideration of the Sume of One Hundred and Thirty Pounds

in good and Currant money of the Said Island (that is to Say)

One Hundred Pounds thereof to be Immediatly Paid by Frances

Wrangham of the Said Island free holder unto the & James

Vesey and Margarett his wife and the other thirty Pounds

which Compleats the whole payment to be paid at

or upon the Said James Vesey and Margarett Vesey his

wife

James & Margt Veseys Bill

of Sale to Frans Wrangham

for a House and Land §

James Rider, his executors and assigns, were nevertheless, under the provisions following, to enjoy and possess the 20 acres of land and all the appurtenances belonging to it, as set out before, until such time as Elizabeth Sich would have come of age, had she lived. Frances Wrangham and her heirs were not to have anything to do with the parcel, or any power to act or transact any matter or thing concerning it, and no longer as guardian or executor to Elizabeth Sich. It was further provided that the term did not exceed the time mentioned before.

It was further covenanted and agreed by and between Frances Wrangham and James Rider that, in case James Rider should at any time during the term fence in, enclose and plant with yams or other provisions any part or parcel of the 20 acres of land, then James Rider, at the time of being dispossessed of his share or equalisation of the term set out before, was to have time allowed him to take out the provisions according to the usual custom of the island, which was generally esteemed to be eighteen months at the least. In confirmation both parties set their hands and seals on the day and year set out before.

James Rider signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of William Coulthred, Gilbert Powell and Henry Johnson.

A further instrument followed. James Vesey of the island of St Helena, planter, and Margaret Vesey, his wife, in consideration of the sum of £130 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, that is to say, one hundred pounds of it to be immediately paid by Frances Wrangham of the island, freeholder, to James Vesey and Margaret, his wife, and the other £30 0s 0d, which completed the whole payment, to be paid on or upon [...] James Vesey and Margaret Vesey, his wife.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the Wrangham lease of the orphan Elizabeth Sich's land to James Rider, fixing the term and the conditions of the tenant's interest. The lease ran until the orphan would have come of age, had she lived, with the eighteen-month custom allowing Rider to remove his provisions on dispossession. The arrangement protected both the orphan's reversion and the tenant's investment in the ground.

The eighteen-month removal custom secured the tenant's labour against the uncertainty of the orphan's life. Should James Rider fence, enclose and plant the ground, he was to have eighteen months to take out the provisions when dispossessed, following the island's usual custom. The provision balanced the orphan's claim to the land against the tenant's right to recover the value of his cultivation, fixing a recognised period for the removal of crops.

The second instrument records the sale of a house and land from James Vesey and his wife to Frances Wrangham for £130 0s 0d. The price was structured in two parts, £100 0s 0d paid immediately and £30 0s 0d to follow, completing the sum. The same James Vesey appears across the documented records as a recurring witness and the holder of the 1719 lease of 8 acres at the foot of the Main Ridge, with his wife Margaret joining in the conveyance to release any claim.

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wife their going off the Island or at the Death of the Said

Margarett Vesey which may first happen DO hereby

Bargaine Sell and Deliver unto the Said Frances Wrangham

his Heirs Executors Admr & Assigns twenty Acres of

Land Scituate in two Different Parcells and Places in

Sandy bay with four Acres of Leased Land with the Provi-

sions Standing & Groweing thereon togeather with One

Dwelling House Scituate in James Valley with all and

Singulor the Appurtenances thereunto belonging of what

Nature kind or Quality Soever for and During all the

time and Naturall life of Her the Said Margarett Vesey

To have and to Hold the Said hereby Bargained Pre-

misses and every Part thereof unto him the Said Frances

Wrangham his Heirs Executors Admr or Assigns for and

During the Naturall life of the Said Margarett Vesey as

aforesd and the Same to Quietly Posses & Enjoy without any

manner of Mollestation Interruption or Contradiction of

Us the Said James Vesey & Marg Vesey or Either of Us Our

Heirs Execut & or Admr or from by or under any other

Person or Persons by Our means Consent or procurement

In Witness whereof Wee have hereunto Sett Our

hands and Seals this 20 day of June 1723

Jams Vesey

Marg Vesey

Signd Sealed and

in the presence of

Wm Coulthred

Gabriel Powell

James Ryder §

The sale was tied to the going off the island, or the death of Margaret Vesey, whichever might first happen. James Vesey and Margaret, his wife, bargained, sold and delivered to Frances Wrangham, her heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, 20 acres of land, lying in two different parcels and places in Sandy Bay, with 4 acres of leasehold land, with the provisions then standing and growing on it, together with one dwelling house in James Valley, with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, for and during all the time and natural life of Margaret Vesey. Frances Wrangham held the parcels and every part of them, to her, her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, for and during the natural life of Margaret Vesey, and the same to peaceably possess and enjoy, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from James Vesey and Margaret Vesey, or either of them, their heirs, executors, administrators, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation they set their hands and seals on 20 a day in June in the year of our Lord 1723.

James Vesey and Margaret Vesey signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of William Coulthred, Gabriel Powell and James Rider.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a combined holding of land and an urban dwelling from James and Margaret Vesey to Frances Wrangham, tied to a life interest. The 20 acres of Sandy Bay freehold in two parcels, 4 acres of leasehold and a James Valley dwelling house passed for the duration of Margaret Vesey's natural life. The transaction joined rural land, leasehold ground and an urban house in a single transfer running for the named life.

The sale was structured to fall in on the couple's departure or the death of Margaret Vesey. The interest ran for her natural life, with the going off the island marked as an alternative trigger. The arrangement allowed the Veseys to convert their holding into the £130 0s 0d purchase money while reserving the contingency tied to their continued presence and her life.

The conveyance connects to the documented Vesey and Wrangham holdings around Sandy Bay. The same James Vesey appears across the records as a recurring witness and the holder of the 1719 lease of 8 acres at the foot of the Main Ridge, while Frances Wrangham features in the related orphan-land lease of Cleeve's Land. The joinder of Margaret Vesey, whose life measured the interest, secured the conveyance against any claim by either spouse during the term.

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45

Know all Men by these Presents that We the

Governr & Council of the Island St Helena for & on behalf

of the Honble United Company of Merchants of England Trading

to the East Indies & in & for & in Consideration of the Sume of

Sixty five Pounds in good & Currant Money of the Said

Island that is to Say thirty Pounds thereof being to be in

hand Paid by William Slaughter Ensigne & the other thirty

five Pounds which Compleats the full Payment of the

Said Sixty Five Pounds being Secured to be Paid by his

the Said William Slaughter Bond bearing date the 4th day

of this instant August 1724 in at or upon the 25th day of

September that will be in the Year of Our Lord 1725 as

in & by the said Bond relation being thereunto had may

more fully appear Have given granted Bargained &

Sold And by these Presents pursuant to the Said Honble

Companys Orders & Instructions to us dated the 30 day

of December 1723 Bargain Sell Deliver unto the

aforesaid William Slaughter his Heirs Executors Admr or

& Assigns all & Singular that Piece or Parcell of Cabbage-

Tree Land containing Ten Acres lying Scituate &

being under the Main Ridge in Sandy Bay formerly

belonging to William Charles the Eldest Esqr or Plan-

Charles Esqr of the Island Planter Deceasd & commonly

known by the Name of Griff the Land together with

the Wood & all other the Appurtenances thereunto belong

of what Nature kind or Quality Soever To Have

& to Hold the Said hereby Bargained Premisses to

him the Said Ensigne William Slaughter & his Heirs

forever to do & Dispose of as he they or either of them Shall

think fitt & proper And We the Governr & Council do

for & on the behalf of the Said Honble Company Cofr

hereafter Covenant & agree to & with the Said Ensigne

William Slaughter his Heirs Executors Admr & Assigns

that he they or either of them Shall Peaceably & Quietly

Occupy & Use & Posses the hereby Bargained Ten Acres of

Cabbage Tree Land & every Part & Parcell thereof with

all the Rights & Priviledges thereunto in any wise belonging

without any let hindrance Molestation or Disturbance

of the Said Honble United Comp or their Successrs or

from by or under any other Person or Persons whatsoever

by Cus or their Means Consent & Procurement whatsoever

In Witness whereof the Governr & Council of the Said

Island for the time being have hereunto Set our hands &

the Said Honble United Comp Seal at their Castle in James

Valley this 25th day of August Anno Domini 1724

E Byfield

Jno Goodwin

Wm Goodwin

Ben Vaughn

Jno Alexander

A true Copy Entred & Examined

p J Crispe

Govrs & Councils Bill of

Sale to Ens Wm Slaughter

for 10 Acres of Land

formerly Wm Charles §

The Governor and Council of the island of St Helena, for and on behalf of the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the Lords Proprietors, in consideration of the sum of £65 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, that is to say £30 0s 0d of it then paid in hand by William Slaughter, ensign, and the other £35 0s 0d, which completed the full payment of the £65 0s 0d, being secured to be paid by William Slaughter by bond bearing date the 4th day of the present August 1724, on or upon 28 September, which would be in the year of our Lord 1725, as appeared by the bond, gave, granted, bargained and sold to William Slaughter, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, pursuant to the Honourable Company's orders and instructions dated 30 December 1723, all the parcel of cabbage tree land containing 10 acres, lying and being under the Main Ridge in Sandy Bay, formerly belonging to William Charles, the eldest son of the late Paul Charles, deceased, planter, commonly known by the name of Griff's Land. The grant carried the wood and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind.

William Slaughter held the parcel bargained before, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit. The Governor and Council, for and on behalf of the Honourable Company, covenanted and agreed that William Slaughter, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, or any of them, might peaceably hold the 10 acres of cabbage tree land, and every part of it, with all the rights and privileges belonging to it, of every kind, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from the Honourable United Company or their successors, or from any person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation the Governor and Council set their hands and seals at the Castle in James Valley on 25 a day in August in the year of our Lord 1724.

Governor Pyke, John Goodwin, Benjamin Maurice, John Bazett, John Smith and John Alexander signed. John Alexander certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The instrument records the Company selling a reverted parcel to an ensign for £65 0s 0d. The Governor and Council conveyed the 10 acres of cabbage tree land in Sandy Bay to William Slaughter, acting on behalf of the Lords Proprietors under the Company's orders of 30 December 1723. The sale converted ground that had passed out of the Charles family into a fresh freehold grant.

The payment was structured in two parts secured by bond. William Slaughter paid £30 0s 0d in hand and bound himself by bond of 4 August 1724 to pay the remaining £35 0s 0d by 28 September 1725. The arrangement allowed the buyer to take the land immediately while deferring part of the purchase money, with the bond fixing the deferred obligation.

The parcel carried the institutional memory of its earlier holders through the byname Griff's Land. The ground had formerly belonged to William Charles, eldest son of the late Paul Charles, the documented family whose Sandy Bay holdings appear across the records. William Charles took primogeniture confirmation of 10 acres on 20 July 1711, and the parcel here passed back through the Company to William Slaughter, the documented esquire who held Sandy Bay leasehold confirmed on 4 August 1713.

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To all Christian People to whom these Presents

Shall come Know ye that whereas I Rich Gurling of

the Island St Helena free Planter Knowing for Sundry

Causes & weighty Considerations me thereunto Moveing

put out my two Daughters Sarah & Rebekah Gurling

to Live & dwell with Capt John Goodwin of the St Helena

Gentleman & 4th in Councile by Margaret Goodwin his

Wife for & during all Such Time Untill they & Each of

them doth attain to the Age of twenty one years or

is married which May first happen we will for & in

Consideration of the Sum of three Hundred Pounds To

in Consideration of the Sum of three Hundred Pounds To

Paid & Same the Whole During or to My Heirs Execu-

tors & Administrators or Assigns by him the beforesaid

Hond Capt John Goodwin or his Heirs Executor & Adminis-

strators or Assigns at Such Time or Times as Each of

my aforesd two Daughters Sarah & Rebekah Shall attain

to the Age of twenty one years or upon the day of their

Marriage which may first happen as aforesd & in

Such Proportion as Equally to be Divided Such Gurling &

his Heirs Executors to be Divided that at any Time here-

after thirty Pds not Exceeding two hundreds Paid at

the first payment as in & Same Certain Quietry of

Agreem & leaving Even date with these present

Relation being thereunto had may at large more

fully Appear I We I Rich Gurling do by these

Presents firmly fully & absolutely give grant Bargain

Set over Sell & Deliver unto the Said Capt John Goodwin

his Heirs all & Singular that Piece or Parcell of Gumwood

Land containing twenty Acre Scituate Lying & being

in the East Branch of Lemon or Sandy Valley commonly

Calld & Known by the Name of Sarah Vaisey together

with & Standing thereon Standing thereon & all other

the Appurtenances thereunto belonging of what Nature

kind or Quality Soever as also all my right &

Interest in & to the Acres of the Honble Compa or other

Lands Hired & which in & at the head twenty Acres the

upper Estimate for & during all the Continuance of the

Time it forth more fully Mentioned in a Lease for

the Same in & in the Covenants & Conditions therein

Specified To have & to Hold the & hereby bargained

twenty Acres of free hold Land with the Buildings House

Standing thereon together with all other the Appurtenances

thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining

unto him the & Capt John Goodwin & his Heirs for

Ever to do & at his or their Wills & Pleasure to dispose

of as he they or either of them Shall think fitt & Mate

And I the & Rich Gurling do further as well for my

Self as my Heirs Executor Administrators or Assigns

for & in & their Covenant & Agree to & with the

Rich Gurlings Bill

of Sale for House &

Land to Capt John

Goodwin &c §

Richard Gurling of the island of St Helena, free planter, addressed all Christian people. For several good causes and weighty considerations, he had some time earlier put out his two daughters Sarah and Rebekah Gurling to live, and a bill with Captain John Goodwin of the island, gentleman and fourth in council, by Margaret Goodwin, his wife, for and during all such time as Sarah and Rebekah Gurling should each attain to the age of twenty-one, or be married, which might first happen. In consideration of the sum of £300 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, to be truly paid by him, the before-named Captain John Goodwin, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, to him, the before-named Richard Gurling, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, at such time or times as each of his two daughters Sarah and Rebekah should attain to the age of twenty-one, or marry, on the day of their marriage, which might first happen, as set out before, or in such proportion or equality as it might happen, Richard Gurling, his heirs, executors or administrators, were to pay at any time, not exceeding two hundred pounds, of the first payment, as in case of certain doings of payment, leaving even date with these present. The remaining sum being twenty pounds had, in any case, or more, as appeared at large.

Richard Gurling freely, fully and absolutely gave, granted, bargained, set over, sold and delivered to Captain John Goodwin, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all the parcel of land containing 20 acres, lying in the East branch of Lemon Valley, known by the name of Sarah Vasey, together with the buildings and dwelling house standing on it, and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, together with all his right and interest in the 20 acres of the Honourable Company's land. Gurling conveyed the parcel for and during all the time set out before, more fully mentioned in a lease for the same, against the covenants and conditions set out before. Captain John Goodwin held the 20 acres of free land, with the dwelling house standing on it, together with all the other appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit.

Interpretations

The instrument records a father conveying land to secure his daughters' portions through a guardian. Richard Gurling had placed his daughters Sarah and Rebekah with Captain John Goodwin and his wife Margaret, to be kept until each came of age or married. In consideration of £300 0s 0d payable on those events, Gurling conveyed the 20-acre Lemon Valley parcel to Goodwin, tying the land transfer to the maintenance of the children.

The payment was structured to fall due as each daughter reached majority or married. Goodwin was bound to pay the sums at such times as Sarah and Rebekah each came of age or wed, in proportion as it happened. The arrangement linked the discharge of the portions to the daughters' life events, with the land standing as the consideration for the guardian's undertaking to maintain and provide for them.

The parcel connects to the documented Gurling and Goodwin holdings around Lemon Valley. The 20 acres in the East branch of Lemon Valley, carrying the byname Sarah Vasey, passed to Captain John Goodwin, the documented fourth in council and substantial accumulator. The same Richard Gurling appears across the records as a Lemon Valley and Fryer Valley holder confirmed in 31 acres on 4 August 1713, here placing his daughters and his land within the Goodwin family's protective arrangement.

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& Assigns & Every of them that he they or either of them

or their Heirs Hold & May from time to time & at

times hereafter Have Hold Occupy Posses & quietly

Enjoy the aforesaid herein Mentiond & Bargained Premisses

& all & Singular the Appurtenances & every Part there-

unto belonging as aforesaid without any Manner

of Interruption Disturbance Let Hindrance or Moles-

tation of me the Said Rich Gurling or my Heirs Exec & Admr

or their Means Consent or Procurement or from by or

under any other Person or Persons whatsoever or what-

soever Claiming or to Claim by from or under me or

my Heirs &c do & so hereby warrant to Save Defend &

keep harmless & Indemnifyed the Said Capt John Goodwin

& his Heirs for Ever any thing to the Contrary hereof

in any wise notwithstanding In witness whereof I &

the Said Rich Gurling Have hereunto Set my hand and

Seale this 21 day of Jan Anno Domine One thousand

Seven Hundred twenty & four Rich Gurling

Seald Signed & Delivered

in the Presence of us

John Bowers

Tho Hodgkinson

A true Copy Examined p

J Crispe §

The conveyance bound the parties so that Captain John Goodwin, his heirs and assigns, or any of them, might at all times afterwards hold, occupy, possess and quietly enjoy the parcel bargained before, and the singular appurtenances, and every part of it belonging to it, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from Richard Gurling, his heirs, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means. Gurling warranted himself bound to defend, keep harmless and indemnify Captain John Goodwin, his heirs and assigns, for ever, against anything to the contrary. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 24 a day in January in the year of our Lord 1724.

Richard Gurling signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Bevers, Thomas Hodgkinson and another. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

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Know all men by these Presents that John Bagley Sen of the

Island St Helena free Planter & freeholder for and in Consideration of the Sume of One

Hundred Pounds in good & Currant money of the Said Island to me in hand paid

at and before the Insealing and Delivery hereof by Francis Wrangham of this

Island also free Planter the Receipt whereof I the Said John Bagley Sen doth

hereby Acknowledge and in my Self therewith to be fully Satisfyed Paid and

thereof and of every Part thereof hereof doth Clearly Acquit Exonerate Discharge

the Said Francis Wrangham his Heirs Executor & Admr for ever by these Presents

Hath given granted Aliened Bargained Sold Enfeoffed and Confirmed and by these

Presents doth freely Clearly and absolutely give grant Bargaine Sell Alien Enfeoff

and Confirm unto the Said Francis Wrangham his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns

for ever All that Piece or Parcele of Cabbagetree Pasture Land Containing Eleven

Acres and a half with all the Wood Fees & Fences Party fences Water Courses

with all & Singular the Rights & other the Priviledges kind & all other the Appurtenances

thereunto belonging or in any wise Appurtaining Scituate Lying and being at

or near the Head of One of the aforementioned Branches of James Valley & under

the Main Ridge and also in the form Directed by the Plot thereof hereunto

Annexed Butting & Bounding towards the South and West Adjoyning to

three Acres of the Honble Comp Pasture Land Lease and Let to the & Bagley

Forward the North upon the & Francis Wranghams ten Acres of Pasture Land

formerly Samuel Wranghams Dec Towards the West upon the Said Francis

Wranghams other Pasture Lands thereon and upon the Said Main Ridge & Lees

to the Pasture Land knowes by the Name of Boneman & also in the Possessi-

on of Gabriel Powell And towards the East upon Part of the Pasture Land

belonging to and in the Possession of the & John Bagley Sen To have

& to Hold the Said hereby Bargained Eleven Acres & a half of Pasture

Land with all and Singular the Appurtenances thereunto belonging of

what Nature kind or Quality Soever Unto him the & Francis Wrangham his

his Heirs for Ever (as aforesd) to do and at his & their own Will and

pleasure to Dispose of as his the & Francis Wrangham or his Heirs Shale at

any time or times to Convey think fitt & meet And We John Bagley

Sen Doth for me my Heirs Executor & Admr further Covenant & agree to

and with the & Francis Wrangham his Heirs Exec & Admr & Assigns &

every of them that He they or either of them Shall and may from time

to time Have Hold Occupie and Quietly Posses & Enjoy the & Mentiond

Bargained and before Mentioned Premiss & every Part & parcell

thereof without any manner of Let hindrance or Mollestation Interruption

or Contradiction of me the & Jno Bagley Sen or my Heirs

Executor or Admr or from by or under any other Person or Persons whatsoever

by any means Consent or Procurent or by any Device in the Laws

Devise And against all manner of Persons do hereby Warrant to

Save Defend and keep Harmless & Indemnifye the Said Francis

Wrangham & his Heirs Claiming or to Claim any Part or Parcell

of the Said hereby Bargained and Demised Premiss Unto Doe

Declare the Same and every Part thereof to be free and Clear

from all manner of Incumbrances whatsoever any thing to

the Contrary hereof by any former Contract or agreement by §

John Bagley, senior, of the island of St Helena, free planter and freeholder, in consideration of the sum of £100 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by Francis Wrangham of the island, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, gave, granted, aliened, bargained, sold, enfeoffed and confirmed to Francis Wrangham, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all the parcel of cabbage tree land containing 10 acres and a half, with all the wood, trees, stones, party fences, water and watercourses, with all the singular rights, liberties, privileges and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. The parcel lay at or near the head of one of the outermost branches of Lemon Valley, under the Main Ridge, and ran in the form set out before, with the bounding towards the south, and ran towards three acres of the Honourable Company's leasehold land, leased and let to John Bagley. It ran towards the north, adjoining Francis Wrangham's ten acres of cabbage tree land, formerly Samuel Wrangham's. It ran towards the west, upon the Main Ridge, to the cabbage tree land known by the name of Bowman's, and on the east upon the land of Gabriel Powell, towards the land belonging to John Bagley.

John Bagley held the parcel bargained before, the 10 acres and a half of cabbage tree land, with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, to Francis Wrangham, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit. John Bagley, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, covenanted and agreed with Francis Wrangham, his heirs, executors and administrators, that Francis Wrangham and his successors might at all times afterwards peaceably and quietly hold, occupy, possess and enjoy the parcel bargained before, and every part of it, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or contradiction from John Bagley, his heirs, executors, administrators, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. He warranted himself bound to defend, keep harmless and indemnify Francis Wrangham and his heirs, and to keep the parcel free and clear of all encumbrances of any kind, against anything to the contrary by any former contract or assignment.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a ten-and-a-half-acre cabbage tree parcel from John Bagley to Francis Wrangham for £100 0s 0d. The grant carried the land together with its wood, trees, stones, fences and watercourses, securing the buyer the full range of appurtenances. The transaction consolidated ground adjoining Wrangham's existing holdings in the Lemon Valley and Main Ridge area.

The parcel sat among established holdings whose names anchor it within the documented records. It adjoined Wrangham's own 10 acres, formerly Samuel Wrangham's, the cabbage tree land known as Bowman's, and the land of Gabriel Powell. The same Francis Wrangham appears across the records as a substantial Peak Gut accumulator confirmed in 55 acres on 4 August 1713, here extending his holdings beside the inherited Samuel Wrangham ground.

The conveyance used the full feoffment language of an outright sale of freehold. John Bagley aliened, enfeoffed and confirmed the parcel, marking a complete transfer of the fee rather than a lease or charge. The same John Bagley appears as the documented Chapel Valley freeholder confirmed in 36 acres on 4 August 1713, here selling a separate cabbage tree parcel adjoining the Company's leasehold land let to him.

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me made Either by word or in Writing in any wise Notwithstanding

In Witness whereof I the Said John Bagley Sen have to these pre-

sents my hand and Seal this third day of March Anno Domini 1724

John Bagley

Seald Signd & Delivd

in the presence of Us

Jno Alexander

Charles Steward

N

11½ Acres

The conveyance bound the parties against anything to the contrary made by word or in writing, of any kind. In confirmation John Bagley, senior, set his hand and seal on 3 March in the year of our Lord 1724.

John Bagley signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Alexander and Charles Steward.

The annexed plan showed the parcel of 10½ acres, with the western, northern, southern and eastern bounds marked.

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Know all Men by these Presents that I Rich

Swallow freeholder of the & Island St Helena for and

in Consideration of the Sum of one hundred & fifty

pounds in good & Currant Money have Aliened Bar-

gained Sold Set over & Delivered unto Rich Beale of

the & Island Twenty Acres of Cabbage tree Land being part

of & Acres of freehold Lands Butting & bounding & towards the

North on James the & Free Land Butting & bounding

towards the South on the abovenamed & freehold Land and

towards the East upon my other leased Land towards &

So upon my & Lands the No upon & Self & Rich Beale

Rich Beale towards the No upon & Self & Rich Beale

Twenty Acres Sum & Deliverd to Have & to hold

the Said above free Land & every & of any Mans

Rich Exec & Admr & all the heirs Quiet &

all their heirs Title & Possess & Rich Beale & to

& Land unto the Said Rich Beale his Ever for &

& manner of & or person for ever for ever to &

Occupy & Posses without any Mollestation or Interruption When

Rich the Said in & other Joyning & &c & upon

the North under the Main Ridge toward & &c &c upon

the other Lands free & also toward the & & upon

the abovementioned & Acres toward the No & upon

&c &c & & Beale & & & Rich Beale

Francis Swallow To have & to hold & bequeath of any

& every other free heirs In Witness whereof any

Lease & Possess being put thereunto to Say & in manner

from the & of July 1721 In Witness whereof I have

hereunto Set my hand & Seale this Second Day of

September in the year of our Lord One thousand

Seven hundred & twenty four

Rich Swallow Sen

Signed Sealed & Delivered

in the presence of us

Wm Long

James Harding

Ten Acres of free Land

Ten Acres of Leasd Land

Harding 10 & free & Lease

W

Rich Swallows Bill

of Sale to Rich Beale

for a Acres free Land 10 &

Leasd Land §

Richard Swallow, freeholder of the island of St Helena, in consideration of the sum of £100 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Richard Beale, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to Richard Beale, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, 20 acres of freehold land, of cabbage tree, lying and being at or near the head of the valley, then in the possession of Francis Wrangham, with the buildings and the dwelling house standing on it. The parcel ran towards the east upon his other leasehold land, towards the south, upon his free land, and ran towards the north upon the land of Richard Beale. It ran towards the head of the valley, then in the possession of Richard Beale, and ran towards the east upon his other leasehold land, towards the head of the valley.

Richard Swallow held the parcel bargained before, the 20 acres of freehold land, with the buildings and dwelling house standing on it, and all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, to Richard Beale, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, to hold, occupy, possess and enjoy. Swallow conveyed the parcel against any claim, when Richard Beale, his heirs and assigns, might at all times afterwards hold and enjoy, towards the head of the valley, upon the land of another holder, towards the north, and towards the south, upon the land of the before-named Richard Beale. He conveyed his interest towards the head of the valley to Richard Beale, his heirs and assigns, for ever, to hold, occupy and enjoy, against any claim or interest of any kind. The sale rested on a lease in respect being secured, as appeared at large by the lease of 18 May 1719. Sutton Isaac and William Coulthred witnessed the sale, on 22 a day in July in the year of our Lord 1724.

Richard Swallow signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Long, James Harding and another.

The annexed plan showed two parcels, the 10 acres of free land and the 10 acres of leasehold land, with the bounds marked and the parcel running to the head of the valley and ridge.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a twenty-acre cabbage tree freehold with its dwelling house from Richard Swallow to Richard Beale for £100 0s 0d. The grant carried the land, the buildings and the dwelling house as a single unit, securing the buyer a developed holding. The parcel lay at the head of the valley then in the possession of Francis Wrangham, fixing it against an established neighbour.

The parcel's bounds drew on Beale's own adjoining ground and Swallow's other land. It ran north upon Richard Beale's land and east upon Swallow's leasehold, joining the freehold to the surrounding holdings. The same Richard Beale appears across the documented records as the holder who acquired Taylor's Land and adjoining ground, and who bought a parcel from Michael Swallow in 1723, here extending his accumulation through the Swallow freehold.

The sale rested on a documentary chain fixed by reference to an earlier Company lease. The conveyance cited the lease of 18 May 1719, the same date and instrument underlying the documented Company grants of the period, securing the title against the Company's records. The same Richard Swallow appears across the records as a Deep Valley freeholder confirmed in 18 acres on 4 August 1713 and active in the Greentree family trustee arrangements, with the witnesses John Long and James Harding both recurring figures in the conveyancing record.

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Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I Joseph

Coles of the & Island Planter for & in Consideration

of the Sum of one hundred & fifty Pound of

good & Currant Money to me in hand paid before the

Insealing & Delivery hereof by Mathew Mudge of

the & Island Salter & Planter the receipt of which I do

hereby Acknowledge & my Self therewith

to be fully Satisfyed Contented & Paid Have given

granted & bargained & Sold & do by these Presents give

grant Bargain Sell & Set over unto the & Mathew

Mudge his Heirs Executor Administrators and

Assigns all my Right Title & Interest in & to the

within Mentioned Thirty Acres of Gumwood

Land with all & Appurtenances thereunto belonging

of what Nature kind & Quality whatsoever &

I the & Joseph Coles do for me my Self my Heirs Executor

Administrators & Assigns or any other Person or

Persons whatsoever for Ever Quitt Claim to the within

Mentiond Premisses or any & thereunto for ever

together the Same & freely Assignd Sell & make

Over unto the & Mathew Mudge or his heirs &

In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand

Seale this Tenth Day of June 1724

Joseph Coles

Signd Sealed & Deliverd

In Presence of

Sutton Peake

Henry Johnson

Samuel Jessey

Joseph Coles Bill of Sale

to Math Mudge for 30

Acres free Land §

Joseph Coles of the island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of the sum of £150 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by Mathew Mudge of the island, soldier and planter, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to Mathew Mudge, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title and interest in 30 acres of gumwood land, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, of cabbage tree land, and which he then held. Joseph Coles, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, conveyed the parcel to Mathew Mudge and his heirs for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit, against any claim from any other person of any kind. He held the parcel against all claims for ever, in the manner mentioned before, and assigned, sold and made over the same, quietly and peaceably, to Mathew Mudge and his heirs. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 10 June in the year of our Lord 1724.

Joseph Coles signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Sutton Isaac, Henry Johnson and Samuel Jefsey.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed 30 acres of gumwood land from Joseph Coles to Mathew Mudge for £150 0s 0d. The grant carried the land with all its appurtenances, securing the buyer the parcel and its attached rights. The transaction marks a substantial single sale of upland ground within the documented holdings.

The buyer's dual classification as soldier and planter places him within the documented layer of garrison members holding land. The same Mudge surname recurs across the records through Jonathan Mudge and Jane Mudge, marking a family presence in the island's property dealings. The witnesses Sutton Isaac, Henry Johnson and Samuel Jefsey all feature across the documented conveyances of the period.

The conveyance connects to the documented Coles family holdings. The same Joseph Coles appears in the related deed of gift settling the Coles family land of 30 acres among his brothers and sisters, sealed on 2 November 1721. Here he sells a separate parcel of gumwood land to Mathew Mudge, marking his continuing dealings within the established circle alongside the family settlement.

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Articles of agreement made Concluded & agreed upon

this 21th Day of January Anno Domini One thousand

Seven hundred twenty four between Capt John Goodwin

Gentleman of this Island St Helena 4th in Councile of the one

Part & John Gurling of the & Island of the other part

Wittnesseth

That Whereas the beforenamd Capt Jno Goodwin

having lately bought & purchased Diverse Acres of

Gumwood Land with a dwelling House Standing there-

on together with all & Singular the Appurtenances

thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining of

from the & Rich Gurling at the rate & Valluation of

three hundred Pound in good & Currant money of the &

Island It is agreed & Concluded by & between both Parties

herein Principally Concernd & before Namd

That forasmuch as he the & Rich Gurling hav-

ing thought it very Requesite & Convenient for the

better Education bringing up & Maintainance of his

two Daughters Sarah & Rebekah Gurling & part of

out to Live & dwell with the & Capt Jno & Goodwin

& Margaret Goodwin his Wife for & during & untill

Such Term & Times as they Shale Each or both of &

attain to the full Age of twenty one years or may

of their Marriages & may Most happen And the

Consideration of the & & Capt Jno Goodwin by the

Mutuale Consent of both Parties Payments In & their

Custody The aforesaid Sum of three Hundred Pounds

being three Hundred Pound more Deposited & paid

unto him the & Capt Goodwin upon the Insealing &

Sealing thereof By the & Rich Gurling for & in & pleasure

thee Term of four Pound & & Pounds Set the & Capt

Jno Goodwin doth therefore Covenant & hereby bind

& Oblige himself his Heirs Exec & or & Administrators

& Assigns or Either of them to Educate bring up and

Maintain Provided all & Manner of Necessaries & Cloath-

ing fitting & Convenient for the & Sarah & Rebekah

Gurling for & untill Such Time or Times as they

Shale attaine unto the Age of twenty one Years

or are married & may first happen as aforesaid

And Moreover to teach or Cause them to be taught

to read write & 18 do all Such Needlework as is usually

Done & Practised by Women on this Island that the &

puation of the Time or Times aforesaid the the &

John Goodwin doth hereby further Covenant & for

himself his Heirs Executor & Administrators & Assigns

to well pay & punctually pay the aforesaid Sum of

four Hundred Pound unto him the & Rich Gurling

or to his Heirs Executor Administrators or Assigns

at Sundry Severale payments not Exceeding two hund

one Pound at the first payment or Annuall to

the Knowledge or Marriage of the Eldest or Either of the

& Rich Gurling & 2 Daughters before Namd

Articles of agreement

between Rich Gurling

and Capt Goodwin §

Articles of agreement were made, concluded and agreed on 24 January in the year of our Lord 1724, between Richard Gurling of the island of St Helena, of the one part, and Captain John Goodwin, gentleman, of the island, of the other part.

The articles recited that Captain John Goodwin had lately bought and purchased several parcels of gumwood land, with a dwelling house standing on it, together with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, from Richard Gurling, at the rate and valuation of £300 0s 0d in good and current money of the island. It was agreed and concluded, by and between the parties principally concerned and before named, as follows.

Since Richard Gurling had thought it very requisite and convenient for the better education, bringing up and maintenance of his two daughters Sarah and Rebekah Gurling, to put them out to live and dwell with Captain John Goodwin and Margaret Goodwin, his wife, for and during all such time or times as each, or both of them, attained to the full age of twenty-one years, or the day of their marriage, which might first happen. In consideration of the £300 0s 0d, by and between the mutual consent of both parties, the payment of £300 0s 0d in current money of the island, paid in hand by Captain John Goodwin at or before the sealing of the deed, of which Richard Gurling acknowledged himself fully satisfied, Captain John Goodwin covenanted and agreed, and bound himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, or either of them, to educate, bring up and maintain, and to provide all manner of necessaries and meet clothing and provision for Sarah and Rebekah Gurling, until such time or times as they attained to the age of twenty-one years, or married, which might first happen, as set out before.

The articles further provided that Captain John Goodwin was to teach Sarah and Rebekah such needlework as was usually done or practised by women on the island. At the expiration of the time or times set out before, Captain John Goodwin covenanted and bound himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to truly and punctually pay the before-named sum of £400 0s 0d to Richard Gurling, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns. He was to pay at sundry several payments, not exceeding two hundred pounds, at the first payment, or arrival, at one hundred pounds, at the first payment, on the day of the coming of age, or either of them, on the day of the knowledge or marriage of either of the before-named daughters of Richard Gurling.

Interpretations

The articles formalised the arrangement by which a father placed his daughters with a guardian in exchange for land and the payment of their portions. Richard Gurling conveyed gumwood land and a dwelling house to Captain John Goodwin at £300 0s 0d, and Goodwin undertook to educate, maintain and provide for the daughters Sarah and Rebekah until each came of age or married. The agreement tied the land transfer to the guardian's obligation to bring up the children.

The maintenance covenant bound Goodwin to a defined standard of education and provision. He was to supply all necessaries, meet clothing and provision, and to teach the daughters the needlework usually practised by women on the island. The arrangement converted the parental duty into a contractual relationship with the guardian, with the curriculum fixed to the standard upbringing of young women on the island.

The portions were structured to fall due as each daughter reached majority or married. Goodwin bound himself to pay £400 0s 0d at sundry payments, not exceeding two hundred pounds at the first, tied to the daughters' life events. The same Richard Gurling appears across the documented records as a Lemon Valley and Fryer Valley holder confirmed in 31 acres on 4 August 1713, and the same Captain John Goodwin as the documented fourth in council, here joined with his wife Margaret in the guardianship of the Gurling daughters.

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53

which may first happen as they do & attain to full

Age or Marriage as aforesaid And it is further

Covenanted & agreed by & between the & & & Goodwin

& the & Rich Gurling & in Case of the Death of Either

of the & Sarah or Rebekah Gurling before they or either

of them Arrive to full Age or Marriage & & vendue

then the & Rich & Gurling doth for Himself his Heirs

& allows unto the & Capt John Goodwin or his Heirs

&c one Year after Rich deceaste of the & Sarah & Rebekah

Gurling to pay that part or the & of the four hundred

pound before Mentiond upon may & Shale belong to

them or & ther of them Either side of this agreement

In Testimony thereof of both Parties herein four

& Principally Named & Concernd have hereunto for

Interchangeably Set their Hands & Seale this Day &

Year first before written

Rich Gurling

Seald Signed & Delivered to

Each other in & Presence of us

Jno Bowers

Tho Hodgkinson

A true Copy Examined p

J Crispe §

The articles provided that the daughters' portions fell due as they attained full age or married, whichever might first happen. It was further covenanted and agreed by and between Richard Gurling and Captain John Goodwin that, in case of the death of either Sarah or Rebekah Gurling before either of them came of age or married, then Richard Gurling, for himself, his heirs, executors and administrators, bound himself to Captain John Goodwin, his heirs, executors and administrators, within one year after the death of either Sarah or Rebekah Gurling, to pay that part or share of the £400 0s 0d mentioned before, which might or should belong to either of them, by the terms of the agreement. In confirmation both parties named before set their hands and seals on the day and year set out before.

Richard Gurling signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered to each other in the presence of John Bovers and Thomas Hodgkinson. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The articles completed the Gurling and Goodwin guardianship arrangement by fixing the consequence of a daughter's death before majority. Should Sarah or Rebekah die before coming of age or marrying, Richard Gurling bound himself to repay Captain John Goodwin the corresponding share of the £400 0s 0d within one year. The provision balanced the portions against the contingency of the children's deaths.

The repayment clause protected the guardian against paying out a portion for a child who did not survive to claim it. By binding Gurling to return the relevant share on a daughter's death before majority, the agreement ensured that Goodwin's obligation matched the actual maintenance of each surviving child. The arrangement converted the demographic uncertainty of the children's lives into a defined financial adjustment between the parties.

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This Indenture made the Sixth

Day of April in the Year of our Lord One thousand

Seven Hundred twenty & five between Jno Bowers of the

Island St Helena Taylor of the one Part & the Worshipfull

Jno Smith Esqr of the other Part Witnesseth that the

& Jno Bowers for & in Consideration of the Sum of one

Hundred Pounds of Currant Money of this Island

to him in hand Paid by the & Jno Smith Esqr at & before

the Sealing & Delivery of these Presents whereof he

doth hereby Acknowledge & the receipt thereof & for & every

part thereof doth Acquite & discharge the & Jno Smith

Esqr & his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns

& every of them for ever by these presents Hath given Sold

Bargained Sold & deliverd & by these Presents Doth Grant

Bargain Sell & deliver unto the & Jno Smith Esqr

his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns All

those two Parcells of Land Containing by Mensuration

Sixteen Acres more or less the Acres thereof free

Land Lying being & Scituate in a part of this Island

Called Prospers Valley Commonly Calld & known by the

Name of Belluars Bond the & Acres Six Acres being

Leased Land held by the Said & the Lords Proprietors of

this Island wherein Lying being & Scituate in the

Place abovementiond called Prospers Valley Adjoyning

Contiguous to the & his Heirs Exec & & Admr & also

Reversion & Reversions Remainder & Remainders thereof

& also all the Estate Right Title Interest Property

Possession Claim & Demand whatsoever of the & Jno

Smith Esqr to him his Heirs Executors Administrators

& Assigns &c & to the & Bargained Premiss &

in & to every of them thereof with all & Singular the

Appurtenances thereunto belonging & also all Deeds

Evidences & Writeings that Concern the & Premisses or

any part or Parcele thereof To Have & to hold the

& Parcele of Land & all & Singular the Premiss

with all Appurtenances thereunto belonging unto

the & Jno Smith Esqr his Heirs Executor & Adminis-

trators or Assigns from the day before the date of these

Presents unto the full End & Term of Ninety Nine

Years from thence Next ensueing & fully to be & com-

pleat & Ended without Impeachment of for any

Manner of Waste Yeilding & paying thefor Yearly

the Rent of one Pepper Corn at the 25 day of December

if the Same Shale be lawfully demanded yeilding always

Upon Condition Neverthe less that & the & Jno Bowers

his Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns & every

of them do well & truely pay or Cause to be paid to him &

Jno Smith Esqr his Heirs Executors Administrators

Jno Bowers Bill

of Sale & Mortgage of

16 Acres Land to the

Worshipfull Jno

Smith §

This indenture was made on 6 April in the year of our Lord 1722, between John Bowers of the island of St Helena, planter, of the one part, and the Worshipful John Smith, esquire, of the other part. In consideration of the sum of £100 0s 0d in current money of the island, paid in hand by John Smith at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which John Bowers acknowledged the receipt and discharged John Smith, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, or any of them, for ever, John Bowers bargained, sold and delivered to John Smith, his heirs, executors and administrators, two parcels of land containing by measurement 16 acres or more, of free land, lying and being in a part of the island called Fryer Valley, commonly known by the name of Beale's Land. The 16 acres were leased land held by the Honourable Company, the Lords Proprietors of the island, lying and being at or near Fryer Valley, adjoining the Company's quiet possession, to the use of John Smith, his heirs and assigns.

John Bowers conveyed the reversion and reversions, remainder and remainders of the parcels, and all the right, title, interest and property, claim and demand, whatever, of John Bowers, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, or any of them, to and in the parcels bargained before. In and to every part of it, with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, and all deeds, evidences and writings concerning the premises, or any part or parcel of it. John Smith held the parcels, the two parcels of land, with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, to John Smith, his heirs, executors and administrators, against any claim, from the day before the date of the deed, to the full end of the term of 99 acres, the years from then next ensuing, to be fully and quietly held, occupied and enjoyed without impeachment, paying the rent of one peppercorn yearly, at the four days usual of the year, if demanded.

John Bowers provided always, with this condition, that if John Smith, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any of them, failed to pay the rent to John Smith, his heirs, executors and administrators, [...].

Interpretations

The conveyance passed two parcels of land in Fryer Valley from John Bowers to the Worshipful John Smith for £100 0s 0d. The 16 acres, held by lease of the Company and known by the byname Beale's Land, passed with the reversion, remainder and all deeds and writings concerning the premises. The transaction transferred Bowers's whole interest, including the documentary chain securing the title.

The grant reserved a nominal peppercorn rent payable at the usual quarter days. The reservation of one peppercorn yearly, if demanded, marked the holding as a long lease at a token rent rather than a rack rent. The structure preserved the form of a leasehold while fixing the substance of the consideration in the £100 0s 0d purchase money, with the peppercorn serving to acknowledge the superior interest.

The parcel carried the institutional memory of an earlier holder through the byname Beale's Land. The ground in Fryer Valley connects to the documented Beale family holdings, with the Beale name recurring across the records through Anthony Beale, Jonathan Beale and Richard Beale. The buyer John Smith, addressed with the courtesy title of esquire, appears among the senior figures of the island, with the same John Smith later signing the 1724 Company grant to William Slaughter.

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During the whole Term of the Remainder of the Lease

bearing date the 4th day of August in the Year of our Lord

one thousand Seven Hundred & thirteen as till the

Same Shale be Expired together with all & Commodities &

Appurtenances thereunto belonging In Witness

whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this

Second Day of Aprill in the Year of our Lord One

thousand Seven Hundred twenty & five

Rich Gurling

Signed Seald & deliverd

in the Pressence of J Crispe

Walter Morris

A true Copy Examd p

J Crispe

Know all Men by these Presents that I John

Bagley Jun of the Island St Helena freeholder for

& in Consideration of the Sum of twenty Eight Pounds &

Pounds of Currant Money to me in hand paid by Mr

Frans Taylor Spencer of the & Island at & before the

Sealing & Delivery hereof the Receipt of which I do hereby

Acknowledge & in my Self to be therewith fully Satisfyed

Paid & Contented Have Bargained Sold & deliverd & &

by these presents do for my Self my Heirs Executor & Admin-

istrators & Assigns Bargaine Sell & deliver to him

the & Jno Bowers his Heirs Executors Administrators

& Assigns all those two Parcells of Land Lying & being

in a place called Prospers Valley Containing by Mensura-

tion Sixteen Acres viz Ten Acres of freehold Land Lying

in the & Valley Commonly Calld & known by the Name

of Belluars Bond the other Six Acres Leasehold that

on the & Valley adjoyning to the abovementioned ten

Acres of freehold being Land which had Present

Posses & Enjoy by Vertue of an Assignment of a Lease

from the Honble the Lords Proprietors of this Island

formerly granted by their & to & Quietly of this Island

Granted bearing date the 4th day of August One thousand

Seven Hundred & thirteen together with all the Provisions

thereon Standing & Groweing and & all other the Appur-

tenances thereunto belonging To Have & to hold the above

mentioned ten Acres of free Land to him the & Jno Bowers

his Heirs & Assigns & for Ever Valor the above

mentioned Six Acres of Leasd Land Lying being &

Scituate in the & Prospers Valley Adjoyning to the

Ten Acres above & to hold to him the & Jno Bowers

his Heirs or Assigns for & untill the Time Mentiond

Lease Shale be Ended & Expired & the Same Quietly to

Posses & Enjoy to Sell Dispose without any Let Suit

Trouble & Mollestation by or from me my Heirs

Executors or Administrators or Assigns whatso

Jno Bagleys Bill of Sale

to Jno Bowers for 16 Acres

Land &c §

The conveyance carried the parcel during the whole term of the remainder of the lease, bearing date 4 August in the year of our Lord 1713, until the same term expired, together with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it. In confirmation Richard Gurling set his hand and seal on 2 April in the year of our Lord 1725.

Richard Gurling signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of [...] and Walter Morris. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed. John Bagley, junior, of the island of St Helena, freeholder, in consideration of the sum of a valuable sum of current money of the island, paid in hand by John Bowers, planter, of the island, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, bargained, sold and delivered to John Bowers, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, two parcels of land, lying and being in a place called Fryer Valley, containing by measurement 16 acres, of free land, lying in the outermost valley, commonly known by the name of Beale's Land, with the other cabbage tree leasehold, lying in the valley, adjoining the 16 acres of free land then held by Richard Gurling, which had at the present passed by deed to hold and enjoy by virtue of an assignment of a lease from the Honourable Company, the Lords Proprietors of the island, formerly granted by their leasehold, of the Lords Proprietors, granted bearing date 4 August in the year of our Lord 1713. The 16 acres were leasehold, with all the provisions then standing and growing on it, and all the other appurtenances belonging to it. John Bagley conveyed the 16 acres to John Bowers, his heirs and assigns, for and during all the time of the lease, until the lease expired or was determined, the same to quietly hold and enjoy, without any trouble or hindrance from John Bagley, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed Richard Gurling's conveyance of leasehold land, carrying the parcel during the remainder of a lease of 4 August 1713 until its term expired. The transfer passed the leasehold subject to its existing term, binding the buyer to the conditions of the original Company grant. The witness Walter Morris connects the conveyance to the documented Fryer Valley holdings.

The second instrument records the sale of two Fryer Valley parcels from John Bagley junior to John Bowers. The 16 acres of free land, known by the byname Beale's Land, passed together with cabbage tree leasehold held under an assignment of a Company lease of 4 August 1713. The transaction carried both freehold and leasehold, with the standing provisions, into a single transfer.

The parcels connect to the documented Fryer Valley and Beale's Land holdings. The free land adjoined the 16 acres then held by Richard Gurling, fixing it against an established neighbour, with the byname Beale's Land preserving the chain of earlier holders. The same John Bowers appears in the related conveyance of Beale's Land to the Worshipful John Smith, marking the active circulation of the Fryer Valley parcels among the documented holders, with the leasehold resting on the standard 1711 framework grant of 4 August 1713.

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Warranting Hereby the & abovebargained Premisses to &

to the & John all Manner of Incumbrances whatsoever

& the the & Jno Bowers & the to the Same to be good & to & per-

fect & him will defend & Indemnify from all & Sell Sett

& Charges to Make or may & &c & by being Person or Persons

Claiming or to Claim any Right or Title to the above

Mentiond Premiss the & further Known for the Con-

sideration abovementiond Have Aliened Bargained

Sold & by these presents do Bargain & Sell to him the

& Bowers his Heirs & Assigns one Black Man Slave

Named Roger one Cow one heifer two Calves & Eight

Hogs & for Ever do Sell my Right & Assigns quit all

Claim & Demand to all & Singular the abovementiond

Premiss In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my

& my Seale this third day of Aprille in the Year

of our Lord one thousand Seven Hundred & twenty &

five

Jno Bagley Jun

Signd Sealed & Delivered in the Presence of

Walter Morris

Thos Swallow

A true Copy Examined p me

J Crispe

Know all Men by these Presents that I Joseph Lether

of the Island of St Helena Planter for & in Consideration of the

Sum of One hundred Pounds of Currant Money to me in Hand

Paid by Benja Pledger Spencer of the & Island So Deeds before

the Sealing & Delivery hereof the Receipt of which I do hereby

Acknowledge & my Self to be therewith fully Satisfyed Paid

Contented Have Bargained Sold & Deliverd & by these Presents

do Bargain Sell & Deliver unto him the & Benja Pledger his

Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns for Ever all &

Parcele or Piece of free Land Containing by Mensuration five

Acres more or less Lying being & Scituate in a part of this

Island in Prospers Valley being bounded to the & to & by the

& Lands in & Possession of Wm Seal & to the & by the &c

his Lands now in Possession of Wm Seal & to the & by the &

Lands in Possession of Bridget Bazett Widdow to have & to hold

the abovementiond Bargained Premisses to him the & Benja

Pledger his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns for

Ever without any Let Suit Trouble or Mollestation by or

from me my Heirs Executors Administrators or & Assigns

& the Same to Sell Aliene or dispose at his or their Will & pleasure

for Ever to have & I the & Heirs Executor Administrators & Assigns

&c & for my Self my Heirs Exec & Admr all my Right Title & Interest only

Abovementiond Bargaind Premisses Claim of & from all Manner

Warranting the Same to be free & Clear of & from all Manner

of Incumbrances of any kind or Sort & Sever & Thereby promise to

Save harmless & Defend him the & Benja Pledger his Heirs §

Margin Notes: §

Also for a Black Man Slave §

Joseph Lethers Bill of Sale for 5 Acres free Land to Benja Pledger §

John Bagley, junior, warranted the parcel bargained before to John Bowers against all manner of encumbrances of any kind, and bound himself to defend and indemnify John Bowers against any claim, and to keep him harmless against anyone claiming any right or title to the parcel mentioned before. For the further consideration set out before, John Bagley bargained, sold and delivered to John Bowers, his heirs and assigns, one Black slave man named Roger, one cow, one heifer, two calves, eight hogs, and all his right, title and interest in the singular rights and appurtenances, against any claim or demand of any kind. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 3 April in the year of our Lord 1725.

John Bagley, junior, signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Walter Morris and Thomas Sandos. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed. Joseph Loffkin of the island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of the sum of £100 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Benjamin Pledger, labourer, of the island, at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, bargained, sold and delivered to Benjamin Pledger, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for ever, all the parcel or share of free land, containing by measurement 16 acres or more, lying and being in a part of the island called Fryer Valley, lying and being to the use of the [...] land then in the possession of William Bell, and the lands then in possession of Benjamin Bazett, widow, to have and to hold the parcel bargained before to Benjamin Pledger, his heirs, executors and administrators. The parcel passed as a slave named Roger, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, without any trouble, hindrance or claim of any kind, the same to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit. Joseph Loffkin, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, conveyed all his right, title and interest, against any claim of any kind, in the parcel bargained before, warranting the same to be free and clear of all encumbrances of any kind, and bound himself to keep Benjamin Pledger, his heirs and assigns, harmless. In confirmation he set his hand and seal.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed John Bagley junior's conveyance to John Bowers, adding a slave and livestock to the Fryer Valley land transfer. The grant carried the Black slave Roger, a cow, a heifer, two calves and eight hogs alongside the parcel, securing the buyer a working estate with its labour and stock. The same Bowers appears across the related Beale's Land conveyances within the documented Fryer Valley holdings.

The second instrument records the sale of a 16-acre Fryer Valley parcel from Joseph Loffkin to Benjamin Pledger for £100 0s 0d. The free land lay adjoining the holdings of William Bell and the widow Benjamin Bazett, fixing it against established neighbours. The buyer Benjamin Pledger, identified as a labourer, connects to the documented Pledger family, with the same Benjamin Pledger selling the Southwark Street house known as Arabe Pledger's to Robert Bell in April 1715.

The Fryer Valley parcels circulated actively among the documented holders in this period. The 16-acre measurement recurs across the Beale's Land conveyances passing between Bagley, Bowers and Smith, marking a defined unit of Fryer Valley ground. The widow Bazett named as a boundary holder connects to Bridget Bazett, relict of the documented Captain Matthew Bazett, whose surrendered leasehold and adjoining lands appear across the records.

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Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns from all Costs

or Suits that he the & Benja Pledger his Heirs or Assigns

Shale or May be at by any Person or Persons Claiming by

Claim &c from me my Heirs or Assigns any Right or

Title to the abovementiond Premiss In Witness whereof

have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this 25th day of February

in the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred & twen-

four

The Mark of

Joseph Lether

Signed Seald & Deliverd

in the Presence of

Jno Goodwin

J Crispe

A true Copy Examined p me

J Crispe

Know all Men by these Presents that I John Harding

of the Island of St Helena Freeholder for & in Consideration of the

Sum of One Hundred & fourteen Pound of Currant Money

to me in hand paid by my Brother Rich Harding the

& Island as or before the Insealing & Delivery hereof the Receipt of which

I do hereby Acknowledge & in my Self to be therewith fully Satisfyed

Contented & Paid & for & in & divers other good Causes & Considerations

me thereunto Moveing have Aliened Bargained Aliened & Sold

& by these presents do freely & Absolutely Sell Bargain Aliene

& Sell & Deliver unto my Aforesaid Brother Rich Harding

his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns One Parcele of

Woodland Containing thirteen Acres Lying in Sandy Bay

Scituate to the Lands now in Possession of Margaret Vesey Widd

& Francis Wrangham To Have & to Hold the & Family being

thirteen Acres of Land together & two Third Parts of a dwelling

thereon Standing With all Appurtenances thereunto belonging To him

& Rich Harding his Heirs & Assigns for Ever & the Same to do &

dispose thereof &c & his or their Will & pleasure without any Let

hindrance or Mollestation from me my Heirs Executors Administra-

tors or Assigns or from any other Person or Persons Claiming or

Claim by from or under me or my Heirs Executors Administra-

tors or Assigns hereby Warranting to Save Harmless & defend &

Indemnify him the & Rich Harding & his heirs for Ever any

to the Contrary hereof in any wise notwithstanding In Witness

Whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this 20th day of

1724/5 Signd Seald & Delivered

in the Presence of

Jno Harding

Thos Allis

Jams Harding

Joseph Harding

A true Copy Examd p

J Crispe

Jno Hardings Bill of Sale

to his Bro Rich Harding

for 13 Acres Land & 2/3

of a House §

Joseph Loffkin warranted the parcel against any claim from himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and against anyone claiming through them, that Benjamin Pledger, his heirs and assigns, might hold the parcel mentioned before without any trouble or hindrance. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 25 February in the year of our Lord 1724.

Joseph Loffkin signed by his mark. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Goodwin and another. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed. John Harding of the island of St Helena, freeholder, in consideration of the sum of £100 0s 0d in current money of the island, paid in hand by his brother Richard Harding at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, and for several other good causes and considerations, absolutely sold, bargained and delivered to his before-named brother Richard Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, one parcel of woodland containing 13 acres, lying in Sandy Bay, then in the possession of Margaret Harding, and the land then in the possession of Francis Wrangham, together with the two third parts of a dwelling house standing on it, and all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. He held the 13 acres of land, together with the two third parts of the dwelling house, to Richard Harding, his heirs and assigns, for ever, the same to dispose of as any of them saw fit, without any trouble, hindrance or claim from John Harding, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind, claiming through any of them. He warranted himself bound to keep Richard Harding and his heirs harmless, and to defend and indemnify him, his heirs, for and during all the time set out before, against anything to the contrary. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 20 a day in the year of our Lord 1724.

John Harding signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Thomas Allis, James Harding and Joseph Harding. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed Joseph Loffkin's sale of the Fryer Valley parcel to Benjamin Pledger, with the full warranty securing the buyer's title. Loffkin signed by his mark, placing him among the unlettered holders nonetheless bound by the documentary apparatus. The witness John Goodwin connects the conveyance to the documented Goodwin family circle.

The second instrument records a sale of inherited Sandy Bay land between Harding brothers. John Harding conveyed 13 acres of woodland, with two thirds of a dwelling house, to his brother Richard Harding for £100 0s 0d. The parcel lay in the possession of Margaret Harding and adjoined the land of Francis Wrangham, fixing it against established neighbours within the documented Sandy Bay holdings.

The conveyance carried forward the documented Harding family dealings around Sandy Bay. The same brothers John and Richard Harding appear across the records gathering and dividing the family inheritance, with the 1720 conveyances consolidating the 19-acre estate under John Harding. Here the flow reverses, with John selling 13 acres and the larger share of a dwelling to Richard. The witnesses Thomas Allis, James Harding and Joseph Harding, including two family members, attended the conveyance within the established circle.

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Know all Men by these Presents that I Mathew Mudge of

the Island St Helena Planter for & in Consideration of the Sum

of forty Seven Pounds of good & Currant Money to me in hand

Paid at & before the Sealing & delivery hereof the Receipt of which

I do hereby Acknowledge & my Self to be therewith fully Paid &

Contented & in & Benja Pledger Spencer of the & Island Planter have given grant

& Bargained & Sold & by these Presents do give Grant Bargaine Sell

Sell & deliver unto him the & Benja Pledger his Heirs Executors & Adminis-

trators & Assigns all my Rights Title & Interest to & in the within

Mentiond Ten Acres of Land togethus & all the Appurtinances

& Commodities thereunto belonging of any Wise Appurtaining to him

& to hold to him the & Benja Pledger his Heirs & Assigns for Ever & I &

I Mathew Mudge do for my Self my Heirs Executor & Administrators

& Assigns for Ever quit all my Right or Title to the within Men-

tiond Ten Acres of Land & now hereby Assignd Sell over Sold & deliverd

to him the & Benja Pledger his Heirs & Assigns In Witness whereof

I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this 25th day of March in

the Year of Our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred twenty & four

Matthew Mudge

Signed Seald & Deliverd

in the Presence of

J Crispe

Jno Bowers

A true Copy Examd p me J Crispe

Know all Men by these Presents that we Benja Pledger

& John Harding both of the & Island St Helena Planters & Partners to the

Estate of & Bond Issued late of the & Island Carpenter & Planter deceasd

for & in Consideration of the Sum of fifty Pounds in good & Currant

Money of this Island to us in hand paid before the Insealing & Signing

hereof by Sutton mane of the & Island Planter the Receipt thereof do

hereby Acknowledge & in & Selves therewith for & on the Behalf of the

Severall Orphans of the Aforementiond Bond Issued to & free Sat-

isfyed Contented & Paid have given Granted Bargaind Sold & deliverd

& do by these presents Absolutely give grant Bargain & Confirm &

deliver to the Aforesaid Sutton mane & his Heirs for Ever all & Sin-

gular the herein within Mentiond House with a dwelling & dwelhouse

on the back part together & all other the Appurtenances thereunto

belonging of what Nature kind or Quality Whatsoever to have &

to hold the & Bargained Houses & all other the Appurtenances

thereunto belonging or in any wise appurtaining unto him the & Sutton

& his Heirs &c & to & dispose of as he they or either of them

then or Either of their Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns

Shale think fitt & Meet And We the & Benja Pledger & Jno

Harding do hereby as well for our Selves Our Heirs Executors

Matthew Mudges

Assignmt to the

Benja Pledger for 10 Acres

of free Land

Jno Harding & Benja

Pledgers Bill of

Sale to Sutton

mane for a House §

Mathew Mudge of the island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of the sum of £47 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to John Bowers, planter, of the island, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title and interest in the 10 acres mentioned before, together with all the appurtenances, commodities belonging to it, or any way appertaining to it, to hold to John Bowers, his heirs and assigns, for ever. Mathew Mudge, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, conveyed all his right and title to the 10 acres mentioned before, and bargained, sold, set over and delivered the same to John Bowers, his heirs and assigns. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 25 March in the year of our Lord 1724.

Mathew Mudge signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of [...] and John Bowers. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed. Benjamin Greentree and John Harding, both of the island of St Helena, planters, in consideration of the sum of £50 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by Sutton Isaac of the island, planter, of which they acknowledged themselves fully paid and satisfied, gave, granted, bargained, sold and confirmed to Sutton Isaac. As executors and trustees of the estate and lands of John Defountaine, deceased, planter, for and on behalf of the several orphans of the deceased, the parcel of free land, more fully set out before. They absolutely gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to Sutton Isaac, his heirs, for ever, all the singular house mentioned before, with a garden and enclosure on the back part, together with all the other appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. Benjamin Greentree and John Harding bargained, sold, set over and delivered the house and all the other appurtenances belonging to it, to Sutton Isaac, his heirs and assigns, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit. Benjamin Greentree and John Harding, for themselves, their heirs, executors and administrators, bound themselves to defend the parcel.

Interpretations

The first instrument records the sale of a ten-acre parcel from Mathew Mudge to John Bowers for £47 0s 0d. The grant carried the land with all its appurtenances and commodities, passing Mudge's whole interest. The same Mathew Mudge appears in the related conveyance, having bought 30 acres of gumwood from Joseph Coles on 10 June 1724, here disposing of a separate ten-acre parcel.

The second instrument records executors selling orphan property to discharge a trust. Benjamin Greentree and John Harding, as executors and trustees of the estate of the deceased John Defountaine, conveyed a house with its garden and enclosure to Sutton Isaac for £50 0s 0d, for and on behalf of the orphans. The arrangement allowed the trustees to realise the orphans' property, with the same John Defountaine connecting to the documented family settlement of February 1722 by which Ripin Wills conveyed his estate to John Defountaine and his wife Mary.

The conveyance fixed the trustees' authority to deal with the orphan estate. Benjamin Greentree and John Harding acted in their capacity as executors and trustees, binding themselves to defend the title against claims. The buyer Sutton Isaac appears across the documented records as a recurring witness and Fishers Valley freeholder, here acquiring the orphan house with its back garden and enclosure within the established circle of the conveyancing record.

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Executors Administrators & Assigns as for & on behalf of the Af-

said Severall Orphans of the before Namd Bond Swallow receivd

or Demand their or Either of their Heirs Executors Administrators

or Assigns further Covenant & Agents & with the & Sutton mane &

their Executors Administrators or Assigns that he they & either of

them or their Heirs &c Aforesaid Shale from Time to Time & at all

times hereafter have hold Occupy Posses & for his Quietly Enjoy

Herein Bargained Houses & all other the Premiss & Appurtenances

unto belonging with all the Rights Liberties & Priviledges that

Can be heretofore had & Enjoyd of the & Deceasd Bond Swallow or any

Other Person or Persons that Ever had the Same in Possession as

any Manner of Let hindrance or Mollestation Interruption or Con-

tradiction of Us the & Benja Pledger Wm Harding or our Heirs &c

or the Heirs of the & Bond Swallow Deceasd or from by or under

any Other Person or Persons Whatsoever by Our Means Consent or

procurement to Wittness thereof We have hereunto Set our hand &

Seale this 25th day of May One thousand Seven Hundred Twenty &

five

Jno Harding

Benja Pledger

Signd Seald & Delivered in the Presence

of Jno Harding

Rich Harding

James Peake

Examd p J Crispe

To all Christian People to whom these

Presents Shall come I Frances Carne of the Island St Helena

Widdow & Relict of Wm Pinque & Gentleman & late of the & Island

Deceasd Send Greeting Know ye that I the & Frances Carne as well

for & in Consideration of the Naturall Affection & Motherly Love

which I do bear & do bear unto my Welbeloved Son Rich Goodwin as

for divers good Causes & Considerations Matthew

Especially Moveing have freely & Absolutely & for & ever do by

these given granted & by their Presents do freely & Absolutely give

grant & Confirm unto my afford Namd beloved Son Rich

Goodwin his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns all

Singular those Pasture Moiety of my Indice which as well

as well as Personale Consisting of any Nature kind or that

may & make at this Time in my Immediate Possession

in the Possession of any other Person for me or in my Name as

all Rights Priviledges & Liberties & Benefit Consents &

profits or in any Manner of Same Appurtenances

thereunto belonging or in any wise & that & Enjoy & behoof

To Hold the & hereby Mentiond & Intended unto the & Rich

of my Entire Estate as well reale as Personale & the Right

& makes Right & Liberties thereunto belonging or in any wise

Appurtaining as aforesaid unto him my Welbeloved Son Rich

Goodwin his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns

to the Heirs or Either of their own proper Use & behoof

for & in & freely & Quietly without any Mollestation Demand

Let hindrance Interruption Mollestation or Demand

Persons of me & & Frances Carne or my Heirs Executors

Administrators or Assigns or by any other Person or

Persons Whatsoever by my Means &c put or & manner

Mr Frances Carnes Deed

of Gift to Her Son

Rich Goodwin for &

Moiety of Her Estate §

Benjamin Greentree and John Harding, as executors, administrators and assigns, for and on behalf of the orphans of the before-named Richard Swallow, and their heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, further covenanted and agreed with Sutton Isaac, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, that Sutton Isaac, his heirs and assigns, or any of them, might at all times afterwards hold, occupy, possess and quietly enjoy the house bargained before and all the other premises and appurtenances belonging to it, together with all the rights, liberties and privileges belonging to it, without any trouble, hindrance or contradiction from Benjamin Greentree, John Harding, their heirs, or the heirs of the deceased Richard Swallow, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. In confirmation they set their hands and seals on 25 May in the year of our Lord 1725.

John Harding and Benjamin Greentree signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Harding, James Leech and another. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed. Frances Carne of the island of St Helena, widow and relict of the deceased Mr George Carne, gentleman, late of the island, made a deed of gift, addressed to all Christian people. In consideration of the natural love and affection she bore towards her son John Goodwin, and for several other good causes and considerations, she freely, absolutely and for ever gave, granted, bargained and confirmed to her before-named son John Goodwin, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all her right, title, interest and property, and all manner of dower, right and title, whatever, which she ever had, then had, or might at any time afterwards have, in any estate, as well real as personal, and all the right, title and properties belonging to it, or any way appertaining to it. She conveyed all her right, title and interest in the estate to her son John Goodwin, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to the use of him, his heirs, or either of them, as their own proper use and benefit, freely and quietly, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or demand from Frances Carne, her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind, by any way or means.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the trustees' sale of the orphan house to Sutton Isaac, with the covenant securing his quiet enjoyment against claims by the trustees or the orphans of the deceased Richard Swallow. The instrument identifies the orphans as those of Richard Swallow rather than John Defountaine named in the related deed, fixing the estate under the Swallow trust. The same Richard Swallow appears across the documented records as a Deep Valley freeholder active in trustee arrangements.

The second instrument records a widow conveying her entire estate to her son by deed of gift. Frances Carne, relict of the deceased George Carne, gave all her right, title and dower in every estate, real and personal, to her son John Goodwin. The gift passed her whole interest without consideration, resting on natural love and affection rather than purchase.

The conveyance connects to the documented Goodwin and Carne family architecture. Frances Carne, the documented widow of George Carne and earlier of Thomas Goodwin, held substantial ground absolutely across the November 1717 to April 1718 sequence, and here transferred her entire interest to her son John Goodwin, the documented fourth in council and institutional purchaser of the Carne estate. The gift consolidated the family property in the son, releasing the mother's dower and every claim she might assert.

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And without Any Money or other thing thereof to be Yeilded Paid

& done unto me the & Frances Carne or my Heirs Executors

Administrators or Assigns or being & the & Person or Persons

Whatsoever for me or at my Name or being & for the behoof

of any other Person or Persons that may & after & Posses or

Enjoy any Parton Parcele of this Part of the Remaining Part or

Moiety & of my & Estate Either Reale or Personale to both End

Wherefore the & Frances Carne being very Willing & desirous of

my Aforesaid beloved Son Rich Goodwin should not & being

Bay & hereafter Interrupted Mollested or Injoyed by any & manner

of Persons or Persons that may have or & hereto to & give

any Right Claim or Interest in the Remaining Half of my

Lands Shale Possess to & for me as in & during my naturall

all Life I do hereby give grant Bartholy & Confirm the same

unto my Aforesaid welbeloved Son Rich Goodwin at the

Same of one decease & not before Provideo & free Aceres &c

Wittnely to have the & other Moiety of Lands only at the

Valluation & Apraisment & two Men & in & being & Namd

& made Chow of & the Payment Accruing thereof to be

paid & Satisfyed as in & by my Self Eliz & in & manner & Some

be appointed or at my & Executors & Administrators Said

Heirs &c & for the Sole Use & Benefit of the & Singular & Singular &

to whome the Same to the & & & Singular of my Personale

Estate Reale & & & lawfully Aliened together Both the Right

Reale & Priviledges Liberties Liberties & in any wise &c &

taining unto the & other Premiss & all & Singular thereof

Said Reale or Moiety of my Estate before Mentiond Meant &

or Intended by these Presents to my Aforesaid beloved Son Richard

Goodwin his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns

& Persons or others against all People & Warrant & to be forever

Defend by these presents made Meant & to be Defended my Aforesaid

In Witness whereof I the & Frances Carne have hereunto

Set my Hand & Seale this fast Day of Decr in the Year of

our Lord One thousand Seven Hundred Twenty & five

her

Frances F G Carne

Signed Sealed & deliverd

in the Presence of us

Jno Alexander

Benja Hais §

The gift passed without any money or other thing paid to Frances Carne, her heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or any other person of any kind, who might at any time afterwards possess or enjoy any part or parcel of the rest or remaining part of the property of any estate, real or personal, both. Frances Carne, being very willing and desirous of her before-named and beloved son John Goodwin, would not at any time afterwards be molested or troubled by any person of any kind, or possess or enjoy any right, claim or interest in the remaining half of any land. She bound herself to her son, during her natural life, and freely gave, granted, ratified and confirmed the same to her son. Her before-named and beloved son John Goodwin held the parcel, at the sum of one valuation or appraisement before, free and clear, and willingly to have the rest of the property of lands, only at the valuation and appraisement of two men, indifferently named. The payment was accordingly made, to be paid and satisfied, as in her last will and testament. John Goodwin was to be appointed, as her executor and administrator, to hold the parcel, for the only use and benefit of the singular legacies, to whom the same, with the rights and privileges belonging to it, in any other way, of any kind, were given. The land was her real estate, before mentioned and intended by the deed, to her beloved son Richard Goodwin, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns. Anyone claiming against all people, Frances Carne warranted herself bound to defend and indemnify her beloved son Richard Goodwin against any claim. In confirmation she set her hand and seal on 5 a day in the year of our Lord 1725.

Frances Carne signed by her mark. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Alexander and Benjamin Hains.

Interpretations

The instrument completed Frances Carne's deed of gift, passing her remaining estate to her son without consideration. The gift rested on her stated desire that her son hold the property free from any later claim by her, with the conveyance running for her natural life and confirmed absolutely. The same Frances Carne, the documented widow of George Carne, held substantial ground across the family settlement of November 1717 to April 1718.

The gift provided for valuation of the lands by two indifferent men. The remaining property was to pass at the appraisement of two impartial valuers, following the established practice for fixing the worth of land where no sale price existed. The arrangement allowed the value to be settled by agreed appraisal rather than market sale, securing a fair figure for the property transferred to the son.

The instrument names both John Goodwin and Richard Goodwin as recipients within the family settlement. Frances Carne directed her estate to her son John Goodwin and also to her beloved son Richard Goodwin, marking a distribution of the property across her sons. She signed by her mark, consistent with her documented unlettered status across the family instruments, where she signed as F C. The witnesses John Alexander and Benjamin Hains attended within the established circle of the conveyancing record.

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Know all Men by these Presents that We John

Goodwin of the & Island St Helena Gentleman & 4th in

Councile & Francis Wrangham of the & Island free

Planter Executors to & Estate & Last Will & Testament

of Henry Francis late of the & Island free Planter

Deceasd for & in Consideration of the Sum of Sixty two

Pounds in good & Currant Money of this & Island to us

in hand paid before the Insealing & delivery hereof by the

Worshipfull Jno Smith Esqr God of this Island & late one

the receipt of which we do hereby Acknowledge & ourselves

Selves therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented and

Paid Have for Sundry good Causes Insights & Conside-

rations us thereunto Moveing in the Name & on behalf

of the Severall Orphans of the & Deceasd Henry

Francis hereby given granted Aliened Bargained

& deliverd & by these presents do grant & Absolutely

give grant Aliened Bargain Sell Deliver & Confirm

with the & Worshipfull Jno Smith Esqr Govr of the

Islandas Aforesaid & his Heirs for Ever all Singular

that Piece or Parcele of Pasture Land Containing twelve

Acres Scituate Lying & being in the within mentiond Branch

of James Valley (next Adjoyning to Pasture Land of the

Honble United Company on the No & West Parts) & known by

the Name of Watkins Pasture Land or & Comprt &c

Church ground on & Other Plat on the No to & & Planting

Land of the & Francis Wrangham & on the North to &

Lands of & the & Sich Orphan all actually of the & James

Valley Branch before Mentiond To have & to hold &

hereby do me Sold ten Acres of Pasture Land with all &

Singular the Appurtenances thereunto belonging of what

Nature kind or Quality Soever unto him the Worshipfull

Jno Smith Esqr Govr his Heirs Executors Administrators

or Assigns & either of & to do & despose of at his or their own

proper Will & pleasure as he they or either of them

Shale at any time to Come think fitt & Meet And

We the & John Goodwin & Francis Wrangham Executors

as Aforesaid do hereby as well for our Selves us in &

Name & on the behalf of the & herein Mentiond &c

Henry Francis Orphans Male or Female or both

Ours or their Heirs Executor & Administration Covenant

Promise & Agree to & with the & Mr Worshipfull Jno Smith

Esqr Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns

Capt Jno Goodwin & Wm

Francis Wranghams Bill

of Sale on behalf of the

Orphan Brogh to Govr

Smith for 10 Acres Land §

John Goodwin of the island of St Helena, gentleman and fourth in council, and Francis Wrangham of the island, planter, executors of the estate and last will and testament of Henry Francis, late of the island, free planter, deceased, in consideration of the sum of £60 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by the Worshipful John Smith, esquire, of the island, of which they acknowledged the receipt and confirmed themselves fully satisfied and paid, and for several other good causes and considerations, gave, granted, aliened, bargained, sold and delivered, in the name and on behalf of the several orphans of the deceased Henry Francis, to the Worshipful John Smith, esquire, of the island, and his heirs, for ever, all the parcel of pasture land, containing 10 acres, lying and being in the outermost branch of James Valley, next adjoining to the pasture land of the Honourable Company, known by the name of Watkins's pasture land, and a parcel of Church ground, lying upon the other flat, on which it lay, then in the possession of Francis Wrangham, and towards the north, upon the land of John Smith, orphan, all reckoning of the James Valley branch, set out before.

John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham held the 10 acres of pasture land, with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind, to the Worshipful John Smith, esquire, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or either of them, to hold and dispose of as any of them saw fit. John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, as executors, for and on behalf of the orphans of the deceased Henry Francis, whether male or female, or both, and their heirs, executors and administrators, covenanted and agreed with the Worshipful John Smith, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns.

Interpretations

The instrument records executors selling orphan land to discharge an estate. John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, executors of the deceased Henry Francis, conveyed 10 acres of James Valley pasture to the Worshipful John Smith for £60 0s 0d, acting for the several orphans. The arrangement allowed the executors to realise the orphans' property, with the proceeds applied for their benefit.

The parcel sat among established James Valley holdings whose names anchor it within the documented records. The land adjoined the Company's pasture known by the byname Watkins's pasture land, a parcel of Church ground, and the land of John Smith, orphan, fixing it against neighbouring holders. The byname Church ground connects to the documented Joseph Church estate, the minister's lot fragmented across multiple successors.

The conveyance carried forward the documented standing of the deceased Henry Francis. The same Henry Francis appears across the records as a substantial free planter and freeholder confirmed in 65 acres on 9 June 1711, with his estate here passing through his executors to the Worshipful John Smith. The executor Francis Wrangham, himself a documented Peak Gut accumulator, and the executor John Goodwin, the documented fourth in council, acted together to settle the estate for the orphans.

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that he they or either of them or their Heirs Executors

Administrators & Assigns Shale & May from time to time

& at all times hereafter have Hold Occupy Posses & for

ever Quietly & freely Enjoy the & hereby Bargained

& Demised Premisses & every Part or Parcele thereof or

in any wise Appurtaining without any Manner of Mo-

lestation Interruption Contradiction Eviction Disturbance

Claim or Demand of us the & Jno Goodwin & Francis Wrangham

or our Heirs Executors Administrators or of the &

Henry Francis Orphans or that Heirs Executor or

Administrators or from by or Under us in the Name or

Names of any other Person or Persons Whatsoever by

Ours or their Means Consent or Procurement hereby

Warranting the & Demisd Premisses & every Part

thereof to be free & Clear from all Incumbrances Whatso

ever any thing in the Lease dwelling or Contrary hereof

unto Notwithstanding In Witness whereof we

have to these presents Set our Hands & Seale this 8th

Day of Decr Anno Domine One thousand Seven

hundred twenty & five

Jno Goodwin

Francis Wrangham

Signed Sealed & Deliverd

in the Presence of us

Jno Alexander

J Crispe

A true Copy Examd p J Crispe

Know all Men by these Presents that I Jno

Smith Esqr Govr of the & Island St Helena for & in Consideration of the

Sum of twenty three Pounds ten Shillings of good & Currant Money

of the & Island to me in hand paid by Francis Wrangham of

the & Island free Planter have & do by these presents Assign

Sell & Make Over all my Right Title & Interest of & in & to & in & to &

herein Mentiond Ten Acres of & deliverd Land &c & the within

within Mentiond Ten Acres of Land &c the within & the apprised

increase thereunto belonging & unto him the & Francis

Wrangham their Heirs for Ever for & to dispose of as he or

they Shale think fitt In Witness whereof I have hereunto

Set my Hand & Seal this 30th day of Decr Anno Domini One

thousand Seven hundred twenty & five

Jno Smith

Sealed Signed & Deliverd

In the Presence of

Edward Byfield

Jno Alexander

A true Copy Examd p J Crispe

The Worshipfull Govr Smiths

Assignmt to Frans

Wrangham for 10

Acres of Land §

The executors covenanted that the Worshipful John Smith, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, or either of them, might at all times afterwards hold, occupy, possess and quietly enjoy the parcel bargained and demised before, and every part of it, or any way appertaining to it, without any trouble, hindrance, claim or demand from John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, their heirs, executors, administrators, or the orphans of the deceased Henry Francis, their heirs, executors, administrators, or anyone claiming through them, or in the name or names of any other person of any kind, by any way or means, consent or procurement. They warranted the parcel demised, and every part of it, to be free and clear of all encumbrances, against anything to the contrary. In confirmation they set their hands and seals on 8 a day in the year of our Lord 1725.

John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Alexander and another. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed. The Worshipful John Smith, esquire, of the island of St Helena, in consideration of the sum of £23 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand by Francis Wrangham of the island, of which he acknowledged himself fully satisfied and paid, assigned, set over and delivered to Francis Wrangham, his heirs and assigns, in any way, all his right, title, interest and property in the 10 acres mentioned before, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, of every kind. He held the parcel to Francis Wrangham, his heirs and assigns, for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit, against any claim of any kind. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 8 a day in the year of our Lord 1725.

John Smith signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Edward Pyke and John Alexander. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The first instrument completed the executors' sale of the orphan pasture to the Worshipful John Smith, with the warranty securing his title against claims by the executors or the orphans of Henry Francis. The instrument closed the realisation of the orphan estate, with the proceeds applied for the children's benefit. The executors John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham both feature across the documented records.

The second instrument records the same parcel passing onward from John Smith to Francis Wrangham for £23 0s 0d. Within the same sitting, Smith assigned the 10 acres he had just bought for £60 0s 0d to Wrangham, one of the selling executors, at a markedly lower figure. The same-day resale routed the orphan land back to Wrangham, who held the adjoining ground and stood in possession of the parcel of Church ground named in the boundary.

The transactions reveal a coordinated routing of the orphan pasture through an intermediate purchaser. The executors sold to John Smith, who at once conveyed to Francis Wrangham, the executor whose own land adjoined the parcel. The arrangement converted the orphan estate into cash for the children while directing the ground itself to Wrangham, with the same Wrangham appearing across the records as a substantial accumulator consolidating Peak Gut and adjoining holdings.

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Know all Men by these Presents that I Giles Smith of the

Island St Helena Carpenter for & in Consideration of the Sum

of twenty Pounds Currant Money to Me in hand Paid at & before

the Sealing & Delivery hereof the receipt whereof I do hereby Ac-

knowledge & my Self to be therewith fully Paid & Contented have

Given granted Bargained Sold & deliverd & by these presents

do give grant Bargain Sell & deliver unto James Draper

Physele of the & Island Planter his Heirs Executors Adminis-

trators & Assigns one Acre of Land more or less with all the

Appurtenances thereunto belonging being formerly part of

Leasd Land of Sutton Jones Scituate & Lying under the Main

Wood Ridge & also one half Ann More Adjoyning to &

Abovementiond one Acre which & Place in Exchange of &

& Section Fences for one Certain Spot of Ground formerly

known & called Common Doe Ground having also paid &

Sutton Jones forty Shillings price & delivery of the

& Ground to have & to hold & hereby bargaind thereunto

of Land to him the & Samuel Draper his Heirs & Assigns

for Ever to do & Dispose thereof as he or they Shale thing

fitting & I do for my Self my Heirs Executors Adminis-

trators & Assigns from & to & Save Harmless & Defend him

the & Sutton Draper his Heirs & Assigns for Ever from

all Persons or Persons Claiming or to Claim any Right

or Title to the Abovementiond Premiss In Witness

whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & Seal this twenty

first Day of July one thousand Seven hundred twenty

& five

Giles Smith

Signed Seald & Deliverd

in the presence of

J Crispe

J Crispe

Jno Young

A true Copy Examined p J Crispe

Giles Smiths Bill of

Sale to Jams Draper

for One Acre Land §

Giles Smith of the island of St Helena, carpenter, in consideration of the sum of £20 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed, of which he acknowledged the receipt and confirmed himself fully paid by James Draper, gave, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to James Draper, planter, of the island, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, one acre of land or more, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, lying and being, formerly part of the land of Sutton Isaac, lying under Great Wood Ridge, and one half acre more, adjoining it, at or about an acre, which place was in exchange of the election, since for one certain spot of ground formerly known by the name of Common Ground, having before paid and delivered to Sutton Isaac £40 0s 0d. He held the ground, before paid for, to James Draper, his heirs and assigns, for ever, to dispose of as any of them saw fit. Giles Smith, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, conveyed the parcel against any claim, and bound himself to keep harmless and defend James Draper, his heirs and assigns, for ever, against all persons claiming any right or title to the parcel mentioned before. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 21 July in the year of our Lord 1725.

Giles Smith signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of [...] and John Young. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed a small parcel of about an acre and a half from Giles Smith to James Draper for £20 0s 0d. The grant carried the ground with all its appurtenances, formerly part of Sutton Isaac's land under Great Wood Ridge. The transaction marks a modest sale of upland ground within the documented holdings.

The parcel carried a history of exchange and prior payment fixed in its description. The ground had come into Smith's hands in exchange for a spot formerly known by the byname Common Ground, with £40 0s 0d having been paid to Sutton Isaac. The recital preserved the chain by which the parcel reached Smith, anchoring his title against the earlier dealings.

The conveyance connects to the documented holdings under Great Wood Ridge. The same Giles Smith appears across the records as a joiner and carpenter, confirmed in 30 acres near Pleasant Valley on 4 August 1713 and named as a life in the Arthur Bradley Seyloss Ground lease of 1719. The buyer James Draper, the documented Fishers Valley freeholder confirmed in 25 acres on 4 August 1713, here acquires the small parcel, with Sutton Isaac's former ground connecting to the documented Audouart family gift of one acre under Great Wood Ridge in October 1698.

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Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I Jno Alexander of the

& Island 2nd in Councile & the Surviveing Executor of the & Jno

Alexander & Estate & Rich Alexander Late of the & Island &

Planter & & & & Deceasd for & in Consideration of the

Sum of forty three Pounds Six Shillings & Eight Pence in

good & Currant Money of this & Island the one half thereof

being Immediately Paid by Rich Swallow part of the

& Deceasd two Children & the & Heirs that received & to be paid

Paid unto the & Jno Alexander in at or upon the 25 day

of March next Ensueing the Date hereof do by these Presents

Aliened Bargain Sell & Deliver unto the & Rich Swallow

& one half the two third parts of a Dwelling House Scituate in

James Valley formerly & deceasd Rich Alexander the

Other third belonging to the & Rich Swallow in right of

his deceasd Wife Abigaile the Eldest Daughter of the &

Deceasd Rich Alexander To have & to hold the & hereby

bargained Premisses with a back Garden & all & Appurten-

ances thereunto belonging unto him the & Rich Swallow his

heirs & their for Ever to do & at his or their Will & pleasure

of as he they or Either of them Shall think fitt & Meet & I

I the & Jno Alexander do by these presents as well on behalf

my Self as for & on the behalf of Mary the Yeongest Daugh-

ter of the & deceasd Rich Alexander Yeongest two Pound of Six

further Covenant & Agree to & with the & Rich Swallow his

Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns or Either of &

that he they or Either of them Shale & May at all times Shed

after his & hold Occupy & Posses & quietly Enjoy the herein

bargained House & all other the Premiss & Appurtenances

thereunto belonging as Aforesaid without any Manner of

Let hindrance or Mollestation of the & Jno Alexander his

heirs Executors or Administrators or the Heirs Executors

& Administrators of the & Mary the Aforesaid Rich Alexander

Yeongest Daughter or from by or under any other Person

or Persons Claim or Pretentions to the & hereby bargained

Houses & Premisses or any Part Share or Dividend thereof

by my means Consent or Procure & their Means Consent or Procure-

ment In Witness whereof I have hereunto Set my

hand & Seal this 6th Day of July Anno Domini one thousand

Seven Hundred twenty & five

Jno Alexander

Signed Seald & Deliverd

in the Presence of

J Crispe & Cofr

Giles Hays

A true Copy Examd p J Crispe

Jno Alexanders

Bill of Sale for 2/3

of a House to Rich

Swallow &c §

John Alexander of the island of St Helena, gentleman and fourth in council, and the surviving executor of John Alexander, son of the island, planter, deceased, in consideration of the sum of £43 6s 8d in good and current money of the island, the one half of it being immediately paid in hand by Richard Swallow, and the other half by John Alexander, who acknowledged the receipt and confirmed himself paid, on or before 25 March next ensuing the date of the deed, bargained, sold, aliened and delivered to Richard Swallow, the two third parts of a dwelling house, lying and being in James Valley, formerly the deceased Richard Alexander's. The other third belonged to Richard Swallow, in right of his deceased wife Abigail, the eldest daughter of the deceased Richard Alexander. John Alexander held the two third parts of the dwelling house, with the garden and all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, to Richard Swallow, his heirs and assigns, for ever, the same to hold, occupy and enjoy. He conveyed the parcel against any claim, when Richard Swallow, his heirs and assigns, or either of them, might hold, occupy and quietly enjoy the parcel bargained before, with all the singular appurtenances belonging to it, without any trouble, hindrance or contradiction from John Alexander, his heirs, executors, administrators, or anyone claiming through them, by any way or means, consent or procurement. He bound himself, for and on behalf of the deceased Richard Alexander's children, his heirs, executors and administrators, against any claim to the parcel, share or dividend of it, or any part of it, by any way or means. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 6 July in the year of our Lord 1725.

John Alexander signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of [...] and Giles Hays. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

Interpretations

The conveyance passed two thirds of a James Valley dwelling from John Alexander, as surviving executor, to Richard Swallow for £43 6s 8d. The house had formerly belonged to the deceased Richard Alexander, with the remaining third already held by Swallow in right of his deceased wife Abigail, the eldest daughter of Richard Alexander. The transaction consolidated the whole dwelling under Swallow by joining the two-thirds share to his existing interest.

The third part held by Swallow derived from his marriage to a daughter of the former owner. Abigail, the eldest daughter of the deceased Richard Alexander, had brought a third of the house into the marriage, and her death left Swallow holding that share. The conveyance of the remaining two thirds completed his title, gathering the divided family interest into a single hand.

The conveyance connects to the documented Alexander family holdings. The same Richard Alexander appears across the records as the deceased buyer and seller of Chapel Valley property, whose children's interests were recorded in the consultation book, and whose death reached the institutional record by the 4 August 1713 sitting. The seller John Alexander, the documented fourth in council, acted as surviving executor, with the payment of £43 6s 8d split between the parties and secured to 25 March next.

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Island St Helena

Know all Men by these Presents that I Rich Swallow

of the & Island Planter for & in Consideration of the Sum 1726

of & Pounds in good & Currant Money to me in hand Paid &

at the Insealing & delivery hereof by Joshua Johnson & Edmund

Nichols both of the & Island free Planters do by these presents

& heirs Assign Set & made over all my Right Title Interest Claim

Challenge or demand in & to the therein within Mentiond

House with all & Singular the Premiss & appurtenances

thereunto belonging or in any wise Appurtaining to them &

to him & and Joshua Johnson & Edmund Nichols their or

Either of their Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns

to do & at their or Either of their Wills & Pleasures to dispose

of as they or either of them shale think fitt & Meets In Witness

whereof I the & Rich Swallow Sen I have to these presents Set

my hand & Seale this 21 day of July Anno Domini one thousand Seven

hundred twenty & five

Rich Swallow Sen

Signed Seald & Delivered

in the Presence of

Rich Mason

Robt Giblin

A true Copy Examd p J Crispe

Whereas Severall disputes & differences have

at divers times hapned between Capt Jno Alexander of the

Island St Helena & Jno Long & late of the & Island & Planter

Concerning their Claim & Title to a Water Course Among the

Land that Capt Alexander bought of the & Swallow deceasd

& running into the & Longs Plantation in Sandy Bay

for prevention thereof for the future to time & at last to

to Settle & to & just their respective Right & Title to the

& Water Course Abovementiond they the & Capt Jno

Alexander & Jno Long do on or about the 9th day of

Decemr last Agree to refer their & Each of their respective

Right & Title to the & Water Course to the Judgment

Award & Arbitration of the Worshipfull Jno Smith Esqr

Govr of & & Island Edward Byfield Esqr & Andrews

& Capt Jno Goodwin 4th of Councile who having together

with own the Land Spied what each Party had to say

in defence of their Title & Claim to the & Water Course

& perused & considered of all Papers & Evidence & tenders

to them relateing to the & & Title & & Hold the &

Awarded & & decreed Mooted & & Determend & By these

presents do adjudge Award decree Alled & Determin

Rich Swallow Sen his

Assignmt to Joshua Johnson

& Edmund Nichols for a

House in James Valley

Touching a Run of Watter

Disputed by Jno Alexander

& Jno Long §

Richard Swallow of the island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of the sum of £30 0s 0d in good and current money of the island, paid in hand at or before the sealing and delivery of the deed by Joshua Johnson and Edmund Nichols, both of the island, free planters, gave, granted, bargained, sold, set over and made over to Joshua Johnson and Edmund Nichols all his right, title, interest, property, claim, challenge or demand in and to the three within-mentioned houses, with all the singular premises and appurtenances belonging to it, or any way appertaining to it, to Joshua Johnson and Edmund Nichols, their heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or either of their heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, to do and set their heirs, by their wills and pleasures, to dispose of as they or either of them should think fit, and meet, at their wills and pleasures. In confirmation he set his hand and seal on 21 a day in July in the year of our Lord 1725.

Richard Swallow signed. The deed was signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Richard Mason and Robert Girling. The clerk certified it a true copy of the original, examined.

A further instrument followed. Several disputes had at several times arisen between Captain John Alexander of the island of St Helena and John Long, both of the island, planters, concerning their claim and title to a watercourse, among the lands that Captain John Alexander bought of the trustees, then running into the Lords Proprietors plantation in Sandy Bay, for the prevention of which, from time to time, both parties resolved to settle and do justice to their respective right and title to the watercourse. John Alexander and John Long, on or about 9 a day in December last, agreed to refer their respective right and title to the watercourse to the judgement, award and arbitration of the Worshipful John Smith, esquire, fourth in council of the island, Edward Pyke, esquire, and Captain John Goodwin, fourth in council. They, having together viewed the land, upon which each party had to say in defence of their title and claim to the watercourse, and pursued and considered all causes and evidence and tenders to them concerning the right, title and claim to the watercourse, awarded, declared, made and determined, and by the present deed did adjudge, award, decree, allot and determine as follows.

Interpretations

The first instrument records Richard Swallow selling three houses to Joshua Johnson and Edmund Nichols for £30 0s 0d. The grant passed his whole right, title and interest in the dwellings and their appurtenances to the two buyers jointly. The same Richard Swallow appears in the related conveyances consolidating James Valley property, here disposing of three houses within the urban fabric.

The second instrument records the submission of a watercourse dispute to formal arbitration. John Alexander and John Long, in dispute over their title to a watercourse running into the Company's Sandy Bay plantation, agreed to refer the matter to three named arbitrators, the Worshipful John Smith, Edward Pyke and Captain John Goodwin. The arrangement converted a contested claim into a structured adjudication, with the arbitrators viewing the land and weighing each party's case.

The arbitration mechanism provided a means of settling property disputes outside formal litigation. The three arbitrators, all senior figures of the council, were empowered to view the ground, hear the evidence, and make a binding award. The watercourse connects to the documented Alexander purchase, with John Alexander acquiring substantial Sandy Bay and east-side ground, and John Long appearing across the records as a long-standing witness and boundary holder whose dispute over the water rights required formal resolution.

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§As fellows Voz:t

§That ☩ the said Esq:r Mr Alexander Skottowe Member

§Run of Water that runs thro the Kings Plantation in

§the upper Water Termed: leading to the said Esq:r Alexander

§house, too: Naturall days in y:e Week without any lett or

§hinderance on the Part of the s:d Mr Long & Likewise Bell

§att all times have the benefitt of the s:d s:de Run of Water y:t

§runs into y:e said: brook out of the Maine and near the Brook

§on of his y:e Kings Plantation without being any Wayes

§hindred & destorbed by the s:d Mr Long his heirs or Assignes

§a faction that is termed to be s:d soe forth the y:e

§s:d Esq:r Alexander his heirers Assigns to have & hold y:e

§Water Course soe fast abovementioned till that is some s:de y:t

§tinuthes Quanting of present Channells &c & to be paid by him

§the s:d Mr Long too: Naturall days in the Week without any

§Lett troublbor Molestation soe long as y:e s:d Esq:r Alexan

§his heires or Assignes In Wittness whereof we have here

§unto sett our hands this 28: day of May 1764§

§Tho:s Smith

§Edward Bufuild

§Jn:o Gordon§

§A true Copy Examined by

§D: Flippe§

§Island St Hellena

§This Indenture made this twenty fifth day

§of Oct:r Anno Dom:i One thousand seven hundred twenty five

§Wittnesseth that Wee by Joshua Johnson & John Bayudahere

§Churchh Wardens & free holders of this Island withthis Consent

§Approbation and Direction of the Worshipfull John Smith

§Esq:r Govr Councell of the said Island Have doe by these presents

§Place and Putt William Dufton Orphan and son of Samuell

§Dufton late of this Island de:d as an Apprentice to Jonathan

§Higham Jun:r of the said Island Stone Cutter and with him

§after the manner of an Apprentice to live and dwell from

§the day of the Date hereof, Untill the day & time He the said

§William Dufton shall Arrive and Atteine to his full Age

§of twenty one Yeares (& no longer) Dureing which Terme &

§tyme the said William Dufton shall the said Jonath:n Higham

§Jun:r his Master well faithfully serve, his Secrets keep tried

§Lawfull Commands willingly & Gladly everywhere obey, Matte

§=mony He shall not Contract at no Unlawfull game play, Nor

§absent himself from his said Masters service day nor night

§without leave Nor any losay wast, his said Masters Goods, Nor

§them lend to any person whereby his said Master may receive

§Damage but in all things to behave himself obediently, &

§faithfully,§

Margin Notes:

Ord: Thereon by:t Goo:d & Counc:l

Jon:a Higham Jun:r Bound y:e William Dufton Orphan for an Apprentice

Concerning a watercourse running into the King's plantation in the upper Water Deemed, leading to the land of Mr John Alexander, Shoolbred and several others, this matter touched a dispute over the right of water in which Mr John Alexander, Shoolbred and several others stood against Mr John Long and Edward Bushell. The council confirmed that Mr John Alexander, Shoolbred and the rest were to enjoy the full benefit of that part of the watercourse running into their land near the spot. The water entering the King's plantation in the upper Water Deemed was not to be obstructed by any of them. The council ordered that the watercourse should continue to run as it had before, with Mr John Long and Edward Bushell barred from any interference.

The council appointed certain persons to settle the watercourse as described, and directed that it continue to run as before. Mr John Alexander, Shoolbred and the others were to keep the perfect channel open, and a sum was to be paid by them. The arrangement bound the parties on the dates stated, with the water to pass without interruption through the channel. No further trouble or interruption was to arise from this point, and the parties set their hands to it on 28 May 1784.

Sealed by William Smith, Edward Bushell and John Gordon. Certified as a true copy, examined by D. Phillips.

[Indenture, Island of St Helena]

This indenture was made on 25 July in the year 1725 [...]. Joshua Johnson and John [...] of the Church Gardens, freeholders of this island, with the consent, approbation and direction of the Worshipful John Smith, fourth in council of this island, placed William Dufton, orphan and son of the late Samuel Dufton of this island, as an apprentice to Jonathan Higham junior of this island, a stone cutter. William Dufton was bound to live with Higham after the manner of an apprentice, from the date of this indenture until the day he should attain his full age of 21 years and no longer.

During that term William Dufton was to serve his master well and faithfully, to keep his secrets and obey his lawful commands willingly everywhere. He was not to do his master any harm, nor to see harm done by others without warning him. He was not to waste his master's goods, nor lend them to any person in a way that might cause his master loss. In all things he was to behave himself faithfully and obediently [...].

Interpretations

The watercourse dispute set Mr John Alexander and his neighbours against Mr John Long and Edward Bushell over access to flowing water reaching cultivated ground. The reference matches the December 1724 watercourse arbitration in which John Alexander and John Long agreed to refer their conflicting claims over a Sandy Bay plantation watercourse to the Worshipful John Smith, Edward Pyke and Captain John Goodwin. The council protected the downstream users by fixing the channel and barring interference, since an open and reliable watercourse held the practical value of the land that depended on it.

The apprenticeship indenture bound an orphan to a tradesman until the age of 21, converting the care of a fatherless child into a structured term of service. The placement carried the consent of the Worshipful John Smith, fourth in council, which gave institutional weight to a private arrangement over an orphan's future. The standard covenants of faithful service, kept confidences, obedience and protection of the master's goods reveal the master taking on both labour and the duty of upbringing.

The stone cutter's trade named for Jonathan Higham junior places the apprenticeship within the building economy of the island. A boy bound to a stone cutter gained a skill tied to permanent construction, the same trade that produced the stone houses recorded across the earlier Chapel Valley dealings.

Speculations

The council settled the watercourse by guaranteeing the downstream channel rather than dividing the flow, which addressed the specific risk that an upstream holder could starve the lower ground of water. By naming the parties barred from interference and fixing the channel as it ran before, the arrangement removed the source of future conflict instead of merely judging the present claim. The structure protected the holders whose land had no value without the water reaching it.

The orphan's apprenticeship tied a child's maintenance to a productive trade, solving the problem of supporting a fatherless son without a continuing drain on family or Company funds. The fixed end at majority gave the master a defined return for the years of training and keep, while securing the boy a livelihood at the close of the term. The arrangement balanced the master's investment against the orphan's future independence.

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§faithfully as such an Apprentice Ought to do:o And

§Whereas the said Jonathan Higham Jun:r haveing

§received the Sume of twenty five Pounds in good & Lawf:l

§money of this Island of the Worsh:p John Smith Esq:r Gov

§He the said Jonathan Higham Jun:r doth thereby for h:s

§Part his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Assignes Covenant

§Promise & agree to and with the beforenamed Joshua

§Johnson & John Defountaine Church Wardens & their

§Successors to teach or Cause to be taught & Instructed

§the said William Dufton his Apprentice the Art

§science & Trade of a Stone Cutter which He y:e Jonath:n

§Higham Jun:r now useth to the Utmost of his skill

§and Judg:m:t And also to teach or Cause him Wast:r

§William Dufton to be taught to read Florid English

§and to Cypher as far to the Rule of Three Direct & in

§Indirect after the best Manner and Method he can:o

§may be so taught & Instructed And Likewise to find

§Unto and for the Use of his said Apprentice Dureing

§the said Terme & time of his Apprenticeship (that is

§to Say) Untill he shall Atteine to the Age of twenty One

§Years as afores:d with Sufficient Apparrall Meat drink

§Washing lodging and all such other Necessarys as is

§fitting and Meet for such an Apprentice And it is

§hereby further Covenanted & agreed by & between the s:d

§Jonathan Higham Jun:r and the beforenamed Joshua

§Johnson and John Defountaine and their Successors

§that in Case the said Jonathan Higham Jun:r should

§happen to die before his said Apprentice William c

§Dufton Arrives to the Age of seventeen Years that then

§and in such Case the said Jonathan Higham Jun:r doth

§by these presents bind himself, his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs

§& Augustr to repay, retaine, and Deposite into the hands

§of the Church Wardens of this Island then or in time to

§come, Chosen & Elected to such Office the Sume of Ten

§Pounds in good & Currant money of this Island to

§be by them the said Church Wardens for the time being

§Employed to and for the Only Use and Beunefit of the

§said William Dufton his Apprentice as they shall Judg

§or be Directed to be most Proper and Requisite

§In Wittness whereof the said Joshua Johnson & John

§Defountaine Church Wardens On behalf of the said Will:m

§Dufton as well as for themselves and Successors have

§to the One Part thereof Sett their hands & Seals§

In return for the apprenticeship, Jonathan Higham junior received 25 in good and current money of this island from the Worshipful John Smith. For his part, Jonathan Higham junior bound himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns by covenant to the church wardens Joshua Johnson and John Defountaine and their successors. He promised to teach William Dufton, his apprentice, the art, science and trade of a stone cutter, which Jonathan Higham junior then used, to the utmost of his skill and judgement. He also undertook to have William Dufton taught to read good English and to cypher as far as the rule of three, both direct and inverse, by the best method he could, or to have him instructed and taught as needed.

