Manuscript Archive - RARE Unrecorded History of Sutterton Windmill Estate - Vellum Land Deeds by GRIMBLE, Thomas - 1691

Lincolnshire, 1691. Sutterton (Lincolnshire, England), 1691-1828. An invaluable archive of 18 manuscript documents tracing the otherwise unrecorded history of the original Wigtoft-Sutterton windmill on Mill Lane, spanning 136 years, bearing several pioneer signatures, manuscript docketing, and some lovely red wax seals. Twelve (12) are manuscript indentures on vellum, for the sale or lease of the wind mill, millstone, cottage and grounds between 1691 and 1826. Six (6) are manuscript letters and notes on paper, pertaining to repairs to the mill in 1827. One (1) is a receipt for millstones purchased in 1827, in the form of a letter dated 1828. Documents range in size the smallest being a signed manuscript note measuring approximately 18 x 5,5 cm, and the largest being a vellum lease indenture measuring approximately 86 x 74 cm. Some age-toning, otherwise the lot in very good condition, an exceptional and comprehensive archive of beautifully preserved, primary source documents. With very little recorded information available on the origin and history of the Sutterton Mill, the Lincolnshire County Council website states the following suggestion: "Described as being newly erected in 1855 this mill is thought to date from the 1840’s. It worked by wind until 1921 when the sails were removed. It then stood derelict for a while, still retaining its cap frame and wind- shaft in 1942, although the stones had gone by this time. There were four patent sails driving three pairs of stones, with another pair engine driven on the ground floor." The present lot of original manuscript documents, however, provide an extensive history, until now unknown, of the Old Sutterton Mill. Some further research could lead to a definitive answer as to whether the original mill was demolished and re-constructed in the 1840s, or whether the present structure could in fact be the original survivor from the seventeenth century or earlier, restored, and waiting for its official claim as a heritage site. The Lincolnshire archives holds a schedule of deposited deeds pertaining to the family of Grimble, 1841. Thomas Grimble is the last identified lessor of the original cottage and windmill, which as late as 1831 according to these documents, still stood and functioned. The Old Mill, Mill Lane, Sutterton, Boston, PE20 2EN, is situated on the corner of Wigtoft Road and Mill Lane, the precise location described in these documents. The mill and cottage have been converted into a beautiful residence which now showcases old wood beams and previously working metal apparatuses. A veritable cache of unrecorded information lies in these documents, penned on vellum as early as 1691, and throughout the eighteenth century, revealing an early history of ownership, land tenancy and usage rights for an iconic tower mill in rural Lincolnshire - which may be much older than currently thought to be. The Lincolnshire County archives suggest that the Sutterton Tower Mill on the corner of Wigtoft Road and Mill Lane was built in the 1840s. However, the present documents uncover a previously unknown history of the property - that a mill was already constructed at this place in the mid-seventeenth century. After at least 136 years, according to correspondence and an assessment made in 1827, the mill was in need of repairs to some of the stone cases, one new gear, some step supports, two new sail whips, and trivial details. None of these warranting complete demolition of the structure, for the sum of seventy-three pounds quoted by millwright Atkin Heckington, the original mill would have been a good candidate for preservation. Further investigation is required to ascertain whether the present mill was in fact restored and dates to the seventeenth century, or whether a new one was constructed on the same site. The earliest documents, two rare seventeenth century survivors, are indentured lease agreements made in 1691 between Robert Okey of Donington and Anne Hainsworth of Wigtoft (owners and lessors), and a miller, Joseph Humbletoft of New Sleaford (lessee). For a one year term, the lease included use of a cottage and tenement, as well as a millstone and windmill. These documents show that a mill was already erected on the site by 1691 and describe with precision the exact location of the mill. They also reveal tenancy and ownership of some of Lincolnshire's notable historic figures, including a yeoman, two mayors, a schoolmaster, a brewer, a bricklayer, and pioneering agriculturalists. [The will of Robert Okey, Yeoman of Hagworthingham, Lincolnshire, dated 20 July 1747, is held at the National Archives, Kew. Josephus Humbletoft is mentioned in the 1686 minutes of the Quarter Sessions Court, Parts of Kesteven, Lincolnshire, which were then made in Latin. Donington is only 6 miles from Sutterton. Sleaford is 18 miles from Sutterton.] Four documents made in 1750, three being penned on