From Sir Wm Robinson at York. He hoped Mr Bewlay and his principal Mr Brooks would accept his proposal of £4 p.a. for Rocliffe instead of £10 p.a. He was to receive their answer next morning before Commissioners met, and would return to Newby the following day. Postscript. He had agreed with Mr Bewlay and Mr Brook to pay £5 3s. 10d additional land tax and was going to the cockpit to acquaint the commissioners that there would be no interruption to the ….. Bill.
Suggesting that Sir Thos. Robinson pay £4.000 or £5,000 down and the remainder by instalments at £2000 p.a. and mortgage the estate to Sir Wm Robinson as security for the remainder.
From Sir Wm Robinson at Park Place informing Sir Thos. Robinson that Mr Boldero had brought the deeds, and that he and Mr Wilmott would meet him the next day to execute them. Mr Boldero would take care of the ceremony to be performed in Westminster Hall, either by his wife’s appearance or by Commission.
From Sir Wm Robinson at Park Place, acknowledging receipt of the last half year’s rent charge and a promissory note for £850, which completed the payment of the consideration money. His wife was rather better and would be glad to see Sir Thos’s daughter, Fanny, when she was passing through.
With the terms of their leases, and details of annual disbursements from the Rawcliffe estate. Land Tax when assessed at 4s. in £1 amounted to £40 16s and 3d and was paid by (Sir Wm Robinson). He considered it should be paid by the tenants. Rocliffe was bought from Wm Singleton in 1582, and belonged before then to the Ingleby’s.
Of Wm Robinson at Park Place replying to his uncle: also regretting their disagreement, but refusing to sell Rocliffe for £12,000. Would accept £9264 19s 3 d for the reversion, (the true present value of £14,000 to be received 12 years hence at 3½% compound interest) Considers arbitration unnecessary between friends.
Thomas Robinson to Whitehall to his nephew, Sir Wm Robinson, repeating his offer of £12,000 for the immediate purchase of Rawcliffe estate or £8000 for the reversion, and his proposal to refer the matter to arbitrators.
On the value of the reversion of £14,000 after the decrease of a person whose life is valued at 12 years, the rate of interest being 3½% or 4%.
From Rt. Bewlay. Closes near York and the turnpike road would sell at 40 years purchase; he would not predict the sale price of the rest. Regretting that agreement could not be reached with Sir Wm (Robinson). Enclosing a bill for £100 from Mr Worsley.
Sir Thomas Robinson to Mr Bewlay, thanking him for his opinion. He would not increase his offer of 35 years’ purchase to his nephew although he expected the latter would try to get more by advertising the estate. Doubted whether this would prove successful.
From Rt. Bewlay enclosing (and correcting) a letter from Mr Bowes. No estimate could be made of the common, it being let with the farms, unless they could be let for the same rent without the common and it could them be enclosed.
Rt Bewlay at York to (Sir Thos. Robinson), informing him of his meeting with Mr Bowes. As Sir Wm (Robinson) had no children, the estate would probably descent to Sir Thos’s son. The whole estate could be sold for 35 years purchase. Mr Bowes thought a great part of it would sell for 40 years purchase. The estate was very desirable by reason of the turnpike road would enable the and adjoining closes to be let to the York people for conveniency, for more than their real value. The housing was in poor condition. He had received £100 from Mr Worsley.
Wm Bowes to Mr Bewley re the value of Rawcliffe Manor. He consider 38½ years purchase, the price Sir Wm (Robinson) was asking Sir Thos. (Robinson) to be reasonable. Rawcliffe was in good condition and near York. Good lands in Yorks. Were selling at 35-40 years purchase. The land tax did not amount to 10d in £1, when that tax was 2s. no valuation had been made of the 200 acres of common, of which 3 or 4 tenants reaped the whole benefit. If the common were enclosed it would increase the value of the estate. Few estates worth £500 p.a. were 'less burthened with farm-houses'. Fewer than 4 would suffice if the lands were let to York Butchers. Expresses his regard for Sir Thos. Robinson and hopes he will be the purchaser. The manor would sell for more if it were advertised and probably more still if sold in parcels.
