Hartley History - Middle Farm Deeds and Documents
(1) 1527 - Will of Peter Cotyer of Dertforde
(2) 1541 - Survey of Manor of
Fawkham, 28 April 33 Henry VIII
This
did not include Middle Farm, but it included one field that bordered onto Homefield:
The bounds of all the land pertaining to the one half of the manor of Facham, made and bounded by the knowledge of Thomas Walter of Facham aforesaid, the 28th day of April in the 33rd year of King Henry the 8th........
Hartely
Item: in a field called Dunechis abutting upon the land of John Overey north; to the King's highway leading from Dartford to Hartley east; to the lands of the heirs of Peter Cotyer south; and to the king's highway leading from Dartford to Asshe west; and containing by estimation - 5 acres.
(3) Feet of Fines 1541, 1545, 1589, 1625 (2), 1686, 1698
(4) Will and Inquisition Post Mortem of Robert Gens, 1576
Southfleet Parish Registers - Gens (1558-93)
Baptisms
15.3.1559 James
Gens
20.6.1562 Richard son of John
Jents
22.2.1563 Robert Gens
24.2.1564 Nicholas
son of Robert Gens
26.9.1568 Edward
son of Robert Gens
31.8.1572 William
son of John Gens
Burials
22.6.1562 Richard
Gens
6.12.1563 Robert Gens
13.8.1575 Dorothy
Gens
24.11.1575 Robert Gens
23.6.1579 Edward
Gens
14.4.1593 James Gente
(5) Conveyance 1 January 1624 (summary)
Indenture dated 1 January 22 James I (1624), made between:
(1) Richard Best of
Ash next Farningham, yeoman
(2) John Best of
Hartley, yeoman
(3) Edward Best of Hartley,
yeoman
(4) William Best of Hartley, yeoman
(5) Thomas
Comfort of Ash and John Overy of Hartley
Whereas Richard Best died, seized of lands in Hartley, Ash and Fawkham, which have descended to his sons by gavelkind. This deed is a partition of:
(A) Messuage, barn, ½ acre orchard, The Mead (1a 1r); Little Barnfield (2a); Homefield (6a); Westfield (6a); Bussards (9a); Beanshawe and Old Orchard (2a); Langley (7a); Lovelacereede; part of Greatreede to south of rest of Great Reede (3a). To Richard Best, with remainder to Rebecca his wife.
(B) Part of house; The Stirrupp (12a); Orchard adjoining (½a); Northlands (9a 1r) as it is marked out to be divided at the south west end of Panefield (for access to Northlands?); Huttock (8a); woodland called Huttock Spring (1a); Haydings (4a); Pightell alias The Strake (½a). To John Best.
(C) Part of house; Homefield (8a); Dunchins (4a); Dunchins Spring (woodland, ½a); The Reede (8a); Kitchin Croft (3a); Panefield (10a); woodland called Panefield Spring (2½a); Salletthaught with two little springs or coppices adjoining (10a); Longcrofts (2 fields - 4a). To Edward Best.
(D) Great Barnefield (7a); residue of Great Reede (9a); woodland called Great Reede Spring (½a); and other land in Fawkham. To William Best.
