William Beresford Orde Lisle was born on June 25th 1886 at 50 Jermyn Street, London. His father, Bertram Lisle, was a barrister-at-law from Alnwick and his mother, Jane Lucinda, was a Australian lady. William grew up between the family home in Jermyn Street, London and Brainshaugh House, Northumberland. Following his father’s untimely demise in 1893 William appears to have floated between various relatives. In 1908 he gave his address as being Bailiffgate, Alnwick the previous home of William Beresford Lisle (potentially his grandfather) who had died in 1903 leaving an estate of £1869 19s 11d. Evidence shows that William the younger received consecutive (and extremely substantial) inheritances from numerous well-placed family members. But William, despite being the wealthy son of barrister, squandered this money and repeatedly found himself on the wrong side of the law.
William Beresford Orde Lisle, as drawn by a court sketch artist (1908). Reference NRO 11343 B/DAT/26
His vast fortune brought with it the temptation of fast cars, alcohol and women. His escapades and wild behaviours often saw him placed before the magistrates, where he was regularly defended by the Dickson, Archer and Thorp legal firm. The firm’s partners were very close to William’s family and had kept amongst their personal papers a scrapbook filled with the crimes and lives of Alnwick folk, now held by the Northumberland Archives. Recorded within this book were the criminal adventures of William himself, including a play-by-play account of one of his most infamous jaunts.
Abduction
William’s most scandalous crime by far was a spontaneous road-trip, taken during the summer of 1907. It involved drink driving, an international gun-fight and the abduction of two girls from an Alnwick Street. The girls in question were Louisa Rose Whittle and Theresa Roper. Louisa was a fifteen year old servant girl who, on the 23rd June 1907, was walking in Alnwick with her friend Theresa, then aged seventeen. Both girls were stopped by Lisle who asked if they would like to have a ride in a motor car. Both girls agreed to the short drive, as subsequent news reports published after the abduction explained “the temptation to drive in a motor car was to the child very great.” They were possibly encouraged to join the journey due to the presence of another female in the car (who was either Lisle’s controversial wife Amy or his regular female companion Violet Green alias Eva Green).
Reports on the abduction court case, as recorded in the scrapbook belonging to the Dickson, Archer and Thorp Collection. NR0 11343 B/DAT/26
Lisle’s offer of a short motor ride soon turned into the journey from hell. In the upcoming months Lisle would face a court accused of abduction, and the two girls would give damning evidence against the social-flyer. They claimed Lisle appeared to have consumed alcohol prior to making his offer, and that once the girls were in the car he directed the driver to go onto the Plough (a pub.) The gentlewomen who had accompanied the group then left the car at the Plough and did not return. The remaining passengers then went onto drink in the public houses of Alnmouth and Newcastle.
Following a heady drinking session Lisle took the girls to a different town – one they had never seen before. This turn of events frightened the girls, who now requested to be returned home. The prosecution theorised that this unknown place was probably Durham, although Lisle contested and claimed it was actually Morpeth.
A court cartoon from the 1908 court appearance, Reference: NRO 11343 B/DAT/26
The girls, far from home and in an unfamiliar place, began to panic. They found a policeman, to whom they complained about their treatment and requested to be taken back to Alnwick. But the policeman simply laughed and refused to believe their story. They were forced to return to Lisle’s side as he took them onto Darlington, where the group spent a night in a hotel. The following day Lisle instructed the driver to return them to Newcastle and, once back in Northumberland, Lisle hired another car and driver to take himself and the girls onto York. On the third day the group went to Huntingdon and, having spent the night here, Lisle exclaimed “You are seeing life, you must see London too.”
London was one of Lisle’s favourite haunts. He had a tendency during his teenage years of repeatedly running away from his boarding school to seek adventures in the capital. Once in London Lisle bought both girls new hats having previously “jumped on their own ones,” possibly during a fit of rage or drunkeness. At this point Lisle became “sickened” of Louisa, the youngest of the two, and, without allowing Theresa to say goodbye, put Louisa on a train back to Newcastle. Theresa and Lisle then went onto Dover, where he told her that they were about to board a boat “for Alnwick.” The boat actually took the couple to Brussels, where he proceeded to extract £400 and drink heavily.
