Last Will and Testament
The documents below are abstracts from documents detailing the Last Will and Testaments of the various land owners of the area of White Kirkley and Low Bishopley. Within these documents are details of not only the land in general, but also the structures, waterways and railways that were present at the time.
The documents have been split into two parts, the first of which I've re-produced (typed) using the exact same phrases and punctuation - this it because the original text was hand written and extremely difficult to read. The second text is an image of the original typed passages and is somewhat easier reading than the first.
The text below is a direct copy of a series of incomplete passages that make up documentation relating to the lands and ownership of the area of Low Bishopley. The language of the script is variable from easy reading to very repetitive - but an overall picture can be gained showing how the lands were leased and passed from generation to generation.
As lead mines under all the freehold estates of John Mowbray at Low Bishopley, in the parish of Stanhope.
9th – 10th December 1706.
Indicis of the matter made between Francis Shafto of the town county of Newcastle upon Tyne, widow and Executrix of the last will and testament of Thomas Shafto, late of the said town county Newcastle upon Tyne, merchant of the one part Andrew Kennedy of the said town county Newcastle upon Tyne, partner and Barbara his wife of the other parish, whereby the P. Francis Shafto in consideration of the 5£ grants bargain, and sells to the P. Kennedy and wife. All through her the said Francis Shafto’s lead mine or mines veins, rakes or seams of lead or bar situated lying, and being now wrought or which shall or may at any time or times hear after be had, got, won, wrought or digged within fourth or out of all or any part or parcel of the freeholds of one John Mowbrey, late of Low Bishopley in the parish of Stanhope in the county of our Lord God which said mine or mines, work by the said John Mowbrey in his lifetime, conveyed or affiliated with Thomas Powell, master of arts, his heirs, executors with Thomas Powell together with liberty and south groverake.
It does not appear how their premises became worked by Shafto, whether she was the heir of Powell or what? The description differs with that mentioned in the agreement but district references being made to the conveyance, also account a period after the agreement. It is fair to conclude that the words now used were in accordance with that of the conveyance, it unfortunately cannot be found.
10th August 1713.
Andrew Kennedy and Barbara his wife leased the same to William Emerson, Thomas Colpors and John Chapman. The description embracing the following words in addition to the former “or in any or in any of the freehold lands belonging to the Colpors in Low Bishopley in the parish of Stanhope.”
4th September 1721.
This deed was proved in chancery appointments in a clause Francis Shafto spinster versus Kennedy of …. Search has been made at the report office for proceeding in the cause and it appears by an order dated 19th February 1722 that the cause was the heard by the master of the rolls and dismissed, those being no equity in care, but it does not appear by any of the orders made in the cause for what pursuance it was instituted
5th November 1726.
Andrew Kennedy and Barbara his wife leave the same for 21 years to William Emmerson, John Morgan, John Chapman and Thomas Essington.
14th September 1739.
Bond from Barabra Kennedy, widow of Archibald Kennedy and Jane Richardson widow of 200£ for payment proof and….(document too damaged to read)
17th April 1742.
Barbara Kennedy who has survived her husband and is then described as of Ayden in County of Northumberland, widow leased the same for 21 years to John Morgan, John Chapman, Thomas Essington and Archibald Kennedy son and heir of Andrew Kennedy.
27th July 1777.
A lease from Gray Cooper of Southampton street, Bloomsbury within county of Middlesex Esq, Elizabeth his wife, Barbara Kennedy, Lucy Kennedy of the same place, spinster to Lenard Bradwell, Anthony Richardson, John Hutchinson and George Richardson of the same mines. Elizabeth Cooper (formerly Kennedy) Barbara Kennedy and Lucy Kennedy were the daughters …. fied of the said Archibald Kennedy. The description in this leave in the those lead mines and groves or veins of lead mines or lead base and copper base lying being remaining or which could, should, or might be had sought, won, wrought, obtained or gotten with in forth or under on out of a certain close or enclosed parcel of grovered called or known by the name of Groves or Birks or in any of the freehold lands wherein they had any manoral estate rights filled or determent in Low Bishopley in the parish of County Durham with liberty.
The following image is that of the original Will of Sir Robert Gray Cornish Mowbrey dated 2nd February 1909 and details the particulars of his estate as it is left to his heir Robert Gray Cornish Mowbrey (to confuse matters!) and Edward Robert Pacy Moon. The second part of the document - though similar to first glance, shows that Edward Moon then surrenders his claim on the estate to Sir George Robert Mowbrey on the 28th September 1923.