To Mr Bewlay. Sir Wm Robinson’s estimate of £`4000 as the value of Rocliffe was too high, but he had offered £12,000 to prevent the estate going out of the family. Desired Mr Bewlay to meet Mr Bowes and give their joint opinion of the true value. Enclosed a copy of Sir Wm Robinson’s estimate.
From Rt. Bewlay at York. He had viewed the estate and valued every close according to the old survey. The closes had been divided since it was made. He thought the rents would remain at £515 2s 0d p.a. There were some bad tenants. Housing was in a bad condition as Sir Tancred (Robinson) would not spend money on repairs. He could not advise on how many years purchase should be offered. Land in Yorks. Had recently been bought 'more by humour than teal value'. And had risen from 20-27 to 33-40 years’ purchase. The map of Rawcliffe could only be amended after a new survey. Enclosed. Details of unexpired leases of the estate.
Also includes Sir Thomas Robinson’s papers and correspondence relating to his purchase of the estate from Sir William Robinson, his nephew.
For £7.
For £3 13s 6d.
For £3 10s (printed form).
Copy notice that some burgesses of Pontefract had contracted for the free farm of the tithe of grain and hay of the rectory of Clifton (amongst others) at £7 7s p.a., for the use of the school master of the free school in Pontefract, the poor in Knowles’s almshouse and St Nicholas’s Hospital in Pontefract.
For £3 10s from Sir W, Robinson, Kt.
For £4 from Wm Robinson.
Includes rent for Ascrigg Mill, land tax for lands in Clifton, Strensall, Towthorpe, Earswick, Haxby. Osbaldwick and Murton, tradesmen’s bills, grocer’s accounts, salaries of the Vicars of St Olave’s and Strensall, his sister’s (Mary Robinson’s) annuity, payment for a rampart at Walmgate Bar, carriage duty, fee farm rent, rents to the Vicar of Skelton and the Archbishop, glazing Osbaldwick church windows, repairing Skelton churchyard fence, repairing and leading the windows at Giles House without Bootham Bar, and for Sir Tancred Robinson’s monument made by John Carr.
Receipts for keeping Clifton Court. 11 receipts of Wm. Bowes for £1 1s. p.a. received from Sir Tancred Robinson for holding Clifton Court each Michaelmas.
For land tax, window duty, poor assessment of Mint Yard, church dues and (17 Apr 1734) the rebuilding of Skip Bridge and transportation of felons, payable for Sir Wm. Robinson’s house in Blake Street.
For payments by Sir Wm. Robinson and Sir Tancred Robinson of land tax assessemnts, poor, church and highway dues for various properties in Clifton. (on the dorse of a receipt dated 10 Mar 1701/2 are Wm Etty’s receipts for the several sums of £25, £5 and £15 received by him in 1702 for work done at Sir Wm Robinson’s house).
Order of Wm Lasdall, Official Principal of the Consistory Court of York that the inhabitants of Clifton and parishioners of St Olave’s were to pay their tithes to Sir Wm Robinson, Kt. Subscribed 'This mandate was executed by me, John Bellwoode, 13 July 1634'.
For 12s p.a. rent paid by Sir Wm Robinson to Lord Viscount Irwin for a piece of waste ground, (Windmill Hill, Abbey Mill Bank and ground adjoining the Foss) for a highway. Includes a memo. 22 Oct. 1737 stating 'This rent is now paid by the town of Clifton'.
Of the curates of St Olave’s for their salary.
Incomplete series. Three bundles of receipts for payments of £39 18s 5d per annum.
Bundle of receipts for £7.7s p.a. payable at Thomas Mascall’s, the Griffin and Ball, Castlegate, Black Swan, Coney Street, White Horse, Coppergate or White Swan, Petergate.
