Jay Wiener ([email protected]) contacted me to tell me about a document that he and his wife have. He told me that they have transcribed it (below), and have asked me to post it on our list for them. Jay states, "I think that there is a description of the parcels on the back of the contract, but it is mounted and I would like an expert to take it apart. It would be too easy to damage the original." If anyone is descended from this George Bowles, they might want to contact Jay to tell him about the family. And if someone related to this man would like the document itself, perhaps they could contact Jay directly as he's not a member of our list. Yours, Linne ================================================================ Contract with which George Bowles purchased land from James Callis Southwell. 1. The parcels are located "the Parrish of Finchley in the County of Middlesex and on Barnes Common in the County of Hertford." 2. The contract has a 4-CM X 9CM (1.5 inch X 3.5 inch) embossed blue stamp affixed to the top right corner. a. The stamp was postmarked in London on July 20, 1842 b. The value is for one pound, 15 shillings c. There is a narrow silver-colored ribbon showing in two places on the stamp 3. There is a second, smaller stamp with a picture of a stylized crown over a logo of some sort. The letter 'G' appears to the left of the crown; the letter 'R' appears to the right. The number '78' appears in the left top corner. 4. There are intact red wax seals to the right of the signatures of George Bowles and James Callis Southwell. 5. (Witness? Solicitor?) On the bottom left corner is a sentence: 'Signed, Sealed, and delivered by the above named James Callis Southwell in the presence of (signature) Henry Field 42 Southbury, London 6. At the bottom there is a faded paragraph that serves as a receipt for the £1500 paid by Bowles to Southwell. Both men signed this paragraph and it was witnessed by Field 7. The following is a transcription of the text on the front of the contract. We assume numerous minor errors have been made due to fading of the handwritten document. This indenture made on the thirtieth day of August 1845 between James Callis Southwell and George Bowles whereas the said George Bowles having sometime since --------- to the said James Callis Southwell -----within mentioned sum of 1500 pounds and all interest due Whereon the said James Callis Southwell hath agreed of the request at the said George Bowles to reconvey and assign to him the within mentioned freehold and leasehold piece or parcels of ground, mesuages or tenement annuity judgment and other premises with the appurtenances in names her and after mentioned. Now this indenture witnessseth that in performance of the said agreement and in consideration of the sum of 1500 pounds of lawful British money so aforesaid. Paid by the said George Bowles the receipt whereof is hereby acknowledged. The said James Callis Southwell by these presents made in pursuance of a certain act of parliament made and passed in the fourth year of her present majesty Queen Victoria, initiated an act for rendering a release as------ for the conveyance of freehold estates. As a lease and release by the same parties doth bargain, sell a lien and release unto said George Bowles and his heirs. All those within mentioned pieces or parcels of land mesuages or tenements and premises situated respectively in the Parrish of Finchley in the County of Middlesex and on Barnes Common in the County of Hertford with their and every of their appurtenances and all the estate right of the interest property claim and demand whatever both at law and in equity of him the said James Callis Southwell into and out of the said premises or any part thereof. To have and to hold the said ground mesuages and premises hereby released or in tended to be and every part thereof with their appurtenances-----the said George Bowles his heirs and assigns. To the use of the said George Bowles, his heirs and assigns for our deed and for our discharged as herein aforementioned. And this indenture further witnesseth that in further performance of the said agreement and for the consideration of foresaid be the said James Callis Southwell does by these present remiss release and forever quit claim with the said George Bowles his executors administrators and assigns. In that the within mentioned sum of 500 pounds and all interest due and it becomes due for the same and also the within mentioned land or obligation and covenant whereby the same sum and interest are respectively secured and the full advantage thereof respectively by and all powers and remedies for the payment or recovery whereof and all the right title interest property claim and demand whatsoever both at law and in equity of him the said James Callis Southwell of in to ,out of or upon the same and every of them and every part thereof. To have hold -----and take in the said sum of 500 pounds ,interest land and all and singular other the premises hereby assigned or intended