Appendix A — Miscellaneous Transcribed Documents
A.1 Agreement for Purchase of Malting Business by Robert F Nurse
We Ann Nurse and Robert Willis Nurse agree to sell the stock and fixtures book debts etc of the late Robert Nurse in relation to the malting business carried on at Hanham Green and as valued by William Fricks Son and Company on the 10th October 1876 as under and
I Robert Francis Nurse agree to purchase the same at such valuation
| £ | s | d | |
|---|---|---|---|
| To Malthouse Yard and Premises | 160 | ||
| Stock and Fixtures at Malthouse | 89 | 11 | |
| Book Debts | 145 | 12 | 8 |
| Malt sent out between August 21st and October 10th 1876 | 73 | 13 | 9 |
| Cash in Bank at Death of Decease | 170 | ||
| 638 | 17 | 5 | |
| By Robert Nurse’s share under the Will of the late Mr Robert Nurse deceased | 223 | 11 | 5 |
| 425 | 6 |
Robert W Nurse
Ann Nurse
1879
April 24th Received on account of £415 6 0 as per the other side of this paper £65 6 0 with interest on the same for 2 years and 8 months signed Ann Jane Nurse April 1879
Sept 12th Received on account as above £25 0 0 and interest on the same for 3 years due August 21st 1879 signed Ann Jane Nurse Sept 12th 1879
1880
February 21st Received on account as above £25 0 0 and interest on same for 3½ years at 5 per cent due 21st February 1880 Signed Ann Jane Nurse Feb 27 1880
A.2 Abstract of Title to Strattons
Abstract of the title of Mr Thomas Wall and wife to one-third of a Messuage, Malthouse etc. at Hanham
8 & 9 November, 1699
Indenture of lease and release between Humphrey Watmore and Abraham Gibbons both of Bristol ironmonger of the one part and Hugh Connick of Brislington county Somerset husbandman of the other part
It is witnessed that in consideration of £32 to Watmore and Gibbons paid by Connick said Watmore and Gibbons granted release to said Connick his heirs and assigns
All that messuage or tenement with the orchard and garden thereto belonging in the holding of Mrs Bird affadavids of John Burnell since of Grace Barnes ??? and then late in the sole occupation of William Hallows and James Harrows situated and being on Tilly’s Green in Hanham within the parish of Bitton in the county of Gloucester. and all ways ??? and the ???? ??? ??? and all the estate ???? to hold to and to the use of said Connick his heirs and assigns for ever
Usual covenants
Executed Watmore and Gibbons and attested by 2 witnesses text included
27th May 1729
Probate of said Connicks will whereby he gave to his grandson Hugh Stratton the abstracted premises by the description of his dwelling house outhouses belonging to his dwelling house pigstys barken and garden and all the appurtenances thereto belonging to him and his heirs forever his said dwelling house being situated at Hanham in the parish of Bitton and county of Gloucester aforesaid. But if his said grandson should chance to die having no issue the testators will was that his grandsons John Stratton and Cornellius Stratton should have his dwelling house and outhousing with all the appurtenances equally between them and their heirs executors or administrators presently after his (Hugh’s) decease
Attested by 3 witnesses. Proved in London 6th October 1729
Trinity Term 35th year George III (1795)
Chirograph of a fine levied of the premises (inter al.) between Ursuliana Stratton widow, plaintiff, and Thomas Wall and Elizabeth his wife Samuel Harris and Mary his wife and Mathew Cox and Hester his wife Defenders by description of three messuages one malthouse one stable and three gardens with the appurtenances in the parishes of Bitton and St George
19th Nov 1796
Indenture of Mortgage between said Thomas Wall and Elizabeth his wife Samuel Harris and Mary his wife and Mathew Cox and Esther his wife of the one part and John Whittuck of Hanham Esq. on the other part which said Elizabeth and Mary and Esther are therein described the three only children and co-heiresses at law of John Stratton late of ??? deceased and also the neices and co-heireesses at law of Hugh Stratton late of the City of Bristol, House Carpenter, deceased.
Reciting the said Connicks will, the death of Hugh Stratton intestate and without issue and the death of Cornellius Stratton without issue,. That said premises were then legally vested in said Elizabeth, Mary and Esther as co-heiresses at law of John Stratton aforesaid.