For £7 10s.
For £7 10s.
For £13 13s 6d.
For £13 13s 6d.
For £13 13s 6d.
For £13 13s 6d.
Petition for a new lease of Clifton Tithes – by Wm Robinson. He had received them by assignment from Thos. Chaytor. Subscribed. '30 May 1598. to Wm Robinson, tenant, for 21 years, fine £52.'
For £13 13s 6d.
For £13 13s 6d.
For £7 7s.
Receipt For £3 13s 6d.
For £3 13s 6d. Subscribed ‘Abated 3s 6d of this rent’.
For £3 13s 6d.
For £3 13s 6d.
For £17 10s for 2½ years’ rent due Michaelmas 1649, an allowance of 2s 6d in £1, 43s 3d (sic) being deducted.
Receipt for 314 14s for 2 years’ fee farm rent due 25 Mar last.
Demand note from the Mayor of Pontefract for the last half year’s payment and all arrears, to be paid on Fri, 21 Oct. at Widow Foster’s house at 'the signe of the Starr, in Stonegate'.
Hugh Bethell, Esq, and William Bethell, gent. of Ellerton, Co. York, to Thos Chator, gent. of Butterby, Co Durham. The remainder of a term of 21 years in the tithes of corn, grain and hay of Clifton, formerly in the tenure of John Thorne and now of Thos Chaytor. Reciting Letters Patent of 28 Feb 1584 leasing the tithes to Jas Kirton, Gent, for 21 years, and the latter’s assignment, dated 4 July 1584 to Hugh Bethell and Wm Bethell. The tithes had previously belonged to the Treasurer of the Metropolitan Church of York and been demised by the late Duke of Somerset to Sir Nich. Fairefaxe, Kt., and Wm Fairefaxe, his son. Parchment. Signed and sealed by Hugh Bethell and Wm Bethell.
E Ellis at Clifton to Sir Wm Robinson, concerning his estate. He had distained 2 horses to prevent a tenant defrauding him of his rent. News of his stock, and the amount of the stone dressed and carted. The Duke’s tenants were still going over Brown Moor although it was ploughed and sowed suggests that a road through would be the best solution.
L Boldero at S. Cave, to Sir Wm Robinson at Newby, stating his opinion on the title to (Rainton) Manor.
From Sir William Robinson to Mr L Boldero at South Cave, by Howden Bag, hoping he and Mr Heathcote will be able to settle the affair of Rainton manor.
Sir William Robinson at Newby to Mr Godfrey Heathcote at Chesterfield, informing him that he has sent a copy of his letter to Mr. Boldero, his solicitor, who would reply.
Godfrey Heathcote at Chesterfield to Sir Wm Robinson expressing surprise that the latter should now appear to be insisting on a sole right to the manor and royalty of Rainton and the wastes, waifs and strays. He had always understood that the manor was divided equally between the Robinsons and the Duke of Devonshire’s family. Sir Wm. had not denied this in his last letter dealing with the proposed exchanged and enclosure of lands. The Duke’s title to the manor was derived from a royal grant to the trustees of the Countess of Shrewsbury, 44 Eliz. If Sir Wm brought an action against John Seward for taking up a stray beast, as Mr Ellis, his Steward, had threatened, he wood defend it on the Duke’s account. Enclosed. Memo. John Seward of Rainton had inpounded a Scotch Ox which he had found trespassing in his close and then sent it to the Duke of Devonshire’s bailiff at Baldersby. The bailiff had paid the messengers 1s for bringing it.
Showing the new and old ways across the moor and the owners and tenants of neighbouring lands.
