Lease indenture, Thorney, Coveney, Sutton, Stretham, Thetford, Littleport and Byall Fen, Cambridgeshire

Whereas the Commissioners for the draining of Bedford Level determined 25 September 1666 that certain persons inhabitants of Swavesey, Cambridgeshire, should have compensation for their land in Swavesey made worse by a previous attempt to drain the Fens; and whereas the Commissioners allotted certain land to certain persons until they should be compensated from the profits; certain of the persons so compensated, William Holmes, junior, of Swavesey, Edward Ball of the same, John Ball of the same, Ann Norris of the same, William West of the same, Nicholas Walker of the same, Ann Seager of the same, John Johnson of the same, Margarett Preston of the same, Elizabeth Hall of the same, Richard Papworth of the same, John Richmond of the same, Robert Ratford of the same, Edward Shilling of the same, John Preistley of the same, Thomas Daye of the same, John Cole of Witcham Cambridgeshire, John Holmes of Swavesey, Thomas Custonce of the same, Margaret Ball of the same, Thomas Crosley junior, of the same, John Disborow of the same, Ann Greye of the same, Mordica Daye of the same, John Berry of the same, William Berry of the same, Katherine Kettle of the same, Robert Shippye of the same, Sarah Saffull of the same, Francis Smith of the same, John Frisbey of the same, and Mordica Dixey of the same let to Thomas Lane of Childerley, Cambridgeshire, Edward Holmes of the same and William Wilkinson of Lolworth, Cambridgeshire, the land in the above parishes severally allotted to them for a term of seven years at a peppercorn rent upon trust to expend the profits upon the cost of obtaining the decree of the Commissioners and other legal business, any surplus profits to be for the use of the lessors. The lessors appoint George Becke their attorney to deliver seisin. Witnesses: (for John Preistley) John Prior, George Becke; for the remaining lessors: Thomas Warde, John Howson. Certificate of delivery of seisin signed by Thomas Warde, John Howson. Twenty-one seals are attached.

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Presented by Messrs Francis & Co., Cambridge, May 1913

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