vellum, indicate that the windmill and cottage were owned then by a yeoman named John Hidson of Langtoft in the County of Lincoln, and his wife Elizabeth. The premises are being leased to a maltster from Bourne, Thomas Brown. As well, it seems, a Robert Cole and his wife Paylia would be joint occupants of the premises. A beautiful Indenture dated 3 May 1750 bears the signature and wax seal of both John Hidson, and also, rather uncommon for the period, the signature and wax seal of his wife Elizabeth Hidson. It is conceivable that Elizabeth inherited the mill and cottage from the estate of her first (deceased) husband who was a miller. A subsequently signed bond declaration written on a large watermarked leaf, dated 4 May 1750, features revenue stamps, a beautiful intact red wax seal, and three original signatures. Also on the 4th of May, an exquisite vellum quitclaim document, again bearing the two wax seals and signatures of the sellers, releases the property and its assets to Mr. Brown the maltster for his use. An interesting transaction takes place in 1777, four manuscript agreements on vellum outlining further leases issued for the mill, cottage and grounds, all made in September. Two of archive's largest documents are, one measuring 86 x 70 cm, and the other only slightly shorter. At this time the owner was a bricklayer named Robert Hawdin and his wife Mary. On 11 September, for a sum of 95 pounds, the Hadwins complete a one year lease and release the property to William Scargall of Sutterton, a miller, and Edward Draper of Boston, gentleman, whom in turn, only two days later, leases the same mill, cottage, and pastures, to Thomas Waite of Boston, a grocer, and former mayor West Wheldale the younger of Boston. The latter are to pay, at the end of the term, a nominal rent of "one pepper corn." It would be most interesting to learn of the connection between the lessors (a miller and a gentleman) and Wheldale the politician, to have made such an arrangement. [West Wheldale, who died in 1788, was a mercer, a draper, Alderman of Boston in Lincolnshire, and also served three times as Mayor of Boston (1750,1765,1784). According to the wills held in the Lincolnshire government archives, William Scargall was a farmer from Alvingham, some 43 miles north of Sutterton, his will having been made in 1799.] [Although peppercorns were anciently a highly valuable commodity often referred to as "black gold" and used as a form of commodity money, at the time of this document, in England it was common practice of stipulating the payment of a single peppercorn as a nominal rent fee. The University of Bath upholds the tradition by paying to the City Council a literal peppercorn rent every year for the site of its campus. A ceremony is held during which the single peppercorn is accepted, and kept in a purpose-made velvet-lined case in the Mayor's Parlour, each peppercorn preserved in its own divot.] In 1782 Francis Thirkill of Boston, who also would later serve as mayor of Boston, his terms being in 1826 and 1832, leased the premises, cottage, mill, and so forth, together with Thomas Waite, a grocer from Boston. Mr. William Scargall still the owner and again the lessor. An extensive ten year lease agreement made 2 December 1826 describes the property in much detail, it now being equipped with a dressing mill, a flour mill, mill stones, as well as the windmill and a round house. The owner is at this time a William Moses of Donington, head master at Donington Free School from 1823-1840, and father of renowned spiritualist William Stainton Moses. The lease is made to Thomas Grimble, a farmer and gardener from Swineshead (5 miles from Sutterton) at the rate of £80 per annum. An annotation dated 1831 further permits Grimble to convert the pastures for tillage (cultivation), confirming the continued tenancy and operations taking place. Replete with legal terms of the agreement, including details of land tax payments, there is much written here about fire insurance and repair to the windmill should it burn down. The windmill alone is assessed at £600 in the event of loss. It is further agreed upon herein that Grimble could, if he so desired, replace the mill stones. The verso features a clerical annotation made in 1831, the lessor consenting to further development of the land. This document is also unusually large, consisting of two vellum pieces sewn together at the bottom corners and measuring 74 x 60 cm, is signed in the original alongside two simple red wax seals. Accompanying papers from 1827 pertain to repairs assessments, disputes between Moses and Grimble as to what is in fact required, and the two French Millstones purchased by Grimble for £32. One of the valuation of repairs is made by messrs Henry Elton Almond, a miller, and Henry Atkins, a millwright, both from Heckington. One can deduce from the friendly and reasonable tone of Grimble's correspondence as he sought to collaborate with Moses in repairing the windmill, as well as the receipts for the