DEEDS TO THE AREA PREVIOUSLY LOWER FROYLE STORES, NOW HOLT HOUSE
Researched by Annette Booth at the Froyle Archive, January 2004 “.....“ denotes where details have been transcribed from the original. Earliest document - RELEASE from James Hawkins to Thomas Woolveridge dated 10 December 1754. James Hawkins, Maltster of Froyle. Thomas Woolveridge also of Froyle. For the price of £240, “All that Messuage or Tenement Malthouse Millhouse and premises with all the Barns Stables Outhouses Edifices Buildings Gardens Orchards....and also much of the former Gateroom belonging to the premises as lyeth north-west from the other part those of which was lately divided and fenced apart in a right line from the North-West end of the Barns now or late in the possession of Richard Marshall or of his Assignee.”
This is the first mention we have of a “Millhouse” and “Gateroom”. Initially I thought this document referred to another property. But I now believe this is a description of the site as it was in 1754.
Also INDENTURE dated 9 December 1754 between the two men. Thomas Woolveridge is described as a Yeoman. Leased to him by James Hawkins for a year and a Peppercorn rent. Property originally belonging to John Chandler, then John Cayger of Froyle. Appear to have sold all the land - “except One Piddle of Land near adjoining the South premises and the free use or liberty of a way or passage in the day time for him and themselves and his & their servants horses teams carts carriages and other necessaries into and through the said orchard and gateroom unto and from the South Piddle of Land as in and by a certain Grant & Release dated 17 March 1726”
WILL of Thomas Woolveridge, of Froyle, Yeoman, dated 24 August 1768.
“Extracted from the Registry of the Archdeacon of Winchester. In the name of God Amen I Thomas Woolveridge of Froyle in the county of Southson (?) Yeoman being weak in body but of a sound dispossing mind memory and understanding thanks be to Almighty God therefore do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following, that is to say, First I will that all my debts and funeral expences be paid by my Executor hereinafter named. And then I give devise and bequeath unto my son Augustine Woolveridge his Heirs and Assigns forever All my real and personal Estate moneys and securities whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kinds soever charged and chargeable with the payment of the sum of £40 of lawful money of Great Britain yearly and every year to my dear and loving wife Margarett for and during her natural life if she continues my Widow but not otherwise by four equal quarterly payments in the year the first payment thereof to begin and be made on the first quarter day next after my decease. I also give and bequest unto my said wife for and during her Widowhood the use of All that Messuage or Tenement garden and premises at the Malthouse (except the Malthouse) without paying any rent to my Executor for the same and also the use of such Household goods and furniture in my now Dwelling House as she shall think proper to make choice of. I also give and bequeath unto my said Wife the sum of £10 to be paid her immdeiately after my decease. And lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint my son Augustine Woolveridge sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament”. The Will was witnessed by Daniel Swann, Edmond Pittman and James Silvester. INDENTURE dated 30 August 1779 between Augustine Woolveridge, Maltster of Froyle, son of Thomas Woolveridge, deceased, and George Wells of Farnham.
Witnessed by Edward Wools and James Clapshoe. ASSIGNMENT RATIFICATION OF MORTGAGE dated 20 October 1780 between Henry Wells (of Farnham) and Augustine Woolveridge & George Field. Messuage Malthouse Millhouse Barn Gateroom etc in Froyle.
BOND for £100 from Augustine Woolveridge to George Field of Farnborough dated 28 Feb 1781.
(Has cancelled written on it - Executers of his will payed account in full to George Field 4 Dec 1783.)
Augustine died and was buried 3 August 1781
WILL dated 7 August 1781 - Augustine Woolveridge. Bequest to son, Thomas Woolveridge, and to son, John Woolveridge. Also beloved wife, Mary.
Freehold with adjoining malthouse, orchard, garden and premises at Froyle. In presence of James Silvester, John Trimming & John Farr. INDENTURE of six parts dated 7 October 1806 between John Woolveridge of Froyle, Maltster, only surviving son and heir of Augustine Woolveridge and Mary Woolveridge, Bridget Williams of Holybourne, widow, John Knight (the younger) of Binsted, Butcher, eldest son and heir of Martha Knight, and John Barrett of New York, Cabinet Maker, eldest son and heir of Ann Barrett of Holybourne. Mary Woolveridge, Bridget Williams, Martha Knight and Ann Barrett were the four sisters of George Allam (the younger) of Holybourne, Tanner, deceased. As such John Woolveridge, Bridget Williams, John Knight and John Barrett.
