I have grouped these three houses together because of this 1887 indenture:
Dated 18th November 1887
Mr Henry Norman
&
Mrs Mary A Hounslow
Conveyance
Of
Freehold hereditaments situate
At Nash in the Parish of
Whaddon, Bucks
This Indenture made the eighteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and eighty seven Between Henry Norman late of Nash in the Parish of Whaddon in the County of Buckingham Farmer but now of Wolverton in the same County out of business of the one part and Mary Ann Hounslow the wife of John Hounslow of Stewkley in the said County of Buckingham Blacksmith of the other part Whereas the said Henry Norman is seised in unencumbered fee simple in possession of the hereditaments hereinafter described and intended to be hereby granted and he has agreed with the said Mary Ann Hounslow for the absolute sale to her of the same hereditaments at the price of Three hundred pounds Now this Indenture witnesseth that in pursuance of the said Agreement and in consideration of the sum of Three hundred pounds at or on before the execution of these presents paid by the said Mary Ann Hounslow out of her separate property to the said Henry Norman, the receipt whereof the said Henry Norman doth hereby acknowledge He the said Henry Norman As Beneficial Owner Doth hereby grant unto the said Mary Ann Hounslow her heirs and assigns All those two Cottages or Tenements situate and being in Nash aforesaid with the garden and ground thereto adjoining and belonging formerly in the occupation of John Timms and Thomas Briar afterwards of Jonathan Timms and the said Thomas Briar late of the said Henry Norman and John Payne and now of Simmons and the said John Payne and which said Cottages and premises are bounded on or towards the North by Cottages and gardens late belonging to Robert Leeson and now to Robert Bell on or towards the east by a Close of pasture land of William Sear on or towards the south by a Road or way leading to the said Close and on or towards the west by the Public Road leading towards Winslow and the same are further described and are delineated on the plan drawn on these presents and therein colored Pink And also the one half next the said Cottages or tenements of the passage between the same and certain other Cottages or tenements sometime since sold by William Durant to Robert Leeson and now the property of Robert Bell as far as the centre of such passage but subject nevertheless to the said Robert Bell his heirs and assigns and his and their tenants having the right of using the said passage jointly with the said Mary Ann Hounslow her heirs and assigns and her and her tenants To hold the said premises unto and to the use of the said Mary Ann Hounslow her heirs and assigns In witness whereof the said parties to these presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year fixed above written.
Signed Sealed and Delivered
By the above named Henry M Hanry Norman (signed)
Norman in the presence of
J W Rosley (signed)
Sols
Stony Stratford
This is a transcription of the 1887 legal agreement between Henry Norman (farmer of Wolverton and previously of Nash) and Mary Ann Hounslow (of Stewkley) whereby Mary pays £300 to buy two cottages in Nash. The map shows the properties edged in pink and a written description of what is on the four boundaries is supplied. Mention is also made of the rights of way along a passageway between one of the properties and a neighbouring (now demolished) building belonging to Robert Bell – it is presumed that this passageway went between the present 18 High Street (Penny Black Cottage) and the now demolished building.
Previous occupiers of the two cottages are mentioned: John Timms, then Jonathan Timms; Thomas Briar, then Thomas Brier (same person?).
‘Henry Norman and John Payne and now of Simmons and the said John Payne’ are mentioned but the document does not make it clear who these people are or their relationship to the property.
Although appearing a straightforward document there are two aspects which are confusing, specifically:
- The text talks about two cottages, but the drawing appears to show three cottages; certainly there are three cottages there today (14 High Street [the Old Post Office], 16 High Street [the Old Bakery] and 18 High Street [Penny Black Cottage]).
- What part do Henry Norman, John Payne and ? Simmons play in this?
This is my best guess about who lives where from the document:
