|
In 1847 the Earl of Dudley sold a large number of
properties on his estate which had been leased mainly to his employees.
One of these sales was to Joseph Shakespeare, Machine Keeper, of Netherton
Hill. The document detailing this sale is important as it not only
includes Joseph's address and occupation, but also the fact that he was
the son of Enoch Shakespeare. This enables us to confirm that Joseph was
born in 1782. The facts are also confirmed by his will and his burial in
Netherton Churchyard. The document takes the
form of a standard letter and form sent out by the Earl's agent, and
consists of three pages. Also included with Joseph's is a handwritten
note, attached to the front, and a map, glued to the inside. The text is
reproduced below - entries in
bold italics
are the handwritten entries on the standard form.
|
Front Page:
|
ESTATES OFFICE,
DUDLEY
October 30th,
1847.
I have to inform
you that LORD WARD purposes to sell certain detached portions of his
Cottage Properties. The properties in your occupation are amongst
those intended for sale. It is desired that you should have the first
opportunity at purchasing those premises.
If you, or any
member of your family, entertains a wish to purchase, you will be good
enough to fill up, and to sign, the form on the other side hereof, and
to leave the same at this Office on any Saturday between this time and
the end of December next.
In case you omit
to conform to the course of proceeding herein proposed, it will be
considered you decline to purchase, and LORD WARD will deign himself
at liberty to effect Sales as opportunities may offer to other and
indifferent parties.
It becomes
necessary for me again to caution you against making any unauthorised
expenditure on your Premises, as no consideration can be extended to
any expenditure made since the Notice you some time ago received.
I am,
Your very
obedient Servant,
JOHN MAUGHAN
N.B. ~ It is
particularly requested that, in the filling up the inserted form, the
strictest Precision may be observed, and that the party signing
the same will write his name, his occupation, and address at full
length, so that a letter sent through the Post Office may find him.
It is requested,
too, that the Agents appointed to Act on behalf of the cottagers may
be respectable Land Valuers resident in the neighbourhood. |
|
Second Page:
 |
|
|
|
MR. JOHN MAUGHAN,
LORD WARD'S ESTATE
OFFICES,
DUDLEY. |
| I am
desirous of purchasing the Cottage Property I hold of Lord Ward, ~
the particulars of which are stated below. |
| I hereby
appoint and nominate Mr.
John Bateman
of
Dudley
to point your attention
to my equitable interest (if any) in the Premises, and to act
generally in my behalf in the business. |
|
Name................... |
Joseph
Shakespear |
|
Occupation........... |
Machine Keeper |
|
Address................ |
Netherton Hill |
|
Describe the Premises
exactly............... |
House,
Brewhouse & Garden |
| |
near the Bell
Public House |
| |
House & Garden
& plot of Land |
|
Also the
Situation.................................. |
Netherton Hill |
|
State the Parish and
County...................
|
Dudley Worcester |
| Also the
Quantity in Statute Measure as} |
|
|
nearly as possible} |
|
| Also the
Rent........................................ |
26/- |
| |
|
|
|
Third Page:
 |
|
State the names of
the undertenants (if |
| Lives in the house himself |
| James Felton/ for the house/ 2/2
/ rate |
| Anna Maria Bayliss/ for field of land/
£3 a year |
|
|
any) and the Rents
paid by each.
|
|
State as nearly as
possible when the houses, |
| Cannot say when the houses |
| were built/ shd say above
two buildings |
| were built by my family ~ |
|
|
&c., were built, and
by whom?
|
|
State the name of the
Tenant next before you.
|
| Enoch Shakespear/ my father/ for the |
| houses held by Felton &also the
|
| plot of Land ~ |
| |
| Wm Hancox/ my wifes father/ for |
| the House I live in |
|
|
State how and when
you obtained admit- |
| Succeeded my father for one House |
| & the Land abt 25 years ago
~ |
| |
| was admitted Last for the other at |
| Wm Hancox's death ~ |
|
|
tance as Tenant.
|
|
Did you or any of
your family, pay any |
| I cannot say what the Houses |
| cost in Building but have |
| expended in repairs within the |
| last 7 yrs myself upwards of £40 |
| The Plot of Land has cost |
| me in levelling the old mining upwards |
| of £50 ~ in consequence of the
|
| corking of the mines ~ |
|
|
money, and, if any,
what amount |
|
did you or they pay
for the premises?
|
|
To whom was the money
paid? |
~ |
|
|
Map:
|
|
|
Handwritten Note:
 |
(The note shows that
Joseph Shakespeare paid £98. 8. 0, less £20 for labour he had expended
on one of the lots.) |
|
