1

            SUMMARIES OF DEEDS RE BAYARDS RESTAURANT.

 

 

10/6/1624 (1)  INDENTURE of SALE

                         between          1.  Elias Corchervin of London, Gent. and Elizabeth his wife

                         and                  2.  Thomas Axford of Dartmouth, Beerebrewer.

 

Consideration:  £40                        Term:  For evermore

 

Description:  ALL THAT messuage and one garden thereunto adjoining in Southtown                Dartmouth

                        - between the street or way there on the East part

                        - the lands apptayning to the parish of Stoke Fleming in the South part

                        - the way commonly called "THE WAY ABOVE TOWN" on the WEST part

                        - and of Sir George Southcott, Knight, on the North part

 

and all ways, paths, rights etc etc as E. Corchervin and his wife possess.

 

They will produce copies of any relevant deeds proving their title on demand, at the cost of Thomas Axford.

 

[Notes by RF: (a)  The boundaries given are interesting, as in the west the property extends to Above Town, not merely to Higher Street.  This does not mean that Higher St. did not exist - it did - but that the land above it to the west was not then built on, and was part of the garden of the house being conveyed.  I would like to see later deeds to find out whether, and when, they record the sale of the land west of Higher St. on which a house is now built.

 

               (b)  Lands to the south are simply described as "apptayning" i.e. belonging to the parish of Stoke Fleming, and those in the north to Sir George Southcott, Knight.        Southtown was originally all in the parish of Stoke Fleming, of which Sir George Southcott was the Lord,  so this makes sense.  St. Petrox was for many years under Stoke Fleming church, not with the Dartmouth churches, and the boundaries of its parish followed the old boundary of Southtown.

 

              (c)  Corchervin is not an old Dartmouth name - it sounds French - and I wonder why he came to own this property.  Perhaps, as his wife is mentioned, it was her property,  she was a Dartmouth girl and it could have passed to him as her dowry.  This would be difficult to prove, as we do not know where they were married - perhaps not in Dartmouth.           

 

              (d)  The writing on this deed is exceptionally fine and legible for 17th century Devon, better than anything I have seen of its kind.  The flourishing ornament in the top left hand corner suggests to me that Elias employed an expensive solicitor, perhaps from London.]

                                   

                                                                       

 

 


9/11/1702  (2) -SEE NEWLY DISCOVERED LEASE FOR ONE YEAR, the other half of                this sale, as desccribed at (a) below.

10/11/1702 (3)  INDENTURE of bargain & sale

 

                        between 1.  Thomas Floud of DM., gent., & Joan Spark, widow

                        and       2.  Mary Lucas of DM., spinster.

 

Consideration:  £50 each to T. Floud and Joan Spark.

 

T. Floud & Joan Spark  sell to Mary Lucas,  "in her actual possession" by lease to her made "for one whole year bearing the date next before the date hereof and by force of the Statute for transferring uses into possession"......*

 

DESCRIPTION:  ALL THAT messuage, tenement or dwelling house in Southtown, DM., -over against Little Bearscove STRAND,

- between the lands now of Robert Hodge on the south,

- a little lane on the north,

- lands late of Staplehill, now of Joseph Bulley on the west,

- and Lower Street leading to Great Bearscove on the east,

 

ALL which is now in the severall possessions of Ambrose Andrews and others as undertenants to Thomas Floud and Joan Spark.

 

AND FURTHER these premises shall always remain unto Mary Lucas and her heirs... for ever... freely acquitted and ... discharged from  all... incumbrances and demands whatsoever ... made  .. on Th. Floud and J. Spark by Elizabeth Smyth (the late mother), Joan Watson (the late grandmother) and John Watson (the late grandfather) of the said Joan Spark    

 

 

[Notes by RF:

 

a.  *This is an example of a Legal Fiction known as "Uses," common up to 1845, when a property to be sold was first leased for a year by the vendor to the purchaser for a nominal sum, often five shillings, at a peppercorn rent, by an indenture dated the day before the sale indenture.  This meant the sale did not have to be registered at the court at Westminster, and it was cheaper, avoiding various feudal customs such as livery of seisin and enrolment.

 

            The effect of the proceedure was to transfer the property from the vendor to the purchaser in fee simple (freehold) for a normal sale price.