to be George Bowles his executors, administrators and assigns freed and discharged as here and aforementioned. And this indenture further witnesseth not for the consideration aforesaid---James Callis Southwell doth by these presents made in pursuance of the aforesaid act, bargain, sell, release and confirm unto the said George Bowles and his heirs In and singular the hereditaments and premises comprised------within recited. Indentures of lease and release of the first and second days of August, 1873 and situate in the Parish of Finchley aforesaid to have and except as within mentioned and all the appurtenances to the same premises belonging and all the estate INTEREST PROPERTY AND DEMAND WHATSOEVER OF THE Said James Callis Southwell into from and out of the same premises. To Have and to hold the said lands hereditaments and premises with their appurtenances with the said George Bowles his heirs and assigns freed and discharged as hereinafter mentioned but subject as within mentioned. And this indenture further witnesses that for the considerations aforesaid he the said James Callis Southwell doth by these presents-----release and forever quit claim unto the said George Bowles his executors administrators and assigns. All that the within mentioned annuity-----50 pounds and all arrears if any thereby and also the within mentioned judgments and all and every sum and sums of money now due or hereafter to accrue or become due and owing upon or by virtue thereof and all benefit advantage thereof and also the surrenders and copy hold premises which were assigned by the second by------before recited indenture of the second day of August 1823 and the estate right-----interest property benefit claim and demand whatever of him the said James Callis Southwell of into or out of the said premises and all powers and remedies for the payment and recovery thereof. To have hold receive and take and enjoy the same premises hereby released-----the said George Bowles his executors administrators and assigns freed and discharged as hereinafter mentioned. And this indenture further witnesseth that for the considerations aforesaid he the said James Callis Southwell doth by the present bargains sell assign transfer and set over into the said George Bowles his executors administrators and assigns. All those within mentioned pieces or parcels of land or ground mesuages or tenement buildings premises and policy comprised in and assigned by the said-------recited indentures of assignment of the first day of September 1829, the seventeenth of April 1830 ,the second day of February 1832, the fourth day of September 1835, the twenty seventh day of October 1835, and thirty first day of May 1837, and all the estate right title interest term and terms of years property possibility claim and demand whatsoever both at law and in equity of him the said James Callis Southwell into and out of the same premises and every part thereof. To have and to hold the said pieces or parcels of ground mesuages or tenement buildings and all and singular other premises hereby aforesigned or intended so to be with their appurtenances unto the said George Bowles his executors administrators and assigns from hence forth for and during all the respective residues and remainders which are now to come and in expired of the several within mentioned terms under which the said leasehold premises are held under the several indentures of lease therein in part referred to freed and absolutely acquitted released and forever discharged as to the whole of the said pieces or parcels of ground mesuages tenement buildings and premises of land from the said within mentioned sum of 1500 pounds and the interest thereof and every part thereof and of and from the several within mentioned covenants, provisos, declarations and agreements on the part of the said George Bowles his executors administrators and assigns to be kept done and performed.-----The said James Callis Southwell doth hereby for himself his heirs executors administrators and assigns covenant and declare with and to the said George Bowles his heirs executors administrators and assigns that he the said James Callis Southwell hath not at any time or times heretofore mad done committed or executed or knowingly or willingly permitted or suffered or seen ------privy to any act deed matter or thing whatsoever whereby or by reason of means whereof the freehold and leasehold pieces or parcels of ground -------impeached charged encumbered or predjudiciously affected in title isolate or otherwise howsoever In witness whereof the said parties to the presents have hereunto set their hands and seals the day and year first above written. Signed sealed and delivered by the above named James Callis Southwell In the presence of Henry Field William John Hiapman 4% Southbury, London Received at the above--------of and from the above named George Bowles the sum of 1500 pounds Being the consideration money above mentioned to be paid by him to me. Witness Henry Field