Godfrey Heathcote at Chesterfield to Sir Wm Robinson, Mr Brailsford was to deliver a copy of his map and receive a copy of Sir Tancred’s terrier, for the comparison of the particulars. Raises the question of the ploughing of land in Burcarfied, Rainton, called Brown Moor. This was formerly set aside to pay for bread and ale perabulation of the boundaries of the manor. Since this custom ceased it had been enjoyed by Ric. Rainford, one of Sir Tancred’s tenants, rent free, provided he maintained a certain fence and gate. The remainder had been left for herbage to the Town Shepherd at 10s. p.a. rent payable to the schoolmaster or in the event of a vacancy to be used for the repair of the highways. The writer hopes that it was not intended to claim sole right to this land by sowing it, as he believed that His Grace (the duke of Devonshire), was entitled to half of it.
Sir William Robinson at Newby to Mr Godfrey Heathcote, about their proposed exchange of lands. Asking that Mr Brailsford should send his map of Rainton and proposing to arrange a meeting with the Duke of Devonshire in London.
E Ellis at Clifton to Sir Wm Robinson. He had attended to a complaint that preparation were not made for finishing the tithe barn at Dishforth. Hoped to settle the dispute with Mr Brailsford without recourse to law.
E Ellis at Clifton to Sir Wm Robinson in London, Mr Brailsford had replied by reproaching him, not offering a restitution of the land, and had previously insisted on a road over Brown Moor to the Broom and a moiety of the wastes. He himself had allowed him ½ acre of land in Broomside Field which he thought belonged to Sir Wm but was not in the Terrier.
E Ellis at Clifton to Sir Wm Robinson in London, reporting that he had dispatched the copies of Court Roll for lands in Strensall and Acomb manors bought from Mr Leonard Thompson. He had visited Newby and describes the progress of building and the condition of the stock. John Rainforth’s land in Rainton was less than specified in the terrier and one of the Duke of Devonshire’s tenants had ploughed 14 perches from it. He had written to Mr Sam.l Brailsford the Duke’s Surveyor.
E Ellis at Clifton to Sir Wm Robinson. He had almost completed a survey of lands in Rainton and compared them with Sir Wm’s terrier. Desired permission to lead sand from Clifton Moor for laying flags between Mr Bowes’s house and Burton Stone. Suggested enlarging a house for a tenant who had been given notice.
Samuel Brailsford at York to Sir Tancred Robinson, Bart., about drawing a plan of Rainton.
Includes correspondence.
John Lamburne and Mary, his wife, to Anne Norton, daughter of John Norton, for the lives of the lessees. High House Close and Chambers Close in Newby. Rent. A red rose.
Condition that Sir John Dawnay performed all covenants in the feoffment of 11 Apr 1586.
For land tax, window duty, church and constable’s dues and fee farm rent, for lands in Dishforth, Newby, Asenby and Rainton, and for wages, tradesmen’s bills and hotel, stable and traveling expenses.
Held by Sir Tancred Robinson of Mr Squire, £9 10s p.a.
In the W. Riding, and 'An account of what the Liberty (of Ripon?) has not paid to the W. Riding' – though charged by order from the several sessions.
Francis Gil of Rainton, mason, Michael Burton of Burniston, ‘vestiarium’, and Miles Rainforth of Rainton, yeoman, to Wm Robinson, Bart, Lord of the Manor and Peculiar. Jurisdiction of Rainton, in £300. To execute the will of Leonard Robinson, having been granted the administration by Wm Robinson, to pay all debts and legacies and make a new inventory. Paper. Signed and sealed by the obligors.
Sir John Dawnay to Ald. Wm Robinson, the manor of Newby. Conson. £1500. John Dawnay covenanted that he and Thos. Dawnay would within 2 years convey to Richard Staveley, Thos. Bell, and Lancelot Burnet to the use of them the said John and Thos. By fine or recovery, the manor of Elnedmer alias Eldmer (Eldmire) near Topcliffe and all messuages in Elnedment and Crakall (Crake Hall).
Inventory of Leonard Robinson’s goods. Assessed at £105 2s 6d, mainly in agricultural stock and implements.
Of Rainton, yeoman. Includes details of specific bequests.