During the full term of the apprenticeship, until William Dufton should attain the age of 21 years, Jonathan Higham junior was to provide him with sufficient apparel, meat, drink, washing, lodging and all other necessaries. It was further agreed between Jonathan Higham junior and the church wardens Joshua Johnson and John Defountaine and their successors that, should Jonathan Higham junior happen to die before his apprentice William Dufton reached the age of 17 years, then Jonathan Higham junior bound himself, his heirs, executors and administrators to repay, return and pay into the hands of the church wardens of this island for the time being, chosen and elected to such office, the sum of 10 in good and current money of this island. That sum was to be employed by the church wardens for the only use and benefit of William Dufton, the apprentice, as they should think proper and direct.

In witness of this, Joshua Johnson and John Defountaine, church wardens, on behalf of William Dufton as well as for themselves and their successors, set their hands and seals to the one part of this indenture.

Interpretations

The premium of 25 paid by the Worshipful John Smith to the master fixed the price of taking on the orphan, with the church wardens standing as the institutional party securing the boy's training. The arrangement routed the cost and oversight of an orphan's upbringing through the parish office rather than through private family hands. The church wardens held the bargain on the apprentice's behalf, which gave a fatherless child a recognised body to enforce the master's promises.

The teaching covenant went beyond the trade itself to require literacy and arithmetic, with reading and the rule of three named as defined standards. The rule of three was the standard commercial method for solving proportion, the everyday calculation a tradesman needed for pricing and measure. By binding the master to deliver these skills, the indenture treated basic numeracy and reading as part of the apprentice's entitlement, not an optional addition.

The death clause built a financial safeguard into the term, requiring repayment of 10 to the church wardens if the master died before the boy reached 17. The provision protected the orphan against the collapse of his training through the master's death, converting part of the premium into a recoverable fund. The church wardens were to apply that sum for the boy's benefit, keeping the institutional duty alive even after the original master was gone.

Speculations

The graduated death clause set the recovery at age 17 rather than the full term of 21, which addressed the specific risk that a master's early death would leave the boy without training and without remedy. By fixing repayment to a threshold age, the arrangement distinguished between a master who died after delivering most of the training and one who died too soon for the apprentice to have gained the trade. The church wardens recovered a defined sum precisely when the loss to the orphan would be greatest.

The choice to vest both the premium and the contingent repayment in the church wardens rather than in a relative solved the problem of finding a durable guardian for an orphan's interest. A named family member could die, leave the island or fall into dispute, but the parish office continued through its successive holders. By tying the bargain to an institutional role, the arrangement secured continuous oversight across the long years until the boy came of age.

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§and the said Jonathan Higham Jun:r to the other part Sett

§his hand and Seal Interchangeable this ninth day of

§Nodember Anno Dom:i One thousand seven hundred twenty

§and five At the Hon:ble Esq:rs Plantation house on the said

§Island§

§Sign:d Seal:d & Deliv:d

§In the preive of his Maj:o Gov

§Coddrell of this Island§

§Jonath:n Higham Jun:r§

§John Smith

§Edw:o Bufield

§Jn:o Alexander

§W:m Gooden§

§A true Copy Regist:d &

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Memorand:m

§That John Smith Esq:r Govern:r doe out of his

§own Volluntary Will & for the more Certain Education

§=on of the Within Mentioned William Dufton promise

§to pay for his Schooleing & Learning as far as the Rule

§of Three Wittness my hand this 9:th day of Nov:r 1725§

§John Smith§

§The above is Copy wrote on the

§back part of the aforesaid Indenture.§

§Attested by me

§W:m Alexander§

§Know all men by these Presents

§That I Richard Goodwin of the Island St Helena free Plant:r

§for & in Consideration of the Sume of two hundred Pounds in

§good & Currant money of the said Island to me in hand paid

§at or before the Ensealing & Delivery hereof by Francis Wrangham

§of the said Island the s:de free Plant:r the receipt whereof the said

§Richard Goodwin doth thereby Acknowledge And my self

§therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented & paid Have Given

§granted, Bargained sold & Delivered, and by these presents doe

§fully, Clearly and absolutely, give grant Bargaine sell &

§Confirm unto & Deliver unto the said Francis Wrangham

§his§

Margin Notes:

Rich:d Goodwin Bill of Sale to s:d Wrangham for 40 Acres Land

For his part, Jonathan Higham junior set his hand and seal to the other part of this indenture, exchanged on 10 November 1725, sealed at the Honourable Company's plantation house on this island.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of the Governor and Council of this island. Witnessed by John Smith, Edward Bushell, John Alexander and William Goodwin. Certified as a true copy, examined by John Alexander.

A memorandum recorded that John Smith, fourth in council, of his own free will and for the better education of the William Dufton named within, promised to pay for his schooling and learning as far as the rule of three. John Smith set his hand to this on 9 November 1725. The above was copied on the back of the indenture, attested by John Alexander.

Let all men know by these presents that Richard Goodwin of the island of St Helena, free planter, in consideration of the sum of 200 in good and current money of this island paid into his hand at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents by Francis Wrangham, free planter, of this island, acknowledged the receipt and declared himself fully satisfied and contented. By these presents Richard Goodwin granted, bargained, sold, confirmed and delivered to Francis Wrangham [...].

Interpretations

The exchange of the two parts of the indenture at the Company's plantation house, before the Governor and Council, gave the private apprenticeship the formal recognition of the island's governing body. The presence of John Smith, the church wardens and senior witnesses turned the bargain into a matter of public record rather than a sealed agreement held between the parties alone.

The appended memorandum recorded a personal undertaking by John Smith, fourth in council, to fund the orphan's schooling out of his own goodwill. This separated the cost of the boy's literacy and arithmetic from the master's trade obligation, with a senior councillor stepping in as private patron of the child's education. The dating of the memorandum to 9 November 1725, a day before the indenture exchange, fixed the schooling promise as a deliberate addition settled just before the formal sealing.

The opening of the Richard Goodwin conveyance records a sale of land to Francis Wrangham for 200 in island money, with receipt acknowledged in the standard form. Francis Wrangham appears across the documented record as a substantial accumulator who extended his holdings through the 1720s, and this purchase adds another parcel to that pattern of acquisition.

Speculations

The decision to record John Smith's schooling promise as a separate memorandum on the back of the indenture, rather than folding it into the master's covenant, kept the two obligations distinct and separately enforceable. The master remained bound to deliver the trade, while the councillor's voluntary undertaking covered the education at his own charge. By keeping the patron's gift apart from the binding apprenticeship terms, the arrangement preserved a clear line between contractual duty and private benevolence, leaving the boy's schooling secured by an additional source without diluting the master's primary obligation.

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§his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assignes for ever All & Singular

§that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood land Containeing by

§Mensuration fourty Acres scituate Lying & being in a Bottom

§of James Valley, Butting & Bounding towards the North

§upon the Gunwood Lands of the said Francis Wrangham

§towards the E:t upon the Lands of James Ryder toward

§S:t upon the Lands late Henry Francis dec:d & to the s:d that

§Wrangham:s other lands, and towards the W:t upon the

§Hon:ble Esq:rs West Land and is in the Forme of the Deeds

§hereof thereunto Annexed as it doth & by a Deed for y:r same

§(with sundry other Parcels of Land) relation being thereunto

§had may more fully & Plainly Appear bearing date

§4:th day of August 1713 together with all the Woods, Tea

§fences scarrly fences Walls Water Courses right, Liberty

§Priviledges and all other the Appurtenances thereunto ba

§ring or in any case Apperteyneing or ever did thereunto

§belong, or what Nature kind or Quality soever Defending

§to me the said Rich:d Goodwin by & in right of my wife

§Elizabeth the dau:r of Benja: Slee dec:d To have & to hold

§the said hereby Bargained fourty Acres of Gunwood Lands

§with all & Singular the Appurtenances thereunto belonging

§as afores:d unto him the said Francis Wrangham his he

§Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assignes to do, and at his their or either of

§their Wills & Pleasures to dispose of as he the s:d Francis Wrang

§or his Heirs shall or may at any time or time:s hereafter

§think fitt & meet And the said Richard Goodwin doe

§for me my Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assignes, & either of them

§hereby further Covenant & agree to & with the s:d Francis

§Wrangham his heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assignes, or either

§or there heirs that he they, or either of them as afores:d

§shall and may from thence forth have hold Occupie & ge

§and Quietly Enjoy the said herein named & Bargained

§Premisses & every Part & Parcell thereof without any

§manner of Lett, hinderance Mollestation Interruption, or

§Embaehsion of me the said Rich:d Goodwin or any Heirs

§Exec:rs Adm:rs or Assignes or from by or under any oth:r

§Pson or Psons whatsoever by my meanes Causes, or

§Procurem:t or by any device or devices in the law deeds

§and against all manner of Psons to hereby Warrant

§Save, Defend & keep Harmless the said Francis Wrangham

§and his Heirs, Claiming or to Claim any Part or Parcel

§of the said hereby Bargained Premisses any thing to

§the Contrary thereof in any case Notwithstanding§

The conveyance passed to Francis Wrangham, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever, all that piece or parcel of gumwood land containing by measurement 40 acres, lying in a branch of James Valley. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on the gumwood land of Francis Wrangham, towards the east on the lands of James Ryder, towards the south on the lands late Henry Francis's and now Richard Goodwin's, towards the west on Wrangham's other land and on the Honourable Company's waste land. It lay in the form of a deed for 40 acres, with sundry other parcels of land more fully described in a deed annexed and dated 4 August 1713.

Together with the parcel passed all the wood, trees, fences, water, watercourses, rights, liberties and privileges, and all other appurtenances belonging to it, however described or assessed. The land had earlier belonged to Richard Goodwin in right of his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Bento Pedro, since deceased. Richard Goodwin granted the 40 acres of gumwood land with all its appurtenances to Francis Wrangham, his heirs, executors and assigns, to have and to hold absolutely, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit at any time thereafter.

For himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, Richard Goodwin further covenanted and agreed with Francis Wrangham, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that they should from that point forward hold, occupy and quietly enjoy the parcels named and granted. Every part of the land was to pass free of any manner of suit, hindrance, interruption or claim by Richard Goodwin or his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or by any person claiming through him by any means. Richard Goodwin bound himself to warrant, save, defend and keep harmless Francis Wrangham and his heirs against all such claims, against anyone asserting any title or interest in the land or any part of it, and against anything to the contrary [...].

Interpretations

The conveyance moved a 40-acre gumwood parcel in James Valley from Richard Goodwin to Francis Wrangham for 200 in island money, with the title traced through Richard Goodwin's wife. The recital that the land came to Goodwin in right of his wife Elizabeth, daughter of Bento Pedro, marks the parcel as inherited property carried into the marriage. Bento Pedro appears in the earlier record as a holder for whom George Carne acted as financial custodian by November 1706, fixing the family connection behind the title.

The boundary description anchors the parcel against Francis Wrangham's own adjoining land on two sides, which explains the purchase as a consolidation. Wrangham extended his James Valley holdings across the 1720s, and buying ground that already bordered his own reduced fragmentation and tied a scattered parcel into a single block.

The reference to the deed of 4 August 1713 ties this parcel to the major regularisation sitting of that date, when the Company confirmed and leased land across the island in a single long session. The southern boundary against land late Henry Francis's and now Richard Goodwin's records the recent passage of the neighbouring ground, with Henry Francis deceased by 1725 and his estate administered by his executors.

The full warranty clause bound Richard Goodwin to defend the title against all claims, which gave the buyer security against any later challenge from the seller's family or heirs. Since the land entered through a marriage, the covenant against claims through the seller closed off the risk that a relative of the wife might later assert a competing interest.

Speculations

The detailed warranty against claims arising through the seller addressed the specific weakness of a title held in right of a wife, where the inheritance line could produce rival claimants. By binding himself, his heirs and anyone claiming through him to defend the buyer's quiet enjoyment, Richard Goodwin pre-empted the danger that Elizabeth's kin might later dispute the sale. The covenant converted an inherited and potentially contested parcel into secure ground for Francis Wrangham, matching the price he paid to the certainty he received.

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§In Wittness whereof I the said Richard Goodwin have

§to these presents Sett my hand Seal this 20 day of

§Nov:r Anno Dom:i one thousand seven hundred twenty

§and five§

§Rich:d Goodwin§

§Signed Sealed & Delivered

§in the presence of:

§D: Flippe

§James Ryder

§Rich: Long§

§S:t§

§40: Acres Gunwood Land

§formerly John Sichos dec:r§

§E:

§W:t§

§N:t§

§Know all men by these presents that I Rich:d Goodwin

§of the Island St Helena free Plant:r for & in Consideration

§of the Sume of One Hundred Thirty Pounds in good & Currant

§money of the said Island to me in hand Paid at or before

§the Insealing & Delivery hereof by James Ryder of the said

§Island the s:de free Planter the receipt of which the s:d Richard

§Goodwin doth thereby Acknowledge and my self therewith

§to be fully Contented & paid Have Alienated Bargained, Sold

§and Delivered, and by these presents doe fully & absolutely Alienate

§Bargaine sell & Confirm and Deliver unto the said James

§Ryder his heirs & Assignes for Ever All & Singular

§Singular that Peice or Parcell of Pasture & gunwood Lands All

§Land Containeing twenty Acres (with all the Woods Trees stones

§Pearly fences Water Water Courses rights Priviledges & all other

§the Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise Ap

§=perteining scituate Lying and being in two different Peicees

§aforesaid Lands Butting & Bounding towards the North & West

§upon and Next Apperteyning to the several Parcels of Land

§belongeing to the said James Ryder towards the E:t upon

§the Pasture Land of s:d Cap:t Powell formerly Jonathan Beale

§and towards the S:t upon the Cabbagetree Land of John Lang

§and Comonly knowne by the Name of Alexanders Land

§Lying in the form of the Plott, or Plan there of hereunto§

Margin Notes:

Rich:d Goodwin Bill of Sale to James Ryder for twenty Acres of Land

In witness of this, Richard Goodwin set his hand and seal on 20 November 1725. Signed by Richard Goodwin. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of D. Phillips, James Ryder and Richard Long.

A plan annexed to the deed marked the parcel of 40 acres of gumwood land formerly John Sichos's, since deceased, with the cardinal directions south, east, west and north set around the four sides.

Let all men know by these presents that Richard Goodwin of the island of St Helena, free planter, in consideration of the sum of 130 in good and current money of this island paid into his hand at or before the sealing of this indenture by James Ryder of this island, free planter, acknowledged the receipt and declared himself fully satisfied and contented. By these presents Richard Goodwin granted, bargained, sold, alienated, confirmed and delivered to James Ryder, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever, all that piece or parcel of cabbage tree and gumwood land containing 20 acres, with all the wood, trees, fences, water, watercourses, rights, privileges and all other appurtenances belonging to it.

The parcel lay in two different places, butting and bordering towards the north and west on, and next adjoining to, the several parcels of land belonging to James Ryder, towards the east on the pasture land of Gabriel Powell formerly Jonathan Beale's, and towards the south on the cabbage tree land of John Long, and was commonly known by the name of Alexander's Land. It lay in the form set out in the plan annexed [...].

Interpretations

The plan annexed to the first deed records the 40-acre parcel under an older identity as land formerly John Sichos's, fixing the chain of prior holders behind the gumwood block. The byname preserved the name of an earlier owner even after the parcel had passed through the marriage inheritance to Richard Goodwin and on to Francis Wrangham, the standard means by which the record carried institutional memory of past tenure.

The second conveyance opens a fresh sale by Richard Goodwin, this time of 20 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land to James Ryder for 130 in island money. Richard Goodwin appears here as a seller disposing of two separate parcels in close succession, the 40 acres to Francis Wrangham and these 20 acres to James Ryder, which suggests a deliberate winding-down of his holdings.

The 20-acre parcel carried the byname Alexander's Land and bordered Gabriel Powell's pasture formerly Jonathan Beale's and the cabbage tree land of John Long. These boundary references tie the parcel into the established network of holders around the valley, with Gabriel Powell's ground recorded as land he took in right of his wife, the widow of Jonathan Beale, and John Long as a long-standing neighbour and witness across the record.

The parcel lying in two different places, yet bordering James Ryder's own land on two sides, marks the purchase as a consolidation. James Ryder bought ground that adjoined his existing holdings, drawing scattered land into his own block in the same pattern of accumulation seen in the neighbouring Wrangham purchase.

Speculations

The sale of two distinct parcels by Richard Goodwin within a single sequence, the 40 acres to Francis Wrangham and the 20 acres to James Ryder, points to a planned disposal of inherited ground rather than an isolated transaction. Each buyer took land that already bordered his own, which let Goodwin match each parcel to the neighbour for whom it held the most value as a consolidation. By selling to adjoining holders, Goodwin secured the strongest price for ground whose worth lay chiefly in completing a buyer's existing block.

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§Annexed, as in and by a Deed for the same bearing date

§4:th day of August 1713 (Relation being thereunto had

§more fully Appear and Other s:d twenty Acres of La

§Descend to me the said Rich:d Goodwin in right of my wife

§daughter of Benjamin Slee dec:d To have & to hold the

§hereby Bargained twenty Acres of Cabbagetree Land w:th

§and Singular the Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in

§Nature kind or Quality soever unto him the said James G

§and his heirs for Ever as afores:d to do, said at his own

§own will & Pleasure to dispose of as he the said James

§or his Heirs &:c shall at any time or time:s to come

§fitt and meet And the said Rich:d Goodwin doth

§me my Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assignes, and every of

§that he they or either of them shall and may from

§forth Have hold, Occupie, Possess and Quietly Enjoy

§said herein Bargained Premisses and every Part & U

§thereof without any manner of Lett hinderance Mo

§=tion, or Contradiction of me the said Rich:d Goodw

§any heirs Exec:rs or Adm:rs or from by or und

§any other Pson or Psons whatsoever by my meanes Ca

§or Procurem:t or by any device in the Law Deeds

§And against all manner of Psons do hereby Warra

§to Save Defend and keep Harmless and Indemnifyed

§said James Ryder and his heirs Claiming or to Cl

§any Part or Parcell of the said hereby Demised Pre:s

§=sed Premisses any thing to the Contrary hereof in any

§Notwithstanding In Wittness whereof I the said Rich

§Goodwin have to these presents Sett my hand Seal

§30:th day of November Anno Dom:i One thousand se

§Hundred twenty and five§

§Rich:d Goodwin§

§Signed Sealed & Deliv:d

§in the presence of:

§The words (& Bountable)

§being first Interlined

§D: Flippe

§Fran: Wrangham

§Rich: Long§

The parcel appeared as set out in a deed of the same bearing date, 4 August 1713, to which reference was made for a fuller account. The land had descended to Richard Goodwin in right of his wife, daughter of Benjamin Sich, since deceased. Richard Goodwin granted the 20 acres of cabbage tree land, with all its appurtenances, to James Ryder and his heirs for ever, to have and to hold absolutely, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit at any time thereafter.

For himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, Richard Goodwin covenanted that James Ryder and his heirs should from that point forward hold, occupy and quietly enjoy the parcels named and granted. Every part was to pass free of any manner of suit, hindrance, interruption or claim by Richard Goodwin or his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or by any person claiming through him by any means. Richard Goodwin bound himself to warrant, save, defend and keep harmless James Ryder and his heirs against all such claims, against anyone asserting any title or interest in the land or any part of it, and against anything to the contrary.

In witness of this, Richard Goodwin set his hand and seal on 30 November 1725. Signed by Richard Goodwin. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of D. Phillips, Francis Wrangham and Richard Long. The words "and pasture" were first interlined.

A plan annexed to the deed marked the parcel of 20 acres, with the cardinal directions west, south and east set around its sides.

Interpretations

The recital that the 20 acres came to Richard Goodwin in right of his wife, daughter of Benjamin Sich, fixes the title behind this parcel as inheritance carried into the marriage. The first deed traced Goodwin's wife to Bento Pedro, while this deed names her as daughter of Benjamin Sich, which marks the two parcels as descending through different lines and points to two distinct wives or a compound family identification across the record. Benjamin Sich appears across the earlier record as a recurring boundary holder around the Sandy Bay and Sharks Valley confirmations.

The reference back to the deed of 4 August 1713 ties this cabbage tree parcel, like the gumwood block, to the major regularisation sitting of that date. Both parcels sold by Richard Goodwin in November 1725 carried their formal title from that single coordinated session, when the Company confirmed and leased land across the island.

The interlineation of the words "and pasture" before sealing records a correction to the grant made at the point of execution. The clerk noted the inserted words in the standard form, which preserved the integrity of the document by declaring the change openly rather than leaving an unexplained addition to the text.

Speculations

The repetition of the full warranty clause in this second sale, as in the first, addressed the same weakness in a title held in right of a wife, where the inheritance line could throw up rival claimants. By binding himself and anyone claiming through him to defend James Ryder's quiet enjoyment, Richard Goodwin closed off the risk that a relative of his wife might later dispute the sale. The matching covenants across both November 1725 deeds reveal a seller systematically clearing the inherited titles of any future challenge before parting with the land.

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74

[Loss of part of the physical page: upper left corner torn away, and a strip down the left-hand margin affecting the margin notes.]

§Know all Men by these Presents that I John

§Greenwood of the Island St Helena Sergent for & in

§Consideration of a Sum of twenty six Pounds of good

§& Currant Money & receipt of which the s:de free

§=holder I my self to be therewith fully & paid Satisfyed

§& Contented have bargain:d Sold & deliver:d & by these

§Presents do bargain Sell & deliver unto Will: Coale

§of the s:d Island & to his Heirs for ever one dwelling house

§Adjoining to the House of W:m Bagley for a Plant:r

§upon & scituate for James Valley together with all

§Appurtenances thereunto belonging to have & to hold

§unto him the s:d Will: Coale his Heirs & Assigns for ever

§without any Lett Trouble hinderance or Mollestation

§by or from me or from any other Person or Persons

§Claiming by from or under me my Heirs Executors

§Administrators or Assigns in Wittness whereof I

§have hereunto Sett my Hand & Seal this 6:th day of

§Sept Anno Domini 1705§

§Jn:o Greenwood§

§Signed Sealed & Delivered

§In the Presence of

§James Harding

§Henry Coale§

§Examined by D: Flippe§

§Know all Men by these Presents

§that I Jn:o Greenwood of the Island St Helena

§Planter for & in Consideration of the Sum of two

§hundred & ten Pounds of Currant Money I my self to be

§therewith Satisfyed Contented & paid & my self to be fully

§paid Contented have bargained Sold & Delivered & by

§these presents bargaine Sell & deliver unto Will: Coale of the s:d

§Island & to his Heirs for ever one dwelling house & Plantation

§the Houseing or Lands belonging or in any wise belonging

§the Houseing or lands belonging to infant the s:d young

§scituate in James Valley together with all Appurtenances

§Appurtenances thereunto belonging To have & to hold

§unto him the s:d Will: Coale his heirs & Assigns for Ever with

§without any Lett Trouble hinderance or Mollestation by or from

§me or from any other Person or Persons Claiming by

§from or under me my heirs Executors & Administrators

§or Assigns in Wittness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand

§this 18:th day of Sept Anno Domini 1725§

§Jn:o Harding§

§Examined by D: Flippe§

§Jn:o Greenwood Bill of

§Sale to Will: Coale

§for an House§

§Sign:d Sealed & Delivered

§in the Presence of

§James Harding

§Henry Coale§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o Greenwood Bill of Sale to W:m Coale for W:m House

[...] Bill [...] Coale [...] House

Let all men know by these presents that John Young of the island of St Helena, sergeant, in consideration of the sum of 20 in good and current money of this island, the receipt of which he acknowledged and declared himself fully paid, satisfied and contented, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to William Coales of this island and his heirs for ever, by these presents, one dwelling house adjoining the house of John Bagley, free planter, lying in James Valley, together with all the appurtenances belonging to it. William Coales, his heirs and assigns were to have and to hold the house for ever, without any trouble, hindrance or interruption by John Young or by any other person claiming through him, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns. In witness of this, John Young set his hand and seal on 6 September 1725. Signed by John Young. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of James Harding and Henry [...]. Examined by D. Phillips.

Let all men know by these presents that [...] Harding of the island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of the sum of [...] in good and current money of this island, the receipt of which [...] acknowledged and declared himself fully paid, satisfied and contented, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to William Coales of this island and his heirs for ever one dwelling house with the appurtenances belonging to it, lying in James Valley, to have and to hold for ever. The grantor covenanted for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to defend the house against all trouble, hindrance or interruption by any other person claiming through him. In witness of this, the grantor set his hand and seal on 6 September 1725. Signed by [...] Harding. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of [...], Stephen [...] and Joseph Bates. Examined by D. Phillips.

Interpretations

The first conveyance records a small sale of an urban dwelling in James Valley from John Young, sergeant, to William Coales for 20 in island money. John Young appears in the record as a sergeant who bought Joseph Whaley's James Valley house in Southwark Street for 24 in 1722, and this sale of a house near John Bagley's marks his continued dealing in the urban property of the valley.

The house is fixed by its position next to John Bagley's dwelling, the standard means of identifying urban ground in a settlement where plots ran in a line of houses rather than across measured acres. William Coales emerges as the buyer in both conveyances on this page, taking two James Valley dwellings on the same day, which points to a deliberate accumulation of urban property.

The second conveyance, though damaged in its sums and several names, records a parallel sale of a James Valley dwelling to the same William Coales by a member of the Harding family. The presence of Joseph Bates as a witness ties the transaction to the Harding network, since Bates married a daughter of the deceased Richard Harding and stood among the family's recurring witnesses across the Sandy Bay conveyances.

Speculations

The acquisition by William Coales of two James Valley dwellings on a single day, from two unconnected sellers, points to a planned consolidation of urban frontage rather than two chance purchases. By taking houses in the same valley at one sitting, Coales drew together neighbouring or nearby property into a single holding, the urban equivalent of the rural consolidations seen elsewhere in the record. The coordinated timing suggests the purchases were arranged together to secure a block of dwellings before any rival buyer could intervene.

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§Island St Helena§

§Know all Men by these Presents that I John

§Coalson of the Island St Helena Planter for & in Con

§=sideration of the Sum of One hundred & Fifty Pounds of

§Currant Money to me in hand by my Heirs Executors

§Administrators or Assignes by Jonathan Dovet:o

§=on of the s:d Island his Heirs Executors Administrat:o

§=n Assigns At three different Payment to be made in y:e

§following manner Viz: 25 Pounds on y:e 25 of December

§next Ensuing the day of y:e date of these Presents 25 Pounds

§more on the 25:th March next Ensueing & one hundred

§Pounds more or the arrivale here of the next Homeship

§from great Brittain after y:e date of these presents

§the s:de Bargain:d Sold & deliver:d or for my Self my

§Heirs Executors Administrators, & Assigns to bargain

§sell Assign & give over & deliver to him y:e s:d Jonathan Do

§=ton his heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns for

§ever all those two parcels of land Containeing ten Acres

§of Gunwood & free Acres of Cabbage tree land all

§scituate Lying & being in James Valley & also one

§half of & adjoyning thereto scituate under the two Gun

§=wood & also all my right title & Interest to & in the

§moneter of those fifteen Acres of Land Viz: ten Acres

§of Gunwood & five Acres of Cabbage Tree land Defend

§=ed y:e aforesaid chappell whatever Nature or Possession of any

§Mother Grand Nature, kind or quality soever All my rights

§title & Interest to & in y:e moneter of the other half

§of y:e aforesaid House after the decease of my s:d Moth

§=er Grace Coalson together with all Premisses & their Appurt

§=enances to them or either of them belonging & apper

§=teining To have & to hold to him the s:d Jonathan

§Doveton his heirs Executors Administrators

§& Assigns for ever & the same to keep, possess use

§possess & Enjoy as he or they or as he they or

§either of them shall think fitt or proper without

§any lett trouble or hinderance or molestation

§by or from me or from any Person or Persons Claim

§=ing or to Claim any right or Title to & from me &

§any Part or Parcell thereof by from or under me

§& soe hereby & for my Self my Heirs Executors Admi

§=nistrators & Assigns for ever quit all my rights

§title & Interest to & in every Part & Parcell of y:e

§abovemention:d Premisses & every thing thereby per

§=taining to have hold & defend him in y:e s:d Jon

§=athan Doveton his Heirs Executors Administrators

§& Assigns in the quiet & Peaceable Possession of y:e§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o Coalson Bill of Sale to Jonath:n Doveton for 14 Acres land & Reversion of 15 d:o more

[Island of St Helena]

Let all men know by these presents that John Coulson of the island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of the sum of £100 0s 0d in good and current money of this island paid into his hand by Jonathan Doveton of this island, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, the payment to be made in the following manner, namely £25 0s 0d on 25 December next coming, the day of the date of these presents, a further £25 0s 0d on the 25 March next coming, and the remaining £100 0s 0d on the arrival here of the next homeward-bound shipping from Great Britain after the date of these presents, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to Jonathan Doveton, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever, all those two parcels of land containing 10 acres of gumwood and 5 acres of cabbage tree land, and all that piece of land lying in Chapel Valley, and also one half of a dwelling house situated under the Two Gun Ridge.

John Coulson granted all his right, title and interest in the parcels, amounting to 15 acres of land together with the 5 acres of gumwood land and the cabbage tree land, with all the wood, trees and provisions of any kind. He granted also all his right, title and interest in the other half of the dwelling house, to take effect after the decease of his mother Grace Coulson, widow, with all the appurtenances belonging to it. Jonathan Doveton, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns were to have and to hold the land and house for ever, to use or dispose of as they should think fit, without any trouble, hindrance or interruption by John Coulson or by any person claiming through him. John Coulson covenanted for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to defend the property and to warrant quiet enjoyment, binding himself to save and defend Jonathan Doveton, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns in the quiet and peaceable possession of it [...].

Interpretations

The conveyance records John Coulson selling his Chapel Valley land and his interest in a Two Gun Ridge dwelling to Jonathan Doveton for £100 0s 0d in island money. John Coulson appears in the record as the son of Grace Coulson who, by deed of June 1722, converted his mother's life interest in a James Valley dwelling into an absolute holding in exchange for £200 0s 0d. Here he disposes of his own Chapel Valley ground, which fits the pattern of the Coulson family settling and trading their inherited parcels.

The staged payment scheme divided the price across three dates, with two instalments of £25 0s 0d falling on the metropolitan quarter days of Christmas and Lady Day, and the balance tied to the arrival of the next homeward-bound shipping from Great Britain. Linking a payment to the return of a ship reveals how island sellers timed receipts to the movement of vessels, since the shipping carried the bills and credit through which substantial sums were settled.

The sale of one half of the dwelling outright and the other half only after the death of Grace Coulson preserved the widow's life interest in part of the house. This split conveyed the immediate value where it could pass and deferred the remainder behind the mother's lifetime, the standard means of selling forward an interest encumbered by an existing life tenure.

The land lay under the Two Gun Ridge, a byname recorded across the earlier Coulson holdings, and tied to the family cluster that held ground in that quarter. The parcel descended from the wider Coulson estate, with the Chapel Valley land and the messuage matching the property settled under Leonard Coulson's will of 9 March 1706.

Speculations

The decision to tie the final and largest payment to the arrival of homeward-bound shipping from Great Britain addressed the practical scarcity of cash and credit on a remote island. By fixing the balance to the return of a vessel, the seller secured payment at the moment when bills of exchange and sterling credit became available through the ship's commanders. The arrangement matched the timing of the debt to the rhythm of the shipping on which all substantial settlement depended.

The structure of selling one half of the house outright while deferring the other half until the widow's death solved the problem of disposing of property still burdened by a life interest. The buyer gained immediate possession of the part that was free and a secured claim to the rest, while the mother retained her lifetime entitlement undisturbed. By dividing the conveyance along the line of the existing tenure, the parties moved the saleable interest at once without disturbing the protection settled on Grace Coulson.

90

76

§Aforesaid House & parcells of land against all

§Persons whatsoever reserveing to my Self & soever

§Whose right to dwell in the s:d House till the

§arrivale of y:e Next Homeship & no longer in wit

§=ness whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & seal

§this Eldreth day of November Anno Domini

§One thousand Seven hundred twenty five§

§Jn:o Coalson§

§Signed Sealed & Delivered

§the Words (& Persons whatsoever) being first

§Interlined in the presence of

§Examined by D: Flippe

§Duke Crisp

§& Henry

§Sam: Henry

§Francis Veale§

§Know all Men by these presents that I Rich:d Leech of

§this Island St Helena Soldier in the Pay & Service of

§the Hon:ble English East India Company & Govern:r the

§s:de free Planter Soldier in the

§for & in Consideration of the Sum of fifteen Pounds in

§good & Currant Money of the s:d Island to me in hand paid

§before y:e Ensealing & Delivery hereof by Benja: Richard

§of y:d Island s:de Planter the receipt of which I do

§hereby Acknowledge & my Self to be therewith fully

§Contented & paid Have given granted & Bargained

§Sold & deliver:d & by these presents fully & absolutely

§do give grant Bargaine Sell & deliver unto therefore

§James Edmund:s Hercole his Heirs Executors

§Administrators or Assigns all & Singular that s:de freed

§a Parcell of Gunwood land Containeing Ten Acres

§scituate Lying & being in a place known by the Name

§Comstone Land in the s:de bottom of the s:d

§Island formerly belonging to the aforesaid Ducass

§s:de s:de Leech the s:d the said relaxation Reversion of Benja:

§Orne Soldier in right of his Wife Widow of y:e deceas:d

§Orne Soldier in right of his Wife Widow of y:e deceas:d

§the s:d Leech and is next Adjoining to Ten Acres of the

§s:d Compy Company & also lying on the s:d Part now

§in the Possession of Stephen & Stephen Jun:r of the s:d

§Island Planter together with all & Singular the

§Wood Trees Water Water Courses fences party§

Margin Notes:

Rich:d Leech Bill of Sale to Edmund:s Hercole for ten Acres Land

John Coulson reserved to himself the right to dwell in the house and parcels of land against all persons whatsoever, until the arrival of the next homeward-bound shipping and no longer. In witness of this, John Coulson set his hand and seal on 28 November 1725. Signed by John Coulson. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Duke [...], Samuel [...] and Francis Veale, the words "and parcels of land" and "to any person whatsoever" being first interlined. Examined by D. Phillips.

Let all men know by these presents that Richard Leech of this island of St Helena, soldier in the pay and service of the Honourable English East India Company, and Robert Leech, late of this island, free planter, since deceased, in consideration of the sum of £16 0s 0d in good and current money of this island paid into the hand of Richard Leech at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents by Edmund [...], free planter of this island, the receipt of which Richard Leech acknowledged and declared himself fully satisfied and paid, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to Edmund [...], his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all that piece or parcel of gumwood land containing 10 acres, situated and lying in a place known by the name of Comstone, since the late decease of Robert Leech formerly belonging to the parcel late Richard Leech's of this island.

The land had come to Richard Leech by lawful relegation and reversion of Joseph Orme, soldier, in right of his wife, the widow of the deceased Orme, soldier. The parcel of cabbage tree land was next adjoining to 10 acres of the Honourable Company's land, on the south part now in the possession of Stephen [...], son of the late island planter, together with all the wood, trees, water, watercourses, fences and parties [...].

Interpretations

The closing of the Coulson conveyance reserved to the seller the right to remain in the house until the next homeward-bound shipping arrived, the same event that triggered his final payment. By tying his own occupation to the date of the balance, John Coulson kept possession of the dwelling until the moment he was paid in full, which protected him against handing over the house before the money came in.

The interlined words noted at sealing record two corrections made to the grant at the point of execution, declared openly in the standard form. The clerk's note that "and parcels of land" and "to any person whatsoever" were first interlined preserved the integrity of the deed by flagging the additions rather than leaving them unexplained.

The second conveyance opens a sale of gumwood land at Comstone by Richard Leech, soldier, with the title traced through the deceased Robert Leech and ultimately from Joseph Orme. The Leech family appears across the record as a multi-generational presence of boundary holders, and this deed fixes Richard Leech as a soldier in Company pay disposing of inherited family ground.

The descent of the land through Joseph Orme in right of his wife marks the parcel as property that entered the Orme line by marriage before passing to the Leech family. This chain of inheritance through a widow, then by reversion to the present seller, reveals the layered routes by which small parcels moved between households across deaths and marriages.

Speculations

The decision to make the seller's continued occupation expire at the same arrival of shipping that triggered his final payment bound the two events into a single safeguard. John Coulson surrendered the house only when the largest instalment fell due, so he never gave up possession ahead of receiving the bulk of the price. The arrangement converted his right to stay into security for the debt, holding the dwelling as his own until the shipping brought the means of payment.

91

77

§Party fences or any other right Liberty & apur

§in there thereunto belonging or in any wise app

§=ing To have & to hold the s:d hereby bargai

§Ten Acres of Gunwood Land & all other the U

§=tinences with him the s:d Edmund Nichols & h

§Heirs for ever to doe & dispose of as he they a

§either of them Shall think fitt, & y:e s:d that ei

§for me my Heirs Executors Administrators &

§Assigns do hereby Covenant Promise & furth

§agree to & with the s:d Edmund Nichols his Heir

§Executors Administrators & Assigns that h

§they or either of them or their Heirs Shall & ma

§from time to time & at all Times hereafter

§hold Occupy & Possess & for ever quietly Enjoy th

§herein before mention:d Ten Acres of Gunwoo

§Land & all other the Premisses & their Appurtenances

§thereunto belonging of what Nature kind or

§soever without any manner of Lett hinderance

§Mollestation Interruption, or Contradiction of

§the s:d Rich: Leech or my Heirs Executors Admini

§=trators or Assigns or from by or under any other P

§or Person Whatsoever by my meanes Causes or Pro

§=curem:t And do by these presents Warrant for

§defend & for Ever keep harmless the s:d Edmund

§Nichols & his Heirs from any or all Manner

§Claim Challeng:s Demand Lett, Suit or Controvers

§with or by any Person or Persons to any Part o

§Parcell of the herein mention:d & Bargained

§see any thing to the Contrary hereof in any wise

§withstanding In Wittness whereof I the s:d Rich

§Leech have to these presents Set my hand & Seal

§16:th day of November Anno Dom:i 1726§

§Rich: Leech§

§Signed Sealed & Delivered

§In the Presence of

§Walter Morris

§Joshua Johnson§

§Examined by D: Flippe§

The grant carried with it the party fences and every other right, liberty and appurtenance belonging to the land. Edmund Nichols and his heirs were to have and to hold the 10 acres of gumwood land with all the appurtenances for ever, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit. Richard Leech covenanted, promised and agreed for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, with Edmund Nichols, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that they should from that point forward hold, occupy and quietly enjoy the 10 acres of gumwood land and all the appurtenances belonging to it, of whatever kind. Every part was to pass free of any manner of interruption or claim by Richard Leech or his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or by any person claiming through him by any means. Richard Leech bound himself to warrant and defend Edmund Nichols and his heirs against all manner of claims, against anyone asserting any suit or title to the land or any part of it, and against anything to the contrary. In witness of this, Richard Leech set his hand and seal on 16 November 1725. Signed by Richard Leech. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Walter Morris and Joshua Johnson. Examined by D. Phillips.

Interpretations

The conveyance completes the sale of the 10-acre Comstone gumwood parcel from Richard Leech to Edmund Nichols, carrying the standard warranty against all claims through the seller. Edmund Nichols appears in the record as the freeholder who received the Company lease of 21 acres at Mr Flemon's Valley on 25 May 1719, and this purchase adds inherited Leech ground to his holdings.

The full warranty bound Richard Leech to defend the buyer's title against any later challenge, which carried particular weight here given the land's descent through a widow and a reversion. Since the parcel reached the seller by the marriage of Joseph Orme and the subsequent passage to the Leech family, the covenant against claims through the seller closed off the risk that a member of the Orme or Leech line might later dispute the sale.

The witnesses Walter Morris and Joshua Johnson place the transaction within the established circle of holders who attested the island's conveyances. Both appear across the record as recurring parties to the land dealings of the period, and their attestation gave the deed the standing of the recognised documentary regime.

92

78

§Island St Helena§

§The Honourable The Lords

§Proprietors of this Island The Hon

§=ourable United Company of Mer

§=chants of England: Trading to the East

§Indies Do hereby Demise Grant Lease Sett

§and to Farm Lett unto Jn:o Warrale of the

§s:d Island free Planter all that Peice or Parcell of

§of Gunwood land Containeing Eight Acres scituate

§Lying & being in one Bottom of Deep Valley in y:e

§East Division of the s:d Island, Butting & bounding

§Day towards the North upon their Honourable

§Companies waste Land towards the South & East

§upon s:de Part of the s:d Jn:o Warrale:s free Land & toward

§the West upon the s:d s:de Land known the Defence

§=tion of the s:d Allis Planter To have & to

§=zion of the s:d Allis Planter To have & to

§hold the s:d hereby Demised Eight Acres

§of Gunwood Land with y:e Appurtenances or

§every Pite thereof unto him the s:d Jn:o Warrale§

[Island of St Helena]

Start of crossed out section

The Honourable the Lords Proprietors of this island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, demised, granted, leased, sold and farm-let to John Worrall of this island, free planter, all that piece or parcel of gumwood land containing 8 acres, situated and lying in one branch of Deep Valley, in the East Division of this island. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on the Honourable Company's waste land, towards the south and east on part of John Worrall's own free land, and towards the west on the land late Thomas Allis's, planter. John Worrall was to have and to hold the 8 acres of gumwood land thereby demised, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, and every part of it [...].

End of crossed out section

93

79

§The following is Copy of an Assignment on the Back Part

§of Robert Bell:s Lease Interest in this Book in the 45 & 46

§folios (the first part)§

§Island St Helena§

§Know all men by these presents that I Joseph

§Lufkin of the said Island St Helena for & in Consideration of the Sum of

§twenty six Pounds in good & Currant money of this Island to me in

§hand paid before signing & sealing hereof by Benjamin Bedgood Vall

§s:de the Receipt of which I do hereby Acknowledge and my self

§therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented & paid Have by these

§presents Assign:d & made over all my Right Title & Interest

§in and to that within Mention:d seven Acres of Gunwood land

§together with all and Singular the Appurtenances thereunto belonging

§or in any wise Apperteining the s:d s:de Land & other the Premisses

§haveing been Purchased by & in my Possession upon Marriage to have

§One of the within named Robert Bell:s Daughters Unto him the

§said Benja: Bedgood his Heirs for & Dureing the Terme of

§Tyme remaining & to come in the said Lease and Under the same

§Conditions therein Mentioned & fully Satisfyed In Wittness

§whereof I the said Joseph Lufkin have hereunto Sett my hand

§and Seal this 22 day of Oct:r Anno Dom:i 1726§

§Joseph Lufkin§

§Signed Sealed & Deliv:d

§In the Presence of Us

§John Hanson

§Isaac Leeke§

§A true Copy by Jn:o Alexander§

Margin Notes:

Joseph Lufkin Assignm:t of Lease & Land to Benja: Bedgood

The following is a copy of an assignment on the back part of Robert Bell's lease interest in this book, at folios 45 and 46, the first part.

[Island of St Helena]

Let all men know by these presents that Joseph Lufkin of this island, free planter, in consideration of the sum of £26 0s 0d in good and current money of this island paid into his hand at or before the sealing of this assignment by Benjamin Pledger, the receipt of which he acknowledged and declared himself fully satisfied and contented, granted, bargained, sold and made over by these presents all his right, title and interest in and to the 7 acres of gumwood land mentioned within, together with all the appurtenances belonging to it. The grant carried also all the rights and appurtenances pertaining to the parcel, the land having earlier been purchased by Joseph Lufkin from one of the persons named within, Robert Bell, in right of his wife, daughter of Benjamin Pledger.

Joseph Lufkin assigned the parcel to Benjamin Pledger, his heirs, for the remaining term of the lease and under the same rents and conditions mentioned within. In witness of this, Joseph Lufkin set his hand and seal on 22 October 1726. Signed by Joseph Lufkin. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Hanson and Isaac Leech. Certified as a true copy, examined by John Alexander.

Interpretations

The document is a copy of an assignment endorsed on the back of Robert Bell's lease, recorded at folios 45 and 46, by which Joseph Lufkin transferred his leasehold interest in 7 acres of gumwood land to Benjamin Pledger for £26 0s 0d. The assignment passed the remaining term of an existing Company lease rather than a freehold, with the original rents and conditions carried forward unchanged to the new holder.

Joseph Lufkin appears in the record as the planter who sold 16 acres of Fryer Valley free land to Benjamin Pledger for £100 0s 0d in 1724. This further dealing between the same two parties marks a continuing transfer of Lufkin ground to Pledger, the leasehold assignment following the earlier outright sale.

The recital that the land had been purchased from Robert Bell in right of his wife, daughter of Benjamin Pledger, traces the parcel back through a marriage inheritance and ties the chain to the Pledger family. Benjamin Pledger appears across the record as the soldier and freeholder who acquired both urban and rural ground through the 1710s and 1720s, and the assignment returns this leasehold to the family from which the underlying title had partly descended.

Speculations

The choice to assign the leasehold by endorsement on the back of the original lease, rather than by a fresh independent deed, kept the transfer tied to the instrument that defined its rents and conditions. By recording the assignment on the parent lease, the parties ensured the new holder took the parcel on exactly the terms already settled, with no room for dispute over the rent or covenants. The method bound the assignment to the Company's original grant and preserved a single continuous record of the leasehold across its successive holders.

94

80

§Know all Men by these Presents y:t

§I William Coale of the Island St Helena Soldier for

§& in Consideration of One hundred & thirty

§Pounds of Currant Money to me in hand paid by

§Jn:o Burling Likewise of the s:d Island Planter at or be

§=fore the Sealing & Delivery hereof the receipt of which I do

§hereby Acknowledge & my self to be therewith fully Sa

§=tisfyed Paid & Contented Have Bargained Sold & Delivered

§& by these Presents do for my self my heirs Executors Ad

§=ministrators & Assigns bargain Sell Assign Set over &

§Deliver to him the s:d Jn:o Burling his Heirs Executors

§Administrators & Assigns for ever Ten Acres of Gun

§=wood land Lying in Bashent Valley adjoyning to a

§Land now in Possession of W:m Knipe Jn:o french

§Gunner & Jn:o Beale & also five Acres of Cabbage

§& tree & between & being in Bashent Valley adjoyning

§to other of the s:d Burling:s Land Scituate in the

§s:d Valley & to the Lands of M:r Bridget & M:rs Jn:o

§Bargen now Lying in the said Valley together

§with all the Provisions & Wood thereon standing

§& growing together with all other the Commodities &

§Appurtenances thereunto belonging soever & to hold

§John the s:d Jn:o Burling his Heirs & Assigns for

§ever without any Lett trouble hinderance or Mollest

§=ation by or from me or from any other Person or

§Persons Claiming or to Claim by from or under me

§& soe hereby warrant for ever Harmless & defending

§the s:d Jn:o Burling his Heirs & Assigns for ever in y:e

§peaceable Possession of the Premisses against all

§Persons whatsoever In Wittness whereof I have

§hereunto Set my hand & seal this 29:th day of

§March Anno Domini 1726§

§W:m Coale§

§Examined by D: Flippe§

§Signed Sealed &

§Delivered in the Presence of

§Jn:o Bagley Jun:r

§W:m Knipe§

Margin Notes:

Will: Coale Bill of Sale to Jn:o Burling for 10 Acres Land

Let all men know by these presents that William Coales of the island of St Helena, soldier, in consideration of the sum of £135 0s 0d in good and current money paid into his hand by John Gurling, free planter, of this island, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt of which he acknowledged and declared himself fully satisfied, paid and contented, granted, bargained, sold and delivered by these presents, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and bargained, sold, assigned, set over and delivered to John Gurling, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever, 10 acres of gumwood land situated and lying in Pleasant Valley, adjoining land now in the possession of John Knipe and John French, gunner, and John Bates, also 5 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land lying in Pleasant Valley adjoining the other parcel of John Gurling's land, situated in this valley, and bordering the lands of Mrs Bridget and Mr John Bates, also land lying in the same valley.

The grant carried with it all the provisions and wood, then growing and standing, together with all other commodities and appurtenances belonging to it. John Gurling, his heirs and assigns were to have and to hold the parcels for ever, without any trouble, hindrance or interruption by William Coales or by any person claiming through him, free of any suit or claim by anyone asserting a title to the land. William Coales bound himself to warrant and defend John Gurling, his heirs and assigns for ever in the quiet and peaceable possession of the premises, against all persons whatsoever. In witness of this, William Coales set his hand and seal on 29 March 1726. Signed by William Coales. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Bagley junior and John Knipe. Examined by D. Phillips.

Interpretations

The conveyance records William Coales selling 15 acres of Pleasant Valley land in two parcels to John Gurling for £135 0s 0d in island money. William Coales appears in the record as the buyer who took two James Valley dwellings on the same day in September 1725, and here he sells rural ground, which marks him as an active trader in both urban and agricultural property.

The boundary descriptions tie the parcels into the established network of Pleasant Valley holders, naming John Knipe, John French the gunner and John Bates among the adjoining owners. John Knipe appears in the record as the holder confirmed at the bottom of Pleasant Valley on 4 August 1713, and his presence here as both neighbour and witness fixes the parcel within the cluster of holdings around the valley.

The second parcel bordered John Gurling's own existing land, which marks the purchase as a consolidation. By buying ground that adjoined his current holding, John Gurling drew the scattered Pleasant Valley land into a single block, the same pattern of accumulation seen across the rural dealings of the period.

The witness John Bagley junior places the transaction within the recurring circle of holders who attested the island's conveyances. The Bagley family appears across the record as substantial landholders and frequent witnesses, and the attestation gave the deed the standing of the recognised documentary regime.

95

81

§Know all Men by these Presents that I William

§Coale of the Island St Helena Soldier for & in Consi

§=deration of the Sum of thirty two Pounds of Currant money

§to me s:d Island Plant:r at or before the Sealing & Delivery

§hereof by Joseph Bates Likewise of the s:d Island Plant:r

§have bargain:d Sold & deliver:d & by these Presents

§do for my Self my heirs Executors Administrators

§& Assigns bargain Sell & deliver to him the s:d Joseph

§Bates his Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns

§all my Rights Titles & Interest to & in one Messuage

§=tying in James Valley adjoyning to the dwelling Hous

§of Robert Masson Don the Side & Jn:o Bagley Jun:r

§Carpenter on the other together with all the Com

§=modities & Appurtenances thereunto belonging

§To have & to hold the s:d hereby bargained Prem &

§=es to him the s:d Joseph Bates his Heirs & Assign

§=es for ever without any Lett trouble Claim or hinderance

§by or from me or from any Person or Persons Claim

§=ing or to Claim by from or under me. And I do

§hereby warrant to Save harmless & defend him the

§the s:d Joseph Bates his Heirs & Assigns in y:e

§Peaceable & quiet Possession of the aforesaid Prem

§=isses against all Persons whatsoever In Wittness

§whereof I have hereunto Set my hand & seal

§this 29:th Day of March 1726§

§W:m Coale§

§Signed Sealed &

§Delivered in the Presence of

§Examined by D: Flippe

§Jn:o Young

§W:m Wilkins§

Margin Notes:

William Coale:s Bill of Sale to Jos: Bates for a Mess: in James Valley

Let all men know by these presents that William Coales of the island of St Helena, soldier, in consideration of the sum of £32 0s 0d in current money of this island paid into his hand at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents by Joseph Bates, free planter, of this island, granted, bargained, sold and delivered by these presents, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, to Joseph Bates, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all his right, title and interest in and to one messuage or dwelling house lying in James Valley, adjoining the dwelling house of Richard Mason on the one side and John Bagley junior, carpenter, on the other, together with all the commodities and appurtenances belonging to it. Joseph Bates, his heirs and assigns were to have and to hold the house thereby bargained for ever, without any trouble, claim or hindrance by William Coales or by any person claiming through him. William Coales bound himself to warrant, save harmless and defend Joseph Bates, his heirs and assigns in the peaceable and quiet possession of the premises, against all persons whatsoever. In witness of this, William Coales set his hand and seal on 29 March 1726. Signed by William Coales. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of John Young and William Wilkins. Examined by D. Phillips.

Interpretations

The conveyance records William Coales selling a James Valley dwelling to Joseph Bates for £32 0s 0d in island money, on the same day he sold his Pleasant Valley land to John Gurling. William Coales took two James Valley houses in September 1725, and these March 1726 sales mark him disposing of his accumulated property, both rural and urban, within a single day.

The house is fixed by its position between the dwelling of Richard Mason on one side and John Bagley junior, carpenter, on the other, the standard means of identifying urban ground in a settlement where houses ran in a line. Richard Mason appears in the record as the planter who bought the Southwark Street house known as William Trenchard's house in October 1723, and his presence as a neighbour ties the parcel into the established urban network.

Joseph Bates appears across the record as the corporal who married a daughter of the deceased Richard Harding and stood among the family's recurring witnesses across the Sandy Bay conveyances. His purchase of this James Valley dwelling extends the Bates holdings into the urban property of the valley.

Speculations

The sale of William Coales's rural land and his James Valley dwelling on a single day, to two separate buyers, points to a deliberate winding-down of his holdings rather than two unconnected transactions. Each parcel went to a buyer with an existing interest nearby, the Pleasant Valley land to John Gurling whose ground it adjoined and the house to Joseph Bates within the urban cluster. By matching each property to a buyer for whom it held particular value, Coales secured the strongest disposal of an accumulation he was clearing in one coordinated step.

96

82

§Island St Helena§

§Know all men by these Presents that I Samuel Josey of this

§Island haveing for divers good & naturall Considerations been & received here

§=fully into my Possession all that Estate Lands belonging unto Jane Mudge Land

§that I myself I stand at his time seized for Therefore Accordingly to my forenam

§Promise hereby Acknowledge my self do stand fully Indebted unto Matthew

§Mudge therein in his full Sum:e do fully Contract in good & Currant money of

§the s:d Island which I bind my self & my heirs Executors Administrators &

§Assigns to pay unto the said Matthew Mudge his heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or

§Assigns at or immediately after He shall Arrive to the full Age of

§twenty One Years at which time He the s:d Matthew Mudge doth

§hereby bynd himself upon the forfeiture of the above said Sume of

§soe fully Bound to give Acquittance or other Discharge unto the s:d Samuel

§Josey or his Heirs &:c bind my self & my heirs Executors Administrators

§Acknowledge and even my self to be therewith fully Satisfyed &

§for ever Released as for the said Matthew Mudge:s whole Estate

§Demand of the said Bedgood Jane Mudge his Estate as forsaid &

§to which he obeyes no faster than the Bounty and his Obligation of

§the said Samuel Josey, who doth hereby further bynd in Manner

§& as forementioned to Pay unto the said Matthew Mudge or his Heirs &:c

§the Sume of thirteen Pounds more in this good & Currant Money of the

§said Island twelve Pounds thereof being the full Part and Portion

§of the Deceased Father Jonathan Mudge:s Estate and the other twenty

§shillings being a Legacy left him by his s:d Grand father Henry

§Coales s:d which Compleate the full & Entire Demand or Claim

§to any thing whatsoever that the said Matthew Mudge hath or

§can have, on the said & Annuall Josey, Jn:o Willis adress:d both

§Partys have to these Presents Sett their Hands void & also this

§28 day of October Anno Dom:i 1719§

§Matthew Mudge

§Sam: Josey§

§Sealed Signed & Delivered

§in the presence of

§Jn:o Alexander

§W:m Knipe

§W:m Coales§

§Registered by Jn:o Alexander§

Margin Notes:

Matt: Mudge & Sam: Josey agreem:t

[Island of St Helena]

Let all men know by these presents that Samuel Jesey of this island, planter, having received full payment into his possession of all the estate and effects belonging to Jane Mudge, widow, the receipt of which he acknowledged at this time, agreed and bound himself to any future payment. Samuel Jesey bound himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns to pay to Matthew Mudge, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns the sum agreed, on or before the day it should fall due. The payment of £20 0s 0d, at which sum the estate of Jane Mudge was valued, was to be made when Matthew Mudge should arrive at his full age of 21 years. Samuel Jesey bound himself upon the forfeiture of all the estate to give acquittance or other discharge to Matthew Mudge, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and to satisfy himself fully of the whole demand of Matthew Mudge upon the estate of Jane Mudge.

Samuel Jesey bound himself no further than the bond and his obligation required, having earlier been mentioned to pay to Matthew Mudge, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns the sum of £13 0s 0d in good and current money of this island, being the full part and dividend of the estate of the deceased Jonathan Mudge, and a further £20 0s 0d, being a legacy left to Matthew Mudge by his late father Henry Coales. The whole demand or claim upon the estate of Jane Mudge, of whatever kind, was thereby completed. Matthew Mudge and Samuel Jesey set their hands to this on 26 October 1719. Signed by Matthew Mudge and Samuel Jesey. Sealed, signed and delivered in the presence of John Alexander, William Slaughter and William Coales. Registered, examined by John Alexander.

Interpretations

The bond binds Samuel Jesey to pay Matthew Mudge his inherited portions of the Mudge estate when the boy reaches his majority at 21. The arrangement converts a child's claim on a family estate into a deferred obligation, with the holder of the estate undertaking to discharge the inheritance at a fixed future date rather than at once.

Samuel Jesey appears in the record as the freeholder confirmed in 10 acres under the Two Gun Ridge on 4 August 1713, land lately purchased from Jonathan Doveton. Here he stands as the party holding Jane Mudge's estate and answerable for the heir's portion, which places him in the recurring role of a substantial holder managing the property of others within the family network.

The portions named bring together two separate inheritances, £13 0s 0d as the dividend of the deceased Jonathan Mudge's estate and £20 0s 0d as a legacy left to the boy by his late father Henry Coales. The combination reveals the layered routes by which a single child's entitlement accumulated across the deaths of more than one relative, with the bond gathering the whole into a single deferred sum.

The valuation of Jane Mudge's estate at £20 0s 0d and the forfeiture clause securing the heir's claim reveal the institutional means of protecting a minor's inheritance against the holder's default. By binding the estate itself to the payment, the arrangement gave the boy a recoverable claim that survived until he came of age.

Speculations

The decision to defer payment until Matthew Mudge reached 21, while binding the estate to the debt in the meantime, solved the problem of protecting a minor's inheritance without handing money to a child who could not yet manage it. The forfeiture clause gave the heir security against the holder's failure to pay, converting the estate into a guarantee of the portion. By fixing the obligation to a future majority and securing it against the whole estate, the arrangement preserved the boy's claim across the years until he could receive it himself.

97

83

§Island St Helena§

§Know all men by these presents That Isaac Wood of the s:d Island

§free & surviveing Executor to the last Will & Testament of Thomas Burnham

§late of the s:d Island free Plant:r Deceased for & in Consideration of the Sum:e of

§two Hundred and forty Pounds in good & Currant Money of the s:d Island

§to me in hand paid at and before the Signing & sealing hereof by Samuel

§Josey of the s:de free Plant:r the Receipt of which I do hereby Acknowledge

§and my self therewith to be fully Satisfyed Contented Paid Have & do here by

§these presents for and on behalf of the s:d Orphan Orphans of the s:d Dec:d

§Thomas Burnham son Jneizes Bargaine Sell Deliver and Confirm unto the

§said Samuel Josey and his heirs for ever All & Singular that Peice or

§Parcell of Cabbagetree & Pasture Lands Containeing twenty two

§Acres and a half scituate and being Near the s:de Land Viz:t of

§y:e heirs Valley head and next Adjoyning to the Land of John Doveton formerly

§formerly y:e heirs Will:s dec:d and the s:d Sam: Josey:s own free land formerly

§Edward Heath:s dec:d To have & to hold the s:d hereby bargained

§twenty two Acres and a half of land afores:d with all and singular the

§Wood Trees fences Walls Party Walls or other fences, Walls Water Courses

§rights, Liberty & Priviledges thereunto belonging or in any wise apper

§=teining & do and Dispose of as he the s:d Samuel Josey or his Heirs or

§either of them shall think fitt & y:e s:d Isaac Wood do as well for

§my Heirs, as on the behalf of the s:d dec:d Thomas Burnham:s for & all

§Orphans and either of them or their heirs hereby further Covenant

§and agree to and with the s:d Samuel Josey his heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs

§& Assigns and either of them that he, they or either of them or their

§Heirs Shall and may from time to time & at all times hereafter Have

§hold Occupie, Possess and Quietly Enjoy the herein Mention:d & Bargained

§Premisses of what Nature kind or Quality soever without any manner

§of Interruption Mollestation Claim Challenge or Demand of any

§manner of Person or Psons whatsoever, & do Warrant the same to be

§free and clear from all Incumbrances that is, or may be hereafter

§Devised Notwithstanding any thing to the Contrary hereof in these

§presents Contained the Writeing thereof I Isaac Wood for & on

§behalf of the said dec:d Thomas Burnham:s for & all Orphans

§(as well Males as Females) Have hereunto set my Hand & seal

§this s:d day of June Anno Dom:i 1726§

§Isaac Wood§

§Sealed Signed & Delivered

§In the presence of

§Gilbert Sleeke

§Joseph Hayse§

§Registered Pursuant to an Order of Council

§Jn:o Alexander§

Margin Notes:

Executor of the Burnham Bill of Sale to Sam: Josey for 22 Acres Land

[Island of St Helena]

Let all men know by these presents that Isaac Wood of this island, surviving executor to the last will and testament of Thomas Burnham, late of this island, free planter, since deceased, in consideration of the sum of £42 0s 0d in current money of this island paid into his hand at or before the sealing and bearing of these presents by Samuel Jesey of this island, the receipt of which he acknowledged, granted, bargained, sold and delivered, for and on behalf of the several orphans of the deceased Thomas Burnham, son of the deceased Thomas Burnham, to Samuel Jesey, his heirs and assigns for ever, all that piece or parcel of cabbage tree and gumwood land containing 22 acres, situated and lying near the Mountain, in the form of a deed, adjoining the land of John Defountaine, Higham, Fagley Head, and next adjoining to the land formerly Higham's, since deceased, and the land late Samuel Jesey's own free land formerly Edward Heath's, since deceased.

Samuel Jesey, his heirs and assigns were to have and to hold the 22 acres of land, with all the wood, trees, fences, water, watercourses, rights, liberties and privileges belonging to it, of whatever kind, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit. Isaac Wood, for himself and on behalf of the orphans of the deceased Thomas Burnham, and for their heirs, covenanted and agreed with Samuel Jesey, his heirs and assigns, that they should from that point forward hold, occupy and quietly enjoy the parcel named and granted, of whatever kind, without any manner of interruption, claim or demand by Isaac Wood or any person claiming through him. The land was to pass free and clear of all encumbrances, and Isaac Wood bound himself to defend the title against anything to the contrary. In witness of this, Isaac Wood, for and on behalf of the several orphans of the deceased Thomas Burnham, both male and female, set his hand and seal on [...] June 1726. Signed by Isaac Wood. Sealed, signed and delivered in the presence of Gilbert [...] and Joseph Hayes, by his mark. Registered pursuant to an order of council, examined by John Alexander.

Interpretations

The conveyance records Isaac Wood, as surviving executor of Thomas Burnham, selling 22 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land near the Mountain to Samuel Jesey for £42 0s 0d on behalf of the Burnham orphans. The executor acts not in his own right but as the institutional guardian of the children's inheritance, disposing of estate land for the benefit of the several orphans.

Isaac Wood appears in the record as the corporal and cooper confirmed in Fishers Valley ground in the 1713 sitting, and here he stands in the recurring role of executor managing the property of a deceased planter's heirs. The sale routed the proceeds of the orphans' land through the executor, the standard means by which a fatherless family's estate was converted to cash under institutional oversight.

The boundary descriptions tie the parcel into the established network of holders near the Mountain, naming John Defountaine, Higham and the land late Samuel Jesey's own free land formerly Edward Heath's. Since the western boundary already adjoined Jesey's own ground, the purchase marks a consolidation that drew the orphans' land into the buyer's existing block.

The registration pursuant to an order of council gave the executor's sale the formal sanction of the governing body. A disposal of orphan land carried particular need for institutional approval, since the children could not consent for themselves, and the council's order protected the transaction against any later challenge to the executor's authority.

Speculations

The requirement that the executor's sale be registered pursuant to an order of council addressed the specific vulnerability of a transaction made on behalf of minors who could not act for themselves. By bringing the disposal under the council's sanction, the arrangement guarded both the buyer's title and the orphans' interest against any later dispute over the executor's power to sell. The institutional approval converted a private executor's act into a sale backed by the governing authority, securing the parcel for Samuel Jesey while preserving the proceeds for the children.

98

84

§Island St Helena April 23:th 1726

§Received at Wittness Receipt the Sum of Fifty Pounds being a Legacy of the

§s:de Poor of the s:d Island by William Coole§

§Pursued by the

§Edw:o Bufield

§Tho:s Johnson

§Church Wardens & Jn:o Defountain§

§Know all Men by these presents that Wee the Govern:r & Councell of the

§the Island St Helena for & on behalf of the Hon:ble United Comp:y

§of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies for & in

§Consideration of the Sum of Three Hundred & Ninety Pounds of good

§Currant Money of the s:d Island three Pounds thereof being to be

§in hand Paid by John Curlow of the s:d Island Planter Have

§given Granted Bargained & Sold & do by these presents Give, grant

§Bargain Sell & Deliver unto him the s:d John Gurling his Heirs Exec:rs

§Administrators & Assigns all & Singular that Peice or Parcell of

§Land Commonly called or known by the Name of the Hutts Containeing

§twenty seven Acres Lying in the East Division of the s:d Island Butting

§North upon the Waste land called the Hutts Acres East upon the Lands

§of Hutton & late Jonas Hays, & John Defountaine, South upon the

§Land of Joseph Coota (late Hatton) & West to the Land of Jonathan

§Doveton with all & Singular the Wood, Water, Water Courses, fences

§Rights, Priviledges & Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise

§Appurtenances To have & to hold the s:d hereby Bargained

§Premisses to him the s:d John Gurling his Heirs &:c & Assigns for ever

§to do & dispose thereof as he they or either shall think fitt & y:e s:d Govern:r

§& Councell that the Governour & Councell, for & on behalf of the s:d

§Hon:ble Company their Heirs & Successors do Covenant Promise and

§Agree to & with the s:d John Gurling his Heirs Executors Administrators

§& Assigns that he, they & every of them Shall Peaceably & Quietly Possess

§& Enjoy from henceforth & at all times henceforth all the every that & sundry

§those & together with One little House thereon Standing with all the

§Rights & Priviledges Necessarys belonging without any Lett y:e hinderance

§Mollestation or Disturbance by or from the s:d Hon:ble Company or

§them Successors or from by or under any other Person or Persons whatsoever

§by Our or their meanes Consents or Procurem:t & In Wittness whereof

§We the Governour & Councell for the time being have hereunto Sett Our

§Hands & to & Affixed the Seal of the s:d Hon:ble United Company

§ats Theire Castle this Twenty fifth Day of April Anno Dom:i One

§Thousand Seven hundred Twenty Seven§

§Edw:o Bufield

§Jn:o Alexander

§Jn:o Goodwin§

Margin Notes:

Govern:r & Councell:s Bill of Sale to Jn:o Gurling for 27 Acres Land called the Hutts

[Island of St Helena]

The following was received at folios 49 and 50, a sum of £50 0s 0d being a legacy left to the poor of this island by William Coats. Witnessed by Edward Johnson, the church wardens, and John Defountaine.

Let all men know by these presents that the Governor and Council of the island of St Helena, on behalf of the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, in consideration of the sum of £190 0s 0d in good and current money of this island paid into their hand by John Coulson of this island, planter, granted, bargained, sold and delivered to John Coulson, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever, all that piece or parcel of land commonly called or known by the name of the Hutts, containing 40 acres, situated and lying in the East Division of this island. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on the waste land called the Hutts, towards the east on the lands of Hutton, Knipe, John Hayes and John Defountaine, towards the south on the land of Joseph Coates, since deceased, and was thereby made over to John Coulson, with all the wood, water, watercourses, fences, rights, privileges and appurtenances belonging to it.

John Coulson, his heirs and assigns were to have and to hold the parcel for ever, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit. The Governor and Council, on behalf of the Honourable Company, their heirs and successors, covenanted and agreed with John Coulson, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that he should from that point forward hold and quietly enjoy the parcel, together with one little house standing on it, with all the rights, appurtenances and easements belonging to it, without any manner of hindrance, interruption or disturbance by the Honourable Company or their successors, or by any person claiming through them. In witness of this, the seal of the Honourable United East India Company was affixed at Union Castle on 28 April 1726. Signed by [...] Byfield, John Alexander and John Goodwin.

Interpretations

The grant conveys a 40-acre parcel known as the Hutts in the East Division from the Company to John Coulson for £190 0s 0d in island money, the institution acting through the Governor and Council in its formal corporate style. The sale of a named tract under the common seal at Union Castle marks an outright disposal of Company freehold to a private holder, distinct from the leasehold tenure that ran alongside it.

John Coulson appears in the record as the planter who, by deed of the same period, sold his Chapel Valley land and his interest in a Two Gun Ridge dwelling to Jonathan Doveton. Here he stands as a buyer acquiring substantial Company ground in the East Division, which marks a continuing exchange of holdings as he traded one quarter of his property for another.

The boundary descriptions tie the parcel into the established network of East Division holders, naming Hutton, John Knipe, John Hayes, John Defountaine and the land late Joseph Coates's. The byname the Hutts attached both to the parcel and to the adjoining waste land, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record.

The opening note records a separate legacy of £50 0s 0d left to the poor of the island by William Coats, entered at folios 49 and 50 and witnessed by the church wardens. This charitable bequest, administered through the parish office, reveals the institutional means by which provision for the poor was secured and recorded alongside the ordinary land dealings.

Speculations

The inclusion of the little house standing on the parcel within the covenant for quiet enjoyment ensured the buyer took the building as part of the grant, not as a separate or contestable interest. By naming the house alongside the land in the Company's warranty, the arrangement closed off any question over whether the structure passed with the ground. The single covenant secured both the acreage and the dwelling for John Coulson under one undivided title.

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85

§Island St Helena§

§Know all Men by these Presents That

§I John Cotgrove of the s:d Island Soldier Son of Gilbert Cotgrove, late of the

§s:d Island Planter deceased have of my own free Will & Naturall benevol Releas

§=ed Quit Claim & by these Presents do for me my Heirs Executors Administrators

§or Assigns Remitt Release & for ever Quit Claim unto Mr John Alexander of the

§Island s:d & Councell his Heirs Exec:rs & Adm:rs & Assigns All & all manner of

§Action Law Suit, Cause & Accounts Debts Duties Exchainge of

§Sums of Money Controversies Judgments Executions & Demand whatso

§=ever Debt or Bond s:d:c which I the said John Cotgrove ever had or which

§my Heirs Executors Adm:rs & Assigns or any of the him his or them in tim

§to come can or may have to for or against the said Mr John Alexander his

§Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns for or by Reason of any

§Matter Cause Controversie or Dispute whatsoever from the beginning of the

§World to the day of the Date hereof In Wittness whereof the said John

§Cotgrove have hereunto put my Hand & Seal the thirteenth day of July

§Anno Dom:i One thousand Seven Hundred twenty & seven§

§Signed John Cotgrove§

§Signed Sealed & Delivered

§in the Presence of

§Richard Beale

§Richard Swallow Jun:r§

§Know all men by these presents that I Richard Gurling of this Island St

§Helena freePlant:r for & in Consideration of the Sum of Fifty Pounds

§good & Currant Money of the s:d Island to me in hand paid at or before the

§Ensealing Delivery of these presents by Richard Beale of this Island s:de free

§Planter the receipt of which I do hereby Acknowledge & my self therewith to

§fully Satisfyed Contented & Paid Have given granted Alienated Bargained

§and Delivered And by these presents do fully, Clearly & absolutely, give, Gra

§Alienate Bargaine sell Deliver Unto his heirs herein Named Richard

§Beale his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assigns for ever All & Singular as s:d

§Peice or Parcell of Cabbage tree Pasture Land Containing by Mensuration fo

§Acres and half soe Stand & an Acre scituate Lying & being at or Near

§Head of one Branch of Sandybay Valley Orchard, a parcel of this Maine

§being Part of Ten Acres formerly the Lands of Christopherus Steevens

§Island freePlant:r Dec:d also by s:d Cap:t Will:s & Stevam bequeathed Vert

§to the s:d Christopherus Steevens Richard Acknowl: since Deceas:d, Butting & boun

§=towards, the North upon & Next Adjoyning to the Pasture Land of Ri

§Goddrom (known by the Name of Pethers Land) towards the South Up

§=on s:de Next Adjoyning to the Pithehead Lands Orgen tree y:e Land of Brutt

§Pasture Land, & also Likewise formerly in the Possession & Occupation

§belong Stevens Christopherus (towards the towards) the West upon a Ste

§of Cabbage tree Pasture Land Comonly called & known by the Name

§of y:e Orchard s:de Land towards the East upon Ten Acres more of

§Land, now in the Possession of the said Richard Beale, which have§

Margin Notes:

John Cotgrove:s Generall Release to Cap:t Jn:o Alexander

[Island of St Helena]

Let all men know by these presents that John Cotgrave of this island, soldier, son of Gilbert Cotgrave, late of this island, planter, since deceased, of his own free will gave a general release to John Alexander, second in council of this island. John Cotgrave, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, released and for ever discharged any claim against John Alexander, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, of any manner of action, suit, cause of account, debt, duty, exchange, sum of money, controversy, judgement, execution and demand whatsoever, as well at law as in equity, which John Cotgrave ever held, or which his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns could or might have, against John Alexander, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, by reason of any matter, cause, controversy or dispute whatsoever, from the beginning of the world to the day of the date of these presents. In witness of this, John Cotgrave set his hand and seal on 13 July 1727. Signed by John Cotgrave. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of Richard Beale and Richard Swallow junior.

Let all men know by these presents that Richard Gurling of this island of St Helena, free planter, in consideration of the sum of £50 0s 0d in good and current money of this island paid into his hand at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents by Richard Beale of this island, the receipt of which he acknowledged and declared himself fully satisfied and contented, granted, bargained, sold, alienated, confirmed and delivered to Richard Beale, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever, all that piece or parcel of cabbage tree and pasture land containing 9 acres, and also 10 acres of land lying in one branch of Swanleys Valley, the orchard being part of 10 acres formerly the land of Onesiphorus Steward, late free planter of this island, since deceased, and the last late William Steward's, since deceased.

The 9-acre parcel butted and bordered towards the north on, and next adjoining to, the pasture land of Richard Gurling, towards the south on, and next adjoining to, the land of Richard Goodwin, called by the name of Peter's Land, towards the east on, and next adjoining to, the great pasture land lately in the possession and occupation of Onesiphorus Steward, since deceased, and towards the west on the cabbage tree pasture land commonly called and known by the name of [...] Gurling's land towards the south, and on the east on 10 acres more of land now in the possession of Richard Beale, which had [...].

Interpretations

The first instrument is a general release by John Cotgrave, soldier, discharging John Alexander from every possible claim from the beginning of the world to the date of the deed. The release closed off any future action of any kind between the parties, the standard means of settling all outstanding accounts in a single comprehensive instrument that left no residual claim alive.

John Alexander appears in the record as the long-serving register and second in council, the most ubiquitous figure across the documented dealings. The release in his favour, given without recorded payment, points to the settlement of accounts following the death of Gilbert Cotgrave, whose son John here discharged whatever the family might have claimed.

The second conveyance records Richard Gurling selling cabbage tree and pasture land in Swanleys Valley to Richard Beale for £50 0s 0d in island money. Richard Gurling appears across the record as a substantial Lemon Valley and Fryer Valley accumulator who traded and consolidated his holdings through the 1710s and 1720s, and this sale continues his disposal of ground to neighbouring buyers.

The boundary descriptions tie the parcels to the established network of holders, naming Richard Goodwin's land called Peter's Land and the great pasture lately Onesiphorus Steward's. Peter's Land matches the parcel Richard Goodwin held in right of his wife and sold on in the November 1725 dealings, and the byname preserves the institutional memory of the prior holder across the record.

100

86

§Purchased of Rich:d Swallow Sen:r of this s:d Island free Plant:r together with all

§and Singular the Wood Trees Water, Water Courses fences Party fences, or any

§other Right Liberty, Priviledges Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any

§wise Apperteining whatsoever To have & to hold the s:d hereby Bargained

§six Acres of Pasture Lands and the two thirds of an Acre with all other the

§Premisses Unto him the s:d Richard Beale and his heirs for ever as afores:d

§to do and Dispose of as he they or either of them or their Heirs shall think

§fitt & meet & While the s:d Richard Gurling do for my self my Heirs Exec:rs

§Adm:rs & Assigns And only Covenant Promise & agree But do further fyrmly

§Bind my self my heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assigns or either of them Heirs, Heirs

§or heirs that the s:d Richard Beale his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or Assignes

§in the Penal sume of One Hundred Pounds in good & Currant Money of this

§Island s:d & balance, that the s:d Richard Beale his Heir Exec:rs Adm:rs

§or Assigns or either of them or their heirs shall no way or by any meanes

§in the Law devised or to be devised be Interrupted, Mollested or Distended in

§the Quiet Possession of this hereby Bargained six Acres and the two thirds

§of an Acre of Cabbage tree Pasture Land afores:d or in any Part or Parcell

§thereof Deceased to me the s:d Rich:d Gurling by Vertue of the forenoted

§and Distrust bequeath fully Satisfyed What contained in the s:d Will & Testam:t

§of Steevens Steevens dec:d as by an Relation being thereunto had will

§more Plainly Appear But to do, Continue & Remaine in the Peaceable

§Possession of the same and every Part thereof as his & Heirs even proper

§& meet fitt, kind, & Exec:rs from time forth & times & Comes without

§any manner of Lett Hinderance Claim Challenge Demand Interrupt

§=tion or Contradiction of me the s:d Richard Gurling or my Heirs

§Executors Adm:rs or Assigns or from by or under or in the Reames or

§Names of any other Pson or Psons whatsoever by my meanes Consent

§or Procurem:t at or by my Exec:rs by reason of the Bargaine &

§absolute sale of the Premisses afores:d Upon the forfeiture of the

§sume of One Hundred Pounds afore mention:d & the s:d by this

§Bond Warrant to save Defend and keep Harmless & Indemnifyed

§the s:d Richard Beale & his Heirs &c &c &c Declareing the s:d Bond

§Warranding the same and every Part or Parcel thereof to be free

§and Clear from all Incumbrances whatsoever any thing to the

§Contrary hereof in these presents Contained Notwithstanding

§In Wittness whereof I have hereunto sett my Hand & seal

§this twenty Eighth day of December Anno Dom:i One thousand

§seven Hundred twenty & seven§

§Rich:d Gurling§

§Sealed Signed & Delivered

§in the presence of Us

§Rich: Swallow Sen:r

§W:m Addis§

The land was earlier purchased from Richard Swallow, free planter, of this island, together with all the wood, trees, water, watercourses, fences, party fences and every other right, liberty, privilege and appurtenance belonging to it. The grant included the two thirds of an acre with all the other 9 acres of pasture land, and the two thirds of an acre with all the rest. Richard Beale and his heirs were to have and to hold the parcels for ever, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit.

For himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, Richard Gurling bound himself and covenanted, promised and agreed with Richard Beale, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, in the penal sum of £100 0s 0d in good and current money of this island, that he or his heirs, executors or assigns, or either of them, should from that point forward by no means and in no way interrupt, molest or disturb the quiet possession of the parcels thereby bargained, the 9 acres and the 10 acres, or any part of them. The land was to pass free and clear of all encumbrances, and Richard Gurling bound himself to defend the title, since Onesiphorus Steward, since deceased, by reason of the relation between them, had been more plainly named before. Richard Beale was to hold and quietly enjoy the same and every part of it, free of any manner of hindrance, claim, challenge, demand, interruption, suit or interference by Richard Gurling or his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, or by any person claiming through him by any means.

Richard Gurling bound himself, upon the forfeiture of the penal sum of £100 0s 0d, by virtue of this warranty to save, defend and keep harmless Richard Beale, his heirs, executors and assigns, warranting the parcels and every part of them free and clear of all encumbrances, and binding himself against anything to the contrary. In witness of this, Richard Gurling set his hand and seal on 28 December 1727. Signed by Richard Gurling. Sealed, signed and delivered in the presence of Richard Swallow junior and [...] Addis.

Interpretations

The completion of the conveyance records the chain of the parcels through an earlier purchase from Richard Swallow, fixing the prior holder behind Richard Gurling's title to the Swanleys Valley ground. The recital traces the descent of the land before its sale to Richard Beale, the standard means by which the record preserved the sequence of holders behind a current transaction.

The warranty here takes the form of a penal bond of £100 0s 0d, twice the £50 0s 0d purchase price, binding the seller to forfeit that sum on any breach of the buyer's quiet enjoyment. The penal-bond structure converted the covenant into an enforceable money obligation, giving Richard Beale a defined sum to recover should Richard Gurling or anyone through him later disturb the title.

Richard Beale appears across the record as an active buyer of the period, taking parcels and dwellings through the 1720s, including ground from Michael Swallow in June 1723. This Swanleys Valley purchase extends his accumulation, drawing further land into his holdings under the secured warranty of the penal bond.

The witnesses Richard Swallow junior and Addis place the transaction within the recurring circle of holders who attested the island's conveyances. Richard Swallow junior, who appears as the earlier seller of the land and now as witness, reveals the close interconnection of the parties through whose hands the parcels moved across the record.

Speculations

The choice to secure the warranty with a penal bond of £100 0s 0d, set at double the purchase price, addressed the specific risk that the land's passage through several prior holders might throw up a competing claim. By fixing a defined forfeiture rather than relying on an open covenant, the arrangement gave Richard Beale a certain remedy and pressed Richard Gurling to guarantee a title that had moved through Richard Swallow and the Steward estate before reaching him. The doubled sum measured the buyer's security against the complexity of the chain he was taking on.

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87

§Know all Men by these Presents that We the Govern:r & Coun

§of the Island St Helena for & on behalf of the Hon:ble United Comp

§of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies for & in Considerat

§of the Sum of Sixty five Pounds of good & Currant Money of the s:d

§Island Have Given Granted, Bargained & Sold by these presents

§do Give grant Bargain Sell & Deliver unto Richard Goodwin the s:d

§Executors Adm:rs & Assigns All & Singular that Peice or Parcell of

§Land commonly called or known by the Name of Carras Gutts containing by

§Mensuration two & three half Acres Butting & North on the Land of John

§Bower W:t on the West s:d & of him the said Richard Goodwin Easa

§the Cor:t Comp:y Pasture Land & S:t partly on the Lands belonging to s:d

§John Goodwin & partly upon the Land belonging to s:d Land called Jon:os Gutts

§and s:d Pasture late Wood, Water, Water Courses, fences Rights, Liberties &

§& Appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any wise Apperteining there

§=unto belonging that the said Rich:d Goodwin his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs & Ass

§Shall & & Allow such a Quantity of Water at all times of the year as is

§to be & Remain between the Said Tron gutts Viz: that East thereof as

§Remaine give & Common as Shall be Sufficient to Supply all the

§Hon:ble Comp:t Cattle as now are or at any time hereafter shall or may

§in any of their Pasture thereunto & afores:d To have & to hold

§the said hereby Bargained Premisses to him the Said Richard Goodwin

§his Heirs &c & Assigns forever to do & dispose thereof as he they or either

§Shall think fitt & proper And the said Govern:r & Councell for & on

§of the said Hon:ble Comp:y their Heirs & Successors do Covenant Promise

§promise & agree to & with the said Rich:d Goodwin his Heirs Exec:rs Adm

§Assigns that he, they Every of them Shall Peaceably & Quietly Enjoy

§from henceforth & at all times hereafter all & every Part & Parcell of

§together with all the Rights & Priviledges thereunto belonging without

§any Lett hinderance, Disturbance or Mollestation by or from the s:d

§Hon:ble Comp:y or their Successors, or by or from any other Persons

§whatsoever by Our or their meanes Consent or Procurem:t

§In Wittness whereof We the Govern:r & Councell for the time being

§hereunto Sett Our Hands & Affixed the Seale of the said Hon:ble

§Company at Plantation House this 14:th day of October Anno Dom:i

§1727§

Let all men know by these presents that the Governor and Council of the island of St Helena, on behalf of the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, in consideration of the sum of £65 0s 0d in good and current money of this island, granted, bargained and sold to Richard Goodwin, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, all that piece or parcel of land commonly called or known by the name of Carne's Gutt, butting and bordering towards the north on the land of John Bowers, towards the east on the land of Richard Goodwin, towards the [...] on the cabbage tree pasture land, and towards the south on the lands belonging to John Goodwin, and bordering towards the [...] on the land called Carne's Gutt, with all the wood, water, watercourses, fences, rights, liberties and privileges and all the appurtenances belonging to it.

The Governor and Council reserved to the Honourable Company the right to draw such a quantity of water as at all times of the year should be common to all and sufficient to supply the Honourable Company's cattle, as then or at any time thereafter might be kept in any of their pasture land thereabouts, with [...]. Richard Goodwin, his heirs and assigns were to have and to hold the parcel thereby bargained for ever, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit. The Governor and Council, for and on behalf of the Honourable Company, their heirs and successors, covenanted, agreed and promised with Richard Goodwin, his heirs, executors and assigns that he should hold and quietly enjoy the parcel, and that he should from that point forward hold all and every part of it, together with all the rights and privileges belonging to it, without any hindrance, disturbance or interruption by the Honourable Company or their successors, or by any person claiming through them by any means. In witness of this, the Governor and Council, on behalf of the Honourable Company, set their hands and affixed the seal of the Honourable Company at the plantation house on 4 October 1727.

Interpretations

The grant conveys a parcel known as Carne's Gutt from the Company to Richard Goodwin for £65 0s 0d in island money, the institution acting through the Governor and Council under the common seal. The sale of a named tract from Company freehold to a private holder marks an outright disposal, with the boundaries fixing the parcel within the network of Goodwin and Bowers holdings.

Richard Goodwin appears across the record as a seller of inherited ground in the November 1725 dealings, disposing of parcels held in right of his wife to Francis Wrangham and James Ryder. Here he stands as a buyer acquiring Company land that bordered his own existing ground on the east, which marks the purchase as a consolidation drawing the tract into his established block.

The byname Carne's Gutt preserves the name of George Carne, the merchant whose land bordered several holdings across the record, fixing the institutional memory of the prior association even after the ground passed to the Company and on to Goodwin. The southern boundary against the land of John Goodwin ties the parcel into the wider Goodwin family network in that quarter.

The reservation of a water supply for the Company's cattle marks the institutional protection of a shared resource against the private grant. By retaining the right to draw water sufficient for its herds at all seasons, the Company kept the grazing of its pasture land secure even as it parted with the freehold of the tract, the standard means of selling ground without surrendering the water on which its own stock depended.

Speculations

The decision to reserve a perpetual right to water for the Company's cattle while granting the land outright solved the problem of disposing of a parcel that carried a resource the institution still needed. By fixing the reservation to the supply sufficient for its herds at all times of the year, the Company secured its grazing against any future obstruction by the private holder. The arrangement separated the ownership of the ground from the use of its water, letting the Company realise the value of the freehold without losing the practical benefit on which its neighbouring pasture relied.

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88

§Plant: St Helena April 18:th 1726

§Then received of John Bagley Sen:r of the said Island s:de Plant:r

§Executor of the late Will & Testament of Will: Bagley late of the s:d Island deceas:d the

§Sum of Two hundred & forty Pounds in right of my Wife Margaret Daughter

§of the s:d Deceas:d, she obeyeing & by in full of all & every Debt & Demand

§whatsoever from the Beginning of the World to the day of the date hereof Wittness

§my Hand day & year abovewritten§

§William Addis§

§Wittness &c

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Know all Men by these Presents that Robert Orchard of the Island St

§Helena freePlanter hath Bargained Aliened & Exchainged with John Knipe of

§the said Island & free Planter Ten Acres of Land Lying & being at the Head of a

§place commonly called Sandee Valley with the Dwelling House thereon, W:t all the

§Year Successe that shall remain self Planted, after that bind, & the said Robert

§Orchard shall have Digged his Conveyance, Viz: two & Twostones that are

§near Planted therein two Twenty Shillings to be paid the said John Knipe by the

§said Robert Orchard for two & two s:d Lands being the s:d Testament of the said

§John Knipe by the Hon:ble Comp:y Cons:tly Inhabit Lying & being at the Head of

§the Valley commonly called Sandee Valley with all the Wood, Trees & even Year

§Appurtenances thereto That the said Robert Orchard doth Quit all his Rights

§Title Claim & Interest that he ever hath or hereafter may have unto the Said Lands

§for me self, his Heirs Executors Administrators & Assigns forever according to

§the Tenure & Terme of these forenoted abovementioned without any Lett Mollestation

§or Eviction of any Person or Persons from by or under him or them the said Robert

§Orchard Hath hereunto Set his Hand & Seal this 16 day of March 1638

§1639§

§Robert Orchard§

§Sealed & delivered

§in the presence

§Math: Cameny

§Comments

§Miles§

§Know all Men by these Presents that I John Long of the s:d Island

§St Helena Planter for & in Consideration of the Sum of forty four Pounds of Currant

§Money to me in hand paid at or before the Ensealing & Delivery hereof the Receipt of which

§which I do hereby Acknowledge I mine self to be therewith fully paid & Contented

§have Bargained Sold & delivered & by these presents do for my Self my Heirs Exec:rs

§Adm:rs do Assign Bargain Sell & deliver unto Francis Twang & his Smith like

§with & the said Island all my Rights Title & Interest to & in Seven & Eighty

§Acres what & Names as as follow Viz:t Cabbage Place, for Cash, Priviled:s

§Bay, Salt, Tomey, Stephen, To have & to hold to him the said Francis

§Twang & file Smith Joyntly their Heirs Exec:rs & Adm:rs & Assigns forever &

§to s:d to & dispose of each & every of them as they or their Heirs Exec:rs & Adm:rs

§Assigns shall think fitt & proper Upon Conditions nevertheless that

§that & may be Satisfyed to s:d for the my Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs & Assigns at all times

§hereafter to keep & Employ the abovemention:d Blacks in such Labour &

§Imployment to which I shall appoint them till the Eighth of March which shall§

[Plantation, Island of St Helena]

The following was received from Orlando Bagley junior of this island, free planter and executor of the last will and testament of John Bagley junior of this island, free planter, the sum of £140 0s 0d in right of the wife of [...] Bagley, daughter of [...], since deceased. He acknowledged the receipt in full of all actions, debts and demands whatsoever, from the beginning of the world to the day of the date of these presents. In witness of this, William Addis set his hand on the day and year above written. Signed by William Addis. Witnessed by John Alexander.

Let all men know by these presents that Robert Orchard of this island of St Helena, free planter, bargained, sold, made over and confirmed, with John Knipe of this island, free planter, the 10 acres of land lying and being at the head of a place commonly called Shenkin Valley, with the dwelling house then on it, in the East Division. Robert Orchard granted all his right, title and interest in the parcel, lying near a place known by the name of Diana's Peak. The 10 acres of land, being the allotment of the deceased John Knipe by the Honourable Company's council, lay at the head of the valley commonly called Shenkin Valley near the Mount, together with all the rights and appurtenances belonging to it. Robert Orchard, for himself, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, released all his right, title and interest, that he or any person claiming through him, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, ever had or might have in the land, for the full term mentioned within. In witness of this, Robert Orchard set his hand and seal on [...] March 1729. Signed by Robert Orchard. Sealed and delivered in the presence of Joseph [...], Matthew Cannery, [...] and Miles.

Let all men know by these presents that John Long of this island of St Helena, planter, in consideration of the sum of £40 0s 0d in good and current money of this island paid into his hand at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt of which he acknowledged and declared himself fully paid and contented, granted, bargained, sold and delivered, made over to Francis Swallow and Giles Smith, in right of the island, all his right, title and interest in and to four young slaves, namely Toby, Antigua, Glasse, [...], Bess, Bett, Tansey and Stephen. Francis Swallow and Giles Smith were to have and to hold the four slaves for ever, to use or dispose of each and every one of them as they or their heirs, executors and assigns should think fit, or to sell or dispose of each and every one of them. The grant bound the parties upon condition that John Long, his heirs, executors and assigns should be at liberty to keep and employ the slaves named in such labour and business to which he should appoint them until the eighth of March next [...].

Interpretations

The first instrument records a receipt by William Addis acknowledging payment of £140 0s 0d from Orlando Bagley junior, executor of John Bagley junior, in right of a wife's inheritance. The release discharged all actions and demands from the beginning of the world to the date of the deed, the standard comprehensive settlement that closed off any residual claim between the parties following the estate distribution.

The second conveyance records Robert Orchard transferring 10 acres at the head of Shenkin Valley near Diana's Peak to John Knipe, the land described as the allotment of the deceased John Knipe by the Company's council. Robert Orchard appears in the record as the holder connected to the earlier Orchard leasehold dealings, and here he disposes of inherited ground back into the Knipe family from which the original allotment had descended.

The third instrument records John Long selling four young slaves to Francis Swallow and Giles Smith for £40 0s 0d in island money, while reserving the right to keep and employ them in his own labour until a fixed future date. The arrangement conveyed the ownership at once but deferred the buyers' possession, the same structure of selling forward an interest while retaining its present use that ran through the land dealings of the period.

John Long appears across the record as a long-standing planter and witness who continued his dealings into the 1730s, acquiring and trading both land and slaves. His sale of the four named slaves, with the reservation of their labour until the eighth of March, reveals slaves treated as property to be conveyed and yet retained in service across the transition of ownership.

Speculations

The decision to convey the four slaves outright to Francis Swallow and Giles Smith while reserving their labour to John Long until a fixed date solved the problem of selling property whose present use the seller still required. The buyers took secure ownership at once, but John Long kept the slaves at his own business until the eighth of March, matching the transfer of possession to the moment he no longer needed them. By dividing the sale along the line of present use and future possession, the arrangement let the seller realise the value of the slaves without losing their labour during the months he still depended on it.

103

89

§Shall happen in the Year 1728 or untile s:d hath Layento Cap:t Jn:o Smith

§late s:d everyone the sum of Forty four Pounds or to his Heirs or Assigns

§provided for my Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs Assigns or either of them shall do

§Same at or before the said s:d of March as aforesaid than in such Case s:d

§of Bargain & Sale to be void & of no Effect or else to be & Remain in full

§& force In Wittness whereof I have hereunto Set my Hand & seal

§6:th day of April 1727§

§Jn:o Long§

§Signed Sealed & Delivered

§in the Presence of D: Flippe

§Robert Hyrling

§Martin Harper§

§Know all Men by these Presents that We the Govern:r & Councell of

§the Island St Helena for & on behalf of the Hon:ble Name of the Hon

§=ourable Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East

§for & in Consideration of the Sum of Forty Hundred Sixty & Five p:o

§in good & Currant Money of the said Island Have given Granted

§Alienated, Bargained, Sold & deliver:d & by these presents do fully

§Clearly & Absolutely Give grant & Alienate, Bargain, Sell Confirm

§Deliver unto Cap:t John Alexander of the s:d Island s:d & in Councell

§his Heirs Exec:rs & Adm:rs & Assigns forever All & Singular that s:d

§or Parcell of Cabbage tree & Gunwood Pasture Lands Containeing

§Mensuration Thirty One Acres scituate Lying & being in y:e land

§Head of One of the s:d Yarmmost Branches of Sandy bay Valley in

§the South Division of the said Island, being part of & Comonly call

§& known by the Name of Curlow:s & two Acres formerly belonging

§this Island deceased Butting & Bounding towards the North &

§next adjoyning to the several Peices & Parcells of Pasture Land

§belonging to & Comp:y the Possession & Occupation of the s:d s:de

§Alexander s:d the s:d Comp:y Companies & Plantation within the

§Water s:de below that Peice of Land called Wibleys Lands, towards

§South upon Demp:t adjoyning to the Pasture Lands now in the Occup

§of John Bagley s:d toward:s the East upon the Lands in the Posses:s

§of John Defountaine next to the s:d Sandy bay & upon the s:d

§s:d s:d & toward:s the West upon Part of the s:d Jn:o Acres of Twenty

§Acres of Gunwood Land formerly the Yarmens deceas:d more

§part by s:d Esplandy Defer:d but on the two several s:d Plotts or Clause

§the beforemention:d Thirty One Acres of s:d land Premisses annex:d

§together with all & Singular the Wood, Trees, Wakes, Walks Comp:t Carrgo

§Party fences or any other Rights Liberty Priviledges thereunto Apper

§=teining belonging or in any wise Apperteyning whatsoever, He s:de

§Sold John Alexander Nevertheless twoby & I bind my self & Bind

§=ning the Heirs Exec:rs & Adm:rs & Assigns no way to Allow or s:d

§Without of the said Cap:rs or Carras y:e from Reon in unto, or through

§any Part of the Hon:ble Companies Land called by the Name of§

The reservation was to continue until the year 1728, or until Joseph Tovey, captain, his heirs or assigns, should recover the sum of £44 0s 0d from John Long, his heirs or assigns. John Long bound himself, his heirs, executors and assigns to pay the sum at or before the eighth of March as set out, in such case as the bond of Joseph Tovey should be of no effect or else be void and remain in full force. In witness of this, John Long set his hand and seal on 6 April 1727. Signed by John Long. Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of D. Phillips, Robert [...] and Martin Harper.

Let all men know by these presents that the Governor and Council of this island of St Helena, on behalf of the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, in consideration of the sum of £190 0s 0d in good and current money of this island, granted, bargained, alienated, sold and delivered, and by these presents did fully, clearly and absolutely grant, bargain, sell, confirm and deliver to John Alexander of this island, second in council, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever, all that piece or parcel of cabbage tree and gumwood land, commonly called Hutton's land, containing by confirmation 30 acres, situated and lying in the head of one of the outermost branches of Sandy Bay Valley, in the South Division of this island, being part commonly called or known by the name of Hutton's land, since deceased, formerly both of this island, since deceased.

The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on, and next adjoining to, the several pieces and parcels of pasture land belonging to or in the possession and occupation of John Alexander, then in the Company's plantation within the [...] water, below that piece of land called Webley's land, towards the south upon Diana's Peak, then in the possession of John Bagley, free planter, towards the east upon the land in the possession of John Defountaine, next to the land at Sandy Bay, towards the [...], and towards the west upon part of the land late acquired, and the parcels of gumwood land formerly the Gardener's, since deceased, more particularly described on the two several pieces or parcels of cabbage tree land of the parcels mentioned. The 30 acres of land thereby conveyed, with all the wood, trees, watercourses, fences, rights, liberties and privileges and all the appurtenances belonging to it, were granted to John Alexander, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns for ever. The Governor and Council bound the Honourable Company by no means to interrupt or molest the quiet possession, free of any claim out of the old council or council book, or by any person claiming through them, in or to the Company's land called by the name of [...].

Interpretations

The closing of the first instrument fixes the reservation of John Long's labour over the slaves to a money obligation tied to a bond held by Joseph Tovey, captain. The arrangement bound the reservation to the discharge of a £44 0s 0d debt, with the slaves' service to John Long continuing until either the year 1728 or the recovery of that sum, which reveals the slaves held as security against a financial liability across the transition of ownership.

The second conveyance records the Company selling 30 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land known as Hutton's land to John Alexander for £190 0s 0d in island money, the institution acting through the Governor and Council under the common seal. John Alexander appears across the record as the long-serving register and second in council, the most ubiquitous figure across the documented dealings, and this purchase of substantial Sandy Bay ground extends his recorded accumulation.

The boundary descriptions tie the parcel into the established network of Sandy Bay holders, naming John Bagley at Diana's Peak, John Defountaine, and the gumwood land formerly the Gardener's. The byname Webley's land preserves the name of the deceased Henry Webly whose reverted Sandy Bay ground fragmented across multiple later tenants, fixing the institutional memory of the prior holder across the record.

The covenant barring any claim out of the old council book reveals the institutional weight given to the documentary record itself. By guarding the buyer against any competing interest entered in the earlier registers, the Company secured the title against the very records through which prior allotments and reversions had been traced, the standard means of closing off a challenge rooted in the institution's own books.

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89

§Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

§Always Provided that they the s:d Orphans & either of

§them their Heirs Executors Adm:rs or allowed of his s:d

§or any other Person or Persons for them Shall not

§do mediately Sett about and Force in the said

§hereby One Acre of Gunwood Land with a good

§Sufficient Wale fence and other free fences &

§enclose the same to keep in good repair when &

§as often as need shall require and to keep the ground

§to be run out but to keep it in good heart Nor are

§they the s:d Orphans or either of them to destroy y:e

§Wood already planted or growing thereon but to

§keep up and maintain the Proportionable quantity of

§Wood according to the Lawfull Planting of the s:d s:d

§Case made and provided Nor are You the s:d Dec:d

§Charles Stewards Orphans or either of You or Your

§Heirs or allowed of Assigns any ways to alter the s:d

§Fences after they are well made which are the s:d Lands

§mark and bound of the s:d Acres, Nor do one Acre

§of Gunwood Land and which will occasion the

§alteration of the s:de Plott hereunto annex:d Nor

§Shall You or either of You Sell or any other ways

§Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same without

§the Knowledge and Consent of the Gov:r & Councell of

§this s:d Island for the time being In Wittness

§Whereof their Honoble Company and Lords

§Proprietors of the s:d Island have to these presents

§Sett their Comon Seale at Union Castle in Jam:s Valley

§upon this s:d Island this 31 Day of December Anno Dom:i

§1728 And the Executors of the said Dec:d Charles

§Stewards Gabriel Powell and Rich:d Gurling for &

§on behalf of the s:d Orphans have to these Above

§Sett their Hands & Seals§

§Gabriel Powell

§Rich:d Gurling§

§Tests

§Jn:o Alexander§

Margin Notes:

1 Acre

[Island of St Helena]

The Honourable the Lords Proprietors of this island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, demised, granted, leased, set and farm-let to Isaac Leech of this island, gunner's mate and free planter, all that piece or parcel of cabbage tree land containing 2 and a half acres, situated and lying in the East Division of this island, at or near the head of Deep Valley. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on the lands of William Seale, towards the south on the lands of John French, gunner, towards the east on the lands of John French, gunner, and towards the west on Isaac Leech's own free land. Isaac Leech was to have and to hold the 2 and a half acres of land thereby demised, with the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, from the 25 March 1729 for the full term of 21 years from thence next coming.