And that said Thomas Wall and his wife Samuel Harris and his wife and Matthew Cox and his wife having occasion for £100 had applied to John Whittuck to lend same which he had agreed to do
It is witnessed that in consideration of £100 to said T. Wall and wife, etc. or some or any one of them paid by John Whittuck the said T. Wall etc. demised to John Whittuck the abstracted premises by the description of
All that old messuage or tenement with the outbuildings and garden thereunto belonging formerly in the holding or occupation of William Fellows and James Harrower situate and being on Tilley’s Green in Hanham, and also all that Malthouse thereunto belonging and then held therewith all which premises were then in the occupation of Robert Nurse as tenant thereof and all outhouses etc.
To hold to the said J. Whittuck his executors etc. from the date thereof for the term of 1000 years provision for redemption on payment by Wall etc. their any or either of their heirs etc. to Whittuck his executors. etc. of £100 with lawful interest on the 19th of May next
Declaration that said fine should enure to Whittuck for said term for strengthing etc. and subject thereto as to one full undivided 3rd part of the premises
To the use of such person and persons for such estate and estates as said T. Wall etc. by any Deed etc. under both their hands and seals executed in the presence of and attested by two witnesses should limit, or appoint and for want thereof
To the use of said Elizabeth her heirs and assigns as to one other 3rd part to the use of such person as Harris and wife should in like manner appoint and for want thereof to said Mary Harris etc.
And as to the remaining 3rd part to the use of such person as Cox and his wife should in like manner appoint and for want thereof to the use of said Esther Cox her heirs and assigns forever Executed by all parties and attested
Text endorsed
A.3 Agreement Concerning Legacy of Thomas Willis
An Agreement made and entered into the……day of February in the year of our Lord One Thousand Eight hundred and Twenty Five Between Elizabeth Willis of Abingdon Spinster, William Nurse of Hanham and Mary his wife, Thomas Willis and Samuel Willis the younger, both of Hanham aforesaid Yeomen, John Burgess of Kingswood in the parish of Bitton and Jane his wife, Joseph Burgess of Kingswood aforesaid who married Phoebe Willis lately deceased, William Willis of the same place Stonecutter, and Martha Willis of Stapleton Spinster of the one part and Robert Willis of Hanham aforesaid Yeoman of the other part follows
Whereas Thomas Willis late of Hanham aforesaid quarrier by his will bearing date the sixth day of September One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Five gave and bequeathed the rents of the six tenements situate at a place called the Batch and of the Estate called late Huds and also of the estate wherein the Testator then lived all of them situate in the hamlet of Hanham in the parish of Bitton unto his son Robert Willis, to his son Samuel Willis, to his son Thomas Willis, to his daughter Elizabeth Waters, to his daughter Bethia Lapham, to his daughter Hester Lear, to his daughter Susanna Britton, and to his Granddaughter Ann Derrick, equally between them share and share alike during their lives and after their death to their children for and during all the Testators term and interest therein which was for certain lives named in the several leases granted of the same bequeathed property
And whereas the said Samuel Willis the son of the Testator hath since in conjunction with the other Legatees for life purchased the reversion in fee of the same property which by Indenture bearing date the first day of October One Thousand Eight hundred and Fourteen hath been granted to the said Robert Willis and his heirs In trust for them in equal shares and proportions by Sir James Graham Baronet and others
And whereas the said Robert Willis hath contracted and agreed with his Father the said Samuel Willis for the absolute purchase of his the said Samuel Willis’s share of such property and the fee simple and inheritance thereof
And whereas the said Elizabeth Willis, Mary Nurse, Thomas Willis, Samuel Willis the younger Jane Burgess, Pheobe Burgess, William Willis and Martha Willis and also the said Robert Willis are the children of the said Samuel Willis and as such are entitled to a distributive share or portion of the Rents of the property bequeathed by the said Testator in manner afore¬said But inasmuch as the same are of little or no value they have agreed out of natural love and affection for their Brother the said Robert Willis to assign their interest in the same to him in manner hereinafter mentioned