To all faithful men to whom this present writing shall come, John Best of Hartley in the county of Kent, yeoman, greetings in the eternal lord. Let it be known that I, the said John Best, for and in consideration of £120 of legal money of England paid to me by the hands of Edward Best of Hartley aforesaid in the said county, yeoman; wherefore I confess I am fully satisfied and paid, and by the presents the said Edward Best, his hers, executors and administrators are discharged and exonerated therefrom forever. Have bargained, sold, given, granted and by this present writing have confirmed to the said Edward Best, his heirs and assigns: all that parcel of land commonly called Huttocks, containing by estimation 8 acres more or less; another parcel of land commonly called Haydings, containing by estimation 4 acres more or less; all that parcel of wood commonly called Huttocks Springe, containing by estimation 1 acre more or less, situate, lying and being in the said parish of Hartley aforesaid, and now in the tenure or occupation of the said (?) John or his assigns. To have and to hold all the said parcels of land, wood, with all and singular their appurtenances to the said Edward Best, his heirs and assigns, to the sole and proper use and enjoyment of the same Edward Best, his heirs and assigns forever, from the chief lord of that fee, for the services owed therefrom and of right accustomed. And furthermore I the said John Best and my heirs by the presents shall warrant and defend forever all the said parcels of land and wood with the appurtenances to the said Edward Best and his heirs to the use and enjoyment of the said ..... (gap here?) against me and my heirs. In witness of this fact I have placed my seal to this present writing. Given on the 30th day of June in the first year of the reign of our lord Charles, by the Grace of God king of England, Scotland, France and Ireland, defender of the faith etc.
(X) John Best
(7) Conveyance dated 9 October 1627
Indenture dated 9 October 3 Charles I (1627)
Made between:
(1) John
Best of Hartley, yeoman
(2) Edward Best of Hartley,
yeoman
In consideration of £195, John grants to Edward: All that messuage or tenement being the west part of a messuage as divided between John Best, Richard Best, Edward Best and William Best, brethren of the said John Best. And all that little yard or parcel of ground containing in breadth 1 rod or perch, heretofore parcel of a yard called the Streetyard next adjoining tot he said west part of the aforesaid messuage. And all that yard called the Backyard, lying on the north side of the aforesaid messuage or tenement. And all that parcel of land called the Stirrup (12 acres), and one orchard thereto adjoining (½ acre). One other parcel of land called Northlands (9 acres). One parcel of land containing one rood as it is now divided from the south west end of a parcel called Pomefield to make a way to lead, drive, carry to and from the said parcel called Northlands. All that parcel of woodland called the Huttocks Spring (1 acre). Also that parcel called Pightell, also the Strake (½ acre). Now in the occupation of Edward Best.
And heretofore two other parcels already sold called Huttocks (18 acres) and Hayding (4 acres) by an indenture dated 5 January 23 James I (1625) made between John Best, Richard Best, William Best, Edward Best, brethren, sons and coheirs in gavelkind of Richard Best, yeoman deceased.
(S) John Best and Elizabeth his wife.
(8) Indenture 23 June 1647 (summary)
Indenture dated 23 June Charles I (1647)
Made between:
(1) John
Best of Hartley, yeoman
(2) Edward Best of Hartley,
yeoman
In consideration of £120 paid to John Best by Edward Best, John has granted to Edward: all those pieces or parcels of land called Huttocks (16 acres); Haydings (4 acres); and the woodland called Huttocks Spring (1 acre), all in Hartley and lately in the occupation of John Best.
(9) Mortgage dated ?1685 (KAO U1127 T20 Bundle B) (summary)
Mortgage for £200, made between:
(1) John Best and
Dorothy Best, widow, his sister
(2) Thomas Young
Secured on: All that the west part of the messuage, tenement or farmhouse as it was formerly divided by a wall directly across the middle of the "flokes chamber" from the south side to the north side, and so right down into the "boultum room". Also all that yard called the backyard. Also all that stable being part of the west end of the said messuage. Also one rod or perch in breadth of yard called the Street Yard next adjoining the said west part of the said messuage as it is found from the said yard by him the said John Best and doth extend itself in length from the east corner of the west part of the messuage to a gate post whereon a gate usually hangeth, in a hedge of Homefield. And all that yard called Back Yard on the north side. Also Stirrupps (12 acres), orchard adjoining (½ acre), Northlands (9 acres). Also one rood of land to be set out at the south east end of Pomefield to make a way; Huttocks (18 acres); Huttocks Spring (1 acre); Haydings (4 acres); Pigutle or the Strake (½ acre). All which said granted premises now are in the tenure or occupation of Edward Best, brother of him the said John Best.