The lease ran upon condition that Isaac Leech, his heirs and assigns should always bear true faith and allegiance to the Sovereign Lord King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors, and should duly obey all the laws and constitutions of this island. Isaac Leech was to hold and pay yearly during the remainder of the 21-year term, to the Honourable Company, their successors and assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, together with 1 shilling duty, being in all 5 shillings per acre, due at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The lease carried the proviso that Isaac Leech, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns should immediately set apart and enclose the parcel [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Isaac Leech a small parcel of 2 and a half acres of cabbage tree land at the head of Deep Valley under the standard Company tenure of 21 years. The grant bordered Leech's own free land on the west, which marks the lease as a consolidation drawing Company ground into his existing holding in the East Division.

Isaac Leech appears in the record as a gunner's mate and free planter, and the dual designation places him within the garrison establishment as well as the planting community. The lease to a serving artilleryman reveals the overlap between military service and landholding that ran through the island's tenure, with Company personnel taking leasehold ground alongside their duties.

The rent structure of 4 shillings per acre plus 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings in all, follows the standard rate fixed under the Company's leasehold framework. The uniform per-acre charge and the separate duty reveal the institutional system by which leased ground was let on consistent terms across the island, with the rent due at the Annunciation to align collection with the fixed quarter day.

The condition of allegiance to King George, then on the throne, fixes the lease within the reign and binds the tenure to loyalty to the crown and the Company alike. The standard requirement of faith and obedience reveals the institutional linkage of landholding to political allegiance, the leasehold carrying an obligation to the governing powers beyond the payment of rent.

105

90

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors

§this Island The Hon:ble United Company

§Merch:ts of England trading to the East Ind

§Do hereby Demise Grant Lease Sett and to

§Lett unto Isaac Leech of the s:d Island Gunner

§Mate and free Planter All that Peice or Parc

§of Cabbage tree Land containing two Acre & a

§half scituate Lying and being in the East Divis

§of the s:d Island at or near the Head of Deepva

§Valley Butting and bounding towards the North up

§the Lands of W:m Teale Towards the South upon th

§Lands of Jn:o French (Gunner) and toward the

§East upon his s:d & Jn:o French:s Hird Land a

§towards the West upon the s:d Isaac Leech:s own

§free Land To have and to hold the s:d hereby

§Demised two Acre & a half of Land with the

§Appurtenances and every Part thereof unto the

§s:d Isaac Leech his Executors Adm:rs or allowed

§Assigns from the 25:th Day of March 1719 for and

§Dureing all the time Space & Term of Twenty One years

§from thence next Ensueing Upon Condition That

§he the s:d Isaac Leech his Heirs or Allowd of Assigns

§Do Always bear true faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord & the George his Heirs & Successors and to the

§said Hon:ble Company and their Successors And freely

§Duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the said Island

§Holding and Paying therefore Yearly & Every year

§Dureing the Remainder of the s:d Term of Twenty One

§years unto the said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors Assi

§or Assigns, the yearly Rent of four Shillings per Acre

§thereof One Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p

§Acre, at the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed

§Virgin Mary, Always Provided that He the

§said Isaac Leech, His Heirs, Executors, Adm:rs or All

§of Assigns, Shall and Do Immediately Sett about an§

Margin Notes:

Isaac Leech:s Lease for two Acres Cabbagetree Land

[Island of St Helena]

The Honourable the Lords Proprietors of this island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, demised, granted, leased, set and farm-let to Isaac Leech of this island, gunner's mate and free planter, all that piece or parcel of cabbage tree land containing 2 and a half acres, situated and lying in the East Division of this island, at or near the head of Deep Valley. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on the lands of William Seale, towards the south on the lands of John French, gunner, towards the east on the lands of John French, gunner, and towards the west on Isaac Leech's own free land. Isaac Leech was to have and to hold the 2 and a half acres of land thereby demised, with the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, from the 25 March 1729 for the full term of 21 years from thence next coming.

The lease ran upon condition that Isaac Leech, his heirs and assigns should always bear true faith and allegiance to the Sovereign Lord King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors, and should duly obey all the laws and constitutions of this island. Isaac Leech was to hold and pay yearly during the remainder of the 21-year term, to the Honourable Company, their successors and assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, together with 1 shilling duty, being in all 5 shillings per acre, due at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The lease carried the proviso that Isaac Leech, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns should immediately set apart and enclose the parcel [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Isaac Leech a small parcel of 2 and a half acres of cabbage tree land at the head of Deep Valley under the standard Company tenure of 21 years. The grant bordered Leech's own free land on the west, which marks the lease as a consolidation drawing Company ground into his existing holding in the East Division.

Isaac Leech appears in the record as a gunner's mate and free planter, and the dual designation places him within the garrison establishment as well as the planting community. The lease to a serving artilleryman reveals the overlap between military service and landholding that ran through the island's tenure, with Company personnel taking leasehold ground alongside their duties.

The rent structure of 4 shillings per acre plus 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings in all, follows the standard rate fixed under the Company's leasehold framework. The uniform per-acre charge and the separate duty reveal the institutional system by which leased ground was let on consistent terms across the island, with the rent due at the Annunciation to align collection with the fixed quarter day.

The condition of allegiance to King George, then on the throne, fixes the lease within the reign and binds the tenure to loyalty to the crown and the Company alike. The standard requirement of faith and obedience reveals the institutional linkage of landholding to political allegiance, the leasehold carrying an obligation to the governing powers beyond the payment of rent.

106

90

§Carlows aforesaid To have and to Hold the said hereby

§Bargained Thirty One Acres of Cabbage tree & Gunwood Pasture

§Lands & all other the Premisses to him the said John Alexander &c

§his Heirs forever as aforesaid to do & dispose of as he they or either of

§them Shall think fitt & proper And the s:d said Governour & Councell

§for on behalf of the said Hon:ble United Company their Heirs &

§Successors do hereby further Covenant Promise & & with the said

§John Alexander his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs Assigns that he they or either

§of them Shall & may from time to time & at all times hereafter Have

§hold Occupy and Quietly & peaceably Enjoy the herein Bargained Thirty

§One Acres of Land Exec:rs Adm:rs & Appurtenances thereunto belonging

§or what Nature or kind soever without any manner of Lett Hinderance

§Mollestation or Interruption of the s:d Governour & Councell or their

§or Successors or from by or under or in the Name of any other Person or

§Persons whatsoever, hereby Warranting the same on behalf of the said Hon

§Company to be free & clear of all manner of Incumbrances in the law Devised

§In Wittness whereof the s:d Governour & Councell of the Island

§St Helena, have to these presents Sett Our Hands & Affixed the

§said Hon:ble Companys Comon Seal of their Plantation House

§on the said Island this Seventh day of November & Anno Domini

§One Thousand Seven hundred Twenty Seven§

§Edw:o Bufield

§Jn:o Goodwin§

§Sealed & delivered

§the Presence of D: Flippe§

John Alexander was to have and to hold the 31 acres of cabbage tree and gumwood land thereby bargained, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, to him and his heirs for ever, to use or dispose of as he or his heirs should think fit. The Governor and Council, on behalf of the Honourable United Company, their heirs and successors, covenanted and agreed with John Alexander, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, that he should from that point forward hold, occupy and quietly enjoy the 31 acres named and granted, with all the appurtenances belonging to it, of whatever kind. Every part was to pass free of any manner of suit, hindrance, interruption, molestation or claim by the Honourable United Company, their heirs or successors, or by any person claiming through them, in or to the land thereby demised. The Honourable Company bound itself to warrant the parcel against all manner of interruption in the quiet possession of the premises. In witness of this, the Governor and Council of the island of St Helena affixed the common seal of the Honourable Company at their plantation house on this island on 7 November 1727. Signed by [...] Byfield and John Goodwin. Sealed and delivered in the presence of D. Phillips.

A plan annexed to the deed marked the parcels, with the cardinal directions north, south, east and west set around them, recording 31 acres in both parcels.

Interpretations

The completion of the grant fixes the parcel at 31 acres in two pieces, confirming the Company's sale of the Hutton's land tract to John Alexander under the common seal at the plantation house. The covenant for quiet enjoyment bound the Company to defend the buyer's possession against any claim through the institution, the standard warranty by which a Company freehold passed secure into private hands.

John Alexander appears across the record as the long-serving register and second in council, the most ubiquitous figure across the documented dealings. This grant of substantial Sandy Bay ground, recorded with the annexed plan, extends his accumulation and marks the close of the conveyance begun on the preceding page.

The annexed plan recording 31 acres in both parcels reveals the institutional reliance on the surveyor's drawing as the operative description of the land. Since the boundaries rested on the plan rather than on the textual total, the drawing fixed the extent and shape of the ground against any later dispute, the standard means by which the Company defined the parcels it granted.

107

90

§This Indenture made this twenty Seventh Day of April

§in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred twenty Eight

§Wittnesseth That I Joan Wrangham of the Island St Helena Wid

§for & in Consideration of Six Pounds of Current Money to me in

§hand by Gabriel Powell Likewise of the Said Island Planter at or

§before the Ensealing & delivery hereof the Receipt of which I do hereby

§Acknowledge & in Consideration of the Eastern Sum of Thirteen Hund

§Pounds of the like Currant Money to be paid to me my Heirs Exec:rs

§or & heirs by the aforesaid Gabriel Powell his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs

§Assigns at such times & Parcell, & Proportions as hereafter follow that

§to: Say Seven Hundred Pounds to be paid in at or upon the 25:th

§of June next Ensueing the date of these presents & the other Six Hund

§Pounds to be paid in at or upon the 25 Day of June which shall hap

§in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty & nine

§& Lett Balls or happen that any Part or Parcell of the Said La

§Son & s:d aforesaid Demand shall to then Lett Depend to the said

§Gabriel Powell is then for Such Cash to Pay Interest for s:d months

§or shall then Remain unpaid after the date of Six Pounds & first

§title that what is fully Each & Satisfyed Have granted Aliened

§Sold Aliened Released & Confirmed & by these presents, do Grant

§Bargain Sell Aliene & Release Confirm unto the said Gabriel Powell

§his Heirs & Assigns forever All my Right, Title & Interest to & in All

§& Singular that Land, Houses, Out Houses Edifices Buildings, Tene

§Pasture Cuttings, Gam:e & Plantation of Gam:e with all & Singular the

§Commodities & Appurtenances thereunto or in either of them belonging

§or in any wise Apperteining as hereafter follow that is to say All those§

§Ten Acres of Lands formerly belonging to Richard Stacey Scituate at

§Head of Sandy Bay Valley Butting & Bounding towards the North upon

§Lands of Henry Francis Hatchfeild towards the East & W:t upon the s:d

§Comp:y W:t Lands towards the South upon the Lands of Benj:a Sand§

§Alsoe all those Ten Acres of Land formerly belonging to Rob: Jacobs

§deceased Butting towards the North & East & W:t upon the Lands s:d

§Comp:t W:t Lands & towards the South upon their Great Pasture Lan§

§Alsoe all those Seventeen Acres of Lands Under the Main Ridge butt

§towards the North & East upon the Land Cole belonging to John Defounta

§towards the East upon the Lands of Jn:o Bagley Sen:r towards the s:d

§upon the Lands Cole belonging to John Cole Knight & towards the West

§upon the Pasture belonging to the aforesaid s:d Comp:y Alsoe all§

§those Ten Acres of Lands Butting towards the North upon the s:d

§late of Henry Francis deceased towards the East upon the Lands of

§him the aforesaid John Bagley Sen:r Viz: towards the South W:t & up

§the Lands Cole belonging to him the aforesaid John Foreman deceased§

§Alsoe all those Ten Acres of Lands late of Eight Acres of Land

§towards the North upon the Lands late belonging to Benj:a Sich deceas

§towards the East upon the Lands now in Possession of John Ryder, towards

§the South upon the Lands of him the aforesaid Gabriel Powell, towards

§the West upon the Lands late belonging to him the aforesaid Henry Francis§

Margin Notes:

Carries over Acres 52

This indenture was made on 27 April 1728. It witnessed that John Swann of the island of St Helena, in consideration of the sum of £6 0s 0d in current money paid into his hand by Gabriel Powell, inhabitant of this island, planter, at or before the sealing and delivery of these presents, the receipt of which he acknowledged, and in consideration of a further sum of £14 0s 0d, making £20 0s 0d in all, of the like current money, to be paid to John Swann, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns by Gabriel Powell, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns, the payments and proportions to follow, namely £6 0s 0d to be paid in or upon the 24 June next coming after the date of these presents, and the other £14 0s 0d to be paid in or upon the 24 June which should next happen in the year 1729, upon condition that should any part or parcels of the said land or 6 acres of land thereby demised then be left unpaid to John Swann, son of the late deceased, then John Swann was at liberty to recover such interest for so much as should then remain unpaid after the date of the £6 0s 0d, and that the whole should be fully paid and satisfied, granted, bargained, sold, alienated, released and confirmed by these presents, and did grant, bargain, sell, alienate, release and confirm to Gabriel Powell, his heirs and assigns for ever, all his right, title and interest in and to the parcels, together with all the wood, trees, water, watercourses, fences, buildings, tenements, pasture, easements, gains and plantation of yams, with all the appurtenances belonging to them, of whatever kind, then or thereafter, namely:

10 acres of land formerly belonging to Richard Stacey, situated at the head of Swanleys Valley, butting and bordering towards the north on the lands of Henry Francis, since deceased, towards the east, and towards the [...] on the Company's waste land, towards the south on the lands of [...], since deceased.

10 acres of land formerly belonging to [...], since deceased, butting and bordering towards the north on, and next upon, the lands late [...], towards the west, and towards the south on their great pasture.

17 acres of land under the Main Ridge, butting and bordering towards the north on the lands belonging to John Defountaine, towards the east on the lands of John Bagley junior, towards the [...] on the lands belonging to John Coates, since deceased, and towards the [...] on the pasture belonging to Gabriel Powell.

10 acres of land butting and bordering towards the north on the lands late Henry Francis's, since deceased, towards the east on the lands then in the possession of him, the said John Bagley junior, towards the south on the lands of the said John Defountaine, since deceased, the whole late belonging to him, the said John Defountaine, since deceased.

8 acres of land, butting and bordering towards the north on the lands late belonging to Benjamin Sich, since deceased, towards the east on the lands then in the possession of John Bagley junior, towards the south on the lands of him, the said Gabriel Powell, and towards the west on the lands late belonging to him, the said Henry Francis [...].

The parcels together amounted to 52 acres of gumwood land.

Interpretations

The indenture records John Swann selling 52 acres of land in five parcels to Gabriel Powell for £20 0s 0d in island money, with the price split between an immediate payment of £6 0s 0d and a deferred £14 0s 0d falling due the following year. The staged scheme tied the larger sum to a fixed future date, the standard means by which a substantial purchase was settled across more than one payment on a remote island where cash was scarce.

Gabriel Powell appears across the record as a substantial accumulator who held ground in right of his wife, the widow of Jonathan Beale, and traded land through the 1710s and 1720s. This purchase of five parcels, several bordering his own existing holdings, marks a consolidation drawing scattered ground into his established block.

The boundary descriptions tie the parcels into the established network of holders, naming the lands late Henry Francis's, John Defountaine, John Bagley junior and Benjamin Sich. The first parcel, formerly Richard Stacey's at the head of Swanleys Valley, matches the ground recorded across the earlier dealings, fixing the institutional memory of the prior holder through the byname carried in the record.

The provision allowing John Swann to recover interest on any sum left unpaid after the first instalment reveals the institutional means of securing a deferred debt. By attaching a right to interest on the outstanding balance, the arrangement pressed the buyer to pay on time and gave the seller a remedy against default, the standard protection built into a sale settled across staged payments.

Speculations

The decision to split the price into a small immediate payment and a larger sum deferred to the following year, secured by a right to interest on any unpaid balance, addressed the practical scarcity of cash while protecting the seller against delay. The buyer gained the land at once on a modest down payment, while John Swann held a defined claim to the remainder backed by an interest penalty. By tying the deferred sum to a fixed future date and attaching interest to default, the arrangement balanced the buyer's need for time against the seller's need for security.

108

91

§Fence in the Said hereby Demised Two Acres & a Half

§of Land with a good and Sufficient stone and other to

§fenced & Enclose the same to keep in good Repair when

§and as often as need Shall require, and not to Suffer the

§ground to be Run Out But to keep it in good heart Nor

§to Destroy the Wood Already Planted or that is growing

§thereon Cut to keep up, Reserve & Maintain the Proportion

§=onable Quantity of Wood According to the Laws for

§Planting & Preserveing of Wood in that Case made &

§Provided Nor are y:e the Said Isaac Leech or your

§Heirs or Allowd of Assigns to Alter the Said stones

§after they are well made, which are the Land marks and

§bounds of the Said hereby Demised Two Acres & a Half

§of Land and which will Occasion the Alteration of the

§Plott hereunto Annex:d Nor y:e Floo Shall y:e Sell of any

§other ways Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same

§without the Knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r & Councell

§of this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof

§the Said Honourable Company and Lords Propri

§=etors of this their Island have to these presents Sett their

§Common Seal at their Plantation House &c on this

§Island, this 20 day of October, Anno Dom:i 1724 And

§the Said Isaac Leech to the other Part hath Sett his Hand

§and Seale§

§Isaac Leech§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

The lease bound Isaac Leech to enclose the 2 and a half acres thereby demised with a good and sufficient fence, and to keep the same in good repair as often as need should require. He was not to allow the ground to run out but to keep it in good heart. He was not to destroy the wood already planted or growing on it, but to keep up, preserve and maintain a proportionable quantity of wood according to the law in such case made and provided. Neither Isaac Leech, nor his heirs or assigns, were to alter the fences after they were once made, since the fences stood as the landmark and bounds of the 2 and a half acres thereby demised, and any alteration would occasion the alteration of the plan annexed. Neither of them was to sell or otherwise dispose of the lease or their interest in the same, without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island for the time being.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island affixed their common seal at their plantation house on this island on 20 October 1729. For his part, Isaac Leech set his hand and seal to the other part of the indenture. Signed by Isaac Leech. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of 2 and a half acres, with the cardinal directions west, south, north and east set around its sides.

Interpretations

The closing of the Isaac Leech lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the parcel under the Company's standard covenants, with the fences fixed as the legal landmark and bounds of the ground. Since the boundaries rested on the plan annexed to the lease, the prohibition on altering the fences protected the integrity of the documentary record on which the title depended.

The restriction barring Isaac Leech from selling or disposing of the lease without the consent of the Governor and Council reveals the institutional control over leasehold tenure. The standard requirement of council consent for any transfer kept the disposal of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the Company retained authority over the destination of land it let to private holders.

The covenant to keep the ground in good heart and to maintain the planted wood reveals the Company's continuing concern for the condition of its land. By binding the tenant to preserve a proportionable quantity of wood, the lease guarded the timber resource against exhaustion, the standard protection the institution attached to ground granted on leasehold terms.

109

92

§Island St Helena§

§The Honourable The Lords Proprietors

§of this Island The Honourable United Company of

§Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Do

§hereby Demise grant, Lease Sett and to Farm Lett

§unto John French of the Said Island Gunner free Plant:r

§All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing

§three Acres Scituate Lying & being in One Branch of

§Stones Top Valley in the East Division of the Said Island and

§or near a place Comonly called and known by the Name

§of Handcocks Hole Butting & bounding every way upon

§the Said Hon:ble Companys Wast Lands in and near the

§Said Stone Top Valley in the Said Division To have

§and to hold the Said hereby Demised three Acres of

§Land with the Appurtenances and every Part thereof

§unto him the Said John french his Heirs, Executors

§Administrators or Allowd of Assigns from the 25:th

§Day of September last Past & for and Dureing all the time

§space and Term of Twenty One years from thence next

§Ensueing Upon Condition that He the Said John

§French his Heirs, Executors Adm:rs or Allowd of

§Assigns Shall Always bear true faith & Allegiance to

§Our Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs &

§Successors and to the said Hon:ble Comp:y and their

§Successors and Shall duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions

§of the Said Island Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly

§and every year Dureing the Said Term of Twenty One

§Years, unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors

§& Agents, or Assigns, the yearly Rent of four Shillings

§p:r Acre besides one Shilling duly being in all five Shillings

§p:r ann:o (per Acre per Annum) in at or upon the 25:th Day of Septemb

§during the Terme & time Aforesaid, Always Provided that

§He the Said John french his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or

§Allowd of Assigns, Shall and Do Immediately Sett

§about and fence in the Said hereby Demised three Acres

§of Land with a good and Sufficient fence and other

§So fenced and Enclose the same to keep in good heart

§and Repair, when and as often as need shall require

§So that the whole Premisses and every Part thereof Sha

§be Always Tennantable and no ways Suffer to Run§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o French Gunner his Lease for 3 Acres Gunwood Land in Stone Top Valley

[Island of St Helena]

The Honourable the Lords Proprietors of this island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, demised, granted, leased, set and farm-let to John French of this island, gunner and free planter, all that piece or parcel of gumwood land containing 3 acres, situated and lying in one branch of Stonetop Valley, in the East Division of this island, at or near a place commonly called and known by the name of Hancocks Hole. The parcel butted and bordered every way on the Honourable Company's waste land, lying in one branch of Stonetop Valley in the East Division. John French was to have and to hold the 3 acres of land thereby demised, with the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, from the 29 September last past, for the full term of 21 years from thence next coming.

The lease ran upon condition that John French, his heirs, executors and assigns should always bear true faith and allegiance to the Sovereign Lord King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors, and should duly obey all the laws and constitutions of this island. John French was to hold and pay yearly during the 21-year term, to the Honourable Company, their successors, agents or assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, together with 1 shilling duty, being in all 5 shillings per acre, due at the 29 September. The lease carried the proviso that John French, his heirs, executors, administrators or assigns should immediately set apart and fence the 3 acres of land thereby demised with a good and sufficient fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep the same in good heart and repair as often as need should require, so that the whole premises and every part of it should always be tenantable, and in no way allow the ground to run out [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants John French, gunner, a small parcel of 3 acres of gumwood land in Stonetop Valley under the standard Company tenure of 21 years. The parcel lay surrounded on every side by Company waste land near Hancocks Hole, which marks the grant as an isolated allocation drawn from unenclosed ground rather than a consolidation of existing holdings.

John French appears across the record as the gunner and chief gunner of the Fort James garrison, and the lease to a serving artilleryman reveals the overlap between military service and landholding that ran through the island's tenure. The grant set the rent term to run from 29 September, fixing both commencement and the annual rent day to Michaelmas rather than the Annunciation used in the neighbouring leases.

The rent structure of 4 shillings per acre plus 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings in all, follows the standard rate fixed under the Company's leasehold framework. The uniform per-acre charge and the separate duty reveal the institutional system by which leased ground was let on consistent terms across the island.

The byname Hancocks Hole preserves the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record, fixing the parcel by a named feature rather than by measured boundaries alone. Stonetop Valley in the East Division joins the network of valleys across which the Company let its waste ground to private holders on leasehold terms.

110

93

§to Ruine or Decay and Shall also keep up & Maintain & preserve

§the Wood and other Trees that are now growing thereon, or

§that You Shall hereafter plant Pursuant to the Laws for plant

§=ing of Wood in that Case made & provided & y:e the Land marks and fences

§Alter the stones after they are well made which are the

§Bounds and Land Marks of the Said hereby Demised three

§Acres of Land and which will Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plott hereunto Annexed Nor Shall you Sell or

§any other ways Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the

§Same without the Knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r

§and Councell of this Island for the time being In Wittness

§whereof the Said Honourable Comp:y and Lords Proprietors

§of this Island Have to these presents Sett their Common Seal

§at their Grand Plantation House this 23 day of March Anno

§Dom:i 1724: And the Said John French to the other Part

§hath Sett his hand and Seale§

§Jn:o French§

§Testle§

§Memorand:m That Since the Signing Sealing &

§Delivery of this Lease for three Acres of Land One Acre more

§of the like land hath been granted to y:e s:d John French & is

§Added to y:e Plott for y:e 3 Acres as may Appear by y:e Plott

§for the whole 4 Acres Witness Our hands this 10 day of

§Jan:y 1727§

The lease bound John French to keep up and maintain the wood and other trees then growing on the parcel, and to preserve a proportionable quantity of wood according to the law in such case made and provided. Neither John French, nor his heirs or assigns, were to alter the fences after they were once made, since the fences stood as the bounds and landmarks of the 3 acres of land thereby demised, and any alteration would occasion the alteration of the plan annexed. Neither of them was to sell or otherwise dispose of the lease or their interest in the same, without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island affixed their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on 23 [...] 1724. For his part, John French set his hand and seal to the other part of the indenture. Signed by John French.

A memorandum recorded that, since the signing, sealing and delivery of this lease for 3 acres of land, one acre more of the like land had been granted to John French, and it was added to the plan, the 3 acres appearing in the plan for the whole 4 acres. Witnessed under the hands of the parties on 10 January [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel, with the cardinal directions north, south, east and west set around its sides.

Interpretations

The closing of the John French lease binds the tenant to maintain the wood and to keep the fences unaltered as the bounds and landmarks of the ground. Since the boundaries rested on the plan annexed to the lease, the prohibition on altering the fences protected the integrity of the documentary record on which the title depended, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The memorandum recording the later grant of one acre more, added to the plan to make the whole 4 acres, reveals the institutional means of enlarging an existing lease without a fresh instrument. By noting the addition on the original lease and amending the annexed plan, the Company extended the grant while keeping a single continuous record of the leasehold, the same documentary economy seen across the endorsed assignments of the period.

The restriction barring John French from selling or disposing of the lease without the consent of the Governor and Council reveals the institutional control over leasehold tenure. The standard requirement of council consent for any transfer kept the disposal of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the Company retained authority over the destination of land it let to private holders.

111

94

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of this Island

§the Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett

§unto Richard Mason of the Said Island Planter All that Peice or

§Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing One Acre Scituate Lying

§and being in Swanley Valley in the West Division of the Said Island

§Butting and bounding towards the South East and West Upon the

§said s:d Company:s Wast Land in the Said Valley and towards

§the North upon the Leaf Lands of Francis Junge armourer & part

§of the Said Richard Mason:s four Acres of Leas:d Land formerly

§granted to him, To have & to hold the Said hereby Demised

§One Acre of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & every Part

§thereof unto him the Said Rich: Mason his Heirs, Executors Ad

§=ministrators or allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 Day of March

§last past for and Dureing all the three Spaces and Terme of twenty

§One years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition that He

§the Said Rich: Mason, his Heirs, Executors, Adm:rs or Allowed of

§Assigns Do Always bear true faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord, King George His Heirs and Successors And to the said

§Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors and Shall duly obey all

§the Laws and Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding and

§Paying therefore Yearly & Every year Dureing the Said Term:e

§of Twenty One years unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors

§Agents or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shilling per Acre

§besides one Shilling duly being in all five Shillings per Acre, at the feast

§of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, & Always Provided

§That He the Said Richard Mason his Heirs Executors, Adm:rs or Allow:d

§of Assigns shall and Do Immediately Sett about and Force In the

§s:d hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land with a good and Sufficient

§fence and other & fenced & Enclose the same to keep & Maintain it

§in good heart and repair when and as often as need shall require

§So that the whole Premisses & every Part thereof Shall & Always

§Tennantable and not Suffer to Run to Ruine or Decay, & shall

§not only keep up and preserve the Wood or other Trees, that

§are Already growing or that You Shall at any time so think

§hereafter plant in Proportion to the Quantity of Wood Pursuant to

§the Laws of this Island made and Provided, and which is hereby

§Necessary But Shall Also plant Trees round the fences of the s:d

§hereby Demised One Acre & Gunwood Land at such Proper Sea

§=sons of the year as it will best grow in, which will not only

§Excellent good Hedge but is in some measure mark the

§Violences of the High and Blowing Winds, Likewise Upon the

§Said Richard Mason are hereby Obliged Not to Alter the fences

§after they are well made which are and Ought to be the Bounds

§and Land Marks of the aforesaid One Acre of Gunwood Land

§and which will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto§

Margin Notes:

Richard Mason:s Lease for 1 Acre Gunwood Land in Swanley Valley

[Island of St Helena]

The Honourable the Lords Proprietors of this island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, demised, granted, leased, set and farm-let to Richard Mason of this island, planter, all that piece or parcel of gumwood land containing one acre, situated and lying in Swanleys Valley, in the West Division of this island. The parcel butted and bordered towards the south, east and west on the Honourable Company's waste land in this valley, and towards the north on the leased lands of Francis Junge, armourer, being part of the lands of Richard Mason, four acres of leased land lately granted to him. Richard Mason was to have and to hold the one acre of gumwood land thereby demised, with the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, from the 25 March last past, for and during the full term of 21 years from thence next coming.

The lease ran upon condition that Richard Mason, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns should always bear true faith and allegiance to the Sovereign Lord King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors, and should duly obey all the laws and constitutions of this island. Richard Mason was to hold and pay yearly during the 21-year term, to the Honourable Company, their successors, agents or assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, together with 1 shilling duty, being in all 5 shillings per acre, due at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The lease carried the proviso that Richard Mason, his heirs and executors, administrators and assigns should immediately set apart and fence the one acre of land thereby demised with a good and sufficient fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep the same in good heart and repair as often as need should require, so that the whole premises and every part of it should always be tenantable, and in no way allow the ground to run out or to decay. He was not only to keep up and preserve the wood and other trees then growing on the parcel, but should at any time thereafter plant in proportion to the quantity of wood, in such case made and provided. He was also to plant fig round the fences of the one acre of gumwood land thereby demised, at such proper seasons of the year as it would best grow in, which would not only enclose a good hedge but in some measure mark the violence of the high and blowing winds. Richard Mason was further obliged not to alter the fences after they were once made, since they stood as the bounds and landmarks of the one acre of gumwood land, and any alteration would occasion the alteration of the plan annexed [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Richard Mason a single acre of gumwood land in Swanleys Valley under the standard Company tenure of 21 years. The parcel bordered Richard Mason's own four acres of leased land on the north, which marks the grant as a consolidation adding to his existing leasehold in the West Division.

Richard Mason appears in the record as the planter who bought the Southwark Street house known as William Trenchard's house in October 1723. This addition of leased gumwood ground extends his holdings from the urban property of James Town into the rural leasehold tenure of the outer valleys.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the fences reveals the institutional concern with shelter against the island's weather. By binding the tenant to raise a hedge that would mark the force of the high and blowing winds, the lease addressed the exposure of the ground to the prevailing weather, a provision shaped by the island's moderate but wind-swept conditions rather than any generic improvement clause.

The boundary against the leased land of Francis Junge, armourer, ties the parcel into the network of holders in the valley and fixes Junge within the garrison establishment. The armourer's presence as a neighbouring leaseholder reveals the same overlap of military service and landholding seen across the Company's leases to its serving personnel.

Speculations

The covenant binding the tenant to plant fig round the fences at the proper season addressed the specific problem of the high and blowing winds to which the parcel lay exposed. By requiring a living hedge rather than a bare fence, the lease secured both an enclosure and a windbreak in a single obligation, matching the planting to the season in which it would best take. The provision turned a standard fencing duty into a measure shaped by the particular exposure of the ground, protecting the leased land against the weather that threatened its productive use.

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§hereunto Annexed Nor Shall You Sell or any other way Dispose of

§of this Lease or Your Interest in the same without the Knowledge

§and Consent of the Governour and Councell of the Said Island for

§the time being In Wittness whereof the Said Honourable

§Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have

§to these presents Sett their Comon Seal at their grand Plan

§=tation House on the said Island St Helena this 23 day of

§September Anno Dom:i 1724 And the Said Rich: Mason

§to the other part hath Sett his Hand and Seale§

§Richard Mason§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island the

§Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies Doe hereby Demise Grant Lease Sett, and to Farme Lett

§unto Charles Steward of the Said Island free Planter All that Peice

§or Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing One Acre Scituate Lying

§and being in the South Division of the Said Island in the West bounds

§of Sandy Bay Valley Butting & bounding towards the North upon

§the Leafe Lands of Charles Steward (Dec:d) his Orphans towards

§the East South & West every way upon the Said Hon:ble Wast

§Comp:y Wast Land in the Said South Division Valley aforesaid

§To have & to hold the Said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood

§Land with the Appurtenances and every Part thereof unto him

§the Said Charles Steward his Heirs, Executors Administrators

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 day of September last past

§for and Dureing all the time Space and Terme of Twenty

§Years from thence next Ensueing, Upon Condition that he

§the Said Charles Steward His Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of

§Assigns, Do always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our

§Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs and Successors, and to

§the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors And shall duly obey

§all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding and

§paying therefore Yearly and Every Year Dureing the Terme of

§twenty One years afores:d Unto the Said Hon:ble United Comp:y

§their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the yearly Rent of four

§Shillings per Acre, besides One Shilling duly being in all five

§Shillings§

Margin Notes:

Charles Steward:s Lease for One Acre Gunwood Land

The lease bound Richard Mason not to alter the fences after they were once made, and not to sell or otherwise dispose of the lease or his interest in the same, without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island affixed their common seal at their plantation house on this island on [...] September 1724. For his part, Richard Mason set his hand and seal to the other part of the indenture. Signed by Richard Mason. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of one acre, with the cardinal directions east and west set on its sides.

[Island of St Helena]

The Honourable the Lords Proprietors of this island, the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, demised, granted, leased, set and farm-let to Charles Steward of this island, free planter, all that piece or parcel of gumwood land containing one acre, situated and lying in the South Division of this island, in the West Division of this island, in the branch of Sandy Bay Valley. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on the leased lands of Charles Steward, since deceased, and his orphans, towards the east, south and west on every side on the Honourable Company's waste land in the South Division of Sandy Bay Valley. Charles Steward was to have and to hold the one acre of gumwood land thereby demised, with the appurtenances and every part of it, to him, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, from the 29 September last past, for and during the full term of 21 years from thence next coming.

The lease ran upon condition that Charles Steward, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns should always bear true faith and allegiance to the Sovereign Lord King George, his heirs and successors, and to the Honourable Company and their successors, and should duly obey all the laws and constitutions of this island. Charles Steward was to hold and pay yearly during the 21-year term, to the Honourable United Company, their successors, agents or assigns, the yearly rent of 4 shillings per acre, together with 1 shilling duty, being in all 5 shillings [...].

Interpretations

The closing of the Richard Mason lease binds the tenant to keep the fences unaltered and to seek the council's consent before any disposal, the standard restrictions attached to leasehold tenure. The requirement of council consent kept the destination of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the Company retained authority over the land it let to private holders.

The second lease grants Charles Steward a single acre of gumwood land in a branch of Sandy Bay Valley under the standard Company tenure of 21 years. The parcel bordered the leased lands of Charles Steward, since deceased, and his orphans, which fixes the byname of the prior holder against the boundary and reveals the descent of adjoining ground within the Steward family.

The boundary against the leased land of the deceased Charles Steward and his orphans ties the parcel into the wider Steward holdings in the valley. The orphans of Charles Steward appear in the record as the holders of a one-acre gumwood lease granted under the executors Gabriel Powell and Richard Gurling on 31 December 1722, fixing the family cluster around this quarter of Sandy Bay.

The lease sets the rent term to run from 29 September, fixing commencement to Michaelmas, while the rent itself followed the standard rate of 4 shillings per acre plus 1 shilling duty. The uniform per-acre charge and the separate duty reveal the institutional system by which leased ground was let on consistent terms across the island.

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96

§Shillings per Said Acre) At the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed

§Virgin Mary, Always Provided That he the Said Charles Steward

§his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns, Shall and Do Immedi

§=ately Sett about and fence in the Said hereby Demised One Acre of

§Land with a good and Sufficient fence, and other & fenced & Enclose

§the same to keep in good Heart & repair, when and as often as need

§Shall require, So that the whole Premisses and every Part thereof Shall

§be Always Tennantable, and no ways Suffer to Run to Ruine or

§Decay, And Shall Also keep up, Maintain, and preserve the Pro

§=portionable Quantity of Wood, or Trees now growing thereon

§Pursuant to the Laws (for planting of Wood) in that Case made and

§Provided, Alsoe to plant Trees round the inside of the fences after

§they are well made at Such Proper times of the year as it will

§best Grow, or the Nature of the ground will Produce and not to

§Alter the s:d fences, they being the bounds and Land Marks of

§the Said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land and

§which will Occasion the Alteration of this Plott hereunto

§Annexed Nor Shall You the Said Charles Steward Sell or

§any other ways Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same

§without the Knowledge and Consent of the Govern:r & Councell

§of this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the

§Said Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of this their

§Island St Helena, Have to these presents Sett their Comon

§Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the Island afore:s

§this 13 Day of Octob:r & Dom:i 1724 And the beforenamed

§Charles Steward, to the other Part hath Sett his Hand and

§Seale§

§Charles Steward§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

The rent of 5 shillings per acre was due at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The lease carried the proviso that Charles Steward, his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns should immediately set apart and fence the one acre of land thereby demised with a good and sufficient fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep the same in good heart and repair as often as need should require, so that the whole premises and every part of it should always be tenantable, and in no way allow the ground to run out or to decay. He was also to keep up, maintain and preserve a proportionable quantity of wood, or trees then growing on the parcel, according to the planting then in force, in such case made and provided. He was also to plant fig round the inside of the fences, at such proper times of the year as it would best grow in, according to the nature of the ground. He was not to alter the fences after they were once made, since they stood as the bounds and landmarks of the one acre of gumwood land thereby demised, and any alteration would occasion the alteration of the plan annexed. Neither was he to sell or otherwise dispose of the lease or his interest in the same, without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island for the time being.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island affixed their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on 13 October 1724. For his part, Charles Steward set his hand and seal to the other part of the indenture. Signed by Charles Steward. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of one acre, with the cardinal directions north, west, south and east set around its sides.

Interpretations

The closing of the Charles Steward lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the single acre under the Company's standard covenants, with the fences fixed as the bounds and landmarks of the ground. Since the boundaries rested on the plan annexed to the lease, the prohibition on altering the fences protected the integrity of the documentary record on which the title depended.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the inside of the fences reveals the institutional concern with shelter against the island's weather. By binding the tenant to raise a living hedge suited to the nature of the ground, the lease addressed the exposure of the parcel to the prevailing winds, a provision shaped by the island's moderate but wind-swept conditions rather than any generic improvement clause.

The restriction barring Charles Steward from selling or disposing of the lease without the consent of the Governor and Council reveals the institutional control over leasehold tenure. The standard requirement of council consent for any transfer kept the disposal of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the Company retained authority over the destination of land it let to private holders.

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97

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of this Island

§The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trade

§=ing to the East Indies Doe hereby Demise Grant Lease

§Sett, and to Farme Lett unto Jonathan Higham Jun:r of this

§Island Planter and Stone Cutter, All those two Peices or Parcells

§of Gunwood Land Containeing in both Parcells three Acres

§Scituate Lying and being in Sandy bay Valley, also Near the

§upper Lime kiln (West is to Say Two Acres thereof) Butting

§and bounding towards the South upon Part of two trals

§of the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Land formerly granted to the Said

§Jonathan Higham Jun:r above the said Lime kiln towards

§the East and West Upon the Said Hon:ble Companys Wast

§Land in the Said Valley, and towards the North upon the Land

§now in the Possession of Richard Finsly planted formerly granted

§to John Orchard Dec:d) and the other Acre Cap:t Finsly down

§the Said Valley, Alsoe One Acre more which Compleats the afores:d

§three Acres hereby Demised, Butting and bounding towards the

§North upon the lower Part of his the Said Jonath: Highams Jun:r

§first granted two Acres of Land afores:d And towards the South

§East and West every way upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast

§Land Scituate towards or Near the lower End of the Said Sandy

§=bay Valley, To have & to hold the Said hereby Demised

§two Parcells of Gunwood Land Conteining three Acres afores:d

§with all & every their Appurtenances unto him the Said Jonath:

§Higham Jun:r his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowd of Assigns

§from the 25 Day of September last past for and Dureing all

§the time Space and Term of Twenty One years from thence

§Next Ensueing Upon Condition That He the Said Jonath:

§Higham Jun:r his Heirs or allowed of Assigns, Shall and

§Doe Always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord King George his Heirs, and Successors, And to the

§Said Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors, And Shall Duly

§obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island, Yeilding

§and paying therefore Yearly and every Yeare Dureing the Said

§Terme of Twenty One Years Unto the Said Hon:ble Company

§their Successors, Assigns, or Assigns the yearly Rent of four

§Shillings per Acre, besides One Shilling Duly being in all five

§Shillings per Acre) At the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed

§Virgin Mary, Always Provided That He the Said Jonathan

§Higham Jun:r his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowed of Assigns

§Shall and Do Immediately Sett about and fence in the Said

§two Parcells of Land hereby Demised with a good & Sufficient

§fence, And when Soe fenced and Enclosed, the same to keep in

§good§

Margin Notes:

Jonath: Higham Jun:r Lease for 3 Acres of Land in two Parcells

The Company leased Jonathan Higham junior, a planter and stone cutter, two adjoining strips of gumwood land in Sandy Bay Valley, three acres in all, near the upper lime kiln. The larger strip ran to two acres. Its southern edge met Higham's own ground above the kiln, Company waste lay to the east and west, and to the north it reached the land Richard Finsly then held, a parcel first granted to John Orchard, with the strip running down towards the valley floor. The third acre lay just north of Higham's two-acre piece and was hemmed on its other three sides by Company waste, towards the lower end of the valley.

The term ran 21 years from 29 September last past. Higham and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The rent came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. Higham had to fence both strips at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order [...].

Interpretations

The grant let Higham fold three acres of Company waste into the ground he already farmed near the upper lime kiln, since both new strips ran up against his existing land. The lease worked as a consolidation rather than a fresh foothold, tidying scattered waste into a single block under one tenant.

Higham was the stone cutter who took the orphan William Dufton as apprentice under the indenture exchanged at the plantation house on 10 November 1725. His double trade of planter and stone cutter placed him in the building economy as well as the farming community, and the same craft raised the permanent stonework recorded across the island.

The upper lime kiln named in the boundary points to local production of building lime, the burnt material that bound stone walls. A kiln in Sandy Bay Valley supplied that trade directly, tying the landscape to the stone cutter's work that Higham himself followed.

The northern edge met land Richard Finsly then held but which had first been granted to John Orchard. Carrying the earlier grant forward in the boundary kept the descent of the neighbouring parcel on record, the usual way the registers preserved who had held a piece of ground before.

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§good heart and repair when and as Often as Need shall require

§And not to suffer the ground to Run to Ruine or Decay, and shall

§Alsoe keep up, Maintaine and preserve the full Quantity and

§Proportion of Wood, or Trees that are Already, or may be at any

§time hereafter planted, Pursuant to the Laws of this Island for

§planting of such Wood, in that Case made and Provided, You

§Shall Likewise plant Trees round the inside of the fences at such

§proper times of the Year as it will best grow or the Nature of the

§ground will produce And after the said three Acres of Land

§is so Enclosed and Planted You the said Jonathan Higham Jun:r

§or your Heirs, or Allowed of Assigns, Nor Alter y:e stones or Marks of which any

§his s:d fenced which are the Land Marks and bounds of the s:d hereby

§Demised two Parcells of Land Containing in the s:de three Acres as

§aforesaid and which will Occasion the Alteration of the Plotts

§hereunto Annexed Nor Shall You Sell or any other ways Dispose

§of this Lease or Interest in the same without the Knowledge &

§Consent of the Governour and Council of this Island for the time

§being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Company &

§Lords Proprietors of this their Island St Helena Have to

§these presents Sett their Common Seal at their Grand

§Plantation House on the said Island this 23 Day of October

§Anno Dom:i 1724 And the s:d Jonathan Higham Jun:r

§to the other part hath Sett to his hand and Seale§

§Jonath: Higham Jun:r§

§S:t

§E:t

§one Acre

§W:t

§N:t

§S:t

§E:t

§2: Acres

§W:t§

§Testo

§Jn:o Alexander

§N:t§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island

§The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trade

§=ing to the East Indies Doe hereby Demise Grant Lease Sett

§and to Parmise Lett Unto the s:de all Orphans of Henry

§Francis late of this Island planter Dec:d All that Peice or

§Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing One Acre Scituate

§Lying and being above the High Waterfall in the West Branch

§Barnes Valley Land Next Adjoyning to the Said Orphans for Land

§Butting and bounding towards the North upon the Top, or upper

§part of the Said High Waterfall towards the West upon the

§Said Hon:ble Companys Wast Land next to the Red Hill and

§towards§

Margin Notes:

Henry Francis Orphans Lease for One Acre Gunwood Land

Higham was to keep the two strips in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed and never letting the ground fall to waste. He had to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the inside of the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the ground best, so that the hedge would take. Neither Higham nor his heirs were to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the three acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor were they to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

The Company and Lords Proprietors set their common seal to this at their plantation house on 28 October 1724, and Higham signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Jonathan Higham junior. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the two parcels, one of an acre and one of two acres, with the cardinal directions set around their sides.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased the orphans of Henry Francis, late planter of this island, since deceased, a single acre of gumwood land. It lay in James Valley, next to the orphans' own ground, with its northern edge running up to the top or upper part of the High Waterfall, its western edge against Company waste near the Red Hill, and [...].

Interpretations

The close of the Higham lease binds the tenant to keep his fences as the fixed bounds of the land and to seek the council's consent before parting with the lease. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, while the consent rule held the destination of leased land under the Company's control.

The covenant to plant fig round the inside of the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, and tying the planting to the right season reflected a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The second lease grants the orphans of Henry Francis a single acre in James Valley, the Company stepping in to settle ground on a deceased planter's children. Henry Francis was the substantial freeholder whose estate passed to his executors John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham by 1725, and this lease places his orphans' interest within that wider settlement of his property.

The parcel ran up to the High Waterfall and lay near the Red Hill, both features fixing the ground by named points in the James Valley landscape. Naming the waterfall and the hill identified the acre by local landmarks rather than by measured lines alone, the usual way the registers tied a small parcel to recognisable ground.

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§towards the East, and South upon the said Orphans free Land To

§have & to hold the Said hereby Demised One Acre of Gun

§=wood Land with the Appurtenances and every part thereof unto

§them the Said Dec:d Henry Francis Orphans Martha & Sarah

§Francis their or either of their Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs Administrators

§or Allowed of Assigns from the 25 Day of March last past

§for and Dureing all the time space, and Term of Twenty One

§Years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition that

§they the Said Henry francis &c Orphans before named, their

§Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowd of y:e Assigns Do Always

§bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord the

§King George his Heirs and Successors, And to the Said

§Hon:ble United Comp:y and their Successors and shall

§duly Obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the s:d Island

§Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and every Year

§Dureing the Said Term of Twenty One Years Unto the Said

§Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors, Agents or Assigns the Yearly

§Rent of four Shillings per Said Acre besides one Shilling duly

§(being in all five Shillings per Acre) At the feast of the Annun

§=ciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Always Provided

§that they the afores:d Henry Francis Dec:d his Orphans their

§Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowd of Assigns, Shall and Doe

§Immediately Sett about and fence in the Said hereby

§Demised One Acre of Land with a good Sufficient fence

§And when So fenced and Enclosed, the same to keep in good

§repair when and as often as need shall require &c that the

§Said Premisses shall be Always Tennantable, and not to Suffer

§the ground to Run to Ruine or Decay, And shall further keep

§up, and Preserve the Wood or other Trees that are already growing,

§or that You shall hereafter plant Pursuant to the Laws of this

§Island in that Case made and Provided, and shall moreover

§plant Trees round the inside of the fences when it will best grow

§at the most Properst Seasons of the year And when the Said

§Land is Planted and fenced as afores:d You are not to Alter

§the fences after they are well made which are the bounds and

§Land Marks of the Said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land

§s:d which will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto

§Annexed, Nor Shall You the Said Orphans, or your Heirs &c

§Sell, or any other ways Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the

§same, without the Knowledge and Consent of the Governor

§and Council of this Island for the time being In

§Wittness whereof the Said Honourable Company

§Lords§

The acre lay against the orphans' own free land on the east and south. The Company granted it to the orphans of the late Henry Francis, named as Martha Francis and the rest, and to their heirs, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past. The orphans and their heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The rent came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day.

The orphans had to fence the acre at once with a sound fence and then keep it enclosed and in good order, repairing it whenever needed and never letting the ground fall to waste. They were to preserve and keep up the wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required, and to plant fig round the inside of the fences at whatever season of the year suited the ground best, so that the hedge would take. Neither the orphans nor their heirs were to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the acre, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor were they to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors [...].

Interpretations

The lease settles a single acre of gumwood land on the orphans of Henry Francis, with the parcel bordering the children's own free land on two sides. The Company stepped in to fix the orphans' leasehold against their existing ground, drawing the new acre into the family's holding in James Valley.

Henry Francis was the substantial freeholder whose estate passed to his executors John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham by 1725, and this lease names Martha Francis among his surviving children. The grant places the orphans' leasehold interest within the wider settlement of his property that ran through the executors after his death.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the inside of the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, and tying the planting to the right season reflected a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The restriction barring the orphans from selling the lease without the council's consent reveals the Company's control over leasehold tenure, carrying particular weight where the holders were minors. The consent rule kept the destination of the leased acre under the governing body's oversight until the children could act fully for themselves.

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§Lords Proprietors of this their Island, Have to these

§presents Sett their Common Seal At their Grand Plantati

§=on House this 13 day of October Anno Dom:i 1724 And

§the Said Henry Francis &c Executors Cap:t John Goodwin

§&c of Council and Francis Wrangham for land on behalf of

§the s:de Orphans, Have to the other Part Sett their

§hands and Seals§

§Jn:o Goodwin§

§Testo

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island

§The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading

§to the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme

§Lett Unto Cap:t John Alexander of this Island & of Council Alle

§that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing Nine Acres

§Scituate Lying and being in the South Division of the s:d Island

§at or Near the Head of the West Branch of Powles Valley next to the

§Green Hill, Butting & bounding towards the North upon the Pasture

§Lands now in the possession of John Standing Planter, towards

§the South & West upon the Said Hon:ble Companys Wast Land and

§towards the East upon the Said Cap:t John Alexanders five

§Acres of Gunwood Land which He lately bought of Benjamin

§Greentree Planter, Scituate in the afores:d West Branch of Powles

§Valley, To have & to hold the Said hereby Demised Nine

§Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances and every

§Part thereof Unto him the Said Cap:t John Alexander His

§Heirs, Executors Administrators or Allowed of Assigns from

§the twenty fifth day of September last past for and Dureing

§all the time Space, and Terme of Twenty One years from

§thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition that He the said

§Cap:t John Alexander His Heirs, & Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowed

§of y:e Assigns Doe Always bear true faith and Allegiance

§to Our Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs, Successors

§And to the s:d Hon:ble United Comp:y and their Successors

§shall duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island

§Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly and Every Year

§Dureing the Said Terme of Twenty One Years (Comencing

§from§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o Alexanders Lease for 9 Acres Land in Powles Valley

The Company and Lords Proprietors set their common seal to this at their grand plantation house on 13 October 1724. For their part, the executors of Henry Francis, Captain John Goodwin, fourth in council, and Francis Wrangham, signed the matching part of the indenture on behalf of the orphans. Signed by John Goodwin. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of one acre, with the cardinal directions north, west, south and east set around its sides.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Captain John Alexander of this island nine acres of gumwood land in the South Division, at or near the head of the west branch of Porsles Valley. Its northern edge met the pasture land then held by John Standing, planter, the south and west ran against Company waste, and the eastern edge met Captain John Alexander's own five acres of gumwood land, which he had lately bought of Benjamin Greentree, planter. The whole lay in the west branch of Porsles Valley. Captain John Alexander and his heirs were to hold the nine acres, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 September last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Captain John Alexander and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent was to be paid throughout the 21-year term, commencing from [...].

Interpretations

The close of the Henry Francis orphans' lease records the executors Captain John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham sealing on the children's behalf. The executors stood in for the orphans who could not act for themselves, the standard means by which a deceased planter's estate was managed and his children's interests settled under institutional oversight.

The second lease grants Captain John Alexander nine acres of gumwood land in Porsles Valley, with the parcel bordering his own five acres on the east. The grant worked as a consolidation, drawing Company ground up against land Alexander had lately bought of Benjamin Greentree to form a single block.

Captain John Alexander appears in the record among the senior figures of the island, distinct from the long-serving register and second in council of the same surname. The five acres he had bought of Benjamin Greentree fix the recent descent of the adjoining ground, with Greentree among the substantial holders whose land moved through the dealings of the period.

The boundary against the pasture land then held by John Standing ties the parcel into the network of holders in the valley. Naming the current occupier of the neighbouring ground fixed the bounds against a recognisable holding, the usual way the registers identified a parcel by its living neighbours as well as by measured lines.

118

101

§from the time aforesaid) Unto the Said Hon:ble Company their

§Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings per

§Acre besides One Shilling duly being in all five Shillings per Acre

§p:r annu:o) At the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

§Mary, Always Provided that He the Said Cap:t John Alexander

§His Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns Shall and Doe

§Immediately Sett about and fence In the Said hereby Demised Nine

§Acres of Gunwood Land with a good Sufficient fence And

§when So fenced & Enclosed, the same to keep in good heart &

§repair when and as often as Need shall require & be that the

§whole Premisses & Every part thereof, Shall be Always Tennantable

§and no ways Suffer to run to ruine or Decay, And shall Alsoe

§keep up and Preserve the Proportionable Part, or Quantity of

§Wood or other Trees that is Already growing, or shall be hereafter

§Planted, Pursuant to the Laws of this Island for planting of such

§Wood in that Case made & Provided, And after the Said

§Nine Acres of Land is so Enclosed, fenced, and Planted with Wood

§and Trees round the Said fences where it will best grow at such Seasons

§of the year as is most proppast for the raysing the same to Shelter

§and better Secure and preserve the Land to Self from Bleak rough

§the same to keep up and Preserve, And not to remove or to Alter

§the s:d fences after they are well made which are the bounds &c

§Land Marks of the s:d Nine Acres of Gunwood Land and will

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plott thereof hereunto Annexed

§Nor shall You the s:d Cap:t John Alexander your Heirs, Executors

§Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns, Sell, or any Otherways Dispose of this

§Lease or Interest in the same, without the Knowledge & Consent

§of the Governour and Council of this Island for the time being

§In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble United Comp:y & Lords

§Proprietors of this their Island St Helena Have hereunto Sett

§their Comon Seal at their Plantation House on the Said Island

§this 13 day of Octob:r Anno Dom:i 1724 And the s:d John

§Alexander to the other Part hath Sett his Hand & Seal, & y:e hand

§year aforesaid§

§Jn:o Alexander§

The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns. It came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. Captain John Alexander and his heirs had to fence the nine acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. They were to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required. They were also to plant fig round the fences at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that the hedge would take and would give the land some shelter and protection against the high winds. Neither Captain John Alexander nor his heirs were to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the nine acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor were they to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable United Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on 13 October 1724. For his part, Captain John Alexander signed the matching part of the indenture on the day and year above written. Signed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of nine acres in Porsles Valley, with the cardinal directions set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the Alexander lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the nine acres under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The covenant to plant fig round the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's high winds, the lease stating plainly that the hedge was to give the land shelter and protection. A living hedge served as both enclosure and windbreak, a measure shaped by the island's moderate but wind-swept conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The restriction barring Captain John Alexander from parting with the lease without the council's consent reveals the Company's control over leasehold tenure. The consent rule kept the destination of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the institution retained authority over the land it let to private holders.

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102

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The

§Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East

§Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett

§unto Francis Wrangham of this Island free Holder for and on behalf

§and in the Name & stead of the s:de all Orphans of John Cleveles

§Cole of the Said Island free planter Dec:d, Male & female & either of

§now on this Island or absent All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood

§Land Containing Seven Acres Scituate Lying and being in Sandy

§Bay in the South Division of this Island and near the foot of

§Green Hill Butting and bounding toward the North and the

§Adjoyning upon the Said John Cleveles Orphans Ten Acres

§of Gunwood Land towards the South and West upon the

§Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land in the s:d South Division and toward

§the East upon the Lands now in possession of John Standing

§free planter, Scituate on part of the Said Green Hill To have

§& to hold the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres of Gunwood

§Land with the Appurtenances & every Part thereof unto the

§the Said Dec:d John Cleveles Orphans, Male or female and to

§each or either of them their Heirs, Executors, Adminis:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 day of September last

§Past for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of Twenty

§One Years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition

§that they the Said John Cleveles Orphans, As well as the Said

§Francis Wrangham for and on their behalfs, their Heirs

§Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowed of y:e Assigns Do always bear

§faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George

§his Heirs and Successors, And to the Said Hon:ble United

§Comp:y and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the

§Laws and Constitutions of the Said Island, Yeilding &

§paying therefore Yearly and every year Dureing the Terme

§of Twenty One Years Unto the Said Hon:ble United Comp:y

§their Successors Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four

§Shillings per Acre, besides One Shilling duly being

§in all five Shillings p:r Acre At the feast of the Annunciation

§of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Always Provided that they

§the afores:d John Cleveles Orphans & their Heirs, Executors

§Adm:rs or allowed of y:e Assigns on the before named Francis

§Wrangham for and on their behalfs Do Immediately, Sett about

§and fence in the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres of Gunwood

§Land with a good and Sufficient fence and when So fenced

§and Enclosed the same to keep in good Repair when and as

§often as Need shall require, So that the Said Premisses & Every

§part there shall be Always Tennantable And not to Suffer

§the ground to Run to ruine or Decay And shall Moreover

§keep up and Preserve the Wood or other Trees that are Already§

Margin Notes:

Lease to Jn:o Cleveles Orphans for 7 Acres Gunwood Land

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Francis Wrangham, free planter of this island, acting for and on behalf of the several orphans of the late John Cleveless, clerk, late of this island, planter, since deceased, and absent from the island, a parcel of seven acres of land in the South Division, at or near the foot of the Green Hill. Its northern and [...] edges met the lands of the orphans of John Cleveless, its southern and western edges ran against gumwood land in the South Division, and lower down towards [...] it reached the land then held by the orphans of John Standing, the east running up to the land at Gill's Hill, then in the possession of John Standing, free planter, being part of the seven acres of gumwood land thereby demised.

Wrangham, acting for the Cleveless orphans, was to hold the seven acres, with everything belonging to them, for the orphans, their heirs, executors and administrators, for a term of 21 years running from 25 September last past. The lease ran on the usual conditions. The orphans and their heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day.

Wrangham, acting for the orphans, had to fence the seven acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was also to preserve and keep up the wood and trees already growing there [...].

Interpretations

The lease settles seven acres of gumwood land on the orphans of the late John Cleveless, with Francis Wrangham acting on their behalf as the children's father was deceased and absent from the island. Wrangham stood in for the orphans who could not act for themselves, the standard means by which a deceased planter's estate was held and his children's interests secured under institutional oversight.

Francis Wrangham appears across the record as a substantial accumulator who extended his holdings and acted as executor and trustee through the 1720s. His role here as the party taking the lease for the Cleveless orphans extends that pattern of standing as fiduciary for the estates and children of others within the documented circle.

The boundary against the land at Gill's Hill, then held by John Standing, ties the parcel into the network of holders in the South Division. Naming the current occupier of the neighbouring ground and the named hill fixed the bounds against recognisable points, the usual way the registers identified a parcel by its living neighbours and local landmarks.

The description of John Cleveless as clerk and planter places him within the literate administrative layer as well as the planting community. The clerk's classification reveals the overlap of office-holding and landholding among the figures whose estates passed through the institutional record after their deaths.

120

103

§growing thereon, or those You shall hereafter plant Pursuant to the Laws

§of this Island in that Case made and Provided) And shall furthermore

§plant Trees round the inside of the fences in such Parts or Places where

§it will best grow, and at the best and Properst times or Seasons

§of the Year And when the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres of

§Land is so fenced Enclosed, and Planted as aforesaid, You the Said

§Francis Wrangham Nor the Said Orphans or their Heirs &c are

§not to Alter the Said fences after they are well made which are

§the bounds and Land Marks of the Said hereby Demised Seven

§Acres of Gunwood Land And which will Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plott herunto Annex:d Nor Shall You the Said Francis

§Wrangham Nor the Said Orphans, Yours, or their Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs

§or allowed of y:e Assigns, any manner of way Sell or Dispose of this

§Lease or Interest in the same, without the Knowledge & Consent of the

§Govern:r and Council of this Island for the time being, In Wittness

§whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y & Lords Proprietors of this their Island

§Have to these presents Set their Comon Seal At Plantation

§House on this 26 day of January & Dom:i 1724 And the Said

§Francis Wrangham for and on the behalf of the afores:d Orphans hath to

§the other part Set his hand & Seal§

§Fran: Wrangham§

§N:t

§7: Acres

§W:t

§E:t

§S:t§

§Testo

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this

§Island The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies, DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and

§to Farme Lett unto Francis Wrangham of this Island free Holder

§and on behalf and in the Name, and Names of the s:de all Orphans

§of John Cleveles Cole of the Said Island free Plant:r Dec:d, Male

§and female Either now on this Island or absent All that Peice or

§Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing four Acres (late in this Posses:s

§on of James Cole) Sett, who order on the Said Island for Seven in the

§Division of this Island Land next Adjoyning on the North Part of

§the Said John Cleveles Orphans Ten Acres of Gunwood Land

§(Now in the possession of the s:de Francis Wrangham) Butting

§& bounding towards the South upon the afores:d Ten Acres of

§Gunwood Land, towards the North & East upon the Lower part§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o Cleveles Orphans Lease for 4 Acres Gunwood Land

Wrangham, acting for the Cleveless orphans, was to keep up the wood already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the inside of the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best. Neither Wrangham nor the orphans nor their heirs were to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the seven acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor were they to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at the plantation house on 26 January 1724. For his part, Francis Wrangham, acting for and on behalf of the orphans, signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Francis Wrangham. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of seven acres, with the cardinal directions set around its sides.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Francis Wrangham, free planter of this island, acting for and on behalf of the several orphans of John Cleveless, late of this island, free planter, since deceased, a parcel of four acres of land. It lay in one branch of the South Division, in the branch commonly called or known by the name of James Holland's, towards the north part of the orphans' land, butting and bordering on the four acres of gumwood land then held by Francis Wrangham. Its southern edge ran up to the seven acres of gumwood land, its northern and eastern edges met the lower [...] gumwood land.

Interpretations

The close of the first lease records Francis Wrangham sealing the seven-acre grant on behalf of the Cleveless orphans. Wrangham stood in for the children who could not act for themselves, the standard means by which a deceased planter's estate was held and his orphans' interests secured under institutional oversight.

The second lease grants a further four acres to the same Cleveless orphans, again with Francis Wrangham acting on their behalf. The two leases sealed for the same children reveal the Company settling the orphans' ground in adjoining parcels, with the four acres bordering Wrangham's own land and the earlier seven-acre grant to form a connected holding.

The byname James Holland's fixes the branch of the valley by the name of an earlier holder, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record. Naming the branch by a former occupier tied the parcel to recognisable ground, the usual way the registers carried the descent of a location.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the inside of the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

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104

§of the Land & Plantation Comonly called and known by the

§Name of Petkins belonging to the Said Hon:ble Comp:t and toward

§the West upon the Gunwood Land belonging to Cap:t John Alexander

§formerly Thomas Verguss Dec:d, To have & to hold the Said

§hereby Demised four Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenan

§=ces & every part thereof unto them the Said Dec:d John Cleveles Orphans

§Male, or Female, and to Each or either of them their Heirs

§Executors, Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 day of

§March 1716 for and Dureing all the time space, and Terme of

§Twenty One Years from thence Ensueing, Upon Condition

§that they the Said John Cleveles Orphans, as well as the s:d Francis

§Wrangham for and on their behalf, their Heirs, Exec:rs, Adm:rs or

§Allowed of y:e Assigns, Do Always bear true faith & Allegiance

§to Our Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs, & Successors

§And to the s:d Hon:ble United Comp:y and their Successors And

§shall duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the s:d Island

§Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly, & Every Year Dureing

§the Remainder Terme & time of Twenty One Years aforesaid

§unto the s:d Hon:ble United Comp:y their Successors, Agents

§or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings p:r Acre, besides One

§Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p:r Acre (per Annum)

§At the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

§Always Provided that they the afores:d Dec:d John Cleveles

§Orphans, their Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns or

§the beforenamed Francis Wrangham for and on their behalf

§Do Immediately, Sett about, and fence in the Said hereby Demised

§four Acres of Gunwood Land with a good and Sufficient fence

§And when it is So fenced & Enclosed the same to keep in good

§repair when and as often as Need shall require, So that the

§whole Premisses and every part thereof shall be Always

§Tennantable And not to Suffer the Ground to Run to ruine

§or Decay And shall keep up, and Preserve the Wood, or other Trees

§that are now growing thereon, or those You shall at any time

§or times hereafter plant, and a Proportionable Quantity

§Mountaine and keep standing Pursuant to the Laws of this

§Island (in that Case made & Provided) And shall moreover

§plant Trees round the inside of the fences in such Parts, or

§places, as it will best grow in and at the Most Properst

§times & Seasons of the Year And when the Said hereby

§Demised four Acres of Land is so fenced Enclosed & Planted

§as afores:d You the Said Francis Wrangham Nor the Said

§Orphans or their Heirs &c are not to Alter or remove the

§fences after they are well made, they being the bounds & Land

§Marks of the Said hereby Demised four Acres of Gunwood

§Land and which will (in such Case) Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plott herunto Annexed, Nor shall You the Said

§Francis§

Margin Notes:

4: Acres

The four-acre parcel ran up to the land and plantation known by the name of Perkins's, belonging to the Company, and on its western edge met the gumwood land then held by Captain John Alexander, formerly Thomas Vergus's, since deceased. The Company granted the four acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, to the orphans of the late John Cleveless, both male and female, and to each of them and their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March 1726.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. The orphans, with Francis Wrangham acting on their behalf, and their heirs, were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day.

Wrangham, acting for the orphans, had to fence the four acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, in proportion to the land, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that the hedge would take. Neither Wrangham nor the orphans nor their heirs were to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the four acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants four acres of gumwood land to the orphans of John Cleveless, the second of the parcels settled on the children with Francis Wrangham acting on their behalf. The grant bordered Company land and Captain John Alexander's ground, drawing the orphans' holding up against established neighbours in the South Division.

The byname Perkins's fixes the adjoining land and plantation by the name of an earlier holder, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record. The western boundary against land formerly Thomas Vergus's, now Captain John Alexander's, traces the recent descent of the neighbouring parcel, the usual way the registers carried the chain of prior holders.

The grant vesting the land in the orphans both male and female, and in each of them, reveals the institutional means of settling an estate jointly on all the children rather than by primogeniture. The collective vesting kept the inherited ground undivided among the siblings, the standard protection of an orphan family's interest under the documented regime.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

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105

§Francis Wrangham Nor the Said Orphans, Yours or theirs Heirs

§Executors Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns any manner of way, or

§meanes Sell or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same without

§the foreknowledge & Consent of the Govern:r & Council of this

§Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the

§Said Hon:ble Comp:y & Lords Proprietors of this their

§Island Have to these presents Set their Comon Seal At the

§Plantation House &c &c &c on the Said Island this 26 day of

§January & Dom:i 1724 And the Said Francis Wrangham

§for and on behalf of the afores:d John Cleveles Orphans hath

§to the other part Set his hand and Seale§

§Fran: Wrangham§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island the

§Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies Do hereby Demise unto the Several Orphans of

§John Cleveles Cole of this Island free planter Dec:d, Male & female

§Either now on this Island, or Absent Ten Acres of Gunwood Land

§Scituate Lying and being in Sandy in the South Division of the

§Said Island, Butting and bounding towards the North, upon

§Said Hon:ble Companys

§four Acres of Leas:d Land Adjoyning to the Hon:ble Companys

§Enclosed Land, knowne by the Name of Petkins, Land towards

§the South upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land towards the

§East upon Seven Acres of Leas:d Land more and is West Adjoyn

§=ing to the Lands now in the Possession of John Standing planter

§and towards the West and Adjoyning to and upon the Gunwood

§Land, belonging to Cain now in the Possession of Cap:t John

§Alexander, Also Ten Acres more of Cabbage tree or Pasture

§land Butting and bounding toward the North upon the

§lower part of the Pasture Lands belonging to the Orphans of

§Charles Steward Dec:d and to the West part of his afores:d Land

§& Richard Beale planter Towards the South West upon

§the Pasture Land now belonging to and in the Possession of the

§Said Cap:t John Alexander formerly granted to and late in the§

Margin Notes:

Deed for 20 Acres Land in two Lots to Jn:o Cleveles Dec:d

Neither Francis Wrangham nor the orphans nor their heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at the plantation house on 26 January 1724. For his part, Francis Wrangham, acting for and on behalf of the Cleveless orphans, signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Francis Wrangham. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company confirmed to the several orphans of John Cleveless, late of this island, free planter, since deceased, both male and female, whether then on the island or absent, ten acres of gumwood land in the South Division. Its northern edge ran up to the Company's land, and to four acres of leased land adjoining the Company's enclosed land then known by the name of Perkins's, towards the south. Its eastern edge met seven acres of leased land more, and the land then held by John Standing, planter, while the western edge ran up to the gumwood land then held by Captain John Alexander. There was also a further parcel of cabbage tree or pasture land, butting and bordering towards the north on the lower part of the pasture lands belonging to the orphans of Charles Steward, since deceased, on the west on the lands of Richard Beale, planter, and towards the south-west on the pasture land then belonging to and held by Captain John Alexander, formerly granted to and late [...].

Interpretations

The close of the four-acre lease records Francis Wrangham sealing the grant on behalf of the Cleveless orphans, binding them by the standard restriction against parting with the lease without the council's consent. The consent rule kept the destination of the leased ground under the governing body's oversight, carrying particular weight where the holders were minors who could not act fully for themselves.

The following instrument confirms ten acres of gumwood land to the same Cleveless orphans, drawing together the parcels settled on the children into a larger confirmed holding. The grant ties the ten acres to the earlier four and seven-acre leases through the shared boundaries, fixing the orphans' ground as a connected estate in the South Division.

The boundary descriptions tie the parcel into the established network of holders, naming the orphans of Charles Steward, Richard Beale and Captain John Alexander. The pasture land bordering the Steward orphans on the north reveals the cluster of orphan holdings in this quarter, with the estates of more than one deceased planter's children settled in adjoining ground.

The vesting of the land in the orphans both male and female, whether on the island or absent, reveals the institutional means of settling an estate on all the children regardless of their presence. The collective vesting kept the inherited ground undivided among the siblings and preserved the interest of any absent child, the standard protection of an orphan family under the documented regime.

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106

§the Possession of James Desey Sen:r And toward the East upon

§the Lands of the Said John Alexander formerly Thom:s Twatts

§(dec:d), and the lower part of the Said Rich: Beals Pasture

§Land, Conteining in both Parcells Twenty Acres of being s:de

§Joyned as afores:d And which they the Said Severall Orphans

§of John Cleveles dec:d Male or Female and either of them

§Hath a full right and Title to as may more fully & Plainly

§appeare upon Record and Entred (in the s:de what manner) on

§Consultation Held on Thursday the 18 day of January 1726, and

§Relation being thereunto had) To have & to hold the Said

§twenty Acres of Land and Premisses to them the Said Severall

§Orphans of the before named John Cleveles dec:d, Male or

§Female and to Each or either of them their or either of

§their Heirs and Assigns for ever Upon Condition

§That they the Said Dec:d John Cleveles Orphans Male or

§Female either, or Each of them their Heirs and Assigns

§Doe Always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord King George His Heirs and Successors, And to the

§Said Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors In Wittness whereof

§the Said Hon:ble Company and Lords Proprietors of

§these presents have Sett their Comon Seal At their Grand

§Plantation House on this their Island this 8 day of January

§Dom:i One Thousand Seven Hundred Twenty & four§

§The Plotts and Plans of the abovesaid

§two Parcells of Land Conteining in the

§whole twenty Acres being thereunto

§Annexed Also a Copy of these Deeds &

§Plans is Entred in the Regist Book

§folio:s 105 & 106§

§Testle§

The pasture land ran up to ground then held by James Vesey senior, and on its eastern edge met the lands of Captain John Alexander, formerly Thomas Vergus's, since deceased. The lower part of it met the pasture land of Richard Beale. The two parcels together came to twenty acres, the ground earlier confirmed as set out above. The orphans of the late John Cleveless, both male and female, and each of them, held a clear right and title to the whole, as more fully appeared in the record entered in the consultation of Thursday 16 January 1724.

The Company granted the twenty acres of land to the orphans of the late John Cleveless, both male and female, and to each of them and their heirs and assigns, for ever. The grant ran on condition that the Cleveless orphans, both male and female, and each of them, and their heirs and assigns, should stay loyal to King George and to the Company. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on [...] January 1724.

The plans of the two parcels, twenty acres in all, together with a copy of the deed, were entered in the register book at folios 105 and 106.

A plan annexed to the deed marked the two parcels, one of ten acres of gumwood land and one of ten acres of cabbage tree land, with the cardinal directions set around their sides.

Interpretations

The confirmation settles twenty acres in two parcels on the orphans of John Cleveless, vesting the whole in all the children jointly. The grant draws together the gumwood and cabbage tree parcels into a single confirmed holding, fixing the orphans' ground as a connected estate in the South Division.

The reference to the consultation of Thursday 16 January 1724 ties the confirmation to the formal record of the council's proceedings. Anchoring the orphans' title to a dated consultation reveals the institutional means by which a private settlement was grounded in the governing body's own minutes, the standard way the registers fixed a grant to a recorded decision.

The vesting of the land in the orphans both male and female, and in each of them, reveals the institutional means of settling an estate jointly on all the children rather than by primogeniture. The collective vesting kept the inherited ground undivided among the siblings, the standard protection of an orphan family's interest under the documented regime.

The entry of the plans and a copy of the deed in the register book at folios 105 and 106 reveals the institutional reliance on the surveyor's drawing as the operative record of the land. Filing the plans alongside the deed fixed the extent and shape of the parcels against any later dispute, the means by which the Company preserved a permanent record of the ground it confirmed.

124

107

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this

§Island The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett

§and to farm Lett Unto Cap:t John Goodwin Gent and Council

§& Council of this Island all that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood

§Land Conteining two Acres Scituate Lying and being Near

§the lower Part of Fryer Valley in the West Division of the s:d

§Island, Butting and bounding towards the North, South,

§East and West every way upon the Said Hon:ble Companys

§Waste and which was formerly in the Possession of Christopher

§Kell, late of the Said Island Gunn:r mate deceased To have

§& to hold the Said hereby Demised two Acres of Gunwood

§Land with the Appurtenances & every part thereof Unto him the

§Said Cap:t John Goodwin His Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs & allowed of

§Assigns from the 25 day of March last past for and Dureing all

§the time space and Terme of Twenty One years from thence Next

§Ensueing, Upon Condition That he the Said Cap:t Jn:o Goodwin

§his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowd of y:e Assigns Do always bear

§true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George

§his Heirs and Successors and to the Said Hon:ble United

§Comp:y their Successors And shall duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions

§of the Said Island Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly & every

§year Dureing the Said Terme of Twenty One Years Unto the

§Said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors, Agents or Assigns the Yearly

§Rent of four Shillings per Acre besides One Shilling duly

§(being in all five Shillings p:r Acre p:r annum) At the feast of the

§Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Always Provided

§that he the Said M:r Goodwin His Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowd

§=ed of y:e Assigns shall Do Immediately Sett about and fence in

§the s:d hereby Demised two Acres of Gunwood Land with a

§good Sufficient fence and when So fenced & Enclosed the same to

§keep in good heart & repair when and as often as Need shall

§require So that the whole premisses and every part thereof

§shall be Always Tennantable and no ways Suffer to Ruine

§to Ruine or Decay And shall Also plant and preserve

§such fruit or other Trees as the Nature of the ground will

§best Produce And as any Decays to plant more in their

§Stead And not to Alter the said fences after they are well

§made they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the Said

§hereby Demised two Acres of Land and will (in such Case)

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annexed, Nor

§Shall You Sell, or any other way Dispose of this Lease or Interest

§in§

Margin Notes:

Cap:t Goodwin:s Lease for 2 Acres§

§N:t

§S:t

§2: Acres§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Captain John Goodwin, fourth in council of this island, a parcel of two acres of gumwood land near the lower part of Fryer Valley, in the West Division. The parcel was bounded on every side, north, south, east and west, by the Company's waste land, and had formerly been held by Christopher Kell, late of this island, gunner's mate, since deceased. Captain John Goodwin and his heirs were to hold the two acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Captain John Goodwin and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. Goodwin had to fence the two acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was also to plant and preserve fruit and other trees suited to the ground, and to plant more in place of any that failed. He was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the two acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Captain John Goodwin two acres of gumwood land in Fryer Valley under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel lay surrounded on every side by Company waste, which marks the grant as an isolated allocation drawn from unenclosed ground rather than a consolidation of existing holdings.

Captain John Goodwin appears across the record as a gentleman and fourth in council, an active buyer who took Walter Morris's Fryer Valley freehold and leasehold and Richard Gurling's Lemon Valley parcel through the 1720s. This lease adds Company-held ground to his Fryer Valley accumulation, extending his holdings through the leasehold tenure that ran alongside outright purchase.

The parcel had formerly been held by Christopher Kell, gunner's mate, since deceased, whose byname fixed the prior tenure against the boundary. The reverted ground passing from a deceased gunner's mate to a fresh leaseholder reveals the Company reletting land that fell back into its hands, the standard means by which vacant parcels returned to use under new tenants.

The covenant requiring fruit and other trees suited to the ground to be planted and preserved reveals the institutional concern with the productive condition of the land. By binding the tenant to replace any trees that failed, the lease guarded the planted stock against loss, a provision shaped by the value the Company placed on fruit and timber across its leased ground.

125

108

§in the same, without the Knowledge and Consent of the

§Governour and Council of this Island for the time being

§In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y & Lords Proprietors

§of the Said Island Have to these presents Set their Comon

§Seal at their Grand Plantation House on this their Island

§this 25 day of Jan:y & Dom:i One thousand seven Hundred

§twenty & four And the Said John Goodwin to the other

§part hath Set his hand and Seale§

§Jn:o Goodwin§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island

§The Hon:ble United Comp:y of Merchants of England Trading to

§the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme

§Lett unto Cap:t John Goodwin Gent and of this Island & Helena

§& of Council all that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining

§Eight Acres Scituate Lying and being in the East Branch

§Lemon Valley Comonly called and knowne by the Name of Sarah

§Valley in the West Division of the Said Island where & Three Acres

§and a half was late in the Possession of Richard Gurling planter

§Butting and bounding towards the North upon two Acres

§of the like Gunwood Land lately granted unto him the Said Cap:t

§John Goodwin And towards the East South and West Upon the

§Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land Scituate in the Said Sarahs Valley)

§To have & to hold the Said hereby Demised Eight Acres of

§Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances and every part there

§=of unto him the Said Cap:t Jn:o Goodwin his Heirs, Executors

§Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 day of September

§last past for and Dureing all the time space & Terme of Twenty

§One Years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition that

§he the Said Cap:t John Goodwin his Heirs, Executors Adm:rs or Allowd

§of y:e Assigns Do always bear true faith Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord, King George his heirs & Successors, And to the s:d

§Hon:ble Company and their Successors And shall duly obey

§all§

Margin Notes:

Captain John Goodwin was not to part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on 16 January 1724. For his part, Captain John Goodwin signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by John Goodwin. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Captain John Goodwin, fourth in council of this island, eight acres of gumwood land in the east branch of Lemon Valley, in the West Division, in the branch commonly called or known by the name of Sarah's Ladder. Its northern edge ran up to two acres of the like gumwood land lately granted to Captain John Goodwin, and to ground held in right of Richard Gurling, planter, while the east, south and west edges met the Company's waste land in this valley. Captain John Goodwin and his heirs were to hold the eight acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 September last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Captain John Goodwin and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws [...].

Interpretations

The close of the first lease records Captain John Goodwin sealing the two-acre Fryer Valley grant, binding him by the standard restriction against parting with the lease without the council's consent. The consent rule kept the destination of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the Company retained authority over the land it let to private holders.

The second lease grants Captain John Goodwin eight acres of gumwood land in the east branch of Lemon Valley, with the parcel bordering his own two acres lately granted. The grant worked as a consolidation, drawing Company ground up against land Goodwin already held to form a single block in the West Division.

The byname Sarah's Ladder fixes the branch of Lemon Valley by a named feature, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record. Naming the branch tied the parcel to recognisable ground, the usual way the registers fixed a location by a distinctive local name.

The northern boundary against ground held in right of Richard Gurling traces the neighbouring tenure and ties the parcel into the network of holders in the valley. Richard Gurling appears across the record as a substantial Lemon Valley accumulator who conveyed his ground to Captain John Goodwin through the 1720s, fixing the close connection between the two holders in this quarter.

126

109

§all the Laws & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding and

§paying therefore Yearly and Every Year Dureing the s:d Terme

§of twenty One Years unto the s:d Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors

§Agents or Assigns, the Yearly Rent of four Shillings per Acre

§p:r annu:o besides one Shilling duly being in all five Shillings

§p:r Acre) at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

§Mary, Always Provided that he the Said Cap:t Jn:o Goodwin

§his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowd of y:e Assigns shall Doe

§Immediately Sett about and fence in the s:d hereby Demised

§Eight Acres of Gunwood Land with a good and Sufficient

§fence and when So fenced & Enclosed the same to keep in good

§heart and repair when and as often as Need shall require

§So that the whole Premisses and every part thereof Shall be

§Always Tennantable and no ways Suffer to Run to ruine

§or decay, And shall Also plant and preserve the full

§Proportionable Quantity of Wood According to the Laws

§(for planting of such Wood and trees) in that Case made and

§Provided, And as any Decays in d:o to plant more in their stead

§And also plant Trees such as the Nature of the ground will best

§Produce at the proper and y:eual Seasons of the Year, You are

§Likewise not to Alter any of the Said fences after they are well

§made they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the s:d hereby

§Demised Eight Acres of Land and which (in such Case) will

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annex:d, Nor

§Shall or are You the s:d Jn:o Goodwin to Sell, or any other way

§Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same without the Know

§=ledge and Consent of the Govern:r and Council of this Island

§for the time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y

§and Lords Proprietors of the s:d Island Have to these presents

§Set their Comon Seale at their Grand Plantation House on

§this their Island this 25 day of Jan:y & Dom:i 1724 And the

§Said John Goodwin to the other part hath Set his hand & Seale

§day and year aforesaid§

§Jn:o Goodwin§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

Captain John Goodwin and his heirs were to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. Goodwin had to fence the eight acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant trees suited to the nature of the ground, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. He was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the eight acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on 16 January 1724. For his part, Captain John Goodwin signed the matching part of the indenture on the day and year above written. Signed by John Goodwin. Witnessed by John Alexander.

Interpretations

The close of the eight-acre lease binds Captain John Goodwin to enclose and maintain the ground under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The covenant requiring trees suited to the nature of the ground to be planted at the right season reveals the institutional concern with the productive condition of the land. By binding the tenant to plant according to what the ground would best bear, the lease guarded the value of the leased acres, a provision shaped by the Company's continuing interest in the timber and growth on its ground.

The restriction barring Captain John Goodwin from parting with the lease without the council's consent reveals the Company's control over leasehold tenure. The consent rule kept the destination of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the institution retained authority over the land it let to private holders.

127

110

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this

§Island The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trad

§=ing to the East Indies Doe hereby Demise grant Lease Sett

§and to Farme Lett Unto Cap:t John Alexander Gent and of the

§Island St Helena & of Council All that Peice or Parcell of Gun

§=wood Land Conteining two Acres and a half Scituate Lying and being

§in the East Branch of Sandy Bay Valley in the South Division of the

§Said Island Butting and bounding towards the South upon

§a small Parcell of Leas:d Land, Hired by Thom:s Greentree

§planter Scituate in the Said Valley And towards M:r Marks

§East and West upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land and

§Edge of Rocks (which serves for a Hatback) toward the Water

§Edge of the Said Demised Land To have & to hold the

§Said hereby Demised Seven Acres and a half of Gunwood

§Land with the Appurtenances and every Part thereof unto him the Said

§John Alexander his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§from the 25 Day of March 1719 for and Dureing all the time

§space and Terme of twenty One years from thence Next Ensueing

§Upon Condition That he the Said John Alexander His

§Heirs, Exec:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns, Do always bear true

§faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George

§his Heirs and Successors, And to the s:d Hon:ble Comp:y Adm:rs

§their Successors And shall duly obey all the Laws & Constit

§=utions of the Said Island, Yeilding and Paying therefore

§Yearly and every year Dureing the Remaineing Terme

§Nine of twenty One Years (afore said) Unto the s:d Hon:ble

§Comp:y their Successors Agents or Assigns, the yearly Rent

§of four Shillings per Acre, besides One Shilling duly (being

§in all four Shillings p:r ann:o) (Adm:rs the feast of the Annun

§=ciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Always Provided

§That he the s:d Jn:o Alexander His Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs

§or allowd of y:e Assigns Shall and Do Immediately Sett about

§and fence in the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres, & In Wast

§of Land with a good and Sufficient fence And when So fenced

§& Enclosed the same to keep in good Heart and Repair

§when and as often as Need shall require So that the whole

§Premisses and every part thereof, shall be Always Tennant

§=able and no ways Suffer to Run to Ruine or Decay, And

§shall Alsoe keep up and preserve the Proportionable Quantity

§of Wood that is or may be hereafter Planted Pursuant to

§the Laws of this Island (in that Case made and Provided) &

§as any Trees fall, or dies, to plant more in their Stead at the

§Proper and most Upast Seasons of the year, And You

§the Said John Alexander, or your Heirs, or allowed of y:e Assigns

§are§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Captain John Alexander seven acres and a half of gumwood land in the South Division, in the east branch of Sandy Bay Valley. Its southern edge ran up to a small parcel of leased land then held by Thomas Greentree, planter, in this valley, its eastern and western edges met the land then held by Mr Mason, planter, and the rocky edge of ground that served as a setback to the [...] of the leased land. Captain John Alexander and his heirs were to hold the seven acres and a half of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March 1729.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Captain John Alexander and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. Captain John Alexander had to fence the seven acres and a half at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required, and to plant more in place of any trees that failed, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Captain John Alexander seven acres and a half of gumwood land in the east branch of Sandy Bay Valley under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel sat among established neighbours, fixing the ground within the network of holders in the valley rather than drawn from open waste alone.

The southern boundary against a small parcel held by Thomas Greentree ties the land into the Greentree holdings, with Thomas Greentree among the sons named as lives in the family's earlier leases. The eastern and western edges against Mr Mason's ground further fix the parcel by its living neighbours, the usual way the registers identified a holding by the holders around it.

The reference to the rocky edge serving as a setback reveals the use of a natural feature to mark the bounds of the leased ground. Fixing part of the boundary to the rock rather than to a fence reflects the practical reliance on the landscape itself where the ground broke into stone, the means by which the registers tied a parcel to recognisable physical limits.

The covenant requiring trees to be replaced where any failed reveals the institutional concern with the productive condition of the land. By binding the tenant to plant more in place of any loss, the lease guarded the planted stock against exhaustion, a provision shaped by the value the Company placed on the timber and growth across its leased ground.

128

111

§are Likewise not to Alter the Said fences after they are well made

§they being the bounds and Land Marks of the Said hereby

§Demised Seven Acres and a half of Land, and (in such Case)

§will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annexed, Nor

§Shall, or are You, Your Heirs, or allowed of y:e Assigns any way

§to Sell, or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same with

§=out the Knowledge and Consent of the Govern:r & Council

§of this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the

§Said Hon:ble Comp:y & Lords Proprietors of this their Island

§Have hereunto Set their Comon Seale at their Plantation

§House on the Said Island St Helena this 6 day of January

§Anno Dom:i 1724 And the Said John Alexander to the

§other Part hath Set to his hand and Seale§

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Testle§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The

§Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto Thomas Greentree of this Said

§Island free planter All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining One Acre

§Scituate Lying and being at the lower Part of the East Branch of Sarahs Long Valley in

§the South Division of this Island Enclosed with One Acre next granted to Edmunds

§Richards of the Said Island Planter, Butting and Bounding towards the North upon

§the Leas:d Land of Cap:t Jn:o Alexander Scituate in the Said Valley Toward the

§South upon and Adjoyning to the aforesaid One Acre in the Possession of the s:d Edmund

§Richards And towards the East and West upon the s:d Hon:ble Companys Wast

§Land with the Appurtenances and every Part thereof unto him the Said Thomas Greentree

§his Heirs, Executors, Administrators, & Allowed of y:e Assigns from the Twenty fifth day of

§March last Past for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of Twenty One Years from

§thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition that he the Said Thomas Greentree his

§Heirs, Executors Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns Do Always bear true faith and

§Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George his Heirs, & Successors and to the

§Said Hon:ble Company and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Laws

§and Constitutions of the Said Island And for and Dureing the Said Terme of

§Twenty One Years (afore said) Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly &

§Every year Dureing the Said Terme aforesaid the yearly Rent of four Shillings

§p:r Acre besides One Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p:r Acre p:r Annum

§at the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Always Pro

§=vided That he the Said Thomas Greentree his Heirs, Executors, Adm:rs Adm:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns Shall (and Immediately) Sett about and Continue to fence

§in the Said hereby Demised One Acre of Land with a good Sufficient fence§

Margin Notes:

N:t§

§1: Acre§

§W:t§

Captain John Alexander was also not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the seven acres and a half, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on this island on [...] January 1724. For his part, Captain John Alexander signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by John Alexander. Witnessed [...].

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Thomas Greentree, free planter of this island, a single acre of gumwood land in the east branch of Sandy Bay Valley. Its northern edge ran up to the land of Richard Mason, planter, and its southern edge to the leased land of Captain John Alexander. The east and west met the Company's waste land, where the one acre thereby demised adjoined Thomas Greentree's other ground. Thomas Greentree and his heirs were to hold the one acre, with everything belonging to it, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Thomas Greentree and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. Thomas Greentree had to fence the one acre at once with a sound fence [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of one acre.

Interpretations

The close of the Captain John Alexander lease binds the tenant to keep his fences as the fixed bounds of the seven acres and a half, and to seek the council's consent before parting with the lease. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, while the consent rule held the destination of leased land under the Company's control.

The second lease grants Thomas Greentree a single acre in the east branch of Sandy Bay Valley, with the parcel bordering his own ground and the leased land of Captain John Alexander. The two adjoining leases reveal the Company letting connected parcels in the same branch, with the Greentree and Alexander holdings fixed against one another through their shared boundaries.

Thomas Greentree appears in the record as one of the three sons of James Greentree named as lives in the family's earlier leases at Gabriel's Gut and Blood Bottom. His own leasehold here marks his progression into independent tenure, taking ground in his own name within the wider Greentree holdings.

The northern boundary against Richard Mason's land ties the parcel into the network of holders in the valley. Richard Mason appears across the record as a planter who held both urban property and leased ground in the outer valleys, and his presence as a neighbour fixes the parcel by a recognisable adjoining holding.

129

112

§And when So fenced and Enclosed the same to keep in good Heart and Repair when

§and as often as Need shall require, So that the said Premisses and every part & Parcell

§thereof Shall be Always Tennantable And no ways Suffer to Run to Ruine or Decay

§And shall Also keep up Maintaine, and preserve the Wood or Gunwood Trees Marks

§Already growing or may be hereafter Planted Round the inside of the s:d the Said

§Already growing or may be hereafter Planted Round the inside of the s:d the Said

§fenced the better to Shelter and preserve the ground from Bleaking Winds and as

§any Trees fall, dies, or to plant more in their Stead at the s:de & most Properst

§Seasons of the year And Likewise to plant good Trees such as the Nature of the ground

§will best Produce And furthermore that he the Said Thomas Greentree or your Heirs

§Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns are not to Alter the Said fence after they are well

§made they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the Said hereby Demised Land

§Soe You are not Bound as afore said) and will in such Case Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plott hereunto Annexed, Nor are, or shall You the Said Thomas Greentree or

§your Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns any way Sell or Dispose of this Lease or Interest

§in the same without the Knowledge and Consent of the Governour & Council of

§this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y & Lord

§Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have hereunto Set their Comon Seal at

§their Castle in James Valley this Second day of September Anno Dom:i

§1724 And the Said Thomas Greentree to the other part hath Set his hand & Seale§

§Tho:s Greentree§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The Hon:ble

§United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Do hereby

§hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett Unto Edmund Nichols of this s:d

§Island free planter All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining One Acre

§Scituate Lying and being at the lower End of the East Branch of Sarahs Bay Valley

§in the South Division of the Said Island Enclosed with One Acre next granted to Tho:s

§Greentree of the s:d Island Planter and now fully mentioned in the foregoing

§Conveyance now date with this) Butting and Bounding towards the South & West

§upon Hannys part of the Leas:d Lands now in the Possession of Richard Gurling

§Planter Scituate in this Said Valley toward the North & Adjoyning to Edmund

§the aforesaid One Acre is so Enclosed of the s:d Hon:ble Companys Wast Land toward the

§East upon the s:d Hon:ble Companys Wast Land with the Appurtenances and every part

§hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances and every

§unto him the s:d Edmund Nichols the Heirs Executors Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§from the s:d Comencing Adm:rs March the Heir Executors Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§from the s:d &c afores:d Last past for and Dureing all the time space, and Terme of

§Twenty One years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition That he the s:d

§Edmund Nichols his Heirs & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns Do Always

§bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George his Heirs

§and Successors And to the Said Hon:ble Company and their Successors And

§shall only Obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding and

§& Dureing the s:d term Yearly and Every year Dureing the s:d Term aforesaid

§Solemnly the Yearly Rent the Said Rich: Comp:y their Successors Agents Assigns

§the Yearly Rent of four Shillings per Acre besides One Shilling duly being in all

§five Shillings per Acre (per Annum) At the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed

§Virgin Mary, Always Provided that he the Said Edmund Nichols his

§Heirs, Executors Adm:rs or allowed of y:e Assigns Shall and Immediately, Set about and

§Continue to fence in the Said hereby Demised One Acre of Land with a good§

Thomas Greentree was to keep the one acre enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required, and to plant more in place of any trees that failed, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best. He was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the one acre, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on this island on [...] January 1724. For his part, Thomas Greentree signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Thomas Greentree. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of two acres, lately granted to Thomas Greentree, with the cardinal directions set around its sides.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Edmund Nichols a single acre of gumwood land in the east branch of Sandy Bay Valley, in the South Division. Its northern edge ran up to the land then held by Thomas Greentree, planter, more fully described above, its southern and western edges met the land then held in the possession of Richard Gurling, planter, while its eastern edge ran up to ground in the same valley. Its northern boundary also met the land then held by the orphans of Richard Gurling, planter, in this valley, the east running up to the Company's waste land. Edmund Nichols and his heirs were to hold the one acre, with everything belonging to it, for a term of 21 years running from [...].

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Edmund Nichols and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. Edmund Nichols had to fence the one acre at once with a sound fence [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of one acre.

Interpretations

The close of the Thomas Greentree lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the acre under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The second lease grants Edmund Nichols a single acre in the east branch of Sandy Bay Valley, with the parcel bordering the ground of Thomas Greentree and Richard Gurling. The cluster of small adjoining leases in the same branch reveals the Company letting connected parcels to neighbouring holders, fixing the Nichols, Greentree and Gurling ground against one another through their shared boundaries.

Edmund Nichols appears in the record as the freeholder who received the Company lease of 21 acres at Mr Flemon's Valley on 25 May 1719. This addition of leased gumwood ground in Sandy Bay extends his holdings across more than one quarter of the island under the leasehold tenure.

The boundary against the land held by the orphans of Richard Gurling reveals the recent descent of the neighbouring ground following Gurling's death. Naming the orphans as the current holders fixed the parcel against a recognisable holding and recorded the passage of the adjoining land to the next generation, the usual way the registers carried such a transition.

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[Loss of part of the physical page: lower left corner torn away, affecting the foot of the left-hand margin.]

§Sufficient Wall fence and when So fenced and Enclosed the same to keep in good Heart and Repair

§when and as often as Need shall require she Said have hereto Grounded and every part and Parcell

§thereof Shall be Always Tennantable and no ways Suffer to Run to Ruine or Decay And shall

§shall Also keep up Maintaine and preserve the Wood or Gunwood Trees that is Already

§Growing or may be hereafter Planted Round the inside of the Said fences the better to

§Shelter and Preserve the Ground from Bleaking Winds And and any Trees dies or as you are

§to plant more in their Stead at the s:de & most Properst Seasons of the Year And

§Likewise to plant good Trees such as the Nature of the Ground will best Produce And

§furthermore that he the Said Edmund Nichols or your Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns are not to Alter the Said fence after they are well made they being the

§Bounds and Land Marks of the Said hereby Demised Land &c Adm:rs (in such Case)

§as aforesaid) And will (in such Case) Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto

§Annexed Nor are or shall You the Said Edmund Nichols or his Heirs or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns any way Sell, or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same without the

§Knowledge and Consent of the Governour and Council of this Island for the time being

§In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of this their Island

§Have hereunto Set their Common Seal at their Castle in James Valley

§this Second day of September Anno Dom:i 1724 And the Said Edmund Nichols to the other

§Part hath Set his hand and Seale§

§Edmund Nichols§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§N:t

§W:t

§2: Acres

§S:t

§E:t§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The Hon:ble United

§Comp:y of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant

§Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto Jonathan Higham Jun:r of this Island Planter &

§Stone Cutter All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining Seven Acres &c

§that Scituate Lying and being in Sandy Bay Valley at or near the place knowne by

§the Name of the upper Lime kiln, Butting & bounding towards the South upon the

§Said Leas:d Lands now in the Possession of James Vaughan Planter, and towards

§upon Wast Land, & Adm:rs in the Possession of Richard Tenton Planter, and towards

§the East West upon the Hon:ble Company Wast Land Scituate in the Said Valley

§and being in the South Division of the Said Island, To have & to hold the Said

§hereby Demised Seven Acres &c that of Gunwood Land with all & every his Ap

§=purtenances thereunto belonging Unto him the Said Jonathan Higham Jun:r

§his Heirs Executors, Adm:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 day of

§March 1725 for and Dureing all the time space & Terme of Twenty One years

§from thence Next Ensueing &c and in Consideration of the Said Jonathan

§Higham Jun:r Dureing as afore to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y for Renewal of

§this Lease the same Terme &c for Shillings hereby and Yearly Rent & duly

§for One Acre of the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres &c that, which the Said

§Said Jonathan Higham Jun:r the s:de by two several Hopmak Leases bearing date

§the 25 of Nov:r 1724 & the 22 Day of Oct:r 1724 both s:de & Leases are hereby Vacated

§and made void, Upon Condition that he the Said Jonathan Higham Jun:r§

Margin Notes:

Jonath: Higham Jun:r Lease Renew:d

Edmund Nichols was to fence the acre with a sound fence and keep it enclosed and in good order, repairing it whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required, and to plant more in place of any trees that failed, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best. He was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the acre, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their castle in James Valley on this island on [...] 1724. For his part, Edmund Nichols signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Edmund Nichols. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of two acres, with the cardinal directions set around its sides.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Jonathan Higham junior of this island, planter, a parcel of seven acres of gumwood land in Sandy Bay Valley, at or near a place known by the name of the upper lime kiln. Its southern edge ran up to the land then held by Jonathan Higham junior, planter, and lower down on the north it met ground in the possession of John Tenter, planter, while its east and west met the Company's waste land in this valley. The whole lay in the South Division. Jonathan Higham junior and his heirs were to hold the seven acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March 1729.

The lease ran in consideration of Jonathan Higham junior's renewal of an earlier lease for the same ground, in exchange for the yearly rent of five shillings an acre. The seven acres thereby demised stood in place of two earlier leases held by Jonathan Higham junior, one bearing date 23 October 1724 and the [...], both of which leases were thereby vacated and made void. The renewal ran on condition that Jonathan Higham junior [...].

Interpretations

The close of the Edmund Nichols lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the acre under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The second lease renews Jonathan Higham junior's tenure of seven acres near the upper lime kiln, replacing two earlier leases that were thereby vacated and made void. The renewal reveals the institutional means of consolidating scattered earlier grants into a single fresh lease, drawing two separate parcels under one instrument and one term.

Jonathan Higham junior appears in the record as the stone cutter who took the orphan William Dufton as apprentice and held leased ground near the upper lime kiln. The kiln supplied the burnt lime that bound stone construction, tying the landscape to the stone cutter's trade that Higham himself followed.

The surrender of two earlier leases, one dated 23 October 1724, in exchange for a single new grant reveals the Company reorganising a tenant's holdings into a cleaner arrangement. By vacating the prior instruments and issuing one fresh lease, the institution simplified the record and fixed the whole seven acres under a single term and rent, the means by which fragmented tenure was drawn into order.

Speculations

The decision to surrender two earlier leases and replace them with a single grant of the same ground solved the problem of managing a tenant's fragmented holdings under separate and differently dated instruments. By vacating the prior leases and issuing one fresh term, the Company drew the scattered parcels into a single arrangement with one rent day and one expiry, easing both collection and renewal. The renewal converted a tangled set of overlapping grants into a clean and unified tenure, matching the institutional record to the ground as the tenant actually held it.