millstones, and the annotation made in 1831 to their original lease, that a positive settlement was reached and the windmill repaired. Presuming Grimble honoured the full term of his lease, until October 1836, the original seventeenth century or earlier windmill remained in operation at least until then. Excerpts from the manuscripts: [30 April 1691] "This indenture made the thirtieth day of April in the third year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary by the Grace of God over England & Scotland, France and Ireland... Anno Dom 1691 Between Robert Okey of Donington in the County of Lincoln... and Ann Hainsworth of Wigtoft... widow of the one parte And Joseph Humbletoft of New Sleaford in the said County & Jane his wife of the other parte... have granted bargain and sale... to heirs and Assignes All that Cottage or tenement... in Sotterton in the County of Lincolne. Situated upon a small piece of pasture & ground... & containing one half of a rood... sand more or less white... meadow grounds... neare to a place now called Meed's Cross and between a comon high way heading from Sutterton aforesaid to Wigtoft on the north and a fieldway on the south... And also all that Winde Mill stands likewise upon the said small piece of pasture or meadow ground with all the implements & utensils & appurtenances... And also one Millstone standing and being neare of the said Winde Mill... " [Sutterton and Wigitft are but 3 miles apart, and from the road that connects them still today, is a short road running south and called Mill Lane, connecting to Spalding Road]. [1 May 1691] "This indenture made the firste day of May in the third year of the Reigne of our Sovereigne Lord and Lady King William and Queen Mary by the Grace of God over England & Scotland, France and Ireland... Anno Dom 1691... for the summe of three score pounds of good and lawful money of England... now in the custody of said Robert Okey and Ann Hainsworth... Cottage Wind Mill Ground and premises, the said Joseph Humbletoft and Jane his wife are now in full and actual possession by virtue of one Indenture of bargain and sale for one year... made of the cottage, wind mill& grounds & one millstone mentioned by the said Robert Okey..." [3 May 1750] "This Indenture made the third May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and fifty... our Sovereign lord King George Second, Between John Hidson of Langtoft in the County of Lincoln yeoman and Elizabeth his wife widow relict and devisee of the last will and testament of Roger Cross late of Wilsthorpe in the said County of Lincoln miller...... " [4 May 1750] "... I John Hidson of Langtoft in the County of Lincoln yeoman am hold and firmly bond to Thomas Brown of Bourne in the said County malster in the full and just sum of two hundred and twenty pounds and ten shillings of good and lawful money... to be paid them by the said Thomas Brown... did convey release and confirm unto the said Thomas Brown... one cottage one windmill & a parcel of land... being in Sutterton... the said John Hidson and Elizabeth his wife at the time of sealing and delivering the said Indentures had good right full power and lawfull authority to grant convey and assign the said cottage windmill land and premises... All that cottage or tenement with the appurtenances situate and being in Sutterton in the Parts of Holland... And also one piece of Land to the same adjoining and belonging containing by estimation the half of a Rood or thereabouts... one windmill with all the implements materials and appurtenances thereto belonging together with the ground and soil thereof paths roads an ways leading thereto commonly called Sutterton Wind Mill... All of which are now in tenure of William Cook or his assigns... " [12 September 1777] "... Between William Scargall of Sutterton in the County of Lincoln Miller and Edward Draper of Boston... and Thomas Waite of Boston Grover and West Wheldale the Younger of Boston... All that messuage or tenement and all that piece of ground wherein a Wind Mill now stands... being in Sutterton aforesaid near a certain place now or heretofort called Weeds Cross and between a common highway leading from Sutterton aforesaid to Wigtoft on the north of a fieldway on the South... To have and to hold the said messuage or tenement windmill two acres of pasture ground... term of one whole year from thence... Yielding and paying thereof at the end of the said term... Rent of one Peppercorn..." [2 December 1826] "... Between William Moses of Donington in the County of Lincoln Schoolmaster.... and Thomas Grimble of Swineshead of the said County Farmer and Gardner... windmill with the Round House and other buildings and all that piece or parcel of land... by estimation Half a Rood... with all and singular the Dressing Mill, Flour Mill, Mill Stones, Gears, Troughs, Bins, Sails, Sail Cloths, and all other Implements, Apparel and Furniture... adjoining to the said Two Acres of meadow or pasture ground... Together all and singular the Houses