 

b.  At this time, 1702, Little Bearscove is called a "Strand", i.e. beach.  By the time of the next Indenture, 1747,  it has changed to a "slip" which suggests the ferry came in here then.

 

c.  Since 1624 the garden and land to the West, previously extending to Above Town, has been sold and is now referred to as "late of Staplehill, now of Joseph Bulley."

 

d.  All the names here are of important Dartmouth families.  Thomas Floud was Mayor in 1693, 1696, and 1700, John Spark in 1704 and 1721, and Joseph Bulley in 1699, 1709-1711.  Various members of the Staplehill family were Mayors in 1633, 1642, 1648, and 1668.  They may not have lived there, but have rented the property to someone else.]

NEWLY DISCOVERED DOCUMENT shows that by 1734 the property had been acquired by Richard Abraham, Taylor:

 

6/5/1734 (4)     WILL of Richard Abraham of Dartmouth, Taylor. 

 

30/4/1750.       Will was proved.  Terms:

 

                        Gifts of "one guinea of gold to my beloved wife Sarah" and to several other                    relatives.

                        To daughter Elizabeth Wotton, widow, for life or so long as she remains                        unmarried my dwellinghouse in the parish of St. Petrox lying against                 Bearscove Slip between the houses of Captain Hodge and Mr. John Manley,                     goldsmith.

                        To grandaughters Ann and Elizabeth Wotton his said dwellinghouse [same                     description] on the death of their mother Elizabeth Wotton, then to their heirs.

                        All rest of his lands, goods and chattles to his grandaughters, whom he makes                his executrixes.

 

 

[This Will explains the next document.  Richard Abraham has now died, and his daughter (now remarried to Thomas) and two grandaughters, one now married to R. Ireland, inherit his house.  They all sell it to Richard Devonshire.]

 

 

 

28/7/1750 (5)  INDENTURE OF Bargain & sale

 

                        BETWEEN  1.  Elizabeth Thomas of Widecombe, daughter & heir of Richard                           Abraham of DM., taylor, deceased; Ann Wotton of Doddiscombeleigh,                               spinster;  Robert Ireland of Ashburton, Mariner and Elizabeth his wife;

                                    (Ann and Elizabeth being grand daughters of Richard Abraham.)

 

                                    2.  Richard Devonshire of DM. house joyner and carpenter.

 

WHEREAS by deed of 15/10/1747 between 1. Richard Abraham and 2. Samuel Lidstone, mariner, Richard Abraham sold to S. Lidstone :

 

DESCRIPTION:   the messuage ....and Dwelling house over against Little Bearscove SLIP,

- between the lands late of Robert Hodge, mariner, deceased, on the south,

- the little lane on the north,

- the lands late of Byrch, heretofore of Jago on the west,

- and Lower Street leading to Great Bearscove on the east,

 

ALL WHICH were before in the possession of Ambrose Andrews, and were formerly the lands of Smith, afterwards of Floud then Mary Lucas, spinster, of whom Richard Abraham purchased same,

 

Richard Abraham mortgaged the property for £30 plus interest, making £31.16.11d, to Samuel Lidstone, which sum was not paid, so it was fortfeit to S. Lidstone.

 

AND WHEREAS by a four-part indenture dated 17/7/1750 between:

 

                        1.  Samuel Lidstone

                        2.  Elizabeth Thomas, Ann Wotton, Robert Ireland and his wife Elizabeth

                        3.  Richard Devonshire

                        4.  Austin Stone, peruke maker, of Dm.

 

NOW   Samuel Lidstone sells the property to Richard Devonshire for consideration of £31.16.11d, with consent of Elizabeth Thomas, Ann Wotton and Robert and Elizabeth Ireland, and Austin Stone mortgages the property to Richard Devonshire.

 

[The actual document is here included, transcribed below.]

 

17/7/1750  (6)  ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE:  Samuel Lidstone assigns his mortage on the property to Austin Stone, in trust for Richard Devonshire. 

 

[Note by RF:  Here we have two documents which show the transfer of the property from the heirs of Richard Abraham to Richard Devonshire.   There is a mortgage held by Samuel Lidstone, but this is transferred to Austin Stone, in trust for Richard Devonshire. He held it for 24 years before selling it, see next page.]

 

 

25/6/1774  (7)  INDENTURE OF LEASE between:

 

                                    1.  Richard Devonshire of DM, Joiner

                        and       2.  Thomas Pering, gent.