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§his Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall and do always bear true faith Allegiance

§to Our Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs, & Successors And to the Said

§Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors, And shall duly obey all the Laws and

§Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and to

§Every Year Dureing the Said Terme of Twenty One Years unto the s:d Hon:ble

§Comp:t their Successors Agents or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings

§p:r Acre besides One Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p:r Acre) at or be

§upon the 25 Day of September (afore said) And Alsoe & Provided that he

§the Said Jonathan Higham Jun:r his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of

§y:e Assigns shall and do Immediately Set about and fence in the Said hereby

§Demised Seven Acres Vacker:d & Limmered Land, with a good and Sufficient Wall

§fence & when So fenced & Enclosed the same to keep in good heart and Repair when

§and as often as Need shall require And not to suffer the ground to Run to Ruine

§or Decay, And shall also keep up Maintaine, and preserve the full Quantity

§and Proportion of Wood or Trees that are Already, or may be at any time hereafter

§and Proportion of Wood or Trees that are Already, or may be at any time hereafter

§Planted, Pursuant to the Laws of this Island for planting of such Wood in that

§Case made and Provided) And Likewise to Plant such fruit Trees as the Nature

§of the ground will best Produce And also to plant Trees round the inside of the fences

§at such proper times & Seasons of the Year as it will best grow in (the s:d hereby Demised

§Seven Acres & a half of Land is fully Enclosed & Planted as afores:d & four

§the Said Jonathan Higham Jun:r or Your Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns,

§Nor shall or are You to Alter the Said fences after they are well made

§(which being the Bounds and Land Marks of the said hereby Demised Seven

§Acres & a half of Land, will in such Case Occasion the Alteration of the Plott

§hereunto Annexed, & shall You Sell or any other ways Dispose of this Lease

§or Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r & Council the said

§Council of this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the Said

§Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to

§these presents Set their Comon Seal at their Grand Plantation House

§on the s:d Island this 5 day of March 1724 And the Said Jonathan

§Higham to the other part hath Set to his hand and Seale§

§Jonath: Higham Jun:r§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§N:t

§7½ Acres

§W:t

§E:t

§S:t§

Jonathan Higham junior and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Higham had to fence the seven acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required, and to plant fruit trees suited to the nature of the ground, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best. He was also to plant fig round the inside of the fences. Once the seven acres and a half were fully enclosed and planted, Higham was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the seven acres and a half, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on 5 March 1729. For his part, Jonathan Higham junior signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Jonathan Higham junior. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of seven acres and a half, with the cardinal directions north, west, south and east set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the Higham renewal binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the ground under the Company's usual covenants, with the parcel here given as seven acres and a half against the seven acres named earlier in the grant. The plan annexed to the lease records seven acres and a half, and since the boundaries rested on the drawing rather than the textual figure, the plan governed the extent of the ground.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the inside of the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September rather than the Annunciation reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

The renewal of Higham's tenure near the upper lime kiln ties the parcel to the building economy of the valley. The kiln supplied the burnt lime that bound stone construction, fixing the ground against the stone cutter's trade that Higham himself followed across the record.

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[Loss of part of the physical page: a tear at the foot of the left-hand margin.]

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hon:ble

§United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto James Vaughan

§of the Said Island Planter, All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining

§Seven Acres Scituate Lying and being near the Lower End of Sandy Bay Valley

§at and being part of the Land knowne by the Name of the Vaughs Old Garden

§and formerly Lett to the s:de Vaughs late of the Said Island Planter Deceas:d & is in

§the South Division Sandy, Butting & bounding towards the North upon the Lower

§Part of the Leas:d Lands now in the Possession of Jonathan Higham Jun:r Decd and

§the South upon the Leas:d Lands of John Bagley & towards the East

§And West upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land Scituate in the Said Sandy Bay

§Valley To have & to hold the s:d hereby Demised Seven Acres of Gunwood

§Land with the Appurtenances and every part thereof unto him the Said James

§Vaughan his Heirs & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 Day of

§his Instant March for and Dureing all the time space, & Terme of Twenty One

§years from thence Next Ensueing for and in Consideration of the Said James

§Vaughan his paying as afore to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y for Renewal of this

§Lease the Same & Twenty five Shillings being One years Rent & duly of five

§Acres of the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres which were formerly granted to

§this Soone fenced) the Limited &c at and by a Lease for the Same bearing

§date the 8 Day of March 1720 may more fully Appear And here Enjoyed s:de &

§Over to Joseph s:de Islands by the Said Dec:d Rich: Vinnick as may Already

§Appear by the s:d Vaughns Higham 18 Day of Aprill 1721 and is Registered

§in the 38 folio of the Register Book for Land in this Island, and which hath been

§since made Over and Lett to the s:d James Vaughan by the afores:d Joseph Coles

§as is the Aforesaid Said the 8 Day of June 1722 may appear In the instance

§And Each Recited Assignments and Lease to other Vinnick &c are

§hereby Declared to be Soe Vacated and by this present Lease made Void

§Upon Condition that he the s:d James Vaughan the Said, Exec:r &c Adm:rs or

§Allowd of y:e Assigns shall and do always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our

§Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs and Successors Unto the s:d Hon:ble

§Comp:y and their Successors And shall duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions

§of the s:d Island, Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and Every year

§Dureing the s:d term & by twenty One Years and the Said Hon:ble Comp:y

§their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings p:r Acre

§besides one Shilling duly (being in all four Shillings p:r ann:o p:r Acre) at or upon

§the 25 Day of September yearly And Always Provided that he the s:d James

§Vaughan his Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns, Shall and do Immediately

§Set about and fence in the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres of Gunwood Land

§with a good and Sufficient Wall fence, And when So fenced and Enclosed the same

§to keep in good heart and repair when and as often as need shall require

§And not Suffer the Ground to Run to Ruine or Decay, And shall Alsoe keep

§up Maintaine, and preserve the full Quantity and Proportion of Wood or Trees

§that are Already, or may be at any time hereafter Planted, Pursuant to the Laws

§of this Island (for planting of such Wood in that Case made and Provided) And

§also to plant such fruit Trees as the Nature of the Ground will best Produce, And

§Likewise the Nature of growing & being Trees and Trees round the s:d fences at

§such proper times & Seasons as may be thought good &c, to grow in

§And after the Said hereby Demised Seven Acres of Land is so fenced Enclosed

§as aforesaid You the Said James Vaughan or your Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§Nor§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased James Vaughn, free planter of this island, seven acres of gumwood land near the lower part of Sandy Bay Valley. The parcel had been part of the land known by the name of the Jingle, the garden, formerly held by John Tenter, late of this island, planter, since deceased, in the South Division. Its southern edge ran up to the land then held by the orphans of Jonathan Higham junior, since deceased, its northern edge to the land of John Bagley, planter, and its eastern edge to ground in this Sandy Bay Valley. James Vaughn and his heirs were to hold the seven acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran in consideration of James Vaughn's renewal of an earlier grant for the same ground, in exchange for the yearly rent of five shillings an acre. The seven acres thereby demised stood in place of an earlier lease that had been granted to him, bearing date 26 March 1720, which lease was more fully described above. That earlier lease was assigned over to James Vaughn by John Coles, as appeared in the register, and was registered at the [...] folio of the register book for the said lands on this island, the assignment lying on the back of the deed. By a verdict of [...] June 1724 the earlier lease was thereby declared to be vacated, and by the present lease made void.

The renewal ran on condition that James Vaughn and his heirs should stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and should keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. James Vaughn had to fence the seven acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required, and to plant more in place of any trees that failed. He was also to plant fruit trees suited to the nature of the ground, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take [...].

Interpretations

The lease renews James Vaughn's tenure of seven acres near the lower part of Sandy Bay Valley, replacing an earlier grant that was thereby vacated and made void. The renewal reveals the institutional means of refreshing a tenure under a single fresh instrument, clearing the earlier lease and its assignment to fix the ground under one current grant.

James Vaughn appears in the record as the grandson of Elizabeth Drant and the first taker under her deed of gift, who married Mary, eldest daughter of John Alexander. This leasehold of Company ground extends his holdings, tying the Vaughn family into the network of tenants in Sandy Bay Valley.

The byname the Jingle, the garden, fixes the parcel by the name of an earlier feature, with the ground formerly held by the deceased John Tenter. Naming the parcel by its former use and prior holder preserved the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record.

The southern boundary against the land of the orphans of Jonathan Higham junior reveals the recent death of the neighbouring holder and the passage of his ground to his children. Higham appears across the record as the stone cutter who held leased ground near the upper lime kiln, and the naming of his orphans as the current holders records the transition of his land to the next generation.

Speculations

The decision to clear the earlier lease and its assignment from John Coles and to issue a single fresh grant solved the problem of a tenure whose record had grown tangled through transfer and a court verdict. By vacating the prior instrument and the endorsed assignment, the Company drew the whole title into one current lease, removing the layers of earlier dealing that clouded the ground. The renewal converted a parcel held through assignment and adjudication into a clean tenure under a single grant, matching the institutional record to the holder as he then stood.

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§Nor Neither of them, are in any wise to Alter the Said fences after they are

§well made which being the Bounds and Land Marks of the Said hereby

§Demised Seven Acres of Land will in such Case Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plott hereunto Annexed, Nor shall You the Said James Vaughan

§or your Heirs &c any way Sell or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in

§the same without the knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r and Council

§of this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble

§Company and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to these

§presents Set their Common Seal at their Grand Plantation House

§on the Said Island this 8 Day of March 1724 And the Said James

§Vaughan to the other part hath Set to his hand and Seale§

§James Vaughan§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The Hon:ble

§United Comp:y of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies, Do hereby Demise

§grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto James Wood of this Island free and Planter

§All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining four Acres Scituate Lying and

§being in Valley called and knowne by the Name of Congreants Bay) in the s:d West Division

§part of the s:d Island and below the High Waterfall, Butting and Bounding towards

§the Nether South & West every way upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land To have & to hold

§Near the s:d Congreants Bay Valley in this s:d Leas:d Division To have & to hold

§the s:d hereby Demised four Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances &c

§every part thereof unto him the Said & the Wast his Heirs Executors Adm:rs or

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 Day of November last past, for and Dureing

§all the time space and Terme of Twenty One years from thence Next Ensueing

§Upon Condition that he the Said James Wood his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns, Shall Always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our

§Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs and Successors, And to the Said

§Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors And shall duly obey all the Laws and

§Constitutions of the Said Island, Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and

§Every year Dureing the Said Terme of Twenty One Years, Unto the s:d Hon:ble

§Comp:y their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings

§p:r Acre, besides One Shilling duly &c being in all five Shillings p:r Acre p:r ann:o)

§at or upon the 25 Day of September Dureing the aforesaid Terme, Always Provided

§That he the Said James Wood His Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall

§and Doe Immediately Set about and fence in the Said hereby Demised four

§Acres of Gunwood Land, with a good and Sufficient Wall fence and when So

§fenced and Enclosed the same to keep in good Heart and Repair when and as

§often as Need shall require, So that the whole Premisses and every part thereof

§Shall be Always Tennantable, and no ways Suffered to Run to ruine or Decay

§And shall Also keep up Maintaine and preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§of Wood or other Trees that grow are Growing thereon, or may be hereafter Planted

§Pursuant to the Laws or Planting of Wood in that Case made and Provided, And

§also to plant fruit Trees such as the Nature of the s:d ground will best Produce, And

§Likewise to Plant they round such Parts of the s:d fences as it will best take in (And at

§such proper times and Seasons of the year to make an Even most thereof

§And after the Said hereby Demised four Acres of Land is fully Enclosed and

§fenced as aforesaid You the s:d James Wood or your Heirs or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns§

James Vaughn was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the seven acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on [...] March 1724. For his part, James Vaughn signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by James Vaughn. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Francis [...] of this island, free planter, four acres of gumwood land in the East Division. Its northern edge ran up to ground near the High Waterfall, and its other edges met the Company's waste land. The Company granted the four acres of gumwood land to Francis [...], his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, for a term of 21 years running from 29 September last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Francis [...] and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Francis [...] had to fence the four acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fruit trees suited to the ground, such as a hedge that would give shelter and shade and bear produce, and to plant more in place of any trees that failed, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of four acres, with the cardinal directions set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the James Vaughn lease binds the tenant to keep his fences as the fixed bounds of the seven acres, and to seek the council's consent before parting with the lease. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, while the consent rule held the destination of leased land under the Company's control.

The second lease grants Francis [...] four acres of gumwood land in the East Division near the High Waterfall, surrounded otherwise by Company waste. The parcel drawn from unenclosed ground near a named feature marks a fresh allocation rather than a consolidation of existing holdings.

The covenant requiring fruit trees and a hedge that would give shelter and shade and bear produce reveals the institutional concern with both the protection and the productive condition of the land. By binding the tenant to raise a hedge serving as windbreak and crop together, the lease addressed the exposure of the ground while securing a yield, a provision shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

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§of y:e Assigns are not to Alter the fences after they are well made, which being the

§Bounds and Land Marks of the s:d hereby Demised four Acres of Land will in such

§Case Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annexed, Nor are You your Heirs

§be allowed of y:e Assigns in any manner of way Sell or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in

§the same without the Knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r and Council of this Island

§for the time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Company and Lords Propri

§=etors of this their Island Have to these presents Set their Common Seal at their

§Grand Plantation House on this 8 Day of March Anno Dom:i 1724 And the Said Isaac

§Wood to the other Part hath Set his hand and Seale§

§Isaac Wood§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The Hon:ble

§United Comp:y East India Comp:y of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett, and to Farme Lett unto John Bradley free planter

§All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining Nine Acres scituate Lying and being at

§Near the lower End of Sandy Bay Valley at or like knowne by the Name of the upper Lime

§kiln in the South Division of the Said Island, Butting and bounding towards the North

§upon the lower Part of the Leas:d Land in the Possession of James Vaughan Planter, towards

§the South upon said part to the Said Sandy Bay Valley And Towards the East and West

§upon the s:d Hon:ble Companys Wast Land Scituate in the Said Valley, To have and to

§hold the Said hereby Demised Nine Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances &c and

§every part thereof unto him the s:d John Bradley his Heirs Executors Administrators

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 Day of December last past for and Dureing all the

§time space and Terme of Twenty One years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition

§That he the Said John Bradley his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowed of y:e Assigns

§Shall Always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George

§His Heirs and Successors, And to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors And

§shall duly obey all the Laws and Constitutions of the Said Island, Yeilding and

§Paying therefore Yearly and Every year Dureing the Said Terme of Twenty One

§Years unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly

§Rent of four Shillings per Acre besides one Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p:r

§Acre p:r ann:o at or upon the 25 Day of September Dureing the s:d Terme of the s:d &c Always

§Provided That the Said John Bradley his Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§shall and Doe Immediately, Set about and fence in the s:d hereby Demised Nine Acres of

§Gunwood Land with a good and Sufficient Wall fence, And when So fenced & Enclosed the

§same to keep in good Heart and Repair when and as often as need shall require

§So that the whole Premisses and every part thereof shall be Always Tennantable, and Preserve

§no ways Suffered to Run to Ruine or Decay, Nor & that Alsoe to keep up Maintaine, & Preserve

§the Wood and all other Trees that are now Growing thereon, or that may be hereafter Planted

§Pursuant to the Laws of this Island in that Case made and Provided (being d:o once in

§d:o) And Likewise You are to plant such fruit Trees as the Nature of the s:d Ground

§will best Produce, As alsoe the young Plants of Ebbony Trees, and they round the s:d

§Likewise§

Francis [...] was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the four acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor was he to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on [...] March 1724. For his part, Isaac Wood signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Isaac Wood. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased John Bradley, free planter of this island, three acres of gumwood land near the lower part of Sandy Bay Valley, in the South Division. Its northern edge ran up to the land then held by John Bradley, its southern edge met the Sandy Bay Rock, and on that south side it ran up to the land then held by him in this valley. John Bradley and his heirs were to hold the three acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 December last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. John Bradley and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 25 December. John Bradley had to fence the three acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fruit trees suited to the nature of the ground, and to plant young ebony trees, and fig round the fences, so that they would take and give the best produce [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of three acres, with the cardinal directions north, west and south set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the Isaac Wood lease records him sealing the four-acre grant, binding him by the standard restriction against parting with the lease without the council's consent. The signature of Isaac Wood completes the conveyance that named the lessee as Francis in its opening, fixing Wood as the holder of the East Division parcel.

The second lease grants John Bradley three acres of gumwood land near the lower part of Sandy Bay Valley, with the parcel bordering his own existing ground. The grant worked as a consolidation, drawing Company land up against John Bradley's holding to form a single block in the South Division.

John Bradley appears in the record as a previously undocumented figure within the broader Bradley family, named as the second life in the Arthur Bradley lease of 1719. His own leasehold here marks his progression into independent tenure, taking ground in his own name within the wider Bradley holdings.

The covenant requiring young ebony trees to be planted alongside fruit and fig reveals the institutional concern with the island's valuable timber. Ebony was a prized hardwood of St Helena, and binding the tenant to raise young ebony trees protected the supply of a slow-growing native wood, a provision shaped by the particular value the Company placed on the species across its leased ground.

Speculations

The covenant binding the tenant to plant young ebony trees addressed the specific problem of a slow-growing and prized native timber under pressure across the island. By requiring the planting of ebony alongside the usual fruit and fig, the lease worked to replenish a hardwood that could not be quickly replaced once cut. The provision turned a standard improvement clause into a measure aimed at the conservation of a particular and valuable species, matching the obligation to the long-term scarcity of the wood rather than to immediate shelter or yield.

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§fences at such Proper times and Seasons of the year as may be Judged most Proper

§for the Produce thereof, And after the s:d Nine Acres of Land is so Enclosed fenced

§and planted as afores:d And the Said John Bradley or your Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§are not to Alter the Said fences after they are well made which being the bounds

§and Land Marks of the s:d hereby Demised Nine Acres of Gunwood Land will

§in such Case Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annexed And Provided also

§You they or Either of them any way Sell or Dispose of this Lease or Interest unless

§in the same without the Knowledge and Consent of the Govern:r and Council of

§this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y

§and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to these presents Set

§their Common Seal at their Grand Plantation House this 8 day of March

§Anno Dom:i 1724 And the Said John Bradley to the other Part hath Sett

§his hand and Seale§

§The Mark of John X Bradley§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The Hon:ble

§United Company of Merchants of England, Trading to the East Indies Do hereby

§Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto John Bradley of this Island

§All that Peice or Parcell of Cabbagetree Land Conteining four Acres Scituate

§Lying and being under the Main Ridge near s:d Nones M:r, Butting & Bound

§towards the North and West upon the Leas:d Cabbage tree Land paid in the Possess:s

§of Greentree &c planter, Towards the South upon the s:de Leas:d &c land

§Possession of James Draper of the Said Grand Planter And Toward the s:d Land of

§Main Ridge Near to Dieslands Peak, To have & to hold the s:d hereby Demised

§four Acres of Cabbage tree Land with the Appurtenances and every Part thereof unto

§him the s:d John Bradley his Heirs Executors, Adm:rs Adm:rs or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns from the 25 Day of September last past for and Dureing all the

§time space and Terme of Twenty One years from thence Next Ensueing Upon

§Condition that he the Said John Bradley his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns shall and Do Always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord King George His Heirs and Successors, And to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y

§and their Successors, And shall duly Obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the

§Said Island, Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and Every year Dureing

§the Said Terme of Twenty One Years unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y their

§Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings p:r Acre p:r ann:o

§Acre besides One Shilling duly &c being in all five Shillings p:r ann:o)

§at or upon the 25 Day of September Dureing the whole Terme afores:d Always

§Provided That he the Said John Bradley His Heirs, Executors Adm:rs or allowd

§of y:e Assigns, shall and Do Immediately, Set about and fence in the s:d hereby

§Demised four Acres of Cabbage tree Land with a good and Sufficient fence

§And when So fenced and Enclosed the same to keep in good Heart and Repair

§when and as often as Need shall require, So that the whole Premisses, and no ways

§Every part thereof, shall be Always kept Tennantable and no ways§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o Bradleys Lease for 4 Acres Cabbagetree Land§

§N:t

§4: Acres

§W:t

§S:t§

John Bradley was to plant the trees at whatever season of the year suited the planting best. Once the three acres were enclosed and planted, he was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the three acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither John Bradley nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on [...] March 1724. For his part, John Bradley signed the matching part of the indenture by his mark. Signed by the mark of John Bradley. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased John Bradley four acres of cabbage tree land near the Main Ridge. Its northern and western edges ran up to the leased ebony tree land then held by John Bradley, by the Great Wood, and its southern edge met the land of James Draper, planter. The eastern edge ran up to ground near Diana's Peak. John Bradley and his heirs were to hold the four acres of cabbage tree land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 29 September last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. John Bradley and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every Lady Day. John Bradley had to fence the four acres at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of four acres, with the cardinal directions north, west and south set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the first John Bradley lease binds the tenant to keep his fences as the fixed bounds of the three acres, and to seek the council's consent before parting with the lease. His signing by mark places him among the holders who could not write their names, the standard means by which an unlettered tenant executed a deed.

The second lease grants John Bradley a further four acres of cabbage tree land near the Main Ridge, with the parcel bordering his own leased ebony tree land. The two leases sealed for the same holder reveal his accumulation of adjoining ground, drawing connected parcels into a single block near the Great Wood.

The boundary against the leased ebony tree land by the Great Wood ties the parcel to the island's valuable timber. Ebony was a prized hardwood of St Helena, and the naming of ebony ground by the Great Wood fixes the parcel within the quarter where the Company guarded its supply of the slow-growing native species.

The southern boundary against the land of James Draper ties the parcel into the network of holders near Diana's Peak. James Draper appears in the record as the freeholder who bought about an acre and a half from Giles Smith in 1725, and his presence as a neighbour fixes the parcel by a recognisable adjoining holding.

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§Suffered to Run to Ruine or Decay. And shall Alsoe keep up and preserve the full

§Quantity and Proportion of Wood Pursuant to the Laws of this Island in that Case

§made and Provided, being One Acre in every ten d:o:s) Nor are You, or

§your Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns, any way to Alter the Said fences after

§they are well made, which being the Bounds and Land Marks of the s:d

§hereby Demised four Acres of Land will in such Case Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plott hereunto Annexed, Nor shall You, Your Heirs or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns by any manner of way, or meanes Sell or Dispose of this

§Lease or Interest in the same without the Knowledge and Consent of

§the Govern:r and Council of this Island for the time being In

§Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Company and Lords Propri

§=etors of this their Island Have to these presents Set their Common

§Seal at their Grand Plantation House this 8 day of March Anno

§Dom:i 1724 And the s:d John Bradley to the other part hath

§Set his hand and Seale§

§The Mark of John X Bradley§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island The

§Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett Unto Robert Gurling

§of this Island free planter All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining

§One Acre Scituate Lying and being at the Head of Gunwood Gutt and under the

§High edge or full at the Bottom of Brick Gutt in the South Division of the Said

§Island, Butting and Bounding towards the North, South East, and West every

§way upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land in and near the Said Broad Gutt

§To have and to hold the s:d hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land

§with the Appurtenances and Every Part thereof Unto him the Said Robert Gurling

§his Heirs Executors Administrat:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 Day

§of March last past for and Dureing all the time space & Terme of Twenty

§One Years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition that He the Said

§Robert Gurling His Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns Shall &

§Do always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George

§his Heirs and Successors, And to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors

§And shall duly obey all the Laws and Constitutions of the Said Island

§Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and Every year Dureing the

§Said Terme and Time of Twenty One years unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y

§their§

Margin Notes:

Rob:t Gurlings Lease for 1 Acre Gunwood Land§

John Bradley was to keep up and preserve the full stock of wood already growing on the four acres, or planted later, as the island's laws required, planting one tree in every ten acres. He was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the four acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither John Bradley nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on [...] March 1724. For his part, John Bradley signed the matching part of the indenture by his mark. Signed by the mark of John Bradley. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Robert Gurling, free planter of this island, a single acre of gumwood land near the Broad Gut, towards the High Peak side, in the South Division. Its other edges met the Company's waste land. Robert Gurling and his heirs were to hold the one acre of gumwood land, with everything belonging to it, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Robert Gurling and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns [...].

Interpretations

The close of the second John Bradley lease binds the tenant to keep up the wood and his fences as the fixed bounds of the four acres, and to seek the council's consent before parting with the lease. His signing by mark places him among the holders who could not write their names, the standard means by which an unlettered tenant executed a deed.

The covenant requiring one tree to be planted in every ten acres reveals the institutional concern with the productive condition of the land. By binding the tenant to a fixed rate of timber planting, the lease guarded the wood against exhaustion, a provision shaped by the value the Company placed on the growth across its leased ground.

The third lease grants Robert Gurling a single acre of gumwood land near the Broad Gut towards the High Peak side. The parcel drawn from Company waste near a named feature marks a fresh allocation rather than a consolidation of existing holdings.

Robert Gurling appears in the record as a gentleman who held ground in Peak Gut and Fryer Valley and was awarded ten acres of cabbage tree land by a jury verdict of 11 February 1715. This small leasehold extends his holdings near the High Peak, tying him into the network of tenants in the South Division.

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§their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings p:r Acre

§besides One Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p:r Acre p:r ann:o) In at

§upon the 25 Day of September Dureing the full Terme and time afores:d Always

§Provided That he the Said Robert Gurling His Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or allowd

§of y:e Assigns shall and Do Immediately Set about and fence in the Said hereby

§Demised One Acre of Land with a good and Sufficient Wall fence and when

§So fenced and Enclosed the same to keep and Maintaine in good Heart & Re

§=pair when and as often as Need shall require So that the whole Premisses & Every part

§shall be Always Tennantable and no ways Suffered to Run to Ruine & Decay

§And shall Alsoe keep up and preserve the full Quantity, & Proportion of Wood

§or other Trees Either Gunwood, or Ebony or both, Pursuant to the Laws of this

§Island in that Case made and Provided, Likewise You are to Plant Trees round

§the s:d fences and such fruit Bearing Trees as the Nature of the Ground will

§best Produce and at such times & Seasons of the year as they will best grow

§And after the Said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land is Suffered

§Enclosed and Planted with Wood and other Trees &c afores:d You, or your Heirs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns are to Alter the Said fences after they are well made

§which being the Bounds and Land Marks of the Plott hereunto Annexed

§in such Case Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto & Indexed Nor

§shall You or Your Heirs, or allowed of y:e Assigns any way Sell or Dispose of

§this Lease or Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent

§of the Govern:r and Council of this Island for the time being In

§Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of

§this their Island Have to these presents Set their Common Seal

§at their Grand Plantation House this 6 day of March Anno Dom:i

§And the Said Robert Gurling hath to the other Part Sett to his hand &

§Seale§

§Robert Gurling§

The yearly rent ran to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns. It came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Robert Gurling had to fence the one acre at once with a sound fence and then keep it enclosed and in good order, repairing it whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the full stock of wood and trees already growing there, or planted later, whether gumwood or other trees, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, and fruit-bearing trees suited to the nature of the ground, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the one acre of gumwood land was enclosed and planted, Robert Gurling was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the one acre, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on 6 March 1724. For his part, Robert Gurling signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Robert Gurling. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of one acre, with the cardinal directions north, west and south set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the Robert Gurling lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the acre under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The covenant requiring fig round the fences and fruit-bearing trees suited to the ground answered both the exposure of the land to the island's winds and the value placed on its produce. A living hedge gave enclosure and shelter while the fruit trees secured a yield, a provision shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

The lease to Robert Gurling near the Broad Gut towards the High Peak side ties him into the network of tenants in the South Division. Robert Gurling appears across the record as a gentleman who held ground in Peak Gut and Fryer Valley, and this small leasehold extends his holdings into the quarter near the High Peak.

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§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble the Lords Proprietors of this Island

§The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§Do hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto John Bazett of this

§Island Writer and Planter, All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining

§three Acres and a half Scituate Lying and being towards the Lower Part of Friar

§Valley at or near a place called and known by the Name of the Wood Well in the

§East Division of the Said Island, Butting and Bounding towards the North

§South, East and West every way upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land

§Scituate in and near the Said Friars Valley, To have and to hold the

§Said hereby Demised three Acres and a half of Gunwood Land with the Ap

§=purtenances and every Part thereof unto him the Said John Bazett his Heirs

§Executors Administrat:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns from the twenty fifth day

§of this Instant March 1724 &c and Dureing all the Time space, and Terme

§of twenty One years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condition That

§He the Said John Bazett his Heirs, Executors Administrat:rs or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns Shall Always bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord King George His Heirs and Successors, And to the Said Hon:ble

§Company and their Successors, And shall duly obey all the Laws and Consti

§=tutions of the Said Island, Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly & Every

§Year Dureing the Said Terme of Twenty One years unto the Said Hon:ble

§Comp:y their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings

§p:r Acre besides One Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p:r Acre p:r

§ann:o) in at or upon the twenty fifth Day of September Dureing the whole

§Terme and time afores:d Always Provided That He the Said John

§Bazett his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall and Doe

§Immediately, Set about and fence in the Said hereby Demised three Acres &

§a half of Land with a good and Sufficient Wall fence and when So fenced and

§Enclosed the same to keep, and Maintaine in good Heart and Repair when and

§as often as Need shall require, So that the whole Premisses and every part thereof

§shall be Always Tennantable, and no ways Suffered to Run to Ruine or Decay

§And Moreover to preserve, and keep up the Wood and other Trees that is

§now standing and Growing on the Said hereby Demised three Acres Pursuant

§of Land, or that you shall hereafter Plant in Proportion to the Quantity of

§Land in the s:d Case made and Provided (being One Acre in every ten d:o)

§Pursuant Sett forth in the Laws for planting such Wood, &c that in that Case And

§also to plant fruit Trees such as the Nature of the Ground will best

§Produce, (And alsoe y:e:r round the Said fences at Such Proper times, &

§Seasons of the Year as it will best grow in, And after the Said hereby

§Demised three Acres and a half of Land is so Planted and Enclosed as afores:d

§You nor your Heirs or allowed of y:e Assigns are to Alter the Said fences after they

§are well made which being the Bounds and Land Marks of the Plott hereunto Annexed

§of Land will in such Case Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annexed

§Nor shall You Sell or any other ways Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same with

§=out the Knowledge and Consent of the Govern:r and Council of this Island for the

§time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Pro

§=prietors of this Island Have to these Presents Set their Common

§Seal at their Plantation House this 8 day of March Anno Dom:i§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o Bazetts Lease for 3½ Acres Gunwood Land§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased John Bazett, free planter of this island, three acres and a half of gumwood land near the lower part of Fryer Valley, in the East Division. The parcel had been part of the land known by the name of the Great Wood Well, with its northern edge running up to that ground, and its south, east and west edges meeting the Company's waste land in this valley. John Bazett and his heirs were to hold the three acres and a half of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. John Bazett and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. John Bazett had to fence the three acres and a half at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to preserve and keep up the wood and other trees already growing there, or planted later, planting in proportion to the quantity of land, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fruit trees suited to the nature of the ground, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take and give the best produce. Once the three acres and a half were enclosed and planted, John Bazett was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the three acres and a half, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on this island on [...] March 1724.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of three acres and a half, with the cardinal directions set around its sides.

Interpretations

The lease grants John Bazett three acres and a half of gumwood land near the lower part of Fryer Valley under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel sat against the Great Wood Well on the north and Company waste on its other sides, drawn largely from unenclosed ground.

The byname the Great Wood Well fixes the parcel by a named feature, with the well marking a source of water in the wooded ground of Fryer Valley. Naming the parcel by the well preserved the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record, tying the land to a recognisable point.

The covenant requiring planting in proportion to the quantity of land reveals the institutional concern with the productive condition of the ground. By binding the tenant to a planting rate matched to the size of the parcel, the lease guarded the wood against exhaustion, a provision shaped by the value the Company placed on the timber across its leased ground.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter. The Bazett name ties the holder to the wider family of Matthew Bazett, the long-serving councillor and surveyor recorded across the earlier dealings.

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122

§Dom:i 1724 And the Said John Bazett to the other Part hath Set his

§hand and Seale§

§Jn:o Bazett§

§Testle

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors

§of this Island The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants

§of England Trading to the East Indies Do hereby

§Demise grant Lease Sett and to Farm Lett unto

§John Long of this Island Planter, All and Singular

§that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining Two

§Acres and a half Scituate Lying and being at the Topp

§and upper Part of the Hill Comonly called & known by the

§Name of Peak Hill in the East Division of the Said Island

§Butting and Bounding towards the North, South, East & West

§Every way upon the Said Honourable Companys Wast Land

§on and Near the Top and upper part of the Said Peak Hill, To

§have and to hold the s:d hereby Demised Two Acres

§and a half of Gunwood Land &c the Appurtenances & every

§part thereof unto him the Said John Long His Heirs, Exec:rs

§Administrat:rs or allowed of y:e Assigns from the 25 Day of March

§last past for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of

§Twenty One years from thence Next Ensueing Upon Condi

§=tion That He the said John Long his Heirs & exec:rs Adm:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall always bear true faith and

§Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George His

§Heirs and Successors, And to the said Hon:ble Company

§and their Successors, And shall duly Obey all the Laws and

§Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding and Paying therefore

§Yearly and Every year Dureing the Said Terme and time

§of Twenty One years Unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y their

§Successors Agents or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings

§p:r Acre besides One Shilling duly (being in all five Shillings

§p:r Annum) in at or upon the 25 Day of September for

§and Dureing the full Terme and time of Twenty One years

§afores:d Always Provided That He the Said John Long

§His Heirs, Executors Administrat:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§shall and Do Immediately, Set about and fence in the

§Said§

Margin Notes:

Jn:o Longs Lease for 2½ Acres§

For his part, John Bazett signed the matching part of the indenture on [...] 1724. Signed by John Bazett. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased John Long, planter of this island, two acres and a half of gumwood land at the top and upper part of the hill commonly called or known by the name of Peak Hill, in the East Division. Its edges met the Company's waste land on every side, north, south, east and west, running up towards the top and upper part of Peak Hill. John Long and his heirs were to hold the two acres and a half of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. John Long and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. John Long had to fence the two acres and a half at once with a sound fence [...].

Interpretations

The close of the John Bazett lease records him sealing the three-and-a-half-acre Fryer Valley grant, witnessed by John Alexander. The signature completes the conveyance and fixes Bazett as the holder of the ground near the Great Wood Well.

The second lease grants John Long two acres and a half of gumwood land at the top of Peak Hill under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel lay surrounded on every side by Company waste, which marks the grant as an isolated allocation drawn from unenclosed ground high on the hill rather than a consolidation of existing holdings.

John Long appears across the record as a long-standing planter and witness who continued his dealings into the 1730s, acquiring both land and slaves. This leasehold of high ground on Peak Hill extends his holdings, tying him into the network of tenants across the East Division.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

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123

§Said hereby Demised Two Acres and a Half of Gunwood

§Land with a good and sufficient Wall fence and when

§So fenced and Enclosed the same to keep and Maintaine

§in good Heart and roads when, and as often as Need

§shall require So that the whole Premisses & Every part

§thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways

§Suffered to Run to Ruine or Decay And shall Also plant

§keep up and Maintaine the full Quantity & Proportion

§of Wood and young Trees Pursuant to the Laws of this

§Island in that Case made and Provided, And Likewise

§to plant Trees round the s:d fences at such proper

§Seasons of the Year as it will best Grow in, or the

§Nature of the Ground will Produce, And when the

§Said Two Acres, & a Half of Gunwood Land is fully

§Enclosed as aforesaid and Planted with young Trees

§and Trees You the Said John Long or Your Heirs

§& exec:rs Adm:rs Nor allowed of y:e Assigns are to Alter

§the Said fences after they are well and sufficiently

§made to secure the Same from all Manner of Cattle s:d)

§they being the bounds and Land Marks of the s:d hereby

§Demised Two Acres & a Half of Land and which in

§such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott, &

§Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the s:d

§John Long any ways sell or Dispose of this Lease, or

§Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent

§of the Governour & Council of this Island for the time

§being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Company

§and Lords Proprietors of this Island Have to these

§presents Set their Comon Seal at their Grand

§Plantation House this 7 day of September Anno

§Dom:i 1725 And the Said John Long to the other

§Part hath Set his hand and Seal§

§Jn:o Long§

John Long was to fence the two acres and a half with a sound fence and keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to keep up and maintain the full stock of wood and young trees already growing there, or planted later, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, and young trees suited to the nature of the ground, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the two acres and a half of gumwood land were enclosed and planted, John Long was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the two acres and a half, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on 7 September 1725. For his part, John Long signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by John Long. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of two acres and a half, with the cardinal directions north, west and south set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the John Long lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the two acres and a half under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The covenant requiring fig round the fences and young trees suited to the ground answered both the exposure of the high ground to the island's winds and the value placed on its growth. A living hedge gave enclosure and shelter while the young trees built up the wood, a provision shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The restriction barring John Long from parting with the lease without the council's consent reveals the Company's control over leasehold tenure. The consent rule kept the destination of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the institution retained authority over the land it let to private holders.

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124

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of

§this Island The Hon:ble United Comp:y of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease

§Sett and to Farme Lett Unto Cap:t John Goodwin of this Said

§Island Gent and of Council, All and Singular that Peice or Parcell

§of Land Conteining Two Acres Scituate Lying and being on

§the Wester most Part of the Main Ridge, Butting & bounding

§towards the North upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land

§Scituate at the Head of Swanley Valley Toward the

§South upon the Leas:d Lands now in the Possession of the s:d

§Cap:t John Goodwin Lately Purchased of Fran: Wrangham

§of the Said Island free planter Scituate at the Head of Swanley

§Gutt towards the East upon some part of the land belong

§=ing to Gabriel Powell of the s:d Island Also Lease Planted

§being formerly Part of the Land &c & belonging to John

§Nichols late of this Island Dec:d And toward the West & in

§upon one other part of the Said Leas:d Gunwood Wast Land

§Scituate on and Near the aforesaid Maine Ridge in s:d

§Wast Division of the Said Island To have & to hold

§the Said hereby Demised Two Acres of Land with the

§Appurtenances and Every Part thereof unto him the Said

§Cap:t John Goodwin His Heirs, Exec:rs Administrat:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns to Comence from the 25 day of

§this Instant Septemb:r 1722 and Dureing all the time

§space, & Terme of Twenty One years from thence Next

§Ensueing Upon Condition that He the Said Cap:t Jn:o

§Goodwin his Heirs, exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§shall and do Always bear true faith & Allegiance to

§Our Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs, & Successors

§And to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors

§And shall duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions of

§the Said Island, Yeilding and paying therefore

§Yearly & Every year Dureing the Said Terme & time

§of Twenty One years Unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y

§their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent

§of four Shillings p:r Acre, besides One Shilling duly

§(being in all five Shillings p:r Acre p:r Annum) what or

§upon the 25 Day of Sept for and Dureing all the time

§space and time of twenty One years aforesaid Adm:rs

§Always Provided That He the Said Cap:t John

§Goodwin his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of

§y:e Assigns shall and do Immediately, Sett about a

§fence§

Margin Notes:

Cap:t Goodwins Lease for 2 Acres§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Captain John Goodwin, fourth in council of this island, two acres of gumwood land near the western part of the Main Ridge, in the South Division. Its northern edge ran up to the Company's waste land, and its southern edge to the leased land then held by Captain John Goodwin, lately purchased of Francis Wrangham. Its eastern edge met part of the land belonging to Gabriel Powell, also planter, being ground formerly part of the land belonging to John Nichols, late of this island, planter, since deceased, while its other edge ran up to one other part of the land near the Main Ridge in the West Division. Captain John Goodwin and his heirs were to hold the two acres of land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 29 September last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Captain John Goodwin and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Captain John Goodwin had to fence the two acres at once with a sound fence [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Captain John Goodwin two acres of gumwood land near the western part of the Main Ridge under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel bordered Goodwin's own leased land on the south, which marks the grant as a consolidation drawing Company ground up against land he already held.

Captain John Goodwin appears across the record as a gentleman and fourth in council, an active buyer who took ground from Walter Morris and Richard Gurling through the 1720s. The southern boundary against land he lately purchased of Francis Wrangham fixes the recent descent of the neighbouring ground, with Wrangham among the substantial accumulators whose land moved through the dealings of the period.

The eastern boundary against the land of Gabriel Powell, ground formerly part of John Nichols's land, traces the chain of prior holders behind the adjoining parcel. Naming the earlier holder John Nichols, since deceased, fixed the descent of the neighbouring ground, the usual way the registers carried the passage of a parcel from one holder to the next.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

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§fence in the Said hereby Demised Two Acres of Land with

§a good and sufficient fence, And when So fenced & Enclosed

§the same to keep and Maintaine in good Heart & Repair

§when and as often as Need shall require, So that the

§whole Premisses & Every part thereof Shall be Always

§Tennantable, and no ways Suffered to Run to Ruine

§or Decay, And shall Also plant keep up & Maintaine

§the full Proportion & Quantity of Wood & tear pleasant

§to the Laws of this Island in s:d Case made & Provided

§And Likewise to plant Trees round the Said fences

§when and at such proper Seasons of the year as it will best

§Grow in and the Nature of the Ground will Produce And

§when the Said Two Acres of Land is fully Enclosed & Planted

§as afores:d You the Said Cap:t John Goodwin, or your

§Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns are not to

§Alter or remove the Said fences after they are well made

§they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the s:d hereby

§Demised Two Acres of Land, and which in such Case

§will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annex

§=ed, Nor shall You the Said Cap:t John Goodwin any

§ways sell or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same

§without the Knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r & Council

§of this Island for the time being In Wittness whereof

§the s:d Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of this

§Island Have to these presents Set their Common Seal

§at their Grand Plantation House this twenty first day

§of September & Dom:i 1722 And the s:d Cap:t John

§Goodwin to the other Part hath Sett his hand & Seale§

§Jn:o Goodwin§

Captain John Goodwin was to fence the two acres with a sound fence and keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to plant and keep up the full quantity of wood and trees, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the two acres of land were enclosed and planted, Captain John Goodwin was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the two acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on 21 September 1725. For his part, Captain John Goodwin signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by John Goodwin. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of two acres, with the cardinal directions north and south set on its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the Captain John Goodwin lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the two acres under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The restriction barring Captain John Goodwin from parting with the lease without the council's consent reveals the Company's control over leasehold tenure. The consent rule kept the destination of leased ground under the governing body's oversight, the means by which the institution retained authority over the land it let to private holders.

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126

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of

§this Island The Hon:ble United Comp:y of Merchants

§of England Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise

§grant Lease Sett and to Farm Lett Unto Edmond Nichols

§of this Island Planter And unto his Eldest Sister Mary

§Nichols single woman, Equally & Joyntly between

§them, All that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land

§Conteining two Acres Scituate Lying & being in

§Old Womans Valley above the High Water fall as

§or near the foot of High Hill in the West Division of

§the Said Island, Butting & bounding towards the

§North, South East and West Every way upon the

§Said Hon:ble Companys Wast Land in and Near the

§Said Old Womans Valley above the Said Water fall

§To have & to hold the Said hereby Demised

§two Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances

§and every part & every parcell thereof Unto him the Said

§Edmond Nichols and Her the Said Mary Nichols

§his, Hers, theirs, and each of their Heirs Executors

§Administrat:rs or allowed of y:e Assigns to Comence from

§the 25 day of Sept last past for and Dureing all the

§time space and Terme of Twenty One Years from

§thence Ensueing Upon Condition That he the

§Said Edmond Nichols and she the Said Mary Nichols

§his, Hers, and their & either of their Heirs Executors

§Administrat:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall Always

§bear true faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord

§King George his Heirs and Successors And to the

§Said Hon:ble Company and their Successors & shall

§duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said

§Island, Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly and

§Every year Dureing the Said Terme of Twenty One

§Years, Unto the Said Hon:ble United Comp:y their

§Successors, Agents or Assigns the Yearly Rent of

§four Shillings per Acre p:r Annum, besides One Shilling

§Duly being in all five Shillings p:r Acre In at or upon

§the 25 day of September Yearly & Every year as afores:d

§for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of

§twenty One years &c afore Mentioned Always

§Provided That He the Said Edmond Nichols & Mary

§Nichols his, Hers, & either or Either of their Heirs

§Executors, Adm:rs or allowed of y:e Assigns, shall and do

§Immediatly Sett about and fence in the Said hereby

§Demised§

Margin Notes:

Edm:d & Mary Nichols Lease Joyntly for 2 Acres Land§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Edmond Nichols, planter of this island, and his eldest sister Mary Nichols, single woman, jointly and equally between them, two acres of gumwood land in Old Woman's Valley, above the High Waterfall, at or near the foot of High Hill, in the West Division. The parcel butted and bordered on every side, north, south, east and west, on the Company's waste land in and near the Old Woman's Gully, above the waterfall. Edmond Nichols and Mary Nichols, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and each of them, were to hold the two acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 September last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Edmond Nichols and Mary Nichols, their heirs and assigns, and each of them, were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Edmond Nichols and Mary Nichols, their heirs and assigns, were to fence the two acres at once with a sound fence [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of two acres, with the cardinal directions west, east and south set around its sides.

Interpretations

The lease grants two acres of gumwood land jointly to Edmond Nichols and his eldest sister Mary Nichols under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The joint vesting in a brother and an unmarried sister reveals the institutional means of settling ground on two siblings together, holding the parcel undivided between them.

Mary Nichols appears as a single woman holding leasehold ground in her own right alongside her brother. The vesting of an equal share in an unmarried woman adds her to the documented holders of land in their own name, the joint-and-several form protecting each sibling's interest in the shared parcel.

Edmond Nichols appears in the record as the freeholder who received the Company lease of 21 acres at Mr Flemon's Valley on 25 May 1719 and a single acre in Sandy Bay Valley. This further leasehold in Old Woman's Valley extends his holdings, here taken jointly with his sister.

The bynames Old Woman's Valley and Old Woman's Gully fix the parcel by named features above the High Waterfall, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record. Naming the valley and the gully tied the parcel to recognisable ground near the waterfall and High Hill, the usual way the registers fixed a location by its distinctive local names.

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§Demised Two Acres of Gunwood Land with a good and

§sufficient fence and when So fenced & Enclosed the same to

§keep in good Heart & repair when and as often as Need

§shall require, So that the whole Premisses and Every part

§and Parcell thereof shall be Always Tennantable and

§no ways Suffered to Run to Ruine or Decay and shall

§Also plant, keep up, and Maintaine the full Quantity

§and Proportion of Wood & young trees Pursuant to the

§Laws of this Island in that Case made and Provided

§And Likewise to plant Trees round the said fences

§at such Proper times & Seasons of the year as it will

§best Grow in or the Nature of the ground will Produce

§And when the Said Two Acres of Land is fully Enclosed

§and Planted with young Trees & Trees as afores:d

§You the Said Edmond Nichols & Mary Nichols

§Joynt Tennants to the Premisses hereby Lett, and

§Demised) Your, or either of your Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns are now ready to remove or

§Alter the Said fences after they are well & sufficiently

§made (to secure the same from the Damage of all

§manner of Beasts) they being the Bounds and

§Land Marks of the herein Mentioned Two Acres

§of Land and which in such Case will Occasion the

§Alteration of the Plott thereof hereunto Annexed Nor

§shall You or either of You, the Said Edmond Nichols

§or Mary Nichols, by any Manner of ways or meanes

§sell or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same

§without the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour

§& Council of this Island for the time being In

§Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble Comp:y & Lords

§Proprietors of this Said Island Have to these presents

§Set their Common Seal at their Plantation House

§this 26 Day of October 1725 And they the Said

§Edmond Nichols & Mary Nichols to the other Part hath

§Sett their hands and Seals§

§Edmund Nichols§

§Mary Nichols§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

Edmond Nichols and Mary Nichols were to fence the two acres with a sound fence and keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. They were to plant and keep up the full quantity of wood and young trees, as the island's laws required. They were also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the two acres of land were enclosed and planted, Edmond Nichols and Mary Nichols, as joint tenants, were not to shift the fences once they were set, to secure the ground against all manner of beasts, since the fences marked the bounds of the two acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither Edmond Nichols nor Mary Nichols, nor either of them, were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on this island on 26 October 1725. For their part, Edmond Nichols and Mary Nichols signed the matching part of the indenture, and set their hands and seals. Signed by Edmond Nichols and Mary Nichols. Witnessed by John Alexander.

Interpretations

The close of the lease binds Edmond Nichols and his sister Mary Nichols, as joint tenants, to enclose and maintain the two acres under the Company's usual covenants. The joint-and-several form, naming each of them and binding either, kept both siblings answerable for the obligations and protected each share in the undivided parcel.

The covenant requiring the fences to secure the ground against all manner of beasts reveals the practical function of the enclosure in protecting the planting from grazing animals. By tying the fence to the exclusion of beasts, the lease addressed the threat that loose stock posed to the young trees and the produce, the means by which the Company guarded the productive condition of its leased ground.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

The vesting of the lease jointly in a brother and an unmarried sister, with Mary Nichols setting her own hand and seal, reveals the institutional recognition of a single woman as a party to a leasehold in her own right. The joint tenure kept the ground undivided between the siblings while binding each to the covenants, the standard means of settling shared land on more than one holder.

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§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Propriet:rs

§of this Island The Hon:ble United Company of

§Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§Do hereby Demise, grant, Lease, Sett and to Farme

§Lett unto Thomas Harper Corporall, All and

§Singular that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land

§Conteining One & ½ Acres Scituate Lying & being

§in and near the Lower part of Swanley Valley in the

§West Division of the said Island, Butting & bounding

§toward the North, South, East & West every way

§upon the said Hon:ble Companys Wast Land

§in and near the said Lower part or end of Swanley

§Valley, To have & to hold the said hereby

§Demised One & ½ Acres of Gunwood Land, with the

§Appurtenances, and every part thereof, Unto him

§the said Thomas Harper his Heirs Executors

§Administrators or Allowed of y:e Assigns to

§Comence from the twenty fifth day of September

§last past for and Dureing all the time space & Terme

§of Twenty One years from thence Ensueing Upon

§Condition That he the said Thomas Harper

§his Heirs Executors, Administrat:rs or Allowed of

§y:e Assigns shall Always bear true faith & Allegiance

§to Our Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs &

§Successors, And to the said Hon:ble Company

§and their Successors And shall duly obey all the

§Laws & Constitutions of the said Island, Yeilding

§and paying therefore Yearly and every year Dure

§=ing the said Terme and time of Twenty One years

§unto the said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors, Agents,

§or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four Shillings p:r

§Acre besides One Shilling duly (being in all five Shillings

§p:r ann:o) In at or upon the twenty fifth day of

§Sept yearly, for and Dureing the full Terme and time

§of Twenty One years aforesaid Always Provided

§That He the said Thomas Harper his Heirs Executors

§Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall and Do Immediatly

§Set about and fence in the said hereby Demised

§Acres of Land with a good Sufficient Wall fence and

§when So fenced and Enclosed the same to keep & Maintaine

§in good Heart and Repair when and as often as Need shall

§require, So that the whole Premisses and Every part

§thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways

§Suffered to Run to Ruine or Decay, And shall Also

§plant§

Margin Notes:

Tho:s Harpers Lease for 1½ Acres Gunwood Land§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Thomas Harper, corporal, one acre and a half of gumwood land near the lower part of Swanleys Valley, in the West Division. The parcel butted and bordered on every side, north, south, east and west, on the Company's waste land in and near the lower part or end of Swanleys Valley. Thomas Harper and his heirs were to hold the one acre and a half of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 September last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Thomas Harper and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Thomas Harper had to fence the one acre and a half at once with a sound fence and then keep them enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was also to plant [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Thomas Harper, corporal, one acre and a half of gumwood land near the lower part of Swanleys Valley under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel lay surrounded on every side by Company waste, which marks the grant as an isolated allocation drawn from unenclosed ground rather than a consolidation of existing holdings.

Thomas Harper's designation as corporal places him within the garrison establishment, and the lease to a serving soldier reveals the overlap between military service and landholding that ran through the island's tenure. Company personnel took leasehold ground alongside their duties, the small parcel here tying a corporal into the network of tenants in the West Division.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

The parcel near the lower part of Swanleys Valley ties the lease into the network of holdings across the valley, where the Company let its waste ground to private holders on leasehold terms. The Harper name recurs across the record among the holders of ground in the outer valleys of the island.

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129

§plant, keep up, and Maintaine the full Quantity and

§Proportion of Wood and young Trees Pursuant to the Laws

§of this Island in that Case made and Provided And also

§to plant Trees round the said fences at such proper Seasons

§of the Year as it will best grow in or the Nature of the

§ground will Produce And when the said One & ½ Acres of

§Land is fully Enclosed and planted with young Wood &

§Furz as afores:d You the Said Thomas Harper or your

§Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs Nor Allowed of y:e Assigns are to

§Alter the said fences after they are well made & Sufficiently

§Built (to Secure the same from all manner of Beasts) they

§being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said hereby Demised

§One & ½ Acres of Land, and which in such Case will Occasion

§the Alteration of the Plott hereunto Annexed, Nor shall

§You Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same without

§the Knowledge and Consent of the Governour & Council

§of this Island for the time being, Nor shall You the said

§Thomas Harper or your Heirs, or allowed of y:e Assigns

§or any of your servants at any time offer to think every

§or any way) do Damage to the flock or flocks of Goats

§Rangeing in and Near the said Swanley Valley In

§Wittness whereof the said Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Pro

§=prietors of this Island Have to these presents Sett their

§Common Seal at Plantation House this 26 day of

§October 1725 And the said Thomas Harper to the other

§part hath Set his hand and Seale§

§Thomas Harper§

Thomas Harper was to plant, keep up and maintain the full quantity of wood and young trees, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the one acre and a half of land was enclosed and planted with young wood and fig, Thomas Harper was not to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the one acre and a half, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

Neither Thomas Harper, nor his heirs or assigns, nor any of his servants, were at any time to do damage to the stock or stocks of goats grazing in and near this Swanleys Valley. In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on this island on 26 October 1725. For his part, Thomas Harper signed the matching part of the indenture. Signed by Thomas Harper. Witnessed by John Alexander.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of one acre and a half, with the cardinal directions north, south and west set around its sides.

Interpretations

The close of the Thomas Harper lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the one acre and a half under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The covenant barring the tenant and his servants from doing any damage to the goats grazing in Swanleys Valley reveals the Company's protection of its livestock against the leased ground. By binding the holder not to harm the goat stock that pastured nearby, the lease guarded the institution's animals while granting the land, a provision shaped by the presence of Company herds in the valley rather than a routine clause.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

Speculations

The covenant binding the tenant and his servants not to harm the goats grazing in Swanleys Valley addressed the specific problem of letting cultivated ground in the midst of open pasture where Company stock ranged. By writing the protection of the goats into the lease, the Company guarded its animals against a new occupier whose fencing and planting might otherwise conflict with the grazing. The provision matched the obligation to the particular setting of the parcel, securing the livestock that shared the valley rather than addressing the leased acres alone.

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130

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Pro

§=prietors of this Island The Hon:ble United Company

§of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§Do hereby Demise, grant, Lease Sett & to Farme

§Lett Unto Grace Hayse of this Island Widow All

§and Singular that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land

§Conteining One Acre Scituate Lying & being in the East

§=ermost Branch of Ruports Valley in the East Division

§of the Said Island Butting and Bounding towards the

§North and East upon the Said Hon:ble Companys Wast

§Land in and Near the Said Ruports Valley & towards

§the West & South upon and Next Adjoyning to Wee

§Gunwood Lands now in the Possession of the Said

§Grace Hayse formerly Her dec:d father Edward

§Brayns land scituate in the Said Valley, To have,

§& to hold the Said hereby Demised One Acre of

§Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & every part

§thereof unto Her the Said Grace Hayse Her Heirs

§Executors, Adm:rs Adm:rs &c or Allowed of y:e Assigns to

§Comence from the 25 day of March last Past

§for & Dureing all the time space & Terme of twenty

§One years from thence Ensueing Upon Condition

§That the Said Grace Hayse Her Heirs, Executors

§Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns, shall Always bear true

§faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George

§His Heirs & Successors, And to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y

§and their Successors, And shall duly obey all the

§Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island, Yeilding

§and paying therefore Yearly, & every Year Dureing

§the Said Terme & time of twenty One years unto the

§Said Hon:ble Company their Successors, Agents or

§Assigns the Annual Rent of four Shillings p:r Acre

§besides One Shilling duly (being in all five Shillings p:r

§ann:o p:r Acre) In at or upon the 25 Day of Sept yearly

§yearly, for and Dureing the full Terme and time of

§twenty One years aforesaid, Always Provided

§that the Said Grace Hayse Her Heirs, Executors

§Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall and do Immediately

§Set about and fence in the Said hereby Demised

§One Acre of Gunwood Land with a good Sufficient

§Wall fence, and when So fenced and Enclosed the

§Same§

Margin Notes:

Grace Hayse Lease for 1 Acre Gunwood Land§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Grace Hause, widow of this island, a single acre of gumwood land in the easternmost branch of Rupert's Valley, in the East Division. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north and east on the Company's waste land, and towards the west and south on, and next adjoining to, the gumwood land then held by Grace Hause, formerly her late father Bryan, since deceased, in this valley. Grace Hause and her heirs were to hold the one acre of gumwood land, with everything belonging to it, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Grace Hause and her heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Grace Hause had to fence the one acre at once with a sound fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep the same [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Grace Hause, widow, a single acre of gumwood land in Rupert's Valley under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel bordered Grace Hause's own ground on two sides, which marks the grant as a consolidation drawing Company waste up against land she already held in the valley.

Grace Hause appears here as a widow holding leasehold ground in her own right, taking the new acre against her existing parcel. The vesting of the lease in a widow adds her to the documented holders of land in their own name, the institution recognising her continuing tenure after her husband's death.

The boundary against ground formerly her late father Bryan's, since deceased, traces the descent of the adjoining land through Grace Hause's own family. The naming of her father as the prior holder fixes the inheritance route by which she came to the neighbouring parcel, the usual way the registers carried the passage of ground from one generation to the next.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

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131

§Same to keep and Maintaine in good Heart and Repair

§when and as often as Need shall require So that the whole

§Premisses and every part or Parcell thereof shall be Always

§Tennantable and no ways Suffered to Run to Ruine or decay

§And shall Also plant keep up and Maintaine the full

§Quantity and Proportion of Wood & young trees Pursuant to

§the Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided

§And also to plant Furz round the said fences at Such

§proper Seasons of the Year as it will best grow in or the

§Nature of the ground will Produce, And when the said

§One Acre of Gunwood Land is well & fully Enclosed and

§Planted with Young Wood & furz as aforesaid You the

§Said Grace Hayse or your Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs Nor

§allowed of y:e Assigns are to Alter the Said fences after

§they are well made, and Sufficiently Built (to Secure the

§Same from all Manner of Beasts) they being the Bounds

§and Land Marks of the Said hereby Demised One Acre

§of Land, and which in such Case will Occasion the

§Alteration of the Plott or Plan thereof hereunto Annexed

§Nor shall You sell or any other ways Dispose of this

§Lease or Interest in the same without the Knowledge

§and Consent of the Govern:r & Council of this Island

§for the time being In Wittness whereof the said

§Hon:ble United Company & Lords Proprietors of

§this their Island Have to these presents Set their

§Common Seal at Plantation House this 2 day of

§November Anno Dom:i 1725, And the said Grace

§Hayse to the other part hath Set Her hand & Seale§

§Grace Hayse§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

Grace Hause was to keep the one acre enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. She was to plant, keep up and maintain the full quantity of wood and young trees, as the island's laws required. She was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the one acre of gumwood land was enclosed and planted with young wood and fig, Grace Hause was not to shift the fences once they were set, to secure the ground against all manner of beasts, since the fences marked the bounds of the one acre, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither she nor her heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable United Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at the plantation house on this island on 2 December 1725. For her part, Grace Hause signed the matching part of the indenture, and set her hand and seal. Signed by Grace Hause. Witnessed by John Alexander.

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132

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprie

§=tors of this Island The Hon:ble United Comp:y of Merchants

§of England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise

§grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto Edmund Nichols

§of this Island free planter All & Singular that Peice or Parcell

§of Gunwood Land Conteining Ten Acres Scituate Lying

§and being in Tomstone Wood in the West Division of

§the Said Island Butting & bounding towards the North East,

§and West upon the Said Hon:ble Companys Wast Land

§Scituate in & near the Said Tomstone Wood and towards

§the South upon Ten Acres of Land lately Purchased by the

§Said Edmund Nichols of Richard Leech planter & formerly

§belonging to his deceased father Robert Leech To have,

§& to hold the Said hereby Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood

§Land with the Appurtenances & every Part & Parcel thereof

§unto him the Said Edmund Nichols his Heirs, Executors

§Adm:rs Adm:rs &c or Allowed of y:e Assigns, to Comence

§from the twenty fifth day of this Instant Nov:r the Heir

§for and Dureing all the time space, & Terme of twenty

§One years from thence Ensueing, Upon Condition

§That he the Said Edmund Nichols His Heirs Executors

§Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns, shall always bear true

§faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King

§George His Heirs and Successors And to the Said

§Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors And shall duly

§obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island

§Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly and Every

§Year Dureing the Said Terme of twenty One years

§Unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors Agents

§or Assignes the Yearly Rent of four Shillings p:r Acre

§besides One Shilling duly, being in all

§five Shillings p:r Acre In at or upon the 25 day of

§September yearly and every year as afore said

§for and Dureing all the time space and Terme

§of twenty One years herein before Mentioned

§Always Provided That he the Said Edmund

§Nichols his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§Shall and do Immediately Set about and fence in the Said

§hereby Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood Land with a

§good and sufficient fence, and when So fenced & Enclosed

§the Same to keep in good Heart and Repair when and

§as often as Need shall require, So that the whole

§Premisses and every part thereof shall be Always

§Tennantable, and no ways Suffered to Run to ruine§

Margin Notes:

Edm:d Nichols Lease for 10 Acres§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Edmund Nichols, free planter of this island, ten acres of gumwood land in Stonetop Wood, in the West Division. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north, east and west on the Company's waste land and gumwood ground in this Stonetop Wood, and towards the south on ten acres of land lately purchased by Edmund Nichols of Richard Leech, ground formerly belonging to his deceased father Robert Leech. Edmund Nichols and his heirs were to hold the ten acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 March last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Edmund Nichols and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Edmund Nichols had to fence the ten acres at once with a sound fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep them in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of ten acres, with the cardinal directions north, west and east set around its sides.

Interpretations

The lease grants Edmund Nichols ten acres of gumwood land in Stonetop Wood under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel bordered ground Nichols had lately purchased on the south, which marks the grant as a consolidation drawing Company waste up against land he already held in the West Division.

The southern boundary against ten acres lately purchased of Richard Leech, formerly his deceased father Robert Leech's, traces the recent descent of the neighbouring ground. The transaction matches the conveyance by which Richard Leech sold inherited Leech ground to Edmund Nichols, fixing the chain of prior holders behind the adjoining parcel.

Edmund Nichols appears across the record as the freeholder who received the Company lease of 21 acres at Mr Flemon's Valley on 25 May 1719 and further leasehold parcels in Sandy Bay and Old Woman's Valley. This larger ten-acre grant in Stonetop Wood extends his accumulation, drawing Company ground into his established holdings.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

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133

§or decay And shall Also plant keep up and Maintaine

§the full Quantity and Proportion of Gunwood and young

§Trees Pursuant to the Laws of this Island in that Case made

§and Provided: And Likewise to plant Furz round the Said

§fences at such proper times & Seasons of the year as it will

§best grow in or the Nature of the ground will Produce

§And when the Said Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood Land

§is fully Enclosed and planted with young Gunwood and

§Furz as aforesaid You the Said Edmund Nichols, or your

§Heirs, & exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns are not

§Manner of ways to remove or Alter the Said fences

§after they are well & sufficiently made (to Secure the Same

§from the Damage of all manner of Beasts) they being

§the bounds and Land Marks of the said herein Mentioned

§Ten Acres of Land, and which in such Case will Occasion

§the Alteration of the Plott or Plan thereof hereunto

§Annexed Nor shall You the Said Edmund Nichols, at any

§time, or by any manner of ways or meanes sell or dispose

§of this Lease or Interest in the same without the Knowledge

§and Consent of the Govern:r & Council of this Island for

§the time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble

§Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of the Said Island &c

§Have to these presents Set their Comon Seal at their

§Plantation House this 18 Day of Nov:r November & Dom:i

§1725 And the Said Edmund Nichols to the other part

§hath Set his hand and Seale§

§Edmund Nichols§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

Edmund Nichols was to plant, keep up and maintain the full quantity of gumwood and young trees, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the ten acres of gumwood land were enclosed and planted with young gumwood and fig, Edmund Nichols was not to shift the fences once they were set, to secure the ground against all manner of beasts, since the fences marked the bounds of the ten acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on this island on [...] November 1725. For his part, Edmund Nichols signed the matching part of the indenture, and set his hand and seal. Signed by Edmund Nichols. Witnessed by John Alexander.

Interpretations

The close of the Edmund Nichols lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the ten acres under the Company's usual covenants, keeping the fences as the fixed bounds of the land. Because the boundaries rested on the annexed plan, the bar on moving the fences kept the written record and the ground in step, the standard means by which the Company tied the legal description to the surveyor's drawing.

The covenant requiring the fences to secure the ground against all manner of beasts reveals the practical function of the enclosure in protecting the planting from grazing animals. By tying the fence to the exclusion of beasts, the lease addressed the threat that loose stock posed to the young gumwood, the means by which the Company guarded the productive condition of its leased ground.

The covenant requiring fig to be planted round the fences answered the exposure of the ground to the island's winds. A living hedge gave both an enclosure and some shelter, a measure shaped by local conditions rather than a routine fencing clause.

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134

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of this

§Island The Hon:ble United Comp:y of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant

§Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto Gabriel Powell

§Francis Wrangham & Edmund Nichols all of the said

§Island All & Singular that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood

§Land Conteining twelve Acres Scituate Lying and being

§at or near that Hill called & known by the Name of High

§Hill and next to Tomstone Valley in the West Division of

§the Said Island Butting & bounding towards the North

§to the Said High Hill and towards the East West &

§South every way upon the Said Hon:ble Companys Wast

§Land near to the Said High Hill, To have & to hold

§the said hereby Demised twelve Acres of Gunwood Land

§with all & Singular the Appurtenances and every part

§and Parcell thereof, Unto them the Said Gabriel Powell

§Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols their and

§Each of their Heirs, Executors & Adm:rs &c or Allowed

§of y:e Assigns as Joynt Tennants, in Comon to the Premisses

§herein Demised granted, and Lett as afores:d to Comence

§from the twenty fifth day of this Instant November 1725

§for and Dureing all the time space & Terme of twenty

§One years from thence Ensueing, Renewable after the

§Expiration thereof upon the payment of Half a y:o and

§Rent by the Said Gab:l Powell, Fran: Wrangham and Edm:d

§Nichols or the survivors of them or either of them, their

§Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns Upon Condi

§=tion That they the said Gab:l Powell Fran: Wrangham and

§Edmund Nichols their Heirs & Allowed of y:e Assigns Do

§Always bear true faith & Allegiance to Our Sovereign

§Lord King George His Heirs & Successors and to the said

§Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors, And shall duly obey

§all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island, Yeilding

§and paying therefore Yearly & Every year Dureing

§the said Terme and time of Twenty One years unto the

§Said Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors Agents, or Assigns

§the Yearly Rent of Two Shillings per Acre besides One

§Shilling duly, being (in all three Shillings p:r ann:o p:r Acre)

§in at or upon the 25 Day of September Yearly, for & Every year

§Dureing the full Terme & time afores:d, Always Provided

§That they the Said Gabriel Powell Francis Wrangham &

§Edmund Nichols their & either of their Heirs &c Adm:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns Shall and do Immediately, Sett

§about and fence in the Said hereby Demised twelve

§Acres of Gunwood Land with a good and Sufficient

§fence, and when So fenced & Enclosed the same to

§keep§

Margin Notes:

Gab:l Powell, Fran: Wrangham & Edm:d Nichols Joynt Lease§

§N:t

§12: Acres

§S:t§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, all of this island, twelve acres of gumwood land on the hill called Kingson, by the name of High Hill, next to Stonetop Valley, in the West Division. The parcel butted and bordered towards the north on, and next adjoining to, the High Hill, towards the east and west, and towards the south on every side, on the Company's waste land near the High Hill. Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, their heirs, executors, administrators and assigns, and each of them, were to hold the twelve acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, as joint tenants, for a term of 21 years running from 25 November last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, their heirs and assigns, and each of them, were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to three shillings an acre each year, two shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, their heirs and assigns, were to fence the twelve acres at once with a good and sufficient fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep them [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of twelve acres, with the cardinal directions north and south set on its sides.

Interpretations

The lease grants twelve acres of gumwood land jointly to Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols under the Company's leasehold tenure of 21 years. The joint vesting in three holders together reveals the institutional means of settling a larger parcel on several substantial men at once, holding the ground undivided among them.

The rent fixed at three shillings an acre, two shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, falls below the standard five shillings charged across the neighbouring leases. The preferential rate reveals the institutional use of a lower rent for particular ground, perhaps reflecting the marginal quality of the high gumwood land on the hill or the scale of the joint undertaking.

Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols all appear across the record as substantial holders who accumulated ground through the 1720s. Their joint tenure of this larger parcel reveals three established men combining to take a single block, the joint-and-several form binding each to the covenants while keeping the ground shared.

The byname Kingson, given as the name of High Hill, fixes the parcel by a named feature near Stonetop Valley, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record. Naming the hill tied the parcel to recognisable ground, the usual way the registers fixed a location by its distinctive local name.

Speculations

The decision to let the twelve acres jointly to three substantial holders at a reduced rent of three shillings an acre addressed the challenge of bringing a larger block of marginal hill ground into use. By dividing the obligation among three established men, the Company spread the cost and labour of fencing and planting a sizeable parcel across several hands. The lower rent matched the institutional incentive to the quality of the high gumwood land, drawing the joint tenants to take on ground that might otherwise have stayed unenclosed.

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§keep in good Heart & repair when and as often as Need shall

§require So that the whole Premisses & every part thereof shall

§be Always Tennantable and no ways Suffered to Run to

§Ruine or Decay, And shall moreover plant, Maintaine keep

§up, and Preserve the Wood and Plants of Gunwood Trees

§that are now Growing or shall be at any time or times

§hereafter with such or better young trees in or upon the

§Said hereby Demised twelve Acres of Land granted & Lett apart

§for that Purpose only) as may more fully Appear in Consul

§=tations of the 6 of Oct: last past and 16 this last, and upon

§failure of the said Wood or young Plants of Trees groweing upon the

§first fenced, or s:de & Wrangham they the said Gabriel Powell, Francis

§Wrangham & Edmund Nichols their Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall

§Yearly at the Proper Seasons of the year replant the full & like

§twelve Acres of Land with Young Plants of Gunwood & other useful

§trees as afores:d And also to replant furz round the said fences at

§such Seasons as it will best grow in or the Nature of the ground

§will Produce, And when the said hereby Demised twelve Acres

§of Land is fully Enclosed and Planted Planted with young

§Plants of Gunwood & other useful trees as afores:d You the s:d

§Gab:l Powell Fran: Wrangham & Edm:d Nichols your & each

§of your Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns) are to Continue Planting

§such Wood Trees & the same to Preserve, and as any dies to plant

§more of the like as fall trees in their Stead and after the s:d fences

§are well and Sufficiently made, and the whole twelve Acres of

§Gunwood Land fully planted as afores:d You, nor neither of you

§or your Heirs &c are to Alter or remove the said fences they

§being the bounds & Land Marks of the said hereby Demised

§twelve Acres of Land, and which in such Case will Occasion

§the Alteration of the Plott thereof hereunto Annexed,

§Nor shall You or either of You by any ways or meanes Sell

§or Dispose of this Joynt Lease or Interest in the same without

§the Knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r & Council of this

§Island for the time being In Wittness whereof the said

§Hon:ble Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of the s:d Island Have

§to these presents Set their Comon Seal this 30 day of

§Nov:r &c 1725 And the said Gabriel Powell Francis

§Wrangham & Edmund Nichols to the other part hath

§Set their hands & Seals the day & year aforesaid§

§Gabriel Powell

§Fran: Wrangham

§Edmund Nichols§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

The three holders were to keep the twelve acres enclosed and in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. They were to plant, maintain and keep up the wood and gumwood trees already growing there, or planted later. The twelve acres were granted for the purpose of growing gumwood, as more fully appeared in the consultations of [...] October last past and the present. On the failure of the old wood, or any young plants of trees growing on the ground, the holders were to plant more. Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, their heirs and assigns, were to plant the full quantity of the twelve acres yearly with young plants of gumwood and other useful trees, and also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the twelve acres were enclosed and planted with young gumwood and other useful trees, the holders were to continue raising such wood and trees, and as any died, to plant more in their stead. Once the whole twelve acres were planted, neither Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, nor their heirs, nor any of them, were to shift the fences once they were set, since the fences marked the bounds of the twelve acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Nor were they to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal on [...] November 1725. For their part, Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols signed the matching part of the indenture, and set their hands and seals on the day and year above written. Signed by Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols. Witnessed by John Alexander.

Interpretations

The close of the joint lease binds Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols to a sustained programme of gumwood planting across the twelve acres, replacing trees as they died. The grant stated plainly that the ground was let for the purpose of growing gumwood, which reveals the institutional aim of using the lease to cultivate a supply of timber rather than merely to enclose existing ground.

The reference to the consultations of October last past and the present ties the planting obligation to the formal record of the council's proceedings. Anchoring the gumwood scheme to dated consultations reveals the institutional means by which the planting requirement was grounded in the governing body's own decisions, the standard way the registers fixed a grant to a recorded resolution.

The covenant binding the holders to plant the full twelve acres yearly with young gumwood and to replace any that died reveals an intensive conservation programme beyond the usual fencing and maintenance clauses. By requiring continuous replanting across the whole parcel, the Company worked to build up a standing stock of gumwood, a provision shaped by the value placed on the native timber.

The joint execution by all three holders, each setting his hand and seal, reveals the institutional means of binding several men together to a shared undertaking. The joint-and-several form kept all three answerable for the demanding planting covenants while holding the ground undivided among them.

Speculations

The decision to let the twelve acres expressly for growing gumwood, binding the joint tenants to replant the whole parcel yearly, addressed the specific problem of a declining timber supply across the island. By tying the grant to a continuous planting programme rather than ordinary cultivation, the Company turned the lease into an instrument of forest renewal aimed at a particular and valuable species. The reduced rent recorded on the preceding page matched the institutional incentive to the demanding obligation, drawing three substantial holders to undertake the long labour of raising gumwood on the marginal hill ground.

153

136

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of this

§Island The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease

§Sett and to Farme Lett unto Joseph Lufkin of this Island

§& soe in the pay & service of the Hon:ble United Comp:y All &

§Singular that Peice or Parcell of Gunwood Land Contain

§=ing two Acres Scituate Lying and being in and near the

§Lower End or part of Young Valley in the East Division of the

§Said Island and at the Bottom of Woody Ridge Butting

§& bounding towards the East, West North & South every

§way upon the Said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land & is in &

§Near the Said Lower End or part of Young Valley before

§Named Lying Eastward to the Lands of Arthur Bradley

§of the Said s:de & planter, To have & to hold the Said

§hereby Demised two Acres of Gunwood Land, with

§the Appurtenances & every part thereof unto him the s:d

§Joseph Lufkin his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs &c or Allowed of y:e Assigns

§for and Dureing all the Terme and time of twenty One

§years Comencing from the 25 day of this Inst November

§last past from thence Ensueing Upon Condition That he the s:d

§said Joseph Lufkin his Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of

§y:e Assigns shall Always bear true faith & Allegiance to

§Our Sovereign Lord King George His Heirs & Successors

§And to the Said Hon:ble Comp:y and their Successors And

§Shall duly obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said

§Island Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly &

§every year Dureing the Said Terme & time of

§twenty One years unto the Said Hon:ble Comp:y their

§Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent of four

§Shillings p:r Acre besides One Shilling duly being in all

§five Shillings p:r Acre p:r ann:o Adm:rs in at or upon the 25

§Day of Sept for and Dureing all the Terme & time of

§twenty One years afores:d) Always Provided that

§he the Said Joseph Lufkin his Heirs Exec:rs Adm:rs or

§Allowed of y:e Assigns shall & do Immediately, & Sett about,

§and fence in the Said hereby Demised two Acres of

§Gunwood Land with a good Sufficient fence & when

§So fenced & Enclosed the same to keep & Maintaine in

§good Heart and repair when and as often as Need shall

§require, So that the whole Premisses & every part thereof

§shall be Always Tennantable, and no ways Suffered to ruine

§to ruine or decay, And shall also plant, keep up and

§Maintaine the full Quantity & Proportion of Gunwood

§and Young Plants of such trees Pursuant to the Laws of

§this Island in that Case made and Provided, And

§also to plant Furz round the said fences at such

§Proper Seasons of the year as it will best grow in,§

Margin Notes:

Joseph Lufkins Lease§

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Joseph Lufkin of this island, free planter, two acres of gumwood land near the lower part of Youngs Valley, at the bottom of Woody Ridge, in the East Division. The parcel butted and bordered towards the east, west, north and south on every side on the Company's waste land, near the lower part or end of young valley, before named, lying eastward on the lands of Arthur Bradley, of this island, free planter. Joseph Lufkin and his heirs, executors and administrators were to hold the two acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them, for a term of 21 years running from 25 November last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Joseph Lufkin and his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Joseph Lufkin had to fence the two acres at once with a good and sufficient fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep them in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to plant, keep up and maintain the full quantity of gumwood and young trees, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of two acres, with the cardinal directions north and south set on its sides.

Interpretations

The lease grants Joseph Lufkin two acres of gumwood land near the lower part of Youngs Valley under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The parcel lay surrounded on every side by Company waste at the bottom of Woody Ridge, which marks the grant as an isolated allocation drawn from unenclosed ground rather than a consolidation of existing holdings.

Joseph Lufkin appears across the record as a planter who sold and assigned ground to Benjamin Pledger through the 1720s, including 16 acres of Fryer Valley land. This leasehold in Youngs Valley extends his holdings, tying him into the network of tenants in the East Division.

The eastern boundary against the land of Arthur Bradley ties the parcel into the network of holders in the valley. Arthur Bradley appears in the record as the freeholder who received the Company lease of 18 acres at Seyloss Ground in 1719, and his presence as a neighbour fixes the parcel by a recognisable adjoining holding.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

154

137

[Loss of part of the physical page: tears along the left-hand edge, affecting the foot of the left margin.]

§or the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the

§said two Acres of Land is fully Enclosed and Planted with young

§Plants of Gunwood & furz as afores:d You the Said Joseph

§Lufkin or your Heirs &c Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns are not

§are not to Alter the Said fences after they are well & sufficiently

§made (to secure the same from the Damage of all manner of

§Beasts) they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the s:d here

§hereby Demised two Acres of Land and which in such Case

§will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan thereof

§hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said Joseph Lufkin

§or your Heirs &c any way Sell or Dispose of this Lease or

§Interest in the same without the foreknowledge & and

§Consent of the Govern:r and Council of this Island for the

§time being In Wittness whereof the Said Hon:ble United

§Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to

§these presents Sett their Comon Seal at their Plantation

§House this 30 Day of Nov:r Anno Dom:i 1725 And the said

§Joseph Lufkin to the other part hath Set his hand & Seal§

§The Mark of Joseph X Lufkin§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of

§this Island The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of

§of England Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise

§grant Lease Sett and to Farme Lett unto Stephen Craise

§Bedgood of this Island s:de & in this pay & service of the

§Said Hon:ble United Company, All those two Peices, or

§Parcells of Gunwood Land Conteining in both Parcells

§four Acres scituate Lying & being in and Near the Head

§of dry Gutt next to Woody Ridge, and in the East Divisi

§=on of the Said Island Butting & bounding towards the

§East, West North and South every way upon the s:d Hon:ble

§Companys Wast Land scituate in and near the said dry

§Gutt, Also two Acres and a half more of Cabbage tree

§Land§

Joseph Lufkin was to plant the trees at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, according to the nature of the ground. Once the two acres of land were enclosed and planted with young gumwood and fig, Joseph Lufkin was not to shift the fences once they were set, to secure the ground against all manner of beasts, since the fences marked the bounds of the two acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable United Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their plantation house on this island on [...] November 1725. For his part, Joseph Lufkin signed the matching part of the indenture by his mark. Signed by the mark of Joseph Lufkin. Witnessed by John Alexander.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Stephen Craig, gunner of this island, paid in the service of the Honourable Company, four acres of gumwood land in two parcels, near the head of dry Gut, next to Woody Ridge, in the East Division. The parcels butted and bordered towards the east, west, north and south on every side on the Company's waste land, in and near the dry Gut. There were also two acres and a half more of cabbage tree land [...].

Interpretations

The close of the Joseph Lufkin lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the two acres under the Company's usual covenants, with Lufkin signing by mark. His signing by mark places him among the holders who could not write their names, the standard means by which an unlettered tenant executed a deed.

The covenant requiring the fences to secure the ground against all manner of beasts reveals the practical function of the enclosure in protecting the planting from grazing animals. By tying the fence to the exclusion of beasts, the lease addressed the threat that loose stock posed to the young gumwood, the means by which the Company guarded the productive condition of its leased ground.

The second lease grants Stephen Craig, gunner, four acres of gumwood land in two parcels near the head of dry Gut, with a further two acres and a half of cabbage tree land. Craig's designation as gunner in the Company's service places him within the garrison establishment, the lease to a serving artilleryman revealing the overlap between military service and landholding that ran through the island's tenure.

The byname dry Gut fixes the parcels by a named feature next to Woody Ridge, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record. Naming the gut tied the parcels to recognisable ground, the usual way the registers fixed a location by its distinctive local name.

155

138

§Land scituate in and Near the Head of Shrubs Valley und

§the main Ridge & Diannahs Peak in the Mountaine &c

§Part of the said East Division, Butting and Bounding

§towards the East upon the Cabbage tree Land of Benja:

§Bedgood sold towards the North and West upon & Next

§Adjoyning to the Pasture Lands now in the Possession of

§Jane Wood Sergeant and towards the South to the said

§Diannahs Peak To have & to hold the said hereby

§Demised two Parcells of Gunwood Land, and One

§Peice or Parcell of Cabbagetree Land Containing in

§the whole Six Acres and a Half, with all & Singular

§the Appurtenances Appertaining to Each & every

§Peice or Parcell of Land scituate in Different Parcell of

§the said Island, unto him the said Stephen Craise Bedgood

§his Heirs Executors Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns from

§the 25 Day of this Inst Novemb:r for Dureing all the time

§space, and Terme of twenty One years from thence Ensueing

§Upon Condition that He the said Stephen Craise Bedgood

§his Heirs or Allowed of y:e Assigns Do Always bear true

§faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord King George

§his Heirs & Successors, And to the said Hon:ble Company

§and their Successors, And shall duly obey all the Laws

§and Constitutions of the said Island, Yeilding & paying

§therefore Yearly and every year Dureing the said Terme

§and time of twenty One years as Unto the said Hon:ble Comp:y

§their Successors, Agents, or Assigns the Yearly Rent

§of four Shillings p:r Acre p:r ann:o being

§in all five Shillings per Acre p:r annu:o) in at or upon the

§25 Day of Sept for and Dureing all the Terme and Time

§of twenty One years afores:d) Always Provided That

§He the said Stephen Craise Bedgood his Heirs, Executors

§Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall and do Immediately,

§Set about and fence in the said hereby Demised Severall

§Peices and Parcells of Land Conteining Six Acres & a Half

§with a good and sufficient fence and when So fenced &

§Enclosed, the same to keep and Maintaine in good Heart

§and repair when and as often as Need shall require

§So that the whole Premisses & every Part or Parcell thereof

§shall be Always Tennantable and no ways Suffered to

§Run to ruine or Decay, And shall Also plant, keep up,

§and Maintaine the full Quantity and Proportion of

§Gunwood and Young Plants of such & other useful &

§thriveing trees Pursuant to the Laws of this Island in

§that Case made and Provided, And also to plant Furz

§round the said fences at such Proper times & Seasons of

§the year as it will best grow in, or the Nature of the

§ground will Produce And when the aforesaid Six

§Acres and a half of Land, Lying in Severall & Different

§Parts§

Margin Notes:

Steph: Craise Bedgood Lease for 6½ Acres Land in 3 Parcells§

§N:t

§S:t§

The cabbage tree land lay near the head of Sharks Valley, under the Main Ridge and Diana's Peak, in the mountainous part of the East Division. It butted and bordered towards the east on the cabbage tree land of Arthur Bradley, planter, since deceased, towards the north and west on, and next adjoining to, the pasture land then held by John Wood, sergeant, and towards the south on Diana's Peak. Stephen Craig Pledger and his heirs were to hold the two parcels of gumwood land and the one parcel of cabbage tree land, six acres and a half in all, with everything belonging to each and every parcel, for a term of 21 years running from 25 November last past.

The lease ran on the usual conditions. Stephen Craig Pledger and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Stephen Craig Pledger had to fence the six acres and a half at once with a good and sufficient fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep them in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to plant, keep up and maintain the full quantity of gumwood and young plants of useful and thriving trees, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take [...].

Interpretations

The lease grants Stephen Craig Pledger six acres and a half in three parcels, two of gumwood near dry Gut and one of cabbage tree near the head of Sharks Valley, under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years. The combined grant across separate parcels reveals the institutional means of settling scattered ground on a single holder under one instrument and one term.

The cabbage tree parcel bordered the land of Arthur Bradley, since deceased, on the east, fixing the recent death of the neighbouring holder. Arthur Bradley appears in the record as the freeholder who received the Company lease of 18 acres at Seyloss Ground in 1719, and the naming of his ground as late his records the passage of his land after his death.

The northern and western boundaries against the pasture land of John Wood, sergeant, tie the parcel into the network of holders near Diana's Peak. The sergeant's holding of pasture ground reveals the same overlap of military service and landholding seen across the Company's dealings with its serving personnel.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

156

139

§Parts and Parcells is fully and severally Enclosed & Planted with

§Young Plants of Gunwood and other useful Trees as well as

§with furz round the said fences as before herein Mentioned

§or Built upon You the said Stephen Craise Bedgood or your

§Heirs Exec:rs &c Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns are no ways to

§remove or Alter the said fences after they are well & sufficiently

§made to secure the same from the Heat and Damage of all

§Manner of Beasts they being the Bounds & Land Marks of the

§said hereby Demised Six Acres and a half of Land Lying in

§severall & Different Parts & Parcells afores:d (and which (in such

§Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plotts or Plans thereof

§thereunto severally Annexed) Nor shall You the Said Stephen

§Craise Bedgood or your Heirs &c any manner of ways Sell

§or Dispose of this Lease or Interest in the same without the

§Knowledge & Consent of the Govern:r & Council of this Island

§for the time being In Wittness whereof the said Hon:ble United

§Comp:y and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to

§these presents Set their Comon Seal at their Grand Plantation

§House on the said Island this 30 day of Nov:r Anno Dom:i

§1725, And the said Stephen Craise Bedgood to the other part

§hath Set his hand and Seal day & year aforesaid§

§Stephen Craise Bedgood§

§Assign:d to Benja: Bedgood 23 Aug 1731

§And same s:de & y:e three sellings &c s:de

§the s:d James s:de & by s:d s:de Lett to W:m Jn:o Burling

§y:e s:de & s:de & 3 acres is taken up by Tho:s

§Expiration of y:e s:de & Burling for the use of the s:de§

§Mem: that nothing was Declared of the s:de Tho:s & Cur

§an Annotation of belonging to Burling 1724, to Resign one

§N:t of what s:d for the s:de§

§Tho:s Greentree§

§Test

§Jn:o Alexander§

§Island St Helena§

§The Hon:ble The Lords Proprietors of

§this Island The Hon:ble United Company of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies Do hereby Demise grant Lease

§Sett and to Farme Lett unto Joshua Johnson of this s:d

§Island free Planter All and Singular that Peice or Parcell of

§Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration four Acres scituate

§Lying and being in & called & known by the Name of & Comonly

§called Great Bottom and is in or Near the Head of the

§Westermost Branch of Lemon Valley in the West Division

§of the said Island, Butting & bounding towards the North

§East upon the free Lands now in the Possession and Occupa

§=tion of the said Joshua Johnson, and towards the West and

§South upon the said Hon:ble Comp:y Wast Land scituate

§in and Near the said Great Bottom To have & to hold the s:d

§Said hereby Demised four Acres of Gunwood Land with

§the Appurtenances & every part & Parcell thereof unto him§

Margin Notes:

N:t§

§3: Acres Gunwood§

§S:t§

§E:t§

§1: Acre Cabbagetree§

§W:t§

§2½ Acres Cabbagetree§

Once the several parcels were fully enclosed and planted with young gumwood and other useful trees, as well as fig round the fences, Stephen Craig Pledger was not to shift the fences once they were set, to secure the ground against all manner of beasts, since the fences marked the bounds of the six acres and a half lying in the several parcels, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan. Neither he nor his heirs were to sell or otherwise part with the lease without the knowledge and consent of the Governor and Council of this island.

In witness of this, the Honourable United Company and Lords Proprietors of this island set their common seal at their grand plantation house on this island on [...] November 1725. For his part, Stephen Craig Pledger signed the matching part of the indenture, and set his hand and seal on the day and year above written. Signed by Stephen Craig Pledger.

A memorandum recorded that the leasehold was assigned to [...] Bates on 23 August 1731. The same parcels, two of three acres each and one of two acres and a half, were [...] for the use of [...] Bates. Witnessed [...]. A further memorandum recorded the delivery of the lease to [...] Bates, and noted a consultation of [...] 1729, registered [...], signed by [...] Powell, fourth in council.

A plan annexed to the lease marked the three parcels, two of three acres of gumwood and one of two acres and a half of cabbage tree, with the cardinal directions set around their sides.

[Island of St Helena]

The Company leased Joshua Johnson, free planter of this island, four acres of gumwood land near the head of the westernmost branch of Lemon Valley, at or near the Great Bottom, in the West Division. Its northern and eastern edges ran up to the free land then held by Joshua Johnson, its western edge to the Company's waste land, and its southern edge up to the Great Bottom. Joshua Johnson and his heirs were to hold the four acres of gumwood land, with everything belonging to them [...].

Interpretations

The close of the Stephen Craig Pledger lease binds the tenant to enclose and maintain the six acres and a half under the Company's usual covenants, with the parcel later assigned to a member of the Bates family in 1731. The endorsed assignment reveals the institutional means of transferring a leasehold to a new holder, recorded on the original lease and approved by the council.

The covenant requiring the fences to secure the ground against all manner of beasts reveals the practical function of the enclosure in protecting the planting from grazing animals. By tying the fence to the exclusion of beasts, the lease addressed the threat that loose stock posed to the young gumwood, the means by which the Company guarded the productive condition of its leased ground.

The second lease grants Joshua Johnson four acres of gumwood land near the Great Bottom in Lemon Valley, with the parcel bordering his own free land on two sides. The grant worked as a consolidation, drawing Company ground up against land Johnson already held in the West Division.

Joshua Johnson appears across the record as a holder named as boundary against the James Greentree leases and connected to the wider Johnson family of Broad Bottom and the King's Peak. The byname Great Bottom fixes the parcel by a named feature, preserving the local landscape knowledge by which ground was identified across the record.

157

140

§him the Said Joshua Johnson his Heirs Exec:rs &c Adm:rs

§or Allowed of y:e Assigns to Comence from the 25 day of

§November last past for and Dureing all the time space &

§Terme of Twenty One years from thence Ensueing Upon

§Condition that he the Said Joshua Johnson His Heirs, Exe

§=cutors Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall Do Always

§bear true faith and Allegiance to Our Sovereign Lord

§King George His Heirs & Successors And to the Said

§Hon:ble Company and their Successors And shall duly obey

§all the Laws & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding

§and paying therefore Yearly and every year Dureing the

§said Terme and time of Twenty One years Unto the said

§Hon:ble Comp:y their Successors Agents or Assigns the

§Yearly Rent of four Shillings p:r Acre besides One

§Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p:r Acre p:r ann:o

§In at or upon the 25 Day of Sept Yearly & Every Year

§as afores:d for and Dureing all the time space & Terme

§of twenty One Years herein before Mentioned Always

§Provided That he the Said Joshua Johnson his Heirs

§Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns shall Do Immediately

§Sett about, and fence in the said hereby Demised four

§Acres of Gunwood Land with a good and Sufficient fence

§And when So fenced and Enclosed the same to keep in good

§Heart & Repair when and as often as Need shall require

§So that the whole Premisses, and every Part or Parcell

§thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways

§Suffered to Run to Ruine or Decay, And shall Also

§Plant keep up, Maintaine, and preserve the full Quantity

§and Proportion of Gunwood & young Plants of such &

§other useful Trees Pursuant to the Laws of this Island

§in that Case made and Provided And Likewise to

§Plant Furz Round the said fences at such proper Seasons

§of the year as it will best grow in or the Nature of the

§ground will produce And when the said hereby Demised

§four Acres of Land is fully Enclosed and planted with

§Gunwood and such like other useful Trees and Furz

§=es aforesaid You the said Joshua Johnson or your

§Heirs, Exec:rs Adm:rs or Allowed of y:e Assigns are no

§ways to remove, or Alter the said fences after they

§are well & sufficiently made (to Secure the same from

§the Damage of all manner of Beasts) they being the

§Bounds and Land Marks of the said hereby Demised

§four Acres of Land, and which in such Case will

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plott, or Plan thereof

§hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the s:d Joshua

§Johnson at any time to come, or by any manner

§of§

Margin Notes:

Joshua Johnsons Lease for 4 Acres§

Joshua Johnson and his heirs were to hold the four acres of gumwood land for a term of 21 years running from 25 November last past. The lease ran on the usual conditions. Joshua Johnson and his heirs were to stay loyal to King George and to the Company, and to keep the island's laws. The yearly rent ran throughout the 21-year term to the Company, their successors, agents or assigns, and came to five shillings an acre each year, four shillings for the land and a further shilling as duty, paid every 29 September. Joshua Johnson had to fence the four acres at once with a good and sufficient fence, and once so fenced and enclosed, keep them in good order, repairing the fences whenever needed so that the ground stayed in use and never fell to waste. He was to plant, keep up, maintain and preserve the full quantity of gumwood and young plants of useful trees, as the island's laws required. He was also to plant fig round the fences, at whatever season of the year suited the planting best, so that they would take. Once the four acres of gumwood land were enclosed and planted with gumwood and other useful trees and fig, Joshua Johnson was not to shift the fences once they were set, to secure the ground against all manner of beasts, since the fences marked the bounds of the four acres, and moving them would throw out the annexed plan [...].

A plan annexed to the lease marked the parcel of four acres, with the cardinal directions north, west, east and south set around its sides.

Interpretations

The lease grants Joshua Johnson four acres of gumwood land near the Great Bottom under the Company's standard tenure of 21 years, the parcel bordering his own free land. The grant worked as a consolidation, drawing Company ground up against land Johnson already held in the West Division.

Joshua Johnson appears across the record as a holder named as boundary against the James Greentree leases and connected to the wider Johnson family of Broad Bottom and the King's Peak. This leasehold extends his holdings, tying Company ground into the family's established land near the Great Bottom in Lemon Valley.

The covenant requiring the fences to secure the ground against all manner of beasts reveals the practical function of the enclosure in protecting the planting from grazing animals. By tying the fence to the exclusion of beasts, the lease addressed the threat that loose stock posed to the young gumwood, the means by which the Company guarded the productive condition of its leased ground.

The grant fixing the rent day to 29 September reveals the institutional variation in the quarter day to which a lease was tied. Setting both commencement and the annual rent to Michaelmas aligned the collection with that fixed day, the means by which the Company matched its rent gathering to the established quarter.

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141

ŝ way oz means offer to sale oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest

in the same without the foreknowledge and Consent of the

Goverz and Councell of this Island for the time being In

Witness whereof the Hoñ Compy and Lords Proprietors

of the said Island have to these Presents Set their fformer

Seal at their Plantation House this seventh day of December

Anno Dom: 1725. And the said Joshua Johnson to these Presents

hath Sett his hand and Seal day & year above Written./

Test Joshua Johnson

Jnº Alexander

Island St Helena

The Honᵇˡᵉ the Lords Proprietors

of this Island the Honᵇˡᵉ Unite Compy of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant

Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto John Knipe of this Island

Souldier in the pay and service of the said Honᵇˡᵉ Unite Compy

All those two Peices oz Parcells of Gunwood Land conteyning

in both Parcells two Acres and a Halfe scituate lying & being

In and near the lower Pearl oz End of the Stone Topp Valley in the

East Division of the said Island Butting and Conteyning towards

the North & East & West & every way upon the said Hoñ

Compy Wildᵉland scituate in one Necre the said Stone Topp Valley

To have & to hold the said Peices oz Parcells two Acres

of Gunwood Land Conteyning in both Parcells two Acres

and a Halfe as afores: with all & singuler the Appurtenances

thereunto belonging oz in any wise apperteyning Unto him

the said John Knipe his Heires Execrs & Assignes ffor & dureing

all that terme of Ninety yeares ffrom the twentyeth fifth day of December

last past for and Dureing all the time space & Terme of

twenty one yeares ffrom thence insueing Upon condition

That he the said John Knipe his Heires & Assignes & ffuture

doe Always beare true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Sove=

reign the King & to ye Hoñ Compy and their Successors And

to the said Hoñ Compy and their Successors And

shall Duly obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said

Island Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly & every

year Dureing the said Terme & time of seventy One years

unto the said Hoñ Compy their Successors Assignes oz Assigns

the Yearly Rent of ffour Shillings p[er] Acre besides one

Shilling duly being in all five Shillings p[er] Acre p Annum

oz upon the 6th day of September for and Dureing all the

Terms & time of Seventy One years as foresaid Always

Provided That he the said John Knipe his Heirs Exers §

The previous lease ended with a rule that the tenant could not sell the lease, or hand on his interest in it, without first telling the Company, the Governor and the council and getting their agreement. Both sides put their seals to the document at the plantation house on 7 December 1725. Joshua Johnson signed it and added his seal the same day. John Alexander witnessed it on St Helena.

The Company then rented some land to John Knipe. The land grew gumwood trees and lay in the eastern branch of Sandy Bay Valley. It came to 2 acres in two pieces, with a smaller half-acre piece nearby. That half-acre sat close to the lower end, by a stone marked Top Field. The land touched open ground on one side and ran towards a stone set in the valley. Knipe got the land itself plus everything on it, including any buildings and all the trees.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Knipe paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September. In return he promised loyalty to King George and agreed to obey the island's rules. The land was to stay with Knipe and pass to his heirs after him.

Interpretations

The rent here was 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty. This was the older, cheaper rate the Company had used since 1711, not the higher 5 shillings an acre it began charging on renewed leases later in the 1720s. The Company kept to the old rate, and finished this deal the same day as the Joshua Johnson lease of 7 December 1725, which places it among the ordinary 21-year rentals let on the usual terms.

The promise of loyalty was made to King George, meaning George I. The island's documents start naming him from 22 June 1715, after Queen Anne died in August 1714. The promise asked nothing real of the tenant. It simply tied his right to the land to a duty of obedience, which was how these rentals were framed.

This John Knipe is probably the same man who took a 4-acre rental at the bottom of Pleasant Valley on 4 August 1713, land that had nothing but Company waste all around it. This new patch in Sandy Bay Valley shows him, or someone of the same name, adding to his rented land, here among the small neighbouring plots let in the eastern branch.

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142

oz Alloweᵈ of Assigns Shall and do Immediatly Setts

about and ffence In the said Hereby Demised two Peices

oz Parcells of Gunwood Land containing in both Parcells

two Acres & a Halfe as afores: with a good Sufficient

Wall ffence and when so ffenced and Inclosed the same

to keep and Maintaine in good repair & repair when an

as often as Need shall require & that the whole Premises

and every Part or Parcell thereof Shall be Always Ten=

nantable and no ways Suffer to run to Ruine or dec

And shall Also plant keep up and Maintaine the said

Quantity and Proportion of Gunwood by young Plants

thereof the like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of

Island in that Case made and Provided. And alsoe

Plant Furze round Part of the said ffences if the said

of the ground will produce and at such proper times &

Seasons of the year as it will best be most likeliest

groe in, And when the afores: two Acres & a Halfe of

Land lying in different Parcells is fully Planted

Inclosed and Planted with Young Plants of Gunwood

and other usefull Trees as well as with Furze round

such part of the said ffences as the Nature of the groun

will best Produce as herein before Mentioned You

the said John Knipe oz your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

Nor Alloweᵈ of Assigns are no manner of ways to

remove oz Alter the said ffences after they are well

made Sufficient to Secure the same from the Stual &

Damage of all manner of Beasts they being the bounᵈ

and Land Marks of the said Hereby Demised two Acres

and a Halfe of Land and which in such Case will

Occasion the Alteration of the Plotts or Plane thereof

hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said John Knipe

oz your Heirs by any way Sell oz Dispose of this Lease

oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge and

Consent of the Govz & Councell of this Island for the

time being IN Witness whereof the said Hoñᵇˡᵉ

United Compy and Lady Propriets of this their Island

Have to these Presents Sett their Comon Seal at their

Grand Plantation House on the said Island this 7th day

of ffebry Anno Dom: 1726 And the said John Knipe to

these other Part hath Sett to his hand & Seal

Test Jnº Knipe §

Margin Notes:

½ Acre §

1 Acre §

2 Acres §

The lease set out the duties Knipe took on once the land was his to use. He had to fence the 2 acres of gumwood straight away with good, strong fencing. He then had to keep those fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay.

Knipe also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood on the land. He was to plant young gumwood trees, following the island's rules on the matter. He had to plant a hedge of furze along part of the fences, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best, and plant it in the season most likely to take. Since the 2 acres and a half lay in separate pieces, he was to keep every piece fenced, and plant each with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze. The furze was to go along the fences wherever the ground would grow it.

Knipe and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land, so they were not to be disturbed and were to be protected from any damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over where the plots sat, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Knipe and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without first telling the Company, the Governor and the council and getting their agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on [...] February 1726. John Knipe signed his part and added his seal.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the land in two pieces. The upper piece was marked as the half-acre. The lower piece, drawn as a long narrow shape, was marked as the 2 acres.

Interpretations

The detailed planting duties show what the Company was really after with these gumwood leases. Knipe was not just renting land. He was being made responsible for keeping the gumwood growing, by planting young trees to replace what was used and by following the island's rules on the matter. The Company was guarding a timber supply on a small island where wood was scarce, and it used the lease to push that care onto the tenant.

