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Feoffees
The Feoffees in Somersham appear to have been set up in the 17th century, probably to deal with common land arising left over from the various disputes over the ownership and enclosures that had taken place at the
11 November 1730
We the Feoffees then present do nominate and appoint Mr Jasper Lister and Mr Edward Spurr trustees for ye year ensuing ye date.
Feoffees present
Jasper Lister Esq.
William Thomson Senior Esq
William Thomson Junior Esq.
Thomas Underwood Gentleman
Mr Richard Taylor
Mr Thomas Spurr
Mr Richard Coy
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Memorandum ye Day and Year above written at a meeting of ye above mentioned Feoffees at Richard Leeds the said Trustees by and with ye Consent and approbation of the Said Feoffees did then lett unto Richard Hills and sonne Both the Town double lott for six years at ye rent of five pounds and ten shillings for every year that they plow the said lott and at ye rent of five pounds for every year that they do not or Cannot plow ye said lott during ye term of Six Years Ye Said term of Six Years to Commence at Lady day 1731.
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At a meeting held at the Black Bull in Somersham the 2nd day of June 1767 the Town Land being 17 acres 1 rood more or less was lett to Mr John Leeds for 4 years from lady day 1767 at the yearly rent of £9 12s 6d to be paid half yearly that is to say ½ a years rent to be paid at Michael the Archangel and the other half at the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin and the following terms agreed by the said Mr Leeds viz:
The said Mr Leeds to occupy it himself or the Trustees to have the power to enter repossess and enjoy.
The said tenant to pay the Drainage Tax for said 4 years and all town dues and not to burn nor plough the Town Ground butt to Feed or Mow and get up the Hay on the said Town Ground and not to carry any part of it off.
And the land in the field not to be cropped during the said term
The Feoffees to have the full powers to dig gravel in the Parish Yard for the use of the causeways as usual.
In witness of the parties sign as under
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At a meeting of the Feoffees held at the
The town yeard and part of the house occupied by Joseph Buff and 2 roods of arable land in Colne field to Mr Robert Barlow for the term of four years from Michaelmas 1803. at a yearly rent of fourteen pounds to be paid half yearly viz at Ladyday and Michaelmas in every year.
Note that by 1807 the land was leased to William Taylor for £15 per annum
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At a meeting of the Feoffees held at the George Inn on Friday 16 Day of October 1807
It was ordered that Mr Rawling the treasurer do apply to Mr Green of St Ives Attourney to come over to Somersham to claim and take possession of the land set aside and awarded by the Commissioners of Inclosure for the use of the Feoffees.
R Leeds
George Thomson
William Mason
Charles
Isaac Stevens
All extracts taken from the Parish Minute Book kept at the County Record Office at Huntingdon.