 

Consideration:  5 shillings paid to Richard Devonshire by Thomas Pering.

Term:  One year.

Rent:  One peppercorn if demanded.

 

Description of property:

 

+ALL that messuage, tenement and dwellinghouse ... lying in Southtown .. over against Little Bearscove Slip ....

- between the lands late of Robert Hodge, Mariner, deceased, on the south part,

- the little lane on the north part,

- the lands late of Byrch heretofore of Jago on the West part

- and the Lower Street leading to Great Bearscove on the east part,

 

ALL which said premises were heretofore in the possession of Ambrose and Andrews .... and were formerly the lands of Smith, afterwards of Floud, since of Mary Lucas after that of Richard Abraham, Taylor, deceased and now of Richard Devonshire,

 

"by force of the Statute made for transferring uses into the possession of Thomas Pering."

 

[Note by RF: See note under Doc. 2 regarding the use of this legal fiction.  Here we have both the lease, dated 25/6/1774, and, below, the Bargain & Sale indenture dated the following day, 26/6/1774, transferring the property by a mortgage to Thomas Pering.] 

 

 

26/6/1774 (8)   INDENTURE OF BARGAIN AND SALE  between:

 

                                    1.  Richard Devonshire of DM., Joiner,

                        and       2.  Thomas Pering, gent.

 

MORTGAGE of £40 plus interest.

 

WHEREAS now Richard Devonshire is seized in fee simple of the Messuage and Dwellinghouse over against Little Bearscove Slip  (description as above, at +)

 

AND Richard Devononshire wishing to borrow £40 at interest, he has applied to Thomas Pering

 

NOW Richard Devonshire sells to Thomas Pering his property (as above, +)

 

PROVIDED that if R. Devonshire pays to T. Pering £40 plus interest T. Pering or his heirs will release the property to R. Devonshire.

 

 

 

 

  [Another pair of indentures, (9) a lease for 1 year, (10) a bargain and sale.]

 

24/9/1782  (9)              INDENTURE OF LEASE between:

                                    1.  Thomas Pering Gent., William Wolcott, surgeon, and Thomas Way,                                         Glazier,  (Wolcott and Way being devisees in trustees named in the                                    last will of Richard Devonshire.)

                        and       2.  Andrew Pinson of DM., merchant.

 

Consideration:  5 shillings paid by Andrew Pinson to each of Pering, Wolcott & Way

Term:  one year

Rent:  one peppercorn, if demanded

Description:  As + in Doc. 5.    

 

[Here follows the real Bargain & sale, previously transcribed, dated the following day]:

 

           

25/9/1782 (10)  INDENTURE OF BARGAIN & SALE between       

                        1. Thomas Pering of Dartmouth, gent.

                        2. William Wolcott of DM., surgeon and Thomas Way of DM., glazier,                                                                                                                          (devisee in trust named in will of Richard Devonshire, late of DM. deceased,                         joiner)

                        3. James Devonshire of St. Austle, joiner; John Knight of St. Austle and                        Thomasine his wife; and Thomas Dell of Bideford, gardener, & Ann his wife

                        (which James, Thomasine & Ann are brother and sisters of Richard Devonshire                         and beneficial legatees in his will.)

                        4.  Andrew Pinson of Dartmouth, merchant.                                           

 

Reciting that: Richard Devonshire owned in fee simple (freehold) the messuage tenement and dwelling house in Southtown lying AGAINST LITTLE BEARSCOVE SLIP between -

                              -     the lands late of Robert Hodge, mariner, deceased, on the South part

                              -     the little lane on the North part

                              -     the lands late of Byrch, before that Jagoe on the West part

                              -     Lower St. leading to GREAT BEARSCOVE on the East.

 

....formerly in possession of Ambrose, and Andrews and others, and were formerly the lands of Smith, afterwards of ?(illegible) since of Mary Lucas, Spinster, and after that of Richard Abraham Taylor deceased, then of Richard Devonshire.

 

Richard Devonshire borrowed £40 at interest from Thomas Pering on the security of the premises.  Richard died, leaving a will of 2/2/1782 bequeathing to William Wolcott and Thomas Way his house and all his other property to hold on trust, the interest to support his wife Joan during her lifetime.  After her death, to be divided equally between his brother and sisters.  Wolcott and Way could reimburse themselves for any expenses. 