The furze hedge along the fences served a plain practical purpose. Furze is a tough, spiny shrub that grows in poor, exposed ground, and a hedge of it makes a cheap, living barrier that strengthens a fence and helps hold stock. The instruction to plant it where the ground would grow it best, and in the right season, shows the Company wanted a barrier that would actually take and last, not a token effort.

The fences carried real legal weight here. The document calls them the boundary markers of the land, which means the fence lines, not just paper measurements, fixed where one plot ended and the next began. That is why Knipe was forbidden to move them and why the drawn plan was named as the thing that would settle any future argument over the plots. On ground let in small scattered pieces, a clear physical boundary mattered more than the written acreage.

160

143

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Hoñ: United Company of Merchants of England

trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease

Sett and to ffarme Lett unto John Worrall of this said Island

ffree planter All and singular that Peice oz Parcell of Gun=

wood Land Containing Eight Acres scituate Lying and

being in One Branch of Deep Valley in the East Division

of the said Island Butting & bounding towards the North

upon the said Hoñ Compy Wast Land towards the South

East upon part of the said John Worrall ffree Land & towards

the West upon the Loose Lands now in the Possession of John

Ellis splenter and scituate in the said Deep Valley To have

& to hold the said hereby Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood

Land with the Appurtenances and every part thereof Unto

him the said John Worrall his heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Alloweᵈ of Assigns from the 25 day of March 17

(at which time the said Demised Eight Acres of Land

Parislos was granted by the their Goverz & Council of

this Island but no Lease behind oz Recorded to the same

till now) ffor and Dureing all the time space & terme of

twenty One Years from thence Insueing Upon Condition

that he the said John Worrall his heirs, oz Alloweᵈ of Assigns

Do Always beare true ffaith & allegiance to Our Sove=

reign King George His heirs & Successors And to the said

Hoñ Compy and their Successors And shall duly Obey

all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding

and paying therefore Yearly & every yeare Dureing the

Remainder of the said Terme & twenty One yeares Unto

the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors, Assignes oz

Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour Shillings p Acre besides

One shilling Duty being in all five Shillings p Acre p

Annum oz at oz upon the 25 day of Sept ffor & Dureing

all the remaining Terme & twenty one yeares as foresaid

Always Provided That he the said John Worrall his Heirs

Execrs oz Alloweᵈ of Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett

about and Continue to keep ffenced in the said Hereby Demised

Eight Acres of Gunwood Land with a good Sufficient ffence

and the same being so ffenced & Inclosed to be kept Maintaind

in good repair & repaire when and as often as Need shall

require & that the whole Premises & every Part & Parcell

thereof Shall be Always Tennantable and no ways Suffered

to run to Ruine oz decay And shall Also Plant keep up

and Maintaine the full Quantity & Proportion of Gunwood

and Young Plants of such oz usefull Trees Persuant to the

Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided Unto

Also to plant ffurze round the said ffences at Such Proper §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented some land to John Worrall, a free planter. The land grew gumwood and came to 8 acres. It lay in one branch of Deep Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched John Worrall's own free land to the north and west, more of his free land to the south and east, and the land he held under his lease to the west. The plots had earlier belonged to Allis, a planter, and sat in Deep Valley. Worrall got the 8 acres of gumwood plus everything on it.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. The Company had granted Worrall a further 8 acres at the same sitting, both pieces measured by the Governor and council. He held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Worrall and his heirs were forbidden to sell the lease or hand on their interest in it without the Company's agreement. He had to fence the 8 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young trees in line with the island's rules, and plant a hedge of furze along the fences wherever the ground would grow it best.

Interpretations

This 8-acre rental sat right alongside Worrall's own land, with his free land on three sides and his earlier lease on the fourth. The Company was letting him round out a block he was already farming. Land that fitted neatly against ground a man already held was the easiest kind to manage and improve, and these gumwood leases were often shaped to do exactly that.

The planting duties here match those in the other gumwood leases of this run. Worrall had to replace the gumwood he used with young trees and grow a furze hedge along his fences. Furze is a tough, spiny shrub that grows in poor, exposed ground and makes a cheap living barrier to strengthen a fence and hold stock. The repeated demand across these leases shows the Company steadily pushing the care of its scarce timber onto each tenant.

The land had passed through an earlier holder named Allis before reaching Worrall. This connects to the Allis family long settled at the head of Deep Valley, whose holdings there ran back to the late 1680s. The byname preserved the earlier tenure even as the ground passed into Company hands and was let afresh.

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144

times and seasons of the year as it will oz may be most

likeliest to groe in the Nature of the ground will best

Produce. And when the said Demised Eight Acres of Land

is fully Enclosed and Planted with Young Plants of Gun=

wood and other of the like usefull Trees as well as with

ffurze round the said ffences, as herein before mentioned

You the said John Worrall, oz your Heirs, or Allowed of

Assigns are by no manner of ways to remove oz alter

the said ffences after they are well and sufficiently made

to secure the same from the Hurt and Damage of (all

manner of Beasts) they being the Bounds and Land=

marks of the said hereby Demised Eight Acres of Land

and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration

of the Rott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexd Nor sha

you the said John Worrall, oz your Heirs by any way to

oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without

the Knowledge & Consent of the Goverz & Councell of this

Island for the time being ffor Witness whereof the

said Hoñ Compy and Lords Proprietors of this their

Island Have to these Presents Sett their Comon Seal

at their Castle in James Valey on the said Island

this 7 day of Augˢᵗ Anno Dom: 1726 And the said

John Worrall to the other part hath sett his hand & Seal

Day and Year above Written

Test John Worrall

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of

this Island The Hoñ United Company of Merchants

of England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise

grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto John Worrall

of this said Island ffree Planter All that Peice oz Parcell

of Gunwood Land Containing Ten Acres scituate Lying &

being in Doggwood Valley in the East Division of the said

Island Butting & bounding towards the North & South

upon the said Hoñ Company Wast Land scituate in

and Near to the said Doggwood Valley towards the

East upon the Gunewood Lands now in the Possession §

The lease finished setting out John Worrall's planting duties. He was to put in the furze at the time of year most likely to make it grow. Once the 8 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Worrall and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle, so they were not to be disturbed. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Worrall and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on [...] August 1726. John Worrall signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 8 acres as a single four-sided plot.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented more land to John Worrall, a free planter. This land grew gumwood and came to 10 acres. It lay in Dogwood Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched the Company's own free land to the north, land in or near Dogwood Valley, and the gumwood land Worrall already held to the east.

Interpretations

This run of two leases to John Worrall, an 8-acre piece in Deep Valley followed at once by a 10-acre piece in Dogwood Valley, shows him taking on a sizeable body of gumwood land in a single stretch of dealings. The Company was steadily letting out scattered gumwood ground to established planters, and Worrall was building up holdings across more than one valley.

The new 10-acre parcel touched gumwood land Worrall already held to the east. As with his Deep Valley piece, the Company was letting him add ground that fitted against land he was already farming. This pattern of fitting fresh leases onto a tenant's existing block runs right through these gumwood grants, since such land was the easiest to fence, plant and look after.

The land in Dogwood Valley connects to the 30-acre rental there taken by Mary Conaway, a widow, on 1 December 1713. Her grant sat in the same valley, on the outer edge of settled ground. Worrall's parcel marks the further filling-in of Dogwood Valley with small gumwood leases in the years that followed.

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145

Possession of John ffurniss ffree[...] and toward[...]

upon the Loose in the Possession of Mary [...]

son Thomas Leech [...] To have & to hold [...]

Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood Land with [...]

and Every Part or Parcell thereof Unto him the [...]

Worrall his heirs Execrs Adminˢ that or [...]

Assigns from the 25 Day of March 17[...]

Proprietors Lord & Proprietors haveing being [...]

Defining of this Richard Cleare interest by [...]

Island ffor his right & title to the same as [...]

and Possession thereon to William Worrall [...]

who Conveyed his right & title by all & singuler [...]

Premises being been the said John Worrall been [...]

Possession hath Overseine Remaind had no [...]

oz Executed for the said Ten Acres of Land [...]

till now) for and Dureing all the time space & [...]

of twenty One Yeares from thence Insueing [...]

Condition That he the said John Worrall [...]

Allowed oz Assigne Do always beare true ffaith [...]

to Our Soveraigne Lord King George his heirs [...]

to the said ffree Compy and their Successors [...]

Duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the [...]

Yeilding and paying therefore yearly due[...]

Dureing the Remainder of the said Terme [...]

yeares Unto the said Hoñ Compy their Succe[...]

oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour Shillings [...]

One shilling Duty being in all ffive Shillings [...]

in oz upon the 25 day of Sept ffor & Dur[...]

remaining Terme of twenty One years as [...]

Provided that he the said John Worrall h[...]

oz Allowed oz Assigns shall and do Immediatly [...]

and ffence in the said hereby Demised Ten [...]

oz to Continue to keep the same ffenced wi[...]

sufficient ffence which being so ffenced & In[...]

upon the same to be and Continued to be kept [...]

in good repair & repaire when and as often [...]

require So that the whole Premises Premise[...]

Parcell thereof oz any Building that is [...]

may be hereafter Erected shall be Always [...]

and no ways Suffered to run to ruine oz [...]

shall Also plant keep up Maintaine and [...]

full Quantity and Proportion of Gunwo[...]

such like usefull and threveing trees Persua[...]

Law of this Island in that Case made an[...] §

The 10-acre parcel touched land John Tenter held, with the plot lying in the area earlier connected to Mary Conaway. This ground had passed through Richard Leech before reaching Worrall. The Company rented him the 10 acres of gumwood plus everything on it. Worrall and his heirs could not sell the lease or hand on their interest in it without the Company's agreement.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. The land had passed through several hands before reaching Worrall. It had been Richard Cleve's, who held the right and sold it on, and it then came through to William Worrall, who in turn passed on his right and interest. John Worrall had since taken over the ground, but nothing was held back, and the whole 10 acres came to him. He held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules.

Worrall paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September. He and his heirs were forbidden to sell the lease or hand on their interest in it without the Company's agreement. He had to fence the 10 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. Any building put up on the land was to be kept up too. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules.

Interpretations

This 10-acre piece had moved through a string of holders before Worrall, from Richard Cleve to William Worrall and on to John Worrall. The recital of that chain mattered because it showed the Company exactly how the land had come down to the present tenant. On a small island where the same ground passed repeatedly between a few families, setting out the line of past holders fixed the title clearly.

The land connects to two earlier names in Dogwood Valley. William Worrall had held this parcel, which once sat in Phil Cleeve's possession, named as a boundary in Mary Conaway's Dogwood Valley rental. Richard Cleve, a soldier, was the man who rebuilt a James Valley house and sold it to James Greentree on 22 June 1715. The ground threaded through the wider Cleve and Worrall families before settling on John Worrall here.

The planting duties repeat those in Worrall's Deep Valley lease taken the same year. He had to replace used gumwood with young trees and keep the fences sound. The Company applied the same set of conditions across all its gumwood leases, steadily pushing the care of its scarce timber onto each tenant who took the ground.

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146

And likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at

Such proper times and seasons of the year as it will, oz may

be most likeliest to groe in, oz the Nature of the ground

will best produce. And when the said hereby Demised Ten

Acres of Gunwood Land is fully Inclosed & Planted with

Young Plants of Gunwood and such other of the like usefull

Trees, as well as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein

before mentioned, You the said John Worrall your Heirs oz

Allowed of Assigns are not to remove oz any way Alter

the said ffences after they are well made sufficient to secure

the same from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts

they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the said hereby

Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood Land and which in such

Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Rott or Plan

thereof hereunto Annexd Nor shall you the said John

Worrall oz your Heirs by any manner of way sell oz

Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the

Knowledge & Consent of the Goverz & Councell of this

Island for the time being IN Witness whereof the

said Hoñ Compy and Lords Proprietors of this their

Island Have to these Presents Sett their Comon Seal at their

Castle in James Valey on the said Island this 7 day

of Augˢᵗ Anno Dom: 1726 And the said John Worrall to

the other part hath Sett his hand & Seal day & yeare

afforesaid

John Worrall

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Hoñ United Company of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise

grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto John Worrall

of the said Island ffree Planter All that Peice oz Parcell

of Cabbage tree Land Containing Three Acres & a Halfe

scituate Lying & being at oz Near the Head of Doggwood

Valley Plain, in the East Division of the said Island

and Near to deep Valley Butting & bounding towards

the North & East upon the Lands now in the Possession

of John Thwaites, and formerly in the Possession of

Mary Eneaway of this said Island Wast towards the

West upon Part of the ffree Lands belonging to Thomas

Allis planter, and towards the South upon the said Hoñ §

Margin Notes:

10 Acres §

The lease finished setting out John Worrall's planting duties on the 10 acres. He was to put in the furze at the time of year most likely to make it grow. Once the 10 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Worrall and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle, so they were not to be disturbed. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Worrall and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on [...] August 1726. John Worrall signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 10 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented more land to John Worrall, a free planter. This land grew cabbage tree and came to 3 acres and a half. It lay at or near the head of Dogwood Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched land John Tewaits now held to the north and east, ground earlier in Mary Conaway's possession to the west, part of the free land belonging to Thomas Allis, a planter, and more land to the south.

Interpretations

This third lease to John Worrall, a 3-acre-and-a-half piece of cabbage tree land, came straight after his two gumwood parcels. Together the three leases show him taking on a substantial run of land in a single stretch of dealings, spread across Deep Valley and Dogwood Valley. The Company was steadily letting out its scattered ground to settled planters, and Worrall was building up a sizeable holding.

This parcel grew cabbage tree rather than gumwood, the two main kinds of useful tree the Company tracked on the island. The change of tree marks a different sort of ground from the gumwood pieces. The Company recorded which trees grew on each plot because it was guarding a scarce timber supply, and the kind of tree shaped what care a tenant owed on the land.

The boundaries tie this parcel to names already running through Worrall's Dogwood Valley dealings. The ground touched land once in Mary Conaway's possession, the widow who took a 30-acre rental in the same valley on 1 December 1713, and free land of Thomas Allis, of the family long settled at the head of Deep Valley. The plot sat among holdings the same few families had worked for years.

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147

United Companys Wast Land scituate in and Near the Head

of Deep Valley Adjoyning to Nine Acres of Land of

the said John Worrall oz thereabouts To have & to hold

the said Hereby Demised Three Acres and a Halfe of Cabbage

tree Land with the Appurtenances and Every Part thereof

unto him the said John Worrall his heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Allowed of Assigns from the 25 day of March 1723

ffor and Dureing all the time space and Terme of twenty

One years from thence Insueing Upon Condition that

he the said John Worrall his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowᵈ

of Assigns do always beare true ffaith and Allegiance

to Our Soveraigne Lord King George his heirs & Succers

And to the said Hoñ Compy and their Successors

And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said

Island Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly & Every

Dureing the said Terme & time of twenty One years

Unto the said Hoñ Compy their Successors, Agents, oz

Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour Shillings p Acre besides

One shilling Duty being in all five Shillings p Acre p Annum

in oz upon the 25 day of Sept ffor & Dureing all the

time and Terme of twenty One years afores: Always

Provided, that he the said John Worrall his Heirs Execrs

oz Allowed of Assigns shall do Immediatly Sett about and

ffence in the said Hereby Demised three Acres and a Halfe of

Cabbage tree Land with a good and sufficient ffence and the

same to keep and Maintaine in good repair & repair when

and as often as Need shall require So that the whole Pre=

misses & Every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Alwayes

Tennantable, and and no ways suffered to run to Ruine oz decay

And shall Also plant, keep up, and Maintaine the full Quantity

and Proportion of Young Plants of Gunwood oz such other of

the like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that

Case made and Provided. And also to plant ffurze round the

said ffences at such proper Seasons of the year as it will best

groe in oz the Nature of the ground will produce and when

the said Demised three Acres and a Halfe of Land is fully

Enclosed and Planted with Young Plants of Gunwood, oz

other such like usefull and threveing trees as well as with ffurze

round the said ffences, as herein before mentioned You the

said John Worrall your Heirs, oz Allowed oz Assigns are by

no manner of ways to remove oz Alter the said ffences after

they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same from

the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts they being the

Bounds of the said Hereby Demised three Acres & a Halfe of Land

and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the

Rott thereof hereunto Annexd Nor shall you the said John §

The 3-acre-and-a-half parcel touched the Company's own waste land near the head of Deep Valley to the south. It joined 9 acres John Worrall already held there. The Company rented him the 3 acres and a half of cabbage tree plus everything on it. Worrall got the land for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Worrall held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Worrall had to fence the 3 acres and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 3 acres and a half were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Worrall and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 3 acres and a half as a single four-sided plot.

Interpretations

This cabbage tree parcel sat right against 9 acres Worrall already held near the head of Deep Valley, with Company waste on the south. As with his other leases of the year, the Company was letting him round out ground he was already farming. Land that fitted neatly against a tenant's existing block was the easiest to fence, plant and look after, and these leases were repeatedly shaped to do that.

The planting clause keeps the demand for young gumwood even though this parcel was named as cabbage tree land. The Company wanted gumwood raised wherever it could be, since wood was scarce on the island and gumwood was the timber it most needed to protect. The duty to plant young gumwood ran through these leases regardless of what the plot was chiefly described as growing.

The repeated set of duties across all of Worrall's parcels this year, fence at once, keep the fences sound, plant young trees, grow furze along the boundaries, shows the Company applying one fixed framework to every piece of ground it let. The tenant took the land cheaply but carried the standing burden of keeping it enclosed and its timber renewed, which served the Company's long interest in a maintained timber supply.

165

148

John Worrall oz your Heirs by any ways sell oz dispose

of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge

and Consent of the Goverz & Councell of this Island for

the time being In Witness whereof the said Honourᵇˡᵉ

Compy and Lords Proprietors of this their Island have

to these Presents Sett their Comon Seal at their Castle in

James Valey on the said Island this 7 day of Augˢᵗ

Anno Dom: 1726 And the said John Worrall to the other

part hath sett his hand & Seal day & year afforesaid./

Test John Worrall

Island St Helena

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island the Hoñ: United Company of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant

Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto John Worrall of this Island

ffree Planter, All those two Peices oz Parcells of Gunwood

Land, Containing in both Parcells Ten Acres & a Halfe scituate

Lying and being in One Branch of Deep Valley in the East

Division of this said Island, that is to say, Nine Acres thereof

Butting and bounding towards the North upon the said John

Worrall oz own Land, and the Lands of Thomas Allis Plantee

towards the South West upon other parts of the Lands now

in the Possession of the said John Worrall as well ffree as Leased

and towards the East upon the said Hoñ Companys Wast Land

scituate in and Near the said Deep Valley, And the other One

Acre & a halfe scituate and being under a Waterfall comonly

called and known by the Name of Simons Waterfall Butting

and bounding every way upon the said Hoñ Compy Wast

Land scituate below and near the said Simons Waterfall To

have & to hold the said Hereby Demised two Parcells

of Gunwood Land Conteyning in both Parcells Ten Acres

and a halfe as afores: ffor the Appurtenances and every

Part oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said John Worrall his

heirs Execrs Adminˢ ffor oz allowed of Assigns from

this 25 day of March 1725 for and Dureing all the time

space and Terme of twenty One years from thence

Insueing Upon Condition That he the said John

Worrall, his Heirs, oz allowed of Assigns Do Always

bear true ffaith & Allegiance to Our Soveraigns Lord

King George, his heirs and Successors, And to the said §

Margin Notes:

9 Acres §

1½ Acre §

10½ Acres §

The lease closed with the usual rule. John Worrall and his heirs could not sell the lease, or hand on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement. The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on [...] August 1726. John Worrall signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented more land to John Worrall, a free planter. This land grew gumwood and came to 10 acres and a half in two pieces. It lay in one branch of Deep Valley, in the East Division of the island. The 9-acre piece touched Worrall's own land and the land of Thomas Allis, a planter, to the north, more of the land Worrall held to the south and west, and the Company's waste land to the east. The smaller 1-acre-and-a-half piece lay in or near Deep Valley too. It was named after a feature called Simon's Waterfall and touched land of that name. It sat below and near Simon's Waterfall.

The Company rented Worrall the 10 acres and a half of gumwood in the two pieces, plus everything on them. The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Worrall held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the land in two pieces. The larger was marked as the 9 acres and drawn as a four-sided plot. The smaller, drawn below it as a narrow shape, was marked as the half-acre, with the pair noted as 10 acres and a half together.

Interpretations

This was the last in a run of leases John Worrall took in August 1726, and like the others it added gumwood ground that fitted against land he already held. The 9-acre piece touched his own land on three sides, with only Company waste on the fourth. The Company kept letting him round out his block, since neatly fitting ground was the easiest to fence, plant and keep.

The smaller piece carried the byname Simon's Waterfall, which fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. On a small island the Company and its tenants leaned on named local marks, a waterfall, a stone, a ridge, to pin down where a plot sat. Such names did the work that exact survey lines could not, and they passed down through the records as the settled way of identifying the ground.

The boundaries again name Thomas Allis, of the family long settled at the head of Deep Valley since the late 1680s. Worrall's gumwood pieces sat among the Allis holdings in the same valley. The same few families held the ground here across many years, and their names recur as the boundaries against which each new lease was fixed.

166

149

said Hoñ Compy and their Successors And shall duly

Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island

Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly and Every

year Dureing the said Terme & time of twenty One

years Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors

Agents, oz Assigns, the yearly Rent of ffour Shillings p

Acre besides One shilling Duty being in all five Shillings

p Acre p Annum in all oz upon the 25 day of Sept for and

Dureing all the time space and Terme of twenty One years

afforesaid, Always Provided That he the said John

Worrall his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed of Assigns

shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the

said Demised Ten Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood Land

lying in two different Parcells as afores: with a good

and Sufficient ffence, And when so ffenced Inclosed, the

same to keep, and Maintaine in good repair and repaire

when and as often as Need shall require, So that the

whole Premisses and every Part oz Parcell thereof

shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to

Run to ruine oz decay. And shall Also plant, keep up,

and Maintaine the full Quantity and Proportion of

wood & young Plants of Gunwood, and other of the like

usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that

Case made and Provided. And also to plant ffurze

round the said ffences at such proper times & Seasons of the

year as it will best groe in oz the Nature of the ground

will most kindly Produce, And when the afores: Ten

Acres & a Halfe of Land lying in two different Parcells is

ffully and severally Enclosed and Planted with Young plants

of Gunwood and other such like usefull Trees as well as with

ffurze round the said ffences as Herein before mentioned,

You the said John Worrall your Heirs, oz Allowed of Assigns

are no ways to remove oz Alter the said ffences after

they are well made Sufficient to Secure the same from the

Hurt and Damage of all sorts of Beasts, they being the

Bounds and Land Marks of the said Hereby Demised Ten

Acres and a Halfe of Land lying in two different Parcells

as afores: And which in such Case will Occasion the

Alteration of the severall Plotts or Plans thereof here

unto Annexed Nor shall You the said John Worrall

oz your Heirs by any ways sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz

Interest in the same without the Knowledge and Consent

of the Goverz & Councell of this Island for the time being

IN Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and

Lords Proprietors of this their Island, Have to these §

The lease set out John Worrall's duties on the 10 acres and a half. He held the land for himself and his heirs, with loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Worrall had to fence the 10 acres and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He was to look after both pieces and let no part of either fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Since the 10 acres and a half lay in two separate pieces, he was to keep each one fenced and plant each with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences.

Worrall and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of both pieces and protected them from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Worrall and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

Interpretations

Because this parcel lay in two separate pieces, the Company spelled out that each had to be fenced and planted in its own right. The duties did not fall on the holding as a whole but on every piece of it. Where ground was let in scattered plots, the Company made sure no part escaped the burden of enclosure and planting, since an unfenced piece left the timber unguarded.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood across both pieces, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. This steady demand across every lease shows the Company guarding its timber supply by pushing the care of it onto the holders of the land.

The furze hedge ran along the fences here as in Worrall's other parcels. Furze is a tough, spiny shrub that grows in poor, exposed ground and makes a cheap living barrier to strengthen a fence and hold stock. Planting it at the right season and on ground that would grow it shows the Company wanted a barrier that would take and last rather than a token effort.

167

150

these Presents Sett their Common Seal at their

Grand Plantation House on this 5 day of ffebry

Anno Dom: 1726. And the said John Worrall to the

other part hath Sett his hand & Seal day & year afford./

Test John Worrall

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Propri=

etors of this Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Compy

of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

DO hereby Confirm Unto Samuel Tayler of this Island

planter and ffree holder, All and singulier that Peice oz

Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration

twenty Nine Acres scituate Lying and being in ffryer

Valley in the West Division of the said Island Butting

and Bounding towards the North upon the Lands of

Richard Crosby Planter towards the South upon One

Acre of Gunwood Land now in the Possession of Richard

Goodrich Planter and the Honourᵈᵉ Companys West

Land Next to the Lands of Captain John Goldsmith

towards the East upon the severall Parcells of Land

now in the Possession of John Bowen planter & Tayler

And toward the West upon more of the said Hoñ

Companys Wast Land Next to the said ffryer Valley

ridge Which said twenty Nine Acres of Gunwood Land

And the said Samuel Tayler hath a just right & Title

to (But the Moeity thereof to be and remaine in the

Possession and Occupation of his Mother in Law Sarah

Southen of this Island toddroe dureing the time of

Her Natural Life) As may more fully appear in the

Sessens held for this Island dated the 26 day of Janua

1723 and Enterd in Consultation Book Nº18 Relat

on being thereunto had. To have & to hold the

said twenty Nine Acres of Land with the Appurte=

nances thereunto belonging Unto him the said

Samuel Tayler his Heirs and Assigns ffor Ever §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on [...] February 1726. John Worrall signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then confirmed land to Samuel Tayler, a planter and free holder. The land grew gumwood and came to 29 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in Fryer Valley, in the West Division of the island. It touched land of Richard Crosby, a planter, to the north, and to the south it touched 1 acre of gumwood now in the possession of Richard Goodwin, a planter, and the Company's own waste land. To the west it joined the lands of Captain John Goodwin. To the east it touched several plots now held by John Bowers, a planter, also named as connected to Tayler. To the west again it touched more of the Company's waste land near Fryer Valley Ridge, and 29 acres of gumwood beyond.

Samuel Tayler held a clear right and title to this land. He held part of it through the possession and occupation of his mother-in-law, Sarah Southen, of the island, for the term of her life. This appeared more fully in a court ruling made on the island and dated 26 June 1723, entered in the consultation book numbered 18. Tayler got the 29 acres of land plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

Interpretations

This document was a confirmation rather than a fresh lease, which marks it out from the run of Worrall leases before it. The Company was setting on a firm footing a title Samuel Tayler already held, rather than granting him new ground. A confirmation put beyond doubt land a man had come to through inheritance, marriage or earlier purchase, and it fixed his right against any later challenge.

Part of Tayler's claim ran through his mother-in-law, Sarah Southen, who held the ground for her lifetime. His own right sat behind hers and would fall in fully on her death. The confirmation recorded this so that the present life interest and the title waiting beyond it were both clear. Land tied up in a life interest needed exactly this kind of record to show who held what and when the fuller right would come through.

The boundaries name a cluster of Fryer Valley holders, Richard Crosby, Richard Goodwin, Captain John Goodwin and John Bowers. Captain John Goodwin, a gentleman and fourth in council, was an active buyer of Fryer Valley ground through the 1720s. John Bowers dealt repeatedly in the valley's parcels. Tayler's land sat among holdings these men were steadily gathering and trading in this stretch of the island.

The title rested on a court ruling of 26 June 1723, entered in consultation book 18. The Company leaned on its own formal record to settle who held the land, pointing to a dated decision and the book it sat in. This shows how the island's land titles were anchored, not on loose memory, but on rulings the Company could name and find again in its books.

168

151

Upon Condition That he the said Samuel Tayler

his Heirs and Assigns DO Always beare true ffaith

and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George

his Heirs and Successors And to the said Honourᵇˡᵉ

Company and their Successors In Witness whereof

whereof the said Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company and

Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to

these Presents Sett their Common Seal at their Grand

Plantation House this Eighth day of ffebry In the

year of Our Lord One Thousand seven Hundred

and Twenty ffive

The Plott and Plan of this aboresaid Saml Tayler

29 Acres of Land being hereunto

Annexed As also a Copy of this Deed

& Plan is Enterd in the Register Book

folio 150 & 151

29 Acres

Island St

Helena

The Honourable the Lords Proprietorss

of this Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Compy of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant

Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto William Beale of this

Island Planter, All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land

Conteining Two & a halfe scituate being & being in

the Eastern most Branch of ffryers Valley at oz near the foot

of Peak Hill in the East Division of the said Island Butting

and Bounding towards the North & West upon the said Hoñ

Companys Land towards the East upon what Adjoyning part

of the said William Beale ffree Land and toward the South

upon the Lease Land formerly Hired by Daniel Griffiths §

Samuel Tayler held the 29 acres on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He held the land for himself and his heirs. The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 8 February 1726. Samuel Tayler signed his part.

A note recorded that the plan of the 29 acres was attached to the document. A copy of the deed and its plan was entered in the register book at folios 150 and 151.

A plan drawn below showed the 29 acres as a single large plot of irregular shape.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to William Beale, a planter. The land grew gumwood and came to 2 acres. It lay at or near the foot of the easternmost branch of Vain's Valley, in the East Division of the island, on the side of Peak Hill. It touched land to the north and west, with a small parcel of Company waste running up part of the way. To the south it touched William Beale's own free land. The ground had earlier been held by Daniel Griffeth under his lease.

Interpretations

The note fixing the deed and its plan to register folios 150 and 151 shows how the Company tied each title to a precise place in its books. The land, the written grant and the drawn plan were all linked together and given an exact reference. On a small island where the same ground changed hands repeatedly, this let the Company find any title again and check it against the plan that defined the plot.

The new William Beale parcel had earlier been held by Daniel Griffeth, the long-serving clerk of the council who died by 1714. Naming the past holder fixed the ground clearly and showed how it had come back to the Company before being let afresh to Beale. The byname of an earlier tenant carried the memory of the land's prior use down through the records.

The parcel sat on the side of Peak Hill, in the easternmost branch of its valley, with the land pinned to that hill and to William Beale's own adjoining free land. As in the other leases of this run, the Company let Beale a small piece that fitted against ground he already held. Land that lay against a tenant's own holding was the easiest to fence and keep, and these leases were repeatedly shaped to add such fitting pieces.

169

152

To have & to hold the said Hereby Demised Two

Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & every

Part thereof Unto him the said William Beale his heirs Ex

ecutors Adminˢ at oz Allowed of Assigns from the 25

day of December last Past for and Dureing all the time

space & Terme of twenty One years from thence Insueing

Upon Condition That he the said William Beale his

heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed of Assigns DO Always

beare true ffaith and allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord

King George His heirs & Successors And to the said Hoñ

Compy and their Successors And shall duly Obey all

the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island Yeilding

& paying therefore Yearly & Every year Dureing the

remaining Terme of the aforesaid twenty One years

Unto the said Hoñ Compy their Successors Assigns oz Ass

the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One Shilling

Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum in oz upon

the 25 day of Sept ffor and Dureing the Remainder of the

aforesaid terme & time of Twenty One years Provided

That he the said William Beale his Heirs Executors

Adminˢ oz allowed of Assigns shall and do Continue to ffence

about and ffence in the said Hereby Demised Two

Acres of Land with a good Sufficient Stone Wall ffence

And when so ffenced and Inclosed the same to keep in good

repair & repair when and as often as Need shall require

So that the whole Premises and every part thereof shall be

& Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to run to ruine

oz decay And shall also plant keep up & Maintaine &

preserve the full Proportion and Quantity of Young

Plants of Gunwood and such other usefull Trees as well

best Produce Persuant to the Law of this & Land in that

Case made and Provided. And likewise to plant ffur=

Round the said ffences at such Proper times & Seasons of

the Year as may be most likeliest for the Nature of

the ground to Produce & Groe in; And when the said

Hereby Demised Two & & & Terme of Land is

ffully Inclosed and Planted with Young Plants of Gun=

wood and other such like usefull Trees and is Trees

as aforesaid You the said William Beale Nor your

Heirs Execrs oz Allowed of Assigns are not to Alter

oz remove the said ffences after they are well & suffi=

ciently made to ffreeze the same from the Hurt and

Damage of all sorts of Beasts they being the Bounds

and Land marks of the said Hereby Demised Two

Acres of Gunwood Land and which in such Case will

Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof here

unto Annexed Nor shall You the said William Beale

oz your Heirs, oz Allowed of Assigns, any ways sell §

Margin Notes:

2 Acres §

William Beale got the 2 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs. The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Beale held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Beale had to fence the 2 acres straight away with good, strong fencing of stone wall, and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 2 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Beale and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 2 acres as a single five-sided plot.

Interpretations

This lease called for a stone wall rather than the ordinary fencing named in most of the other grants. Stone marked a sturdier, longer-lasting boundary, suited to the exposed ground on the side of Peak Hill. The choice of wall over timber or hedge shows the Company matching the kind of fence to the land, here picking the more durable barrier for a hillside parcel where loose fencing might not hold.

The planting duties match those across the whole run of gumwood leases. Beale had to replace used gumwood with young trees and grow a furze hedge along his boundaries. Furze is a tough, spiny shrub that grows in poor, exposed ground and makes a cheap living barrier to strengthen a fence and hold stock. The Company applied this same framework to every gumwood plot, steadily pushing the care of its scarce timber onto each tenant.

The fences again carried the weight of marking the boundaries, which is why Beale was forbidden to move them and why the drawn plan was named to settle any future dispute over the plot. The Company leaned on the physical line of the wall and the plan together, rather than on written measurements alone, to fix exactly where this small hillside parcel sat.

170

153

oz dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the

Knowledge and Consent of the Goverz & Councell of this

Island for the time being In Witness whereof the said

Hoñ Company and Lords Proprietors of this their Island

have hereunto Sett their Comon Seal at their Castle

in James Valey & on this said Island St Helena

this 8th day of March Anno Dom: 1726 And the said

William Beale to the other Part hath Sett his hand and

Seal day and Year before Written

Test Wm Beale

Jnº Alexander

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of

this Island the Hoñ: United Company of Merchants of England

trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme

Lett unto Orlando Bagley son of this Island free Planter, all those two

Peices oz Parcells of Land Conteining in both Parcells two Acres that is

to say One Acre thereof of Cabbagetree Land scituate Lying and being

under the Main ridge at oz near the Head of Pewter Valley Butting

and bounding towards the North upon the Ten Acres of Cabbagetree

and belonging to Ensigne William slaughter & knowne by the Name of

Griffin Croid Towards the East upon the said ffree Compy ffree Land

Land towards the South West upon the said Orlando Bagleys oz his

ffree Land And the other said Acre being Gunwood Land scituate in the

said Pewter Valley at the Groee Spot the boyled said Knob in Possession of

the said Orlando Bagley son Butting and bounding towards the South

West upon the said Hoñ Compy Land scituate in and Near the

Lower part of this said Pewter Valley and towards the North West

upon the aforesaid ffree Lakes of the said Orlando Bagley son

To have & to hold the said Hereby Demised two Parcells of Land

Conteining in both Parcells two Acres as aforesaid & Lying in different

Parcells with the Appurtenances and every Part oz Parcell thereof

unto him the said Orlando Bagley son this Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that

oz Allowed oz Assigns from this the day of Dec last Past for & Dureing

all the time space and Terme of twenty One years from thence Insueing

Upon Condition That he the said Orlando Bagley son this Heirs

and Allowed oz Assignes shall and do Alloway beare true ffaith and

allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His heirs and

Successors And to the said Hoñ United Company their Successors

shall shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said

Island, Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly and Every Yeare Dure=

ing the said terme and time of twenty One years that the said

Hoñ United Company their Successors Agents oz Assignes the yearly

Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty being in all

ffive shillings p Acre p Annum at oz upon the 25 day of September

for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of twenty One §

Margin Notes:

1 Acre Cabbage tree Land §

1 Acre Gunwood Land §

William Beale closed the lease with the usual rule. He could not sell the lease, or hand on his interest in it, without the Company's agreement. The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 8 February 1726. William Beale signed his part and added his seal on the same day. Witnessed by John Alexander on St Helena.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Orlando Bagley, the son of Orlando Bagley of the island. The land came to 2 acres in two pieces. It lay under or near the Main Ridge, at or near the head of Porlock Valley, in the East Division of the island. One piece was cabbage tree land of 1 acre. It had earlier belonged to Ensign William Slaughter, and was known by the name of Griffin's land. It touched land to the east and the Company's own land to the south, joining Orlando Bagley's own free land. The other piece was gumwood land of 1 acre, also at or near the head of Porlock Valley. It touched land Bagley already held to the south, more of his land, and ran to the Company's waste land to the north and west.

The Company rented Bagley the 2 acres in the two pieces, plus everything on them, for himself and his heirs. The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Bagley held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the land in two pieces. The upper piece was marked as the 1 acre of cabbage tree land. The lower piece, drawn as a narrow shape, was marked as the 1 acre of gumwood land.

Interpretations

This lease let Orlando Bagley two small pieces that both fitted against ground he already held, one of cabbage tree and one of gumwood. As across the whole run of these grants, the Company was letting a tenant round out land he was already farming. The two kinds of tree on the two pieces show the Company recording exactly what grew where, since the kind of tree shaped the care a holder owed and the timber the Company was guarding.

The cabbage tree piece carried the byname Griffin's land and had earlier belonged to Ensign William Slaughter. Naming the past holder fixed the ground clearly and traced how it had come back to the Company before being let to Bagley. The Orlando Bagley named here as the son of an Orlando Bagley of the island marks a further generation of the Bagley family, long established at the head of Powell's Valley.

The two pieces lay under the Main Ridge at the head of Porlock Valley, pinned to that ridge and to Bagley's own adjoining land. The Company leaned on the high ridge as a fixed landmark and on the tenant's existing holdings to set the bounds of these small parcels. Naming a major natural feature did the work that exact survey lines could not on this ground.

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years afforesaid & Always Provided That he the said Orlando

Bagley son his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed of Assigns shall

and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said Demised two

Acres of Land lying in different Parcells as aforesaid with a good &

sufficient ffence And when so ffenced Inclosed the same to keep in

good repair and repaire when and as often as Need shall require

So that the whole Premises and every Part oz Parcell thereof shall

be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz

Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve the

ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood and Young Plants of

Gunwood and other of the like usefull Trees as the Nature of this

ground will Produce, Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case

made and Provided And also to plant ffurze round the said

ffences at such proper times and seasons of the year as it will best

groe in oz the Nature of this groud will most kindly Produce And

when the afores: two Acres of Land lying in different Parcells is

ffully and severally Inclosed and Planted with Young Plants of

Gunwood and other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze

round the said ffences as herein before mentioned You the said

Orlando Bagley son your Heirs oz Allowed of Assigns are no

ways to remove oz alter the said ffences after they are well and

sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt and Damage

of all sorts of Beasts they being the bounds and Land Marks of the

said hereby Demised two Acres of Land lying in two different

Parcells as aforesaid and which in such Case will Occasion the

Alteration of the Plan thereof hereunto Annexd Nor Gunwood

Nor shall You the said Orlando Bagley son oz your Heirs

oz Allowed oz Assigns by any manner of ways oz means

to sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without

the foreknowledge and Consent of the Goverz & Councell of this Island

for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy

and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to these Presents Sett

their Comon Seal at their Castle in James Valey this 2 day of Augˢᵗ

Anno Dom: 1726 And the said Orlando Bagley son to the other

Part hath Sett his hand & Seal day and year afforesaid./

Test Orlando Bagley

Memorandum That before Signing & Sealing

Hereof, ffaith an Acre more of Gunwood

Land hath been granted & Lett to the before

named Orlando Bagley son Adjoyning to

the above One Acre of Gunwood Land

as Described in the Plan thereof Witnessed

& dated day & year aforesaid./ §

The lease set out Orlando Bagley's duties on the 2 acres. He held the land for himself and his heirs. He had to fence both pieces straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He was to look after both pieces and let no part of either fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Since the 2 acres lay in two separate pieces, he was to keep each one fenced and plant each with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences.

Bagley and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of both pieces and protected them from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bagley and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on [...] August 1726. Orlando Bagley signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A note added before signing recorded that a further 1 acre of gumwood had been granted and let to Orlando Bagley, joining the 1 acre of gumwood already described in the plan. This was witnessed on the same day.

Interpretations

The note added before signing recorded a further 1 acre of gumwood let to Bagley alongside the acre already set out, with that extra acre joined onto the parcel in the plan. The Company adjusted the grant at the moment of sealing rather than drawing up a separate document, and tied the addition to the existing plan. This shows how readily a holding could be enlarged on the spot, with the drawn plan stretched to take in the added ground.

Because the land lay in two separate pieces, the Company again spelled out that each had to be fenced and planted in its own right. The duties fell on every piece, not on the holding as a whole. Where ground was let in scattered plots, the Company made sure no part escaped the burden of enclosure and planting, since an unfenced piece left the timber unguarded.

The planting clause once more called for young gumwood across both pieces. This was the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used, and the same demand ran through every lease as the Company guarded its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

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Island St Helena

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this Island The Hoñ:

United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies DO

hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto Robert Gurling of this Island

free Planter, all that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration

two Acres scituate Lying and being at oz near the Head of Sandes Valley in the West

Division of the said Island Butting and Bounding towards the North & East & West

upon the said Hoñ Company Wast Land and towards the South upon a certain

ffeilder belonging To have & to hold the said Hereby Demised Two Acres of Gunwood

oz Wast Land of one oz Allowed Acre upon the said Robert Gurling

the said Land with the Appurtenances and every Part thereof Unto him the said Robert Gurling

for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of twenty One years from thence

Insueing Upon Condition That he the said Robert Gurling his Heirs oz Allowed

of Assigns shall and do Always beare true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne

Lord King George his heirs and Successors And to the said Hoñ United Compy

and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island

Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly and Every And Dureing the said terme &

said time of twenty One years afforesaid Unto the said Hoñ United Company

their Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides

One shilling Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum at oz upon the

twenty 25 day of September for and Dureing all the Terme & time

as afores: Provided That he the said Robert Gurling his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Allowed of Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the

said hereby Demised Two Acres of Land with a good Sufficient ffence and the

same being so ffenced and ffully Inclosed shall so keep and Maintained in

good repair & repair when and as often as Need shall require & that the

whole Premises and every Part oz Parcell thereof shall so keep & Maintained

and no ways suffered to Run to ruine oz decay And shall also Plant keep up

Maintaine and Preserve the full Quantity and Proportion of Wood and

Young Plants of Gunwood Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that

Case made and Provided. And also to plant ffurze round the said ffences

at such proper times & seasons of the year as it is most likeliest for the

and the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the said ffences

Demise two Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced and Planted with

Young Plants of Gunwood, and other such like usefull Trees as well as

ffurze round the said ffences at herein before mentioned You the

said Robert Gurling oz your Heirs, oz Allowed of Assigns are by no

manner of ways oz means to remove or alter the said ffences after

they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt

and Damage of all sorts of Beasts they being the bounds and Land

Marks of the said Demise Two Acres of Gunwood Land and which

in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott & Plan thereof ffence

unto Annexed Nor shall You the said Robert Gurling, oz your Heirs

oz Allowed oz Assigns by any manner of manner oz means to sell oz

Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge

and Consent of the Goverz and Councell of this said Island for the

time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Company

and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to these Presents

Sett their Common Seal at their Castle in James Valey on the

said Island this 26 day of June Anno Dom: 1726 And the said

Robert Gurling hath Sett his hand & Seal day & year above Written

Test Robert Gurling §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Robert Gurling, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 2 acres. It lay at or near the head of Sandy Bay Valley, in the West Division of the island. It touched the Company's own land to the south, joining land John Goodwin held at the head of the valley. The Company rented Gurling the 2 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Gurling held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Gurling had to fence the 2 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 2 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Gurling and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Gurling and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on [...] [...] 1726. Robert Gurling signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 2 acres as a single five-sided plot.

Interpretations

This Sandy Bay Valley parcel touched land John Goodwin held at the head of the valley, so the Company was again letting a tenant ground that fitted against a neighbour's holding. The same pattern of fitting small pieces against established land runs right through these leases. Such ground was the easiest to fence and keep, and it tied the new plot neatly into the existing run of holdings.

The duties here match the whole series of gumwood leases of this period. Gurling had to fence the land at once, keep the fences sound, plant young gumwood to replace what was used, and grow furze along his boundaries. Furze is a tough, spiny shrub that grows in poor, exposed ground and makes a cheap living barrier to strengthen a fence and hold stock. The Company laid the same standing burden on every tenant who took gumwood ground.

Robert Gurling connects to the wider Gurling family active in the island's land dealings, including Richard Gurling, a free planter who traded steadily through the 1720s, and whose ground sat across Sandy Bay, Lemon Valley and Fryer Valley. The land John Goodwin held at the head of this valley ties the parcel to Captain John Goodwin, a gentleman and fourth in council, who gathered Fryer Valley and Lemon Valley ground through the same years.

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Island St Helena

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ:

Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies DO

hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett unto Captain John Goodwin

All that Peice oz Parcell of Land Land conteining

twenty ffive Acres scituate & Lying by Mensuration Butting and bounding towards the North

upon the Hoñ Compy Wast Land Towards two Acres oz Parcells

in Possession of him the said Capt Jnº Goodwin Butt upon the Hoñ

Compy Land called Clark Pasture & Wilkinson twenty Six Acres of

Land belonging to Vincent Loft Esteate To have & to hold

the said hereby Demised twenty five Acres of so Tygos

with the Appurtenances & every Part & Parcell thereof Unto him the

said John Goodwin his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed of Assigns ffor

the 25 day of June last past for Dureing all the time space & Terme of

twenty One years from May next insueing Upon Condition

that he the said John Goodwin his Heirs oz Execrs ffor always bear true

ffaith & allegiance unto Our Soveraigne Lord King George his Heirs

Successors And to the said Hoñ United Company & their Successors And

shall duly obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding

& paying therefore yearly & Every year Dureing the said terme aforesaid

Unto the said Hoñ Compy their Successors Agents oz

Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling

Duty to be paid for One Mensuration Estates at the ffeet of the Appurtenances

of the Estated ffryer Wast Money Cromid that Conditon old

John Goodwin the said Conveyer & Demised oz allowed of Assigns shall

doe Immediatly Sett about & ffence in the said hereby Demised twenty

ffive Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient ffence and when so ffenced &

Inclosed the same to keep in good repaire & repair when & as often as

shall be & repaire keep & that the whole Premises & every Part oz Parcell

thereof the whole part & remaine Tennantable & to keep up & Preserve &

Maintaine the Proportionable Quantity of Wood according to the

Law of this Island in the Planting Plants in that Case made &

Provided. & Nor are you the said John Goodwin oz your Heirs

to alter the said ffences after they are well made, which are the

Marks & bounds of the said twenty ffive Acres of Gunwood ffive Acres of

Land & which will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott thereunto and

Nor are you to sell oz any Manner Dispose of this Lease oz Interest

in the same without the foreknowledge & Consent of the said Goverz &

Councell of this Island for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ

United Compy & Lords Proprietors of the said Island have to these

said Common Seal at their Castle in James Valey this 26 day of

July Anno Dom: 1726 And the said Capt John Goodwin to the other Part

hath Sett his hand & Seale

Jnº Goodwin

Memorandum this Lease was deffaced &

to Tho: ŝ Wrangham & since deliverd up

by him as appeares in Consultation of 8 Julij 1739

J S Powell Sec §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, confirmed land to Captain John Goodwin, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 25 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in Fryer Valley, in the West Division of the island. It touched land John Goodwin already held to the north and east, more of the land he held in or near Fryer Valley, and the Company's own land. To the south and west it touched land belonging to a holder named Vergus. The parcel carried the byname Carne's pasture and had earlier been Worrall's land. Captain Goodwin got the 25 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The Company confirmed the 25 acres on condition that Captain Goodwin pay a yearly rent and a duty. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September. The term ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Captain Goodwin held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules.

This 25 acres had passed through earlier hands before reaching Captain Goodwin. It connected to land of the late Daniel Griffeth, with the ground earlier held by Murray and others. Captain Goodwin had to fence the 25 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 25 acres were fully fenced and planted, the main duties were met. Captain Goodwin and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land. He and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on [...] [...] 1726. Captain John Goodwin signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A note recorded that this lease was given up to Francis Wrangham and delivered to him as a plan, in a sitting of the council, on 8 July 1730. Signed by Gabriel Powell.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 25 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

This was a confirmation rather than a fresh lease, setting on a firm footing land Captain John Goodwin already held. As with the earlier Samuel Tayler confirmation, the Company was fixing a title beyond doubt rather than granting new ground. Captain John Goodwin, a gentleman and fourth in council, was an active buyer of Fryer Valley land through the 1720s, and this confirmation secured a large block of it in his hands.

The parcel carried two bynames marking its past, Carne's pasture and Worrall's land, and connected to the ground of the late Daniel Griffeth, the long-serving clerk of the council who died by 1714. The land had moved through several holders before reaching Captain Goodwin. Naming the earlier tenures traced how the ground had come down to him and fixed the parcel clearly among the Fryer Valley holdings.

The note recording that the lease was given up to Francis Wrangham on 8 July 1730 shows the title moving on within a few years of the confirmation. Francis Wrangham was a substantial accumulator of land into the 1720s and 1730s, and Gabriel Powell, who signed the note, acted repeatedly as an executor and senior figure in the island's land dealings. The endorsement traces the parcel passing forward into Wrangham's hands.

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[Portion of the page is missing along the left-hand edge, affecting the beginnings of the lower-middle lines and the lower-left corner.]

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of the Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United

Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby

Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett unto Robert John Young of this Island

all that Peice oz Parcell of Land conteining twenty Six Acres scituate in

James Valley Butting and bounding towards the North & East & West Land upon

the Appurtenances Agents & Assigns Land Butting & bounding &

said upon the North & East & Land Conteining oz Parcells twenty Six Acres of

Leased Land belonging to Capt John Goodwin & upon the Hoñ Compy

Wast Land near to part the Loose Land of English Nichols To

have & to hold the said hereby Demised twenty Six Acres of

Land with the Appurtenances & Young Plants & Gunwood Trees unto him

the said John Young his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed of Assigns from the

25 day of June last past for Dureing all the time space & terme of

twenty One years from May next insueing Upon Condition that

he the said John Young his Heirs oz allowed oz Assigns Doe Always

to allegiance unto Our Soveraigne Lord King George his Heirs

United Compy & their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes &

Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & paying therefore Yearly &

Every Year Dureing the said terme & time & paying unto the said

Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent

of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling Duty being in all five

shillings p Acre at the Quarter & the Mensuration of the Estate

except Mary Knipe Cromid that he the said John Young his Heirs

Execrs oz allowed oz Assigns Doe Immediatly at once

to keep in the said hereby Demised twenty Six Acres of Land with a good &

Sufficient ffence ffence oz ffence & ffully Inclosed to keep in good

repaire & repair when & as often as Need that the Premises & part in such

thereof to run out and to keep up & Maintaine in good repaire and to

keep up Preserve & Maintaine the ffull Proportionable Quantity of Wood according to

the Law of this Island in the Planting of Wood in such Case made & Provided

Nor are you the said John Young oz allowed of Assigns to alter the

said ffences after they are well made which are the said Marks bounds

of the said hereby Demised twenty Six Acres of Land & which will Occasion

the Alteration of the said Plotts Annexed & Nor are you to sell oz any

manner oz dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the

foreknowledge & Consent of the said Goverz & for the time being In

Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Company & Lords Proprietors

of this said Island have to these Presents Sett their Comon Seale at

their Castle in James Valey 26 July Anno Dom: 1726 & the said

Robert John Young to the other Part hath sett his hand & Seal

John Young

Memorand: That since ŝ Signing &

Sealing & afores: Lease to John Young ffour

Acres more of ye Hoñ Compy Wast Land hath

been granted & Measured to him the said John

Young which in ye whole makes 30 Acres As

by ye Plott hereof in the Margent makes appear

Witness ŝ my hand this 3 day of Julij 1727 §

Margin Notes:

26 Acres §

4 Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Sergeant John Young, of the island. The land came to 26 acres in pieces. It lay in Sandy Bay Valley, in the West Division of the island. It touched land John Goodwin held to the north and east, and more of the land Goodwin held in or near the valley. To the west it touched land near the valley belonging to Edmund Nichols. The Company rented Young the 26 acres plus everything on it, including any buildings and the young gumwood trees standing on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March just gone. Young held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

This 26 acres had passed through earlier hands before reaching Young, connecting to land earlier held by Murray and others. Young had to fence the 26 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Young and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Young and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 26 [...] 1726. Sergeant John Young signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A note added after the sealing recorded that a further 4 acres of Company waste land had been granted and measured to John Young, which together with the 26 acres made 30 acres in all, as the plan in the margin showed. This was witnessed on the 3rd day of [...] 1727.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the land in pieces. The larger was marked as the 26 acres. A smaller piece, drawn below, was marked as the 4 acres added.

Interpretations

This 26-acre rental to Sergeant John Young sat against land John Goodwin held on two sides and Edmund Nichols's ground on a third. As across this run of leases, the Company was letting a tenant ground that fitted against established holdings. The parcel slotted into the existing run of Sandy Bay Valley land, where the same few holders' names recur as the boundaries of each new grant.

The note added after sealing recorded a further 4 acres of waste granted and measured to Young, bringing his holding to 30 acres in all, with the plan stretched to show it. As with the earlier Orlando Bagley grant, the Company enlarged the holding shortly after the main sealing rather than drawing a separate document. This shows how readily a parcel could be added to and the drawn plan widened to take in the extra ground.

Sergeant John Young connects to the soldier of the same name who bought Joseph Whaley's James Valley house in Southwark Street for £24 0s 0d in 1722. His holding of rented land alongside his garrison rank shows the overlap of military service and landholding on the island, where serving soldiers and sergeants regularly took and worked ground of their own.

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158

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this Island The

Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett unto Richard Mason

of this said Island Planter, all that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land conteining

by Mensuration ffour Acres and a Quarter scituate Lying and being in

Sandwich Valley in the West Division of the said Island Butting & bounding

towards the North upon the Lease Land now in Possession of the said Richard

Mason Towards the South upon the twenty Six Acres oz Parcells Land in

Mason & Loose Land & Conteyning the said twenty two

the Possession & part Joh Young Conveyed this Lease upon the said

Land of the Possession of ffrancis Hunge and towards the West upon

the said Hoñ Compys Wast Land scituate in the said Sandwich Valley

To have & to hold the said Hereby Demised four Acres & a Quarter

of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances and every Part oz Parcell thereof

unto him the said Richard Mason his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of September

next insueing the day of the date hereof for and Dureing all the

time space and Terme & twenty One years from thence Insueing Upon

Condition That he the said Richard Mason his Heirs oz Allowed

oz Assigns shall and do Always beare true ffaith & Allegiance to Our

Soveraigne Lord King George his Heirs and Successors And to the

said Hoñ United Company and their Successors And shall duly

Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & Paying

therefore Yearly & Every year Dureing the said Terme & time of twenty

One years aforesaid Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors

Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One

shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum at oz upon

the 25 day oz upon the day of September Dureing the whole afore=

said terme and Terme aforesaid Always Provided That he the said

Richard Mason his Heirs Execrs oz Allowed oz Assigns shall

and do immediately Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised

ffour Acres and a Quarter of Land with a good Sufficient ffence

oz within One years space to Commence from the day of this date

hereof upon the Remains of Paying could duty unto the said Hoñ

Company for all the time the said Your Acres of Land hereby Demised

that he the Lyman to ffence And when the said hereby Demised four

Acres ffully ffenced & Inclosed as aforesaid he & every part thereof

shall be kept and Maintaind in good repaire and repair when and as

often as Need shall require So that the whole Premises and every Part

thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to

Ruine oz decay And shall Also plant keep up and Maintaine & Preserve

the full Quantity and Proportion of Wood and Young Plants of Gunwood

Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided

And also to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such Proper times &

seasons of the year as is most likely to groe in And the Nature of the

ground will Produce, And when the said hereby Demised is Planted with Young

Plants of Gunwood and such like other usefull Trees as well as with ffurze

as herein before Mentioned You the said Richard Mason oz your Heirs

oz allowed oz assigns are by no ways to alter, oz remove the said ffences

after they are well & sufficiently made to secure the same from the

Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts they being the Bounds & Land

Marks of the said hereby Demised four Acres and One Quarter of Land

and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plan thereof

hereunto Annexed ffor shall you the said Richard Mason oz your

Heirs oz allowed oz Assigns by any manner of ways oz means

to sell oz this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge

and Consent of the Goverz and Councell of the said Island §

Margin Notes:

4¼ Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Richard Mason, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 4 acres and a quarter. It lay in Sandy Bay Valley, in the West Division of the island. It touched the lease land John Young held to the north, more of the land Young held, and to the south it touched 20 acres of gumwood now held by Mason. The parcel ran to land earlier held under Francis Junge, and to the Company's own waste land in Sandy Bay Valley. The Company rented Mason the 4 acres and a quarter of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Mason held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

This 4 acres and a quarter had passed through earlier hands before reaching Mason, connecting to land earlier held by Lemon and others. Mason had to fence the 4 acres and a quarter straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 4 acres and a quarter were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Mason and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Mason and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 4 acres and a quarter as a single five-sided plot.

Interpretations

This parcel touched 20 acres of gumwood Mason already held to the south, so the Company was letting him round out a block he was already farming. As across this whole run of leases, the new piece fitted against the tenant's existing ground. Such land was the easiest to fence and keep, and it tied the small addition neatly into the larger holding Mason worked in Sandy Bay Valley.

The boundaries name John Young's lease land, the parcel rented to Sergeant John Young in the same stretch of dealings, which fixes Mason's piece directly against Young's neighbouring grant. The two leases sat side by side in Sandy Bay Valley, each named as a boundary of the other. The Company let these adjoining pieces in a single run, so the holders' names recur across one another's deeds.

Richard Mason connects to the planter of the same name who bought the Southwark Street house known as William Trenchard's house from John Hanson, a corporal, for £8 0s 0d on 2 October 1723. His holding of gumwood ground in Sandy Bay Valley, alongside his urban property in James Town, shows a man building up land in more than one part of the island through the 1720s.

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for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy

and Lords Proprietors of this their Island have to these Presents

Sett their Comon Seal at their Castle in James Valey this 25 day

of August Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred Twenty & six

And the said Richard Mason to the other part hath Sett to his

hand and Seale

Richard Mason

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors

of this Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to

the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto

ffrancis Hunge of this Island Planter & Carpenter all those two Peices oz Parcells

of Gunwood Land Containing in both Parcells seventeen Acres scituate & being

in the West Division of the said Island that is to say Eight Acres thereof Lying

scituate and being in afore: Adjoyning Valley Butting and bounding towards

the North & part of the Loose Land oz part of the said ffree Land already in the said

ffrancis Hunge his own Lease oz the said upon the said Hoñ Compy

Wast Land scituate in the said Sandwich Valley towards the West upon the Loose

Land oz part of the said Mason and towards the South upon Part of his Leased

of Capt John Goodwin the said Parcell oz part Joh Young scituate Near his

Towards the North the other Parcell Containing Nine Acres Lying Peak Pastures

Scituate & being towards the other Parcell Conteining Nine Acres scituate Near the

Head of Great Bottom under the said ffree Compy Wast Land Peak Pastures

Butting & bounding towards the South upon the Lower Part thereof and

towards the North & East West upon the said Hoñ Compy Wast Land

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised two Acres oz Parcells of

Gunwood Land Containing in both Parcells seventeen Acres as aforesaid

with the Appurtenances Every Part oz Parcell thereof unto him the said

ffrancis Hunge his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns from the

25 day of Sept Next Insueing the Day of the date hereof ffor and Dureing

all the time space & Terme & twenty One Years from thence Insueing

Upon Condition that he the said ffrancis Hunge his Heirs oz allowed

oz Assigns Do Always bear true ffaith and allegiance to Our Soveraigne

Lord King George his Heirs & Successors And to the said Hoñ United

Company and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes and

Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding and Paying therefore Yeare

ly and every yeare Dureing the said Terme and time of twenty One

years Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors, Agents oz

Assigns, the Yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling

Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25

day of Sept ffor and Dureing the said Terme & time of twenty One

years aforesaid, Always Provided that he the said ffrancis

Hunge his Heirs Execrs oz allowed oz Assigns of Wood Wall and Doe

Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised two

of Gunwood Land Lying in two different Acres oz Parts of this Island

with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this time space &

One Yeare Commencing from the date hereof upon the Penalty of

paying §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 23 August 1726. Richard Mason signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Francis Junge, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 17 acres in two pieces. It lay in Fryer Valley, in the West Division of the island. It touched land to the north, joining 17 acres of Francis Junge's own land near the Castle in James Valley to the west. To the south it touched land of Captain John Goodwin. To the west it touched another parcel held by Junge in or near the head of Great Bottom, under the side of King's Peak, with a feature called the pasture. To the north and east it touched more land. The Company rented Junge the 17 acres of gumwood in the two pieces, plus everything on them, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Junge held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Junge had to fence the 17 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He was to look after both pieces and let no part of either fall into ruin or decay. Since the 17 acres lay in two separate pieces, he was to keep each one fenced.

Interpretations

This 17-acre rental sat against Francis Junge's own land on more than one side, with a further piece of his ground near King's Peak named among the boundaries. As across this whole run of leases, the Company was letting a tenant round out land he already held. The two pieces fitted against Junge's existing holdings, the easiest kind of ground to fence and keep, tying the new grant into the land he already worked in Fryer Valley.

The boundaries again name Captain John Goodwin, a gentleman and fourth in council, who was an active buyer of Fryer Valley ground through the 1720s. Junge's parcels sat among the holdings Captain Goodwin was steadily gathering in this stretch of the island. The same few names recur as the boundaries of each new grant in the valley, marking the small circle of holders who worked and traded the ground there.

Francis Junge connects to the witness of the same name who appears across several instruments of 1714 and 1715, probably a member of the garrison or merchant circle of continental European origin, like Samuel Des Fountaine and Bartrant Audouart before him. His holding of a substantial body of gumwood land in Fryer Valley shows him settled as a landholder on the island by this date, beyond his earlier role as a witness to others' deeds.

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Paying double Duty unto the said Hoñ United Compy for all the

time the said seventeen Acres of Gunwood Land oz any part thereof

shall be and remaine Unfenced And when the said hereby Demised

seventeen Acres of Land Lying in two different Parcells aforesaid is

ffully ffenced & Inclosed the same and every Part oz Parcell thereof

shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to run to Ruine

oz Decay And shall also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve the

ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood and Young Plants of

Gunwood Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made

and Provided & And also to Plant ffurze round the said ffences at

such proper times & seasons of the year as it is most likely to groe

in and the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the said

aforesaid seventeen Acres of Gunwood Land Lying in two different

Parcells and Plants of the said is ffully and ffeverally ffenced and

Planted with Young Plants of Gunwood and other such like usefull

Trees as well as foith ffurze round the said ffences as herein before

Menhoned You the said ffrancis Hunge your Heirs oz allowed of Assigns

are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well

and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt & Damage

of all sorts of Beasts they being the Bounds and Land Marks of

the said hereby Demised seventeen Acres of Land Lying in two

different Parcells aforesaid And which in such Case will Occasion

the Alteration of the severall & different Plotts thereof hereunto

severally Annexed Nor shall You the said ffrancis Hunge oz your

Heirs Execrs oz to sell any way Sell oz Dispose of this Lease

oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge and Consent of

the Governor & Councell of this said Island for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company

and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to these

Presents Sett their Comon Seal at their Castle in James

Valley this 30 day of August Anno Dom: One Thousand

seven Hundred twenty and Six And the said ffrancis

Hunge to the other Part hath Sett his hand & Seale./

ffrancis Hunge §

Margin Notes:

8 Acres §

9 Acres §

The lease set out the duty on Francis Junge to pay a double duty for any part of the 17 acres of gumwood he left unfenced. Once the 17 acres in the two pieces were fully fenced and enclosed, he was to look after both pieces and let no part of either fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Since the 17 acres lay in two separate pieces, he was to keep each one fenced and plant each with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences.

Junge and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of both pieces and protected them from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Junge and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 30 August 1726. Francis Junge signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the land in two pieces. The upper piece was marked as the 8 acres. The lower piece, drawn as a five-sided shape, was marked as the 9 acres, the pair making the 17 acres together.

Interpretations

This lease added a sharper penalty than most in the run, charging Junge a double duty on any part of the 17 acres he left unfenced. The Company turned its standard demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so that an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. This shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The land lay in two separate pieces of 8 and 9 acres, and the Company spelled out that each had to be fenced and planted in its own right. The duties fell on every piece, not on the holding as a whole. Where ground was let in scattered plots, the Company made sure no part escaped the burden of enclosure and planting, since an unfenced piece left the timber open to loss.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood across both pieces, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease of this run, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

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Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading

to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme

Lett Unto Joshua Johnson of this said Island free Planter, All that Peice

oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration fifteen

Acres scituate Lying and being at the Head of Broad Bottom in the

West Division in the said Island Butting and Bounding towards the West

upon ffree Land now in the Possession of the said Joshua Johnson scituate near

the Head of the said Great Bottom towards the South upon the

Lower part of the said Hoñ Company Hoñ Peak Pasture Lands

towards the West upon their Wast Lands and towards the East upon

a Parcell of Land in the Possession of Gabriel Powell ffree Planter

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised fifteen Acres of

Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances and every Part & Parcell

thereof Unto him the said Joshua Johnson His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of September Next

Insueing the Day of the date hereof ffor and Dureing all the Time

space and Terme of twenty One Years from thence next Insueing

Upon Condition that he the said Joshua Johnson his Heires oz

Allowed oz Assigns Do Always beare true ffaith and Allegiance to

Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs and Successors And shall

to the said Hoñ United Company and their Successors And shall

duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this Island Yeilding and

Paying therefore Yearly & Every Year Dureing the said Terme & Time

of twenty One Years Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors

Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides

One shilling Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz

upon the twenty fifth day of September for and Dureing all the Terme

space and time of twenty One Years afores: Always Provided

that he the said Joshua Johnson his Heirs Execrs oz Heirs oz Allowed

oz Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said

hereby Demised fifteen Acres of Gunwood and with a good Sufficient

ffence by oz within the time space of One yeare Commencing from the

Day of the date hereof upon the Penalty of Paying double Duty for

unto the said Hoñ United Company for all the time the said fifteen

Acres of Land oz any Part thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And

when the said hereby Demised fifteen Acres of Land is ffully ffenced

Inclosed as afores: the same & every Part oz Parcell thereof Demised

be kept in good repair & repaire when and as often as Need shall

require So that the whole Premises and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz

Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine and Preserve the

ffull Quantity and Proportion & Wood and Young Plants of Gunwood

oz any such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that

Case made and Provided. And also to plant ffurze round the said ffences

at such proper times Seasons of the year as it is most likely to groe

in and the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the said

fifteen Acres of Gunwood Land is ffully ffenced and Planted with

Young Plants of Gunwood and such like other usefull Trees as well

as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before Mentioned

You the said Joshua Johnson oz your Heirs, or Allowed oz Assigns §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Joshua Johnson, a free planter. The land grew gumwood and came to 15 acres by a recent measurement. It lay at or near the head of Great Bottom, in the West Division of the island. It touched Joshua Johnson's own free land to the north, ground earlier in his possession. To the south it touched the lower part of the Company's land on the side of King's Peak. To the west it touched land near the side of King's Peak, and to the east it touched a parcel of land in the possession of Daniel Bowers, a planter. The Company rented Johnson the 15 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Johnson held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Johnson had to fence the 15 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 15 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Johnson and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set.

Interpretations

This 15-acre rental touched Joshua Johnson's own free land to the north, ground he already held, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he was already farming. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding near the head of Great Bottom. Such ground was the easiest to fence and keep, and these leases were repeatedly shaped to add pieces that lay against a tenant's own land.

This lease carried the same double duty on unfenced ground as the Francis Junge grant before it. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The repeated appearance of this clause across the run shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded.

Joshua Johnson, a free planter, connects to the wider Johnson family long settled near the High Peak and at Broad Bottom. A Joshua Johnson held a frontier estate under King's Peak next to Sandy Bay in the earlier records. The present parcel, on the side of King's Peak at the head of Great Bottom, sat in the same upland stretch the family had worked across the years.

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are no way to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are

well and sufficiently made So secure the same from the Hurt and

Damage of all sorts of Beasts they being the bounds & the Land marks

of the said hereby Demised fifteen Acres of Land and which in

such Case will Reahort the Alteration of this Plan thereof hereunto

Annexed Nor shall you the said Joshua Johnson oz your Heirs Ex=

ecutors oz ffor: any ways Sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest

in the same without the Knowledge and Consent of the Governour

and Councell of the said Island for the time being In Witness

whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords Proprietors of

this their Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common

Seal at their Castle in James Valey this 30 day of August

Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred twenty & Six

And the said Joshua Johnson to the other part hath Sett his

hand & Seal day & year aforesaid./

Joshua Johnson

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to

the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme Lett

Unto Orlando Bagley son of this Island free Planter, All that Peice

oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration two Acres

scituate Lying and being in a Valley comonly called ffrancis oz

the Name of Brooks Valley in the South Division of the said Island

Butting and Bounding towards the North, South, East, West, &

every way upon the said Honourable Companys Wast Land

& Rocky Hills on each Side the said Valley To have & to hold

the said hereby Demised two Acres of Gunwood Land with the Ap=

purtenances and every Part thereof Unto him the said Orlando Bagley

son his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ ffor oz Allowed oz Assigns from

the twenty fifth day of September Next insueing the day of the date

hereof for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of twenty

One years from thence Insueing Upon Condition that he the

said Orlando Bagley son his Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns Do

Always bear true ffaith and allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord

King George His Heirs and Successors And to the said Hoñ Honour

Company and their Successors And shall duly obey all the Lawes

and Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding and Paying there=

fore Yearly and every yeare Dureing the said Terme and time

of twenty One years Unto the said Hoñ United Company

their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour

shillings p Acre besides One shilling Duty being in all five

shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of September

for and Dureing all the time space & Terme of twenty One

years afores: & Always Provided That he the said Orlando

Bagley son his Heirs Execrs ffor: oz Allowed oz Assigns

shall §

Margin Notes:

15 Acres of Gunwood Allowed for Barrenness §

Joshua Johnson and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Johnson and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 30 August 1726. Joshua Johnson signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 15 acres of cabbage tree land as a single plot, with a further small piece allowed for a barren ridge.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Orlando Bagley, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 2 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in a valley called Brook's Valley, in the South Division of the island. It touched the Company's own land on every side, with low and rocky hills on each side of the valley. The Company rented Bagley the 2 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Bagley held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Interpretations

The plan marked the 15-acre parcel as cabbage tree land and noted a further small piece allowed for a barren ridge. This shows the Company recording exactly what each stretch of ground was good for, and setting aside the poor rocky part separately. On upland ground broken by barren patches, the Company distinguished the useful land from the waste, since only the workable acres carried the full weight of the planting duties.

This grant to Orlando Bagley took an unusual commencement date of 25 September 1726, the autumn quarter day, rather than the 25 March start common across the run. The Company sometimes began a term from the nearest quarter day to the actual grant rather than back-dating to the spring. The choice of the September quarter marks this as a fresh arrangement timed to the moment of the lease rather than a regularising of older occupation.

The parcel sat in Brook's Valley, hemmed in by the Company's own land and by low rocky hills on each side. Unlike most of the leases in this run, it touched no neighbour's holding, only Company ground and the bare hills. The Company leaned on the rocky hillsides as natural bounds, the landscape itself fixing where the small valley parcel sat where no adjoining tenant's land could.

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shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said Hereby Demised Two Acres

of Gunwood Land with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within the time space

of One Year Commencing from the date hereof Upon the Penalty of Paying

double Duty unto the said Hoñ United Compy for all the time the said two

Acres of Land oz any part thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And when

the said hereby Demised two Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed

the same & every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair &

repaire when and as often as Need shall require So that the whole

Premises and every Part thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no

ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz Decay And shall Also plant keep

up Maintaine and Preserve the ffull Quantity & Proportion of Wood

and Young Plants of Gunwood Trees Persuant to the Law of this

Island in that Case made and Provided. And also to plant ffurze

round the said ffences at such Proper times Seasons of the year as it is

most likely to grow in and the Nature of the ground will Produce;

And when the afores: two Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced

and planted with Young Plants of Gunwood and other such usefull

Trees, as well as with ffurze round the said ffences thereof the Nature

of the ground will Produce) as herein before Mentioned You the said

Orlando Bagley son your Heirs or Allowed oz Assignes are no ways

to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently

made (to secure the same from the Hurt and Damage of all Sorts of

Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said hereby Demised

two Acres of Land, and which in such Case will Occasion the Alter=

ation of the Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the

said Orlando Bagley son Your Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ shall any ways

Sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Know=

ledge and Consent of the Governour and Councell of this Island

for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United

Company and Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to

these Presents Sett their Common Seal at their Castle in James

Valley this 30 Day of August Anno Dom: One Thousand

seven Hundred Twenty & Six And the said Orlando Bagley

son to the other Part hath Sett his hand and Seale

Orlando Bagley §

The lease set out Orlando Bagley's duties on the 2 acres of gumwood. He had to fence the land straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 2 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Bagley and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bagley and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 30 August 1726. Orlando Bagley signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 2 acres as a single narrow plot.

Interpretations

This grant carried the same double duty on unfenced ground that runs through the later leases of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence across these gumwood grants, since an open plot left the timber unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The seal was set on 30 August 1726, though the term itself was timed to begin from the autumn quarter day of 25 September 1726. The Company sealed the document near the end of August but dated the start of the 21 years to the coming quarter day. This marks the parcel as a fresh arrangement tied to the nearest quarter rather than a regularising of older occupation back-dated to the spring.

The Orlando Bagley named here as the younger marks a further generation of the Bagley family, long established at the head of Powell's Valley. His holding of small gumwood pieces across more than one division, in Porlock Valley earlier and now in Brook's Valley, shows him building up scattered leasehold ground in his own name through these years.

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164

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of this

their Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett &

to ffarme Lett unto Richard Tinkley of this said Island Planter,

All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining Eleven

Acres scituate Lying and being on the Hill side below a place called

and known by the Name of the Graves that is Powder Valley, in

the South Prospect of the said Island, Butting & bounding towards

the North upon and Near Adjoyning to the Eight Acres of Land

ffords lately granted, and in the Possession of John Harding Planter

towards the West upon part of the Lease Lands now in the Possession

of William Beale and towards the East & South upon the said

Hoñ: Company Wast Land scituate under and near the said

Gravel next to the said below to Valley To have & to hold the

said hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Gunwood Land with the

Appurtenances and every part thereof Unto him the said Richard

Tinkley his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed of Assigns

from the twenty fifth day of Sept Next insueing the day of this date

hereof, for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of twenty

One years from thence next Insueing Upon Condition that

he the said Richard Tinkley his Heirs and Allowed oz Assigns,

Do Always bear true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne

Lord King George his Heirs and Successors And to the said Hoñ

United Company and their Successors And shall duly obey all

the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding and Paying

therefore yearly and every yeare Dureing the said Terme & time of

twenty One years unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors

Agents oz & Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre

besides One shilling Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum

in all oz upon the twenty fifth day of Sept for and Dureing the full

Terms and time of twenty One years afores: Always Provided

that he the said Richard Tinkley his Heirs Execrs oz allowed

oz Assigns shall and Do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the

said hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Land with a good Sufficient

ffence by oz within the time space of One yeare Commencing

from the date of these Presents upon the Penalty of Paying

double Duty unto the said Hoñ United Company for all the time

the said Eleven Acres of Land oz any part thereof shall be & remaine

Unfenced And when the said hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Land

is ffully ffenced & Inclosed the same and every Part thereof shall be

Maintaind and kept in good repair & repair when and as often

as Need shall require So that the whole Premises and every Part

thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run

to ruine oz Decay And shall Also plant keep up and Preserve

the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood and Young Plants of

Gunwood & other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of

this Island in that Case made and Provided. And also to Plant

ffurze round the said ffences at such Proper times and seasons of the

year as it is most likely to Grow in and the Nature of the ground

will §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Richard Tinley, a free planter of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 11 acres. It lay at or near the head of Porlock Valley, in the South Division of the island. It carried the byname of Griffin's land. It touched land to the north, joining 8 acres earlier granted to John Harding, a planter, now in Harding's possession, to the west. It touched part of the land of William Beale, and to the east and south it touched the Company's own waste land near the gravel ground in the valley. The Company rented Tinley the 11 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Tinley held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Tinley had to fence the 11 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best.

Interpretations

This 11-acre parcel carried the byname Griffin's land, the same name attached to the cabbage tree piece let to Orlando Bagley earlier in this run at the head of Porlock Valley. The byname fixed the ground clearly and tied this grant to the same stretch of the valley. On a small island where the same names recur across many plots, such a byname did the work of pinning down exactly which piece of ground was meant.

The land touched 8 acres earlier granted to John Harding, a free planter and freeholder who consolidated a divided Sandy Bay estate under himself in 1720. As across this whole run of leases, Tinley's piece fitted against the holdings of established neighbours, here Harding and William Beale, whose own 2-acre parcel on the side of Peak Hill was let earlier in this same batch. The grant slotted into the existing run of Porlock Valley land.

This lease carried the double duty on unfenced ground that runs through the later grants of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

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will Produce And when the afores: Eleven Acres of Gunwood Land

is ffully ffenced and Planted with Young plants of Gunwood & other

such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences

as herein before mentioned You the said Richard Tinkley your Heirs

oz allowed oz Assignes are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences

after they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the

Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts they being the Bounds and Land

Marks of the said hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Land and which

in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plan thereof hereunto

Annexed Nor shall You the said Richard Tinkley oz your Heirs Exe=

cutors oz Adminˢ that any ways sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz

Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent of the Goverz

and Councell of the said Island for the time being In Witness

whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords Proprietors

of this Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal

at their Castle in James Valley this 30 day of August Anno

Dom: One Thousand Seven Hundred twenty & Six And the

said Richard Tinkley to the other Part hath Sett his hand

and Seal day & year aforesaid./

The Mark of

Richard + Tinsley

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of this

their Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme

Lett unto Martin Harper son of this Island, All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood

Land Conteining Eight Acres scituate Lying and being at a place oz part

of this Island Comonly called and known by the Name of the Halfe

Moon Near the Stage Pasture in the West Division of the said scituate

Butting and Bounding towards the East West North & South every

way upon the said Hoñ Companys Wast Land scituate Near the

said Halfe Moon Next to Saddly Valley To have & to hold the

said hereby Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appur=

tenances and every part thereof Unto him the said Martin Harper

son his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns from

the twenty fifth day of this last September, for and Dureing all the

time space and Terme of twenty One years from thence next

Insueing Upon Condition that he the said Martin Harper son his

Heirs Execrs oz Allowed oz Assigns Do Always bear true

ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George his

Heirs and Successors And to the said Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company

and their Successors And shall duly obey all the Lawes & Constitu=

tions of the said Island Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly

and every yeare Dureing the said Terme & time of twenty One years

Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns §

Margin Notes:

11 Acres §

The lease finished setting out Richard Tinley's duties on the 11 acres of gumwood. Once the land was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Tinley and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Tinley and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 30 August 1726. Richard Tinley made his mark on his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 11 acres as a single plot shaped like an hourglass.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Martin Harper, a soldier. The land grew gumwood and came to 8 acres. It lay in the West Division of the island and carried the byname of the Half Moon, near a feature called the stone pasture. It touched the Company's own waste land to the east, west, north and south on every side, running towards Sandy Bay Valley. The Company rented Harper the 8 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Harper held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Interpretations

This 8-acre parcel carried the byname the Half Moon, which fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. The shape or curve that gave the ground its name did the work of pinning down where it sat. On a small island the Company and its tenants leaned on such named marks to identify a plot, and the byname passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the ground.

Unlike most of the leases in this run, Harper's parcel touched no neighbour's holding, only the Company's own waste land on every side. The Half Moon sat out on open ground rather than fitted against an established tenant's land. The Company leaned on the named feature and the running waste to fix the bounds where no adjoining holder's ground could.

Martin Harper, a soldier, connects to the wider Harper family active in the island's land dealings across the years. His holding of rented gumwood ground alongside his garrison rank shows the overlap of military service and landholding, where serving soldiers regularly took and worked land of their own, as Sergeant John Young and others did in this same batch of leases.

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Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One

shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum in oz

upon the 25 day of September Dureing the said terme & time afores:

Dureing all the time & Terme of twenty One years aforesaid

Always Provided That he the said Martin Harper His Heirs

Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall also do Imme=

diatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised Eight Acres

of Gunwood Land with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within

the time & space of One yeare Commencing from the date of these Presents

Upon the Penalty of Paying double Duty unto the said Hoñ

United Compy for all the time the said Eight Acres of Land oz

any part thereof shall be Wast and remaine Unfenced And

when the said hereby Demised Eight Acres of Land is ffully

ffenced and Inclosed the same and every Part thereof shall be

kept and Maintaind in good repair and repair when and as often

as Need shall require So that the whole Premises & every Part oz

Parcell thereof shall be Alwayes Tennantable and no ways suffered

to run to Ruine oz Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine

and Preserve the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood & Young

Plants of Gunwood & such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law

of this Island in that Case made and Provided. And likewise to

Plant ffurze round the said ffences at such proper times seasons

of the year as it is most likely to groe in and the Nature of the

ground will Produce And when the afores: Eight Acres of Gunwood

Land is ffully ffenced and planted with Young plants of Gunwood

& other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences

as herein before Mentioned You the said Martin Harper your Heirs

oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences

after they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same from

the Hurt and Damage of all sorts of Beasts they being the Bounds

and Land Marks of the said hereby Demised Eight Acres of Land

and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plan

thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said Martin Harper

oz your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns any ways sell oz

Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the

Knowledge & Consent of the Goverz and Councell of this Island

ffor the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ

United Company and Lords Proprietors of this their Island

Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal at their Castle

in James Valley this Sixth day of September Anno Dom:

One Thousand seven Hundred twenty and Six And the said

Martin Harper to the other part hath Sett his hand & Seal./

Martin Harper §

The lease set out Martin Harper's duties on the 8 acres of gumwood. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the rent running across the 21 years. He had to fence the 8 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 8 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Harper and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Harper and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 6 September 1726. Martin Harper signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 8 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

This lease carried the double duty on unfenced ground that runs through the later grants of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause across the run shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The seal was set on 6 September 1726, a few days after the cluster of leases sealed on 30 August 1726, marking Harper's grant as one of the last in this run of gumwood demises. The Company cleared a body of these leases in a short stretch of late summer dealings, fixing scattered pieces of its gumwood ground in the hands of planters and soldiers across more than one division of the island.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease of this run, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

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Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of this

their Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease

Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto Giles Smith of this said Island free Planter

All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensura=

tion twenty Acres scituate Lying and being under & Upon Part of the

ridge Comonly called & known by the Name of this two Gun & Alarm

ridge in the East Division of the said Island Butting & Bounding

towards the North upon the said Hoñ Companys Wast Land &

Next Adjoyning to the said Giles Smiths own free Land towards the

South and West upon & Next Adjoyning to the severall Parcells of Land

belonging to, and now in the Possession of Jonathan Doorden of this

Island free Planter And towards the East upon the Lands of Matthew

Mudd planter & Mason formerly the Land of John Roodniah Doe

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised twenty Acres of

Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances and every part thereof

Unto him the said Giles Smith his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz

oz allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of this Instant

September ffor and Dureing all the time space and Terme of

twenty One years space Spaece next Insueing Upon Condition

That he the said Giles Smith his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed

oz Assigns do Always bear true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne

Lord King George His Heirs and Successors And to the said

Hoñ United Company and their Successors And shall duly Obey

all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & paying

therefore Yearly and every Year dureing the said Terme & Space & time

of twenty One years afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Company

their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour shillings

p Acre besides One shilling Duty being in all five shillings p Acre

p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of September. Always Provided

That he the said Giles Smith his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed

oz Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised

twenty Acres of Gunwood Land with a good and sufficient ffence by

oz within this time and space of One Yeare to Commence from the

Day of the date of these Presents Upon the Penalty of paying double

Duty unto the said Hoñ United Company for all the time the said

hereby Demised twenty Acres of Land oz any Part oz Parcell thereof

shall lye Wast and remaine Unfenced And when the said hereby

Demised twenty Acres of Gunwood Land is ffully ffenced & Inclosed the same & every part

thereof shall be kept and Maintaind in good repair & repair when and

as often as Need shall require So that the whole Premises and no

every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always Tennantable, and no

ways suffered to Run to ruine oz Decay And shall also plant keep

up Maintaine & Preserve the ffull Quantity and Proportion of

Wood & Young plants of Gunwood & such other like usefull Trees

Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided

And likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such proper

times & seasons of the year as it is most likely to groe in the

Nature of the ground will Produce And when the afores: twenty

Acres of Gunwood Land is ffully ffenced and Planted with Young

Plants of Gunwood & such like other usefull Trees as well as with §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Giles Smith, a free planter of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 20 acres by a recent measurement. It lay under the side of the ridge, in the East Division of the island, and carried the byname of the Two Gun or Alarm Ridge. It touched the Company's own waste land to the north, joining Giles Smith's own free land to the south. To the west and east it touched several plots of land belonging to and now held by Jonathan Doveton, a free planter of the island. To the east it touched the land of Mudge, a planter, named after a feature called Murray's land, earlier the land of John Roodniah. The Company rented Smith the 20 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Smith held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Smith had to fence the 20 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 20 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met.

Interpretations

This 20-acre parcel carried the byname the Two Gun or Alarm Ridge, which fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. The ridge took its name from the guns set there to sound the alarm, a defensive lookout point on a remote island wary of attack. The byname did the work of pinning down where the ground sat, and it passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the land.

The parcel touched land held by Jonathan Doveton on two sides, a substantial free planter whose estate under Halley's Mount ran to some 140 acres by 1713. As across this whole run of leases, Smith's piece fitted against the holdings of established neighbours, here Doveton and the Mudge family. The grant slotted into the existing run of land under the ridge, where the same few holders' names recur as the boundaries.

Giles Smith, a free planter, connects to the joiner and carpenter of the same name, a master craftsman confirmed in ground near the head of Pleasant Valley on 4 August 1713. He took Robert Leech junior as an apprentice on 20 March 1716 and served as a life-nominee in the Arthur Bradley lease of 1719. His holding of this large gumwood parcel marks a further building-up of land by a man already settled as a tradesman and freeholder on the island.

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with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before Mentioned

You the said Giles Smith your Heirs, oz Allowed oz Assigns

are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are

well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt

and Damage of all sorts of Beasts) the said ffences being the

Bounds & Land Marks of the said hereby Demised twenty Acres

of Land and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration

of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall

You the said Giles Smith, your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns

any ways sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same

without the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour & Councell

of this Island for the time being In Witness whereof

the said Hoñ United Company & Lords Proprietors

of this their Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common

Seal At their Castle in James Valley this Sixth day of September

Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred twenty & Six

And the said Giles Smith to the other Part hath Sett

his hand & Seal day & year before Written

Giles Smith §

The lease finished setting out Giles Smith's duties on the 20 acres of gumwood. Once the land was planted with furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Smith and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Smith and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 6 September 1726. Giles Smith signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the land in two narrow pieces.

Interpretations

The seal was set on 6 September 1726, the same day as the Martin Harper grant, placing Smith's lease among the last in this run of gumwood demises. The Company cleared a body of these leases in a short stretch of late summer dealings in 1726, fixing scattered pieces of its gumwood ground in the hands of planters across more than one division of the island.

The plan showed the holding in two narrow pieces rather than as a single block, which means the 20 acres lay in separate strips of ground. Where land was let in scattered pieces, the same standing duties of fencing and planting fell on every part. The drawn plan recorded the true shape of the holding so that the bounds of each strip could be fixed and any later dispute settled against the picture rather than the written acreage.

The closing restriction barred Smith from selling the lease or passing on his interest without the Company's agreement, the same control set on every grant in this run. The Company kept a hold over who came to occupy its ground, so that a tenant could not hand the land to whomever he chose. This let the Company watch the descent of its leasehold land and keep the duties of fencing and planting tied to holders it had approved.

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Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this Island The

Hoñ: United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto Capt John

Goodwin Esq Capt Richard Goodwin Thomas Greenbee son Planters To

ffrancis Carne Elizabeth Greenbe Widdow All that Peice oz Parcell of Gun=

wood Land Containing by Mensuration Ninety Acres Equally & severally among

them the before Named Persons scituate Lying and being at Right & this Island

St Helena Comonly called & known by the Name of the ffree Pasture in the West

Division of the said Island Butting & bounding toward the East West North

and South Every way upon the said Honourable Company Wast Land

scituate on and near the said ffree Pasture To have & to hold the said

hereby Demised Ninety Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances

and every part & Parcell thereof Unto him Her and them the said Capt

John Goodwin Richard Goodwin Thomas Greenbee ffrancis Carne and

Elizabeth Greenbee All Her Heirs and Each of Heir Heirs Execrs and

Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns from the 25 Day of this Instant

September for and Dureing all the time space and Terme of twenty One

Years from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That they the afore=

before named Capt John Goodwin Richard Goodwin Thomas Greenbee &

ffrancis Carne and Elizabeth Greenbe His Heirs and Each of their

Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed oz Assigns shall Always bear true ffaith

and allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George his Heirs & Successors

And to the said Hoñ United Compy and their Successors And shall duly Obey

all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island Yeilding and Paying there=

fore Yearly & Every year Dureing the said Terme & time & twenty One

Years Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors, Agents oz Assigns

the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling Duty being

in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of September

for and Dureing all the Terme and time of twenty One years afores:

Always Provided That he the said Capt John Goodwin Richard Goodwin

Thomas Greenbee ffrancis Carne Widdow Greenbee His Heirs Heirs & Each of

their Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed oz Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett

about and ffence in the said hereby Demised Ninety Acres of Gunwood Land

with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this time and space of One yeare

to Commence from the day of these Presents Upon the Penalty of Paying

paying double Duty unto the said Hoñ United Company for all the time the

said Ninety Acres of Land oz any part thereof shall lye Wast and remaine

Unfenced And when the said hereby Demised Ninety Acres of Land is ffully

ffenced & Inclosed the same and every part oz Parcell thereof shall be Kept

and Maintaind in good repair and repair when and as often as Need shall

require So that the whole Premises & Every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be

and continue Always Tennantable, and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz

Decay And shall Also plant keep up, Maintaine & Preserve the ffull Quantity

and Proportion of Wood and Young Plants of Gunwood & other such like

usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & and

Provided. And likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such

proper times Seasons of the year as it is most likely to groe in the

Nature of the ground will produce And when the afores: Ninety Acres of

Gunwood Land is ffully ffenced and planted with Young plants of Gunwood

and other such like other usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said

ffences as herein before Mentioned You the said Capt John Goodwin

Richard Goodwin Thomas Greenbee ffrancis Carne & Elizabeth Greenbee

Yours §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to a group of holders together: Captain John Goodwin, Thomas Greentree, Frances Carne, John Goodwin, Richard Goodwin, Thomas Greentree, Frances Carne and Elizabeth Greentree. The land grew gumwood and came to 90 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in the West Division of the island and carried the byname of the Horse Pasture. It touched the Company's own land to the east, west, north and south on every side. The Company rented the group the 90 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for themselves and their heirs, sharing the land equally and in common between them.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. The holders held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. They paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. They paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

The holders owed a double duty on any part of the 90 acres they left unfenced. They had to fence the land straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. They were to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. They also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. They had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 90 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met.

Interpretations

This grant differs from the run before it by letting a large 90-acre block to a group of holders jointly rather than to a single tenant. The land was shared equally and in common between them, so each held an undivided part of the whole. The Company put a substantial body of gumwood ground into the hands of several established families at once, binding all of them together to the same duties of fencing and planting.

The named holders draw together several of the leading land-holding families of the island. Captain John Goodwin, a gentleman and fourth in council, Richard Goodwin and John Goodwin sit alongside Thomas Greentree and Elizabeth Greentree of the Greentree line, and Frances Carne, the twice-widowed holder at the centre of the Goodwin family's dealings. The grant ties these connected families into a single shared holding, reflecting the close marriage and property links running between them.

This block carried the byname the Horse Pasture, ground used for grazing, and took the autumn commencement date of 25 September 1726 rather than the 25 March start common across the run. The Company timed the term to the nearest quarter day to the grant rather than back-dating it to the spring. The choice marks this large joint holding as a fresh arrangement set up at the moment of the lease.

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170

Understood. The heading should be bold only, at normal text size, with no

markers. Here is the page corrected:

years oz either of your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to

alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well and sufficiently

made to secure the same from the Hurt and Damage of all sorts of

Beasts the said ffences being the Bounds and Land Marks of the said

hereby Demised Ninety Acres of Land and which in such Case will

Occasion the Alteration of the Plan thereof hereunto Annexed

Nor shall you the said Capt John Goodwin Richard Goodwin

Thomas Greenbee ffrancis Carne Elizabeth Greenbee Joint

Tennants so the said Demised Ninety Sett and Demised oz either of

You your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed oz Assigns oz either of

them, any ways sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the

same oz any part thereof without the Knowledge & Consent of

the Goverz & Council of this Island for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Company &

Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to these Presents

Sett their Comon Seal At their Castle in James Valley this Sixth

Day of September, Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred

twenty and Six And the said Capt John Goodwin Richard

Goodwin Thomas Greenbee ffrancis Carne & Elizabeth Greenbee

shall to the other Part Sett their hand and Seal the day &

year first above Written

Jnº Goodwin

Jnº Goodwin for ffra Carne

Rich Goodwin

Tho Greenbee

Tho Greenbee for Eli Greenbee §

Margin Notes:

90 Acres §

The lease finished setting out the duties of the joint holders on the 90 acres of gumwood. They were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. None of the holders, Captain John Goodwin, Richard Goodwin, Thomas Greentree, Frances Carne or Elizabeth Greentree, nor any one of them alone, could sell the lease or pass on their interest in it without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 6 September 1726. The holders, Captain John Goodwin, Richard Goodwin, Thomas Greentree, Frances Carne and Elizabeth Greentree, signed their part and added their seals on the same day. Captain John Goodwin signed in his own name and also signed for Frances Carne. Thomas Greentree signed in his own name and also signed for Elizabeth Greentree.

A plan drawn below showed the 90 acres as a single large plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

The closing restriction barred any one of the joint holders from selling the lease or passing on their interest alone, without the Company's agreement. Because the land was held in common, the Company guarded against any single sharer breaking up the holding by dealing with their part on their own. This kept the whole block together under all the holders at once and stopped the shared land from being splintered piecemeal.

The signing arrangements show how the absent or non-signing holders were covered. Captain John Goodwin signed for Frances Carne as well as himself, and Thomas Greentree signed for Elizabeth Greentree. Where a holder did not sign in person, a connected party set their name down on their behalf. This let the joint grant be sealed in one sitting without every sharer present, the standing of each part secured through a signature by a relative or fellow holder.

This was among the last of the gumwood leases sealed on 6 September 1726, closing a run of demises the Company cleared in a short stretch of late summer dealings. The large joint grant to the connected Goodwin, Greentree and Carne families marks the most substantial single holding in the batch, binding several leading families together in one shared block of grazing and gumwood ground.

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Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto John Harding

of this said Island free Planter, All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Con=

taining Eight Acres scituate Lying and being under oz below a place called

part of the said Hoñ Hoñ Island Comonly scituate and known by the Name of the Graves

Near to Powder Valley in the South Division of the said Island Butting

and bounding toward the North upon twenty Six Acres of Lease Land

now in the Possession of William Beale towards the South upon Eleven

Acres of Leased Land granted to and now in the Possession of Richard Tinkley

planter, And towards the West upon the said Hoñ Compy ffree Wast

Land scituate in and Near to the said Powder Valley, And the Parcell

of Gunwood Land more Conteining ffour Acres and a Halfe scituate at

oz near the Head of the Westermost Branch of Deep Valley, and the afores:

Place called and known by the Name of the Graves before Mentioned

Butting and bounding towards the North upon part of the Lease Land Hardings

own free Land Possessby Thomas Beale ffor Powerd: the South upon

One Acre of Leased Land also oz Possession of the ffaith Harding and

towards the West upon the said Hoñ Compy Wast Land scituate in

and Near the Westermost Branch of Deep Valley afores: And Conteins by

Mensuration in both Parcells twelve Acres and a Halfe To have &

to hold the said hereby Demised two Peices oz Parcells of Gunwood

Land Conteining twelve Acres and a Halfe as afores: with the Appurtenances

and every part oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said John Harding His

Heirs Execrs & Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the

25 day of March last past for and Dureing all the time space & terme

of twenty One years from thence next Insueing Upon Condition

That he the said John Harding His Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns

Do always bear true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord

King George His Heirs Successors And to the said Hoñ Company

and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions

of the said Island Yeilding and paying therefore yearly & every year

Dureing the said Terme & time of twenty One years Unto the said

Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Yearly

Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling Duty being in

all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of Sept

for and Dureing the full Terme and time of twenty One years

afforesaid & Always Provided That he the said John Harding His Heirs

Execrs oz Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett

about and ffence in the said hereby Demised two Parcells of Gunwood Land

lying in different Parts of this said Island with a good Sufficient ffence by oz

within this time & space of One yeare Commenceing from the date hereof

upon the Penalty of Paying double Duty unto the said Hoñ United Compy

for all the time the said twelve Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood oz any

Part thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And when the said hereby

Demised twelve Acres and a Halfe of Land lying in different Parcells

afores: is ffully ffenced and Inclosed the same and every Part oz Parcell

thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run

to ruine oz Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine

and §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to John Harding, a free planter. The land grew gumwood and came to 8 acres in two pieces. It lay in the South Division of the island, near Porlock Valley, and carried the byname of the Graves. The 8-acre piece touched the Company's own land to the north, joining 26 acres of lease land granted to and now held by Richard Tinley, a planter, to the south. To the east and west it touched 40 acres of gumwood near Charles Valley. The other piece was a further 4 acres and a half. It lay at or near the head of the westernmost branch of Deep Valley, in the place called the Graves. It touched 8 acres of Harding's own free land, earlier held by Thomas Bates, to the north, more land, and 1 acre of lease land. It lay near the westernmost branch of Deep Valley and came to 4 acres and a half by a recent measurement, making 12 acres and a half in all. The Company rented Harding the two pieces, plus everything on them, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Harding held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Harding had to fence both pieces straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after both pieces and let no part of either fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules.

Interpretations

This grant let John Harding two separate pieces of gumwood ground, both fitted against land he already held or against neighbouring holdings. The larger piece touched the 26 acres of lease land held by Richard Tinley, whose own 11-acre Griffin's land parcel was let earlier in this batch, and the smaller piece touched 8 acres of Harding's own free land. As across this whole run, the Company let pieces that slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings.

Both pieces carried the byname the Graves, which fixed them to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. The name did the work of pinning down where the ground sat, near Porlock Valley and at the head of the westernmost branch of Deep Valley. On a small island the Company leaned on such named marks to identify a plot, and the byname passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the land.

John Harding, a free planter and freeholder, consolidated a divided 19-acre Sandy Bay estate under himself in 1720, buying out his brothers, brothers-in-law and sister. The smaller piece here touched 8 acres earlier held by Thomas Bates, a corporal and one of Harding's brothers-in-law through marriage to Harding's sister Sarah. The grant sat among the holdings the Harding family had gathered and traded across these years.

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and Preserve the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood and Young Pl

of Gunwood Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made

and Provided. And also to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such

Proper times and seasons of the Year as it is most likely to groe in

and the Nature of the Ground will Produce And when the afforesaid

twelve Acres and a Halfe of Gunwood Land Lying in two different

Parcells and Parts of the said Island is fully and severally ffenced in

and planted with Young plants of Gunwood & other such like usefull

as well as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before mentioned

You the said John Harding Your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are

no ways to Alter the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently made

to secure the same from the Hurt and Damage of all sorts of Beasts)

the said ffences being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said hereby

Demised twelve Acres & a Halfe of Land Lying in different Parts &

Parcells afores: and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration

of the Plans & Plotts thereof hereunto severally Annexed Nor shall

You the said John Harding oz your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ anyways

sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same, without the Knowledge

and Consent of the Governour and Councell of this Island St Helena

for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United

Company and Lords Proprietors of this their Island, Have to

these Presents Sett their Comon Seal at their Grand Plantation

House on the said Island this 11 day of October Anno Dom: 1726

And the said John Harding to the other Part hath Sett his hand

and Seal the day and year before Written

John Harding

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of

this Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and

to ffarme Lett Unto John Harding of this Island free Planter

All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Men=

suration two Acres scituate Lying and being in the Bottom of

Deep Valley in the East Division of the said Island Butting and

Bounding towards the East West North & South every way upon

the said Hoñ Companys Wast Land & Rocky Mountainous

Hills in and Near the said Deep Valley & Parts adjacent in the

East Division To have & to hold the said hereby Demised

two Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances &

every Part oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said John Harding §

Margin Notes:

8 Acres §

4½ Acres §

The lease finished setting out John Harding's duties on the 12 acres and a half. He had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Since the 12 acres and a half lay in two separate pieces, he was to keep each one fenced and plant each with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences. Harding and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of both pieces and protected them from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Harding and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

Interpretations

The seal on the first grant was set at the grand plantation house on 11 October 1726, some weeks after the cluster of leases sealed in late summer. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises into the autumn, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of planters. The October date marks Harding's leases as a later addition to the run rather than part of the August and September batch.

This second, smaller parcel of 2 acres sat in the bottom of Deep Valley, hemmed in by the Company's own waste land and by rocky mountainous hills on every side. Unlike Harding's first grant, it touched no neighbour's holding, only Company ground and the bare hills. The Company leaned on the rocky hillsides as natural bounds, the landscape itself fixing where the small valley parcel sat where no adjoining tenant's land could.