To have and to hold unto the said Thomas Young for 1,000 years at the yearly rent of 1 peppercorn. If John Best pay Thomas Young £6 on 5 October next and £206 on 5 April 1686 then this present bargain and sale shall be void.
(10) Indenture dated 25 May
1698
This is also the earliest reference
to the Black Lion - the "newly built" cottage and 5 acres.
Indenture dated 25 May 10 William III (1698), made
between :
(1) John Young, yeoman, and Mary his
wife; and Edward Best and Ann his wife
(2) Thomas
Copeland of Meopham, mercer
In consideration of £595 paid to John Young, and 5s paid to Edward Best by Thomas Young, the first parties grant: all that messuage wherein the said Edward Best did dwell as the same was divided from the west part thereof between the said Edward and John Best his brother. And one barn, one stable and all other outhouses, buildings belonging to the east end. And also one yard, one garden, one orchard and 6 pieces and parcels of land arable containing 50 acres to the east end of the messuage. And also all that the west part of the said messuage as it was formerly divided by a wall directly cross the middle of a chamber of the said messuage called the "Flokes Chamber" from the south side to the north side and so right down into a certain room under the said chamber called the "Boulting Room", and also that yard called the backyard and also that stable, being part of the west end and one rod or perch of ground in breadth, parcel of a yard called the Street Yard next adjoining to the west part of the said messuage as it was formed from the said yard by the said John Best; and also all that yard called the back yard, lying on the north side. And also Stirrups (12 acres) and also orchard adjoining (½ acre); Northlands (9 acres); one rood of land out of Pondfield; also Huttocks (18 acres) and a wood ground called Huttocks Spring (1 acre); also Haydings (4 acres); Strake (½ acre) in the occupation of Edward Best. And all the other messuage and land of John Young and Edward Best. One cottage newly built on land of 5 acres now in the possession of Richard Day.
(11) Indenture Tripartate 4 June 10 William III (1698)
Made between:
(1) Thomas
Copeland of Meopham, mercer
(2) John Young of
Hartley, yeoman; and Margaret Burrows, widow
(3) Elizabeth
Burrow, her daughter
In consideration of the marriage between Thomas Copeland and Elizabeth Burrows and of £300 paid by Margaret Burrows and a further 5s paid by John Young and Margaret Burrows to Thomas Copeland, it was agreed that Thomas Copeland was to be seised of: all that messuage wherein Edward Best of Hartley did dwell as the same was divided from the west part thereof by him the said Edward Best and John Best his brother; and also land of about 50 acres to the east of the messuage and also the west part as divided by a wall across the middle of a chamber called "Foks Chamber" from the south side to the north side of the chamber. Also land called Stirrups, North Lands, Huttocks, Huttocks Spring, Haydings containing about 40 acres. In the occupation of Edward Best and John Best.
(12) Indenture dated 2 June 10 William III (1698) (summary)
Made between:
(1) Thomas
Copeland of Meopham, only son of Christopher Copeland (vicar of Meopham, and
Margaret his wife
(2) Christopher Copeland
Father has given son £300 to buy all that messuage lately in the occupation of Edward Best as it was divided from the west thereof between the said Edward Best and John Best his brother. Mentions £10 rentcharge issuing out of lands (detailed)
(13) Indenture dated 2 June 10 William III (1698) (summary)
Made between:
(1) Thomas
Copeland, mercer, only son of Christopher Copeland, clerk, vicar of Meopham
(2) Christopher
Copeland and Margaret his wife.
Grant of yearly rentcharge of £10 issuing out of messuage and lands (detailed) by Christopher.
(14) Counterpart Lease 4 August 1749 (KAO U1127 T37/1-3) (summary)
Made between:
(1) George
Masters
(2) John Best
of a messuage and about 90 acres in Hartley in the occupation of John Best; tenant to do all repairs with enough timber allowed.