Now therefore the said Elizabeth Willis, William Nurse and Mary his wife, Thomas Willis and Samuel Willis the Younger, John Burgess and Jane his wife, Joseph Burgess, William Willis and Martha Willis do hereby for themselves severally and respectively and for their several and respective executors administrators and assigns agree with the said Robert Willis that in pursuance of their aforesaid agreement and in consideration of the premises they and each of them shall and will whenever thereunto required by and at the costs and charges of the said Robert Willis well and effectually assign to him his executors administrators and assigns All their and each of their estate right title and interest in and to the Rents which may become payable to them on the decease of the said Samuel Willis the Elder under and by virtue of the aforesaid recited bequest contained in the will of the said Thomas Willis deceased and in and to the property out of which the same may be payable To Hold unto the said Robert Willis his executors administrators and assigns for all the estate term and interest to which they and each of them would become entitled by the ways and means aforesaid and by way of survivorship or otherwise As Witness the hands of the said parties the day and year first above written
Signed Elizabeth Willis
Tho Willis
Saml Willis
Jane Burgess
Wm Willis
Martha Willis
A.4 Deaths belonging to the Family of John Couch
John Couch recorded the following list of deaths in his Journal which I have included here
1779 Jonathan Couch (John’s father) died August 9th aged 25 years buried at Bitton
1780 Sarah Leonard (John’s paternal aunt) died January 12th aged 31 years buried at Hanham Meeting
1783 William Couch (John’s great uncle) died August 2nd aged 69 years buried at Bitton
1795 Hugh Stratton (John’s great uncle) Quaker and Gentleman in Bristol died 29th March aged buried at Redclift Pit Burial Ground
1799 Mary Couch (John’s grandmother) died May 9th 84 years of age buried at Bitton
1799 William Rathbon (John’s maternal uncle) was drowned at Park Corner on Sunday 13th October picked up at Netham Mill 31 October buried at Bitton November 3 aged 46 years
1801 George Couch (John’s uncle) was drowned opposite The Lamb at Crews Hole June 1st fell out the barge Sally aged 52 buried at Bitton
1802 John Couch (John’s grandfather) died February 23rd Aged 86 Buried at Bitton
1823 Betty or Elizabeth Selman (John’s mother) died October 17th aged 71 years buried at Bitton, she was wife of Jonathan Couch her last husband was William Selman
1827 William Selman Junior (John’s half-brother) died November 24th aged 42 years 10 months buried at Keynsham
1828 William Selman Senior (John’ step-father) died January 7th aged 73 years buried at Bitton
1828 John Selman (John’s half-brother) fell down dead November 17th Moors Fields Bristol aged 35 years buried with his first wife St Georges
1834 Martha Ashmead (John’s maternal aunt) died 30 July aged 62 years buried Kings St Baptist Meeting Bristol August 4th
1834 Rachell Couch (John’s wife) died Oct 21 aged 60 years put in a lead coffin and buried in a vault at Bitton October 29th Rachel daughter of Samuel Nurse
1834 Mary Couch Olds (John’s great-niece) died December 7th aged 5 years 7 months and 13 days born 24th April 1829 buried at Bitton December 12th by side of Rachel Couch in an oak coffin
1837 Jacob Leonard (John’s paternal brother-in-law) died June 14th aged 62 years buried at Kingswood Hill church
1843 Sally (John’s sister) wife of Robert Nurse died January 15th aged 63 years buried at Oldland January 21st
1845 John Niale (John’s maternal cousin) at Yate died May 26th buried at Yate May 30th
1845 Mary Paris (John’s siter) died 30th May aged 67 years buried on her mother in a wall grave at Bitton and with William Selman
1846 Rachele Priscilla Olds (John’s great-niece) died October 17th aged 4 years 2 months and 8 days buried at Bitton October 23rd by the side of her sister Mary
1848 Fanny Niale (John’s maternal aunt) at Yate died January and her husband William Niale died November 25th Fanny Niale died January 20th aged 82 years
1848 Edward Selman died December 29th aged buried in Redcross Street Bristol
1854 Robert Nurse (John’s brother-in-law) died March 4th husband to Sarah Couch buried Oldland aged 73 years
1857 January 9th died Sally S??? late Sally Selman aged 69 years buried at Westminster
March 4th died Elizabeth Hunt late Elizabeth Selman at Worcester aged 71 years many years blind
1852 November 28th Robert Willis died aged 85 years and 10 months buried at Bitton December 5th
A.5 Extracts from the Account Book of John Couch
A.6 Extracts from the Journals of John Couch
John Couch recorded the following entries in his Journal. They were not always in order but I have sorted them into chronological order
1792 About the middle of August J Couch was on London Bridge by himself a little before 4 o’clock in the morning