           

NOW,  Joan having died,  Wolcott and Way  have contracted to sell the premises to Andrew Pinson for £140, out of which the £40 + interest of £2.10. will be repaid to Thomas Pering, and the balance of £97.10 divided equally between James Devonshire and his sisters Thomasine and Ann.

 

 

[Another pair of Indentures, (11) a lease and (12) a Bargain & Sale, under the Statute of Uses, the lease dated one day before the Bargain & Sale.]

   

 

24/9/1783  (11)                                    INDENTURE OF LEASE between:

 

                                    1.  Andrew Pinson of DM. merchant

                        and       2.  Thomas Way, Glazier

 

Consideration: 5 shillings paid by Thomas Way to Andrew Pinson

Term:  One year

Rent:  One peppercorn, if demanded.

 

Description of premises:  As before, in deed of 25/9/1782

 

 

            [This one was transcribed by me before]

 

 

25/9/1783 (12) INDENTURE OF BARGAIN & SALE

 

                         between          1.  Andrew Pinson of DM., merchant

                         and                  2.  Thomas Way, Glazier

 

 

(Same description of the premises.)

 

 

Recites the gist of the indenture of 25/9/1782 .  Whereas the consideration money therein mentioned to be paid by Andrew Pinson to the different persons entitled to the same was the proper monies of Thomas Way, and the name of Andrew Pinson only made use of in trust for him,

 

NOW..for the consideration aforesaid and for 10 shillings paid to Andrew by Thomas Way, Andrew Pinson sells to Thomas way the premises described for one whole year in consideration of 5 shillings by indenture bearing the date next before this present date..... by force of statute transferring uses into possession.     

 

 

[Note by RF:  This confirms what I said when I saw this indenture alone - it is part of a legal fiction.  The result is that the property is sold by Pinson to Way.]

 

 

19/1/1816 (13)             WILL OF THOMAS WAY:

 

                        He leaves all his lands, messuages and tenements (not described) to his son,                   Thomas Way.  Signed by him in presence of James Wotton, Grace Hunt and                Mary Oliver.

 

21/3/1826        PROBATE granted to Thomas Way after death of his father.

 

 

[Note by RF:  By the Real Property Act of 1845 the custom of making leases for one year was abolished and there was no longer a reference to the Statute of Uses.]

 

 

10/8/1849  (14)                        INDENTURE OF MORTGAGE  FOR £120

 

                                    Between           1. Thomas Way, gent.,

                                    and                   2. Charles Henry Brooking of Brixham, Surgeon.

 

WHEREAS  by the last will and testament of his father, Thomas Way, Glazier, this Thomas Way became entitled in fee simple to the DWELLING HOUSE KNOWN AS THE ROYAL OAK .......  

 

NOW Thomas Way, in consideration of £120 plus interest lent by Charles. H. Brooking sells to Brooking:

 

DESCRIPTION: "All that messuage tenement or dwelling house called the Royal Oak with the small tenement, court, cellar and brewhouse adjoining ..... now in occupation of Edward Bastard as tenant to Thomas Way.....  for the term of 500 years at a rent of one peppercorn..

 

PROVIDED THAT if Thomas Way shall pay to Charles Brooking the full sum of £120 plus interest at 5% ....these presents [i.e. the terms of this indenture] shall be void.....

 

SIX MONTHS NOTICE is to be given by Charles Brooking to Thomas Way to repay the money before he sells the property.

 

INSURANCE OF THE PROPERTY is the responsibility of Thomas Way.

 

 

[WRITTEN ON BACK OF THE ABOVE INDENTURE]:

 

17/3/1890        INDENTURE between  1.  Charles Henry Brooking

                                      and        2.  Mary Eliza Cosens Way, spinster.

 

WHEREAS Charles Way died on 28/2/1889 possessed of the premises (as above), leaving it to his daughter Mary E.C. Way, NOW as the mortgage and interest due is paid off by Mary to Charles Brooking she becomes the owner.

 

 

 

 

17/6/1850 (15) WILL OF THOMAS WAY, PAINTER.   (Died 1852)

 

            He leaves to his son Charles Way:

            a.  a garden in Townstall, now occupied by Henry Follett, on which Charles is to pay                 a mortgage.

            b.  a leasehold house on New Quay, now occupied by William Evans, on which                        Charles is to pay a mortgage.                                

            c.  A HOUSE CALLED THE ROYAL OAK opposite to Bearscove Passage Way, on                        which he is to pay a mortgage.