Term: 21 years from Michaelmas
1749
Rent: £30
(15) Counterpart Lease 24 December 1793
Made between:
(1) Mr
George Smith
(2) Mr Edward Best, yeoman
of a farm at Hartley, late in the occupation of John Best, now Edward Best, his undertenant. Containing about 90 acres.
Term: 21 years to Michaelmas 1814
Rent: £42
(16) Counterpart Lease dated 6 December 1814 (KAO U1435 T36)
Made between:
(1) George
Smith esq
(2) Mr Edward Best
of a messuage and 94 acres at Hartley. Consisting of a farm house with barns, stables, outbuildings, yards, gardens and appurtenances, and:
The Homestall 0a 3r 30p
The
Orchard 1a 1r 27p
Homefield 10a
2r 16p
Little Homefield 7a
1r 32p
Shaw adj Little Homefield 1a
0r 0p
Little Stirrups 4a
3r 13p
Great Stirrups 8a
0r 35p
North Lands 10a
0r 16p
Kitchen Croft 5a
1r 0p
Pome Field 10a 3r 31p
Great Haddock 9a
1r 10p
Little Haddock 8a 1r 28p
Wood 2a
1r 6p
Little Pickle 0a 2r 0p
Headings 5a
1r 10p
Shaw adj Headings 1a 0r 25p
lately in the occupation of Edward Best deceased, late father of the said Edward Best.
Term: from 11 October 1814 to
11 October 1824
Rent: £90 and £20 for every
acre cultivated.
(17) Counterpart Lease dated 4 October 1826 (KAO U1127 T37/1-3)
Made between:
(1) Mr
George Smith
(2) Mr Edward Best
of a farm at Hartley and 91 acres 3 roods 2 perches at Hartley. Schedule:
Homestall 0a 3r 34p
The Orchard 1a
1r 27p
Homefield 10a 2r 16p
Little
Homefield 11a 1r 32p
Shaw
adj Little Homefield 1a 0r 0p
Little
Stirrups 4a 3r 12p
Great Stirrups 8a
0r 33p
North Lands 10a
0r 16p
Kitchen Croft 5a
1r 0p
Pomefield 10a 3r 31p
Great Haddock 9a
1r 10p
Little Haddock 8a 1r 28p
A Wood 2a
1r 6p
Little Pickle 0a 2r 0p
Headings 5a
1r 10p
Shaw adj Headings 1a 0r 23p
Term: 8 years from 11 October
1824
Rent: £70
(18) Quit rents paid to the manor of Hartley KAO U1127
for messuage and land
11 Oct 1699 Received
of Mr Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
26 Apr
1699 Received of Edward Best £1.7.4
21 Oct 1700 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward
Best £1.6.0
18 Oct 1701 Received
of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
18
Feb 1702 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward Best
jun £1.6.0
8 Feb 1703 Received
of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
10
Oct 1704 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
4
May 1705 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward
Best £1.6.0
22 Feb 1706 Received
of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
15
Jan 1707 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
31
Jan 1708 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
14
Feb 1709 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
5
Oct 1710 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward
Best £1.6.0
2 Feb 1711 Received
of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
12
Feb 1712 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
6
Feb 1713 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward
Best £1.6.0
11 Feb 1714 Received
of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
3
Apr 1715 Received of Thomas Copland by Edward
Best £1.6.0
8 Feb 1716 Received
of Thomas Copland by Edward Best £1.6.0
(19) Rent Received from Edward Best of Hartley (KAO U1127 E1)
Year Rent Tax Cash Received
1765 £33.0.0 £2.2.0 £30.18.0
1766 £33.0.0 £2.2.0 £30.18.0
1767 £33.0.0 £2.2.0 £30.18.0
1768 £33.0.0 £2.2.0 £30.18.0
1769 £33.0.0 £2.2.0 £30.18.0
1770 £33.0.0 £2.2.0 £30.18.0