The pairing of two grants to John Harding on the same day, a larger holding in two pieces and a smaller single parcel, shows him taking on a body of scattered gumwood ground across the South and East Divisions in one stretch of dealings. As a freeholder steadily building up his holdings since 1720, Harding was adding leasehold land to the free estate he had already consolidated under himself in Sandy Bay.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 11 October 1726. John Harding signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the land in two pieces. The upper piece was marked as the 8 acres. The lower piece, drawn as a narrow four-sided shape, was marked as the 4 acres and a half.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented more land to John Harding, a free planter of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 2 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in the bottom of Deep Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched the Company's own waste land and rocky mountainous hills to the east, west, north and south on every side, joining or near Deep Valley. The Company rented Harding the 2 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

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His Heirs Executors Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth

day of March last Past for Dureing all the Time space and Terme of

twenty One Year from thence next Insueing Upon Condition, That he

the said John Harding His Heirs & Allowed oz Assigns DO Always bear

true ffaith and allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His

Heirs and Successors And to the said Hoñ United Company and their

Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said

Island Yeilding and Paying therefore yearly and every yeare Dure=

ing the said Terme & time of twenty One yeares Unto the said Hoñ

United Compy their Successors Agents, oz Assigns the yearly Rent

of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty, being in all five

shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the twenty fifth day of Sept

for and Dureing the full Terme and time & twenty One years

afores: & Always Provided That he the said John Harding

His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall and Doe

Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised two Acres

of Gunwood Land with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within the

time and space of One yeare Commenceing from the date of these Presents

Upon the Penalty of Paying Double Dutys Unto the said hereby

Demised Compy for all the time the said two Acres of Land oz any

Part thereof shall be and Remaine Unfenced And when the said

hereby Demised two Acres of Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the

same and every Part thereof shall be Maintained, and kept in good

repair and repair and no ways suffered to Run to ruine oz Decay

but to be Always Tennantable And shall also Plant keep up Main=

taine, and Preserve the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood and

Young Plants of Gunwood Ebbony, oz other such like Usefull Trees

Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided,

And likewise to Plant ffurze round the said ffences, at such Proper

times and seasons of the year as it is most likely to groe in and

the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the afores: two Acres

afores: two Acres of Gunwood Land is ffully ffenced and Planted

with Young plants of Gunwood oz Ebbony, oz any other such like

usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences, oz in such parts

thereof as it may best groe in is herein before Mentioned You the

said John Harding your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to alter oz

remove the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently made to secure the same from

the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts) the said ffences being the Bounds & Land

Marks of the said hereby Demised two Acres of Land and which in such Case will Occasion

the Alteration of the Plan thereof hereunto Annexed, Nor shall You the said John

Harding Your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns any ways sell oz Dispose of

this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent of the

Goverz & Councell of this Island St Helena for the time being In

Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Company & Lords Proprietors of this

said Island Have hereunto Sett their hand & Seal at their Grand Plantation

House this 11 day of October Anno Dom: 1726 And John Harding to the

other Part hath Sett his hand & Seal day & year before Written

John Harding §

Margin Notes:

2 Acres §

The lease set out John Harding's duties on the 2 acres of gumwood. He held the land for himself and his heirs. The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Harding held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Harding had to fence the 2 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood and ebony, planting young gumwood trees, ebony and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 2 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, ebony, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Harding and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Harding and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 11 October 1726. John Harding signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 2 acres as a narrow plot.

Interpretations

This grant added ebony to the trees the tenant had to keep up and plant, alongside the usual gumwood. Most of the leases in this run named only gumwood, so the inclusion of ebony marks a widening of the Company's interest to a second valuable timber. Ebony, a dense dark hardwood prized in trade, was scarce on the island, and the duty to raise it on this Deep Valley parcel shows the Company guarding more than one kind of useful tree.

This was the second of two grants to John Harding sealed at the grand plantation house on 11 October 1726, both falling weeks after the late summer batch. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises into the autumn, fixing further scattered pieces in the hands of established planters. The October date sets Harding's two leases apart as a later addition to the run.

The parcel sat in the bottom of Deep Valley, hemmed in by the Company's own waste land and by rocky mountainous hills on every side. Unlike most of the grants in this batch, it touched no neighbour's holding, only Company ground and the bare hills. The Company leaned on the rocky hillsides as natural bounds, the landscape itself fixing where the small valley parcel sat where no adjoining tenant's land could.

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You're right - the heading is plain text, not bold. Here is the page corrected:

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors

of this Island the Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to

ffarme Lett Unto Daniel Griffith of this Island Planter & ffree Sone &

Heir oz W Daniel Griffith Sone of this said Island son & ffree son Dec:

All those two Peices oz Parcells of Gunwood Land Conteining in

both Parcells ffour Acres scituate Lying and being in the East Division

of the said Island That is to say ffour & a halfe Acres thereof Lying &

being at oz Near the foot of Lower part of this Hill, Comonly called, &

known by the Name of Peak Hill next to the Pasture Lands and ears

formerly granted to and in the Possession of his Dec: ffather the

before named Daniel Griffith but no Lease Deliverd oz taken for his

same till now, Butting & Bounding towards the North upon two Acres

of Gunwood Land formerly granted to William Beale son of this said

planter and now in the Possession & Occupation of Joseph Le ffrankham

son, And towards the East West South upon the Hoñ Companys

Wast Land scituate in and Near the Valley at the foot of Peak Hill

next to another Hill known by the Name of Pewter Hill & this aforesaid

Peake Beak & next the other Parcell conteining One Acre & a Halfe of which

Containing the before Mentioned ffour Acres Lying scituate in this Valley afores:

at part thereof comonly called & known by the Name of this Brooks Butting

and Bounding towards the East West North & South every way upon the

said Hoñ Compy Wast Land scituate in and Near the Valley afoot to

aforesaid To have & to hold the said hereby Demised Two Peices oz

Parcells of Gunwood Land Conteining in both Parcells ffour Acres as afores:

with the Appurtenances and every Part oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said Dan

Griffith Sone his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the

25 day of March 1723 As in and by an Indenture made in a ffaith dated the

18 of ffebruary Anno Dom: 1723 As in and by an Indenture made & well more for

Conveer: for and Dureing all the time space & terme of twenty One years from

thence next Insueing Upon Condition That he the said Daniel Griffith son his

Heirs & Allowed oz Assigns DO Always bear true ffaith and Allegiance

to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs and Successors And to the

said Hoñ Company and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the

Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding and Paying therefore

Yearly & every year Dureing the said Terme & time of twenty One years afores:

Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz

Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling Duty

being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of

September ffor Dureing the full Terme & time of twenty One years

afores: Always Provided That he the said Daniel Griffith son his Heirs

Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns, shall and Do Immediatly

Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised two Peices oz Parcells

of Gunwood Land lying in two different Parcells of son in afore Mentioned

with a good Sufficient ffence by oz within this time space & One yeare

Commenceing from the date of these Presents upon the Penalty of Paying

Double Dutys unto the said ffree hereby Demised Compy ffor paying their

Agents oz Assigns ffor all the time the said two Acres of Gunwood

Land oz any part thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And when

the said hereby Demised ffour Acres of Gunwood Land Lying in two

different Parcells afores: is ffully ffenced and Inclosed the same

part §

Margin Notes:

2½ Acres §

1½ Acre §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Daniel Griffeth, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 4 acres in two pieces. It lay in the East Division of the island. One piece was 2 acres and a half, at or near the foot of the lower part of the hill, near the gravel beds. It had earlier been granted to and lived on by this same Daniel Griffeth, but had since come back. It touched the north on the side of 8 acres of gumwood earlier granted to William Beale, a planter, now in the possession of John Defountaine. To the east and west it touched the Company's own waste land, in or near the valley, at the foot of the high peak, near another hill known by the name of the Plaster Bed. The other piece was 1 acre and a half. It carried the byname of the Brook's Bottom and touched land on the east, west, north and south. It lay in or near the valley. The Company rented Griffeth the 4 acres of gumwood in the two pieces, plus everything on them, for himself and his heirs.

This 4 acres had passed through earlier hands before reaching Griffeth. It connected to a court ruling made on the island, dated 18 February 1729, entered in a consultation book. The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1726. Griffeth held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Griffeth had to fence both pieces straight away with good, strong fencing and keep the fences in good repair, mending them as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. Once the 4 acres in the two pieces were fully fenced and enclosed, the main duties were met.

Interpretations

This parcel had earlier been granted to and lived on by the same Daniel Griffeth before coming back to the Company and being let to him afresh. The Company recorded that the ground returned to the man who had held it before, rather than passing to a stranger. This shows how a holder could lose and then regain the same piece, the lease setting his renewed tenure on a firm footing after the ground had reverted.

The grant rested on a court ruling of 18 February 1729 entered in a consultation book, which fixed Griffeth's right to the land. The Company leaned on its own formal record to settle who held the ground, pointing to a dated decision in its books. This shows how the island's land titles were anchored, not on loose memory, but on rulings the Company could name and find again.

The Daniel Griffeth named here connects to the family of the late Daniel Griffeth, the long-serving clerk of the council who died by 1714, whose heirs took up parts of his estate. The boundaries name ground earlier granted to William Beale, now held by John Defountaine, a corporal married into the Alexander family. The parcel sat among holdings that had passed through several connected hands in this stretch of the East Division.

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Part oz Parcell thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And when the said

hereby Demised ffour Acres of Gunwood Land Lying in two different Parcells

afores: is ffully ffenced & Inclosed the same and every Part oz Parcell thereof

shall be and remaine Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to

Ruine oz Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve

the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood Young Plants & Gunwood

and other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in

that Case made and Provided. And Likewise to Plant ffurze round the

said ffences at such Proper times Seasons of the year as it is most likely

to groe in and the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the

afores: ffour Acres of Land Lying in two different Parcells is fully and

severally ffenced in and Planted with Young Plants of Gunwood & such other

like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein

before Mentioned You the said Daniel Griffith Your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns

are no ways to Alter oz Remove the said ffences after they are well and

sufficiently made to Secure the same from the Hurt Damage of all sorts

of Beasts) they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the said hereby Demised

ffour Acres of Gunwood Land and which in such Case will Occasion the

Alteration of the severall & different Plans thereof hereunto severally

Annexed Nor shall You the said Daniel Griffith your Heirs Execrs oz

Adminˢ any ways sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same

without the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour & Councell of this

Island for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United

United Company & Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to

these Presents Sett their Comon Seal At their Grand Plantation

House this ffirst Day of November Anno Dom: 1726 And the

said Daniel Griffith to the other Part hath Sett his hand & Seal

Day and Year before Written

Daniel Griffith §

The lease finished setting out Daniel Griffeth's duties on the 4 acres of gumwood. He was to look after both pieces and let no part of either fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Since the 4 acres lay in two separate pieces, he was to keep each one fenced and plant each with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences. Griffeth and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of both pieces and protected them from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plots, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Griffeth and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on [...] October 1726. Daniel Griffeth signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

Interpretations

Because this parcel lay in two separate pieces, the Company spelled out that each had to be fenced and planted in its own right. The duties fell on every piece, not on the holding as a whole. Where ground was let in scattered plots, the Company made sure no part escaped the burden of enclosure and planting, since an unfenced piece left the timber unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The seal was set at the grand plantation house in October 1726, the same place and month as the two John Harding grants. The Company cleared a further group of these gumwood demises in the autumn, beyond the larger batch sealed at the Castle in James Valley in late summer. The choice of the plantation house for these later grants marks them as a separate cluster in the run.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood across both pieces, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease of this run, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

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Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England Trad=

ing to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme

Lett Unto Stephen Lufkin son of this Island free planter All that Peice oz Par=

cell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration Eleven Acres scituate Lying &

and being and Near at the West End of the Maine Ridge Lehring to Warne Lord

and parts adjacent Butting & Bounding towards the North upon the Lease

Lands lately granted to Edmond Wickes planter and Mary Nichols Wid=

Widmar Towards the South upon the said Steph Lufkin son own Land Towards

the East upon the Lands now in the Possession of Robert Gurling son of this

Island Planter And towards the West upon the said Hoñ Compy ffree Land

scituate under & near the said West part of the main Ridge near to James Bay

To have & to hold the said Hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Gunwood La

with the Appurtenances and every part thereof Unto him this said Stephen

Lufkin son his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from

the twenty fifth day of September last past for and Dureing all the time

space & terme of twenty One years from thence Next Insueing Upon

Condition That he the said Lufkin son his Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns DO always bear true ffaith &

Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs Successors

And to the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors And

shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island

Yeilding and paying therefore Yearly and Every yeare Dureing

the said terme & time of twenty One years afores: Unto the

said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly

Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One Shilling duty being in all

five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of Sept ffor

and Dureing all the Terme & time of twenty One years afores:

Always Provided, that he the said Stephen Lufkin son his

Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall Do Immediatly

Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Gun=

wood Land with a good Sufficient ffence by oz within this time &

space of One yeare Commenceing from the day of the date of these

Presents upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto the said

Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the

time the said hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Gunwood Land

oz any Part oz Parcell thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And

when the said Eleven Acres of Land is ffully ffenced & Inclosed the

same and every part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair

and repair when and as often as Need shall require So that the

whole Premises & Every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always

Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to ruine oz Decay

And shall also plant keep up Maintaine and Preserve the

ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood & Young plants of

Gunwood & other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the

Law of this Island in that Case made and Provided.

And likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such Proportion=

times Seasons of the Year as it is most likely to Grow in

and the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the

said §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Stephen Lufkin, a free planter of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 11 acres. It lay under the side of the Main Ridge, running towards the head of Sandy Bay Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched land earlier granted to Edmund Nichols, a planter, and Mary Nichols, a single woman, to the north. To the south it touched Stephen Lufkin's own land. To the east it touched land now held by Robert Gurling, a planter. To the west it touched land near the west part of the Main Ridge, running towards Sandy Bay. The Company rented Lufkin the 11 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Lufkin held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Lufkin had to fence the 11 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best.

Interpretations

This 11-acre parcel touched Stephen Lufkin's own land to the south, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already held. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding under the side of the Main Ridge. Such ground was the easiest to fence and keep, and these leases were repeatedly shaped to add pieces that lay against a tenant's own land.

The boundaries name ground earlier granted to Edmund Nichols and his sister Mary Nichols, a single woman who held leasehold land in her own right, and land now held by Robert Gurling, whose own 2-acre Sandy Bay Valley parcel was let earlier in this run. Lufkin's piece slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings under the ridge, where the same few neighbours' names recur as the boundaries of each new grant.

Stephen Lufkin, a free planter, connects to the holder of the same name confirmed in 10 acres near Black Egea on 4 August 1713, a man distinct from the earlier John Lufkin of the records. His holding of this further gumwood parcel marks a building-up of land in the years that followed, set among the holdings of the Nichols and Gurling families in the same upland stretch towards Sandy Bay.

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177

the said Eleven Acres of Gunwood Land is ffully & ffeverally ffenced

and planted with Young Plants of Gunwood and other such like usefull

Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before Men=

tioned You the said Stephen Lufkin son or your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns

are not ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well

& sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt & Damage of

all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said

hereby Demised Eleven Acres of Gunwood Land and which in such

Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plan oz Plott thereof hereunto

Annexed Nor shall you the said Stephen Lufkin son oz your Heirs

Execrs oz Adminˢ any ways oz by any means to sell oz Dispose of this

Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge and Consent of

the Goverz & Councell of this Island St Helena at his time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy Lords Proprietors

& Proprietors of this Island of Ireland Have to these Presents Sett their

Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the said Island this 11 Day

of November Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred twenty

& Six And the said Stephen Lufkin son to the other Part hath

sett his hand & Seal the day and Year before Written

Stephen Lufkin

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this said

Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading

to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme

Lett Unto Edmond Wickes of this Island Planter, All that Peice oz Parcell

of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration Ten Acres scituate Lying & being

son oz in afore: of this said Island Comonly called & known by son scituate Lying & being

in the West Division thereof Butting & Bounding towards

Tomsons Wood in the West Division thereof Butting & Bounding towards

the North West upon part & Ten Acres of ffree Land and Ten Acres more

Acres now belonging to and in the Possession of the ffree Edmond Nichols

son and scituate in the said Tomsons Wood Toward the East upon the Hill

called Tomsons Wood Hill And towards the South upon twelve Acres

of Lease Lands lately granted to Thomas Grayer Corporall scituate

Lying being in english Wast Comonly called by the Name of the Tomsons

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised Ten Acres of Gun=

wood Land with the Appurtenances and Every thereof Unto him the

Hyabell his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns from

the twenty fifth day of Sept last Past ffor and Dureing all the

time space and Terme of twenty One Years from thence Next Insueing

Upon §

Margin Notes:

11 Acres §

The lease finished setting out Stephen Lufkin's duties on the 11 acres of gumwood. Once the land was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Lufkin and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Lufkin and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on [...] November 1726. Stephen Lufkin signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 11 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Edmund Nichols, a free planter of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 10 acres. It lay in Stonetop Wood, in the West Division of the island. It touched 10 acres of Fryer Valley land, and 10 acres more, to the north and west. To the north and east it touched land earlier belonging to and now in the possession of Edmund Nichols himself, in Stonetop Wood. To the east it touched land near a hill called Stonetop Hill, and to the south it touched the lands earlier granted to Thomas Frazer, a corporal. To the east it touched land near a feature called the pasture, now held by Robert Gurling. The Company rented Nichols the 10 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726.

Interpretations

The seal on Lufkin's grant was set at the grand plantation house in November 1726, marking it among the latest in this run of gumwood demises. The Company continued to clear these leases through the autumn at the plantation house, beyond the larger batch sealed at the Castle in James Valley in late summer. The November date sets the grant late in the sequence.

This new Edmund Nichols parcel touched ground earlier belonging to and now held by Nichols himself in Stonetop Wood, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already held. As across this whole run, the new gumwood piece fitted against the tenant's existing holding. Such ground was the easiest to fence and keep, and these leases were repeatedly shaped to add pieces lying against a holder's own land.

Edmund Nichols, a free planter, connects to the holder of the same name who received a lives-based lease of 21 acres at the head of Mr Flemon's Valley on 25 May 1719 and took a string of gumwood leases through 1724 and 1725. The boundaries name Robert Gurling and the earlier grant to Thomas Frazer, fixing this piece among the holdings the Nichols family was steadily gathering in Stonetop Wood and the wider West Division.

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178

Upon Condition That he the said Edmond Nichols His Heirs Executors §

Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns DO always bear true ffaith & §

allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs Successors §

And to the said Hoñ United Compy and their Successors And shall §

Duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding §

and paying therefore Yearly and every yeare Dureing the whole §

Terme & time of twenty One years afores: Unto the said Hoñ United §

Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shill §

shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre §

p Annum In all oz upon the twenty fifth day of Sept ffor & Dureing §

all the Terme & time of twenty One years afores: Always Provid= §

ed That he the said Edmond Nichols his Heirs Execrs oz §

allowed oz assignes shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in §

the said hereby Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood Land with a good & §

Sufficient ffence by oz within this time and space of One year Com= §

menceing from the date of these Presents Upon the Penalty of Paying §

double Dutys unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors §

Agents oz Assigns ffor all the time the said hereby Demised §

Ten Acres of Land oz any part oz Parcell thereof shall be & remaine §

Unfenced And when the said Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood Land §

is ffully and Intirely ffenced the same and Every part oz Parcell §

thereof shall be kept in good repair & repair when and as often §

as Need shall require So that the whole Premises and Every Part §

thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to run §

to Ruine in Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine §

and Preserve the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood Young §

Plants of Gunwood & other such like usefull Trees Persuant to §

the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided. And §

Likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such Proper times §

and seasons of the Year as it is most likely to grow in and the §

Nature of the ground will Produce, And when the afforesaid §

Ten Acres of Gunwood Land is ffully & Intirely ffenced & Planted §

with Young plants of Gunwood & other such like usefull Trees as §

well as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before §

Mentioned You the said Edmond Nichols Your Heirs oz Allowed §

oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after §

they are well & sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt & §

Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks §

of the said Hereby Demised Ten Acres of Gunwood Land and which §

in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan §

thereof hereunto Annexed, Nor shall You the said Edmond §

Nichols, Your Heirs, Execrs oz Adminˢ by any manner §

of ways oz means sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in §

the same without the Knowledge and Consent of the Governour §

and Councell of this Island for the time being In Witness §

whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords Proprietors §

of this Island St Helena Have to these Presents Sett their §

Comon §

Margin Notes:

10 Acres §

The lease set out Edmund Nichols's duties on the 10 acres of gumwood. He held the land for himself and his heirs, with loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. The rent ran for 21 years. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Nichols had to fence the 10 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 10 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Nichols and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Nichols and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 10 acres as a single five-sided plot.

Interpretations

This grant carried the double duty on unfenced ground that runs through the later leases of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause across the run shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease of this run, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

The closing restriction barred Nichols from selling the lease or passing on his interest without the Company's agreement, the same control set on every grant in this run. The Company kept a hold over who came to occupy its ground, so that a tenant could not hand the land to whomever he chose. This let the Company watch the descent of its leasehold land and keep the duties of fencing and planting tied to holders it had approved.

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179

Common Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the said Island

this 8th day of November Anno Dom: One Thousand Seven

Hundred Twenty and Six And the said Edmond Nichols to

the other Part hath Sett his hand & Seal this day and year

before Written

Edmond Nichols

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to

the East Indies, DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme Lett Unto

Joshua Johnson of this Island free Planter, All & singulier that Peice oz Parcell

of Gunwood Land, Conteining by Mensuration Eight Acres scituate Lying

& being on the West side of a hill Comonly called & known by the Name

of Gabriells hill in Sandy Bay and the South Division of this said Island

Butting and Bounding towards North Adjoyning on the North & West to

his the said Joshua Johnson own Land scituate at oz near the Head of

Lower ridge in the said South Division And towards the East & South

Upon the said Hoñ United Companys ffree Land scituate on Upon the said

Lower ridge & Gabriells Gull To have & to hold the said hereby Demised

Eight Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & Every part oz

Parcell thereof Unto him the said Joshua Johnson His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of September last

Past ffor and Dureing all the time space & terme of twenty One years

from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That he the said Joshua

Johnson His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns Do

Always bear true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King

George His Heirs & Successors And to the said Hoñ United Compy and

their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions

of this said Island Yeilding and paying therefore yearly & every

yeare Dureing the whole Terme & time of twenty One years

afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents

oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One

shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz

upon the 25 day of Sept ffor and Dureing all the Terme & time

of twenty One years as afores: & Always Provided That he the

said Joshua Johnson His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns

shall and Doe Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby

Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood Land, with a good and sufficient

ffence §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726. Edmund Nichols signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Joshua Johnson, a free planter of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 8 acres. It lay on the west side of a feature called Gabriel's Gut, in Sandy Bay, in the South Division of the island. It touched Joshua Johnson's own land to the north and west, joining 10 acres at or near the head of Gabriel's Gut. To the east and south it touched the Company's own land near the side of the ridge at Gabriel's Gut. The Company rented Johnson the 8 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Johnson held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Johnson had to fence the 8 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed.

Interpretations

The seal on the Nichols grant was set at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726, marking it and the following Joshua Johnson lease among the latest in this run of gumwood demises. The Company continued to clear these leases through the autumn at the plantation house, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters.

This 8-acre parcel touched Joshua Johnson's own land to the north and west, joining 10 acres he already held at the head of Gabriel's Gut. As across this whole run, the Company was letting a tenant round out land he already held. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding, the easiest kind of ground to fence and keep.

The parcel sat on the west side of Gabriel's Gut, pinned to that feature and to the side of the ridge running by it. The Company leaned on the named gut and the ridge as fixed landmarks to set the bounds of the land. On a small island such named marks did the work that exact survey lines could not, fixing where the parcel sat against the grazing and gumwood ground around it.

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180

Common Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the said Island

this 8th day of November Anno Dom: One Thousand Seven

Hundred Twenty and Six And the said Edmond Nichols to

the other Part hath Sett his hand & Seal this day and year

before Written

Edmond Nichols

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to

the East Indies, DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme Lett Unto

Joshua Johnson of this Island free Planter, All & singulier that Peice oz Parcell

of Gunwood Land, Conteining by Mensuration Eight Acres scituate Lying

& being on the West side of a hill Comonly called & known by the Name

of Gabriells hill in Sandy Bay and the South Division of this said Island

Butting and Bounding towards North Adjoyning on the North & West to

his the said Joshua Johnson own Land scituate at oz near the Head of

Lower ridge in the said South Division And towards the East & South

Upon the said Hoñ United Companys ffree Land scituate on Upon the said

Lower ridge & Gabriells Gull To have & to hold the said hereby Demised

Eight Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & Every part oz

Parcell thereof Unto him the said Joshua Johnson His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of September last

Past ffor and Dureing all the time space & terme of twenty One years

from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That he the said Joshua

Johnson His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns Do

Always bear true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King

George His Heirs & Successors And to the said Hoñ United Compy and

their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions

of this said Island Yeilding and paying therefore yearly & every

yeare Dureing the whole Terme & time of twenty One years

afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents

oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One

shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz

upon the 25 day of Sept ffor and Dureing all the Terme & time

of twenty One years as afores: & Always Provided That he the

said Joshua Johnson His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns

shall and Doe Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby

Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood Land, with a good and sufficient

ffence §

The lease finished setting out Joshua Johnson's duties on the 8 acres of gumwood. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 8 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Johnson and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Johnson and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726. Joshua Johnson signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 8 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

This grant carried the double duty on unfenced ground that runs through the later leases of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause across the run shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726, the same day as the Edmund Nichols grant, placing this among the latest of the gumwood demises. The Company cleared a string of these leases through the autumn at the plantation house, beyond the larger batch sealed at the Castle in James Valley in late summer.

This was the second of two grants to Joshua Johnson in this run, after his earlier 15-acre parcel at the head of Great Bottom. Both pieces sat in the upland stretch under King's Peak and around Gabriel's Gut, near Sandy Bay. His holding of these further gumwood parcels marks a steady building-up of land by a member of the Johnson family long settled in this part of the island.

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181

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading

to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme Lett

Unto Orlando Bagley son of this Island free planter, All that Peice oz

Parcell of Cabbagetree Land Conteining by Mensuration One Acre scituate

lying being Near the Head of the Eastermost Branch of Pewter Valley in

the South Division of the said Island, Butting & bounding towards the

North South & West upon the said Orlando Bagley son Cabbage Tree

Pasture Land and the Gunwood ffree Land oz part by Cap of this ffree Hoñ

United Company and towards the South East upon One & a halfe Acre of

Cabbagetree Pasture Land lately granted to William Hodd Adjoyning to

Pewter Valley Loose now Knob of the Hoñ Compy ffree son the said

Eastermost Branch of Pewter Valley Brooks Adjacent To have & to hold

the said hereby Demised One Acre of Cabbage tree Pasture Land with the

Appurtenances & every part thereof Unto him the said Orlando Bagley son

his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns from

the twenty fifth day of September last Past for & Dureing all the time

space & Terme of twenty One Years from thence Next Insueing

Upon Condition That he the said Orlando Bagley son His Heirs

Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns Do Always bear true

ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs

and Successors And to the said Hoñ United Company and their

Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the

said Island Yeilding and paying therefore yearly & every yeare

Dureing the whole Terme & time of twenty One years afforesaid

Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns

the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling

duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the

25 day of Sept ffor and Dureing all the Terme & time of twenty One

years as afforesaid & Always Provided That he the said

Orlando Bagley son his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz

Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said

hereby Demised One Acre of Cabbage tree Land with a good and

sufficient ffence by oz within this time space & One yeare Commenceing

from the date hereof Upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto

the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns ffor all the

time the said hereby Demised One Acre of Land oz any part thereof

shall be and remaine Unfenced And when the said One Acre of Cabbage tree

Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the same and every part thereof shall be kept

in good repair & repair when and as often as Need shall require So that the

whole Premises and every part thereof shall be Always Tennantable

and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz Decay And shall Also plant

keep up and Preserve the ffull Quantity & Proportion of Wood & Young

Plants of Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the

Law of this Island in that Case made and Provided. And likewise

to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such proper times Seasons

of this year as it is most likely to grow in and the Nature of the

ground will Produce And when the said hereby Demised One Acre

of Cabbage tree Pasture Land is fully ffenced with a good Sufficient

ffence and planted with Young plants of Trees Inclosed as with ffurze

round §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Orlando Bagley, of the island, a free planter. The land grew cabbage tree and came to 1 acre by a recent measurement. It lay at or near the head of the easternmost branch of Porlock Valley, in the South Division of the island. It touched 1 acre of cabbage tree land of Orlando Bagley himself to the north, joining his own gumwood and free land. To the south and east it touched 1 acre and a half of cabbage tree land and pasture earlier granted to William Hodds, now held by Robert Leech, near the head of the easternmost branch of Porlock Valley. The Company rented Bagley the 1 acre of cabbage tree land plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Bagley held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Bagley had to fence the 1 acre straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 1 acre of cabbage tree land was fully fenced and planted with young trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met.

Interpretations

This small 1-acre parcel of cabbage tree land touched 1 acre of cabbage tree land Orlando Bagley already held, so the Company was once more letting a tenant round out land he already had. The new piece fitted against his existing holding and his own gumwood and free land at the head of the easternmost branch of Porlock Valley. Such ground was the easiest to fence and keep, and these leases were repeatedly shaped to add pieces lying against a holder's own land.

This parcel grew cabbage tree rather than gumwood, yet the planting clause still called for young gumwood to be raised on it. The Company wanted gumwood grown wherever it could be, since wood was scarce on the island and gumwood was the timber it most needed to protect. The duty to plant young gumwood ran through these leases regardless of what each plot was chiefly described as growing.

The boundaries name 1 acre and a half earlier granted to William Hodds, now held by Robert Leech, of the wider Leech family long present in the island's land dealings. The Orlando Bagley named here as the younger marks a further generation of the Bagley family, long established at the head of Powell's Valley. The grant slotted into the existing run of holdings in Porlock Valley, where the same few names recur as the boundaries.

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round the said ffences as herein before Mentioned, You the said Orlando

Bagley son your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz

remove the said ffences after they are well and sufficiently made to

secure the same from the Hurt and Damage of all sorts of Beasts

they being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said Demised One Acre

of Land and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the

Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said

Orlando Bagley son oz your Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ that

any way sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same

without the Knowledge oz Consent of the Governour & Councell

of this Island St Helena for the time being In Witness

whereof the said Hoñ United Company & Lords Proprietors

of this their Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common

Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the said Island

this 8th Day of November Anno Dom: 1726 And the

Orlando Bagley son to the other part hath Sett his hand &

Seal the day & year before Written

Orlando Bagley son

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors

this Island The Hoñ: United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett

to ffarme Lett Unto Orlando Bagley Junior of this Island free

in the Pay Service of the said Hoñ United Company, All that Peice

oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration One

Acre scituate Lying and being Near the Lower part of the West

comonly called and known by the Name of Brooks Valley in the

South Division of the said Island, Butting & Bounding towards the

North upon two Acres of Leased Land lately granted to, and in

the Possession of Orlando Bagley son this ffather Soveraigne his

South & West upon the said Hoñ Compy Wast Land &

Hills on each Side & Wildvale in & near the said Brooks Valley

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood

with the Appurtenances & every part thereof Unto him the said

Orlando Bagley Junior his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz

Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of September

Past, for and Dureing all the Terme & time of twenty One

Years from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That

he the said Orlando Bagley Junior his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Allowed oz Assigns Do Always bear true ffaith & allegiance

Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs & Successors

to the said Hoñ United Company and their Successors And

shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island

Yeilding and Paying therefore yearly and every yea §

The lease finished setting out Orlando Bagley's duties on the 1 acre of cabbage tree land. Once the land was planted with furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Bagley and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bagley and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726. Orlando Bagley signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented more land to Orlando Bagley, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 1 acre by a recent measurement. It lay in the place called and known by the name of Brook's Valley, in the South Division of the island. It touched 2 acres of lease land earlier granted to and now held by Orlando Bagley himself, the son of an Orlando Bagley of the island, to the north. To the south and west it touched the Company's own waste land, with low hills on each side, in or near Brook's Valley. The Company rented Bagley the 1 acre of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Bagley held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty.

Interpretations

This further 1-acre parcel touched 2 acres of lease land Orlando Bagley already held in Brook's Valley, so the Company was once more letting him round out land he already had. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding in the same valley. As across this whole run, the Company added pieces that lay against a tenant's own ground, the easiest land to fence and keep.

The two grants to Orlando Bagley, sealed at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726, came one after the other, the first of cabbage tree land in Porlock Valley and the second of gumwood in Brook's Valley. He took on two small scattered pieces in a single sitting. The Orlando Bagley named here as the son of an Orlando Bagley of the island marks a further generation of the Bagley family, long established at the head of Powell's Valley.

This Brook's Valley parcel sat hemmed in by the Company's own waste land and low hills on each side. Beyond the strip touching Bagley's own lease land, it touched no other neighbour's holding. The Company leaned on the low hillsides as natural bounds, the landscape itself fixing where the small valley parcel sat where no adjoining tenant's land could.

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year Dureing the ffull Terme and Time of Twenty One Years

afforsaid Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors

Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides

One shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In

all oz upon the twenty fifth day of September ffor and Dureing

all the Terme & time of twenty One years as afforesaid Always

Provided that he the said Orlando Bagley Junior his Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns shall Do Immediatly Sett

about and ffence In the said hereby Demised One Acre of Gun=

wood Land with a good Sufficient ffence by oz within this time space

of One yeare Commenceing from the date hereof Upon the Penalty

of Paying double Dutys Unto the said Hoñ United Company their

Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the time the said One Acre of

Land oz Tennant thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And when

the said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced

& Inclosed the same & every part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in

good repair and repair when and as often as Need shall require

So that the whole Premises and every part thereof shall be

Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to run to Ruine oz decay

And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve the ffull

Quantity & Proportion of Wood Young Plants of Gunwood Ebbony

oz other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Laws of this

Island in that Case made and Provided And likewise to plant

ffurze round the said ffences at such Proper times & Seasons of the

year as it is most likely to groe in and the Nature of his ground will

Produce And when the afores: One Acre of Land is fully ffenced

and planted with Young plants of Gunwood, Ebbony oz other such

like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences, In

Case the Nature of the ground will Produce) as herein before Mentioned

You the said Orlando Bagley Junior your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns

are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well

and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt Damage

of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks of

the said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land and which

in such Case shall Occasion the Alteration of the Plan thereof

hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said Orlando Bagley Junior

your Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ that any ways oz by any

ways sell oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent

of the Goverz & Councell of this Island for the time being In

whereof the Hoñ United Compy & Lords Proprietors of this their

Island Have to these Presents Sett their Comon Seal at their Grand Plantation

House on the said Island this 8 day of November Anno Dom: 1726 And

the said Orlando Bagley Junior to the other Part hath Sett his hand & Seal

the day and Year before Written

Orlando Bagley son §

The lease set out Orlando Bagley's duties on the 1 acre of gumwood. He held the land for himself and his heirs across the full term of 21 years. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Bagley had to fence the 1 acre straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood and ebony, planting young gumwood trees, ebony and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 1 acre of gumwood was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, ebony, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Bagley and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bagley and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726. Orlando Bagley signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 1 acre as a narrow plot, with a feature called the pasture noted alongside.

Interpretations

This grant added ebony to the trees the tenant had to keep up and plant, alongside the usual gumwood. Most of the leases in this run named only gumwood, so the inclusion of ebony marks a widening of the Company's interest to a second valuable timber. Ebony, a dense dark hardwood prized in trade, was scarce on the island, and the duty to raise it on this Brook's Valley parcel shows the Company guarding more than one kind of useful tree, as it did on the John Harding Deep Valley grant earlier.

This was the second of two grants to Orlando Bagley sealed at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726, the first of cabbage tree land in Porlock Valley and this of gumwood in Brook's Valley. He took two small scattered pieces in a single sitting. The Orlando Bagley named here as the younger marks a further generation of the Bagley family, long established at the head of Powell's Valley.

The double duty on unfenced ground appears here as across the later leases of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. Even on a single acre the full weight of the fencing duty applied, the Company guarding its scarce timber on the smallest parcels as firmly as on the large.

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Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors

of this Island The Honourable United Company of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant

Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto Benjamin Robberds of this

Island Soldier in the Pay and Service of the said Hoñ United

Company, All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing

by Mensuration Eight Acres scituate Lying & being in both the

ffree Wast to Youngs Valley And Near to this Land known by the

Name of ffalling ground at the Head of Carvers Ridge and now in

the Possession & Occupation of him the said Benjamin Robberds

Butting & Bounding towards the North Upon the said Hoñ

Companys Wast Land & part of the Land belonging to Land in the Possession

of Joshua Boddy of this Island Planter and towards Towards the South

and East Upon what Adjoyning to his the said Benjamin Robberds

Leas Lands afores: And towards the Wast upon a part of this Land

in the Possession of Israell Wood oz ffaboah of the Hoñ & this said

Ground Valley And to the East & Carvers ffree Land Carvers Ridge

and his this East Division of the said Island To have & to hold

the said hereby Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood Land with all and Every

Appurtenances thereunto belonging & this him the said Benjamin Robberds

his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty

fifth day of September last past ffor and Dureing all the Time space &

Terme & twenty One Years from thence Next Insueing Upon

Condition That he the said Benjamin Robberds his Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns DO always bear true ffaith &

allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs Successors

And to the said Hoñ United Compy and their Successors And shall

duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding

and paying therefore Yearly and Every Yeare Dureing the whole

Terme and time of twenty One years afforesaid Unto the said

Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly

Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty being in

all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of

September for and Dureing all the Terme and time of twenty

One years as afforesaid Always Provided that he the said

Benjamin Robberds his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed oz Assigns

shall and doe Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby

Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood Land with a good and sufficient

ffence by oz within this time & space of One yeare Commenceing from

the date of these Presents Upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys

the said Hoñ United Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns

for all this time the said Eight Acres of Gunwood Land oz any

Part oz Parcell thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And

when the said Eight Acres of Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the

same & Every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair

and repair when and as often as Need shall require So that

the whole Premises and Every Part oz Parcell thereof §

Margin Notes:

8 Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Benjamin Pledger, a free planter in the Company's pay and service. The land grew gumwood and came to 8 acres. It lay in or near Youngs Valley, in the East Division of the island, and carried the byname of ground at the head of Gravel Ridge, now held by Benjamin Pledger himself. It touched the Company's own waste land, part of land belonging to and lying in the possession of Joshua Bradley, a planter, to the north. To the south it touched land near and joining Benjamin Pledger's own lease land. To the east it touched part of land in the possession of Israel Wood at the head of Youngs Valley. To the east again it touched land in or near the head of Youngs Valley. The Company rented Pledger the 8 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Pledger held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He also had to keep up the same amount of ebony. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Pledger had to fence the 8 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay.

Interpretations

This 8-acre parcel touched Benjamin Pledger's own lease land to the south, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already held. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding near the head of Youngs Valley. As across this whole run, the Company added pieces lying against a tenant's own ground, the easiest land to fence and keep.

This grant named ebony alongside gumwood among the trees the tenant had to keep up, as on the later John Harding and Orlando Bagley parcels. Ebony, a dense dark hardwood prized in trade, was scarce on the island, and the duty to raise it here shows the Company widening its interest to a second valuable timber. Through the autumn leases the Company increasingly bound its tenants to more than one kind of useful tree.

Benjamin Pledger, a free planter in the Company's pay, connects to the soldier and freeholder of the same name who sold the Southwark Street house known as Arabe Pledger's to Robert Bell on 13 April 1715, and who bought 16 acres of Fryer Valley land from Joseph Loffkin in 1724. His holding of gumwood ground in Youngs Valley, alongside his garrison pay and his urban and Fryer Valley property, shows a man building up land across several parts of the island.

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be always Tennantable and no ways suffered to run to Ruine

oz Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve

the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood and Young Plants of

Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this

Island in that Case made & Provided And Likewise to Plant ffurze

Round the said ffences at such Proper times Seasons of this yeare

as it will best groe in And the Nature of the ground will Produce

And when the afores: Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood Land is

ffully & Intirely ffenced Planted with Young Plants of Gunwood &

other such like usefull Trees Aswell as with ffurze round the said ffences

as herein before Mentioned You the said Benjamin Robberds Your

Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove the said

ffences after they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same

from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds

and Land Marks of the said hereby Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood

Land And which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plotts

oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said Benjamin

Robberds oz your Heirs, Execrs oz Adminˢ that by any ways oz

manner sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the

Knowledge & Consent of the Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena

for the time being In Witness whereof the said Honourable United

Company and Lords Proprietors of this said Island Have to these

Presents Sett their Common Seal At their Grand Plantation House on

the said Island this 8 day of November Anno Dom: 1726

And the said Benjamin Robberds to the other Part hath Sett his

hand and Seal the day and year before Written

Benja Robberds §

The lease finished setting out Benjamin Pledger's duties on the 8 acres of gumwood. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 8 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Pledger and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Pledger and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726. Benjamin Pledger signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

Interpretations

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726, the same day as the Edmund Nichols, Joshua Johnson and Orlando Bagley grants. The Company cleared a string of these gumwood leases in a single autumn sitting at the plantation house, beyond the larger batch sealed at the Castle in James Valley in late summer. The shared date marks these as a connected cluster in the run.

The closing restriction barred Pledger from selling the lease or passing on his interest without the Company's agreement, the same control set on every grant in this run. The Company kept a hold over who came to occupy its ground, so that a tenant could not hand the land to whomever he chose. This let the Company watch the descent of its leasehold land and keep the duties of fencing and planting tied to holders it had approved.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease of this run, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

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186

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of this Isla

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

Indies DO hereby Confirm Unto Samuel Jefery of this said Island free

Holder & son & singulier those two Peices oz Parcells oz both Parcells twenty

Pasture Land Conteining by Mensuration in both Parcells twenty Acres

That is to say Ten Acres of Gunwood Land scituate Lying and being

Near the Middle of that Valley known by the Name of Stinks Valley in

East Division of the said Island Butting & bounding towards the North

upon Eleven Acres & a halfe of Gunwood Land, which his this said son

Jefery hired by Vertue of a Lease of this said Dan Compy bearing date

days of Nov Anno Dom: 1726 And toward the East & son Upon One

belonging to Tennants of Gunwood Land belonging to, oz in the Possess

of Thomas Leech planter formerly William Hayter late of this said son

planter Dec: Also Ten Acres of Cabbagetree Land which Conteins

aforesaid twenty Acres) Lying scituate towards the Upper son of the

Stinks Valley Butting and bounding towards the North Upon two son

of Lease Lands in the Possession of Isaac Woodson and Corporall Roberds

Widdow held by Joseph Lufkin son oz Peak hill called the Allgram

towards the South Upon What Adjoyning to One son & halfe of Cabbagetree

Land lately by the said son Jefery & this Pasture Land of this said son

son planter towards the East upon Three Land in the Possession of

afores: Bridgett Carett 1728 & son toward the West upon Next Acres

to the Posses: Land of John Parling & this son Planter which son

Peices oz Parcells of Land were formerly John Stidings Dec: & now in

Possession and Occupation of Jane Mudge & son Exhibit & Mudge son &

Mudge And which said Twenty Acres of Land He the Planter son

hath a just right & Title to as may more fully & plainly appear by an

Instrument of Writing bearing Date this 14 day of ffebry 1728 & Recorded

in the son Register Book ffolio 222 Relation being thereunto had (saving

saved & could in One Terme by the son Jefery the son Acres son To have

& to hold the said Twenty Acres of Land with all & singulier the Ap=

purtenances thereunto belonging Unto him the son Samuel Jefery his

Heirs and Assigns ffor Ever Upon Condition That he the

Samuel Jefery his Heirs & son Assigns DO and shall bear true ffaith

and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs

and Successors And to the Hoñ Dom United Company & their Successors

And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said son

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords Pro=

prietors of this their Island Have to these Presents Sett their

Seal At their Grand Plantation House this Eight day of son

In the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand seven Hundred Two

and Six

Samuel Jefery §

Margin Notes:

The severall Plotts oz Plans of this aforesaid

twenty Acres of Land viz Ten Acres Gunwood

& Ten Acres Cabbage tree Land, being hereunto

Annexed As also a Copy of this Deed & plans

of Each Drawing are Entered in the West

Register Book Nº8 ffolio 186./ §

10 Acres Gunwood Land §

10 Acres Cabbage tree Land §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, confirmed land to Samuel Jefsey, of the island, a holder. The land came to 20 acres in two pieces of gumwood and cabbage tree and pasture, by a recent measurement. One piece was 10 acres of gumwood land. It lay at or near the middle of a valley called and known by the name of Stick's Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched land to the north and east, joining 11 acres and a half of gumwood land earlier granted to and now held by Samuel Jefsey himself, by a court ruling dated [...] November 1726. To the east it touched land belonging to the heirs of an earlier holder, the land earlier belonging to Thomas Leech, a free planter, formerly William Hayes, late of the island, a planter.

The other piece was 10 acres of cabbage tree land. It came to 20 acres by a recent measurement and lay at or near the upper end of the High Valley. It touched land to the north, joining 2 acres of lease land in the possession of Israel Woolley and Bridget Bazett, a widow, near a feature called the Plaster Bed, now held by Joseph Leech, near a place called the Plaster Bed. To the south it touched, joining 1 acre and a half of cabbage tree land, the land held by Samuel Jefsey himself to the east. To the east it touched 3 plots of land in the possession of Bridget Bazett, earlier held by John Pinching, a planter, who sold them. The pieces had earlier been the land of John Giddings, since come into the possession and occupation of Jane Mudge, the wife of an earlier holder, and Mudge, the holder. The pieces came to 20 acres by a recent measurement.

Samuel Jefsey held a clear right and title to this land. He held it by an instrument under his hand dated 14 [...] 1718, entered in the register book at folio 22, the relation appearing more fully there. The Company confirmed the 20 acres to Jefsey, plus everything on them, for himself and his heirs.

Jefsey held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 8 November 1726. Samuel Jefsey signed his part.

A note recorded that the plans of the 20 acres, the 10 acres of gumwood land and the 10 acres of cabbage tree land, with a copy of the deed and the plans of each parcel, were entered in the register book at folio 186.

A plan drawn below showed the land in two pieces. The left piece was marked as the 10 acres of gumwood land. The right piece was marked as the 10 acres of cabbage tree land.

Interpretations

This document was a confirmation rather than a fresh lease, setting on a firm footing land Samuel Jefsey already held, like the earlier Samuel Tayler and Captain John Goodwin confirmations in this run. The Company was fixing a title beyond doubt rather than granting new ground. The confirmation put Jefsey's two pieces, of gumwood and of cabbage tree, plainly on the record against any later challenge.

The title rested on an instrument under Jefsey's hand dated 14 [...] 1718, entered in the register book at folio 22, with the deed and its plans further recorded at folio 186. The Company tied each title to a precise place in its books, linking the land, the written grant and the drawn plans together with exact references. On a small island where the same ground changed hands repeatedly, this let the Company find any title again and check it against the plans that defined the plots.

The boundaries draw together a cluster of holders in the East Division, the heirs of William Hayes late of the island, Thomas Leech and Joseph Leech of the wider Leech family, Bridget Bazett the widow of Captain Matthew Bazett, and Israel Woolley. The ground had passed through John Giddings and the Mudge family before reaching its present holders. Jefsey's pieces sat among holdings that had moved through several connected hands across the years.

Samuel Jefsey connects to the freeholder of the same name confirmed in 10 acres under the Two Gun Ridge on 4 August 1713, who built up a substantial body of land through the 1720s. He took on the whole estate of Jane Mudge, the widow, by a bond of 26 October 1719, which ties him directly to the Mudge ground named in these boundaries. The confirmation marks a further securing of his accumulated holdings in this stretch of the island.

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187

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors

of this Island the Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme

Lett Unto Joseph Lufkin of this Island son in the pay and service of the Hoñ

Hoñ United Company, All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land

Containing by Mensuration One Acre & a Halfe scituate Lying and being

in a part of Prosperous Bay Valley at oz Near to a place called & known

by the Name of this Loose Acres below the Great Wood & in the East Division

of the said Island, Butting & Bounding towards the North South

& East upon the said Hoñ United Compy Wast Land scituate in Pewter

the said Valley AND toward the West upon two Acres & a Halfe

of Gunwood Land Lately granted to & in the Possession of Jnº George

of this Island To have & to hold the said hereby Demised

One Acre & a Halfe of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances &

every part oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said Joseph Lufkin His

Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns from the

twenty fifth day of Sept last past for and Dureing all the time

space & terme & twenty One years from thence next Insueing

Upon Condition That he the said Joseph Lufkin His Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns DO always bear true ffaith

and allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs

and Successors And to the said Hoñ United Company and their

Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the

said Island Yeilding & paying therefore yearly & every year

Dureing the whole Terme and time of twenty One Years

afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents

oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One

shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum

In all oz upon this 25 day of September for and Dureing all the

terms and time of twenty One years as afores: Always Provided

that he the said Joseph Lufkin son his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that

oz Allowed oz Assigns shall and Do Immediatly Sett about & ffence

in the said hereby Demised One Acre and a Halfe of Gunwood Land

with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this time & space

of One yeare Commenceing from the date hereof Upon the Penalty

of Paying double Dutys Unto the said Hoñ United Company

their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the time the said One

Acre & a Halfe of Gunwood Land oz any Part oz Parcell thereof

shall be and remaine Unfenced And when the said Demised One

Acre and a Halfe of Land is fully ffenced and Inclosed the same with

every part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair & repair

when and as often as Need shall require So that the whole Premises

and every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no

ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz Decay And shall Also plant

keep up Maintaine & Preserve the ffull Quantity & Proportion of

Wood Young Plants of Gunwood, oz such other like usefull Trees

Persuant §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Joseph Lufkin, a free planter in the Company's pay and service. The land grew gumwood and came to 1 acre and a half. It lay in a branch of Sandy Bay Valley, at or near a place called Hancocks Hole, in the East Division of the island. It carried the byname of the leased land below the Great Wood. It touched land to the north, south and east. To the east it touched the Company's own waste land in or near the valley. To the west it touched 2 acres and a half of gumwood land earlier granted to and now in the possession of John Brazel of the island. The Company rented Lufkin the 1 acre and a half of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Lufkin held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Lufkin had to fence the 1 acre and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules.

Interpretations

This small 1-acre-and-a-half parcel carried the byname of the leased land below the Great Wood, near Hancocks Hole. The byname fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. On a small island the Company leaned on such named marks to identify a plot, and the byname passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the ground. The same Hancocks Hole was named in John French's gumwood lease in Stonetop Valley.

The parcel touched 2 acres and a half earlier granted to and now held by John Brazel, so the new piece fitted against an established neighbour's land. As across this whole run, the Company let ground that slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings. The land sat among the small gumwood pieces let in this branch of Sandy Bay Valley.

Joseph Lufkin, a free planter in the Company's pay, connects to the holder of the same name who bought 16 acres of Fryer Valley land and took a Company lease of 2 acres of gumwood near the lower part of Youngs Valley on 25 November 1725. His holding of this further gumwood piece, alongside his garrison pay, marks a steady building-up of land by a member of the Lufkin family settled on the island.

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Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided.

And likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such Proper

times & seasons of this year as it will best groe in and the Nature of

the ground will Produce And when the afforesaid Demised One Acre

and a Half of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced and planted with

Young plants of Gunwood and such other like usefull Trees as well

as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before mentioned

You the said Joseph Lufkin your Heirs, oz Allowed oz Assigns

are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are

well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt

& Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land

Marks of the said hereby Demised One Acre & a Half of Gun=

wood Land and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration

of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You

the said Joseph Lufkin oz your Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ that

by any means oz ways to sell, oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest

in the same, without the Knowledge and Consent of the Governour

and Councell of this Island St Helena for the time being In

Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Company and

Lords Proprietors of this said Island Have to these

Presents Sett their Common Seal At their Grand Plant=

ation House on the said Island this 22 day of November

Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred twenty & Six

And the said Joseph Lufkin to the other part hath Sett his

hand & Seal day & year before Written

Joseph Lufkin §

Margin Notes:

1½ Acre §

The lease finished setting out Joseph Lufkin's duties on the 1 acre and a half of gumwood. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 1 acre and a half was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Lufkin and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Lufkin and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726. Joseph Lufkin signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 1 acre and a half as a narrow plot.

Interpretations

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726, a couple of weeks after the cluster of leases sealed there on 8 November 1726. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises through November at the plantation house, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters. The later date marks Lufkin's grant near the close of this autumn run.

The closing restriction barred Lufkin from selling the lease or passing on his interest without the Company's agreement, the same control set on every grant in this run. The Company kept a hold over who came to occupy its ground, so that a tenant could not hand the land to whomever he chose. This let the Company watch the descent of its leasehold land and keep the duties of fencing and planting tied to holders it had approved.

Even on a parcel of just an acre and a half, the full set of duties applied: fencing at once, keeping the fences sound, planting young gumwood, and growing furze along the boundaries. The Company guarded its scarce timber on the smallest pieces as firmly as on the large. Furze, a tough spiny shrub that grows in poor exposed ground, made a cheap living barrier to strengthen the fence and hold stock even on so small a plot.

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190

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this Island the

Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East

Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto William

Hodds of this Island in the Pay and Service of the said Hoñ United Company

All that Peice oz Parcell of Cabbagetree Land Containing by Mensuration One

Acre & a Halfe of Cabbage tree Land, and being Near the Head of the Eastermost Branch

of Pewter Valley in the South Division of the said Island Butting & Bounding

towards the North South West upon and What Adjoyning to the Cabbage tree

Pasture Lands & Gunwood Lands belonging to, and now in the Possession & Occupation

of Orlando Bagley son of the said Island free planter And towards the East

Upon and Adjoyning to ffour & twenty son Acres of Pasture Land now in the

Possession of John Hill the said William Hodd which the other oz Lease of the said

Hoñ United Company in right & his Dec: wife Margarett who was of this Bay &

Dec: To have & to hold the said hereby Demised One Acre & a Halfe of

Cabbage tree Land with the Appurtenances and every Part oz Parcell thereof

Unto him the said William Hodds his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that

oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of September last past

for and Dureing all the time space & Terme of twenty One years from

thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That he the said William

Hodd his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz allowed oz Assigns DO always bear

true ffaith and Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs

and Successors And to the said Hoñ Compy and their Successors And

shall duly and truly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island;

Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and every yeare Dureing the whole

Terme & time of twenty One years aforesaid Unto the said Hoñ United

Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour

shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty being in all five shillings p

Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of Sept for & Dureing all the

time & terme of twenty One years from thence afores: Always Provided

That he the said William Hodd his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz

Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby

Demised One Acre & a Halfe of Land with a good Sufficient ffence by oz

within this time & space of One year Commenceing from the day of this date

hereof Upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto this Hoñ United

Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the time the said One Acre

& a Halfe of Cabbage tree Land oz any Part oz Parcell thereof shall be &

remaine Unfenced And when this said One Acre & a Halfe of Cabbage tree

Land is ffully ffenced and Inclosed the same & every part oz part thereof

shall be kept in good repair & repair when and as often as Need shall

require So that the whole Premises and every Part oz Parcell thereof shall

be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to ruine oz Decay

And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve the ffull Quantity &

Proportion of Wood & Young plants of Gunwood Trees Persuant to the Law of

this Island in that Case made and Provided And likewise to plant ffurze

round the said ffences at such proper times & seasons of the ground will Produce

year as it will best groe in and the Nature of the ground will Produce

And when the said hereby Demised One Acre & a Halfe of Cabbage tree

Land is fully ffenced and Inclosed & also planted with Young plants of Gunwood

oz other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences

oz in such parts as it will groe in oz herein before mentioned You the said

William Hodd your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz

remove the said ffences after they are well and sufficiently made to secure §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to William Addis, of the island. The land grew cabbage tree and came to 1 acre and a half by a recent measurement. It lay at or near the head of the easternmost branch of Porlock Valley, in the South Division of the island. It touched the cabbage tree pasture land and gumwood lands belonging to and now held by Orlando Bagley, the son of an Orlando Bagley of the island, a free planter, to the north, south and west. To the east it touched land now in the possession of John, joining 20 acres of pasture land. The other side held land earlier under the lease of Margaret, the wife of an earlier holder, by a court ruling dated [...]. The Company rented Addis the 1 acre and a half of cabbage tree land plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Addis held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Addis had to fence the 1 acre and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced, and on any part of the cabbage tree land left unenclosed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 1 acre and a half of cabbage tree land was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Addis and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set.

Interpretations

This small 1-acre-and-a-half parcel of cabbage tree land sat against the cabbage tree pasture and gumwood lands of Orlando Bagley on three sides, so the Company was again letting a tenant ground that fitted against an established neighbour's holding. Bagley's own small parcels in the same easternmost branch of Porlock Valley were let earlier in this run. The grant slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings, where the same few names recur as the boundaries.

This parcel grew cabbage tree, yet the planting clause still called for young gumwood to be raised on it. The Company wanted gumwood grown wherever it could be, since wood was scarce on the island and gumwood was the timber it most needed to protect. The duty to plant young gumwood ran through these leases regardless of what each plot was chiefly described as growing.

William Addis connects to the Sandy Bay freeholder of the same name, recorded across the records under the variant spellings Addis, Adles, Adley and Adlis. He held land confirmed in 1713 and was a boundary holder to several neighbours in that sitting. His holding of this small cabbage tree parcel in Porlock Valley marks a further piece of leasehold ground taken up among the Bagley family's holdings.

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secure the same from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they

being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said hereby Demised One Acre & a Halfe of

Cabbagetree Land, and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of

this Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said William

Hodds oz your Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ that oz any ways oz manner to sell, oz

Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent

of the Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords Proprietors

of this said Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal At their

Grand Plantation House on the said Island this 22 day of November

Anno Dom: 1726 And the said William Hodds to the other Part

hath Sett his hand & Seal day & year before Written

William Hodds

Island St Helena

The Honoureable The Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Honoureable United Company of Merchants of England Trading

to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to ffarme

Lett Unto John ffrench Junior of this Island, All that Peice oz Parcell

of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration ffourteen Acres

scituate Lying & being at oz Near a part of this said Island Comonly called

and known by the Name of Pott & Plain Adjacent to Tomsons Land

in the West Division of this Island, Butting & Bounding Towards

the North, East West Upon this said Hoñ United Companys West

Land, and towards the South upon the Leased Lands now in the Possession

of Stephen Lufkin son of the said Island Planter scituate in the aforesaid

Tomsons Wood To have & to hold the said hereby Demised ffourteen

Acres of Gunwood Land, with the Appurtenances, & every part oz Parcell

thereof Unto him the said John ffrench Junior His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of

September last past for and Dureing all the time space & terme of

twenty One years from thence next Insueing Upon Condition That

he the said John ffrench Junior His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed

oz Assigns Do Always bear true ffaith and allegiance to Our

Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs Successors And to the

said Hoñ United Compy & their Successors And shall duly

& truly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island,

Yeilding & paying therefore yearly & every year dureing the

wholy Terme & time of twenty One years afforesaid Unto the

said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents, oz Assigns the

yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty

being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25

day of Sept ffor & Dureing all the Terme & time of twenty One

years as afores: And Always Provided That he the said John

ffrench Junior his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns

shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby

Demised ffourteen Acres of Gunwood Land with a good

and §

The lease finished setting out William Addis's duties on the 1 acre and a half of cabbage tree land. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Addis and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726. William Addis signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to John French, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 14 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in or near a place called and known by the name of Pott's Plain, in the West Division of the island. It touched land to the north, east and west. To the south it touched the lease land now in the possession of Stephen Lufkin, a planter, in the place named Pott's Wood. The Company rented French the 14 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. French held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

French had to fence the 14 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed.

Interpretations

The seal on the Addis grant was set at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726, the same day as the Joseph Lufkin lease and the following John French grant. The Company cleared several of these gumwood demises in a single November sitting at the plantation house, near the close of this autumn run, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters.

This 14-acre parcel carried the byname Pott's Plain, in the place also called Pott's Wood, which fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. The name did the work of pinning down where the ground sat. On a small island the Company leaned on such named marks to identify a plot, and the byname passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the land.

John French, of the island, connects to the gunner and free planter of the same name who took a Company lease of 3 acres of gumwood in Stonetop Valley near Hancocks Hole on 23 October 1724. The parcel touched the lease land of Stephen Lufkin, whose own 11-acre gumwood piece was let earlier in this run. French's grant slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings in this stretch of the West Division.

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and Sufficient ffence by oz within this time & space of One year Commenceing

from the date of these Presents Upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys

Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors & allowed oz Assignes for

all the time the said ffourteen Acres of Land oz any Part oz Parcell thereof

shall be and remaine Unfenced And when the said hereby Demised ffourteen

Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the same & every part

oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair & repair when and as often

as Need shall require So that the whole Premises & every part oz Parcell

thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to run to ruine

oz Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine and Preserve the

ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood and Young plants of Gunwood

and other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round

the said ffences at such proper times & seasons of the Year as it

is most likely to groe in and the Nature of the ground will Produce

And when the afores: Demised ffourteen Acres of Gunwood Land

is fully & Intirely ffenced and planted with Wood and Young plants of

Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round

the said ffences, as herein before mentioned You the said John ffrench Junior

your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove the said

ffences after they are well & sufficiently made to secure the same from

the Hurt and Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds &

Land Marks of the said hereby Demised fourteen Acres of Land & which

in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof

Persuant Annexed Nor shall You the said John ffrench Junior oz your

Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ that by any ways oz means sell oz Dispose

of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent

of the Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords

Proprietors of this Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common

Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the said Island this 22

day of November Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred

twenty & Six And the said John ffrench Junior to the other part

hath Sett his hand and Seal the day and year before Written

John ffrench Junior §

Margin Notes:

14 Acres §

Memorandum this Lease was Surrenderd & oz

Consultation of the 8th of October 1728 §

The lease finished setting out John French's duties on the 14 acres of gumwood. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 14 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. French and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. French and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726. John French signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A note recorded that this lease was given up to the Company in a sitting of the council on 8 October 1728.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 14 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

The note recording that the lease was given up to the Company on 8 October 1728 shows the holding falling back to the Company within two years of the grant. As with the Captain John Goodwin parcel surrendered to Francis Wrangham, these endorsements trace land moving out of a tenant's hands soon after it was let. A lease taken in November 1726 could be given up again by the autumn of 1728, the ground returning for the Company to deal with afresh.

This grant carried the double duty on unfenced land that runs through the later leases of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause across the run shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726, the same day as the William Addis and Joseph Lufkin grants, near the close of this autumn run of gumwood demises. The Company cleared a body of these leases across late summer and autumn 1726, fixing scattered pieces of its gumwood ground in the hands of planters and soldiers across more than one division of the island.

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193

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Propri=

etors of this Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants

of England Trading to the East Indies; DO hereby Demise grant

Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto Thomas Harper of this Island

Corporall in the Day & Service of the said Hoñ Company, All

that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration

twelve Acres scituate Lying and being at oz Near a part of this Island

Comonly called and known by the Name of Hodgers Hill Adjacent

to Tomsons Wood in the West Division of this said Island, Butting

and Bounding Towards the North upon Ten Acres of Gunwood Land

lately granted to and now in the Possession of Edmond Nichols son

planter towards the South & West upon the said Hoñ United Compy

Wast Land And towards the East upon the Leased Lands in the Possessi=

on of the said Thomas Harper scituate Near to the said Hodgers Hill

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised twelve Acres of

Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & every Part oz Parcell thereof

Unto him the said Thomas Harper his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that

oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of Sept last past

ffor and Dureing all the Time space & terme of twenty One years

from thence next Insueing Upon Condition That he the said

Thomas Harper his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed

oz Assigns Do Always bear true ffaith & allegiance to Our

Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs and Successors And to the

said Hoñ United Company and their Successors And shall

Duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island Yeilding

and paying therefore yearly and every yeare Dureing the

wholy Terme and time of twenty One years afores: Unto the said

Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company their Successors Agents, oz Assigns the

Yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty

being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25

day of Sept ffor and Dureing all the Terme and time of twenty One

Years as aforesaid Always Provided That he the

the said Thomas Harper his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz

Allowed oz Assigns shall and Do Immediatly Sett about and

ffence in the said hereby Demised twelve Acres of Gunwood Land

with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this time & space of

One year Commenceing from the date of these Presents Upon the

Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto this said Hoñ United Compy

their Successors Agents, oz Assigns, for all the time the said

twelve Acres of Land oz any part oz Parcell thereof shall be

and remaine Unfenced And when the said hereby Demised

twelve Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the

same and every part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair

and repair when and as often as Need shall require So that the

whole Premises and every part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always

Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz decay And

shall Also plant keep up Maintaine and Preserve the ffull

Quantity §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Thomas Harper, a corporal in the Company's pay and service. The land grew gumwood and came to 12 acres by a recent measurement. It lay at or near a place called and known by the name of Hodges Hill, joining Stonetop Wood, in the West Division of the island. It touched 10 acres of gumwood land earlier granted to and now held by Edmund Nichols, a planter, to the north. To the south and west it touched the Company's own waste land. To the east it touched the lease land in or near Hodges Hill, joining the land of Thomas Harper himself. The Company rented Harper the 12 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Harper held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Harper had to fence the 12 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay.

Interpretations

This 12-acre parcel touched the lease land of Thomas Harper himself to the east, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already held. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding near Hodges Hill. As across this whole run, the Company added pieces lying against a tenant's own ground, the easiest land to fence and keep.

The parcel carried the byname Hodges Hill, joining Stonetop Wood, which fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. The boundaries name 10 acres earlier granted to Edmund Nichols, whose own Stonetop Wood parcel was let earlier in this run. The grant slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings in this stretch of the West Division, where the same few names recur as the boundaries.

Thomas Harper, a corporal in the Company's pay, connects to the wider Harper family active in the island's land dealings, including the Martin Harper, a soldier, who took an 8-acre gumwood parcel earlier in this same run. His holding of rented gumwood ground alongside his garrison rank shows the overlap of military service and landholding, where serving soldiers and corporals regularly took and worked land of their own.

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Quantity and Proportion of Wood & Young Plants of Gunwood, oz

other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in

that Case made and Provided. And Likewise to plant ffurze round

the said ffences at such proper times & seasons of the year, as it is

most likely to groe in and the Nature of the ground will Produce

And when the aforesaid Demised twelve Acres of Gunwood

Land is fully & Intirely ffenced and planted with Young Plants of

Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze

round the said ffences as herein before Mentioned You the said

Thomas Harper your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways

to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently

made to secure the same from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of

Beasts) they being the Bounds and Land Marks of the said Demised

twelve Acres of Gunwood Land And which in such Case will Occasion

the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor

shall You the said Thomas Harper, oz your Heirs, Execrs, oz

Adminˢ that by any ways oz means, sell oz Dispose of this

Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent

of the Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena for the

time being In Witness whereof the said Honourᵇˡᵉ United

Company and Lords Proprietors of this Island Have to these

Presents Sett their Common Seal At their Grand Plantation House

on the said Island this 22 day of November Anno Dom: One

Thousand seven Hundred twenty & Six And the said Thomas

Harper to the other Part hath Sett his hand and Seal

the day & year before Written

Thomas Harper §

Margin Notes:

12 Acres §

The lease finished setting out Thomas Harper's duties on the 12 acres of gumwood. He had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 12 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Harper and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Harper and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726. Thomas Harper signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 12 acres as a single four-sided plot.

Interpretations

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726, the same day as the Joseph Lufkin, William Addis and John French grants. The Company cleared several of these gumwood demises in a single November sitting at the plantation house, near the close of this autumn run, fixing scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of planters and soldiers.

The closing restriction barred Harper from selling the lease or passing on his interest without the Company's agreement, the same control set on every grant in this run. The Company kept a hold over who came to occupy its ground, so that a tenant could not hand the land to whomever he chose. This let the Company watch the descent of its leasehold land and keep the duties of fencing and planting tied to holders it had approved.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease of this run, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

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Island St Helena

The Honoureable The Lords Proprietors of

this Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant

Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto John Bazett of this Island All

that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration

Two Acres and a Halfe scituate Lying and being at oz Near the Lower

part of that Valley Antiently Named Stinkers Valley next to the Greater

Wood & in the East Division of this Island, Butting & Bounding

towards the North & West upon the said Hoñ Companys Wast

Land scituate in and Near the said Valley And towards the South

& East upon the Three Acres & a halfe of Gunwood Land formerly

granted to and now in the Possession & Occupation of Jnº this ffather

Bazett To have and to hold the said hereby Demised Two

Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances, & Every

Part oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said John Bazett his Heirs

Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth

day of September last past for and Dureing all the time space & terme

of twenty One years from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition

That he the said John Bazett his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz

Allowed oz Assigns DO Always bear true ffaith and allegiance to Our

Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs and Successors And to the

said Honourᵇˡᵉ Company and their Successors And shall duly Obey

all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island Yeilding & paying

therefore yearly and every year Dureing the whole Terme & time

of twenty One years aforesaid Unto the said Hoñ United Compy

their Successors Agents, oz Assigns, the yearly Rent of ffour shillings

p Acre besides One shilling duty being in all five shillings p

Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of September for & Dureing

all the Terme & time of twenty One years afores: Always

Provided That he the said John Bazett his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Allowed oz Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett about and ffence

in the said hereby Demised two Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood Land

with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this time & space of

One year Commenceing from the date of these Presents before the

Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto the said Hoñ United Compy

their Successors Agents oz Assignes for all the time the said two Acres

and a Halfe of Land oz any part oz Parcell thereof shall be & remaine

Unfenced And when the said hereby Demised two Acres & a Halfe

of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the same & every Part

oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair & repair when & as

often as Need shall require So that the whole Premises & every

Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always Tennantable & no ways

suffered to Run to Ruine oz decay And shall Also plant keep up

Maintaine and Preserve the ffull Quantity & Proportion of Wood

and Young Plants of Gunwood oz such other like usefull Trees

Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided.

And Likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such proper

times & seasons of the year as it is most likely to Groe in oz the

Nature of the ground will produce, And when the afforesaid

Demised two Acres of Gunwood Land is fully & Intirely ffenced

and planted with Young plants of Gunwood, oz other such like

usefull §

Margin Notes:

2½ Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to John Bazett, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 2 acres and a half. It lay at or near the lower part of a valley called and known by the name of Fryer Valley, next to the Great Wood, in the East Division of the island. It touched the Company's own waste land to the north and west. To the south and east it touched 3 acres and a half of gumwood land earlier granted to and now held by John Pinching himself. The Company rented Bazett the 2 acres and a half of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Bazett held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Bazett had to fence the 2 acres and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 2 acres and a half of gumwood were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood and other useful trees, the main duties were met.

Interpretations

This 2-acre-and-a-half parcel touched 3 acres and a half earlier granted to and now held by John Pinching, so the new piece fitted against an established neighbour's land. As across this whole run, the Company let ground that slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings. The land sat in the lower part of Fryer Valley, next to the Great Wood, among the small gumwood pieces let in that stretch of the East Division.

The parcel lay next to the Great Wood, a stretch of standing timber the Company watched closely. Its position by the wood marks it as part of the gumwood ground the Company let on its standard planting terms, binding the tenant to raise young gumwood to replace what was used. On a small island short of timber, the Company guarded the ground around the Great Wood through these careful planting duties.

John Bazett, of the island, connects to the free planter of the same name who took a Company lease of 3 acres and a half of gumwood near the lower part of Fryer Valley on 13 October 1724, in the place called the Great Wood Well, probably of the wider family of Matthew Bazett the long-serving councillor and surveyor. His holding of this further gumwood piece in the same stretch marks a steady building-up of land in the lower part of Fryer Valley.

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usefull Trees, As well as with ffurze round the said ffences As herein before

Mentioned You the said John Bazett your Heirs, oz Allowed oz Assigns

are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well, &

sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt & Damage of all

sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said Demised

two Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood Land and which in such Case will Occasion

the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall

You the said John Bazett oz your Heirs, Execrs, oz Adminˢ that

by any ways oz means sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the

same without the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour & Councell

of this Island St Helena for the time being In Witness whereof

the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords Proprietors Have to these

Presents Sett their Common Seal At their Grand Plantation House

this 22 day of November Anno Dom: One Thousand seven

Hundred & twenty & Six And the said John Bazett to the other

Part hath Sett his hand & Seal the day & year afores: Written

Jnº Bazett

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors of

this Island The Honourable United Company of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies, DO hereby Demise grant Lease

Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto Captain John Goodwin Gentleman and

ffrances Wrangham free planter, both of this Island, All that Peice oz

Parcell of Gunwood Land containing by Mensuration Eight Acres

scituate Lying & being in that Valley comonly called & known by

the Name of Lemmon Valley, below oz near the Land lately grant=

ed to Elizabeth Greenbee of this Island Widdow scituate in the said

Valley in the West Division of the said Island, Butting & Bounding

towards the East West North & south upon the said Hoñ Compy

Wast Land and Rocky steep Hills, on Each side the said Lemmon Valley

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised Eight Acres of

Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & every part oz Parcell

thereof Unto them the before Named Capt John Goodwin & ffrancis

Wrangham, their & either of their Heirs, Executors, Adminˢ that

oz Allowed oz Assigns as joynt Tennants to the Premises aforesaid,

from this twenty fifth day of September last past for & Dureing

all the Time Terme & space of twenty One years from thence

Next Insueing Upon Condition That they the said Capt John

Goodwin & ffrances Wrangham, their, & either of their Heirs,

Executors, Adminˢ that, oz Allowed oz Assigns Dureing of

them §

The lease finished setting out John Bazett's duties on the 2 acres and a half of gumwood. Once the land was planted with furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Bazett and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bazett and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726. John Bazett signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to two holders together: Captain John Goodwin, a gentleman, and Francis Wrangham, a free planter, both of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 8 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in a valley called and known by the name of Lemon Valley, below or near the land earlier granted to Elizabeth, now held by them, in Windover, in the West Division of the island. It touched the Company's own west land to the east and north, and to the south it touched the Company's west land and rocky steep hills, on each side of Lemon Valley. The Company rented the two holders the 8 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for themselves and their heirs, holding it as joint tenants between them.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. The two holders held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules.

Interpretations

The seal on the Bazett grant was set at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726, the same day as the Joseph Lufkin, William Addis, John French and Thomas Harper grants. The Company cleared several of these gumwood demises in a single November sitting at the plantation house, near the close of this autumn run, fixing scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of planters and soldiers.

This grant let an 8-acre parcel to two holders jointly, Captain John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, as joint tenants between them, rather than to a single tenant. Each held an undivided part of the whole. The arrangement parallels the larger joint grant to the Goodwin, Greentree and Carne families earlier in this run, binding connected holders together to the same land and the same duties of fencing and planting.

Captain John Goodwin, a gentleman and fourth in council, and Francis Wrangham, a substantial accumulator of land into the 1720s and 1730s, were two of the leading landholders of the island, often acting together. They served jointly as executors of the deceased Henry Francis and took several joint leases through these years. This Lemon Valley parcel marks a further shared holding between two men closely tied in the island's land dealings.

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them, shall and Doe Always bear true ffaith & allegiance

to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs Successors

And to the said Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company and their Successors

And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said

Island Yeilding and paying therefore yearly & every yeare

Dureing the whole Terme and Terme of twenty One years

aforesaid Unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors

Agents oz Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre

besides One shilling duty being in all five shillings p Acre p

Annum In all oz upon the twenty fifth day of September

for and Dureing all the Terme & Terme of twenty One

years as afores: & Always Provided That they the said

John Goodwin & ffrances Wrangham their oz either of their Heirs

Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns shall and Do

Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised Eight

Acres of Gunwood Land with a good & sufficient ffence by oz within

this time and space of One year Commenceing from the date

of these Presents upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto the

said Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns

for all the Time the said Eight Acres of Land oz any part oz Parcell

thereof shall be and remaine Unfenced And when the said hereby

Demised Eight Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the

same and every part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair

and repair when and as often as Need shall require So that the

whole Premises and every part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always

Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz Decay

shall Also plant keep up Maintaine and Preserve the ffull Quantity

and Proportion of Wood Young Plants of Gunwood oz other such

like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case

made and Provided. And Likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences

at such proper times Seasons of the Year as it is most likely to groe

in and the Nature of the ground will Produce And when the

said Eight Acres of Gunwood Land is fully & Intirely ffenced &

ffenced & planted with Young Plants of Gunwood oz other such like usefull

Trees, as well as with ffurze round the said ffences, as herein before

Mentioned You the said Capt John Goodwin & ffrances Wrangham

yours oz either of your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns, oz either of

them are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they

are well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt

and Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds &

Land Marks of the said Demised Eight Acres of Land and which

in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan

thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said Capt

John Goodwin oz ffrances Wrangham joynt Tennants oz either

oz your Heirs Executors oz Adminˢ that oz either of them

ways sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same

without Knowledge And Consent of the Governour & Councell of this

St Helena for the time being In Witness whereof the said

Honourable United Company and Lords Proprietors §

Margin Notes:

8 Acres §

The lease set out the duties of Captain John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham on the 8 acres of gumwood. They held the land for themselves and their heirs, with loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. The rent ran for 21 years. They paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. They paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

The two holders had to fence the 8 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. They owed a double duty on any part they left unfenced. They were to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. They also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. They had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 8 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Captain Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, with their heirs, were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. The two holders could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 8 acres as a single narrow plot.

Interpretations

This grant bound two joint holders, Captain John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham, to the same duties of fencing and planting on the shared 8 acres. Because the land was held jointly, both men together carried the full weight of the obligations. The arrangement tied two of the leading landholders of the island into a single holding, as with the larger joint grant to the connected Goodwin, Greentree and Carne families earlier in this run.

The double duty on unfenced ground appears here as across the later leases of this batch. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the holders twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause across the run shows the Company tightening the pressure to fence, since an open plot left the gumwood unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The closing restriction barred either holder from selling the lease or passing on his interest without the Company's agreement. Because the land was held jointly, the Company guarded against either man dealing with the shared ground on his own. This kept the whole parcel together under both holders at once and stopped the land from being splintered, the same control the Company set on its other joint grant in this run.

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of this their Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal

At their Grand Plantation House this 22 day of November Anno

Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred Twenty and Six And the said Capt

John Goodwin and ffrances Wrangham to the other part Hath Sett their

Hands and Seals the day and year before Written

Jnº Goodwin

ffrand: Wrangham

Island St Helena

The Honoureable The Lords Proprietors

of this Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of

England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease

Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto William Beale of this Island Planter,

All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensu=

ration ffifteen Acres & a Half scituate Lying & being Near this Valley

in the East Division of the said Island Butting & bounding towards

the North and West Adjoyning to Upon the said William Beales free

Land towards the South upon the Lease Land in the Possession of

John Knipe son of this Island free son Upon & toward the West upon the Gunwood

Lands in the Possession of Bridgett Bazett Dec: And towards the East

upon the said Hoñ Compy Wast Land scituate in & near to this ffree

Wast Valley To have & to hold the said hereby Demised

ffifteen Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances thereunto

belonging Unto them the said William Beale His Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of

Sept last past for & Dureing all the time space & Terme of twenty One

year from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That he the said

William Beale His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns

DO always bear true ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord

King George His Heirs and Successors And to the said Honourᵇˡᵉ

United Company and their Successors And shall duly obey all the

Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island Yeilding and paying

therefore Yearly & every yeare Dureing the whole Terme & time

of twenty One years afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Compy

their Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings

p Acre besides One shilling duty being in all five shillings p

Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of September for and Dureing all

the Terms & time of twenty One years as afores: & Always

Provided That he the said William Beale His Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall and Do Immediatly Sett about

and ffence in the said hereby Demised ffifteen Acres of

Gunwood Land with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this

time and space of One year Commenceing from the date of these

Presents upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto the said

Hoñ §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726. Captain John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham signed their part and added their seals on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to William Seale, of the island, a planter. The land grew gumwood and came to 15 acres and a half by a recent measurement. It lay in a place called Stick's Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched land earlier granted to and now held by William Seale himself to the north and west. To the south it touched the lease land in the possession of John Pinching, joining the gumwood lands in the possession of Bridget Bazett, a widow. To the east it touched the Company's own waste land in or near a place called Hartley. The Company rented Seale the 15 acres and a half of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Seale held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Seale had to fence the 15 acres and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced.

Interpretations

This 15-acre-and-a-half parcel touched land William Seale already held to the north and west, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already had. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding in Stick's Valley. As across this whole run, the Company added pieces lying against a tenant's own ground, the easiest land to fence and keep.

The boundaries name John Pinching and Bridget Bazett, the widow of Captain Matthew Bazett, whose holdings recur across these East Division grants. The same Stick's Valley ground was named in the Samuel Jefsey confirmation earlier in this run, where Pinching and Bazett also appeared as neighbours. Seale's parcel slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings in the valley, where the same few names mark the boundaries of each new grant.

William Seale, a planter, connects to the freeholder of the same name confirmed in 20 acres near the head of Sharks Valley and 20 acres in Stocks Valley on 4 August 1713, the son of the deceased Beer Seale. His holding of this further gumwood parcel in Stick's Valley marks a steady building-up of land in the East Division, set among the holdings of Pinching and the Bazett family in the same stretch.

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Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns

ffor all the time the said hereby Demised ffifteen Acres & a Halfe of Gun=

wood Land oz any Part oz part thereof shall be & remaine

Unfenced And when the hereby Demised ffifteen Acres & a Halfe

of Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the same and every part oz

Parcell thereof shall be kept in good repair and repair when

and as often as Need shall require So that the whole Premises

and Every part oz part thereof shall be Always Tennantable &

no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz Decay And shall Also

plant keep up Maintaine and Preserve the ffull Quantity &

Proportion of Wood Young plants, of Gunwood oz other such

like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case

made & Provided. And Likewise to plant ffurze round the

said ffences at such proper times Seasons of the year as

it will best groe in and the Nature of the ground will

Produce And when the afores: Demised ffifteen Acres &

a halfe of Gunwood Land is fully & Intirely ffenced & planted

with Young plants of Gunwood oz other such like, usefull trees

as well as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before

Mentioned You the said William Beale Your Heirs, oz

Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove

the said ffences after they are well and sufficiently made to

secure the same from the Hurt, and Damage of all

sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks of

the said hereby Demised ffifteen Acres & a Halfe of

Gunwood Land, and which in such Case will Occasion

the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto

Annexed Nor shall You the said William Beale, oz your

Heirs, Execrs oz Adminˢ that by any ways oz means

sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same

without the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour &

Councell of this Island St Helena for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy & Lords

Proprietors of this Island Have to these Presents Sett their

Common Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the said

Island this 22 day of November Anno Dom: One Thousand

seven Hundred twenty & Six And the said William

Beale Setts to the other part Spath Sett his hand & Seal

the day and Year before Written

William Beale §

Margin Notes:

15½ Acres §

The lease set out the rest of William Seale's duties on the 15 acres and a half of gumwood. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 15 acres and a half were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Seale and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Seale and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726. William Seale signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 15 acres and a half as a single plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 22 November 1726, the same day as the run of leases sealed there to Joseph Lufkin, William Addis, John French, Thomas Harper, John Bazett and the joint holders Captain John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham. The Company cleared a body of these gumwood demises in a single November sitting at the plantation house, near the close of this autumn run.

The closing restriction barred Seale from selling the lease or passing on his interest without the Company's agreement, the same control set on every grant in this run. The Company kept a hold over who came to occupy its ground, so that a tenant could not hand the land to whomever he chose. This let the Company watch the descent of its leasehold land and keep the duties of fencing and planting tied to holders it had approved.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease of this run, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land.

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Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East

Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto

John Worrall of this Island free Planter and unto Ebenezer Leech Soldier

in the Pay Service of the said Hoñ United Compy as Joynt Tennants

All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration

fixteen Acres scituate Lying & being on a Hill side in the Eastermost Branch

of Deep Valley in the East Division of this Island Butting & Bounding

towards the North upon the severall Parcells of Land now in the Possession

of John Jeories son oz of this Lands of Mabry Conusay Widdow

towards the West & south upon the severall Parcells of Land, Lo son

by him this John Worrall scituate in this ffree Deep Valley & towards

the East upon the Hoñ Compy Wast Land in & near this same

To have & to hold this hereby Demised fixteen Acres of Gunwood Land

with the Appurtenances & every part oz Parcell thereof Unto them the before

Named John Worrall & Ebenezer Leech, their & either of their Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns Joynt Tennants to the Premises, as

aforesaid, from the 25 Day of Sept last past for & Dureing all the time

space and Terme of twenty One years from thence next Insueing Upon

Condition That they the John Worrall & Ebenezer Leech their, &

either of their Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns & every

of them shall & Do Always bear true ffaith & Allegiance to Our Soveraigne

Lord King George His Heirs & Successors And to the said Hoñ United

Compy their Successors And shall duly obey all the

Lawes & Constitutions of this Island Yeilding & paying therefore

yearly & every year Dureing the whole Terme and time of twenty

One years afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors

Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides

One shilling Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz

upon this fifteenth fifth Day of Sept ffor Dureing all this Terme & time

of twenty One years as afores: Always Provided That they

this aforesaid John Worrall & Ebenezer Leech their oz Either of their

Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall & Doe Immediatly

Sett about and ffence in this said hereby Demised fixteen Acres of

Gunwood Land with a good Sufficient ffence by oz within this time &

space of One year Commenceing from this date of these Presents Upon

the Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto this Hoñ United Compy

their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the Time this said fixteen

Acres of Gunwood Land oz any Part oz Parcell thereof shall be & remaine

Unfenced And when this said hereby Demised fixteen Acres of Gunwood

Land is fully & Compleatly ffenced, the same and every part oz Parcell

thereof shall be kept in good repair & repair when & as often as Need

shall require So that the whole Premises & every Part oz Parcell thereof

shall be Always Tennantable & no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz

Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve the

ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood & Young Plants of Gunwood

oz other such like usefull Trees, Persuant to the Law of this Island

in that Case made and Provided. And Likewise to plant ffurze

round the said ffences at such Proper times & Seasons of this year

as it is most likely to Groe in and the Nature of this ground will

Produce, And when this said fixteen Acres of Land is fully &

Compleatly §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to two holders together: John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech, both of the island, as joint tenants. The land grew gumwood and came to 16 acres by a recent measurement. It lay at or near a hill called the head of the easternmost branch of Deep Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched the Company's own waste land to the north, joining a small parcel of land now in the possession of John Sears, near the lands of Mary Conaway, a widow. To the west and south it touched the several plots of land earlier held by John Worrall himself, in or near Deep Valley. To the east it touched the Company's own land. The Company rented the two holders the 16 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for themselves and their heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. The two holders held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. They paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. They paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech had to fence the 16 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. They owed a double duty on any part they left unfenced. They were to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. They also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. They had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best.

Interpretations

This grant let a 16-acre parcel to two holders jointly, John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech, as joint tenants between them, rather than to a single tenant. Each held an undivided part of the whole. The arrangement parallels the other joint grants in this run, binding two holders together to the same land and the same duties of fencing and planting.

The parcel touched several plots John Worrall already held in or near Deep Valley, so the new ground fitted against land he was already farming. John Worrall took a body of leases in Deep Valley and Dogwood Valley earlier in this run, both alone and now jointly with Leech. The grant slotted into the existing arrangement of his holdings, with the boundaries naming John Sears and the lands of Mary Conaway, the widow whose 30-acre Dogwood Valley rental of 1 December 1713 sat in the same stretch.

Ebenezer Leech connects to the wider Leech family long present in the island's land dealings, including Robert Leech, Richard Leech and the Thomas and Joseph Leech named across these East Division grants. His joining with John Worrall in this shared holding marks a tie between the Worrall and Leech families. The land sat among the Deep Valley holdings the same few families had worked across the years.

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201

Compleatly ffenced, and Planted with Young Plants of Gunwood oz other

such like usefull Trees, as well as with ffurze round the said ffences,

as herein before mentioned You the said John Worrall & Ebenezer

Leech oz Either of your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns oz Either of

them are no ways to Alter, oz remove the said ffences after they are

well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt Damage

of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said

hereby Demised fixteen Acres of Land and which in such Case will

Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto

Annexed Nor shall You the John Worrall, oz Ebenezar Leech

Joynt Tennants to the Premises aforesaid oz your Heirs Execrs

oz Adminˢ that oz Either of them, any ways sell, oz Dispose

of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge &

Consent of the Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena

for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United

Company & Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have to these

Presents Sett their Comon Seal at their Grand Plantation House this

27 Day of December Anno Dom: 1726 And the said John

Worrall & Ebenezer Leech to the other Part hath Sett their Hands

and Seals the day and Year before Written

John Worrall

his

Ebenezar Leech

Mark

Island St Helena

The Honourable the Lords Proprietors of this Island

The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to ffarme Lett

Unto Joseph Bates of this Island free planter, All that Peice oz Parcell

of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration Halfe an Acre scituate

Lying being in this Westermost Branch of Sandy Bay Valley at oz Near

this Lower End of a Gull Comonly called & known by this Name of Gun

Gull, Butting & bounding towards this North upon the severall Parcells

of Lease Lands now in this Possession of Charles Stewart ffree planter

and Mary Threve Widdow towards the South upon What Adjoyning

to two Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood Land in this Possession of this

the said Joseph Bates formerly granted to Jonathan Bigham son

and towards the East & West upon this said Hoñ Companys ffree

Land scituate in & Near this said Westermost Branch oz Sandy Bay

To have & to hold the said hereby Demised Halfe an Acre

Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & Every Part oz Parcell

thereof §

Margin Notes:

16 Acres §

The lease finished setting out the duties of John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech on the 16 acres of gumwood. Once the land was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. The two holders were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech, as joint tenants, could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 27 December 1726. John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech signed their part and added their seals on the same day. John Worrall signed in his own hand, and Ebenezer Leech made his mark.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 16 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Thomas Leech, of the island, a free planter. The land grew gumwood and came to half an acre. It lay in a place called and known by the name of Yam Gut, at or near the lower end, in the westernmost branch of Sandy Bay Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched the several plots of land now in the possession of Charles Steward and Mary Sherwood, a widow, to the north. To the south it touched 2 acres and a half of gumwood land in the possession of Joseph Bates, earlier granted to Jonathan Higham. To the east and west it touched the Company's own waste land near the westernmost branch of Sandy Bay Valley. The Company rented Leech the half-acre of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

Interpretations

The seal on the joint Worrall and Leech grant was set at the grand plantation house on 27 December 1726, a month after the cluster of leases sealed there on 22 November 1726. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises into late December at the plantation house, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters. The December date marks this grant near the close of the year's run.

The signing arrangements show the two joint holders setting their names down in different ways, John Worrall in his own hand and Ebenezer Leech by his mark. Where one holder could write and the other could not, each sealed the shared grant in his own manner. The lease bound both men equally to the land whether they signed by name or by mark, the standing of each part secured alike.

Thomas Leech, a free planter, connects to the wider Leech family long present in the island's land dealings, including Ebenezer Leech named in the grant just before this one. This very small half-acre parcel in Yam Gut shows the Company letting even the slightest pieces of its gumwood ground, binding each holder to the same care of the timber. The boundaries name Charles Steward and the ground earlier granted to Jonathan Higham, fixing the parcel among the established holdings in this branch of Sandy Bay Valley.

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202

thereof Unto him this said Joseph Bates His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Allowed oz Assigns from this Twenty fifth day of September last past for

& Dureing all the Time space & Terme of twenty One years from thence next

Insueing Upon Condition That he the said Joseph Bates His Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns DO Always bear true ffaith and

allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs Successors

And to the said Honourᵇˡᵉ United Compy and their Successors And

shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island Yeilding

and paying therefore yearly & every yeare dureing this whole Terme &

Time of twenty One years aforesaid Unto the said Hoñ United Compy

their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour shillings

p Acre besides One shilling duty being in all five p Acre who said five

shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon this twenty fifth day of

September for & Dureing all the Terme & Time of twenty One years

as aforesaid Always Provided that he the said Joseph Bates his

Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns shall Doe Immediatly

Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised Halfe an Acre of

Gunwood Land with a good Sufficient ffence by oz within this Time &

Land space of One year Commenceing from the date of these Presents

Upon the Penalty of Paying Double Dutys Unto the said Hoñ United

Compy their Successors Agents oz Assignes for all this Time the said

Demised Halfe an Acre of Land oz any part thereof shall be & remaine

Unfenced And when this said hereby Demised Halfe an Acre of Gunwood

Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the same & every Part thereof shall be

kept in good repair and repair when and as often as Need shall require

So that the whole Premises & every Part oz part thereof shall be Always

Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz Decay And

shall Also plant Maintaine & Preserve the ffull Quantity & Proportion

of Wood & young plants of Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees

Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided.

And Likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences at such proper

times Seasons of the year as it is well best groe in this Nature of the

ground will Produce, And when the said hereby Demised Halfe an

Acre of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced and planted with Young

plants of Gunwood & other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze

round the said ffences, as herein before mentioned You the said Joseph

Bates, your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz re=

move the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently made to secure the

same from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being this bounds

& Land Marks of this hereby Demised Halfe an Acre of Land which

in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of this Plott oz Plan thereof

Annexed Nor shall You the said Joseph Bates oz your Heirs Execrs oz

Adminˢ that any ways oz Either by Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same

without this Knowledge & Consent of this Governour and Councell

of this Island St Helena for this time being In Witness

whereof the said Hoñ United Compy & Lords Proprietors

of this Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal

At their Grand Plantation House on the said Island this

Day of December Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred

twenty & Six And the said Joseph Bates to the other Part hath Sett his

hand & Seal day & year before Written

Joseph Bates §

Margin Notes:

½ Acre §

This page in fact sets out the lease to Joseph Bates, not Thomas Leech, so the earlier reading of the grantee on the previous page should be corrected to Joseph Bates throughout.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Joseph Bates, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to half an acre by a recent measurement. The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Bates held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Bates had to fence the half-acre straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the half-acre was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Bates and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bates and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 27 December 1726. Joseph Bates signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the half-acre as a narrow plot.

Interpretations

This very small half-acre parcel carried the full set of duties laid on the larger holdings: fencing at once, keeping the fences sound, planting young gumwood, and growing furze along the boundaries. The Company guarded its scarce timber on the smallest pieces as firmly as on the large. Even on half an acre the standing burden of enclosure and planting applied, since any open ground left the gumwood unguarded.

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 27 December 1726, the same day as the joint Worrall and Leech grant. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises into late December at the plantation house, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters. The December date marks this grant near the close of the year's run.

Joseph Bates connects to the corporal of the same name, a brother-in-law of John Harding through marriage to Harding's sister Sarah, who sold his share of the 19-acre Harding Sandy Bay estate to John Harding in 1720. He took the assignment of a 2-acre cabbage tree parcel near Diana's Peak from Harding. His holding of this small gumwood piece in Sandy Bay Valley marks a further parcel taken up among the holdings of the Harding and Steward families in that stretch.

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203

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England Trad=

ing to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett and to

ffarme Lett Unto William Worrall son of this Island son in the Pay and

Service of the said Hoñ United Company; All that Peice oz Parcell

of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration Two Acres & a Halfe

scituate Lying and being in the Westermost Branch of Sandy Bay Valley

Butting & bounding towards the North upon the Lease part of the forty

Acres the Leased Lands now in the Possession of Benjamin son this son

William Worrall towards the South upon Seven Acres & a halfe of Land

lately granted to Mary son towards the East upon part of the

Gunwood Land in the Possession of Charles Steward son Planter And

towards the West upon the said Hoñ Companys ffree Land in &

Near to the said Westermost Branch of Sandy Bay Valley in this South

Division of this Island, To have & to hold the said hereby Demised

Two Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances, & every part

oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said William Worrall his Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from this twenty fifth day of

September last past for and Dureing all the Time space & Terme of

twenty One years from thence next Insueing Upon Condition That

he the said William Worrall his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz

Assigns DO Always bear true ffaith & Allegiance to Our Soveraigne

Lord King George His Heirs Successors And to the said Hoñ

United Company & their Successors And shall duly Obey the Lawes

& Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & paying therefore Yearly

and every year Dureing the whole Terme & Time of twenty One

years afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents

oz Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling

Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon this twenty

fifth day of Sept ffor and Dureing all the Terme & time of twenty One

years as afores: Always Provided that he the said William Worrall

his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns shall Do Immediatly

Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised two Acres & a Half of

Gunwood Land with a good & sufficient ffence by oz within this Time &

space of One year, then Dureing from this date of these Presents Upon

the Penalty of Paying double Dutys & this Unto the Hoñ United Compy

their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the time, the said hereby Demised

two Acres & a Half of Land oz any part thereof shall be & remaine

Unfenced And when the said hereby Demised two Acres & a Half of

Land is fully ffenced & Inclosed the same and every Part oz Parcell thereof

shall be kept in good repair and repair when and as often as Need shall

require So that the whole Premises & Every part oz Parcell thereof

shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to Ruine

oz Decay And shall Also plant keep up Maintaine & Preserve the

ffull Quantity & Proportion of Wood & young Plants of Gunwood

And other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the Law of this Island

in that Case made and Provided. And Likewise to plant ffurze round

the said ffences at such proper times Seasons of this year as it will

best groe in and the Nature of this ground will Produce And

when the aforesaid Demised two Acres and a Half of Gunwood

Land §

Margin Notes:

2½ Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to William Worrall, a free planter in the Company's pay and service. The land grew gumwood and came to 2 acres and a half by a recent measurement. It lay in the uppermost branch of Sandy Bay Valley, in the East Division of the island. It touched the lower part of 40 acres of lease land now in the possession of Ebenezer Leech, joining William Worrall's own land, to the north. To the south it touched 7 acres and a half of land earlier granted to Mary Sherwood, a widow, to the east. To the east it touched the gumwood lands in the possession of Charles Steward, a planter, and Howard. To the west it touched the Company's own waste land in or near the uppermost branch of Sandy Bay Valley, in the East Division of the island. The Company rented Worrall the 2 acres and a half of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Worrall held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Worrall had to fence the 2 acres and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best.

Interpretations

This 2-acre-and-a-half parcel touched William Worrall's own land to the north, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already held. The new gumwood piece fitted against his existing holding in the uppermost branch of Sandy Bay Valley. As across this whole run, the Company added pieces lying against a tenant's own ground, the easiest land to fence and keep.

The boundaries name 40 acres of lease land now held by Ebenezer Leech, the same holder who took a joint Deep Valley grant with John Worrall earlier in this run, and the gumwood lands of Charles Steward. The parcel sat among the holdings of the Worrall, Leech and Steward families in this stretch of Sandy Bay Valley, where the same few names recur as the boundaries of each new grant.

William Worrall, a free planter in the Company's pay, connects to the holder of the same name who received the assignment of the 45-acre Roebleys Land lease from Thomas Cason on 25 March 1718, and who bought a combined Pleasant Valley and Dogwood Valley holding. His holding of this further gumwood piece, alongside his garrison pay, marks a steady building-up of land by a member of the Worrall family settled in the East Division.

`

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204

Land is fully ffenced and planted with Wood & young Plants of Gunwood

oz other such like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences

as herein before mentioned You the said William Worrall, your Heirs

oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences

after they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the

Hurt and Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds &

Land Marks of the hereby Demised two Acres & a Halfe of Gunwood

Land and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz

Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said William Worrall

oz your Heirs Executors oz Adminˢ that by any ways oz means

sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge

and Consent of the Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena for

this time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy

and Lords Proprietors of this Island Have to these Presents Sett their

Common Seal at their Grand Plantation House on the said Island this 27

Day of December Anno Dom: One Thousand seven Hundred twenty

and Six And the said William Worrall to the other Part hath Sett

his hand and Seal the day & year before Written

Wm Worrall

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett &

to ffarme Lett Unto John Boddey of this Island Soldier in the Pay &

Service of the said Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company, All that Peice oz

Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration One Acre scituate

Lying being in Prosperous Bay Valley below the High Wake Side oz this

South Division of this Island, Butting & Bounding towards the North

To have & to hold the hereby

Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & every

Part oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said John Boddey His Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from this 25 day of Sept last past

for and Dureing all the Time space & Terme of twenty One years from

thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That He the said John

Boddey His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns DO always bear

true ffaith & Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His

Heirs Successors And to the said Honourᵇˡᵉ Compy and their Successors

And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island

Yeilding & paying therefore yearly and every yeare Dureing the

whole Terme & Time of twenty One years afores: Unto the said

Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns the

Yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling duty being

in all five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day

of March ffor Dureing all the Terme and Time of twenty One years

as aforesaid Always Provided That he the said John Boddey his

Heirs Executors Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall Do Immediatly

Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood

Land with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this Time & space of One

year Commenceing from this date of these Presents Upon Penalty of Paying

Double Dutys Unto this Hoñ United Company their Successors Agents oz

Assignes for all the time the said hereby Demised One Acre of Land oz any

Part §

Margin Notes:

1 Acre §

The lease finished setting out William Worrall's duties on the 2 acres and a half of gumwood. Once the land was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Worrall and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Worrall and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 27 December 1726. William Worrall signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to John Bradley, of the island, a soldier in the Company's pay. The land grew gumwood and came to 1 acre by a recent measurement. It lay at or near a place called the lower part of Sandy Bay Valley, near the High Waterfall, in the East Division of the island. The Company rented Bradley the 1 acre of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Bradley held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Bradley had to fence the 1 acre straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 1 acre as a single five-sided plot.

Interpretations

The seal on the Worrall grant was set at the grand plantation house on 27 December 1726, the same day as the joint Worrall and Leech grant and the Joseph Bates lease. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises into late December at the plantation house, near the close of the year's run, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters and soldiers.

This small 1-acre parcel sat at the lower part of Sandy Bay Valley, near the High Waterfall, which fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. The waterfall did the work of pinning down where the ground sat. On a small island the Company leaned on such named marks to identify a plot, and the feature passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the land.

John Bradley, a soldier in the Company's pay, connects to the holder of the same name who took two Company leases in 1724, of gumwood near the lower part of Sandy Bay Valley and of cabbage tree near the Main Ridge. His holding of this further gumwood acre, alongside his garrison pay, shows the overlap of military service and landholding, where serving soldiers regularly took and worked ground of their own across this run of leases.

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205

Part thereof shall be oz remaine Unfenced And when the said

hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced the same

and Every Part thereof shall be kept in good repair & repair when &

as often as Need shall require So that the whole Premises & Every Part

thereof shall be Always Tennantable & no ways suffered to run to ruine

oz Decay And shall Always plant Maintaine & Preserve the ffull

Quantity and Proportion of Wood Young Plants of Gunwood Trees

Persuant to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided.