In Ostend he tried to persuade Theresa to share her room with him. When she refused and rebuffed his advances he fired his revolver in a public house, scattering the patrons within. Frightened by his behaviour, and having never been away from her Northumbrian home, Theresa begged Lisle to give her some money and allow her to leave. However he brutally refused, telling her she would “starve” instead. Exasperated with her treatment Roper plotted her own escape; she waited until he was distracted and ran from him. She later claimed to have entered seven shops, but found no one understood her as she attempted to explain her plight. Dazed and frightened she fainted. When she awoke someone had brought her to the British Vice-Consul, she was eventually sent home and upon her return remained ill in bed for three weeks.
Court
Meanwhile Louisa’s parents, horrified at her disappearance, insisted she was examined by a doctor. They refused to believe that nothing “immoral” had occurred between the the girls and Lisle, but the examining doctor was able to confirm that the young girl had been telling the truth and nothing had occurred. Still enraged Louisa’s parents planned to take Lisle to court upon his return to England.
Likewise Theresa’s father, Mr Robert Roper, also took Lisle to court. Because Lisle had taken the girl further then London Mr Roper insisted his daughter gave damning evidence before the judge. In her examination before the court she complained that Lisle had refused to take the girls home, despite them becoming increasingly distressed as the days rolled on. She also said he had repeatedly tried to share a room with the girls but that they had stood firm and refused him entry, something that was verified by the doctors.
Theresa Roper and her father, pictured at the 1908 court case. Reference NRO 11343 B/DAT/26
In both cases the girls were awarded large settlements, although one judge brushed off the seriousness of Lisle’s actions by calling the event a “prank” which had went terribly wrong. The court accused the girls of being too trusting of Lisle’s promises, and the subsequent public scandal must have had a profound impact upon their character and reputation. Barely three years later the girls elected to change their names, perhaps trying to obtain some level of anonymity, with Theresa becoming Dorothy and Louisa becoming Lizzie.
The information found in this blog has been extracted from original documents held in the Dickson, Archer and Thorp collection, as well as contemporary newspapers.
The following piece is an extract from the last will and testament of Richard Robson;
This is the last will and testament of me Richard Robson of Field House in the Parish of Ledsbury in the County of Northumberland, Gentleman.
First I do hereby charge and make chargeable all my messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments situate in Alemouth and Alnwick in the said county or elsewhere which the payment of all my first debts.
Second I do hereby give and devise unto my son, John Robson, his heirs and (….) for ever all that messuage, Burgage, Tenement, Yard, Back Buildings and Garden behind the same situate assigns and being in Alnwick aforesaid which was lately in possession of David Cunningham Grocer deceased and now in possession or occupation of family Gledstone as tenant or under tenant thereof.
And also, all that messuage, Burgage or tenement situate standing and being in Alnwick aforesaid which lately belonged to James Scott Tanner deceased and is now in the possession tenure or occupation of David Cozens as tenant thereof to and under me with their respective rights members and appurtenances also I give and devise unto my son William Robson his heirs and assigns for one undivided moiety or free half part of all my messuages. Houses, granaries, kilns, tenements and hereditaments situate standing, lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid with their respective rights, members and appurtenances.
Also I give and devise unto my son Robert Robson his heirs and assigns for ever the other one undivided moiety or free half part of all my messuages, houses, granaries kilns, land, tenements and hereditaments situate standing, lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid with their respective rights, members and appurtenances. All the said premises so devised by me to the said Robert Robson being subject to the provisions and declarations throughout thereafter mentioned.
And whereas my son Richard Robson hath married and I have raised and paid to him the full sum of one thousand pounds. Now I do hereby will and declare that the said sum of one thousand pounds so paid to my said son Richard was and is intended by me to be in full satisfaction and discharge of any sum of sums, legacies, portions or other provisions which I have made for him in my former wills.
And I do hereby declare that the securities giving by me and my said son Richard Robson for the said sum of one thousand pounds.
The study and conservation of wills and testimonies is incredibly valuable work, as these documents give us a real and intimate insight into the inner workings of familial relations and lifestyles within contemporary households. We would therefore like to thank the volunteer whom kindly transcribed Richard Robson’s last will and testament.