            Charles is to sell the last two houses to pay off the mortgages.

 

            He leaves to his son William Way:

            a.  his house in South Ford Lane now occupied by Mr. Saint Delmas,

            b.  a leasehold house in Spithead now occupied by himself on which he is to pay the                  mortgage. 

           

            He leaves to his daughter Susannah Jones Follett:

            a.  a  house and garden in Townstall

            b.  a leashold house in Spithead next to her brother's.  She is to pay no debt on it -                    his executors must do this.

 

 

26/6/1875 (16)             MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT:

 

                                    Between             1.  Charles Way, son of Thomas Way

                                    and                     2.  Paignton Brewing & Trading Co.

 

AGREEMENT: to let the messuage and tenement known as the ROYAL OAK together with the stores and cottages adjoining for a term of 21 years determinable at the option of the Paignton Brewing Company at six months notice.

 

 

 

30/5/1889  (17)                        WILL OF CHARLES WAY THE ELDER,  [DIED 20/2/1889]

                                    of 20, Victoria Parade, Torquay, Artist.

 

            - Probate granted to his daughter Mary Eliza Cosens Way, spinster, who is to be his executrix, and to whom he leaves his house in Victoria Parade with all pictures, furniture, drawings etc.

 

            - £500 owing to him from his son-in-law Charles Heaviside to go to his daughter, Mrs. Sarah Heaviside.

 

            -  All rest of property including three houses in Dartmouth and policy on son Francis Hopkins Way to Mary E.C. Way upon trust to sell after his death and out of purchase money, after paying debts and funeral expenses to keep £400 for herself.

 

            - Remainder of purchase money and any other proceeds to be equally divided between his remaining six children, - Thomas, Charles, William, Frederick, Francis and Mary E.C. Way. 

                                    INLAND REVENUE FORM

28/2/1890 (18) Records sale of freehold property called the Royal Oak with small                    tenement adjoining it, then in occupation of Messrs GOTTWALTZ FOR £425                     plus £43.10.07 rent and interest, duty paid £7.0.6.                                           

 

20/11/1890 (19)           INDENTURE OF SALE:

 

                                    Between           1.  Mary E.C.Way, spinster,

                                    and                   2.  Thomas Way, carver and gilder.

 

Consideration:  £425

 

DESCRIPTION:  Messuage, tenement or Dwelling house called the Royal Oak with small tenement court cellar and Brewhouse adjoining, ...... in the occupation of Messrs Gottwaltz and Lind as tenants....

 

[Note by RF:  There is a gap in these documents after this point, as by 1902 the Royal Oak is owned by Henry Swayne Esq.]

 

[In buff envelope]

1902-4    (20)     SPECIFICATION AND ESTIMATES FOR REBUILDING THE ROYAL                                                             OAK

 

Dec/1902-Nov. 1904 - Bill for professional services by E.H.Back, architect, for survey,                                    plans, specification, elevation, etc. for the demolition of the old                                    building and erecting a new one.  Cost given as £867.13.7.

 

23/10/1903      Letter from E.H.Back, architect, to Henry Swayne enclosing a specification                   for the work to be done on the Royal Oak.   Extracts given below:

 

                        "Generally, take down the whole of the old buildings, remove all floors, etc and clear away, any materials fit for the purpose may with the sanction of the architect be reused in the new work.

 

                        "Provide temporary Bar for carrying on the business, which is to be formed by retaining the present passage partition and erecting skeleton partition on the other side and end and lining same with 3/4 " match boarding leaving the present ceiling and flooring over...........

                        Provide tarpaulings for keeping wet from penetrating into Bar, and provide any necessary boarding etc. for the protection of the tenant and Mr. Andrew's tenement."

adjoining."

 

[Rest of spec. not transcribed as quite easy to read.  However, note p. 12]:

 

Windows:   ....... those with semicircular heads as per detail to be given,  .........

                       

1903 - Tenders by various local builders for the work, ranging from £803 - £1065.

 

No date:  Re Royal Oak, Dartmouth, Account of Purchase money:  £1075  [does not say to whom sold.]