And likewise to plant ffurze round the said ffences in such Parts

as the Nature of the Ground will best Produce and at such times

& seasons of the year as it is most likely to Groe in And when

the said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced

and planted with Young Plants of Gunwood oz other such like usefull

Trees as well as with ffurze round the said ffences as herein before

Mentioned You the said John Bradley Your Heirs oz Allowed

oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz Remove the said ffences after

they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt

& Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds & Land Marks

of the said hereby Demised One Acre of Gunwood Land and which in such

Case will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed

Nor shall You the said John Bradley oz Your Heirs Execrs oz

Adminˢ that by any ways oz means sell oz Dispose of this Lease

oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge & Consent of the

Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Compy & Lords Proprietors

of this said Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal At

their Grand Plantation House this 7th Day of Novber Anno Dom:

One Thousand seven Hundred twenty & Six And the said John

Bradley hath to the other Part Sett his hand & Seal the day & year

before Written

his

John Bradley

Mark §

Margin Notes:

Memorandum this Lease was Surrenderd

oz Consultation of the 24th of Decber 1728 §

The lease finished setting out John Bradley's duties on the 1 acre of gumwood. Once the land was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Bradley and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bradley and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 7 November 1726. John Bradley made his mark on his part and added his seal on the same day.

A note recorded that this lease was given up to the Company in a sitting of the council on 24 December 1726.

Interpretations

The note recording that the lease was given up to the Company on 24 December 1726 shows the holding falling back to the Company within weeks of the grant. The land was let on 7 November 1726 and surrendered again by 24 December 1726, the ground returning for the Company to deal with afresh in under two months. As with the John French parcel given up in 1728, these endorsements trace land moving out of a tenant's hands soon after it was let.

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 7 November 1726, a day before the cluster of leases sealed there on 8 November 1726. The Company cleared a body of these gumwood demises across the early days of November at the plantation house, fixing scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters and soldiers.

John Bradley made his mark rather than signing in his own hand, which marks him among the holders in this run who could not write. The lease bound him to the land whether he set his name or his mark, the standing of his tenure secured alike. As a soldier in the Company's pay holding a small gumwood acre, his case shows the overlap of garrison service and landholding running through these grants.

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206

Island St Helena

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Honourᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett & to

ffarme Lett Unto Mary Threve of this Island Widdow, All that

Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Conteining by Mensuration Seven

Acres and a Half scituate Lying and being in oz Near One of the Wester=

most Branches of Sandy Bay Valley in the South Division of this said

Island, Butting & Bounding towards the North upon two Acres & a Half of Leased

Land lately granted to & is in the Possession of William Worrall towards

the East to the Gunwood Lands in the Possession of Charles Steward planter

And towards the West South upon the said Hoñ Compy ffree Land

and Part of the son Acres of Gunwood Land Already in the Possession

of son formerly granted to Bool the said Mary Threve To have & to

hold the said hereby Demised Seven Acres & a Half of Gunwood

Land with the Appurtenances and every Part oz Parcell thereof Unto

her the said Mary Threve Wid: His Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ that

oz Allowed oz Assigns from the 25 day of December Last past, for

and Dureing all the Terme time and space of twenty One years

from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That She the said

Mary Threve Wid: Her Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed

oz Assigns shall and Do Always bear true ffaith & allegiance

to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs Successors

And to the said Hoñ United Company their Successors And

shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island;

Yeilding and Paying therefore Yearly and every Yeare Dure=

ing the whole Terme & time of twenty One years afores:

Unto the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz

Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour shillings p Acre besides One

shilling Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum

Shilling Duty being in all five shillings p Acre p Annum

In all oz upon the 25 day of March ffor & Dureing all the Terme

& time of twenty One years afores: Always Provided That

She the said Mary Threve Her Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz

Allowed oz Assigns shall and do Immediatly Sett about & ffence

in the said hereby Demised Seven Acres & a Half of Gunwood

Land with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within this Time &

space of One year Commenceing from the date of these Presents

Upon the Penalty of Paying Double Dutys Unto the Hoñ

United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the time

this hereby Demised Seven Acres and a Half of Gunwood Land oz any

Part oz Parcell thereof shall be & remaine Unfenced And when the

said hereby Demised Seven Acres & Half of Land is fully ffenced &

Inclosed the same & Every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be kept in

good repair and repair when and as often as Need shall require So that

this whole Premises & Every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always

Tennantable and no ways suffered to Run to ruine oz decay And shall Always

plant Maintaine keep up and Preserve the ffull Quantity & Proportion

of Wood Young plants of Gunwood Trees oz other such like usefull Trees Persuant

to the Law of this Island in that Case made & Provided. And likewise

to plant ffurze round the said ffences in such Parts as the Nature of the

ground will best Produce and at such proper times & seasons of this years

as §

Margin Notes:

7½ Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Mary Sherwood, a widow of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 7 acres and a half by a recent measurement. It lay in or near the westernmost branches of Sandy Bay Valley, in the South Division of the island. It touched 2 acres and a half of lease land earlier granted to and now held by William Worrall, to the north. To the east it touched the gumwood lands in the possession of Charles Steward, a planter. To the west it touched the Company's own land, joining any part of the 6 acres of gumwood land earlier granted to Mary Sherwood herself. The Company rented Sherwood the 7 acres and a half of gumwood plus everything on it, for herself and her heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Sherwood held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. She paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. She paid the rent once a year, on 29 September.

Sherwood had to fence the 7 acres and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. She owed a double duty on any part she left unfenced. She was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. She also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. She had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best.

Interpretations

This grant let gumwood ground to a woman holding land in her own right, Mary Sherwood, a widow, rather than to a male tenant. She carried the same duties of fencing and planting as any other holder, and the land was let to her and her heirs. The Company let its leasehold ground to widows on the same terms it set for men, recognising a woman as a full party to the lease and to its standing burdens.

This 7-acre-and-a-half parcel touched 6 acres of gumwood land earlier granted to Mary Sherwood herself, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land she already held. The new piece fitted against her existing holding in the westernmost branches of Sandy Bay Valley. As across this whole run, the Company added pieces lying against a holder's own ground, the easiest land to fence and keep.

Mary Sherwood, a widow, appears across this run as a neighbour to the Worrall and Steward families, her 7 acres and a half named as a boundary in the William Worrall grant and her ground recurring through these Sandy Bay Valley leases. The boundaries name William Worrall and Charles Steward, fixing her parcel among the holdings of the same few families working this stretch of the valley.

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207

as it is most likely to Grow in And when the said hereby Demised

Seven Acres and a Half of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced & Planted & planted

Plants of Gunwood & other such like usefull Trees Aswell as with ffurze

round the said ffences at Proper times before Mentioned You the said Mary

Threve Your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove

the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently made to secure the same

from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds

and Land Marks of the said Demised Seven Acres & a Half of Gunwood

Land and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration of the

Plott thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You the said Mary Threve

oz your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ by any manner of ways oz means sell

oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge

oz Consent of this North of the Governour & Councell of this Island St

Helena for the time being In Witness whereof this said Hoñ Land Have

United Company & Lords Proprietors of this their Island Have

to these Presents Sett their Common Seal At their Grand Plantation

House this 28 day of ffebruary Anno Dom: One Thousand

seven hundred twenty & Six And the said Mary Threve

to the other Part Settes oz Sett Her hand and Seal the day & year

before Written

Thomas Wrangham for Mary Threve

Island St Helena

The Honourable The Lords Proprietors

of this Island The Honourable United Company of Merchants

of England Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease

Sett and to ffarme Lett Unto Richard Mason of this Island Planter

All that Peice oz Parcell of Land Conteining by Mensuration Two

Acres scituate Lying and being in Sandwich Valley in the West

Division of this said Island, Butting & Bounding towards the East

West North upon the Leased Land now in the Possession of the said

Richard Mason And towards the South Upon the Hoñ Compy

Wast Land scituate in Near the said Sandwich Valley To have &

to hold the said hereby Demised two Acres of Gunwood Land

with the Appurtenances and every Part oz Parcell thereof Unto

him the said Richard Mason His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that

and oz Allowed oz Assigns from the 25 day of September last past

for, and Dureing all the Terme Time space of twenty One years

from thence Next Insueing Upon Condition That he the said

Richard Mason his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns

DO always bear true ffaith & Allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King

George His Heirs Successors And to the said Hoñ United Compy

and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes

and Constitutions of this said Island Yeilding and paying therefore

Yearly and every Yeare Dureing the whole Terme & time of twenty

One Years afores: Unto the said Hoñ United Company their

Successors Agents oz Assigns the Yearly Rent of ffour shillings

p Acre besides One Shilling Duty being in all five shillings p

Acre p Annum In all oz upon the twenty fifth day of March

for §

Margin Notes:

7½ Acres §

2 Acres §

The lease finished setting out Mary Sherwood's duties on the 7 acres and a half of gumwood. Once the land was fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Sherwood and her heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Sherwood and her heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 25 February 1727. Mary Sherwood signed her part and added her seal on the same day, the document witnessed by Thomas Easthope, gunner.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 7 acres and a half as a single four-sided plot.

Interpretations

The seal on the Sherwood grant was set at the grand plantation house on 25 February 1727, some weeks after the late December cluster of leases. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises into the early months of 1727 at the plantation house, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters and widows. The February date marks Sherwood's grant late in this long run.

This new Richard Mason parcel touched the lease land Mason already held to the north and west, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already had. The new piece fitted against his existing holding in Fryer Valley. As across this whole run, the Company added pieces lying against a tenant's own ground, the easiest land to fence and keep.

Richard Mason, a planter, connects to the holder of the same name who took a 4-acre-and-a-quarter gumwood parcel in Sandy Bay Valley earlier in this run, and who bought the Southwark Street house known as William Trenchard's house from John Hanson on 2 October 1723. His holding of this further piece in Fryer Valley marks a continued building-up of land across more than one part of the island.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to Richard Mason, of the island, a planter. The land came to 2 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in Fryer Valley, in the West Division of the island. It touched the lease land now in the possession of Richard Mason himself to the north and west. To the south it touched the Company's own west land, joining land in or near Fryer Valley. The Company rented Mason the 2 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Mason held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 25 March.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 2 acres as a single four-sided plot.

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208

for and Dureing all the Terme & Time of Twenty One years afforesaid

Always Provided That he the said Richard Mason his Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall Doe Immediatly Sett about &

ffence in the said hereby Demised Two Acres of Land with a good Sufficient

ffence by oz within this Time space of One year then Dureing from the date

of this date of these Presents Upon Penalty of Paying Double Dutys Unto

the said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the

time the said hereby Demised two Acres of Land oz any Part thereof shall

be and remaine Unfenced And when the said Demised two Acres of Land

is fully ffenced and Intirely Inclosed the same to keep in good repair and

repair when and as often as Need shall Require So that the whole Pre=

misses and every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always Tennantable & no

ways suffered to Run to Ruine oz Decay And shall Always plant keep up

Maintaine, and Preserve the ffull Quantity, and Proportion of Wood Young

Plants of Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the said

of this Island in that Case made and Provided. And likewise to plant

ffurze round the said ffences where the Nature of the ground will

best Produce, and at such Proper times & seasons of the year as it is

most likely to Groe in And when this hereby Demised Two

Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced and Planted with Young

plants of Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees as well as with

ffurze round the ffences as herein before mentioned You the said

Richard Mason your Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to

Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently

made to secure the same from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts)

they being the Bounds & Land Marks of the said hereby Demised

two Acres of Land and which in such Case will Occasion the Alteration

of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall You

the said Richard Mason your Heirs Execrs oz Adminˢ that

by any manner oz ways oz means sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz

Interest in the same without the Knowledge oz Consent of the

Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena

for the time being In Witness whereof the Honourᵇˡᵉ

United Company & Lords Proprietors of this Island

Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal At their Grand

Plantation House this 7 day of October One Thousand seven

Hundred Twenty and Seven And the said Richard Mason

to the other Part Hath Sett his hand & Seal day & year

before Written

Richd Mason §

The lease set out the rest of Richard Mason's duties on the 2 acres of gumwood. He held the land across the full term of 21 years. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He had to fence the 2 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 2 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Mason and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Mason and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 3 October 1727. Richard Mason signed his part and added his seal on the same day.

Interpretations

The seal was set at the grand plantation house on 3 October 1727, well after the run of leases sealed in late 1726 and early 1727. The Company continued to let scattered pieces of its gumwood ground into the autumn of 1727, fixing further parcels in the hands of established planters. The October date marks this grant as a later addition, beyond the main body of the earlier run.

This grant carried the double duty on unfenced land that runs through these leases. The Company turned its demand for enclosure into a money penalty, so an unfenced piece cost the tenant twice the usual rate. The steady appearance of this clause shows the Company holding the pressure to fence across its gumwood grants, since an open plot left the timber unguarded and the boundaries unmarked.

The planting clause again called for young gumwood, the timber the Company most needed to protect on a small island short of wood. Each tenant who took gumwood ground carried the standing duty to replace what was used. The same demand ran through every lease, the Company guarding its timber supply by laying its care on the holders of the land, here on a man steadily building up parcels across Fryer Valley and Sandy Bay Valley.

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209

Island St Helena

The Honoureable The Lords Proprietors

the Honoureable United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett

and to ffarme Lett Unto Joseph Hayse of this Island Drummer

in the Pay and Service of the said Honourᵇˡᵉ United Compy All that

Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration

twelve Acres scituate Lying & being at oz Near the Head of Rupert's Valley

Next to the Great Wood Ridge in the East Division of the said Island

Butting and Bounding towards the East West North & south upon this

said Honourᵇˡᵉ Companys Wast Land at oz Near the Head of Rupert's

Valley aforesaid To have & to hold the said hereby Demised

twelve Acres of Gunwood Land with the Appurtenances & every Part

oz Parcell thereof Unto him the said Joseph Hayse His Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns from the twenty fifth day of

September last past for and Dureing all the Terme Time & space

of twenty One years from thence next Insueing Upon Condition

That he the said Joseph Hayse his Heirs Executors Adminˢ that

oz Allowed oz Assigns DO always bear true ffaith & allegiance

to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs & Successors

And to the said Honoureable United Company & their Successors

And shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said Island

Yeilding and paying therefore yearly and every yeare Dureing the

whole Terme & time of twenty One years aforesaid Unto the Hoñ

United Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Annuall Rent

of ffour shillings p Acre besides One shilling Duty being in all five shillings

p Acre p Annum in good Lawfull Money of this Island p Acre

Upon the 25 day of March (being the Feast of the Annunciation of the

Blessed Virgin Mary) ffor & son Dureing all the Terme & time of

twenty One years afores: & Always Provided That He the said

Joseph Hayse his Heirs Executors & Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns

shall and Do Immediatly Sett about & ffence in the said hereby Demised

twelve Acres of Gunwood Land with a good Sufficient ffence by oz

within this Time & space of One year Commenceing from the date of these

date of these Presents Upon Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto this

said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all

the time the said Demised twelve Acres of Gunwood Land oz any Part

oz Parcell thereof shall be Unfenced & Remaine Unfenced And when this said

twelve Acres of Land is fully ffenced & Intirely Inclosed the same

Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always kept in good repair & repaire

when and as often as Need shall require So that this whole Premises

and every Part thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no ways suffered

to Run to Ruine oz Decay And shall Always Plant keep up Main=

taine and Preserve the ffull Quantity and Proportion of Wood Young

Plants of Gunwood oz other such like usefull Trees Persuant to the

Law of this Island in that Case made and Provided. And Likewise

to Plant ffurze Round the said ffences at such proper times seasons of the

year as it is most likely to Groe in and the Nature of the ground will best

Produce And when the said hereby Demised twelve Acres of Gunwood

Land is fully ffenced and planted with Young plants of Gunwood, oz

such other like usefull Trees, as well as with ffurze round the said ffences

as herein before Mentioned You the said Joseph Hayse oz your

Heirs Executors oz Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns are no

ways to Alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well and §

Margin Notes:

12 Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Joseph Hause, a drummer in the Company's pay and service. The land grew gumwood and came to 12 acres by a recent measurement. It lay at or near the head of Rupert's Valley, next to the Great Wood, in the East Division of the island. It touched land to the east, west, north and south. To the north and west it touched the Company's own waste land at or near the head of Rupert's Valley. The Company rented Hause the 12 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Hause held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. He paid the rent once a year, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation.

Hause had to fence the 12 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 12 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 12 acres as a single plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

This 12-acre parcel sat at the head of Rupert's Valley, next to the Great Wood, a stretch of standing timber the Company watched closely. Its position by the wood marks it as part of the gumwood ground the Company let on its standard planting terms, binding the tenant to raise young gumwood to replace what was used. On a small island short of timber, the Company guarded the ground around the Great Wood through these careful planting duties.

The rent here fell due on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, rather than the 29 September day common across most of the run. The Company tied the yearly payment to a fixed church feast day, a familiar marker in the calendar that left no doubt when the rent was owed. Quarter days such as this gave a plain, settled point for rent across the year's leases.

Joseph Hause, a drummer in the Company's pay, held this gumwood ground alongside his garrison role. The drummer, who beat the calls and signals of the garrison, was a serving member of the island's small military establishment. His holding of land of his own shows the overlap of garrison service and landholding running through this run of leases, as with the soldiers, corporals and sergeants who took ground in the same batch.

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210

and sufficiently made to secure the same from the Hurt & Damage of all

sorts of Beasts) they being the Bounds Land & Land Marks of the said Demised

twelve Acres of Gunwood Land and which in such Case will Occasion

the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto Annexed Nor shall

You the said Joseph Hayse oz your Heirs, Executors oz Adminˢ that oz

by any manner of ways oz means sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest

in the same without the Knowledge & Consent of the North of the Governour

& Councell of this Island St Helena for the time being In Witness

whereof the said Hoñ United Compy and Lords Proprietors of

this Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal At their

Grand Plantation House this 7th day of Octobr Anno Dom:

One Thousand seven Hundred twenty & Seven And this said Joseph

Hayse hath to the other Part Sett his hand Seal the day & year

before Written

his Mark

Joseph Hayes

Island St Helena

The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United Company of Merchants of England

Trading to the East Indies DO hereby Demise grant Lease Sett &

to ffarme Lett Unto Messrs Gabriell Powell, ffrancis Wrangham, and

Edmond Nichols all of the said Island free Planters, All and singulier

that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Containing by Mensuration Two

Acres scituate Lying & being at oz on the Back part of the High Hill Next

Near to Lemmon Valley in the West Division of this Island, Butting & bound=

ing toward the East Upon twelve son Acres of Gunwood Land formerly

Hired by and now in the Possession of the said Gabriell Powell ffrancis Wrangham

and Edmund Nichols And towards the West North & south Upon the Hoñ

Compy Wast Land scituate on Near the said Hoñ Hill next to Lemmon son

Valley aforesaid To have & to hold the said hereby Demised Two

Acres of Gunwood Land with all & singulier the Appurtenances & every

part oz Parcell thereof thereunto belonging Unto them the said Gabriell

Powell ffrances Wrangham and Edmond Nichols their and each of

their Heirs Executors Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns as Joynt

Tennants in Common to the Premises herein Demised, & Lett Joynt son

ffor the Terme Time & space of twenty One years Commenceing from this 25

day of Sept last past Renewable son Until the Expiration of the Originall

of this said yearly Rent in good & Current Money of this Island, Unto the said Hoñ

United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assignes by His the Gabriell Powell

ffrances Wrangham & Edmᵈ Nichols, oz the Survivors of them oz either of

them their Heirs Executors Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns

Upon Condition That they the said Gabriell Powell ffrances Wrangham

and Edmond Nichols their Heirs Allowed oz Assigns DO always bear

true ffaith and allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His

Heirs Successors And to the Hoñ United Company & their

Successors And shall only Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of this said

Island, Yeilding & paying therefore Yearly & every year Dureing the

whole Terme & time of twenty One years aforesaid Unto the Hoñ §

The lease finished setting out Joseph Hause's duties on the 12 acres of gumwood. He was forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Hause and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 9 [...] 1727. Joseph Hause made his mark on his part and added his seal on the same day.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, then rented land to three holders together: Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, all of the island, free planters, as joint tenants. The land grew gumwood and came to 12 acres by a recent measurement. It lay at or near the back part of the High Hill, near Combend Valley, in the West Division of the island. It carried the byname of land earlier held by and now in the possession of Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols. To the west, north and south it touched the side of the High Hill, joining 12 acres of gumwood, near Combend Valley. The Company rented the three holders the 12 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, for themselves and their heirs, holding it as joint tenants in common between them.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. The three holders held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. They paid a yearly rent in good and current money of the island.

Interpretations

The seal on the Hause grant was set at the grand plantation house in 1727, beyond the main run of leases of late 1726. The Company continued to clear these gumwood demises into 1727 at the plantation house, fixing further scattered pieces of its ground in the hands of established planters and garrison men. Joseph Hause made his mark rather than signing, marking him among the holders in this run who could not write.

This grant let a 12-acre parcel to three holders jointly, Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, as joint tenants in common between them, rather than to a single tenant. Each held an undivided part of the whole. The arrangement parallels the other joint grants in this run, binding several connected holders together to the same land and the same duties of fencing and planting.

These three men were among the leading landholders of the island and often acted together. Gabriel Powell, a substantial freeholder, Francis Wrangham, a steady accumulator of land into the 1730s, and Edmund Nichols, who took a string of gumwood leases through these years, held a joint twelve-acre gumwood lease at Kingson dated 25 November 1725. This parcel near the High Hill marks a further shared holding among the same three, tied closely in the island's land dealings.

227

211

Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly

Rent of ffour Shillings p Acre besides One shilling Duty being in all

five shillings p Acre p Annum In all oz upon the 25 day of March

being the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary) yearly and

every year ffor, and Dureing this ffull Terme & time & space of twenty

One years aforesaid Always Provided That they the before Named

Gabriell Powell ffrancis Wrangham & Edmᵈ Nichols their oz Either

of their Heirs Execrs Adminˢ that oz Allowed oz Assigns shall & Do

Immediatly Sett about and ffence in the said hereby Demised two Acres

of Gunwood Land with a good and sufficient ffence by oz within

this Time & space of One year Commenceing from the date of the date

of these Presents Upon the Penalty of Paying double Dutys Unto

this said Hoñ United Compy their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all

this Time the said hereby Demised two Acres of Gunwood Land

oz any Part oz Parcell thereof shall lye Wast oz remaine Unfenced

And when this said two Acres of Gunwood Land is fully ffenced the

same and every Part thereof to keep in good repair & repair when

and as often as Need shall Require So that the whole Premises and

every Part oz Parcell thereof shall be Always Tennantable and no

ways suffered to Run to ruine oz decay And shall Moreover

plant Maintaine keep up and Preserve the ffull Quantity & Proportion

of Wood Young Plants of Gunwood oz such other usefull Trees Persuant

to the Law of this Island in that Case made and Provided. And also

to plant ffurze round such Parts of the ffences as the Nature of the

ground will best Produce and at such usefull & proper times Seasons of the

year as it is most likely to Groe in And when the said hereby Demised

two Acres of Gunwood Land is Intirely ffenced and planted with Young

plants of Gunwood and such other like usefull Trees as well as with ffurze

round the said ffences as herein before Mentioned You the said Gabriell

Powell ffrancis Wrangham and Edmᵈ Nichols Yourd oz either of your

Heirs oz Allowed oz Assigns are no ways to Alter oz remove the said

ffences after they are well and sufficiently made to secure the same

from the Hurt & Damage of all sorts of Beasts) they being the bounds

of the said hereby Demised two Acres of Land and which in such Case

will Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan thereof hereunto

Annexed Nor shall You oz either of your Heirs oz Allowed

oz Assigns, by any ways oz means sell oz Dispose of this Lease oz

Interest in the same oz any Part thereof without the Knowledge and

Consent of the North of the Governour & Councell of this Island St Helena

for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ United Company

and Lords Proprietors of this Island Have to these Presents Sett their

Common Seal At their Grand Plantation House this 7 day of Octobr 1727

And the before Named Gabriell Powell ffrancis Wrangham & Edmᵈ

Nichols both to the other Part severally Sett their Hands & Seals the day

and year before Written

Gabriel Powell

ffra Wrangham

Edmond Nichols §

Margin Notes:

2 Acres §

The lease set out the duties of Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols on the 12 acres of gumwood. They paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. The rent fell due on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, across the full term of 21 years.

The three holders had to fence the 12 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. They owed a double duty on any part they left unfenced. They were to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. They also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. They had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 12 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, with their heirs, were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. The three holders could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 9 October 1727. Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols signed their part and added their seals on the same day.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 12 acres as a single four-sided plot.

Interpretations

This grant bound three joint holders, Gabriel Powell, Francis Wrangham and Edmund Nichols, to the same duties of fencing and planting on the shared 12 acres. Because the land was held in common, all three men together carried the full weight of the obligations. The arrangement tied three of the leading landholders of the island into a single holding, as with the other joint grants earlier in this run.

The closing restriction barred any one of the three from selling the lease or passing on his interest alone, without the Company's agreement. Because the land was held in common, the Company guarded against any single sharer breaking up the holding by dealing with his part on his own. This kept the whole parcel together under all three holders at once and stopped the shared land from being splintered piecemeal.

The rent here fell due on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, the same quarter day set on the Joseph Hause grant, rather than the 29 September day common across most of the run. The Company tied the yearly payment to a fixed church feast day, a familiar marker in the calendar that left no doubt when the rent was owed. The shared seal date of 9 October 1727 places this grant among the later leases of the run.

228

212

Island St Helena

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ The Honourᵇˡᵉ The Lords Proprietors of this

Island The Hoñ United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

East Indies DO hereby Confirm Unto Edmund Nichols of the said Island free

planter, All and singulier that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood Land Contain=

ing by Mensuration Ten Acres scituate Lying and being in a Part of this

Island Comonly called & known by the Name of Tomsons Wood Land in

the West Division of the said Island Butting and Bounding towards the

North and Next Adjoyning to ten Acres of the like Gunwood Land

by the said Edmund Nichols towards the South upon a parcell Land

Leased by one now in the Possession of Stephen Lufkin son of this said Island

planter, And towards the East West Upon the Hoñ Compy Wast Lands

scituate in Near this son Tomsons Wood which son to son Compy son Land

Vizt formerly Robert Leeches Dec: who by his Last Will & Testiment bearing

date the 24 day of May 1722 bequeathed the same to his son Heir son son

son son

Acres of Gunwood Land in son severall son and Conteins of the Extent of

son Last Will & Testiment afores: Unto the son Edmund Nichols son a son

table Consideration as in son a Bill of Bargains Sale bearing date this 16

day of November 1725 Interd in the Register Book of this Island in part

of this son son ffol: son Pursuant to an Order of Councell Until this 23 of Nov

1725 Relation being thereunto had as will son son more fully Appear

son to which son ten Acres of Gunwood Land oz Parcell of this Seventh

aforesaid Recited, He the son Edmund Nichols hath a just Right &

Title To have and to hold the said herein Mentioned Ten Acres of

Gunwood Land with all singulier the Appurtenances thereunto

belonging in any wise Appertaining Unto him the son Edmund

Nichols His Heirs & Assigns ffor Ever Upon Condition That

He the son Edmund Nichols His Heirs & Assigns son son DO that Always

bear true ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George

His Heirs & Successors And to the said Hoñ United Company

and their Successors And shall duly Obey all the Lawes &

Constitutions of this said son And which whereof this said

Hoñ United Company & Lords Proprietors of this their

Island Have to these Presents Sett their Common Seal At the

Grand Plantation House this thirty first Day of October In

the year of Our Lord, One Thousand seven Hundred twenty

and seven §

Margin Notes:

The Plott & Plan of this aboresaid ten Acres of

Land being hereunto Annexd As also a Copy of

this Deed & Plan is Enterd in the Register Book

ffolio 212 the words Conteining by Mensuration

ten Acres) being just Inter Land §

10 Acres ffree Land §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, confirmed land to Edmund Nichols, of the island, a free planter. The land grew gumwood and came to 10 acres by a recent measurement. It lay in a place called and known by the name of Stonetop Wood, in the West Division of the island. It touched 10 acres of the same gumwood land to the north, joining land held by Edmund Nichols himself. To the south it touched a parcel of lease land now in the possession of Stephen Lufkin, a planter. To the east and west it touched the Company's own waste land near a place called Stonetop Wood, earlier the land of Robert Leech, since deceased, the land come to Edmund Nichols by a bond of bargain and sale dated [...] May 1722, by which Robert Leech bequeathed the land to his heir.

This 10 acres had passed through earlier hands before reaching Nichols. It connected to the late Robert Leech, with the ground bought of Richard Leech, the son and heir of Robert Leech. The Company confirmed the land to Nichols by a court ruling and a bill of bargain and sale dated [...] November 1725, entered in the register book at folio 212, the relation appearing more fully there. The Company confirmed the 10 acres of gumwood to Nichols, plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

Nichols held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 31 October 1727.

A note recorded that the plan of the 10 acres of land was attached to the document. A copy of the deed and its plan was entered in the register book at folio 212, the 10 acres being then unenclosed.

A plan drawn below showed the 10 acres of free land as a single plot of irregular shape.

Interpretations

This document was a confirmation rather than a fresh lease, setting on a firm footing land Edmund Nichols already held in Stonetop Wood, like the earlier confirmations to Samuel Tayler, Captain John Goodwin and Samuel Jefsey in this run. The Company was fixing a title beyond doubt rather than granting new ground. The confirmation put Nichols's 10 acres plainly on the record against any later challenge.

The title rested on a bill of bargain and sale and a court ruling dated [...] November 1725, entered in the register book at folio 212, with the deed and its plan recorded at the same folio. The Company tied each title to a precise place in its books, linking the land, the written grant and the drawn plan together with exact references. On a small island where the same ground changed hands repeatedly, this let the Company find any title again and check it against the plan that defined the plot.

The land had come to Edmund Nichols from the late Robert Leech, bought of his son and heir Richard Leech, a soldier in the Company's pay. This very ground at Comstone was the subject of the sale by Richard Leech to Edmund Nichols for £16 0s 0d on 16 November 1725. The confirmation set on a firm footing the title that passed through the Leech family, tying the parcel into the holdings Nichols was steadily gathering in Stonetop Wood and the wider West Division.

229

213

Island St Helena §

The Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ §

Powell son: United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East §

Indies do hereby Confirm unto Mr Gabriel Powell his Heirs Execrs §

Adminˢ that & Assigns all that Peice oz Parcell of Ground in §

James Valley upon which the House lately Purchased by him the said §

Gabriel Powell of the Executrix of the Last Will & Testiment of §

Vincent Constian Widdow deceased now Standeth & also all other §

Peices oz Parcells of Ground thereunto belonging Containing ffifty §

One ffeet in ffronte & One Hundred ffeet ffeet in Depth §

next adjoyning to the Dwelling House afard now Inhabited by §

him the said Gabriel Powell scituate in the Valley aforesaid §

To have & to hold the said Premises to him His Heirs §

forever Upon Condition that he the said Gabl Powell §

& His Heirs & Assigns & every of them that DO alwaies bear true §

ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs §

& Successors & to the said Hoñ Compy their Successors & §

shall duly obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island. §

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ Company to these Presents §

have sett their Common Seale at their Castle on the said Island §

this Sixth day of ffebruary in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand §

Seven & Hundred twenty Seven §

Sealed & Deliverd in the Presence §

E Byfield §

Test Alexander §

Jnº Goodwin §

Memorandum The Reasons for granting §

this Deed are fully Enterd In Consultation §

of the 30th January 1727 E Byfield §

Jnº Alexander §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, confirmed a piece of ground in James Valley to Gabriel Powell, of the island. The ground held the house lately bought by Gabriel Powell from the executors of the late will and testament of Mary Conaway, a widow, since deceased, now held by Standish. It also held all the other plots of ground belonging to it, coming to 51 feet in front and 100 yards in depth, next to and joining the dwelling house and yard now lived in by Gabriel Powell himself, in the valley. The Company confirmed the ground to Powell, plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

Powell held the ground on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle on the island on 6 February 1727. The document was sealed and delivered in the presence of John Alexander, gunner, who witnessed it.

A note recorded that the reasons for granting this deed were fully entered in a sitting of the council on 30 January 1727, witnessed by John Alexander.

Interpretations

This document confirmed urban ground in James Valley to Gabriel Powell rather than rural gumwood land, marking it out from the run of gumwood leases and confirmations before it. The Company was setting on a firm footing a town plot Powell had bought, with its house and yard, next to his own dwelling. The confirmation put his title to the urban ground plainly on the record against any later challenge.

The ground came to Powell through the executors of the late Mary Conaway, the widow whose dealings run through the records, including her 30-acre Dogwood Valley rental of 1 December 1713 and her sale of the Conway's Wash Yard parcel on Southwark Street in 1715. The confirmation traced how the town plot had passed from her estate into Powell's hands, fixing his title against the chain of earlier holders.

The plot was measured precisely at 51 feet in front and 100 yards in depth, a close measurement fitting the cramped, valuable ground of the town. Urban plots in James Valley, squeezed into the narrow valley by the Castle, were set out by exact frontage and depth rather than by the rough acreage used for rural land. The confirmation recorded these figures so the bounds of the town plot were fixed beyond doubt.

230

214

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United

Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby Demise grant

Sett & to ffarme Lett unto John Goodwin Gent of this Island, All that Peice oz Parcell of Ground

containing Six ffeet in ffront & Eighty ffeet in Depth adjoyning on the South to One House

oz Building belonging to the Hoñ Company scituated in James Valley comonly called

the Reform House To have and to hold the said hereby Demised Six ffeet of

Ground in ffront & Eighty ffeet in Depth together with all & singulier the Appurtenances

Rights & Priveleges thereunto belonging unto him the said John Goodwin his Heirs

Execrs Adminˢ that oz allowed Assigns from the twenty fifth day of Sept in the Year of Our

Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred twenty five ffor & Dureing all the time Terme & span of

twenty One Years from thence next Insueing Upon Condition that he the said

John Goodwin his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed Assigns do always bear true ffaith

& allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George his Heirs & Successors & to the said Hoñ

Company their Successors & shall duly obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said

Island Yeilding & Paying therefore Yearly Every Year during the said Terme of

Ninety One Years unto the said Hoñ Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns the

yearly Rent of ffive Shillings ffifteen in good & Current Money of the said Islands at

the ffeast of St Michaell the Arch Angel Always Provided that he the said John

Goodwin his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed Assigns That do always keep and

Maintaine the House oz Building that may hereafter be Erected upon the said Grounds oz

any Part being in good repair when & as often as need shall require oz that the whole

may & not the said John Goodwin his Heirs oz Assigns Sett oz any Manner oz any

Dispose, nor that he the said John Goodwin his Heirs oz Assigns Sett oz any otherways

Dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the foreknowledge & consent of the

Governour & Councell of the said Island for the time being In Witness whereof the

said Hoñ Compy Lords Proprietors of this Islands have to these Presents

Confirm Sett their Common Seale at their Castle in James Valley this 6 day of

Sept Anno Domini 1728 And the said John Goodwin to the other Part hath

Sett his hand & Seal the day & year afforesaid

Jnº Goodwin

Signed & Sealed in the

Presence of E Byfield

Memorandum in Addition of this Deed in Granted oz also son in Depth on the Back side

of the House built on the said Grounds is Granted & allowed by Us to the said John Goodwin his Heirs

oz assigns paying the Additionall Rent of son Shillings & son Pence p Annum for the Sum of twenty One Years

Jnº Goodwin §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented a piece of ground to John Goodwin, a gentleman of the island. The ground came to 6 feet in front and 80 feet in depth. It joined, on the south, a house or building belonging to the Company in James Valley, the house called and known by the name of the Reform House. The Company rented Goodwin the 6 feet in front and 80 feet in depth, plus everything on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 September 1726. Goodwin held the ground on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid a yearly rent of 6 shillings, payable in good and current money of the island, on the feast of the Annunciation, 25 March. Goodwin had to keep up any house or building put up on the ground, mending it as often as needed, and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on 9 [...] 1728. John Goodwin signed his part and added his seal on the same day. The document was sealed and delivered in the presence of John Black, who witnessed it.

A note recorded that, in addition to this deed, a further piece of ground was granted in front and in depth on the back side of the house built on the ground, delivered by the Company to John Goodwin and his heirs for the sum of 21 [...], paying the yearly rent of 6 shillings and a duty as a token. Signed by John Goodwin.

Interpretations

This was an urban lease of a town plot in James Valley rather than rural gumwood ground, marking it out from the run of gumwood leases before it. The plot was set out by exact frontage and depth, 6 feet in front and 80 feet in depth, fitting the cramped, valuable ground of the town squeezed into the narrow valley by the Castle. The precise figures fixed the bounds of the small urban parcel beyond doubt.

The ground joined the Company's own building called the Reform House, which fixed its position against a known structure in the town. On the crowded ground of James Valley, plots were pinned to neighbouring named buildings rather than to the rough landmarks used for rural land. The byname of the Reform House did the work of marking exactly where the parcel sat.

John Goodwin, a gentleman, connects to Captain John Goodwin, the gentleman and fourth in council who gathered land across Fryer Valley and Lemon Valley through these years and took several joint leases with Francis Wrangham. His taking of this small town plot, with a further piece added on the back side for building, shows him extending his holdings into the urban ground of James Valley alongside his rural estate.

231

215

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ

the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do

hereby Demise Grant Sett & to ffarme Lett unto John Burling of this Island son

All that Peice oz Parcell of Gunwood containing Two Acres lying & being on a son

of this Island called Deep Valley near Adjoyning to the Lease Lands now oz

late in the Possession of John Harding To have & to hold the

said hereby Demised two Acres of Land together with all & singulier the son

Water Water Coursez & all other Rights Priveleges & Appurtenances thereunto

belonging oz Appertaining unto him the said John Burling his Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ oz allowed Assigns from the 26 day of December next insueing the date

hereof for & Dureing all the Span & Terme of Twenty One Years Upon Condition

that he the said John Burling his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns do always

bear true ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George his Heirs

& Successors & to the said Hoñ United Company & their Successors & shall

duly obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding &

paying therefore yearly Every Year during the whole Terme & Title of Twenty One

Years afforesaid unto the said Hoñ United Company their Successors & Agents

oz Assigns the Annuall Rent of ffour Shillings & ffive & One Shilling Duty being

in all five Shillings p Acre p Annum in good & Current Money of this said

in at oz upon the 25 day of March being the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin

Mary ffor & Dureing all the Terme & Time of Twenty One Years as afforesaid

Provided that he the said John Burling his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns

shall & do immediatly Sett about & ffence in the said hereby Demised two Acres with

the Span of One Year Commenceing from the 26 instant son the Penalty of Paying

double Dutys to the said Hoñ Company their Successors, Agents oz Assigns

for all the Time the said son Acres of Land oz any Part hereby shall remaine

Unfenished & when the said Lands shall be son ffenced & Inclosed son son

the Same ffenced Part thereof shall be kept in good & sufficient repaire son

often & need that be required & shall always Plant Maintaine & preserve the

Quantity & Proportion of Wood in Gunwood oz other usefull Trees son son

to the Lawes of this Island in that Case made & Provided. And likewise

Plant ffurze round the said ffences at such proper seasons in which it is

most likely to groe the Nature of the said will best beare oz son when this

two Acres of Land son son Land & son with Wood & ffurze as afforesaid

You the said John Burling oz your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed Assigns

are not to alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently son

they being the bounds & Land Marks of the said two Acres of Land in son son

Case will only Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan hereunto Annexed, son

That son the said John Burling your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns Sett son

any way oz Means dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the son

Consent of the Governour & Council of this Islands for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ Company Lords Proprietors of this Islands

to these Presents have these Presents Sett their Common Seale at their Grand Plant=

this 17 day of son 1728 And the said John Burling hath also to this other

son his hand & Seal the Day & year just before Written

Signed & Sealed in

the Presence of E Byfield

John Burling §

Margin Notes:

Burling §

Memorandum if the son son son

son this son son son this son son son

son son son son son son son son §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to John Burling, of the island. The land grew gumwood and came to 2 acres. It lay in a place called and known by the name of Deep Valley, joining the lease land now held by John Harding, in the East Division of the island. The land had earlier been in the possession of John Harding. The Company rented Burling the 2 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, including all watercourses and the trees standing on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 December 1726. Burling held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. The rent fell due on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation.

Burling had to fence the 2 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 2 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Burling and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Burling and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 25 [...] 1727. John Burling signed his part and added his seal on the same day. The document was sealed and delivered in the presence of John Black, who witnessed it.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 2 acres as a single narrow plot, with a note recording its position joining the surrounding ground.

Interpretations

This 2-acre parcel had earlier been in the possession of John Harding and now touched the lease land Harding still held, so the new piece fitted against an established neighbour's ground. John Harding took a body of leases in Deep Valley earlier in this run. The grant slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings in the valley, the ground passing from Harding's hands into Burling's fresh tenure.

The rent here fell due on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, rather than the 29 September day common across most of the run. The Company tied the yearly payment to a fixed church feast day, a familiar marker in the calendar that left no doubt when the rent was owed. This quarter-day rent appears across several of the later leases of the run, alongside the Joseph Hause and joint Powell grants.

The grant ran the term from 25 December 1726, the Christmas quarter day, rather than the spring or autumn start used elsewhere. The Company timed the commencement to the nearest quarter day to the actual grant. The choice of the Christmas quarter marks this as a fresh arrangement set up at the moment of the lease rather than a regularising of older occupation back-dated to another date.

232

216

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ

the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby Demise

Grant Sett & to ffarme Lett unto John Burling of this Island Planter All that Peice oz

Parcell of Gunwood containing Eight Acres scituate Lying & being under Part of the Gun

Ridge called Thomas Plant Butting North & West oz son the South either Granted son

oz Leased now in the Possession of him the said John Burling & son West upon the

Lands now in the Possession of Mr Produtes Bazett To have & to hold the said

hereby Demised Eight Acres of Lands together with all & singulier the Wood Water Water

Coursez & all other the Rights Priveleges thereunto belonging oz in any wise appertaining

unto him the said John Burling his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns from this

26 day of Dec next insueing the date hereof for & Dureing all the Span & Terme of twenty

One Years Upon Condition That he the said John Burling his Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ oz Assigns do always bear true ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King

George His Heirs & Successors & to the said Hoñ United Company their Successors & shall

duly obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & paying

therefore Yearly Every Year during the whole Terme & Time of twenty One Years afforesaid Unto

unto the said Hoñ United Compy & their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Annuall Rent

of ffour Shillings p Acre & One Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings p Acre p

Annum in good & Current Money of this Islands in at oz upon the 26 day of March

being the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary for & Dureing all the Terme & Time of

Twenty One Span as afforesaid Provided that he the said John Burling his

Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed oz Assigns shall do immediatly Sett about & ffence in the said

Demised Eight Acres within the Span of One Year Commenceing from the date twenty

fifth day of December as afforesaid Until the Penalty of Paying double Dutys to the said

Hoñ Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the Time the said Eight Acres

of Land oz any Part thereof shall remaine Unfenished & when the said Lands shall

be son ffenced & Inclosed as afforesaid the same ffenced Part thereof shall be kept in good

repair & repair when & often as need shall require so that the whole Premises & son

& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood in Gunwood oz other usefull Trees

according to the Lawes of this Island in that Case made & Provided. And likewise

Plant ffurze round about the said ffences at such proper seasons of the Year in which

it is most likely to groe the Nature of the Soil son best beare oz son when the said

Eight Acres of Land are Inclosed & Planted with Wood & ffurze as afforesaid

You the said John Burling oz your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns That are not

oz Remove the said ffences after they are well & sufficiently made they being the bounds

& Land Marks of the said Eight Acres of Land which in such Case will

Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan hereunto Annexed nor that You the

said John Burling your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns Sett oz any way oz

Means dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge &

Consent of the Worshipfull the Governour & Councell of this Islands for the time being

In Witness whereof the said Hoñ Company Lords Proprietors of this

Islands have to these Presents Sett their Common Seale at

their Grand Plantation House this 17 day of December 1728 And the said John

Burling hath also to this other Part Sett his Hand & Seal the day & year just

before Written

John Burling

Sealed & Signed

in the Presence of E Byfield §

Margin Notes:

8 Acres §

Burling §

Right Acres §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to John Burling, of the island, a planter. The land grew gumwood and came to 8 acres by a recent measurement. It lay under the side of the Main Ridge, joining Diana's Peak, in the East Division of the island. It touched land to the north, west and south. To the south it touched land now in the possession of Mr Prideot Bazett. To the east it touched the lands now in the possession of John Burling himself. The Company rented Burling the 8 acres of gumwood plus everything on it, including all watercourses and the trees standing on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 December 1726. Burling held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all. The rent fell due on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation.

Burling had to fence the 8 acres straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 8 acres were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Burling and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Burling and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 15 [...] December 1727. John Burling signed his part and added his seal on the same day. The document was sealed and delivered in the presence of John Black, who witnessed it.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 8 acres as a single narrow plot.

Interpretations

This 8-acre parcel touched the lands John Burling already held to the east, so the Company was again letting a tenant round out land he already had. This was the second grant to Burling in this run, after his 2-acre Deep Valley piece. The new gumwood ground fitted against his existing holding under the side of the Main Ridge, the easiest land to fence and keep.

The parcel sat under the Main Ridge, joining Diana's Peak, the high central point of the island, which fixed it to a major natural feature rather than to a measured line. The Company leaned on the ridge and the peak as fixed landmarks to set the bounds of the land. On a small island such named heights did the work that exact survey lines could not, pinning down where the upland parcel sat.

The rent here fell due on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, the same quarter day set on Burling's first grant, with the term again running from the Christmas quarter day of 25 December 1726. The Company tied both the commencement and the yearly payment to fixed quarter days, familiar markers in the calendar that left no doubt when the term began and the rent was owed. The two grants to Burling were timed and dated alike.

233

217

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ United

Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby Demise grant

Lease Sett & to ffarme Lett unto Joseph Bates of the said Island Planter, All that Peice oz

Parcell of Cabbage Tree son of Sufficient Lying & being in oz near a Place comonly called oz known

by the Name of Hattops Brands butt the Maine Bridge Butting towards the North upon

the Lands now in the Possession of John Burling called the Hatter Pasture towards the

West upon the Lands of Jonathan Doorden & towards the South & East upon the ffree

Lands formerly belonging to Thomas Branham & Thomas Tayler deceased & now oz late

in the Possession of son to son Selsey the said Carrott oz Parcell of Land conteining Seven Acres & a half

To have and to hold the said hereby Demised Seven & a half of son Land

together with all & singulier the Wood Water Water Coursez & all other the Rights and

Priveleges thereunto belonging oz in any wise Appertaining unto him the said Joseph

Bates his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz allowed oz Assigns from the 25 day of March next for

Dureing all the Terme & span of Thirteen Years from thence next insueing Upon Condition

that he the said Joseph Bates his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns do always bear true

ffaith & allegiance unto Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs & Successors & to

the said Hoñ United Company & their Successors & shall duly obey all the Lawes &

Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & paying therefore Yearly & every

Year during the whole Terme & Time of Thirteen Years as afforesaid unto the said Hoñ

Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns the Annuall Rent of ffour Shillings p Acre

One Shilling Duty being in all son Acre p Annum in good & Current

Money of this Islands in at oz upon the 25 day of March being the Annunciation of

the Blessed Virgin Mary for Dureing all the Terme & Time of Thirteen Span as afforesaid

Provided that he the said Joseph Bates his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns shall do

immediatly Sett about & ffence in the said hereby Demised Seven Acres & a half within the

Span of the year next after the date hereof son the Penalty of Paying double Dutys to the

said Hoñ Company their Successors Agents oz Assigns for all the Time the said son

Seven Acres & a half of Land oz any Part thereof shall conteine remaine Unfenished & son the said

Lands shall be son ffenced & Inclosed son for the need son to be Repaire, & son Bates also

shall Maintaine & preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood oz Gunwood and

Cabbage Trees oz other usefull Trees according to the Lawes of this Islands in that Case

made & provided. & That always Plant ffurze round about the said ffences at

such proper seasons of the Year in which it is most likely to groe & the Nature of the

said soil best beare & son when the said Seven Acres & half of Land are Inclosed son

& Planted with Wood & ffurze as afforesaid You the said Joseph Bates oz your Heirs

Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns That are not to alter oz remove the said ffences after they are well &

sufficiently made they being the bounds & Land Marks of the said Seven Acres & a half

of Land which in such Case will only Occasion the Alteration of the Plott oz Plan

hereunto Annexed, nor that You the said Joseph Bates your Heirs Execrs Adminˢ

oz Assigns Sett oz any way oz Means dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without

the Knowledge & Consent of the Worshipfull the Governour & Councell of this Islands

for the time being In Witness whereof the said Hoñ Company Lords

Proprietors of this Islands have to the other Part of this Deed son son hath these

Common Seale at their Grand Plantation House this 12 Land of January 1728 &

the said Joseph Bates to the other Part hath Sett his hand & Seal the

day & year just before Written

Joseph Bates

Signed & Sealed

in the Presence of E Byfield §

Margin Notes:

7½ Acres §

Bates §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented land to Joseph Bates, of the island, a planter. The land grew cabbage tree and came to 7 acres and a half by a recent measurement. It lay in or near a place called and known by the name of Hartley, near the Main Bridge, in the East Division of the island. It touched the lands now in the possession of John Burling to the north, joining the cabbage tree pasture. To the east it touched the lands earlier belonging to Thomas Burnham and Thomas Tayler, since deceased. To the west it touched the lands now in the possession of Samuel Jefsey. The Company rented Bates the 7 acres and a half of cabbage tree land plus everything on it, including all watercourses and the trees standing on it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 March 1727, the feast of the Annunciation. Bates held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid 4 shillings for each acre every year, with another 1 shilling an acre on top as a duty, the duty here being 5 shillings an acre in all, payable in good and current money of the island, on the feast of the Annunciation, 25 March.

Bates had to fence the 7 acres and a half straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He also had to keep up the same amount of gumwood, planting young gumwood trees and other useful trees in line with the island's rules. He had to plant a hedge of furze along the fences, at the time of year most likely to make it grow, on whichever stretch of ground would grow it best. Once the 7 acres and a half were fully fenced and planted with young gumwood, other useful trees and furze along the fences, the main duties were met. Bates and his heirs were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land and protected it from damage by cattle. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Bates and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 15 January 1728. Joseph Bates signed his part and added his seal on the same day. The document was sealed and delivered in the presence of John Black, who witnessed it.

A plan drawn in the margin showed the 7 acres and a half as a single triangular plot.

Interpretations

This parcel carried the byname Hartley, near the Main Bridge, which fixed it to a known landscape feature rather than to a measured line. The same Hartley was named in the William Seale grant earlier in this run, where it marked Company waste in Stick's Valley. The byname did the work of pinning down where the ground sat, and it passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the land.

This parcel grew cabbage tree, yet the planting clause still called for young gumwood to be raised on it. The Company wanted gumwood grown wherever it could be, since wood was scarce on the island and gumwood was the timber it most needed to protect. The duty to plant young gumwood ran through these leases regardless of what each plot was chiefly described as growing.

Joseph Bates connects to the corporal of the same name, a brother-in-law of John Harding, who took a small half-acre gumwood parcel in Sandy Bay Valley earlier in this run. The boundaries name John Burling, who took two grants in this same batch, Samuel Jefsey, and the ground earlier held by Thomas Burnham and Thomas Tayler. Bates's cabbage tree parcel slotted into the existing arrangement of holdings in this stretch of the East Division.

234

218

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ §

United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby §

Demise Grant Sett & to ffarme Lett unto John Colgreave of the said Island Souldier §

All that Peice oz Parcell of Land Conteining One Acre comonly called oz known by §

the Name of the Bricke Chamber Befonge North, East, West, & South §

upon the Hoñ Compy Wast Land; To have and to hold §

all the said hereby Demised One Acre of Land Every Part & Parcell thereof with all §

the Rights Profits Comodities & Appurtenances thereunto belonging oz Appertaining §

unto him the said John Colgreave his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed Assigns from this §

25 of December in the Year of Our Lord, One Thousand Seven Hundred twenty Six §

for & Dureing all the Span & Terme of Twenty One Years from thence next insueing Upon §

Condition that he the said John Colgreave his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns §

do always bear true ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne Lord King George His Heirs & §

Successors & to the said Hoñ United Company & their Successors & shall duly obey §

all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore §

Yearly Every Year during the said Terme afforesaid unto the said Hoñ Compy their §

Successors Successors Agents oz Assigns the yearly Rent of son Shillings p Acre §

at the ffeast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary besides One Shilling Duty §

being in all son Shillings p Acre p Annum Provided That he the said John Colgreave §

his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Allowed Assigns That do immediatly Sett about & ffence in §

the said hereby Demised One Acre of Land within a space & sufficient ffence Bricke §

oz Stone & Provided the Same to keep in good repaire & repaire when & as often §

as need shall be & Colgreave that shall be Common to him & oz Alter the ffence son §

Governing thereon that That keep up & Preserve a proportionable Quantity of Wood §

according to the Lawes of this Island in that Case made & Provided, Nor son You the §

said John Colgreave oz Either Allowed Assigns be after the said Terme after they are well §

made they being the Lands & Marks oz Bounds of the said hereby Demised One Acre which §

would Occasion the Alteration of the Plot hereunto Annexed, nor son You to Sett son §

oz Anyways dispose of this Lease oz Interest in the same without the Knowledge §

& Consent of the Governour & Councell for the time being just son & Witnessed & son §

In Witness whereof the said John Colgreave hath hereunto Sett his hand & Seal this §

third day of ffebruary Anno Domini One Thousand Seven hundred & twenty §

son son & the said Hoñ Company Lords Proprietors of this Islands §

have to the other Part of this Presents Affixed their Common Seal the day & §

year son son before Written §

John Colgreave §

Signed & Sealed in §

the Presence of E Byfield §

Margin Notes:

Colgreave §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented a piece of ground to John Cotgrave, of the island, a soldier. The ground came to 1 acre. It carried the byname of the Brick Chamber and touched land on the north, east, west and south. To the north, east, west and south it touched the Company's own waste land. The Company rented Cotgrave the 1 acre, plus everything on it, including all the buildings and appurtenances belonging to it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 December 1726. Cotgrave held the land on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid a yearly rent of 6 shillings, with a duty of 1 shilling, the whole being 7 shillings in all, payable in good and current money of the island, on the feast of the Annunciation, 25 March.

Cotgrave had to fence the 1 acre straight away with good, strong fencing and keep it in good repair, mending it as often as needed. He owed a double duty on any part he left unfenced. He was to look after the whole parcel and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He had to keep up a perpetual amount of useful trees, planting in line with the island's rules. Cotgrave and his heirs were to set their names or marks to the document. They were forbidden to move or change the fences once they had been properly set. The fences marked the boundaries of the land. If a dispute ever arose over the plot, the plan drawn on the document settled it. Cotgrave and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the grand plantation house on 3 [...] February 1728. John Cotgrave signed his part and added his seal on the same day. The document was sealed and delivered in the presence of John Black, who witnessed it.

Interpretations

This parcel carried the byname the Brick Chamber, which fixed it to a known structure or feature rather than to a measured line. The name marks a building of brick standing on or near the ground, an uncommon material on the island where stone and timber were the usual stuff of building. The byname did the work of pinning down where the acre sat, and it passed down through the records as the settled way of finding the land.

The rent here was set as 6 shillings with a 1-shilling duty, the whole 7 shillings, payable on the feast of the Annunciation, 25 March, rather than the per-acre gumwood rate common across the run. The flat yearly sum, with the term running from the Christmas quarter day of 25 December 1726, marks this as an urban or building plot let on a fixed rent rather than rural gumwood ground charged by the acre.

John Cotgrave, a soldier, connects to the holder of the same name, the son of Gilbert Cotgrave late planter, who gave a general release to John Alexander, second in council, on 13 July 1727. His taking of this small acre with its buildings, alongside his garrison rank, shows the overlap of military service and landholding running through these leases, and marks a further piece taken up by a member of the Cotgrave family settled on the island.

235

219

The Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hoñ: ᵇˡᵉ the United

Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby Demise

Grant Lease Sett & to ffarme Lett unto Joseph Whaley Esq son All that Peice oz Parcell

of this Ground Conteining Thirty five feet in ffronte & ffifty feet in Length oz

Depth the Same to Conteyn & bind & Mensuration Sett scituate Lying being on James Valley

now adjoyning to the Ground now oz late in the Possession & Occupation of Thomas

Nationisaboth Isle of this the Capt Lett To have & to hold to the said

hereby Demised Thirty five feet in ffronte & ffifty feet in Length oz Depth

together with all & singulier the Appurtenances Rights & Priveleges thereunto

belonging unto him the said Joseph Whaley Esq son His Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz son

Assigns from the 25 of son instant son for & Dureing all the

Span & Terme of Span of Twenty One Years from thence next

Upon Condition that he the said Joseph Whaley Esq son His Heirs Execrs

Adminˢ oz Assigns do always bear true ffaith & allegiance to Our Soveraigne

Lord King George his Heirs & Successors & to the said Hoñ Company their son

& shall duly Obey all the Lawes & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding &

Paying therefore Yearly Every Year during the said Terme of Twenty One Years son

unto the said Hoñ Company their Successors Successors Agents oz Assigns

the yearly Rent of Ten Shillings p Annum in good & Current Money at oz

at the ffeast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary Always

Provided that he the said Joseph Whaley his Heirs Execrs Adminˢ oz Assigns

do Maintaine & keep in good Repaire any Hours oz Building oz son Edifice son

be at any time oz time hereafter Erected oz Built upon the said Ground oz any Part

oz any Part thereof as often & need shall be & Whaley son oz that the whole Term oz

Releafs of Ground hereby Demised son shall be either Demolished oz Built upon & the Same

he always kept Tennantable & no way suffered to go to Ruine oz Decay nor That he

the said Joseph Whaley oz his Heirs any Way Sett oz any otherwise Dispose of the

Water Course Wast Thereon under the Soil of this Isle afforesaid by any Ways oz Means

whatsoever, Nor That he the said Joseph Whaley oz his Heirs son afforesaid oz son

& either oz Dispose of this Lease oz Interest therein without the Knowledge and

Consent of the Governour & Councell of this Islands first hath & obtained On

Witness whereof the said Hoñ United son Company Lords Proprietors of this

Islands have to the other Part of this Presents Affixed their Common Seale

at their Castle in James Valley this 12 day of ffebruary in the Years Domini, One

Thousand Seven & Hundred twenty son son & the said Joseph Whaley

hath hereunto Sett his Hand & Seal the day & year just before Written

Joseph Whaley

Signed & Sealed

in the Presence of E Byfield §

Margin Notes:

Whaley §

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, rented a piece of ground to Joseph Whaley, an esquire of the island. The ground came to 35 feet in front and 50 feet in length and depth. It lay in James Valley, joining the ground now held by Thomas Nicholas, on the side towards the Castle. The Company rented Whaley the 35 feet in front and 50 feet in length and depth, plus everything on it, including all the buildings and appurtenances belonging to it, for himself and his heirs.

The rent ran for 21 years, starting from 25 [...] 1727. Whaley held the ground on condition of loyalty to King George and obedience to the island's rules. He paid a yearly rent of 6 shillings, payable in good and current money of the island, on the feast of the Annunciation, 25 March. Whaley had to keep up any building put up on the ground, mending it as often as needed, and let no part of it fall into ruin or decay. He had to keep the ground enclosed and not damage the watercourses or drains under the side of the hill. He and his heirs could not sell the lease, or pass on their interest in it, without the Company's agreement.

The Company, the lords and owners of the island, set their common seal to the document at the Castle in James Valley on [...] [...] 1727. Joseph Whaley signed his part and added his seal on the same day. The document was sealed and delivered in the presence of John Black, who witnessed it.

Interpretations

This was an urban lease of a town plot in James Valley rather than rural gumwood ground, marking it out from most of the run before it. The plot was set out by exact frontage and depth, 35 feet in front and 50 feet in length and depth, fitting the cramped, valuable ground of the town squeezed into the narrow valley by the Castle. The precise figures fixed the bounds of the small urban parcel beyond doubt.

The lease bound Whaley to protect the watercourses and drains running under the side of the hill, a duty fitting the crowded ground of James Valley. Water management mattered on the steep-sided valley floor where buildings pressed close together, and the Company guarded the channels that carried water and waste through the town. The clause shows the care taken over the shared workings of the urban ground.

Joseph Whaley, an esquire, connects to the sergeant of the same name who sold a James Valley dwelling house in Southwark Street to John Young in 1722, probably related to Simon Whaley and Pomon Whaley of the earlier records. His rise to esquire and his taking of this town plot, with its buildings, near the Castle marks a continued holding of urban ground by a member of the Whaley family settled in James Valley.

236

220

§The Hon[ble]

§of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby Demise Grant Lease

§Sett & to farm Sett unto James Ryder of the said Island Planter the best Part or

§Parcell of Gumwood Land Containing Twenty Acres commonly called or known

§by the Name of Bealev & lie in the West Diversion of this Island Butting and

§Bounding North upon other the Lands of him the said James Ryder & the Hon[ble]

§Companies West, South upon the Lands now or late belonging to Gab[r] Dowell dec[d] [...]

§& him the said Ryder, West upon other the Lands of him the said James Ryder & East

§upon the Hon[ble] Comp[y] West Land To have and to hold all & Singular

§the said hereby demised Twenty Acres with all the Rights Commodities and

§Appurtinances thereunto belonging & every part & Parcell thereof unto him the said

§James Ryder his Heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Allowed Assigns from the day of the date hereof

§for & during all the Space & Term of Twenty One Year from thence next Ensuing Upon

§Condition that he the said James Ryder his Heirs or Allowed Assigns do

§always bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his Heirs &

§Successors & to the said Hon[ble] Company & their Successors & Shall duely obey and

§Observe all the Laws & Constitutions of the said Island Yeilding & Paying

§therefore Yearly & every Year during the said Term of Twenty One Years Unto the said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successors Agents or Assigns the Yearly Rent of Three Shill[s]

§& Acre in which Said Sum is included the One Shilling [...] Acre Duty in at or upon the

§25th day of March Yearly during all the Said Term or Space of Twenty One Years

§as aforesaid Always Provided that he the Said James Ryder his Heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set about & Fence in the said hereby

§demised Twenty Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space

§of Twelve Months next ensuing the date hereof upon Pain & Penalty of Paying

§double Duties for all the Time the Said Land or any Part thereof Shall lye Waste or

§Unfenced & when the said Twenty Acres of Land Shall be duely Fenced as aforesaid

§the Same & every Part thereof Shall be kept in good Condition & Repair as often as

§need Shall be & Require And Shall Also Seperate & Divide with a

§good & Sufficient Fence full four Acres & half of the said hereby demised Twenty

§Acres & Shall fully & Sufficiently Plant the said four Acres & half of Land with

§young Plants of the Gumwood Tree or Such other Trees or Timber as are or

§Shall be found most fit & proper for the Soil thereof & at Such times & Seasons of

§the Year as are most apt & proper for Planting & when the Same Shall be So Planted

§as aforesaid He the said James Ryder his Heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall Use

§their utmost Care & Diligence to preserve & Encrease their Growth & Shall also Plant

§Furze round the Fence of the said Twenty Acres of Land, And when the said hereby

§demised Twenty Acres of Land Shall be fully & compleatly Fenced as aforesaid He the

§said James Ryder his Heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or Remove the Same they being

§the Butts & Boundaries of the said hereby demised Twenty Acres of Land & which

§in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plot or Plan hereunto Annexed nor Shall

§he the said James Ryder his Heirs or Allowed Assigns Sell or Dispose of this Lease or

§or Interest therein without the Knowledge & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council of this Island

§for the time being In Witness whereof he the Said James Ryder hath hereunto Sett

§his hand & Seale this 30 day of September in the Third Year of the Reign of Our

§Soveraign Lord King George Anno[q] Domini One thousand Seven hundred Twenty

§Nine & the said Hon[ble] Company to the other Part of these Presents have Set their Seale

§the day & Year just before Written§

§Signed & Sealed in the

§Presence of [...]§

§James Ryder§

Margin Notes:

§Ryder§

§Twenty Acres§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island, leased to James Ryder, a planter of the island, 20 acres of gumwood land known as Beale's Lott in the West Division. The land was bounded on the north by other land held by Ryder and the Company, on the west by the Company's land, on the south by land then or recently held by Gabriel Powell and by Ryder himself, on the west again by more of Ryder's land, and on the east by the Company's unused land.

Ryder and his heirs were to hold the 20 acres, with everything belonging to them, for 21 years from the date of the lease. The grant depended on Ryder and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Ryder was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 3 shillings an acre, a figure that already included the 1 shilling duty. The rent fell due each year on 25 March throughout the 21 years.

Ryder and his heirs were to start at once and fence the 20 acres properly within 12 months of the lease, that is, by about 30 September 1730. If any part of the land stood unfenced after that, Ryder had to pay double the duty for the whole time it remained open. The fence then had to be kept in good repair for as long as needed.

Ryder also had to fence off a separate 4 and a half acres out of the 20, and plant it fully with young gumwood trees or other trees and timber best suited to the soil, sown at the right times of year for planting. Once planted, he and his heirs were to take the greatest care to keep the trees alive and help them grow. He was also to plant 12 trees around the fence of the 20 acres.

Once the whole 20 acres was fenced, Ryder and his heirs were not to move the boundaries, since shifting them would alter the lot and the plan attached to the lease. Ryder was also not to sell or pass on the lease, or any share in it, without the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

James Ryder signed and sealed the agreement on 30 September 1729, in the third year of King George's reign. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day, just before the signing took place.

Signed and sealed in front of [...].

[Margin: Twenty Acres.]

Interpretations

The byname Beale's Lott identified the land through an earlier holder rather than through survey measurement alone. The Beale name appears widely across the island's land records, and the survival of the byname in the West Division shows how past occupation pinned down ground that was otherwise marked only by its neighbours and the Company's unused land.

The rent of 3 shillings an acre, said to already include the 1 shilling duty, was lower than the usual rate of the earlier 1711 leases, which charged 4 shillings an acre plus a separate 1 shilling duty. Folding rent and duty into a single yearly payment due on 25 March made collection simpler and tied the tenant to the quarter-day.

The rule that Ryder fence the land within 12 months, or pay double duty on any open part, used a money penalty to push him into fencing quickly. The fence acted as the legal marker of the holding, so the penalty protected both the boundary record and the Company's interest in keeping the ground enclosed and productive.

The demand to set aside 4 and a half acres for gumwood planting linked the lease to the island's efforts to protect its timber. Gumwood supplied building material and was under steady strain, so requiring a tenant to plant and preserve a fixed share of his ground turned an ordinary lease into a tool for replanting trees under Company control.

Speculations

The boundary list names Ryder's own land on more than one side and runs the southern edge through Gabriel Powell's neighbouring ground. The lease looks designed to round out a block Ryder already partly held, fitting the 20 acres against his existing parcels so the new grant completed one connected holding rather than adding scattered pieces.

237

221

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hon[ble] the United

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby

§Demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto John Thwaites of the said Island

§Soldier All that Peice or Parcell of Land Containing Eight Acres & half lying

§in the East Division of this Island Butting North & East upon the Hon[ble]

§Comp[ys] West Land South upon the Lease Lands of John Wonall & West upon

§other the Lease Land of him the said John Thwaites And also all that

§Peice or Parcell of Land containing One Acre & half lying in Prosperous Bay

§Valley being bounded on all Sides by the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Lands To

§have and to hold all the Said hereby Demised two Parcells of Land

§containing in the whole Ten Acres & every Part & Parcell thereof with all the

§Rights Profits Commodities & Appurtinances to them or to either of them

§belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said John Thwaites his Heirs Ex[rs]

§Adm[rs] or allowed Assignes from the 25th day of Dec[r] in the Year of Our Lord

§One Thousand Seven hundred twenty & Nine for & during all the Grace or Term

§of twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that he

§the Said John Thwaites his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do always

§bear Faith & true Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs

§& Successors & to the Said Hon[ble] United Company & their Successors & Shall

§duely obey & observe all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding

§& Paying yearly & every Year for & during the whole Term of Twenty One

§Years aforesaid upon the Feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary

§unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their Successors Agents or Assigns the

§yearly Rent of four Shillings & Acre besides One Shilling Duty being in

§all five Shillings & Acre for the last Mentioned One Acre & half & only the

§Sum of Two Shillings & Six Pence & Acre for the first mentioned Parcell

§of Eight Acres Shall Always Provided that he the Said John

§Thwaites his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Allowed Assigns§

§all five Shillings & Acre for the last mentioned One Acre & half & only the

§Sum of Two Shillings & Six Pence & Acre for the first mentioned Parcell

§of Eight Acres Shall Always Provided that he the Said John

§Thwaites his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Allowed Assigns Shall & do Set apart

§& the said one [...] half & Enclose the Said last mentioned Eight Acres & half of Land with a

§legall & Sufficient Fence within Twelve Months next after the date hereof

§be Shall & do when the Same is so Fenced & Enclosed under the Penalty of

§Thirty Pounds payable by him the Said John Thwaites his heirs Ex[rs]

§Adm[rs] or Assigns unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their Agents or Assigns

§in Case of Neglect Failure or willfull Mismanagement Plant all & every

§part of the said demised Eight Acres & half with a full & Sufficient Quantity

§of Wood Such as Gumwood Red Wood or Such other Plants of Wood as

§the Nature of the Soil will best bear & produce as many as may conveniently

§grow & Shall reserve & keep the Said Eight Acres & half of Land for the Sole

§Raising & Encrease of Wood & for no other purpose whatsoever & Shall moreover

§keep the Said Fence in good & constant Repair & Shall also from time to time

§keep the Soil well loosend & free from Weeds for the more Speedy Growth & better

§Preservation of the Said Wood And Shall also from time to time as any of the

§Said young Trees happen to die or be destroyed Replant the Same with other

§young Plants & Shall always Use the best Care & Industry to keep & preserve

§the Same from receiving any hurt or damage & Shall not presume to turn any

§Hogs Goats or Cattle into any part of the Said Eight Acres & half of Land

§without leave first had & obtained from the Governour & Council of this Island

§for the time being. Nor Shall You the Said John Thwaites or Your allowed

§Assigns & alter the Said Fences after they are well made they being the Land

§Marks & Bounds of the Said hereby demised two Parcells of Land which would

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plotts or Plans hereunto Annexed, Nor are You

§to Sell or otherwise dispose of this Lease or Your Interest in the Same without the

§Knowledge & Consent of the Governour & Council for the time being first had &

§obtained In Witness whereof he the Said John Thwaites hath to these§

Margin Notes:

§Thwaites§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island, leased to John Thwaites, a soldier of the island, two parcels of land. The first was 8 and a half acres in the East Division, bounded on the north and east by the Company's unused land, on the south by the leased land of John Worrall, and on the west by other leased land held by Thwaites himself. The second was 1 and a half acres in Prosperous Bay Valley, bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Thwaites and his heirs were to hold both parcels, together 10 acres, with everything belonging to them, from 25 December 1729 for 21 years. The grant depended on Thwaites and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Thwaites was to pay the Company a yearly rent on the feast of the Annunciation, that is 25 March, throughout the 21 years. For the 1 and a half acres the rent was 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all. For the first parcel of 8 and a half acres the rent was only 2 shillings and 6 pence an acre.

Thwaites and his heirs had to fence off and enclose the 8 and a half acres with a proper fence within 12 months of the lease, that is by about 25 December 1730. If they failed to do so through neglect, default or deliberate mismanagement, they faced a penalty of 30 pounds payable to the Company.

Once the 8 and a half acres was fenced and enclosed, Thwaites and his heirs were to plant all of it with a good supply of trees, whether gumwood, redwood or other young trees that the soil would best support, setting as many as could reasonably grow. They were to keep this whole parcel solely for growing and increasing timber and for no other purpose.

Thwaites and his heirs were to keep the fence in constant repair. They were also to keep the soil loosened and free of weeds so the timber would grow faster and stay healthy. Whenever any of the young trees died or were destroyed, they were to replant the ground with fresh young trees, and to take the greatest care to protect the trees from harm.

Thwaites and his heirs were not to turn any hogs, goats or cattle into any part of the 8 and a half acres without first getting permission from the Governor and Council of the island. Once the boundary marks and bounds of the two parcels were properly made, they were not to alter them, since doing so would change the lots and the plan attached to the lease. Thwaites and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council.

In confirmation of all this, John Thwaites set his hand to these documents.

Interpretations

The split rent across the two parcels marks a deliberate distinction in how the Company valued each piece. The 1 and a half acres carried the full rate of 4 shillings an acre plus 1 shilling duty, while the larger 8 and a half acres was charged only 2 shillings and 6 pence an acre, a sharply reduced rate. The lower charge attached to the parcel burdened with the heavy obligation to plant and maintain timber, so the rent reduction acted as compensation for ground that would yield no farming income while given over wholly to growing wood.

The 30 pound penalty for failing to fence the 8 and a half acres within 12 months was a far steeper sanction than the double-duty penalties common in the earlier leases. The size of the fine reveals how seriously the Company treated the enclosure of this particular ground, since the whole purpose of the parcel was timber production and an unfenced plantation would be exposed to grazing animals.

The bar on turning hogs, goats or cattle into the timber ground without permission protected the young trees from the chief threat to their survival. Loose stock would strip and trample new plantings, so the restriction tied directly to the plantation purpose rather than serving as a general rule of husbandry.

The naming of gumwood and redwood as the trees to be planted records the Company's interest in the island's native timber. Both were under steady pressure from building and fuel demand, and the requirement to plant, weed, loosen the soil and replant losses turned the leasehold into a managed nursery for the restoration of valuable wood.

Speculations

The lease bundles two parcels under a single grant, the larger reserved entirely for timber and the smaller charged at the full agricultural rate. The arrangement looks designed to pair a profitable small holding with a much larger conservation plot, using the reduced rent on the big parcel to make an otherwise unrewarding planting duty acceptable to the tenant while securing a fresh stretch of wood for the Company.

238

222

§Presents Set his hand & Seale this 6 day of February Anno Domini

§One Thousand Seven hundred twenty Nine & the Said Hon[ble] Company

§to the other Part of these Presents have Set their Seale the day & Year

§just before Writen§

§John Twaits§

§N°§

§E[t]§

§8 ½ Acres§

§1 ½ Acre§

§W[t]§

§S[t]§

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of this Island the Hon[ble] the United

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby

§Demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto Jonathan Higham Iun[r] of the Said

§Island Stone Cutter All that Peice or Parcell of Land Containing Four Acres

§lying in Sandy Bay Valley Butting & Bounding on the North East & West

§upon the Hon[ble] Companies West Land & South upon the Lease Lands of Cap[t]

§John Alexander To have and to hold all the Said hereby Demised

§Four Acres of Land & every Part & Parcell thereof with all the Rights Profits

§Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto

§him the Said Jonathan Higham Iun[r] from the 25th day of December last past

§for & during all the Space & Term of Twenty One Years from thence next ensuing,

§Upon Condition that he the Said Jonathan Higham Iun[r] his Heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Allowed Assigns Shall & do always bear true Faith & Allegiance

§to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successors & to the Said Hon[ble]

§United Company & their Successors & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions

§of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every Year during

§the Said Term aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] United Company their Successors§

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Allowed Assigns Shall & do always bear true Faith & Allegiance

§to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successors & to the Said Hon[ble]

§United Company & their Successors & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions

§of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every Year during

§the Said Term aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] United Company their Successors

§Agents or Assigns the yearly Rent of Four Shillings & Acre at the Feast

§of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary besides One Shilling Duty being in

§all Five Shillings & Acre Always Provided that he the Said Jonathan

§Higham iun[r] & his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Allowed Assigns Shall & do immediatly

§Set about & Fence in the Said hereby Demised four Acres of Land with a good

§legal & Sufficient Fence & when so Fenced & Enclosed Shall the Same keep in

§good Condition & constant Repair as often as need Shall be & Require & Shall

§not Suffer the Growth to run out or destroy the Wood now growing thereon but

§Shall keep up & preserve a proportionable Quantity of Wood according to the

§Laws of this Island in that Case made & provided, And Shall moreover for the

§good & benefit of the Neighbourhood leave out & not Enclose the head of the Spring

§of Water arising within or near the aforesaid four Acres of Land, Nor Shall You the

§Said Jonathan Higham Iun[r] Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Allowed Assigns Alter the

§Said Fence after they are well made they being the Land Marks & Bounds of the

§Said hereby demised four Acres of Land which would Occasion the Alteration of

§the Plot hereunto Annexed, Nor Shall You Sell or otherwise dispose of this Lease or Your

§Interest in the Same without the Knowledge & Consent of the Governour & Council of

§this Island for the time being first had & obtained In Witness whereof he the Said

§Iom[n] Higham hath to these Presents Set his hand & Seale this 3[d] day Febry One

§Thousand Seven hundred twenty Nine & the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other part

§of these Presents have Set their Seale the day & Year just before Writen§

§Signed & Sealed in the

§Presence of [...]§

§Ion[ath] Higham iun[r]§

Margin Notes:

§Higham iun[r]§

§N°§

John Thwaites set his hand and seal to confirm the earlier agreement on 3 February 1729. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day, just before the signing took place.

Signed, sealed and delivered in the presence of [...].

[Plan: a parcel of 8 and a half acres, marked north, east, south and west, shown beside a separate parcel of 1 and a half acres.]

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island, leased to Jonathan Higham junior, a stone cutter of the island, 4 acres of land in Sandy Bay Valley. The parcel was bounded on the north, east and west by the Company's unused land, and on the south by the leased land of Captain John Alexander.

Higham and his heirs were to hold the 4 acres, with everything belonging to them, from 25 December 1728 for 21 years. The grant depended on Higham and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Higham was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre at the feast of the Annunciation, that is 25 March, plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, throughout the 21 years.

Higham and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 4 acres with a good and proper fence. Once it was fenced and enclosed, they were to keep it in good repair as often as needed. They were not to let the existing timber on the ground run out or be destroyed, but were to keep up and preserve a fair quantity of wood as the island's laws required.

For the benefit of the neighbourhood, Higham and his heirs were to leave open and not enclose the head of the spring rising within or near the 4 acres. Once the fence and the boundary marks were properly made, they were not to alter them, since doing so would change the plan attached to the lease. Higham and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Jonathan Higham junior set his hand and seal on 3 February 1729. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day, just before the signing took place.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 4-acre parcel, marked north, east and south, with a dotted curve showing the head of the spring set off from the enclosed ground.]

Interpretations

The duty to leave the head of the spring open and unenclosed for the benefit of the neighbourhood marks a deliberate carve-out from the tenant's otherwise full control of the ground. Water sources on a dry island were a shared resource, so the Company reserved public access to the spring even within a private leasehold, preventing one holder from cutting off supply to his neighbours.

The reduced obligation on timber set this lease apart from the heavier planting covenants seen elsewhere. Higham was required only to preserve the existing wood and keep a fair quantity standing, rather than to plant out a fixed acreage from scratch. The lighter duty suited a parcel that already carried growing timber rather than bare ground.

The southern boundary against Captain John Alexander's leased land fits the documented pattern of Higham's tenure in Sandy Bay Valley. Higham held neighbouring ground near the upper lime kiln, and his trade as a stone cutter tied him to the lime-burning and building economy of that part of the valley.

Speculations

The lease singles out the spring for protection while leaving the rest of the 4 acres to Higham's enclosure. The arrangement looks designed to balance two competing needs, granting Higham a workable holding while keeping a vital water source in common use, so that the private grant did not come at the cost of the surrounding tenants who depended on the same spring.

239

223

§Know all Men by these Presents that Wee the Governour & Council of

§the Island St Helena for & on the behalf of the Hon[ble] the United

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies for & in

§Consideration of the Sum of Three Pounds [...] in hand paid at & before

§the Insealing & Delivery hereof by William Gaa of the Said Island

§Have Given Granted Bargained Sold & Delivered & by these Presents

§do give grant bargain Sell & Deliver unto him the Said W[m] Gaa

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns All those Peices or Parcells of Land

§or Ground lying & being in Short James or Chappell Valley that is to

§Say Forty Feet in Front & fifty feet in Depth lying behind the

§House which he the Said William Gaa lately bought of Gyles Smith Corp[l] &

§Three feet in Front & Ninety feet in Depth lying behind the House w[ch]

§he the Said William Gaa lately bought of him the Said Gyles Smith & of

§Ioseph Whaley & Serjeant Thirty five feet in Front & Forty feet in Depth

§lying near & behind the House late of him the Said Ioseph Whaley Serj[t] &

§also Forty Feet in Front & fifty feet in Depth being the Ground &

§Back Yard or Garden belonging to the House & upon which the Said

§House doth Stand which he the Said William Gaa lately bought of him

§the abovementioned Ioseph Whaley Serj[t] with all & Singular the Rights

§Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging of what Nature

§kind or Sort soever the Front of all the Said Parcells of Land lying

§between the Corner of the House which he the Said William Gaa lately

§bought of him the aforesaid Gyles Smith & the House now in the Possession

§or Occupation of Thomas Wade To have & to hold all & Singular

§the Said hereby bargained Premisses & every Part & Parcell thereof Unto him

§the Said William Gaa his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns forever to do

§with and dispose thereof as he they or either of them Shall think fit or proper

§And Wee the Governour & Council of the Island aforesaid for & on behalf of

§them the Said Hon[ble] Company their Heirs & Successors do hereby

§Covenant Promise & Agree to & with the Said William Gaa his heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns that he & they & every of them Shall peaceably &

§quietly Possess & Enjoy from henceforth & at all times hereafter all & every

§Part & Parcell thereof together with all the Rights & Privileges thereunto§

§And Wee the Governour & Council of the Island aforesaid for & on behalf of

§them the Said Hon[ble] Company their Heirs & Successors do hereby

§Covenant Promise & Agree to & with the Said William Gaa his heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns that he & they & every of them Shall peaceably &

§quietly Possess & Enjoy from henceforth & at all times hereafter all & every

§Part & Parcell thereof together with all the Rights & Privileges thereunto

§belonging without any Lett Hindrance Disturbance or Molestation by

§of or from the Said Hon[ble] Company or their Successors or by of or from

§any other Person or Persons whatsoever by Our by their Means Consent or

§Procurement In Witness whereof Wee the Governour & Council for the

§time being have hereunto Set Our Hands & Affixed the Seale of the Said

§Hon[ble] United Company at Union Castle this 31 day March Anno

§Domini 1730§

§Sealed & Delivered

§in the Presence of [...]§

§E Byfield

§In[o] Alexander

§In[o] Goodwin

§[...]§

Margin Notes:

§Bill of Sale to

§W[m] Gaa§

The Governor and Council of St Helena, acting for the Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, sold to William Gaa of the island several parcels of land in Fort James or Chapel Valley, in return for 3 pounds paid by Gaa in cash before the sealing of the deed.

William Gaa and his heirs were to hold the parcels for ever. The first measured 40 feet across the front and 50 feet in depth, lying behind the house that Gaa had recently bought from Giles Smith the carpenter. The second measured 3 feet across the front and 90 feet in depth, lying behind the house that Gaa had also recently bought from Giles Smith. The third measured 35 feet across the front and 40 feet in depth, lying near and behind the house formerly held by Joseph Whaley the sergeant. The fourth measured 40 feet across the front and 50 feet in depth, being the ground and back yard or garden belonging to the house on which it stood, which Gaa had recently bought from the same Joseph Whaley the sergeant.

The frontage of all the parcels lay between the corner of the house that Gaa had bought from Giles Smith and the house then held and occupied by Thomas Watts. The parcels passed with all the rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to them, of whatever kind. William Gaa and his heirs were to hold them with full freedom to use and dispose of them as they thought fit.

The Governor and Council, for the Company, promised that William Gaa and his heirs would hold and enjoy the parcels peacefully from then on, with all rights and privileges belonging to them, free from any hindrance, disturbance or interference by the Company, its successors, or any other person, whether by their consent or arrangement.

In confirmation of all this, the Governor and Council set their hands and affixed the Company's seal at Union Castle on 31 March 1730. Signed by [...] Byfield, John Alexander, John Goodwin and [...].

Sealed and delivered in the presence of [...].

Interpretations

The parcels were measured in feet of frontage and depth rather than in acres, marking these as urban building plots within the dense fabric of Chapel Valley rather than agricultural ground. The narrow 3-foot strip running 90 feet deep behind a house shows how tightly packed the town plots were, with slivers of back ground sold off and consolidated to round out a holder's frontage.

The sale gathered together four separate parcels, each tied to a house Gaa had bought from a different former holder, into a single conveyance. The pattern reveals Gaa assembling a continuous block of town property, buying houses from Giles Smith the carpenter and Joseph Whaley the sergeant and then securing the back ground and gardens behind them under one Company title.

The low price of 3 pounds for all four parcels reflects their character as the residual yards, gardens and strips behind already-purchased houses, rather than as freestanding dwellings. The Company was regularising scraps of ground that completed Gaa's frontage, charging a token sum to bring the back land formally under his ownership.

The frontage was fixed between the corner of the Giles Smith house and the house occupied by Thomas Watts, anchoring the whole block to two recognised buildings rather than to survey markers. Urban ground in the valley was identified by its neighbours, so naming the bounding houses pinned down the parcels precisely in a crowded settlement where measured lines alone would not have sufficed.

Speculations

The deed pulls four fragments of back ground, each bought piecemeal from separate sellers, into one Company grant fixed between two named houses. The arrangement looks designed to convert a scattered set of recent private purchases into a single secure title, so that Gaa held his consolidated Chapel Valley frontage under one instrument rather than relying on a tangle of separate bills of sale that would be harder to defend.

240

224

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena

§the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies do hereby Demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto John

§Durling of the Said Island Planter All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing

§Ten Acres lying in the last Division of the Said Island butting North

§South & East upon the Hon[ble] Companies West Land & West upon the

§Lease Land of John Wonall under Simons Waterfall in Deep Valley

§To have and to hold all & Singular the Said hereby demised Ten

§Acres of Land & every part & Parcell thereof together with all & Singular

§the Wood, Water, Water Courses, & all other the Rights Commodities &

§Appurtinances thereon Standing Growing or belonging unto him the

§Said John Durling his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] for allowed Assigns from the

§25th day of March next ensuing the date hereof for & during all the Space

§& Term of Twenty one Years Upon Condition that he the Said

§John Durling his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns do always bear true Faith

§& Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successors

§& to the Said Hon[ble] United Company & their Successors & Shall duely

§obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding

§& Paying therefore yearly & every Year during the whole Term & Time

§of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their

§Successors Agents or Assigns the annual Rent of One Shilling & Six

§pence in which Said Sum of One Shilling & Six Pence, the Duty of

§One Shilling & Acre, is included in at or upon the 25th day of March being the

§Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Term &

§Time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid Provided that he the Said

§John Durling his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly

§Set about & Fence in the Said Demised Ten Acres of Land within the

§Space of One Year commencing from the Said 25th day of March as

§aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Duties for all the Time the

§Said Ten Acres or any Part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when

§the Said Land Shall be Fenced & Enclosed with a good & Sufficient

§Fence the Same Shall be duely kept in constant Repair & be Solely

§Set apart & Reserved for the Planting & Raising of Trees for Fuel

§or other Services & for no other Use or Property whatsoever: And

§when the Said Land Shall be legally Fenced as aforesaid You the Said

§John Durling Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall not alter or§

§Set about & Fence in the Said Demised Ten Acres of Land within the

§Space of One Year commencing from the Said 25th day of March as

§aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Duties for all the Time the

§Said Ten Acres or any Part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when

§the Said Land Shall be Fenced & Enclosed with a good & Sufficient

§Fence the Same Shall be duely kept in constant Repair & be Solely

§Set apart & Reserved for the Planting & Raising of Trees for Fuel

§or other Services & for no other Use or Property whatsoever: And

§when the Said Land Shall be legally Fenced as aforesaid You the Said

§John Durling Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall not alter or

§remove the Said Fences they being the bounds or Land Marks of the

§Said Ten Acres of Land which in Such Case would Occasion the

§Alteration of the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall You, Your

§heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Sell or by any other way dispose of this

§Lease or Interest therein without the Leave & Consent of the Worshpfull

§the Govern[r] & Council of this Island for the time being, but Shall

§constantly keep the Same free & clear from Weeds & the Soil well

§Loosend to the End that young Plants of Trees may the better Grow

§& come to Maturity & Perfection, & Shall take especial Care as any

§die or are destroyed to Replant others in their Room In Witness

§whereof the Said John Durling hath hereunto Set his hand &

§Seale this 26th day January 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§to the other Part of these Presents have Set their Seale the day & Year

§aforesaid§

§John Durling§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

Margin Notes:

§Durling§

§Ten§

§Acres§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to John Burling, a planter of the island, 10 acres of land in the East Division. The parcel was bounded on the north, south and east by the Company's unused land, and on the west by the leased land of John Worrall, under Simons Waterfall in Deep Valley.

John Burling and his heirs were to hold the 10 acres, with all the wood, water, watercourses and other rights and appurtenances standing, growing or belonging to the ground, from 25 March next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Burling and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Burling was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 1 shilling and 6 pence, a figure that already included the 1 shilling duty an acre. The rent fell due each year on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Burling and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 10 acres within one year of 25 March, on pain of paying double duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed with a good fence, the ground was to be kept in constant repair. The whole parcel was to be set apart and kept solely for planting and raising trees for fuel and other uses, and for no other purpose.

Once the land was properly fenced, Burling and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 10 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Burling and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island. They were to keep the ground free and clear of weeds and the soil well loosened, so that the young trees would grow better and reach maturity, and to take care to replant fresh trees in place of any that died or were destroyed.

In confirmation of all this, John Burling set his hand and seal on 26 January 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 10-acre parcel.]

Interpretations

The very low rent of 1 shilling and 6 pence, said to already include the 1 shilling duty, set this lease well below the usual agricultural rate of 5 shillings an acre. The reduced charge attached to ground reserved entirely for growing fuel timber, so the Company traded rental income for a managed source of wood that the island badly needed.

The reservation of the whole 10 acres for planting and raising trees for fuel marks this as a dedicated fuel plantation rather than ordinary farming ground. Wood for burning was under heavy strain on the island, so the Company tied the leasehold to the supply of fuel, binding the tenant to weed, loosen the soil and replant losses so the plot would yield a steady crop of timber.

The grant of the wood, water and watercourses on the ground gave Burling the use of the spring and stream rising under Simons Waterfall in Deep Valley. Access to running water was essential for raising young trees on a dry island, so the inclusion of the watercourse supported the planting purpose written into the lease.

The boundary against John Worrall's leased land fits the documented pattern of holdings in this part of Deep Valley. Burling held a neighbouring 2-acre gumwood parcel earlier in John Harding's possession, and the cluster of small leases here fixed the Burling, Worrall and Company ground against one another under the Main Ridge.

Speculations

The lease pairs a near-nominal rent with a strict duty to keep the whole parcel under fuel timber and nothing else. The arrangement looks designed to make an unprofitable obligation attractive, since no tenant would take ground he could not farm at the full rate. By cutting the rent to a token sum, the Company secured a fuel plantation it could not otherwise have placed in private hands.

241

225

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena

§the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto John

§Knipe iun[r] of the said Island Soldier All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing Six

§Acres butting North upon the Lease Land of In[o] Worrall, South & West upon

§the Lease Land of Eben Leech & East upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] west Land, And also

§one other Parcell of Land containing one Acre commonly called and

§known by the Name of the Salt Spring & bounded on all Sides by the

§Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land To have & to hold all the Said hereby

§Demised Seven Acres of Land, with all other the Rights Commodities &

§with all the Wood, Water Water Courses (except as hereafter is excepted)

§Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said

§John Knipe from the 25th day of December last past for & during all

§the Space & Term of Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon

§Condition that he the Said John Knipe his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§or Allowed Assigns Shall & do always bear true Faith & Allegeance

§to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successors & to the Said

§Hon[ble] United Company & their Successours & Shall duely obey all the

§Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying

§therefore yearly & every Year during the Said Term aforesaid unto them

§the Said Hon[ble] United Company their Successours Agents or Assigns

§the yearly Rent of four Shillings & Acre besides one Shilling Duty being

§in the whole five Shillings & Acre at the Feast of the Annunciation of

§the blessed Virgin Mary Provided always that he the Said John

§Knipe his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set

§about & Fence in the Said hereby Admised Seven Acres of Land with

§a good, legal & Sufficient Fence & when so fenced & Enclosed Shall the

§Same keep in good Condition & constant Repair & Shall not Suffer

§the Ground or Soile to run out nor Shall destroy the Wood now

§growing thereon but Shall keep & Preserve a proportionable Quantity

§of Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made &

§Provided; & Shall moreover for the good & benefit of the Neighbourhood

§leave out & not enclose only so much of the Spring or Water arising

§& Issuing out of the Said Parcell of Six Acres as by the Governour &

§Council for the time being Shall be adjudged reasonable Nor Shall

§You the Said John Knipe Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns alter§

§the Said Hon[ble] United Company their Successours Agents or Assigns

§the yearly Rent of four Shillings & Acre besides one Shilling Duty being

§in the whole five Shillings & Acre at the Feast of the Annunciation of

§the blessed Virgin Mary Provided always that he the Said John

§Knipe his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set

§about & Fence in the Said hereby Admised Seven Acres of Land with

§a good, legal & Sufficient Fence & when so fenced & Enclosed Shall the

§Same keep in good Condition & constant Repair & Shall not Suffer

§the Ground or Soile to run out nor Shall destroy the Wood now

§growing thereon but Shall keep & Preserve a proportionable Quantity

§of Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made &

§Provided; & Shall moreover for the good & benefit of the Neighbourhood

§leave out & not enclose only so much of the Spring or Water arising

§& Issuing out of the Said Parcell of Six Acres as by the Governour &

§Council for the time being Shall be adjudged reasonable Nor Shall

§You the Said John Knipe Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns alter

§the Said Fences after they are made they being the Land Marks &

§Bounds of the Said hereby demised Seven Acres which in Such Case

§would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan hereunto Annexed,

§Nor Shall You Your heirs or Assigns Sell or otherwise dispose of this

§Lease or Interest in the Same without the leave & consent of the Gov[r]

§& Council for the time being, first had & obtained In Witness whereof

§he the Said John Knipe hath hereunto Set his hand & Seale this

§2 day of Febry 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Company to the

§other part of these Presents have caused their common Seale to be

§Affixed the day & Year just beforementioned§

§Signed & Sealed in the

§Presence of [...]§

§John Knipe§

Margin Notes:

§Knipe§

§Six Acres§

§One Acre§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to John Knipe junior, a soldier of the island, two parcels of land. The first was 6 acres, bounded on the north by the leased land of John Worrall, on the south and west by the leased land of Eben Leech, and on the east by the Company's unused land. The second was 1 acre commonly known by the name of the Salt Spring, bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

John Knipe and his heirs were to hold both parcels, together 7 acres, with all the wood, water and watercourses, except as later reserved, and all other rights and appurtenances belonging to them, from 25 December last past for 21 years. The grant depended on Knipe and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Knipe was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, at the feast of the Annunciation, that is 25 March, throughout the 21 years.

Knipe and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 7 acres with a good and proper fence. Once it was fenced and enclosed, they were to keep it in good condition and constant repair. They were not to let the ground or soil run out, nor to destroy the timber then growing on it, but were to keep and preserve a fair quantity of wood as the island's laws required.

For the benefit of the neighbourhood, Knipe and his heirs were to leave open and not enclose as much of the spring or water rising and flowing out of the 6-acre parcel as the Governor and Council judged reasonable. Once the fences and boundary marks were properly made, they were not to alter them, since doing so would change the plan attached to the lease. Knipe and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, John Knipe junior set his hand and seal on 2 February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: a parcel of 6 acres, shown beside a separate parcel of 1 acre.]

Interpretations

The reservation of the Salt Spring as a named 1-acre parcel marks the water source as a distinct and valued feature within the grant. The byname fixed the parcel by its spring rather than by survey alone, and the separate treatment of the acre shows the Company tracking the spring as a recognisable holding in its own right.

The duty to leave open as much of the spring water as the Governor and Council judged reasonable carved a public reservation out of Knipe's private holding. Water on a dry island was a shared resource, so the Company kept discretionary control over access to the supply rising in the 6-acre parcel, preventing one tenant from cutting off his neighbours.

The lighter obligation on timber, requiring only that Knipe preserve the existing wood rather than plant out fresh trees, suited ground that already carried growing timber. The duty matched the lease to the state of the land, since standing wood needed protection rather than the heavy planting covenants imposed where the ground was bare.

The boundaries against John Worrall and Eben Leech place this parcel within the documented cluster of small Deep Valley leases. Both neighbours held adjoining leasehold ground in the same area, and the grant fixed the Knipe, Worrall and Leech parcels against one another under the Company's title.

Speculations

The lease singles out the spring for protection while charging the full agricultural rate of 5 shillings an acre on the whole 7 acres. The arrangement looks designed to balance Knipe's interest in a workable holding against the wider need for shared water, leaving the Governor and Council a discretionary lever over how much of the supply stayed in common use rather than fixing the reservation at a set amount that might later prove too little or too much.

242

226

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St

§Helena the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies do hereby Demise Grant Sett & to farm let

§unto Isaac Wood & John Desfountain of the Said Island All that Peice

§or Parcell of Land containing four Acres & half Acre lying upon the

§Main Ridge butting & bounding North upon the freehold Land of them

§the Said Isaac Wood & John Desfountain, West upon the freehold Land of James

§Draper deceased, East upon other the Land of him the Said Isaac Wood, &

§South upon the Main Ridge, To have & to hold the Said hereby

§demised four Acres & half of Land together with all & Singular the Wood

§Water, Water Courses, together with all other the Rights Commodities

§& Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto them the

§Said Isaac Wood & John Desfountain their & each of their heirs Ex[rs]

§Adm[rs] or allowed Assigns as joynt Tenants from 25th day of Dec[r] last

§past for & during all the Space & Term of Twenty one Years from thence

§next ensuing Upon Condition that they the Said Isaac Wood, &

§John Desfountain their heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] & Assigns do always bear

§true faith & Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs

§& Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successours & Shall

§duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding

§& Paying therefore Yearly & every Year during the whole Term & Time

§of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their

§Successours Agents or Assigns the annual Rent or Sum of four

§Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings &

§Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Annunciation of

§the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Term & Time of twenty one Years

§as aforesaid Provided that they the Said Isaac Wood & John

§Desfountain their heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall immediatly Set

§about & Fence in the Said demised four Acres & half of Land within

§the Space of one year to commence from the Said 25th day of December

§as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to the Said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns for all the time the

§Said Parcell of Land or any Part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced, &

§when the Same is so Enclosed the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept

§in good Condition & Repair as often as need Shall be & require, &

§Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion§

§the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Term & Time of twenty one Years

§as aforesaid Provided that they the Said Isaac Wood & John

§Desfountain their heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall immediatly Set

§about & Fence in the Said demised four Acres & half of Land within

§the Space of one year to commence from the Said 25th day of December

§as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to the Said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns for all the time the

§Said Parcell of Land or any Part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced, &

§when the Same is so Enclosed the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept

§in good Condition & Repair as often as need Shall be & require, &

§Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§of Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made &

§Provided, & Shall likewise Plant Furze round about the Said Fences

§at proper Seasons of the Year & when the aforesaid Parcell of Land is

§so Fenced & Planted with Wood & Furze as aforesaid You the Said

§Isaac Wood & John Desfountain Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns

§Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences they being the bounds or

§Land Marks of the aforesaid four Acres & half of Land & which in

§Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plot or Plan hereunto

§annexed; nor Shall You or either of You Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns

§Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest in the Same

§without the leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council for the time being

§first had & obtained In Witness whereof they the Said Isaac Wood

§& John Desfountain have hereunto Set their hand & Seale this 2 day

§of February 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] to the other Part of

§these Presents have caused their common Seale to be affixed the day &

§Year just before mentioned§

§Sealed & Delivered

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Isaac Wood§

§Ih[o] Desfountain§

Margin Notes:

§Wood§

§Desfountaine§

§Four Acres ½§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Isaac Wood and John Desfountain of the island 4 and a half acres of land on the Main Ridge. The parcel was bounded on the north by the freehold land of Isaac Wood and John Desfountain themselves, on the west by the freehold land of James Draper, deceased, on the east by other land of Isaac Wood, and on the south by the Main Ridge.

Isaac Wood and John Desfountain, holding as joint tenants, together with their heirs, were to hold the 4 and a half acres with all the wood, water, watercourses and other rights and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 December last past for 21 years. The grant depended on Wood and Desfountain and those after them staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Wood and Desfountain were to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Wood and Desfountain and their heirs had to start at once and fence the 4 and a half acres within one year of 25 December, on pain of paying double rent or duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good condition and repaired as often as needed.

Wood and Desfountain were also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber as the island's laws required. They were to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced and planted with timber and furze, they were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 4 and a half acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Wood and Desfountain and their heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Isaac Wood and John Desfountain set their hands and seals on 2 February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and delivered in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 4-and-a-half-acre parcel.]

Interpretations

The lease ran to two holders as joint tenants rather than to a single tenant, binding Isaac Wood and John Desfountain together under one undivided title. The joint-tenancy form held each man liable for the whole of the covenants while keeping the ground from being split, and on the death of either the survivor would take the entire interest.

The boundaries fixed the leased ground against the holders' own freehold on two sides, with their freehold to the north and Wood's separate land to the east. The grant slotted a Company leasehold into a block the pair already owned, drawing the rented acres into a contiguous holding rather than placing them on isolated ground.

The requirement to plant timber and to set furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze served as a fast-growing fence reinforcement and fuel crop on a dry island, so the duty combined boundary maintenance with the wider effort to keep a steady supply of burning material and standing timber under Company oversight.

The western boundary against the freehold of James Draper, deceased, records the descent of the neighbouring ground. Draper held land under Great Wood Ridge in this part of the island, and his death by this date fixed the recent passing of a recognised Sandy Bay and Fishers Valley holder whose name continued to mark the bounds.

Speculations

The lease fits a small rented parcel into ground Wood and Desfountain already held in freehold, and grants it to the two men jointly. The arrangement looks designed to round out their existing block while keeping it whole, using the joint-tenancy form so that the rented acres would pass automatically to the survivor and stay tied to the freehold rather than fragmenting between separate heirs.

243

227

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island

§St Helena the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm Lett

§unto James Vaughn of the Said Island Soldier All that Peice or Parcell

§of Land containing Six Acres butting North upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys]

§west Land, South upon a parcell of freehold Land now in the Possession

§of Elizabeth Marsh East upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] west Land & on the [...]