This Indenture Tripartite made the ninth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three Between Edward Gallon of Alnwick in the County of Northumberland Gentleman of the First Part William Reavelley late of Lemington in the said County but now of Longwitton in the said County Gentleman eldest son and heir of James Reavelley late of Alemouth in the said County Gentleman deceased of the Second Part and William Weddell of Alnwick of the said County Shoemaker of the Third Part
Whereas the said James Reavelley in his lifetime by his indenture of mortgage bearing date on or about the first day of September which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and forty and made or mentioned to be made between the said James Reavelley of the one part and Joseph Forster of Newton by the Sea in the said County Gentleman of the other part for the consideration therein mentioned Did grant bargain sell and demise unto the said Joseph Forster his executors and assigns
All those his messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture thereunto belonging with the appurtenances situate standing lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid which said messuages burgages or tenements where therein the possession tenure or occupation of the said James Reavelley and Ann Reavelley his her or their tenants undertenants assigns and boundered by a lane called the Middle Lane on the North by a Rigg belonging to the said Edward Gallon on the South by the Kings High Street on the West and Alemouth Common on the East
And Also all his fishery in Alne otherwise ale water in the Parishes of Lesbury and Alnwick and County of Northumberland aforesaid And Also All and singular other the messuages burgages granaries or tenements of the said James Reavelley situate standing lying and being in Alemouth aforesaid
Together with all and singular ways water easements rights libertia profits commodities advantages emoluments hereditaments and appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging in anywise appertaining to or with the same then or at anytime therefore held used demised lett farmed occupied or enjoyed or accepted repuited taken or known to be as part parcel or member thereof
And The revertion and revertions remainder and remainders rents issues and profits of all and singular the said premises and every part thereof To Hold the same unto the said Joseph Forster his executors administrators and assigns from the day next before the day of the date of the same indenture for the term of five hundred years at and under the yearly rent of one peppercorn and Subject to a proviso contained for making the same indenture void on payment of the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds principal money interest for the same by the said James Reavelley his executors or administrators unto the said Joseph Forster his executors administrators or assigns at a day therein for that purpose limited and long since past
And Whereas the said sum of one hundred and twenty pounds principal money or any part thereof was not paid at the day in the said recited proviso for that purpose limited whereby the estate and interest of the said Joseph Forster of and in the premises become absolute in law
And Whereas the said principal sum of one hundred and twenty pounds was not the proper moneys of the said Joseph Forster but the same was the proper moneys of Collingwood Forster of Alnwick aforesaid Gentleman and the name of the said Joseph Forster was made use of in the same Indenture in trust only for the said Collingwood Forster
And Whereas in and by a certain Indenture Tripartite of assignment duly executed bearing date on or about the thirteenth day of July which was in the year of our Lord one thousand and seven hundred and forty seven and made or mentioned to be made between the said Joseph Forster of the first part the said Collingwood Forster of the second part and John Robinson then of Edderston otherwise Adderston Mill in the said County Gentleman (now deceased) of the third part (reciting as therein his recited) he the said Joseph Forster for the considerations ???? ???? mentioned
Did by the direction of the said Collingwood Forster bargain sell assign and lett over and the said Collingwood Forster did thereby ratify and confirm unto the said John Robinson his executors administrators and assigns
All the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common pasture thereunto belonging with the appurtenances and premises above mentioned to have been granted and demised to him the said Joseph Forster in and by the said first recited Indenture and every part and parcel thereof
And All the estate right title interest term of years then to come and unexpired property challenge claim and demand whatsoever of him the said Joseph Forster into or out of the said premises and every or any part or parcel thereof by force of the said first recited Indenture or by any other ways or means whatsoever Together in the same recited Indenture itself
To Hold the same unto the said John Robinson his executors administrators and assigns from thenceforth for and during all the rest and residue then to come and unexpired of the said term of five hundred years and fully to be complete and ended (Subject and liable never the less to be redeemed as therein mentioned) And