John Woolveridge married Elizabeth Harwood in Dec 1799 in Froyle, the Vicar being Geo Nowell Watkins. Witnesses were William Goodyer and Elizabeth Hillyer. Elizabeth Woolveridge died, aged 29, and was buried on her fourth wedding anniversary, in 1803. In 1805 John married Ann Tigwell of Froyle. The Minister was George R Child. Witnesses were Sarah Robinson and John Knight.
ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE dated 10 April 1817 between Edward Rogers of Guildford, Maltster, and James Watford of Froyle, Maltster.
MARRIAGE dated 24 July 1828 between Mary Woolveridge and John Collins.
ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE dated 12 Septebmer 1836 between James Chapel of Froyle, Blacksmith and James Hewitt, Carpenter.
ABSTRACT OF TYTHE dated 1837 to a Freehold Messuage Malthouse Millhouse Outhouses Buildings Gardens Orchards Gateroom and Heredits situate in Froyle and the Tenths and Tithes thereof formerly belonging to the Rectory or Parsonage of Froyle lately the property of John Woolveridge. John Woolveridge died, aged 41, in 1816. There was obviously some problem regarding tenure as there are a number of letters, including this one from Ann, his widow. DECLARATION dated 6 March 1837 “I Ann Woolveridge of Froyle in the County of Southampton aged fifty five years and upwards Widow of John Woolveridge late of Froyle aforesaid Maltster deceased do solemnly and sincerely declare that Martha Woolveridge my daughter by my said late Husband John Woolveridge was born at Froyle aforesaid on the fourth day of March 1808 at three o clock in the afternoon and that my said Daughter was about a month or five weeks after her birth baptised in the Parish Church of Froyle aforesaid by the Reverend George Robinson Child the then Curate of Froyle aforesaid and that Thomas Grover was the Parish Clerk at the time who are both deceased and that the Baptism of my said Daughter is, as I am informed, omitted to be registered. And I do further solemnly and sincerely declare that I often heard my said late Husband the said John Woolveridge declare that his elder brother Thomas Woolveridge was a Sailor and died a Bachelor in India that he had a power to act for him in his absence from England and on his going to the Admiralty he learnt he was dead and that the power was at an end and that he never received any thing on his said Brother's account afterwards. And I make this solemn Decleration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of an Act made and passed in the fifth and sixth years of the reign of his present Majesty.” “This declaration was made at Alton, having first been read to her so that she understood, by James White Clement, Master Extra in Chancery, to which she had added her mark.”
DECLARATION dated 27 March 1837
“I Ann Woolveridge of Froyle in the County of Southampton aged fifty five years do solemnly and sincerely declare that I am the Widow of John Woolveridge late of Froyle aforesaid Maltster who died in the month of December 1816. My said Husband John Woolveridge never had a son but he left seven Daughters him surviving - two by a first wife namely, Mary aged 16 years at the time of his decease, and Ann aged 13 at that time, and five by myself, namely, Elizabeth aged 10 years at the time of his decease, Martha aged 8 years at that time, Mercy aged 5 years, Sarah aged 2 years and Lucy aged about 11 months. Ann died in the year 1833 intestate and without having been married as I verily believe. Elizabeth died in the year 1825 aged 19 years without having been married, as I verily believe, and Sarah died in the year 1817 aged two years and a half. My said Daughter Martha was born at Froyle on the fourth day of March 1808 and was baptised about five weeks afterwards in the Parish Church of that place by the Reverend George Robinson Child, but whose baptism was, I am informed, omitted to be registered. At the time of the decease of my said Husband he was in the actual possesion and occupation of the Messuage, Malthouse, Buildings Yard and Gardens situate at Froyle aforesaid, now contracted to be sold (by the survivors of the said children) to William Messenger, and on his said decease I continued in the possession and occupation of the said premises and resided therein with the aforesaid seven children. At the end of about three months after my said Husband's death, Mary, his eldest Daughter went to Service - Ann his second Daughter continued to live on with me for three or four years after her Father's decease, on the said premises, when she also went