1800 Jonas Summer drowned 23 May going on board the barge Betty at The Back in Bristol aged 35 years buried at Bitton
1806 John Barriman was killed in the quarry exactly under the road leading to The Batch February 27th aged 52 years buried at Bitton March 2nd
1809 A high flood January 26th about 6 inched higher at Hanham Mills than the flood of January 2nd 1726 and 2 feet 7 inches higher than the flood in February 1774
1809 A high flood April 23rd 2½ feet lower than the last at Hanham Mills and 2 feet lower at Bath. This flood was caused by a 24 hour fall of snow and rain at the end which began the 21st which was the first day the Bristol Harbour was filled
1811 The great election at Gloucester between Sir William Guise and John Dutton Esq February
1811 J Couch went from Bristol to Newbury with the barge Aaron and the first load that was carried through out without shifting. The men was J Couch, William Cox, Denis Pollinger and Samuel Cottler for Messrs Parsons and Butts
1812 A Balloon ascended from Bristol and dropped in the channel near Ilfracombe in October with Mr Sadler and Mr Clayfield
1812 John Allen was buried at the top of The Old Market opposite Butchers Row November 10th and a stake droved through him he robbed his master Roggers Shoe Makers Redcross Street at Bristol and cut his throat. In 1856 his bones was taken up. A deep shore? was drove through from Butchers Row to the other side of the street and in doing so they found his bones and not many months was taken up again by the Water Work Company and buried a third time
1813 Robert Pow was drowned at Bath Bridge February 15th and found at Kings Mead April 14th
November 1st 1813 Henry Isles captain of “The Nelson” lost his arm by the handle of the crane at Bath and died in Bath Hospital November 19th buried at Bitton . The River Company allowed his wife £20-0-0, J Couch Allowed her £5-5-0 Total £25-5-0
1813 November 1st 1813 Henry Isles lost his arm November 1st and died November in Bath Hospital by the breaking of the crane on Bath Quay whilst being in my emply with the barge Nelson
1813 December 27th J C Brown down the Wales at Conham House to have a road through as before in stead of making use of the high steps which was erected by Blackwell at the expense of Mr Castle Mayor Bristol
1815 June 18 Battle of Waterloo
1816 A son of Mr Henry Carter? Was drowned at Keynsham January and found by Jones Meadow July 21st in a shocking state buried at Keynsham
1817 November 17th Samuel Nurse married, Robert Nurse’s Hanham Green robbed and April 1818 John Bowls James Hunter transported, George Hunter acquitted for robbing Butts and Drews barges of copper
1819 March was born near Bromsgrove Worcestershire 4 girls at one birth daughter of Joseph and Jane Richardson Maria Mary Sarah and Eliza
1819 A young man Joseph Wilkins an apprentice to Mr Wingrove surgeon at Keynsham shot himself July 15th in the mouth ??? ??? ??? in the wood opposite Jones Meadow
1819 A Whale caught on Frampton Sands in the Severn near 60 ft long
1821 John Harwood was executed April 13th ?? murdered for throwing a stone at Balsorn
1823 A balloon ascended at Sydney Gardens Bath October 28th and dropped in Lord Bolingbrooks Park
1826 Matthew Cox Junior drowned at Crews Hole July 10th hauled in the river by a line of one of Butts and Drews barges by the neglect of Henry Isles who would not stop the horses
1826 Mary wife of William Nurse died September 4th, Farmer William Fry died September 7th and Thomas son of William Selman drowned at the ferry Hanham Mills September 11th
1826 Taken Joshua Bridges’ stone coffin to Worcester by the Nelson from Samuel Nurse’s [0120] Quarry at Hanham Mills 7 ft 6 ins long, wide 3 ft 6 ins 2 ft 7 in deep measured 67 9 cubic ?? before worked 4 ½ tons and about 1 ton 13 cwt when worked taken up March 1st
1827 William Beese killed in his quarry in the wood at Culverclift October 16th 1827
1828 September 29th At night a great light appeared in the Element rising from the west and descending down to the east the colour of steam and the form of a rainbow
1829 February 7th The Trow George belonging to Pickford and Company lost on the Dunn Sands. Stephen Williams, Aaron Bateman, John Harris and Charles Slater were drowned Hawker and Whitley was saved near the same place and Hawker died a few days later
1829 September 15th The highest tide at Bristol for 20 years past
1830 March 26-27-28-29-30th very hot, April 1-2-3 snow nearly all the 3 days April 4-5 and 6 hard frost
1830 November and December great riots in Kent Surrey Sussex Hants Wiltshire destroying machinery and burning corn barns and many hung and a great many transported. Oakley hanged but transported
1831 July 7th. The small boat which I built in the orchard was launched and is now, 1850, the passage boat at Conham, sold to William Selman for five pounds.