Whereas in and by a certain other Indenture Tripartite of assignment duly executed bearing date the thirtieth day of May which was in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty seven and made or mentioned to be made between the said John Robinson of the first part the said William Reavelley of the second part and William Bigge of Little Benton in the said County Esquire deceased and the said Edward Gallon of the third part (therein reciting as herein before is recited) and therein also reciting that there was then due and owing to him the said John Robinson upon the said recited securities the said principal sum of one hundred and twenty pounds only all interest for the same till the day of the date thereof being satisfied and paid by the said William Reavelley and that the said William Bigge and Edward Gallon at the special instance and request of the said William Reavelley and for his proper debt had on the day of the date of the said last mentioned Indenture of Assignment paid unto the said John Robinson the said sum of one hundred and twenty pounds so resting due to him as aforesaid and had also advanced and lent unto the said William Reavelley the further sum of one hundred and twenty pounds which two sums together amounted to the sum of two hundred and forty pounds for the considerations aforesaid in the said last recited Indenture Tripartite of Assignment mentioned he the said John Robinson
Did (at the request and by the direction and appointment of the said William Revealley) bargain sell assign transfer and lettover and the said William Reavelley Did grant bargain ratify and confirm unto the said William Bigge and Edward Gallon their executors administrators and assigns All the said messuages and burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture fishery and all and singular other the premises in and by the said first recited Indenture granted and demised or mentioned or intended so to be with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances
And All the estate right title term of years then to come and unexpired Trust Interest property claim and demand whatsoever both in law and equity of the said John Robinson and William Reavelley and of either of them of into or out of the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture fishery and other the premises mentioned or intended to be thereby assigned or any of them or any part or parcel thereof in anywise whatsoever together with the said recited Indenture of Demise and Indenture Tripartite of Assignment
To Hold the same unto the said William Bigge and Edward Gallon their executors administrators and assigns from thenceforth for and during all the rest and residue then to come and unexpired of the said term of five hundred years therein (Subject and liable nevertheless to be redeemed on payment by the said William Reavelley his heirs executors or administrators unto the said William Bigge and Edward Gallon their executors administrators or assigns of the sum of two hundred and forty pounds with legal interest for the same at a day therein for that purpose limited and long since past as in and by the said several recited Indentures relation being thereunto had will more fully appear
And Whereas the said sum of two hundred and forty pounds principal money or any part thereof was not paid at the date in the said recited proviso for that purpose limited whereby the estate and interest of the said William Bigge and Edward Gallon became absolute in law And Whereas the said William Bigge since dead and the said Edward Gallon hath him survived by reason whereof the residue and remainder of the said sum of five hundred years in and by the said recited Indenture of Demise Granted and yet to come and unexpired is now vested in the said Edward Gallon
And Whereas (after the death of the said William Bigge) the said William Reavelley did sell and dispose of the fee simple and inheritance of all the said fishery in Alne otherwise ale water in the Parishes of Lesbury and Alnwick in the said County of Northumberland in the said herein before recited Indenture of Mortgage and Assignments mentioned or comprised and thereupon the sum of one hundred pounds was paid to the said Edward Gallon in part discharge of the said principal sum of two hundred and forty pounds
And Whereas there is now due and owing to him the said Edward Gallon upon the said recited securities the principal sum of one hundred and forty pounds only and no more all interest till the day of the date hereof being satisfied and paid by the said William Reavelley unto the said Edward Gallon
And Whereas the said William Weddell at the special instance and request of the said William Reavelley and for his proper debt hath on the day of the date hereof paid unto the said Edward Gallon the said sum of one hundred and forty pounds so resting due to him as aforesaid and hath also advanced and lent unto the said William Reavelley the sum of sixty pounds which said two sums together amount to the sum of two hundred pounds
Now This Indenture Wittnessets that for and in consideration of the sum of one hundred and forty pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain to the said Edward Gallon well and truly in hand paid by the said William Weddell at or before the unsealing and delivery of these presents at the request and by the direction and appointment of the said William Reavelley and for his proper debt (testified by his being a party to and executing these present) in full discharge of all principal money and interest due and owing to the said Edward Gallon the said recited securities and for and in consideration of the further sum of sixty pounds of like lawfull money to the said William Reavelley in hand paid by the said William Weddell at or before the unsealing or delivery of these presents the receipt and payment of which said several and respective sums of one hundred and forty pounds and sixty pounds they the said Edward Gallon and William Reavelley do hereby severally and respectively acknowledge and thereof and every part thereof do and each of then doth acquit release and discharge the said William Weddell his heirs executors administrators and assigns and every of them forever by these presents to the said Edward Gallon (at the request by the direction and appointment of the said William Reavelley testified aforesaid) Hath bargained sold assigned transferred and lettover and by these presents