to Service - my own daughters also (excepting Sarah who died in her Infancy) went to Service as they grew up. About Lady Day 1817 I let part of the said premises to James Watford for £30 a year Rent, who on the 10th April in the same year became Mortgage thereof and he used to deduct his interest, £7.10s a year and pay me the remaining £22.10s till he quitted the premises about the year 1822 - the greater part of the premises then remained unoccupied for some time, since which, part thereof was let to John Hawkins Esq for a short period for which I received about £5 Rent. Afterwards I let part of the premises to Elisha Kemp at Rent of about 5 Guineas a year. For the last three years the Malthouse and Maltkiln were let to the said William Messenger, Rent free on condition of his repairing the Buildings at his own expense. I applied all the Rents I received for the premises for the maintenance and support of myself and the said seven children whilst they remained with me at home.I must have applied for Relief from the Parish of Froyle for myself and the said children had I not been in possession of part of the premises and received Rent for the remainder. My Daughters Lucy and Martha were living with me in the premises at the time of my quitting the occupation thereof shortly after Michaelmas last. And I do further solemnly and sincerely declare that I often heard my said late Husband the said John Woolveridge declare that his elder brother Thomas Woolveridge was a Sailor and died a Bachelor in India that he had a power to act for him in his absence from England and on his going to the Admiralty he learnt he was dead and that the power was at an end and that he never received any thing on his said Brother's account afterwards. And I make this solemn Decleration conscientiously believing the same to be true and by virtue of the provisions of an Act made and passed in the fifth and sixth years of the reign of his present Majesty.” DECLARATION dated 8 April 1837 by one Charles Warring, a Gentlemen's Servant from Middlesex Hospital (?) stating that although Banns were published in the Church of St Marylebone in 1827, between himself and Ann Woolveridge, (daughter of John) the marriage was never solemnized. Also that a boy named Frederick Warring, aged seven or thereabouts in 1837 was the illegitimate son of Ann Woolveridge and he was the father.
Ann died in April 1833 and was buried in St John's Wood Chapel in the parish of St Marylebone on 3 May 1833 under the name Ann Warren!
At this time the ABSTRACT OF TYTHE dated 1837 to a Freehold Messuage Malthouse Millhouse Outhouses Buildings Gardens Orchards Gateroom and Heredits situate in Froyle and the Tenths and Tithes thereof formerly belonging to the Rectory or Parsonage of Froyle lately the property of John Woolveridge was sent to Mr W Booth of Lincolns Inn for him “to advise on behalf of a purchaser”, for which he received 3 Guineas (I think).
Mr Booth appears to have added comments in the margin of the document, something he seemed in the habit of doing, as I found mention of a document on the Internet which stated “Abstract with observations by Mr W Booth thereupon 1830” I believe the notes in the margins are his, hence the comments were written before 11th September 1837, when he signed the document. His comment in the margin, which is initialled, reads: “The Millhouse is pulled down - there is no barn. There is a Maltkiln, Storeroom, Shop and Granary - see plan. The parcels had better be corrected to suit the present state of the Buildings.” This is one of the most exciting comments I have come across for a long time. It really makes us think about the area around the shop!!
It would appear that the Daughters of John Woolveridge wished to dispose of the property. These were Mary (Collins), Martha Woolveridge, Mercy Woolveridge and Lucy Woolveridge. The INDENTURE of 15 April 1837 is made between them, William Messenger (Maltster), James Hewitt (Carpenter) and George Trimming of Alton (Gentleman).
This Indenture contains the PLAN. ARTICLES OF AGREEMENT, dated 13 February 1837, “between Wm Messenger of Froyle, Maltster .. and James Hewitt of the same place, Gentleman, whereby the said Wm.Messenger agrees to sell and the said James Hewitt agrees to purchase a Freehold Dwelling House and Premises situate at Froyle aforesaid late occupied by Mrs Wool(ve)ridge and others according to a plan hereunto annexed for the price or sum of three hundred and eighteen pounds. The said James Hewitt to fence off the premises at his own expence....”