To raise money for the building and finishing of the county Gaol; the requisite amount to be levied at the Quarter Sessions for each riding according to their usual proportions. Sir Wm Robinson to be 1 of the 13 Commissioners. Signed by 24 J.P.s of the 3 ridings.
Covenant between Sir Wm Robinson, Bart. and 8 men of Baldersby (named). Should any of them allow their fences to fall into disrepair and their animals to stray onto Sir Wm. Robinson’s lands, they were to pay his 20s.
Towards the Royal Aid and Additional supply – with amounts assessed on each constabulary and the names of the sub-collectors.
For Newby at £7 18s p.a. (1713-35 in a small notebook).
Of 17s 8d paid by Sir Wm Robinson son and heir of Wm Robinson, Esq. after the latter’s death to the Earl of Northumberland in respect of the aforesaid lands in Newby and Astenbie.
John Dawnay to Daniel Pulleyne, gent, to receive seisin.
Of 7 s. (paid for 2 carucates, a toft and 3 acres of land in Newby and 3 acres of land in Astenbie (Aisenby(held by Sir Wm Robinson, kt, by the 6-th part of a knight’s fee) for the knighting of the Lord Percy and the marriage of Lady Dorothy, eldest daughter of Henry, late Earl of Northumberland.
Paid to the Earl of Northumberland, the Duke of Somerset (post 1690), or the Earl of Egremont, (post 1751) as Lord of the Manor of Topcliffe, 'for respite of service at the Court Leet and Court Baron of Topcliffe', (1634, 1636, 1639, 1690, 1691, 1693, 1694, 1713, 1735-49, 1751-3)
Also includes demand notes, 'for fines and wards to Richmond Castle', at the rate of 1s p.a. (1632, 1634-6, 1660-5, 1688-1705, 1738-42, 1744-50).
Sir Wm Robinson and Metcalfe Robinson on Sir Wm Darcy, Kt., Conyers Darcy Esq. Sir Thos. Harrison and Wm Weddell, Esq., to the use of Metcalfe Robinson and Margaret Darcy, his intended wife, for life, remainder to their heirs male, remainder to the heirs male of Metcalfe by any other wife, remainder to the heirs male of Sir Wm Robinson, remainder to the heirs of Sir Metcalfe Robinson for ever.
Sir Metcalfe declares the uses of the recovery (see above) to be to himself and the heirs male of his body, remainder to his brother, Thos Robinson, Esq. for the life, remainder to Wm. (1st son of Thos.) remainder to the 1st son of the said Wm. and the heirs male of such 1st son, with remainders over to the 7th and every other son of the said Wm Robinson the eldest and his heirs male preferred before the youngest with the like remainder over to Tankred Robinson, 2nd son of Thos Robinson, for life and to his heirs male etc, remainder to the right heirs of the said Sir Metcalfe Robinson for ever. Proviso that Sir Metcalfe Robinson could at any time revoke or alter the deed and lease the premises with or without reservation of the rents.
Suffered accordingly.
Enrolled in Chancery. 1. Sir Metcalfe Robinson, 2. Sir Thos. Heblethwaite and Wm Marwood, Esq. 3. Ric. West Esq. and John Cook, Gent. the premises to be held by 2. until a recovery was suffered and thereafter to the use of 1.
Between the parties in CLY/2/2/20.
With livery of seisin, as per CLY/2/2/20.
Between (1) Dame Frances Harrison and Thos. Harrison, Esq, her son and heir, with (2) Ald. Wm Robinson and Wm. Robinson, his son and heir, with the mediation of Sir Thos. Bellasis, Kt and Bart., Sir Richard Darley, Kt, Wm. Dalton, Esq, His Majesty’s Attorney before His Highness and the Council in the North and Ric. Osbaldeston, Esq. Councellor at Law, to convey the premises to Wm Robinson, Sen, for life, remainder to Wm Robinson, Jun in fee.
Foeffment enrolled in Chancery, John Green to John Dawnay, the manor of Newby. Conson. £800.
Suffered accordingly.