Doth bargain sell assign transfer and lettover And Also he the said William Reavelley hath granted bargained sold ratified and confirmed and by these presents Doth grant bargain sell ratify and confirm unto the said William Weddell his executors administrators and assigns all the said message burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture and all and singular other the premises in and by the said first recited Indenture Granted and Demised or mentioned or intended so to be with their and every of their appurtenances (except the said fishery)and all the estate right title term of years yet to come and unexpired Trust Interest property claim and demand whatsoever both in law and equity of them the said Edward Gallon and William Reavelley or either of them of into or out of the said messuages burgages granaries tenements and common of pasture and other the premises mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned or any of them or any part or parcel thereofin anywise howsoever (except the said fishery before excepted)
Together with the said recited Indenture of Demise and the said two several and respective Indentures Tripartite of Assignment And All deeds evidences and writings whatsoever any way relating to the said premises or any part or parts thereof now in the possession custody or power of the said Edward Gallon and William Reavelley or either of them or which they or either of them can or may come by without suit at law or in equity
To Have And To Hold the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture and all and singular other the premises mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned and every part and parcel thereof with their and every of their appurtenances (except as before is excepted) unto the said William Weddell his executors administrators and assigns from henceforth for and during all the rest and residue yet to come and unexpired of the said term of five hundred years therein freed and absolutely discharged of and from the last mentioned proviso or agreement for redemption and all former and other provisos conditions covenants and agreements for redemption of the premises and all equity thereupon
But Subject nevertheless to the proviso and agreement for redemption of the premises herein after mentioned and contained (that is to say) Provided always nevertheless and these presents are upon this condition and it is hereby declared and agreed by and between the said William Weddell and William Reavelley and the said William Weddell for himself his heirs executors administrators and assigns doth covenant promise and agree to and with the said William Reavelley his heirs and assigns that if the said William Reavelley his heirs executors or administrators shall and do well and truly or cause to be paid to the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns the full and just sum of two hundred pounds of lawfull money of Great Britain with lawfull interest for the same at or upon the ninth day of October next ensuing the date hereof and that without making any deduction defalcation or abatement whatsoever forth or out of the same or any part thereof for or in respect of any manner of taxes charges assessments payments or other matter cause or thing whatsoever taxed charged or imposed or to be taxed charged or imposed upon the said premises hereby assigned or any of them or any part thereof or upon the said sum of two hundred pounds and interest or any part thereof upon the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns for or in respect thereof by Authority of Parliament or any other power or authority whatsoever or for any other cause matter or thing whatsoever that then and in such case the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns shall and will at the request costs and charges of the said William Reavelley his heirs or assigns surrender or assign unto the said William Reavelley his heirs or assigns or unto such other person or persons as he or they shall for that purpose nominate and appoint the said term of five hundred years of and in the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture and other the premises mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned with their and every of their appurtenances (except as before is excepted) which shall be then to come and unexpired and all other the estate and interest of the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns of into or out of the same free from all incumbrances made or done or to be made or done by the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns
Which said sum of two hundred pounds is one and the same sum of money secured unto the said William Weddell by a bond or writing obligatory under the hand and seal of the said William Reavelley bearing equal date with these presents in the penal sum of four hundred pounds with condition thereunder written for the true payment of two hundred pounds with lawfull interest for the same on the said ninth day of October next And The Said Edward Gallon for himself his heirs and administrators doth hereby covenant promise and agree to and with the said William Weddell his executors administrators and assigns that neither he the said Edward Gallon nor the said William Bigge in his lifetime or either of them hath at any time heretofore made done committed or executed or wittingly or willingly suffered any act matter or thing whatsoever whereby or by reason or means whereof the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements common of pasture and premises mentioned or intended to be here by assigned or any part thereof (except as before is excepted) or the said term of five hundred years therein or any part thereof is are shall or may be surrendered forfeited or avoided or impeached changed or incumbered in title charge estate or otherwise howsoever
And The Said William Reavelley doth hereby for himself his heirs executors and administrators covenant promise grant and agree to and with the said William Weddell his executors administrators and assigns in manner following (that is to say) that he the said William Reavelley his heirs executors or administrators shall and will well and truly pay or cause to be paid to the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns the said sum of two hundred pounds with lawfull interest for the same upon the ninth day of October next ensuing the date hereof without any deduction abatement out of the same or any part thereof or for any taxes or assessments or other cause matter or thing whatsoever according to the purport of the last mentioned proviso herein before contained for the payment thereof and the true intent and meaning of these presents
And Further that it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said William Weddell his executors administrators and assigns from time to time and at all times from and at the failure or default shall happen to be made of or in payment of the said sum of two hundred pounds and interest or any part thereof ???? to the form and effect to the last mentioned proviso as a covenant for payment of the same and the true intent and meaning of these presents peaceably and quietly to enter into have hold occupy possess and enjoy all and singular the said messuages granaries or tenements and common of pasture and other the premises mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned (except before is excepted) and to receive and take the rents and profits thereof and of every part thereof for and during all the residue and remainder of the said term of five hundred years which shall be then to come and unexpired without the lawfull lett suit trouble denial eviction hindrance disturbance molestation interruptions for by the said William Reavelley his heirs or assigns or of or by any other person or persons whomsoever And that free and clear and freely and clearly acquitted exonerated and discharged or otherwise by the said William Reavelley his heirs executors or administrators well and sufficiently saved defended kept harmless and indemnified of from and against all and singular former and other gifts grants bargains sales leases mortgages estates titles troubles charges and incumberances whatsoever had made done committed or suffered or hereafter to be had made done committed or suffered by the said William Reavelley his heirs or assigns or by any other person or persons whomsoever
And Moreover that he the said William Reavelley and his heirs and assigns and all and all and every other person and persons whomsomever having or lawfully claiming or which shall or may have or lawfully claim any estate right title trust or interest of into or out of the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture and other the premises mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned or any of them or any part or parcel thereof (except before is excepted) shall and will from time to time and at all times from and after default shall happen to be made of or in payment of the said sum of two hundred pounds and interest or any part thereof contrary to the form and effect of the said last mentioned proviso and covenant for payment of the same and the true intent and meaning of these presents upon every reasonable request of the said William Weddell his executors administrators assigns but at the proper costs and charges in the law of the said William Reavelley his heirs or assigns make do acknowledge levy suffer and execute or cause or procure to be made done acknowledged levied suffered and executed all and every such further and other lawfull and reasonable acts deed and things devices conveyances and assurances in the law whatsoever for the further better more perfect and absolute assigning and conveying of all and singular the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture and other the premises mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned with their and every of their appurtenances (except as before is excepted) unto the said William Weddell his executors administrators and assigns for and during all the rest and residue of the said term of five hundred years which shall be then to come and unexpired without impeachment of waste freed and absolutely discharged of and from the said last mentioned proviso or agreement for redemption of the same premises and all equity thereupon as by the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns or his or their counsel learned in the law shall be reasonably advised devised or required
And Lastly it is hereby declared and agreed by and between the said William Weddell and William Reavelley that in the mean time and until default shall happen to be made of or in payment of the said sum of two hundred pounds and interest or some part thereof contrary to the form and effect of the said last mentioned proviso and covenant for payment of the same and the true intent and meaning of these presents it shall and may be lawfull to and for the said William Reavelley and his heirs peaceably and quietly to have hold and enjoy all and singular the said messuages burgages granaries or tenements and common of pasture and other the premises mentioned or intended to be hereby assigned with their and every of their appurtenances (except before is excepted) and to receive and take the rents and profits thereof and of every part and parcel thereof to and for his and their own use and benefit without the lawfull lett suit trouble denial eviction or interruption of or by the said William Weddell his executors administrators or assigns or of or by any other person or persons lawfully claiming or to claim ????? ?????? under or in trust for him them or any of them
In Witness whereof the parties first above named have to these presents interchangeably set their hands and seals the day and year first above written.
We would like to thank the volunteers who have carefully transcribed and researched these documents. This particular item comes from a very rich sub-collection within the larger Dickson, Archer and Thorp collection, giving us a fascinating view of a bygone time.