Outhouses Buildings Stables Rights privileges and Appurtenances whatsoever to the said Windmill... it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Thomas Grimble... at any time... to purchase or procure one pair of New French Stones each four feet six inches in diameter... be paid for by him... shall at the expiration of the said term be left in the said Windmill..." End excerpts. Sutterton is a village and rural parish in Lincolnshire, East Midlands. Hitherto, the parish had formed part of Boston Rural District, in Parts of Holland. Holland was one of the three divisions of the traditional County of Lincolnshire. Since the Local Government Act of 1888 Holland had been, in most respects, a county in itself. The village is one of eighteen parishes which, together with Boston, form the Lincolnshire Borough of Boston. During the reign of William I (1066-1087) the village of "Riche" occupied the land where Wigtoft, Sutterton, Algarkirk and Fosdyke are now. References as late as 1744 refer to parts of the parish that had been known formerly as "Reek." Following is a summary of the indentures in this collection: 1691 [3rd year of the reign of William and Mary] Indenture lease, ink on vellum. Approx 50 cm x 28 cm Between Robert Okey of Donington and Anne Hainsworth of Wigtoft, and Joseph Humbletoft, Miller of New Sleaford and Jane, his wife. For a cottage and tenement in Sutterton "And also all that Winde Mill situated likewise upon the same pasture... and also one Millstone standing and being neere to the said Winde Mill." 1691 [3rd year of the reign of William and Mary] Indenture release, ink on vellum. Approx 66 cm x 45cm. Between Robert Okey of Donington and Anne Hainsworth of Wigtoft, and Joseph Humbletoft, Miller of New Sleaford and Jane, his wife. For "the summe of three score pounds of good and lawful money of England - the above Winde Mill and Mill Stone, land..." 1750 [23rd year of the reign of George II] Indenture Lease for a year, ink on vellum, Approx 44 cm x 41cm. From John Hidson, yeoman and Elizabeth Hidson his wife, to Thomas Brown, maltster. 1750 [23rd year of the reign of George II] Indenture release, ink on vellum, Approx 82 cm x 50 cm. Confirmation that money has been "...well and truly paid by the said Thomas Brown...". and that the Hidsons quit the cottage and Mill with lands to Brown. 1750 [24th year of the reign of George II] Indenture quitclaim, ink on vellum. Approx 47 cm. x 32cm. Between Thomas Brown and Robert Cole and Phylia his wife and John Hidson and Elizabeth his wife. For a cottage and Windmill and land in Sutterton. 1750 [24th year of the reign of George II] Bond document, ink on single leaf watermarked paper. Approx 42 cm. x 33cm, with embossed and ink revenue stamps, wax seal and signature of John Hidson. Stating that £110.5sh is to be paid by Thomas Brown to John Hidson and his wife Elizabeth for the cottage, Windmill and land at Sutterton. 10 September 1777 [17th year of the reign of George III] Indenture, ink on vellum, Approx 54 cm x 34 cm. Between Robert Hawdin, bricklayer and his wife Mary, and William Scargall of Sutterton, miller and Edward Draper of Boston, gentleman. The lease for a year of Sutterton Windmill and lands. 11 September 1777 [17th year of the reign of George III] Indenture Absolute Conveyance document, ink on vellum. Approx 86 cm x 74 cm. Between Robert Hawdin, bricklayer and his wife Mary, and William Scargall of Sutterton, miller and Edward Draper of Boston, gentleman. 12 September 1777 [17th year of the reign of George III] Indenture ink on vellum. Approx 57 cm. x 40 cm. Lease for a year, Sutterton windmill and lands, Between William Scargall, miller and Edward Draper, gentleman, on the one part and Thomas Waite of Boston, grocer and West Wheldale the younger of Boston, mercer. Signed and sealed by Scargall and Draper. 13 September 1777 [17th year of the reign of George III] Indenture Mortgage, ink on vellum. Approx 90 cm. x 70 cm. Between the aforementioned lessors and lessees. 1782 [22nd year of the reign of George III] Indenture Lease of Sutterton Windmill and lands (etc) for a year, ink on vellum. Approx 53 cm. x 34 cm. Between William Scargall of Sutterton, miller, and Thomas Waite of Boston, grocer and Francis Thirkill of Boston, gentleman. Signed and sealed by William Scargall. 1782 [22nd year of the reign of George III] Indenture Release of Sutterton Windmill and lands (etc) ink on vellum. Approx 89 cm. x 62 cm. William Scargall to Thomas Waite and his trustee. 1826 [7th year of the reign of George IV] Indenture Lease, ink on vellum, Approx 76 cm x 61 cm on two sheets. Between William Moses of Donington, schoolmaster, and Thomas Grimble of Swineshead, Gardener and Farmer, for a lease for ten years for Sutterton Windmill and lands etc. Signed and sealed by both parties. Now archaic, the term 'rood' was a measure of land area, equal to a quarter of an acre. The rood was an important measure in surveying on account of its easy conversion to acres. . Very Good. Manuscript.