Description:

Deeds and papers relating to an estate in Michaelchurch Escley the property of Miss Mary Johnson. [The property is Old House in south Michaelchurch Escley which was held copyhold from the Marquis of Abergavenny as part of the Ewyas Lacy Manor, at a rent of 6s 1.5d.]

1847 Schedule of Title Deeds

The list includes references to:

24 May 1805 Court Roll admission of Joseph Lea on the surrender of Francis Johnson jun’r.

23 July 1819 Court Roll surrender by Joseph Lea and admission of James Johnson gent. for fresh lives. Surrender by James Johnson and admission of James Wight of Bishops Frome gent, and William Gwillim of Putley esq.

10 May 1823 Court Roll

In consideration of £600 lent by John Allcott of Bishops Frome gent to James Johnson of Michaelchurch Escley publican and customary tenant, admission of John Allcott on surrender of James Johnson. Messuage, barn, garden and several pieces of land of 93a 2r 8p in Michaelchurch Escley formerly in the occupation of James Johnson or his under-tenants. Copyhold held for the lives of Benjamin Lewis of Newton yeoman, James Johnson of Llanveynoe farmer eldest son of James Johnson of Llanveynoe farmer and James Johnson son of the said James Johnson publican. Rent 6s 1.5d.

9 August 1847 Indenture

Between Mary Johnson of Michaelchurch Escley spinster, Robert Howard the younger of Michaelchurch Escley farmer and William Moore of Newton shoemaker [Trustees], and Joanna Johnson of Michaelchurch Escley widow.

Mary Johnson is aunt and heir at law of James Johnson of Michaelchurch Escley farmer deceased and holds the copyhold for the lives of Benjamin Lewis and James Johnson which is charged with a mortgage of £800 from 14 May 1847, from Nicholas Lechmere Pateshall Esq.

Mary Johnson agrees to assign the copyhold to the Trustees to hold for her life and then Joanna Johnson.

The property was formerly in the occupation of Francis Johnson and Elizabeth Greenly afterwards James Johnson deceased or his under-tenants and now Joanna Johnson.

Joanna Johnson covenants to repay the mortgage.

Pedigree of the Johnson Family of Michaelchurch Escley

A diagrammatic family tree is shown below together with a Declaration by Mrs Joanna Johnson regarding the Johnson family dated 7 June 1848.

The documents also include copies of burial, marriage and baptism entries as follows:

• 13 March 1771: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Marriage Certificate entry of Francis Johnson and Anne Lewis both of Michaelchurch Escley.
• 19 May 1772: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Baptism entry for Francis Johnson, son of Francis and Anne.
• 8 January 1775: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Baptism entry for Anne Johnson, daughter of Francis and Anne.
• 1 Oct 1776: Parish of Clodock: Copy of Baptism entry for William Johnson, son of Francis and Anne (reads May).
• 12 Nov 1780: Parish of Clodock: Copy of the Baptism entry for Mary Johnson, daughter of Francis and Anne.
• 28 September 1783: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Baptism entry for James Johnson, son of Francis and Ann.
• 10 August 1811: Parish not stated: Copy of Marriage Certificate entry of James Johnson of Michaelchurch Escley bachelor and Jane [Joanna] Moore spinster.
• 14 August 1813: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Burial entry for Francis Johnson of Upper House aged 43.
• 11 April 1814: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Baptism entry for James Johnson, son of James and Hannah.
• 7 May 1828: Parish of Grosmont: Copy of the Burial entry for Ann Johnson.
• 3 January 1836: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Burial entry for James Johnson of Old House aged 23.
• 25 October 1853: Parish of Michaelchurch Escley: Copy of Burial entry for James Johnson of Old House aged 52.

Johnson Family Tree

Declaration from Joanna Johnson

7 June 1848

Observations:

The HRO reference number includes documents and papers relating to the Allcott family of Bishops Frome and Bosbury not recorded here.
Tony Brown made a collection of unrelated deeds and local documents which he donated to the Herefordshire Record Office. They form an artificial collection, which while being of interest have no common provenance.
Francis Lewis Bodenham was a Hereford Solicitor during the first half of the 19th century.