Document giving all marriages and baptisms prepared by Sainsbury Langford Sainsbury, Minister of Froyle, 4 March 1837.
INDENTURE, dated 6 June 1839 between William Carter of Farringdon, Yeoman and James Hewett of Froyle, Carpenter, of the first part, and Charles Cawte of Cheriton Servant (?) of the other part. “sell unto the said Charles Cawte all that plot of Ground situate at Froyle aforesaid contained on the South next the Highway Fifty and three feet and six inches or thereabouts and also on the south next the Ground and Building of Sarah Elizabeth Burningham forty three feet and six inches or thereabouts, and on the North next the Land of Thomas Burningham Esquire eighty seven feet or thereabouts, and on the East next the Ground and Buildings of the said Thomas Burningham one hundred and eighteen feet or thereabout, and abutting towards the west in an irregular line upon the Ground and Buildings of William Messenger. And also the Messuage or Dwelling Shop and other Buildings upon the said plot of Ground.”
MORTGAGE, dated 7 June 1839, between Messrs William Carter and James Hewitt to Mr Charles Cawte of a Messuage, Shop, Buildings plot of ground and Heredits situate at Froyle, Hants, for securing £300 and Interest.
INSURANCE POLICY with Royal Exchange Assurance, dated 7 September 1849 taken out by Mrs Emma Cawte, widow, of Hinton Ampner. For £1.7s.3d she was covered for £190 on a “Dwelling House and Offices adjoining, brick built, tiled and slated... late in the occupation of James Hewitt but now in the tenure of Ann Brownjohn and adjoining the thatched Malthouse, Maltkiln and Storerooms of William Messenger. £10 on a woodhouse, Timber and Boarded built and Thatched adjoining the East end of the said House and £50 on a Carpenters Workshop and Storehouse adjoining, Plasterboarded and Timber built and Thatched in the yard near.”
NOTICE of First Assessment under Property & Income Tax Laws dated 1 January 1852 to Mrs Brownjohn. Property owned at this time by Emma Cawte, the widow of Charles. Duty payed 8s.9d.
Could this be on the Shop in the plan? Probably not. Why is this the first assessment? Is the Act new? Or is it the first time she is using that building as a shop? The Notice mentions.. “profits arising from property, professions, trades and offices..” As she didn't own the property, could it be the trade she is being assessed on? CONVEYANCE of freehold hereditaments at Froyle dated 4 June 1858 between George Cawte of Hinton Ampner, Butcher, John Osmond Dore oGentleman, of Meonstoke, and Emma his wife, formerly Emma Cawte (Widow), and Mrs Ann Brownjohn of Froyle, widow.
It would appear the property was left to George Cawte and his mother Emma by Charles Cawte, who died intestate on 25 December 1839 leaving George Cawte his only son and heir, with goods and chattels etc left to his mother. With her permission George Cawte sold absolutely to Ann Brownjohn! ANN BROWNJOHN was assigned: “All that plot of Ground situate at Froyle aforesaid containing on the south next the High Road fifty three feet and six inches thereabouts, and also on the South next the Ground and building now or late of Sarah Elizabeth Burningham forty three feet and six inches or thereabouts and on the North next the Land now or late of Thomas Burningham Esq eighty seven feet or thereabouts and on the East next the Ground and building of the said Thomas Burningham one hundred and eighteen feet or thereabouts, and abutting towards the West in an irregular lined upon the ground and buildings of William Messenger. And also the messuage or Dwellinghouse Shop and other buildings upon the said plot of land...... all which said premises were formerly in the occupation of James Hewitt. ” SOLD for £350 by the look of it. Witness - Richard Miles, Builder. INVOICE from Puckett & King (Solicitor?) dated 7 July 1858. Purchase completed at Winchester on 19 June 1858. REPORT ON FREEHOLD BUSINESS PREMISES, the property of Mr Brownjohn, dated 1887: |
| Follow More to see pictures of some of these documents. |