1831 Oct 29th The recorder Mr Charles Wetherall came to Bristol a great mob assembled broke the windows entered the Mansion House and Sunday 30th burnt the new goal Bishops Palace Bridewell Lawfords Gate Prison Mansion house Excise Office and near 50 dwelling houses and warehouses and January 27th 1832 was executed at the new goal four men Christopher Davis, William Clarke, Thomas Gregory, Joseph Haise and a great many transported for life
1832 Feb 2nd The trow Neptune was sunk near Mr Barley house by Browns boat with ??? boat before running into her she had a valuable cargo on board and on Friday morning Feb 10th supposed about 4 o’clock Mr John ??? the owner of the trow was drowned at Worcester quay and picked up at 7 o’clock the same morning at Kinsey 4 mile below Worcester by Edward Squires Captain of J Couches Nelson
1833 Feb 6th John Hudd died in the Infirmary broke his hip bone Oct last falling down the trap door at the public house Hanham Mills Look over
1833 March 7th The Dairy robbed of 4 bacon hams and a mutton ham worth £ 12. W Lear came with an excuse the day before to see how hams was cured some of the party concerned told all about it who stole them and where dressed
1833 April 20th in the morning 5 boys was buried in the pit at Lodge Causeway and remained there until the afternoon of April 25th being more than 5 days and nights and all carried out alive
1833 Oct 3rd A barge hired of Mr Oakley at Gloucester was hole at Totterdown Lock with 45 Tons of salt on board saved 7 tons The Nelson was there to take it on board and robbed ofvthe the sheets and a new horse line by the Crews Hole and St Phillips ??? at he ??? was all well paid for their labour about £70 loss to J Couch
1833 Nov 15th Lost the boat and oars at the tail of Mr Stones had some of the oars again the boat much damaged
1833 About Nov 10th Taken Browns widow and three children with an order of removal to Little Torrington 14 miles below Barnstable North Devon Brown was killed at fiting at the Backs
1833 Nov 15th 4 tram wagons fell over the wharf at Londonderry into the barge sally one man Elija gap killed on board and the other very much bruised. This was upward of £30 damage to J Couch
1834 January 18th Fowls house robbed 3 ducks 12 fowls. January 26th robbed again of 16 fowls Mr Lears Bob Chidgy Pollinger and others with J Bryant November 5th Mr Freemans Fat pig stolen by the same Williams
1834 January 22nd John Knowles wheat mow and bean mow wilfully burnt William Pollinger and John Lear
1834 June 10th About one o’clock in the morning George Day at Hanham Lock shot Samuel Ward alias Dagger in the right shoulder when breaking into his house he fell down the steps and broke his right arm
1835 January 31st Mr Smith shop robbed Aaron Bruton was seen going to Bristol with tools
1835
April 15th Mary Ann Burdock was executed at Bristol for poisoning Clara Ann Smith
Aug 4th A noise like the bursting of a cannon with a curious echo was heard at Hanham Gloucester and many miles round which shake the glass in the windows and in some places fire balls was seen
Aug 6th The railroad opened from Bristol to Coalpit Heath. A great feast at Coalpit Heath
Sept 16th Broke my leg at put my ankle out Batheaston was in Bath Hospital to November 2nd
1836
Ash Wednesday The Nelson was droved ashore at Northern Ouse between the two passages by a heavy gale of wind from the north west with 45 tons of salt lost all the tarpaulins and many other things. She was floated again the next tide the loss was 70 or 80 pounds
March 31st Pickford and Company’s trow sank near the gravil beds by a heavy gale of wind from the north west and lost Captain Thomas Jones Master
April 1st Good Friday, a deep snow. April 2 & 3 was very cold and cold to the 27th then thunder and hail
May to the 8th very cold and continued cold with frost to the end except eight days. Boat racing from Bristol to Hanham Mills 2 men and a ??? drowned a little below the Mills by the upsetting of a werry. Many musical instruments lost on August 15th
September 27 Mrs Hicks youngest daughter dies at 8 or 9 o’clock and the same evening Mrs Hicks died
November 29 A great hurricane of wind: much damage done
December 18th The trow Britannia sunk and broke in two by the letting out of the water in the sluices near Cumberland Basin, bound outward with a valuable cargo
1837
March 22 and 23rd A Deep snow and a continual frost to the 20th April which was a total eclipse of the Moon 21st April very cold rain and the 23rd March to April 20 very cold winds and snow. Cold winds to the 1st of May and not a leaf to be seen except evergreens; rather cold to the 9th The 10th a hard frost then snow hail and thunder. The 11th a hard frost and cold to the end of the month.