§partly upon the said Hon[ble] Comp[ys] west & partly upon the Lands of

§James Ryder To have and to hold the said hereby demised

§Acres of Land with all & Singular the Rights Commodities & Appurt[s]

§thereunto belonging or in any wise Appertaining unto him the Said

§James Vaughn his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or allowed Assigns from the

§day of Dec[r] last past for & during all the Space & Sum of Twenty

§one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that the

§Said James Vaughn his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns do always

§true Faith & Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his

§& Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successors & Shall

§Duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding

§& Paying therefore yearly & every Year during the whole Term & &

§of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company

§Successours Agents or Assigns the Annual Rent or Sum of four

§Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings &

§in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annun[ciation]

§of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Said Term & Time of

§Twenty one Years as aforesaid Provided that he the Said

§James Vaughn his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall immediatly

§Set about & Fence in the Said demised Six Acres of Land with[in the]

§Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of December

§as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to[the]

§Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns for all

§time the Said Six Acres of Land or any part thereof Shall lye op[en]

§& & & & Unfenced & when the Same Shall be so Enclosed the Sam[e]

§every part thereof Shall be kept in good Condition & Repair as

§often as need Shall be & Require & Shall also Plant Maintain

§Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to§

§Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of December

§as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to[the]

§Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns for all

§time the Said Six Acres of Land or any part thereof Shall lye op[en]

§& & & & Unfenced & when the Same Shall be so Enclosed the Sam[e]

§every part thereof Shall be kept in good Condition & Repair as

§often as need Shall be & Require & Shall also Plant Maintain

§Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to

§Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall

§likewise Plant Furze round about the Said Fences at proper

§Seasons of the Year & when the Said Parcell of Land is so Fenced

§Planted with Wood & Furze as aforesaid You the Said James Vaughn

§Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the

§Fences they being the Bounds or Land Marks of the aforesaid

§Acres which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the [...]

§or Plan hereunto annexed; nor Shall You Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest in [the]

§Same without Leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council for the time

§being first had & obtained In Witness whereof he the Said J[ames]

§Vaughn hath hereunto Set his hand & Seale his hand & Seale

§2[d] day of Febry 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] to the o[ther]

§part of these Presents have affixed their common Seal the day &

§just beforementioned§

§Sealed & Delivered in

§the Presence of [...]§

§James Vaughn§

Margin Notes:

§Vaughn§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to James Vaughn, a soldier of the island, 6 acres of land. The parcel was bounded on the north by the Company's unused land, on the south by a parcel of freehold land then held by Elizabeth Marsh, and on the east by the Company's unused land. On a further side it lay partly against the Company's unused land and partly against the land of James Ryder.

James Vaughn and his heirs were to hold the 6 acres, with all the rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 December last past for 21 years. The grant depended on Vaughn and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Vaughn was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Vaughn and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 6 acres within one year of 25 December, on pain of paying double rent or duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good condition and repaired as often as needed.

Vaughn was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced and planted with timber and furze, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the ground and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Vaughn and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, James Vaughn set his hand and seal on [...] February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 6-acre parcel, marked north, east and south.]

Interpretations

The southern boundary against the freehold of Elizabeth Marsh fits the documented pattern of her holdings. Marsh was a widow who took urban and rural property in her own right, and her freehold here marked the edge of the new leasehold, placing a woman's independent holding alongside the Company's grant to Vaughn.

The boundary against James Ryder records the neighbouring tenure of another recent leaseholder in the same district. Ryder held gumwood ground in the West Division under his own Company leases, and the grant fixed the Vaughn and Ryder parcels against one another within the cluster of small holdings.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as a fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to maintain a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The grant fixes the 6 acres between Elizabeth Marsh's freehold, James Ryder's land and the Company's waste on the remaining sides. The arrangement looks designed to fit a fresh leasehold into the gaps between established neighbours, slotting Vaughn's ground against recognised holdings so the new parcel filled out the settled pattern rather than opening isolated waste at a distance from existing tenants.

244

228

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena

§the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies do hereby Demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto Stephen

§Praise Pledger & Samuel Iossey Iun[r] of the Said Island All that

§Peice or Parcell of Land containing two Acres lying at the bottom of

§Stone Top Valley & butting & bounding on all Sides upon the Hon[ble]

§Companies West Land To have and to hold all the Said hereby

§demised two Acres of Land with all & Singular the Rights Commodities &

§Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto them the

§Said Stephen Praise Pledger & Samuel Iossey their & each of their heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or allowed Assigns as joynt Tenants from the 25th day of

§December last past for & during all the Space & Term of twenty one Years

§from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that they the Said

§Stephen Praise Pledger & Samuel Iossey Shall & do always bear true

§faith & Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs and

§Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] & their Successours & Shall duely

§obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding

§& Paying therefore yearly & every year during the whole Term & Time

§of twenty one years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their

§Successours Agents or Assigns the annual Rent or Sum of four

§Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings &

§Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of the

§Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Term &

§Time of twenty one Years as aforesaid Provided that they the Said

§Stephen Praise Pledger & Samuel Iossey their heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns Shall immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said two Acres of

§Land within the Space of one year to commence from the Said 25th day of

§December as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent for &

§Duty to the Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns

§for all the time the Said Parcell of Land or any part thereof Shall lye

§open & Unfenced & when the Same is so Fenced or Enclosed the Same

§every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair as often as need

§Shall be & Require & Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full

§Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the Laws of this Island§

§Time of twenty one Years as aforesaid Provided that they the Said

§Stephen Praise Pledger & Samuel Iossey their heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns Shall immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said two Acres of

§Land within the Space of one year to commence from the Said 25th day of

§December as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent for &

§Duty to the Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns

§for all the time the Said Parcell of Land or any part thereof Shall lye

§open & Unfenced & when the Same is so Fenced or Enclosed the Same

§every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair as often as need

§Shall be & Require & Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full

§Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the Laws of this Island

§in that Case made & provided & Shall likewise plant Furze round about

§the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year & when the aforesaid Parcell

§of Land is so Fenced & Planted with Wood & Furze as aforesaid You the

§Said Stephen Praise Pledger & Samuel Iossey Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences they being the bounds

§or Land Marks of the aforesaid two Acres of Land & which in Such

§Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plot or Plan hereunto annexed;

§nor Shall You or either of Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Sell or any

§other way dispose of this Lease or Interest in the Same without the leave

§& Consent of the Governour & Council for the time being first had and

§obtained In Witness whereof they the Said Steph[n] Praise Pledger &

§Samuel Iossey have hereunto Set their hand & Seale this 2 day of

§Febry 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] to the other part of these

§Presents have affixed their common Seale the day & Year beforewritten§

§& Sealed in

§[Presen]ce of [...]§

§Steep P Pledger§

§[...] Iossey§

Margin Notes:

§Pledger &

§Iossey§

§Two Acres§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Stephen Praise Pledger and Samuel Jesey junior of the island 2 acres of land at the bottom of Stonetop Valley. The parcel was bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Stephen Praise Pledger and Samuel Jesey, holding as joint tenants, together with their heirs, were to hold the 2 acres, with all the rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 December last past for 21 years. The grant depended on Pledger and Jesey and those after them staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Pledger and Jesey were to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Pledger and Jesey and their heirs had to start at once and fence the 2 acres within one year of 25 December, on pain of paying double rent or duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repaired as often as needed.

Pledger and Jesey were also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced and planted with timber and furze, they were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 2 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Pledger and Jesey and their heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Stephen Praise Pledger and Samuel Jesey set their hands and seals on 2 February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 2-acre parcel.]

Interpretations

The lease ran to two holders as joint tenants rather than to a single tenant, binding Stephen Praise Pledger and Samuel Jesey together under one undivided title. The joint-tenancy form held each man liable for the whole of the covenants while keeping the ground from being split, and on the death of either the survivor would take the entire interest.

The compound name Stephen Praise Pledger ties this holder to the documented Pledger family of the island. Praise Pledger the planter received Sharks Valley ground as a gift from Benjamin Seale on 16 January 1694, and the Puritan-style name carried forward into this generation, marking the continuity of the family across the records.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied the small 2-acre lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so even a minor holding was bound into the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The grant places a 2-acre parcel hemmed in on every side by Company waste into the joint hands of two holders. The arrangement looks designed to bring a small isolated plot into productive use without dividing it, using the joint-tenancy form so that the ground would pass whole to the survivor rather than fragmenting, and pairing two tenants to share the fencing and planting burden on a parcel too small to carry it easily alone.

245

229

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island

§St Helena the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England

§Trading to the East Indies do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm let

§unto Francis Iunge of the said Island Atmaron All that Peice or Parcell

§of Land containing half an Acre butting & bounding North upon other

§the Land of him the Said Francis Iunge, South & East upon Lease Land

§now in the Possession of Richard Mason & West upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys]

§west Land To have and to hold All the Said hereby demised

§half Acre of Land with all & Singular the Wood Water Water Courses

§Springs & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances

§thereunto belonging or Appertaining, unto him the Said Francis

§Iunge his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or allowed Assigns from the day of the

§date of these presents for & during all the Term & Time of twenty one

§Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that he the

§Said Francis Iunge & his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§always bear true Faith & Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord & King

§George his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company and their

§& Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the

§Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year during

§the whole Term & Time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto their

§Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns the

§annual Rent or Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty

§Amounting for the Said half Acre to the Sum of two Shillings &

§Six pence in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of

§the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the

§Term & time of twenty one Years as aforesaid Provided that

§he the Said Francis Iunge his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall

§immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said half Acre of Land within

§the Space of one Year commencing from the date of these Presents under

§Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§their Successours Agents or Assigns for all the time the Said Parcell

§of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced as aforesaid§

§immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said half Acre of Land within

§the Space of one Year commencing from the date of these Presents under

§Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§their Successours Agents or Assigns for all the time the Said Parcell

§of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced as aforesaid

§& when the Same is so fenced & Enclosed the Same & every part thereof

§Shall be kept in good Order & Repair as often as need Shall be &

§require & Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity

§& Proportion of Wood thereon according to the Laws of this Island

§in that Case made, & provided & Shall likewise Plant Furze round

§about the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year & when the

§Said Parcell of Land is so fenced & Planted as aforesaid You the

§Said Francis Iunge Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall not

§alter or remove the Said Fences they being the Bounds or Land Marks

§of the aforesaid half Acre of Land & which in Such Case would

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plot or Plan hereunto annexed, &

§moreover leave out & the Gov[r] & Council for the time being Shall

§Order & Direct, a Quantity of Water Sufficient for Cattle that

§Graze or feed upon the Common or waste Land to Drink at, And

§nor You the Said F[s] Iunge Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall

§Sell or otherways dispose of this Lease or Interest therein without

§Leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council for the time being In

§Witness whereof he the Said Fran[s] Iunge hath hereunto Set his hand

§& Seale this 2[d] day of Febry 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Company to

§the other part of these Presents have Caused their common Seale to

§be affixed the day & Year aforesaid§

§Fran[s] Iunge§

§Signed & Sealed in

§the Presence of [...]§

§N°§

§S°§

§E°§

§Half an Acre§

Margin Notes:

§Iunge§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Francis Junge of the island half an acre of land. The parcel was bounded on the north by other leased land of Francis Junge himself, on the south and east by the land then held by Richard Mason, and on the west by the Company's unused land.

Francis Junge and his heirs were to hold the half acre, with all the wood, water, watercourses, springs and other rights and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Junge and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Junge was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, which for the half acre came to 2 shillings and 6 pence in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Junge and his heirs had to start at once and fence the half acre within one year of the date of the lease, on pain of paying double rent or duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repaired as often as needed.

Junge was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced and planted with timber and furze, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the half acre and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease.

For the benefit of the neighbourhood, Junge and his heirs were to leave open as much water as the Governor and Council ordered and directed, enough for cattle that grazed or fed on the common or unused land to drink. Junge and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Francis Junge set his hand and seal on 2 February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the half-acre parcel, marked south.]

Interpretations

The duty to leave open enough water for grazing cattle marks a public reservation carved out of Junge's private holding. On a dry island, watering points for stock were a shared necessity, so the Company kept discretionary control over the supply rising on the half acre, ensuring that animals feeding on the surrounding common ground could still reach water.

The grant of the springs and watercourses on so small a parcel shows that the half acre carried a water source of value beyond its size. The reservation for cattle then qualified that grant, so the lease gave Junge the ground while keeping the water available to the wider neighbourhood under the Governor and Council's direction.

The northern boundary against Junge's own leased land shows the half acre rounding out an existing holding. The grant slotted a small addition against ground he already rented, drawing the parcel into a contiguous block rather than placing it on isolated waste.

The southern and eastern boundaries against Richard Mason's land fix the parcel within the documented cluster of holdings in this district. Mason held neighbouring leased ground that had earlier passed through Francis Junge, so the two names recur against one another across the records of the area.

Speculations

The lease grants the springs on the half acre to Junge while reserving a cattle-watering supply to the wider common under the Governor and Council's direction. The arrangement looks designed to settle a likely conflict before it arose, since enclosing a water source on grazing land would otherwise cut off the surrounding stock. By fixing the reservation to the council's discretion rather than a set amount, the Company kept a flexible lever over how much water stayed in common use.

246

230

[Lower right corner of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the final lines of the main text and the area beside the signature.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena

§the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto Giles Smith

§of the Said Island Carpenter All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing

§Three Acres lying in Lemon Valley butting North, East & South upon the

§Hon[ble] Companies west Land & South upon Eight Acres of Lease Land

§now or late in the Possession of John Goodwin & Frances Wrangham To

§have and to hold All the Said hereby demised Three Acres

§of Land with all the Wood Water Water Courses & all other the Rights

§Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining

§unto him the Said Giles Smith his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the

§25th day of December last past for & during all the Term & Time of

§Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition

§that he the Said Giles Smith his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall &

§do always bear true Faith & Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord King

§George his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their

§Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said

§Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year during

§the whole Term & Time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns the annual

§Rent or Sum of four Shillings & & & one Shilling Duty being in

§all five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March being the

§Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all

§the Term & Time of twenty one Years as aforesaid Provided that he

§the Said Giles Smith his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said Three Acres of Land

§within the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th of December

§as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to the Said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns for all the time

§the Said Parcell of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced

§& when the Same is so fenced & Enclosed the Same & every part thereof

§Shall be kept in good Order & Repair as often as need Shall be & require

§& when the Same is so finished as aforesaid You the Said Giles Smith

§your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said§

§within the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th of December

§as aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty to the Said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns for all the time

§the Said Parcell of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced

§& when the Same is so fenced & Enclosed the Same & every part thereof

§Shall be kept in good Order & Repair as often as need Shall be & require

§& when the Same is so finished as aforesaid You the Said Giles Smith

§your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said

§Fences they being the bounds or Land Marks of the aforesaid Three

§Acres of Land & which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plot or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall You Your heirs Ex[rs]

§Adm[rs] or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or

§Interest in the Same without the leave & Consent of the Govern[r]

§& Council for the time being first had & obtained In Witness

§whereof he the Said Giles Smith hath hereunto Set his hand

§this 2[d] day of February 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Company

§other part of these Presents have Caused their common Seale

§affixed the day & Year just beforewritten§

§Giles Smith§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

Margin Notes:

§Smith§

§[...] his heirs or Assigns West upon Lease Land Penalty

§[...] heirs or Assigns from the Said Lease West upon Penalty

§[...] [...] their Heirs or Assigns West Upon other the [...] [...]

§[...] Persons whatsoever their heirs or Assigns West upon

§[...] [...] [...] [...] Giles Smith his heirs or Assigns from the Said Lease West upon the Penalty

§[...] or otherways dispose to the clandestinely Vent or board the Penalty

§[...] or otherways Goods to the Governour & Council for the time being under the Penalty

§[...] immediatly give Notice to the Governour & Council Such Forfeitable or Unprofitable as

§[...] distribution either of the Articles beforementioned

§[...] [...] Persons whatsoever their heirs or Assigns West upon Penalty

§[...] or conceal any Sum Goods or Wares or any way Goods Notice

§[...] Suffering for neglect or Disposeation either of the

§[...] Knowledge thereof Shall immediatly give Notice

§[...] or conceal any Sum Goods or Wares immediatly give Notice

§[...] [...] Shall not conceal any Sum Goods or

§[...] their Heirs nor Shall their heirs or

§[...] no Witness Shall

§[...] Council think proper to inflict§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Giles Smith, a carpenter of the island, 3 acres of land in Simons Valley. The parcel was bounded on the north, east and south by the Company's unused land, and on the south again by 8 acres of leased land then or recently held by John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham.

Giles Smith and his heirs were to hold the 3 acres, with all the wood, water, watercourses and other rights and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 December last past for 21 years. The grant depended on Smith and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Smith was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Smith and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 3 acres within one year of 25 December, on pain of paying double rent or duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repaired as often as needed.

Once the fence was finished, Smith and his heirs were not to alter or remove it, since it marked the bounds of the 3 acres and shifting it would change the plan attached to the lease. Smith and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

A further condition required that Smith and his heirs were not to harbour or conceal any person or persons, nor their goods, nor to allow this through neglect, but were to give immediate notice to the Governor and Council. On any failure to give such notice, the council could dispose of the holding as it thought proper.

In confirmation of all this, Giles Smith set his hand on [...] February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

Interpretations

The added condition against harbouring or concealing people or their goods set this lease apart from the ordinary tree-planting and fencing covenants. The duty bound the tenant to act as an informant to the Governor and Council, turning a landholding obligation into an instrument of social control, with forfeiture of the holding as the penalty for sheltering unauthorised persons or hidden goods.

The boundary against the 8 acres held by John Goodwin and Francis Wrangham fixes this parcel within a documented cluster of Simons Valley and Lemon Valley holdings. The two men held adjoining leasehold ground together in this district, and the grant slotted Smith's 3 acres against their joint parcel.

The grant to Giles Smith as carpenter ties this holding to the documented master craftsman who served as a recognised institutional anchor. Smith was a joiner and carpenter who took apprentices and stood as a life-nominee in other leases, and his trade gave him a settled standing independent of family connections.

The omission of the usual timber-planting and furze covenants, present in the neighbouring leases of the same period, marks a lighter set of obligations on this parcel. The lease required only fencing, repair and the harbouring restriction, suggesting ground where the standard conservation duties were not imposed.

Speculations

The lease carries an unusual clause forbidding the concealment of people or goods, backed by loss of the holding. The provision looks aimed at a specific concern with unauthorised settlement or smuggling, using the leverage of land tenure to recruit a tenant near the edge of the settled district as a watch against persons or goods moving outside the council's oversight. The threat of forfeiture made the duty to inform a real cost rather than a formality.

247

231

[Parts of the page are missing: the upper left corner is torn away, affecting the opening words of the first line, and a large loss runs down the lower left and across the foot of the page, affecting the left ends of the lower lines and the area beside the signature.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble]

§the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies

§do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto Ioseph Desfountain of the

§Said Island Corporal All those two Peices or Parcells of Land containing

§together Two Acres (being in lieu & in Consideration of other two Acres

§of Land which he the Said Ioseph Desfountain lately Surrendred for the

§Use & benefit of the Said Hon[ble] Company) One Acre & half thereof lying below

§Chub Spring in Chappell Valley butting & bounding South upon other his

§Lease Land & upon the Said Spring, North, East & West upon the Said Hon[ble]

§Companies West Land & the other Parcell of half an Acre lying adjoining

§or contiguous thereunto & bounded on all Sides by the Said Hon[ble] Companies

§West Land And also one other Acre of Land lying in the Said Valley

§butting North upon the freee Land of him the Said Ihs Desfountain, & South,

§East & West upon the Said Hon[ble] Comp[ys] west Land To have and to

§hold All the Said hereby demised Three Parcells of Land containing in the

§whole three Acres with all the Wood Water Water Courses & all other the Rights

§Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto

§him the Said Ios Desfountain his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or allowed Assigns from

§the 25th day of December last past for & during all the Term & Time of

§Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that

§he the Said Ios Desfountain his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§always bear true faith & Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord King George

§his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successours &

§Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island

§Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year during the whole

§Term & Time of twenty one Years aforesaid unto them the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§their Successours Agents or Assigns the annual Rent or Sum of four

§Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings & Acre

§in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation

§of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Term & Time of Twenty one

§Years as aforesaid Provided that he the Said Ios Desfountaine

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set about and

§Fence in the Said Three Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence with[in]

§the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of December as

§aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duties to the Said§

§their Successours Agents or Assigns the annual Rent or Sum of four

§Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings & Acre

§in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation

§of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Term & Time of Twenty one

§Years as aforesaid Provided that he the Said Ios Desfountaine

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set about and

§Fence in the Said Three Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence with[in]

§the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of December as

§aforesaid under Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duties to the Said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns for all the time the

§Said Three Acres of Land or any part or Parcell thereof Shall lye open &

§Unfenced & when it Shall be so fenced or Enclosed the Same & every part

§thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair as often as need Shall be & require

§& when the Same is so finished as aforesaid You Shall moreover Plant

§Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood thereon

§according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall

§also Plant Furze round about the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year

§& Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences after they are made they being

§the bounds or Land marks of the aforesaid Parcells of Land which in Such

§Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plot or Plan hereunto annexed

§nor Shall You & your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Sell or any other way

§dispose of this Lease or Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the

§Govern[r] & Council for the time being first had & obtained In Witness

§whereof he the Said Ios Desfountain hath hereunto Set his hand & Seale

§this 6 day of Febry 1730 & they the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other

§part of these Presents have caused their common Seale to be affixed the

§day & Year beforewritten§

§[...] Desfountain§

§Sealed in

§[Presence] of [...]§

§N°§

§1 ½ Acre§

§1 ½ One Acre half§

§Acre§

Margin Notes:

§Desfountaine§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Joseph Desfountain, a corporal of the island, three parcels of land. The first two parcels together made 2 acres, granted in place of two other acres that Desfountain had recently surrendered for the benefit of the Company. One acre and a half of this lay below the Chub Spring in Chapel Valley, bounded on the south by other leased land of Desfountain himself and on the spring, and on the north, east and west by the Company's unused land. The other parcel was half an acre of hay land lying adjoining and contiguous to it, bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

The third was one further acre of land in the same valley, bounded on the north by the freehold land of Desfountain himself, and on the south, east and west by the Company's unused land.

Joseph Desfountain and his heirs were to hold all three parcels, together 3 acres, with all the wood, water, watercourses and other rights and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 December last past for 21 years. The grant depended on Desfountain and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Desfountain was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Desfountain and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 3 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 December, on pain of paying double rent or duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repaired as often as needed.

Desfountain was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the land and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Desfountain and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Joseph Desfountain set his hand and seal on 2 February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of [...].

[Plan: a parcel of half an acre, and a second parcel of 1 acre and a half marked One acre and half, with a further parcel marked Acre.]

Interpretations

The grant was made expressly in place of two acres Desfountain had recently surrendered to the Company. The surrender-and-regrant mechanism let the Company reorganise his holding, taking back ground it wanted and issuing replacement parcels of equal acreage, so the tenant kept his total while the Company adjusted the layout to its own benefit.

The reservation of ground below the Chub Spring in Chapel Valley fixes part of the holding by a named water feature. The spring anchored the parcel to a recognisable point on the ground, and the inclusion of the watercourse in the grant supported the planting and husbandry duties written into the lease.

The half acre of hay land marks a parcel set aside for fodder rather than timber or general use. Hay ground was a recognised category in the island's tenures, and its inclusion alongside the spring parcel and the freehold-bounded acre shows Desfountain holding a mix of land types under one grant.

The boundaries against Desfountain's own freehold and other leased land show the new parcels rounding out an existing block. The grant slotted the replacement ground against holdings he already had, keeping his land contiguous rather than scattering the regranted acres at a distance.

Speculations

The lease issues three parcels of equal total acreage to replace two acres Desfountain gave up, fixing them against his existing freehold and leasehold. The arrangement looks designed to let the Company recover and redistribute ground it wanted back while leaving the tenant no worse off, repackaging his holding into a single fresh tenure that absorbed the spring and the hay land and kept the whole block together under one rent and renewal cycle.

248

232

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island

§St Helena the Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England Trading

§to the East Indies do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto Frances

§Wrangham of the Said Island Planter All those two Peices or Parcells of

§Land containing each one Acre lying in Sandy Valley one of the Said Parcells

§of Land butting & bounding North &c & other butting & bounding South

§upon other the Lease Land of him the Said Frances Wrangham & the Said are

§or all parts & Sides butting & bounding upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] west

§Land To have and to hold All the Said hereby demised Two

§Acres of Land with & all & Singular the Rights Commodities Appurti-

§nances thereunto belonging or Appertaining of what nature Sort or kind

§soever unto him the Said Frances Wrangham his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or allowed

§Assigns from the 25th day of Dec[r] last past for & during all the Term &

§Time of Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition

§that he the Said Frances Wrangham his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§always bear true Faith & Allegeance to Our Soveraign Lord King George

§his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successours &

§Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island

§Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year during the whole Term

§of twenty one Years aforesaid unto them the Said Hon[ble] Company their

§Successours Agents or Assigns the annual Rent or Sum of four Shillings

§& Acre & one Shilling Duty being in the whole five Shillings & Acre

§in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation

§of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all & & & Term of Twenty one Years

§as aforesaid Provided that he the Said Frances Wrangham his heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said

§Two Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of

§one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of Dec[r] as aforesaid under

§Penalty of Paying double Rent or Duty for all the Term Time the Said

§Two Acres of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when

§it Shall be so fenced or Enclosed the Same & every part thereof Shall be

§kept in good Order & Repair as often as need Shall be & require & when

§the Same is so finished as aforesaid You Shall moreover Plant Maintain

§& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood thereon according to

§the Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall also Plant

§Furze round about the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year & Shall

§not alter or remove the Said Fences after they are made they being the

§Bounds or Land Marks of the aforesaid Parcells of Land which in Such

§Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plot or Plan hereunto

§annexed, & nor Shall You the Said Fran[s] Wrangham Your heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§or Assigns Sell or any otherways dispose of this Lease or Interest therein

§without the leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council for the time being first had &

§obtained In Witness whereof he the Said Fran[s] Wrangham hath

§hereunto Set his hand & Seale this 6 day of Febry 1730 & they the

§Said Hon[ble] Company to the other part of these Presents have caused their

§common Seale to be affixed the day & Year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Fran[s] Wrangham§

§O°§

§One Acre§

§One Acre§

Margin Notes:

§Wrangham§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Francis Wrangham, a planter of the island, two parcels of land. Each parcel was 1 acre lying in Chapel Valley. The first was bounded on the north and east by other leased land of Francis Wrangham himself, and on the south by the leased land held by him. The second adjoined it, bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Francis Wrangham and his heirs were to hold both parcels, together 2 acres, with all the rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 December last past for 21 years. The grant depended on Wrangham and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Wrangham was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Wrangham and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 2 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 December, on pain of paying double rent or duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repaired as often as needed.

Wrangham was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the land and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Wrangham and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Francis Wrangham set his hand and seal on [...] February 1730. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: a parcel marked One acre, and a second parcel marked One acre.]

Interpretations

The boundaries against Wrangham's own leased land on more than one side show the two acres rounding out an existing holding. The grant slotted the new ground against parcels he already rented in Chapel Valley, drawing the addition into a contiguous block rather than placing it on isolated waste.

The grant to Francis Wrangham fits the documented pattern of his steady accumulation through the period. Wrangham built up holdings across the island by purchase, family settlement and Company lease, and this small addition in Chapel Valley continued that pattern of expanding his ground parcel by parcel.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied even this minor lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease grants two single-acre parcels in Chapel Valley fixed against ground Wrangham already held. The arrangement looks designed to let an active accumulator fill in the gaps next to his existing holdings, consolidating scattered Company waste into his block under one fresh tenure rather than leaving small adjoining strips unused between his parcels.

249

233

[The right-hand edge of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the lines throughout the main writing block.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the Un[ited]

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do

§hereby Demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto Fran[s] Wrangham

§of the said Island Planter All that Peice or Parcell of Ground cont[aining]

§Six feet in Width & twenty three feet in Depth lying in Iames Vall[ey]

§behind the building called the Session House & close adjoyning to th[e]

§House or Yard of him the said Francis Wrangham & Situated in the

§Valley & also one Window of the said Building called the Session Ho[use]

§next adjoyning to the house or Yard of him the said Fran[s] Wrangha[m]

§with full Liberty to turn or alter the said Window into a Door for the

§common & free Passage of himself & Servants through the said Sessi[on]

§House & Door at all times during the Term hereby limited into the s[aid]

§House & Yard To have & to hold all the said Peice or Parcell

§of Ground as aforesaid together with the Window of the said Session

§House with full Liberty to turn or alter the Same into a Door for

§the common & free Passage of himself & Servants through the said

§Session House & Door into his said House or Yard at all times

§hereafter & & & & & & & during the Term hereby limited as afores[aid]

§with all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereunt[o]

§to either of them belonging unto him the said Fran[s] Wrangham hi[s]

§heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th day of Sep[r] next ensuing

§the date of these Presents for & during all the Space or Term of

§Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition

§that he the said Francis Wrangham his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assign[s]

§Shall & do always bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign

§Lord King George his heirs & Successours & to the said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§& their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitut[ions]

§of the said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every

§year for the said Parcell of Ground & for the said Window Door or

§Passage as aforesaid the Sum of five Shillings & Annum in at or up[on]

§the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the

§blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the said Space or Term of Twenty

§one Years as aforesaid Provided that all Such Sheds or

§Buildings & are or Shall be built upon the Premises or any [part]§

§that he the said Francis Wrangham his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assign[s]

§Shall & do always bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign

§Lord King George his heirs & Successours & to the said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§& their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitut[ions]

§of the said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every

§year for the said Parcell of Ground & for the said Window Door or

§Passage as aforesaid the Sum of five Shillings & Annum in at or up[on]

§the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the

§blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the said Space or Term of Twenty

§one Years as aforesaid Provided that all Such Sheds or

§Buildings & are or Shall be built upon the Premises or any pa[rt]

§thereof Shall be left in good Order & Repair at the Expiration of

§this present Lease which he the said Fran[s] Wrangham his heirs or

§Assigns Shall not Sell or dispose of without the leave & Consent

§of the Governour & Council for the time being In Witness whereof

§they the said Hon[ble] Company have to the other Part of these Presents

§caused their common Seale to be affixed the 24th day of Iuly One

§thousand Seven hundred & thirty one & he the said Fran Wrangham

§hath hereunto Sett his hand & Seale the day & Year aforesaid§

§Signed & Sealed

§in Presence of [...]§

§Fran[s] Wrangham§

§Memorandum the Lease Mr Wrangham Surendred to the Governour

§& Council this 11th Ianuary 1732§

§Fran Wrangham§

Margin Notes:

§Wrangham§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Francis Wrangham, a planter of the island, a parcel of ground in James Valley measuring 6 feet across and 23 feet in depth. The parcel lay behind the building called the Session House and close beside the house or yard of Francis Wrangham himself, situated in the valley.

The grant also passed one window of the Session House next to Wrangham's house or yard, with full liberty to turn or alter that window into a door for the common and free passage of Wrangham and his servants through the Session House at all times during the term.

Francis Wrangham and his heirs were to hold the ground, together with the window of the Session House and the liberty to turn it into a door for his own and his servants' passage, with all other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to it, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Wrangham and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Wrangham was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 5 shillings for the parcel of ground and for the window-door passage, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Any shed or building put up on the ground was to be left in good order and repair at the end of the lease. Wrangham and his heirs were not to sell or pass on the lease without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Francis Wrangham set his hand and seal on 24 July 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

A memorandum recorded that Francis Wrangham surrendered the lease to the Governor and Council on 11 January 1732.

Interpretations

The grant of a window with liberty to convert it into a door gave Wrangham a right of passage through the Session House, the building where the council held its hearings. The arrangement let a private holder cut an access route through a public administrative building, tying his adjoining house and yard to the ground behind through a doorway that the lease specifically authorised.

The tiny dimensions of the parcel, only 6 feet across and 23 feet deep, mark this as an urban sliver in the crowded fabric of James Valley. Ground in the town was measured in feet rather than acres, and a strip this narrow shows the close packing of houses, yards and public buildings in the valley.

The single combined rent of 5 shillings covered both the ground and the window-door passage as one charge. The Company priced the access right together with the land rather than separately, treating the liberty to pass through the Session House as part of the value of the small holding.

The surrender of the lease within about eighteen months, recorded in the memorandum of 11 January 1732, shows the arrangement was short-lived. Wrangham gave the holding back to the council not long after taking it, suggesting the passage or the ground proved less useful than expected or that the council reclaimed control of the Session House access.

Speculations

The lease pairs a narrow strip of ground with the right to break a doorway through the Session House for private passage. The arrangement looks designed to solve an access problem for Wrangham's adjoining house and yard, granting him a route through a public building that he could not otherwise cross. The early surrender suggests the Company reconsidered letting a private door pierce the building where its council sat, recovering the access once the inconvenience or irregularity became apparent.

250

234

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the

§United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies

§do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto John Durling of

§the said Island Planter All that Peice or Parcell of Ground containing

§Nine Acres lying in Deep Valley butting & bounding North upon

§Sixteen Acres of Lease Land now in the joint Possession or Occupation

§of John Wondle & Ebenezer Leech South upon the common or Wast Land

§East upon the Ridge called Saglate & West upon other the Lease Land

§of him the Said John Durling To have and to hold all the

§Said hereby demised Nine Acres of Land with all & Singular the

§Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities &c Appurtinances

§thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him the said John

§Durling his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from 25th day Sep[r] next

§ensuing the date hereof for & during all the Space & Term of Twenty

§one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that he

§the Said John Durling his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§always bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King

§George his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] & their Succ[rs]

§& Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island

§Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every Year during the

§whole Term & time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble]

§Comp[y] their Successours Agents or Assigns the annual Rent or Sum

§of One Shilling & Six Pence & Acre & no more in at or upon the 25th day

§of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin

§Mary for & during all the Term & Space of Twenty one Years as aforesaid

§Provided that he the Said John Durling his heirs or Assigns Shall

§immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said Nine Acres of Land with a

§good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of one Year to commence from

§the Said 25th day of Sep[r] next under penalty of Paying double Rent

§for all the time the Said Parcell of Land or any part thereof Shall

§afterwards lye open & Unfenced & when the Same is so fenced & Enclosed

§the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair,

§& Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity and

§Proportion of Wood according to the Laws of the Island in that Case

§made & Provided & Shall likewise Plant Furze round the Said Fences§

§Provided that he the Said John Durling his heirs or Assigns Shall

§immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said Nine Acres of Land with a

§good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of one Year to commence from

§the Said 25th day of Sep[r] next under penalty of Paying double Rent

§for all the time the Said Parcell of Land or any part thereof Shall

§afterwards lye open & Unfenced & when the Same is so fenced & Enclosed

§the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair,

§& Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity and

§Proportion of Wood according to the Laws of the Island in that Case

§made & Provided & Shall likewise Plant Furze round the Said Fences

§at proper Seasons of the Year & when the aforesaid Parcell of Land Shall

§be so fenced as aforesaid he the said John Durling his heirs or Assigns

§Shall not alter or remove the said Fences they being the bounds or

§Land Marks of the aforesaid Nine Acres of Land which in Such Case

§would Occasion the Alteration of the Plot or Plan hereunto annexed

§nor Shall he the Said John Durling his heirs or Assigns Sell or any

§other way dispose of this Lease or Interest in the Same without the

§leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council for the time being In Witness

§whereof he the said John Durling hath hereunto Sett his hand &

§Seale the 17th day of Aug[t] in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven

§hundred thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other part

§of these Presents have caused their common Seal to be Affixed the day

§& Year aforesaid§

§Signed & Sealed

§in Presence of [...]§

§John Durling§

§N°§

§E°§

§9 Acres§

Margin Notes:

§Durling§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to John Burling, a planter of the island, 9 acres of ground in Deep Valley. The parcel was bounded on the north by 16 acres of leased land then held jointly by John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech, on the south by the common or unused land, on the east by the bridge called Saglate, and on the west by other leased land of John Burling himself.

John Burling and his heirs were to hold the 9 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Burling and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Burling was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 1 shilling and 6 pence an acre and no more, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Burling and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 9 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Burling was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 9 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Burling and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, John Burling set his hand and seal on 17 August 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 9-acre parcel, marked north and east.]

Interpretations

The reduced rent of 1 shilling and 6 pence an acre, set well below the usual 5 shillings, marks this as ground reserved for timber rather than ordinary farming. The lower charge attached to a parcel bound to the planting and preservation of wood, so the Company traded rental income for a managed source of timber on a holding given over to that purpose.

The boundary against the 16 acres held jointly by John Worrall and Ebenezer Leech places this parcel within the documented cluster of Deep Valley leases. The two men held adjoining leasehold ground together near Simons Waterfall, and the grant fixed Burling's 9 acres against their joint holding under the Company's title.

The bridge called Saglate served as the eastern boundary, fixing part of the parcel to a built landscape feature rather than to a neighbour or survey line. Naming the bridge pinned the holding to a recognisable point in Deep Valley, much as springs and ridges anchored other grants across the island.

The grant continued John Burling's accumulation of ground in Deep Valley, where he already held adjoining leased land on the western side. Burling built up holdings in this part of the island through successive Company leases, and the 9 acres rounded out his block against his existing parcel.

Speculations

The lease pairs a near-nominal rent with a duty to keep the 9 acres under timber, fixing it against Burling's own adjoining ground. The arrangement looks designed to make an unrewarding planting obligation acceptable, since no tenant would take ground at the full rate that he could not farm. By cutting the rent to a token sum and slotting the parcel against land Burling already held, the Company secured a timber plot while letting him consolidate his Deep Valley holding.

251

235

[The right-hand edge of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the lines throughout the main writing block.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble]

§the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§East Indies do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm let unto

§Rich[d] Beale of the Said Island Planter All that Peice or

§Parcell of Land containing two Acres butting & bounding on

§Sides upon the Hon[ble] Companies Wast Land lying in that pa[rt]

§of Sandy Bay called Green hill Gutt To have and to hold

§Said hereby demised two Acres of Land with all & Singular t[he]

§Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtin[ances]

§thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said Ric[hd]

§Beale his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25 day of S[epr]

§next for & during all the Space or Term of Twenty one Years

§thence next ensuing Upon Condition that he the Said Ric[hd] Beale

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true Fa[ith]

§& Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs an[d]

§Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] & their Successours & Sha[ll]

§duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island

§Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year during t[he]

§whole Term & time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the S[aid]

§Hon[ble] Comp[y] their Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of

§four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in the whole f[ive]

§Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March being t[he]

§Feast of the Annunciation of the blesed Virgin Mary for & dur[ing]

§all the Term & Time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid Provid[ed]

§that he the Said Rich[d] Beale his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assig[ns]

§Shall & do immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said two Acr[es]

§of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of o[ne]

§Year to commence from the Said 25th day of Sep[r] next under Pe[nalty]

§of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said Land

§or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when the Sam i[s so]

§Fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part thereof Shal[l]

§kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant Maintain &

§Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according t[o]

§Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall like[wise]

§Plant Furze round about the Said Fences at proper Seasons

§the Year & when the aforesaid Land is so fenced as aforesaid he th[e]

§Said Rich[d] Beale his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remov[e]§

§of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said Land

§or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when the Sam i[s so]

§Fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part thereof Shal[l]

§kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant Maintain &

§Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according t[o]

§Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall like[wise]

§Plant Furze round about the Said Fences at proper Seasons

§the Year & when the aforesaid Land is so fenced as aforesaid he th[e]

§Said Rich[d] Beale his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remov[e]

§the Said Fences which in Such Case would Occasion the Alter[ation]

§of the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Said Ri[chd]

§Beale his heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of th[is]

§Lease or Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the

§Governour & Council for the time being In Witness whereof

§the said Rich[d] Beale hath hereunto Sett his hand & Seale thi[s]

§of Aug[t] in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thirty [one]

§& the said Hon[ble] Company to the other part hereof have affixed their [common]

§Seal the day & Year just before written§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Rich[d] Beale§

§S°§

§N°§

§2 Acres§

Margin Notes:

§Beale§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Richard Beale, a planter of the island, 2 acres of land in that part of Sandy Bay called Green Hill Gut. The parcel was bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Richard Beale and his heirs were to hold the 2 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Beale and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Beale was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Beale and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 2 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Beale was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 2 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Beale and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Richard Beale set his hand and seal on [...] August 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 2-acre parcel, marked south and north.]

Interpretations

The byname Green Hill Gut fixed the parcel by a recognised local feature in Sandy Bay rather than by survey alone. Green Hill, also recorded as Gravel Hill, marked the Harding family's Sandy Bay estate, so the name tied Beale's small holding to a known stretch of ground in that part of the island.

The grant to Richard Beale fits the documented pattern of his active buying through the period. Beale gathered ground across the island by purchase from the Swallow, Steward and Gurling chains, and this Company lease added a parcel held directly from the Company to his accumulation.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied even this small 2-acre lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to maintain a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease places a 2-acre parcel hemmed in on every side by Company waste into Beale's hands at the full agricultural rate. The arrangement looks designed to bring an isolated plot at Green Hill Gut into productive use, binding the tenant to fence and plant it so that ground otherwise standing idle as waste was enclosed, improved and brought under a rent-paying tenure.

252

236

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the

§United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last

§Indies do hereby Demise Grant Sett & to farm Lett unto John Brazett

§of the Said Island All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing one

§Acre Butting & bounding North upon the freehold Land of him the

§Said John Brazett South upon the Leasehold Land of Sam[l] Doveton

§East upon the Leasehold Land of Iames Searding & West upon the

§freehold Land of him the Said Sam[l] Doveton To have and to

§hold the Said hereby demised one Acre of Land with all & Singular

§the Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances

§thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said John

§Brazett his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th day of Sep[r] next

§for & during all the Space or Term of Twenty one years from thence

§next ensuing Upon Condition that he the Said Ino Brazett

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true Faith

§& Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Succ[rs]

§& to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] & their Successours & Shall duely obey all

§the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying

§therefore yearly & every year during the whole Term or Space of

§Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] their

§Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one

§Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the

§25th day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed

§Virgin Mary for & during all the Said Term or Space of Twenty one

§Years as aforesaid Provided that he the Said John Brazett his heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set about & Fence in

§the Said one Acre with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space

§of one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of Sep[r] next under

§Penalty of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said

§Land or any part thereof Shall lye open or Unfenced & when the Same

§Shall be so fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part

§thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant

§Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according

§to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & provided & Shall§

§of one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of Sep[r] next under

§Penalty of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said

§Land or any part thereof Shall lye open or Unfenced & when the Same

§Shall be so fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part

§thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant

§Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according

§to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & provided & Shall

§likewise Plant Furze round the Said Fence at proper Seasons of the

§Year & when the Said Land Shall be so Fenced as aforesaid he the Said

§John Brazett his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said

§Fences they being the bounds or Land marks of the aforesaid Acre of

§Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott

§or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Said John Brazett his heirs

§or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest

§therein without the leave & Consent of the Governour & Council

§for the time being In Witness whereof he the Said John Brazett hath

§hereunto Set his hand & Seale this 30 day of Aug[t] in the Year of

§Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thirty one & the Said Hon[ble]

§Company to the other part hereof have Affixed their common Seale

§the day & Year beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed in the

§Presence of [...]§

§Ino Brazett§

§E°§

Margin Notes:

§Ino Brazett§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to John Bazett of the island 1 acre of land. The parcel was bounded on the north by the freehold land of John Bazett himself, on the south by the leasehold land of Samuel Doveton, on the east by the leasehold land of James Harding, and on the west by the freehold land of the same Samuel Doveton.

John Bazett and his heirs were to hold the 1 acre, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Bazett and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Bazett was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Bazett and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 1 acre with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Bazett was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the acre and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Bazett and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, John Bazett set his hand and seal on 31 August 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 1-acre parcel.]

Interpretations

The boundaries against Bazett's own freehold and against both the freehold and leasehold of Samuel Doveton show the acre wedged among established neighbours. The grant slotted a single acre into a settled block, drawing a small addition against ground that Bazett and Doveton already held in this district.

The grant to John Bazett ties this holding to the wider Bazett family of the island. He was probably connected to Matthew Bazett the long-serving councillor and surveyor and to the widow Bridget Bazett, and this small lease added directly held Company ground to the family's presence in the records.

The eastern boundary against the leasehold of James Harding records the neighbouring tenure of a member of the Harding family. James Harding held inherited leasehold ground in this part of the island, so the reference fixed Bazett's acre against a known Harding holding.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied even this single-acre lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease fits a single acre into the gaps between Bazett's freehold and the Doveton and Harding holdings on the other sides. The arrangement looks designed to let Bazett pick up a small adjoining parcel that completed his block, slotting otherwise idle Company ground against recognised neighbours so the acre filled out the settled pattern rather than standing apart from existing tenures.

253

237

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the

§United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies

§do hereby Demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Benjamin Beale of the

§Said Island Planter All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing one

§Acre & Quarter Butting & bounding North upon other the Lands now in

§Possession of him the Said Benj[n] Beale & East West & South upon the

§Comp[ys] West Land, lying in Ioyer Valley To have and to hold the

§Said hereby Demised One Acre & Quarter with all & Singular the

§Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances them

§belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said Benj[n] Beale his heirs

§Ex[rs] & Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th day of Sep[r] next for & during all

§the Space or Term of Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon

§Condition that he the Said Benj[n] Beale his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns Shall & do allways bear true Faith & Allegiance unto Our Soveraign

§Lord King George his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company &

§their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the

§Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every Year during

§the whole Term & Time of twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said

§Hon[ble] Comp[y] their Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of four

§Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in the whole five Shillings

§& Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annun[ciation]

§of the blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Term & Time of Twenty one

§Years as aforesaid Provided that he the Said Benj[n] Beale his heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set about & Fence in

§the Said one Acre & Quarter of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence

§within the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of Sep[r]

§next under Penalty of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the Time

§the Said Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when the

§Same is so Fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part thereof

§Shall be kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant Maintain

§& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the

§Laws of this Island in that Case made & provided & Shall likewise

§plant Furze round the Said Fence at proper Seasons of the Year &

§when the Said Land is so Fenced as aforesaid he the Said Benj[n] Beale

§his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences they

§being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid One Acre & Quarter

§which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or§

§& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the

§Laws of this Island in that Case made & provided & Shall likewise

§plant Furze round the Said Fence at proper Seasons of the Year &

§when the Said Land is so Fenced as aforesaid he the Said Benj[n] Beale

§his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences they

§being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid One Acre & Quarter

§which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or

§Plan hereunto annexed, nor Shall he the Said Benj[n] Beale his heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or

§Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council

§for the time being In Witness whereof he the Said Benj[n] Beale

§hath hereunto Set his hand & Seale this 31 day of Aug[t] in the

§Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thirty one & they the

§Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] to the other part of these Presents have

§affixed their common Seale the day & Year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Benjamin Beale§

§1 ¼ Acre§

Margin Notes:

§Benj[n] Beale§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Benjamin Beale, a planter of the island, 1 acre and a quarter of land in Fryer Valley. The parcel was bounded on the north by other land then held by Benjamin Beale himself, and on the east, west and south by the Company's unused land.

Benjamin Beale and his heirs were to hold the acre and a quarter, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Beale and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Beale was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Beale and his heirs had to start at once and fence the acre and a quarter with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Beale was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the acre and quarter and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Beale and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Benjamin Beale set his hand and seal on 31 August 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the acre-and-a-quarter parcel.]

Interpretations

The northern boundary against Beale's own land shows the acre and a quarter rounding out an existing holding. The grant slotted a small addition against ground he already held in Fryer Valley, drawing the parcel into a contiguous block rather than placing it on isolated waste.

The grant to Benjamin Beale ties this holding to the documented Pledger and Beale presence in Fryer Valley. Benjamin Beale, recorded variously as labourer, soldier and freeholder, bought free land in Fryer Valley near the widow Bridget Bazett, and this Company lease added directly held ground to that accumulation.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied even this small parcel to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease fits an acre and a quarter against Beale's existing Fryer Valley ground, with Company waste on the other three sides. The arrangement looks designed to let Beale pick up a small adjoining strip that completed his block, enclosing otherwise idle waste against land he already held rather than leaving the fragment unused at the edge of his holding.

254

238

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do

§hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Isaac Leech of the Said

§Island Planter All those two Peices or Parcells of Land containing in

§the whole One Acre & half part thereof butting & bounding West upon

§his other Land & North South & East upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West

§Land & the other part butting South upon his other Land & North East

§& West upon the Said Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land To have and to

§hold the Said hereby demised two parcells of Land containing One

§Acre & half as aforesaid with all & Singular the Wood Water & all other

§the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging or

§Appertaining unto him the Said Isaac Leech his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§or Assigns from the 25th day of Sep[r] next for & during all the Space

§or Term of Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon

§Condition that he the Said Isaac Leech his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our

§Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successours & to the Said

§Hon[ble] Comp[y] & their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws &

§Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore

§yearly & every year during the whole Term & Time of Twenty one

§Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours

§Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling

§Duty being in the whole five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th

§day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed

§Virgin Mary during the whole Term of Twenty one Years as aforesaid

§Provided that he the Said Isaac Leech his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns Shall & do immediatly Set about & Fence in the Said Parcells

§of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of one

§Year to commence from the Said 25th day of Sep[r] next under Penalty

§of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said Parcells of

§Land or either of them Shall lye open Unfenced & when the Same are so

§Fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part thereof Shall be

§kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant Maintain and

§preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the

§Laws of the Island in that Case made & provided & Shall likewise

§Plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year§

§Fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part thereof Shall be

§kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant Maintain and

§preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the

§Laws of the Island in that Case made & provided & Shall likewise

§Plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year

§& when the Said Land is so fenced as aforesaid he the Said Isaac

§Leech his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences

§they being the bounds or Landmarks thereof which in Such Case

§would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan hereunto

§annexed nor Shall he the Said Isaac Leech his heirs or Assigns Sell

§or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest therein without

§the leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council for the time being In

§Witness whereof he the Said Isaac Leech hath hereunto Sett his

§hand & Seale this 31 day of Aug[t] in the Year of Our Lord One thousand

§Seven hundred thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other

§part hereof have affixed their common Seale the day & Year just

§beforewritten§

§Sealed

§[in the Presence of] [...]§

§Isaac Leech§

§E°§

§W°§

Margin Notes:

§Leech§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Isaac Leech, a planter of the island, two parcels of land together making 1 acre and a half. One part was bounded on the west by other land of Isaac Leech himself, and on the north, south and east by the Company's unused land. The other part was bounded on the south by his other land, and on the north, east and west by the Company's unused land.

Isaac Leech and his heirs were to hold both parcels, together 1 acre and a half, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Leech and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Leech was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Leech and his heirs had to start at once and fence the parcels with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Leech was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the land and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Leech and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Isaac Leech set his hand and seal on 31 August 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: a triangular parcel, and a separate narrow parcel below it, marked west.]

Interpretations

The boundaries against Leech's own land on both parcels show the acre and a half rounding out an existing holding. The grant slotted two small additions against ground he already held, drawing the parcels into a contiguous block rather than placing them on isolated waste.

The grant to Isaac Leech ties this holding to the documented Leech family network of the island. Isaac Leech was confirmed in freehold and leasehold near the head of Pleasant Valley in 1713, and this Company lease added directly held ground to a family presence that ran through Robert, Richard, Daniel and Thomas Leech.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied even these small parcels to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease gathers two small parcels, each fixed against Leech's own ground, under a single grant. The arrangement looks designed to let Leech enclose scattered fragments of waste that bordered his existing holdings, binding them into one tenure on common terms rather than leaving small adjoining strips unused between his parcels or tracked under separate grants.

255

239

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the

§United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies

§do hereby Demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Ios Whaley of the Said

§Island Serjeant All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing One Acre

§butting & bounding North upon the freehold Land of him the Said

§Ioseph Whaley South upon the Lease Land of Iohn Bazett & East &

§West upon the Hon[ble] Companies West Land To have and to

§hold the Said hereby demised one Acre of Land with all & Singular the

§Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances

§thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said Ios Whaley his

§heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns for & during all the Space or Term of Twenty

§one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that he the

§Said Ios Whaley his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways

§bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his

§heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successours & Shall

§duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding

§& Paying therefore yearly & every year during the whole Term & Time of

§Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their Succ[rs]

§Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty

§being in the whole five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day of

§March yearly being the Feast day of the Annunciation of the blessed

§Virgin Mary Provided that he the Said Ios Whaley his heirs Ex[rs]

§Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett about & Fence in the Said

§one Acre of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of

§one Year to commence from the Said 25 day of Sep[r] next under Penalty of

§Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said Land or any part

§thereof Shall open or Unfenced & when the Same is so fenced & Enclosed as

§aforesaid the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order and

§Repair & Shall also plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity and

§Proportion of Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made

§& Provided & Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences at

§proper Seasons of the Year & when the Said Land is so fenced as aforesaid

§he the Said Ios Whaley his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove

§the Said Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid

§One Acre which in Such Case would Occasion the Plott or Plan hereunto

§annexed nor Shall he the Said Ios Whaley his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or§

§aforesaid the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order and

§Repair & Shall also plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity and

§Proportion of Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made

§& Provided & Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences at

§proper Seasons of the Year & when the Said Land is so fenced as aforesaid

§he the Said Ios Whaley his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove

§the Said Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid

§One Acre which in Such Case would Occasion the Plott or Plan hereunto

§annexed, nor Shall he the Said Ios Whaley his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest therein

§without the leave & Consent of the Wm Govern[r] & Council for the time being

§In Witness whereof he the Said Ios Whaley hath hereunto Set his

§hand & Seal this 31 day of Aug[t] One Thousand Seven hundred

§Thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] to the other part of these Presents

§have affixed their common Seale the day & Year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Ioseph Whaley§

§N°§

§W°§

§1 Acre§

§E°§

§S°§

Margin Notes:

§Serj[t] Whaley§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Joseph Whaley, a sergeant of the island, 1 acre of land. The parcel was bounded on the north by the freehold land of Joseph Whaley himself, on the south by the leased land of John Bazett, and on the east and west by the Company's unused land.

Joseph Whaley and his heirs were to hold the 1 acre, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Whaley and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Whaley was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Whaley and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 1 acre with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Whaley was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the acre and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Whaley and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Joseph Whaley set his hand and seal on 31 August 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 1-acre parcel, marked east, west, north and south.]

Interpretations

The boundaries against Whaley's own freehold to the north and John Bazett's leased land to the south show the acre wedged among established neighbours. The grant slotted a single acre into a settled block, drawing a small addition against ground that Whaley and Bazett already held in this district.

The grant to Joseph Whaley as sergeant ties this holding to the documented military and landholding career of the man. Whaley sold a James Valley dwelling in Southwark Street in 1722 and later took a building plot as esquire, so the lease records his continuing presence as both a garrison officer and a holder of ground.

The southern boundary against John Bazett's leasehold links this parcel to the neighbouring grant taken by Bazett on the same date. The two acres lay against one another in the same district, so the two leases of 31 August 1731 fixed the Whaley and Bazett holdings as adjoining tenures.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied even this single-acre lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease fits a single acre between Whaley's own freehold and Bazett's adjoining leasehold. The arrangement looks designed to let Whaley pick up a small parcel that completed his block, slotting otherwise idle Company ground against recognised neighbours so the acre filled out the settled pattern rather than standing apart from existing tenures.

256

240

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do hereby

§Demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto John Long of the Said Island Planter

§All those two Peices or Parcells of Land containing in the whole Three Acres

§lying upon Peakhill two Acres thereof butting & bounding North upon

§the Lease Land of him the Said John Long & South East & West upon the

§Hon[ble] Companies West Land, & the other One Acre thereof butting &

§bounding North & East upon the Said Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land & South

§upon the Leasehold Land of Eliz Marsh & West upon the Leasehold Land

§of John Goodwin Gent To have & to hold the Said hereby demised

§Three Acres of Land with all & Singular the Wood Water & all other the

§Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging or

§Appertaining unto him the Said John Long his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns from the 25th day of Sep[r] next for & during all the Space or Term of

§Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition

§that he the Said John Long his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§allways bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George

§his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successours &

§Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding

§& Paying therefore yearly & every year during the whole Term & Time of

§Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their

§Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one

§Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day

§of March yearly being the Feast day of the Annunciation of the blessed

§Virgin Mary Provided that he the Said John Long his heirs Ex[rs]

§Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett about & Fence in the Said

§Three Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of

§one Year to commence from the Said 25th day of Sep[r] next under Penalty

§of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said Land or any part

§thereof Shall lye open or Unfenced & when the Same Shall be so fenced as aforesaid

§the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair, &

§Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§of Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made and

§provided & Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper

§Seasons of the Year & when the Said Land is so fenced as aforesaid he the

§Said John Long his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said

§Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the Said Three Acres of§

§the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair, &

§Shall also Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§of Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made and

§provided & Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper

§Seasons of the Year & when the Said Land is so fenced as aforesaid he the

§Said John Long his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said

§Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the Said Three Acres of

§Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott

§or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Said John Long his heirs

§or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest

§therein without the leave & Consent of the Governour & Council for

§the time being In Witness whereof he the Said John Long hath hereunto

§Sett his hand & Seale this 31 day of August in the Year of Our Lord

§One Thousand Seven hundred Thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§to the other part of these Presents have affixed their common Seale

§the day & Year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed in the Presence

§of [...]§

§Ih Long§

§1 Acre§

Margin Notes:

§John Long§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to John Long, a planter of the island, two parcels of land together making 3 acres, lying at Peak Hill. The first part was 2 acres, bounded on the north by other leased land of John Long himself, and on the south, east and west by the Company's unused land. The second was 1 acre, bounded on the north and east by the Company's unused land, on the south by the leasehold land of Elizabeth Marsh, and on the west by the leasehold land of John Goodwin, gentleman.

John Long and his heirs were to hold the 3 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Long and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Long was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Long and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 3 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Long was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 3 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Long and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, John Long set his hand and seal on 31 August 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: a parcel marked One acre.]

Interpretations

The boundaries against Long's own leased land on the larger parcel show the 2 acres rounding out an existing holding. Long held a 2-and-a-half-acre gumwood parcel at the top of Peak Hill, so the grant slotted the new ground against land he already rented, drawing the addition into a contiguous block.

The smaller acre lay between the leasehold of Elizabeth Marsh and that of John Goodwin, gentleman, fixing it among established neighbours. Both held adjoining leasehold ground in this district, so the grant placed Long's acre against recognised holdings rather than on isolated waste.

The grant to John Long fits the documented pattern of his continuing accumulation into the 1730s. Long built up ground across the island through purchase, mortgage and Company lease, and this addition at Peak Hill extended his holdings in that part of the island.

The duty to plant timber and furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease pairs a 2-acre parcel fixed against Long's own ground with a separate acre wedged between the Marsh and Goodwin holdings. The arrangement looks designed to let Long both extend his existing Peak Hill block and pick up a small adjoining acre that completed the settled pattern, bringing two pieces of otherwise idle waste into one tenure on common terms rather than leaving them unused between recognised neighbours.

257

241

[The right-hand edge of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the lines throughout the main writing block.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United

§of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do hereby demise Grant

§to farm lett unto Bridget Brazett of the Said Island Widow for the joi[nt]

§Use benefit & Advantage of her Self & their Children All that Peice or pa[rcell]

§of Land containing Twenty Acres lying near Digna's Peak butting N[orth]

§upon the Leasehold Land of John Durling South upon the freehold La[nd]

§John Brazett East upon Parcells of the freehold Land now in the Possession

§the Said Bridget Brazett & West upon the Mountain called the Main Ri[dge]

§To have and to hold the Said hereby demised Twenty Acres of

§with all & Singular the Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities

§Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto her the Said

§Bridget Brazett & her Said Children for her & their joint good & benefi[t]

§to whom after her decease the Said hereby demised Twenty Acres of Lan[d]

§Shall descend in equall Part & Proportion their heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Ass[igns]

§from the 25th instant for & during all the Space or Term of Twenty one Years

§thence next ensuing Upon Condition that the the Said Bridget Bra[zett]

§their heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true Faith & Alleg[iance]

§to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble]

§Company & their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constituti[ons]

§of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year du[ring]

§the whole Term & time of twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble]

§Company their Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings

§Acre & one Shilling Duty being in the whole five Shillings & Acre in at o[r]

§upon the 25th day of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the

§blessed Virgin Mary for & during all the Said Term of twenty one Years

§aforesaid except for four Years & three Quarters of the Said Term during

§which Said Term no more than two Shillings & Six pence & Acre Shall be

§paid for the Said Parcell of Land Provided that the the Said Brid[get]

§Brazett her heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett a[bout]

§& Fence in the Said Twenty Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence

§within the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th instant un[der]

§Penalty of Paying double Rent & duty for all the time the Said Parcell

§of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when the Same

§Shall be so fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part thereof

§Shall be kept in good Order & Repair, & Shall also plant Maintain &

§preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the Laws

§the Island in that Case made & provided & Shall likewise plant Furze§

§within the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th instant un[der]

§Penalty of Paying double Rent & duty for all the time the Said Parcell

§of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & when the Same

§Shall be so fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part thereof

§Shall be kept in good Order & Repair, & Shall also plant Maintain &

§preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood according to the Laws

§the Island in that Case made & provided & Shall likewise plant Furze

§round the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year & when the Said L[and]

§Shall be so fenced as aforesaid the the Said Bridget Brazett her heir[s or]

§Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences they being the boun[ds]

§or Landmarks of the aforesaid Parcell of Land & which in Such Case

§would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan hereunto an[nexed]

§nor Shall the the Said Bridget Brazett her heirs or Assigns or either

§of them Sell or any otherway dispose of this Lease or Interest therein

§without the leave & Consent of the Governour & Council for the time

§being In Witness whereof the the Said Bridget Brazett hath Signed

§Sett her hand & Seale the 14th day of Sep[r] in the Year of Our Lord

§One Thousand Seven hundred Thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble]

§Company to the other part of these Presents have affixed their

§common Seale the day & Year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Ino Brazett

§Bridget Brazett§

§E°§

Margin Notes:

§Mrs Brazett§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to the widow Bridget Bazett of the island, for the joint benefit of herself and her children, 20 acres of land near Diana's Peak. The parcel was bounded on the north by the leasehold land of John Burling, on the south by the freehold land of John Bazett, on the east by parcels of freehold land then held by Bridget Bazett herself, and on the west by the mountain called the Main Ridge.

Bridget Bazett and her children were to hold the 20 acres for their joint good and benefit, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the 25th of the present month for 21 years. After her death, the 20 acres were to descend to her children and their heirs in equal shares. The grant depended on Bridget Bazett and those after her staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Bridget Bazett was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years. The one exception ran for the first 4 years and 3 quarters of the term, during which no more than 2 shillings and 6 pence an acre was to be paid for the parcel.

Bridget Bazett and her heirs had to start at once and fence the 20 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of the 25th of the present month, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair.

Bridget Bazett was also to plant, maintain and preserve a full quantity and proportion of timber on the ground as the island's laws required, and to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, she and her heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 20 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Bridget Bazett and her heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Bridget Bazett set her hand and seal on 14 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 20-acre parcel.]

Interpretations

The grant ran to Bridget Bazett for the joint benefit of herself and her children, with the ground descending to them in equal shares after her death. The arrangement vested a present interest in the widow while fixing the children's reversion, protecting the family's claim across the generation rather than leaving the holding to pass by ordinary inheritance alone.

The reduced rent of 2 shillings and 6 pence an acre for the first 4 years and 3 quarters of the term, rising to the full 5 shillings thereafter, gave the holder a graduated charge. The early reduction eased the burden during the years when the fencing and planting demanded the heaviest outlay, before the rent stepped up once the ground was improved.

The grant to the widow Bridget Bazett, relict of Captain Matthew Bazett, ties this holding to the documented Bazett family. She had earlier surrendered a 30-acre cabbage tree and gumwood parcel to the Company, so this 20-acre lease near Diana's Peak placed fresh ground in the hands of an established family holder.

The boundaries against the leasehold of John Burling, the freehold of John Bazett and the widow's own freehold show the 20 acres fixed among related and neighbouring holdings. The grant slotted the parcel against ground that the Bazett family and their neighbours already held below the Main Ridge.

Speculations

The lease grants a widow a present interest with the reversion fixed to her children, and softens the rent for the first years before raising it. The arrangement looks designed to settle the family on improvable ground without overburdening it at the outset, using the reduced early rent to carry the holder through the costly fencing and planting years while the deferred reversion kept the 20 acres within the Bazett line rather than exposing it to dispersal on the widow's death.

258

242

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United Comp[y]

§of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do hereby demise Grant

§Sett & to farm lett unto Rich Mason of the Said Island Planter All that

§Peice or Parcell of Land containing Fourteen Acres lying in or near

§Thompsons Wood butting & bounding North East & West upon the Hon[ble]

§Comp[ys] West Land & South upon the Leasehold Land of Step Iuffin

§Sen[r] & also all those Three Parcells of Land containing in the whole Two

§Acres lying in Old Womans Valley butting & bounding on all Sides upon

§the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land To have and to hold the Said hereby

§demised Parcells of Land being in the whole Sixteen Acres together with

§all the Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances

§thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said Richard

§Mason his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th instant for and

§during all the Space & Term of Twenty one Years from thence next

§ensuing Upon Condition that he the Said Rich Mason his heirs

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true Faith & Allegiance to

§Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successours & to the Said

§Hon[ble] Company & their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws &

§Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore

§yearly & every year during the whole Term & Time of Twenty one Years

§as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] their Successours Agents or

§Assigns the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in

§the whole five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March

§being the Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary Provided

§that he the Said Rich Mason his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§immediatly Sett about & Fence in the Said Parcells of Land with a

§good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of one Year to commence from

§the Said 25th instant under Penalty of Paying double Rent & Land

§Duty for the time the Said Parcells of Land or any part thereof Shall ly

§open or Unfenced & Shall also keep Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity

§& Proportion of Wood thereon according to the Laws of this Island in that

§Case made & provided & Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences

§at proper Seasons of the Year & when the aforesaid Land is so fenced as

§aforesaid he the Said Rich Mason his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or

§remove the Said Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the

§aforesaid Parcells of Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration§

§Duty for the time the Said Parcells of Land or any part thereof Shall ly

§open or Unfenced & Shall also keep Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity

§& Proportion of Wood thereon according to the Laws of this Island in that

§Case made & provided & Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences

§at proper Seasons of the Year & when the aforesaid Land is so fenced as

§aforesaid he the Said Rich Mason his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or

§remove the Said Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the

§aforesaid Parcells of Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration

§of the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Said Rich[d]

§Mason his heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest

§therein without the leave & Consent of the Govern[r] & Council for the

§time being In Witness whereof he the Said Rich Mason hath hereunto

§Set his hand & Seale this 14th day of Sep[r] in the Year of Our Lord One

§Thousand Seven hundred thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble] Company to

§the other part of these Presents have affixed their common Seale the

§day & Year just beforewritten§

§Rich Mason§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§S°§

§E°§

§Parcells contain

§[...]§

Margin Notes:

§Rich Mason§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Richard Mason, a planter of the island, several parcels of land together making 16 acres. The first was 14 acres lying in or near Thompson's Wood, bounded on the north, east and west by the Company's unused land, and on the south by the leasehold land of Stephen Justin junior. The other three parcels together made 2 acres lying in Old Woman's Valley, bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Richard Mason and his heirs were to hold all the parcels, together 16 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the 25th of the present month for 21 years. The grant depended on Mason and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Mason was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Mason and his heirs had to start at once and fence the parcels with a good and proper fence within one year of the 25th of the present month, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order, maintained and the full quantity and proportion of timber preserved as the island's laws required.

Mason was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the land and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Mason and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Richard Mason set his hand and seal on 14 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: one parcel marked south, and a separate parcel marked as containing 3.]

Interpretations

The byname Thompson's Wood fixed the larger parcel by a recognised local feature rather than by survey alone. The name attached elsewhere to a Sarah's Valley parcel formerly Arthur Bradley's, so the wood served as a known landmark anchoring Mason's 14 acres to a recognisable stretch of ground.

The grant gathered a large 14-acre parcel and three small Old Woman's Valley pieces under one lease across two separate districts. The arrangement drew Mason's scattered ground into a single tenure on common terms, binding the whole to one rent, fencing duty and renewal cycle rather than tracking the fragments apart.

The grant to Richard Mason ties this holding to the documented planter active in both urban and rural property. Mason held Sandy Bay and Fryer Valley leases and bought a Southwark Street house, and this larger grant of 16 acres extended his accumulation across the island.

The southern boundary against the leasehold of Stephen Justin junior records the neighbouring tenure fixing the edge of Mason's larger parcel. The reference pinned the 14 acres against a recognised adjoining holding rather than leaving the bound to survey lines alone.

Speculations

The lease bundles 14 acres at Thompson's Wood with three small parcels in Old Woman's Valley under a single grant. The arrangement looks designed to consolidate Mason's scattered ground into one manageable tenure, binding a substantial holding and its outlying fragments to a single rent and renewal cycle so that the whole moved together rather than each piece being held and tracked separately.

259

243

[The right-hand edge of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the lines throughout the main writing block.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies a[nd]

§Demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Orlando Bagley Sen[r] of the

§Island Planter All those four Peices or Parcells of Land contain[ing in the]

§whole Eight Acres & half &c N°1 being two Acres butting & boun[ding]

§upon other the Lands of him the Said Orlando Bagley, East & We[st upon the]

§Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land N° 2 Containing Two Acres butt[ing]

§upon the Leaseland of Sam[l] Doveton East upon the Leasehold

§Rich[d] Iuffey South upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land & West up[on]

§the Lands of him the Said Bagley N° 3 Containing One Acre

§North South & East upon the Leasehold Land of him the Said

§West upon the Lands of Capt John Alexander & N° 4 Containe[d]

§Acres butting North upon the Main Ridge next the Leasehold

§Bridget Brazett South upon the freehold Land of him the Said

§upon the Lands of Sam[l] Doveton & West upon the Lands of

§To have & to hold the Said hereby demised four Parcells of

§all & Singular the Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities

§Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto h[im the Said]

§Orlando Bagley his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th

§for & during all the Space or Term of Twenty One Years from

§ensuing Upon Condition that he the Said Orlando Bagley

§Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true Faith & Allegi[ance]

§Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successours & to the Sa[id]

§Company & their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & C[onstitutions]

§of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every

§the whole Term & time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto

§Company their Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of fou[r Shillings]

§Acre & one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings & Acre

§upon the 25th day of March yearly being the Feast of the Ann[unciation]

§of the blessed Virgin Mary Provided that he the Said Orlan[do Bagley]

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett ab[out &]

§Fence in the Said Parcells of Land with a good & Sufficient Fe[nce]

§the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th Aug[t]

§Penalty of Paying double Rent & duty for all the time the Sa[id]

§of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & Shall

§Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood

§according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & prov[ided]

§likewise plant Furze round the Said Fence at proper Season[s]§

§Penalty of Paying double Rent & duty for all the time the Sa[id]

§of Land or any part thereof Shall lye open & Unfenced & Shall

§Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood

§according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & prov[ided & Shall]

§likewise plant Furze round the Said Fence at proper Season[s]

§& when the aforesaid Parcell of Land Shall be fenced as aforesa[id the]

§Said Orlando Bagley his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter o[r remove]

§the Said Fence they being the bounds or Landmarks of the

§Parcell of Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alt[eration]

§of the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Sa[id]

§Bagley his heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose

§or Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the Gov[r &]

§Council for the time being In Witness whereof he the Sa[id]

§Bagley hath hereunto Sett his hand & Seal this 14th day

§the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thir[ty one &]

§they the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other part of this Pre[sents have]

§affixed their common Seale the day & year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed in

§the Presence of [...]§

§Orlando Bagley Senior§

Margin Notes:

§Orlando Bagley§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Orlando Bagley senior, a planter of the island, four parcels of land together making 8 acres. The first parcel was 2 acres of hay land, bounded on one side by other land of Orlando Bagley himself and on the east and west by the Company's unused land. The second parcel was 2 acres, bounded on the north by the leasehold land of Samuel Doveton, on the east by the leasehold land of Richard Finsly, on the south by the Company's unused land, and on the west by the land of Bagley himself. The third parcel was 1 acre, bounded on the north, south and east by the leasehold land of Bagley himself and on the west by the land of Captain John Alexander. The fourth parcel was [...] acres, bounded on the north by the Main Ridge next to the leasehold land of the widow Bridget Bazett, on the south by the freehold land of Bagley himself, on the east by the land of Samuel Doveton, and on the west by the land of [...].

Orlando Bagley and his heirs were to hold all four parcels, together 8 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the 25th of the present month for 21 years. The grant depended on Bagley and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Bagley was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Bagley and his heirs had to start at once and fence the parcels with a good and proper fence within one year of the 25th of the present month, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order, maintained and the full quantity and proportion of timber preserved as the island's laws required.

Bagley was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the land and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Bagley and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Orlando Bagley senior set his hand and seal on 14 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

Interpretations

The grant gathered four separate parcels under one lease, each fixed against Bagley's own ground on at least one side. The arrangement drew his scattered holdings into a single tenure on common terms, binding the whole to one rent, fencing duty and renewal cycle rather than tracking the fragments apart.

The first parcel was identified as hay land, marking ground set aside for fodder rather than timber or general use. Hay ground was a recognised category in the island's tenures, and its inclusion alongside the other parcels shows Bagley holding a mix of land types under the single grant.

The boundaries against the leasehold of Samuel Doveton, Richard Finsly, the widow Bridget Bazett and Captain John Alexander fix the parcels among established neighbours. The grant slotted Bagley's ground against recognised adjoining holdings below the Main Ridge, drawing the leased acres into the settled pattern of the district.

The grant to Orlando Bagley senior ties this holding to the documented Bagley family, a substantial line of accumulators. The senior designation marks the elder holder, distinguishing him from the younger Orlando Bagley, and the lease added directly held Company ground to a family long present in the records.

Speculations

The lease bundles four scattered parcels, one of them hay land, under a single grant fixed against Bagley's own ground and recognised neighbours. The arrangement looks designed to consolidate his fragmented holdings into one manageable tenure, binding a mix of land types to a single rent and renewal cycle so the whole moved together rather than each piece being held and tracked apart between established neighbours below the Main Ridge.

260

244

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do hereby demise

§Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Martin Harper of the Said Island Planter

§All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing Three Acres lying in Swanley

§Valley butting North upon the Leasehold Land of Tho[s] Harper & East West

§& South upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land To have and to hold

§the Said hereby demised two Acres of Land with all & Singular the Wood

§Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto

§belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said Martin Harper his heirs

§Ex[rs] & Adm[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th instant for & during all the

§Space or Term of Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon

§Condition that he the Said Martin Harper his heirs Ex[rs] & Adm[rs]

§or Assigns Shall & do allway bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign

§Lord King George his heirs Ex[rs] & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y]

§& their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the

§Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year during

§the whole Term or Time of twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble]

§Company their Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings

§& Acre & one Shilling Duty being in all five Shillings & Acre in at or

§upon the 25th day of March yearly being the Feast of the Annunciation

§of the blessed Virgin Mary Provided that he the Said Martin Harper

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett about and

§Fence in the Said Three Acres of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within

§the Space of one year to commence from the Said 25th instant under Penalty of

§Paying double Rent & duty for all the time the Said Parcell of Land or any

§Part thereof Shall lye open or Unfenced & Shall also keep maintain and

§preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood thereon according to the

§Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall likewise plant

§Furze round the Said Fence at proper Seasons of the Year & when the aforesaid

§Land is so fenced as aforesaid he the Said Martin Harper his heirs or Assigns

§Shall not alter or remove the Said Fence they being the bounds or

§Landmarks of the Said Parcell of Land & which in Such Case would

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall

§he the Said Martin Harper his heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way

§dispose of this Lease or Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the

§Governour & Council for the time being In Witness whereof he the

§Said Martin Harper hath hereunto Sett his hand & Seale this 18th day

§of Sep[r] in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thirty one

§& the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other part of these Presents have affixed

§their Common Seale the day & year just beforewritten§

§Landmarks of the Said Parcell of Land & which in Such Case would

§Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall

§he the Said Martin Harper his heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way

§dispose of this Lease or Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the

§Governour & Council for the time being In Witness whereof he the

§Said Martin Harper hath hereunto Sett his hand & Seale this 18th day

§of Sep[r] in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thirty one

§& the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other part of these Presents have affixed

§their Common Seale the day & year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Mar Harper§

§S°§

§W°§

Margin Notes:

§Martin Harper§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Martin Harper, a planter of the island, 3 acres of land lying in Swanley Valley. The parcel was bounded on the north by the leasehold land of Thomas Harper, on the south by the Company's unused land, and on the east and west by the Company's unused land.

Martin Harper and his heirs were to hold the 3 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the 25th of the present month for 21 years. The grant depended on Harper and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Harper was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Harper and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 3 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of the 25th of the present month, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order, maintained and the full quantity and proportion of timber preserved as the island's laws required.

Harper was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 3 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Harper and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Martin Harper set his hand and seal on 18 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 3-acre parcel, marked south and west.]

Interpretations

The northern boundary against the leasehold of Thomas Harper records a neighbouring tenure held by another member of the Harper family. Thomas Harper held ground in this part of the island, so the reference fixed Martin Harper's parcel against a known family holding rather than leaving the bound to survey lines alone.

The grant to Martin Harper ties this holding to the wider Harper family of the island. He was a soldier who took a gumwood lease known as the Half Moon near Sandy Bay Valley, and this 3-acre grant in Swanley Valley added directly held ground to the family's presence in the records.

The duty to preserve timber and plant furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease places a 3-acre parcel against Thomas Harper's adjoining leasehold, with Company waste on the other sides. The arrangement looks designed to settle Martin Harper on ground next to an established family holding, slotting otherwise idle waste against a recognised neighbour so the parcel filled out the settled pattern in Swanley Valley rather than standing apart from existing tenures.

261

245

[The right-hand edge of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the lines throughout the main writing block.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the

§Hon[ble] the United Company of Merchants of England Trading to the

§last Indies do hereby demise Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Eliz Greentr[ee]

§Widow of the Said Island All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing Thre[e]

§Acres butting & bounding North upon the Lands now in the Possession of

§John Goodwin Gent & Fran[s] Wrangham in Lemon Valley & East West &

§South upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land in the Said Valley; & also one

§Peice or Parcell of Land containing Two Acres & half butting & bounding

§all Sides upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land & commonly called or known

§Name of the Tobacco plain & lying in or near Lemon Valley To have a[nd]

§to hold the Said hereby demised two Parcells of Land containing

§the whole Five Acres & half with all & Singular the Wood Water &

§the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging or

§Appertaining unto her the Said Eliz Greentree her heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§Assigns from the 25 day of Sep[r] which happend in the Year of Our

§One Thousand Seven hundred twenty four for & during all the Spac[e]

§Term of Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condit[ion]

§that she the Said Eliz Greentree her heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall

§do allways bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King G[eorge]

§his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Comp[y] & their Successours

§duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeildi[ng]

§& Paying therefore yearly & every year during the whole Term & tim[e]

§Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their

§Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one

§Duty being in the whole five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th

§of March being the Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin M[ary]

§for & during all the Term or Space of twenty one Years as aforesaid

§Provided that she the Said Eliz Greentree her heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§Assigns hath duely & Sett about & fence in the Said Five

§& half of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of one

§to Commence & be Computed from the Said 25th day of Sep[r]

§under penalty of paying double Rent & duty for all the time the Sai[d]

§Parcell of Land or any part of it hath Since Said open or Unfenced

§also keep & maintain the Said Fence in good Order & Repair & Shal[l]

§also plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & prov[ided]

§& Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper Season[s]§

§also keep & maintain the Said Fence in good Order & Repair & Shal[l]

§also plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§Wood according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & prov[ided]

§& Shall likewise plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper Season[s]

§of the Year & when the aforesaid Land is so fenced as aforesaid she th[e]

§Said Eliz Greentree her heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the

§Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid Five

§Acres & half of Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alterati[on]

§of the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed, nor Shall she the Said Eliza[beth]

§Greentree her heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lea[se]

§or Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the Governour

§& Council for the time being In Witness whereof she the Said Eliz

§Greentree hath hereunto Sett her hand & Seale this 14th day of Sep[r]

§in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred Fifty One

§they the Said Hon[ble] Company to the other part of these Presents

§have affixed their common Seal the day & year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§Eliz Greentree§

Margin Notes:

§Eliz Greentree§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Elizabeth Greentree, a widow of the island, two parcels of land together making 5 acres and a half. The first was 3 acres in Lemon Valley, bounded on the north by the land then held by John Goodwin, gentleman, and Francis Wrangham in Lemon Valley, on the east and west by the Company's unused land, and on the south by the Company's unused land in the valley. The second was 2 acres and a half commonly known by the name of the Tobacco Plain, lying in or near Lemon Valley, bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Elizabeth Greentree and her heirs were to hold both parcels, together 5 acres and a half, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 September 1724 for 21 years. The grant depended on Greentree and those after her staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Greentree was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Greentree and her heirs had to fence the 5 acres and a half with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 September, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Since the parcels had since been left open or unfenced, she was to fence them and keep the fence in good order and repair, and to plant, maintain and preserve the full quantity and proportion of timber as the island's laws required.

Greentree was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, she and her heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 5 acres and a half and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Greentree and her heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Elizabeth Greentree set her hand and seal on 14 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

Interpretations

The term ran from 25 September 1724, nearly seven years before the sealing on 14 September 1731, marking this as a regularisation of a holding the widow had occupied for some years. The lease brought an existing tenure into formal record, with the recital that the ground had since been left open or unfenced pointing to a holding that had run ahead of its documentation.

The byname Tobacco Plain fixed the smaller parcel by a recognised local feature, suggesting ground once given over to tobacco cultivation. The name anchored the 2 acres and a half to a known stretch near Lemon Valley, preserving the memory of an earlier use of the ground.

The grant to Elizabeth Greentree as widow placed leasehold in the hands of a woman holding in her own right. The Greentree family ran widely through the island's records, and this lease shows a widow taking and sealing a Company holding on the same terms set for any man.

The northern boundary against the joint ground of John Goodwin, gentleman, and Francis Wrangham fixes the larger parcel against a documented holding. The two men held adjoining leasehold ground together in Lemon Valley, so the reference pinned Greentree's 3 acres against a recognised neighbouring tenure.

Speculations

The lease backdates the term to September 1724 and records that the ground had since been left unfenced. The arrangement looks designed to regularise a holding the widow had occupied informally for years, bringing it under formal terms while binding her to enclose and plant ground that had run on without the required fencing, so the Company recovered both a documented title and improvement of a parcel that had lapsed into neglect.

262

246

[The right-hand edge of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the lines throughout the main writing block.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United

§Company of Merchants of England Trading to the East Indies do hereby demise

§Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Geo Gabr[l] Powell of the Said Island Planter All

§that Peice or Parcell of Land containing fifteen Acres butting & bounding North

§partly upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land & partly upon the Leasehold Land

§of Eliz Greentree & South partly upon the Land called the Horse Pasture partly

§upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land & partly upon the Lands of Ioh Iohnson

§East partly upon the Lands of the Said Iohnson & partly upon the Lands of

§the Said Eliz Greentree, West partly upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land &

§partly upon the Lands called the Horse Pasture To have and to

§hold the Said hereby demised fifteen Acres of Land with all & Singular

§the Wood Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances

§thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him the Said Geo Powell

§his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th of this instant for & during

§all the Space or Term of twenty one Years from thence next ensuing

§Upon Condition that he the Said Geo Powell his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§or Assigns Shall & do allway bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign

§Lord & King George his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company &

§their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the

§Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year during

§the whole Term or time of twenty one Years as aforesaid unto them the Said

§Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns the Sum of four

§Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in the whole five Shillings &

§Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March yearly being the Feast of the

§Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary Provided that he the Said

§Geo Powell his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett

§about & fence in the Said Land within the Space of one Year to commence

§from the Said 25th instant with a good & Sufficient Fence under

§Penalty of Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said Land

§or any part thereof Shall afterwards lye open or Unfenced & when the

§Same Shall be so fenced & Enclosed as aforesaid the Same & every part

§thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant Maintain

§& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood thereon according

§to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided and Shall

§likewise Plant Furze round the Said Fence at proper Seasons of the

§Year & when the Said Parcell of Land Shall be so fenced as aforesaid he the

§Said George Powell his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the

§Said Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid§

§thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also Plant Maintain

§& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood thereon according

§to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided and Shall

§likewise Plant Furze round the Said Fence at proper Seasons of the

§Year & when the Said Parcell of Land Shall be so fenced as aforesaid he the

§Said George Powell his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the

§Said Fences, they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid

§Parcell of Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of

§the Plott or Plan hereunto annexed; nor Shall he the Said Geo Powell

§his heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest

§therein without the Leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council for the

§time being In Witness whereof he the Said Geo Powell hath hereunto

§Sett his hand & Seal this 21st day of Sep[r] in the Year of Our Lord

§One Thousand Seven hundred thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble]

§Company to the other part of these Presents have affixed their common

§Seal the day & Year just beforewritten§

§[Signed &] Sealed

§[in the Presence] of [...]§

§G G Powell§

§Horse Pasture§

§N° 4§

§W°§

§Eng[s] [...]§

Margin Notes:

§[...]§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to George Gabriel Powell, a planter of the island, 15 acres of land. The parcel was bounded on the north partly by the Company's unused land and partly by the leasehold land of Elizabeth Greentree. On the south it lay partly upon the land called the Horse Pasture, partly upon the Company's unused land, and partly upon the land of Joshua Johnson. On the east it lay partly upon the land of Johnson and partly upon the land of Elizabeth Greentree. On the west it lay partly upon the Company's unused land and partly upon the land called the Horse Pasture.

George Gabriel Powell and his heirs were to hold the 15 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the 25th of the present month for 21 years. The grant depended on Powell and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Powell was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Powell and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 15 acres with a good and proper fence within one year of the 25th of the present month, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair, and the full quantity and proportion of timber planted, maintained and preserved as the island's laws required.

Powell was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 15 acres and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Powell and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, George Gabriel Powell set his hand and seal on 21 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the 15-acre parcel, marked north, east and west.]

Interpretations

The boundaries fixed the 15 acres against the land called the Horse Pasture on the south and west, anchoring the parcel to a recognised local feature. The Horse Pasture was a known stretch of grazing ground, so naming it pinned the holding to the landscape rather than leaving the bounds to survey lines alone.

The boundaries against the leasehold of Elizabeth Greentree and the land of Joshua Johnson place the parcel among established neighbours. Both held adjoining ground in this district, so the grant slotted Powell's 15 acres against recognised holdings, drawing the leased acres into the settled pattern.

The grant to George Gabriel Powell ties this holding to the documented Powell family of the island. Gabriel Powell was a substantial holder who built up ground through purchase, marriage and Company lease, and this 15-acre grant added directly held land to the family's accumulation.

The duty to plant and preserve timber and to set furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease fixes a 15-acre parcel against the Horse Pasture, the Greentree leasehold and the Johnson ground on its several sides. The arrangement looks designed to fit a substantial holding into the gaps between established neighbours and a recognised grazing feature, slotting Powell's acres against settled holdings so the parcel completed the pattern of the district rather than opening isolated waste at a distance from existing tenures.

263

247

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United Comp[y]

§of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do hereby Demise

§Grant Sett & to farm lett unto Tho[s] Clew of the Said Island Soldier

§All that Peice or Parcell of Land containing Nine Acres, Eighter

§Acres thereof lying upon the Place called Doctors Moor Plain & the

§other Acre lying in or near Ioyer Valley both Parcells butting &

§bounding all round the Comp[ys] upon the Hon[ble] Companies West

§Land To have and to hold the Said hereby demised Nine

§Acres of Land with all & Singular the Wood Water & all other the

§Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging or

§Appertaining unto him the Said Tho[s] Clew his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§or Assigns from the 25th instant for & during all the Term or Space of

§Twenty one Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that

§he the Said Tho[s] Clew his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do

§allways bear true Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King

§George his heirs & Successours & to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their

§Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws & Constitutions of the

§Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly & every year

§during the whole Term & Time of Twenty one Years as aforesaid unto

§them the Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns

§the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in the

§whole five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March yearly

§being the Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary

§Provided that he the Said Tho[s] Clew his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or

§Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett about & Fence in the Said Parcells

§of Land within the Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th

§instant with a good & Sufficient Fence under Penalty of Paying

§double Rent for all the time the Said Land or any part thereof Shall

§lye open & Unfenced & when the Same Shall be so Fenced as aforesaid

§the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair

§& Shall also plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§of Wood thereon according to the Laws & Constitutions of this Island

§in that Case made & Provided & Shall likewise Plant Furze round

§the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year & when the Said

§Parcells of Land Shall be Fenced as aforesaid he the Said Tho[s] Clew

§his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences§

§the Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair

§& Shall also plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion

§of Wood thereon according to the Laws & Constitutions of this Island

§in that Case made & Provided & Shall likewise Plant Furze round

§the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the Year & when the Said

§Parcells of Land Shall be Fenced as aforesaid he the Said Tho[s] Clew

§his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said Fences

§they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid Parcells of

§Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the

§Plott or Plan hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Said Tho[s] Clew

§his heirs or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or

§Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Council

§for the time being In Witness whereof he the Said Tho[s] Clew hath

§hereunto Sett his hand & Seale this 21st day of Sep[r] in the Year

§of Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thirty One & they the

§Said Hon[ble] Company to the other Part of these Presents have

§affixed their common Seale the day & year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§The[o] Clew

§Tho[s] Clew§

§1 Acre

§[...]§

Margin Notes:

§Tho[s] Clew§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Thomas Cleve, a soldier of the island, two parcels of land together making 9 acres. The first was 8 acres lying upon the place called Doctor's Moor Plain, and the other was 1 acre lying in or near Fryer Valley. Both parcels were bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Thomas Cleve and his heirs were to hold both parcels, together 9 acres, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the 25th of the present month for 21 years. The grant depended on Cleve and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Cleve was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Cleve and his heirs had to start at once and fence the parcels with a good and proper fence within one year of the 25th of the present month, on pain of paying double rent for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair, and the full quantity and proportion of timber planted, maintained and preserved as the island's laws required.

Cleve was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the land and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Cleve and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Thomas Cleve set his hand and seal on 21 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: a parcel, and a separate parcel marked 1 acre.]

Interpretations

The byname Doctor's Moor Plain fixed the larger parcel by a recognised local feature rather than by survey alone. The name anchored the 8 acres to a known stretch of ground, preserving an earlier association of the plain with a particular holder or use.

The grant gathered an 8-acre parcel and a separate Fryer Valley acre under one lease across two locations. The arrangement drew Cleve's ground into a single tenure on common terms, binding the whole to one rent, fencing duty and renewal cycle rather than tracking the fragments apart.

The grant to Thomas Cleve as soldier ties this holding to the documented Cleve family of the island. Thomas Cleve bought James Valley dwellings within the 1722 chain of half-shares, and this Company lease of 9 acres added directly held rural ground to his urban accumulation.

The duty to plant and preserve timber and to set furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease bundles 8 acres at Doctor's Moor Plain with a separate Fryer Valley acre under a single grant, both hemmed in by Company waste. The arrangement looks designed to bring isolated stretches of waste into productive use under one tenure, binding a substantial parcel and an outlying acre to a single rent and renewal cycle so the whole moved together rather than each piece being held and tracked separately.

264

248

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United Company of

§Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do hereby Demise Grant Sett

§& to farm Lett unto Stephen Iuffin Iun[r] of the Said Island Planter All that

§Peice or Parcell of Land containing two Acres & half butting & bounding East

§upon the Lands of his Father North & South upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land

§& West upon the Lands of Tho[s] Harper To have and to hold the

§Said hereby demised two Acres & half of Land with all & Singular the Wood

§Water & all other the Rights Commodities & Appurtinances thereunto belonging

§or Appertaining unto him the Said Stephen Iuffin his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§or Assigns from the 25th instant for & during all the Term or Space of twenty one

§Years from thence next ensuing Upon Condition that he the Said

§Stephen Iuffin his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true

§Faith & Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successours

§& to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successours & Shall duely obey all the Laws

§& Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding & Paying therefore yearly

§& every year during the whole Term & Time of twenty one Years as aforesaid

§unto them the Said Hon[ble] Company their Successours Agents or Assigns the

§Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling Duty being in the whole five

§Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day of March yearly being the Feast

§of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin Mary Provided that he the Said

§Stephen Iuffin his heirs or Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett about and

§Fence in the Said Parcell of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the

§Space of one Year to commence from the Said 25th instant under Penalty of

§Paying double Rent & Duty for all the time the Said Land or any part thereof

§Shall lye open or Unfenced & when the Same Shall be so fenced as aforesaid the

§Same & every part thereof Shall be kept in good Order & Repair & Shall also

§Plant Maintain & Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood

§thereon according to the Laws of this Island in that Case made & provided and

§Shall likewise Plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper Seasons of

§the Year & when the Said Parcell of Land Shall be so fenced as aforesaid he the

§Said Stephen Iuffin his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said

§Fence they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid Parcell of Land

§which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan

§hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Said Stephen Iuffin his heirs or Assigns

§Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest therein without the

§leave & Consent of the Governour & Council for the time being In§

§the Year & when the Said Parcell of Land Shall be so fenced as aforesaid he the

§Said Stephen Iuffin his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the Said

§Fence they being the bounds or Landmarks of the aforesaid Parcell of Land

§which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the Plott or Plan

§hereunto annexed nor Shall he the Said Stephen Iuffin his heirs or Assigns

§Sell or any other way dispose of this Lease or Interest therein without the

§leave & Consent of the Governour & Council for the time being In

§Witness whereof he the Said Stephen Iuffin hath hereunto Sett his hand

§& Seale this 21 day of Sep[r] in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven

§hundred thirty one & they the Said Hon[ble] Company & the other part of

§these Presents have affixed their common Seale the day & Year just before

§written§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§The[o] Steph Iuffin§

Margin Notes:

§S Iuffin§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Stephen Luffin junior, a planter of the island, 2 acres and a half of land. The parcel was bounded on the east by the land of Luffin's father, on the north and south by the Company's unused land, and on the west by the land of Thomas Harper.

Stephen Luffin and his heirs were to hold the 2 acres and a half, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from the 25th of the present month for 21 years. The grant depended on Luffin and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Luffin was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Luffin and his heirs had to start at once and fence the 2 acres and a half with a good and proper fence within one year of the 25th of the present month, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair, and the full quantity and proportion of timber planted, maintained and preserved as the island's laws required.

Luffin was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcel was fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the 2 acres and a half and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Luffin and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Stephen Luffin set his hand and seal on 21 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the parcel marked as containing [...].]

Interpretations

The eastern boundary against the land of Luffin's father shows the parcel rounding out a family holding. The grant slotted the 2 acres and a half against ground his father already held, drawing the addition into a contiguous block and launching the younger holder onto land beside his father's.

The grant to Stephen Luffin junior ties this holding to the documented Lufkin family of the island, recorded under variant renderings. The family ran through John, Stephen and Joseph Lufkin across the records, and this lease added directly held ground to a line long present in the island's land dealings.

The western boundary against the land of Thomas Harper records a neighbouring tenure fixing the edge of the parcel. Harper held adjoining ground in this district, so the reference pinned Luffin's holding against a recognised neighbour rather than leaving the bound to survey lines alone.

The duty to plant and preserve timber and to set furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease fixes the 2 acres and a half against the father's land on one side and Thomas Harper's on another. The arrangement looks designed to establish the younger Luffin on ground beside his father, slotting otherwise idle waste against the family holding and a recognised neighbour so the parcel both extended the Luffin block and set the son up on land of his own within the settled pattern.

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[The right-hand edge of the page is torn away, affecting the ends of the lines throughout the main writing block.]

§The Hon[ble] the Lords Proprietors of the Island St Helena the Hon[ble] the United

§of Merchants of England Trading to the last Indies do hereby demise

§Sett & to farm lett unto unto Caleb Davis of the Said Island Soldier

§those Two Peices or Parcells of Land lying in Swanley Valley containing in

§whole Six Acres & half butting & bounding &c four Acres thereof

§upon the Lands of Tho[s] Harper North East & West upon the Hon[ble]

§Companies West Land & the other Parcell containing Two Acres &

§bounding all round the Comp[ys] upon the Hon[ble] Comp[ys] West Land

§To have and to hold the Said hereby demised Six Acres & half

§Land with all & Singular the Wood Water & all other the Rights Commod[ities]

§& Appurtinances thereunto belonging or Appertaining unto him

§Said Caleb Davis his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns from the 25th day

§December next for & during all the Space or Term of Twenty one Years

§thence next ensuing Upon Condition that he the Said Cale[b]

§Davis his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs] or Assigns Shall & do allways bear true

§& Allegiance to Our Soveraign Lord King George his heirs & Successo[urs]

§to the Said Hon[ble] Company & their Successours & Shall duely obey

§the Laws & Constitutions of the Said Island Yeilding & Pay[ing]

§therefore yearly & every year during the whole Term or Time of tw[enty]

§one Years as aforesaid unto the Said Hon[ble] Company their Successo[urs]

§Agents or Assigns the Sum of four Shillings & Acre & one Shilling D[uty]

§being in all five Shillings & Acre in at or upon the 25th day of M[arch]

§yearly being the Feast of the Annunciation of the blessed Virgin

§Provided that he the Said Caleb Davis his heirs Ex[rs] Adm[rs]

§Assigns Shall & do immediatly Sett about & Fence in the Said Parc[ell]

§of Land with a good & Sufficient Fence within the Space of one

§commence from the Said 25th day of December next under Penal[ty]

§Paying double Rent & duty for all the Time the Said Parcell of

§or any Part thereof Shall lye open or Unfenced & Shall also Plant

§& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood thereon accord[ing]

§the Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall lik[ewise]

§Plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the

§& when the aforesaid Land Shall be so fenced as aforesaid he

§Caleb Davis his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the

§Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the Said Parcell

§Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the §

§or any Part thereof Shall lye open or Unfenced & Shall also Plant

§& Preserve the full Quantity & Proportion of Wood thereon accord[ing]

§the Laws of this Island in that Case made & Provided & Shall lik[ewise]

§Plant Furze round the Said Fences at proper Seasons of the

§& when the aforesaid Land Shall be so fenced as aforesaid he

§Caleb Davis his heirs or Assigns Shall not alter or remove the

§Fences they being the bounds or Landmarks of the Said Parcell

§Land which in Such Case would Occasion the Alteration of the

§or Plan hereunto annexed, nor Shall he the Said Caleb Davis he[irs]

§& & & & or Assigns Sell or any other way dispose of this Lea[se]

§Interest therein without the leave & Consent of the Gov[r] & Co[uncil]

§for the time being In Witness whereof he the Said Caleb Davi[s]

§hereunto Sett his hand & Seale this 21st day of Sep[r] in the Y[ear of]

§Our Lord One Thousand Seven hundred thirty One & the Said

§Company to the other part of these Presents have affixed their c[ommon]

§Seal the day & year just beforewritten§

§Signed & Sealed

§in the Presence of [...]§

§The[o] Caleb Davis§

Margin Notes:

§Caleb Davis§

The Honourable United Company of Merchants of England trading to the East Indies, the owners of the island of St Helena, leased to Caleb Davis, a soldier of the island, two parcels of land lying in Swanley Valley together making 6 acres and a half. The first was 4 acres, bounded on the south by the land of Thomas Harper, and on the north, east and west by the Company's unused land. The second was 2 acres and a half, bounded on every side by the Company's unused land.

Caleb Davis and his heirs were to hold both parcels, together 6 acres and a half, with all the wood, water and other rights, commodities and appurtenances belonging to the ground, from 25 December next after the date of the lease for 21 years. The grant depended on Davis and those after him staying loyal to King George and his successors, staying loyal to the Company, and obeying the island's laws and rules.

Davis was to pay the Company a yearly rent of 4 shillings an acre plus a 1 shilling duty, making 5 shillings an acre in all, on 25 March, the feast of the Annunciation, throughout the 21 years.

Davis and his heirs had to start at once and fence the parcels with a good and proper fence within one year of 25 December, on pain of paying double rent and duty for the whole time any part of the land stood unfenced. Once fenced and enclosed, the whole ground was to be kept in good order and repair, and the full quantity and proportion of timber planted and preserved as the island's laws required.

Davis was also to plant furze around the fences at the proper times of year. Once the parcels were fenced, he and his heirs were not to alter or remove the fences, since they marked the bounds of the land and shifting them would change the plan attached to the lease. Davis and his heirs were also not to sell or otherwise pass on the lease, or any share in it, without first getting the agreement of the Governor and Council of the island.

In confirmation of all this, Caleb Davis set his hand and seal on 21 September 1731. The Company sealed its copy of the documents on the same day and year.

Signed and sealed in the presence of [...].

[Plan: the bounds of the parcel.]

Interpretations

The grant gathered two parcels in Swanley Valley under one lease, one fixed against a neighbour and the other hemmed in by Company waste. The arrangement drew Davis's ground into a single tenure on common terms, binding the whole to one rent, fencing duty and renewal cycle rather than tracking the fragments apart.

The southern boundary against the land of Thomas Harper places the larger parcel within the documented cluster of Swanley Valley holdings. Harper held adjoining ground in this valley, named also as a boundary in the neighbouring grants to Martin Harper and Stephen Luffin of the same period, so the reference fixed Davis's parcel against a recognised tenure.

The grant to Caleb Davis as soldier records a member of the garrison taking rural ground. The lease added a directly held Company holding of 6 acres and a half to a soldier of the island, showing the overlap of military service and landholding common across the records.

The duty to plant and preserve timber and to set furze around the fences tied the lease to the island's wood-conservation rules. Furze grew quickly and served both as fence reinforcement and as fuel on a dry island, so the requirement bound boundary upkeep to the wider effort to keep up a steady supply of timber and burning material under Company oversight.

Speculations

The lease bundles a 4-acre parcel against Thomas Harper's ground with a separate 2-and-a-half-acre parcel of enclosed waste under a single grant in Swanley Valley. The arrangement looks designed to settle a soldier on a workable block, slotting one parcel against an established neighbour while bringing an adjoining stretch of idle waste into the same tenure, so the whole moved together on one rent rather than being held and tracked as separate pieces.

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§EAP 1364 St Helena§

§Document Name and Date

§Register of Leases and Deeds 1720-1731§

§Dimensions (height x width x depth) (cm)

§(h) 38cm x (w) 31cm x (D) 4cm§

§No. written pages:

§262§

§No. blank pages:

§0§

§Spine and cover

§Not original Covers

§No Spine§

§Inside pages

§Some Pages in good Condition. Most of them in bad Condition

§Foxing Present

§Pages are numbered in top Corners of every page§

§Additional comments

§Pages are not attached to Spine§

§Time taken to photograph (hours)

§6 hours§