There are some variances in the custom in these several places; the particulars would be too long for an article in "NOTES AND QUERIES;" but the principle of descent to the youngest son prevails in all.
It would be very desirable to complete this list as far as can be done, and I hope some others of your correspondents will give their aid to do it.
The origin of this custom, so contrary to the general law of descent by the common law, is also a subject worthy of more investigation than it has yet received. What is stated on the subject in the law books is very unsatisfactory. It might tend to throw some light on this point if any of your correspondents would communicate information as to any nations or tribes where the law of descent to the youngest son prevails, or did prevail, according to ancient or still existing custom.
I have also received the following list of places where the custom of Borough-English prevails, from Charles Sandys, Esq., F.S.A., of Canterbury. It is taken from notes to the third edition of Robinson's valuable work on Gavelkind, p. 391. note a., and p. 393. n. c. This list had escaped me, as my edition of Robinson is an old one.
"It appears by communications from the stewards to the late Mr. Sawkins, that in the following manors, lands are descendible after the custom of Borough-English:—
"Middlesex.
St. John of Jerusalem, in Islington
Sutton Court
"Surrey.
Weston Gumshall, in Albury