By Pat. 2. Mary, P. 1, we learn other particulars respecting the messuages, tenements, &c., which were purchased by Dr. Hues. We find the cost of the whole to have been three hundred and forty-six pounds, one shilling and eight-pence halfpenny; that they were purchased of various owners; and that “a message and tenement called Westbourne” was included in the purchase, and that “four closes of land called by the names of Darking Busshes, Holmefield, Balserfield, and Baudeland, and six acres of arable land lying apart in the common fields; and six acres of arable land lying apart in the fields called Dowries, all in the parish of Paddington” were purchased of the crown.
As a description of these four closes of land is still preserved in the Harleian M.SS. No. 606, f. 46 b., I have thought it right to translate and print it in this place, it is as follows:—
“A parcel of the possessions of the late lord Sands.
County of Middlesex.”“An account of four pasture closes in and near Paddington in the county aforesaid, containing, by estimation, fifty acres, lately in the tenure of John Kellet by indenture for a term of years.
“One.—A close called Darking Busshes [38] lying between the close called Sunhawes on the southern side, and between the field called Wrenfelde on the northern side, and extending in length over the green called Kellsell Greene on the eastern side, and over the land belonging to Notting-barns called Dorkinghernes on the western side.
“Another. A close called Homefelde and extending above the road leading from Paddington to Harlestone on the eastern side, and above the close called Reding-meade on the western side, and abutting upon the close called Church-close on the southern and western sides, and upon the angle of Reding-meade aforesaid on the northern side.
“Another close called Balserfeld, extending in length upon a piece of land called Lytle Balserfeld on the northern side, and upon a close called Horsecreste and Ponde-close on the southern side, and on one head of the land abutting upon the west-lane on the western side, and upon Reding-meade aforesaid on the eastern side.
“Another close called Bandelonds lying between the close called Swanne lease and Three acres on the northern side, and a close called Downes on the southern side, and one head abutting upon a close called Abbot’s-lease, and upon the Green-lane or Kingefelde-green on the eastern side, and upon the close of Notting-barnes on the western side.
They are worth £4.”
The following memorandum is added to this description:—
“Mem.—That the rent of the premises is paid to the bayliffe of Chelsey albeit it lyith nother within Town nor parisshe of Chelsey but within the parisshe of Paddington, ij myle from Chelsey. What mynes, leade, or other commodytes ar apon the premisses I know not. The same are no parcel of th’ auncyent demeans of the Crown, or of the Duches of Lanc. or Cornewall, the Quene hath no more lond in Paddyngton but only these iiij closes.
Ex. per me Alexandrum Hewes superius.”
“xiii mo. of Maie 1557 Rated for Mr. Hues one of the Quenes mties phicisions.
“The clere yerely value of the premesises iiii li whiche rated at xxvi yeres purchace ammountethe to ciiij li.
“The money to be paid in hand viz before the xxvi of Maie 1557. The King and Quenes ma.. do dischardge the purchacer of all thinges and incumbraunces made or don by their majesties except leases. The purchacer to have the ’ssues from the fest of Th’ annuncyation of our Lady last past. The purchaser to discharge the King and Quenes majesties of all fees and reprises goying out of the premisses. The tenure in socage. The purchacer to be bound for the woodes. The leade and belles to be excepted.
Ex. Willm Petre. Fraunceis Inglefield. Jo Bakere.”
These were the closes in Paddington then, which belonged to Lord Sands; and it will be seen by this memorandum, and by the patent, that although this land was considered a part of Chelsea manor, it was no part of Chelsea parish at that time. [39]
In 1536, Lord Sands alienated the advowson of Chelsea and his manor of Chelsea to the King, in exchange for other lands. By the words of this transfer, which is printed from the original document in Faulkner’s Chelsea, [40] we find, that the hereditaments conveyed to the King lay “in the parish of Chelcheth aforesaid and Paddington.” And in “A peticular booke of Chelsey manor 1554,” relative to the possessions of Queen Katherine, we find these four closes “in Paddington,” mentioned as having been then let at four pounds per annum, to Henry White.
Faulkner speaks of the transfer of the manor of Chelsea to Edward the sixth by the Duke of Northumberland, and of other surrenders backwards and forwards; but neither in his works nor in Lysons can I find anything about Dr. Thomas Hues’ purchase; or one word about his gift to Merton. Neither can I find any notice of this liberal bequest in any of the Histories of the University of Oxford which I have examined.
What “arrangement,” then has been come to respecting this property? Are any learned fellows or poor scholars benefitted by this physician’s bequest? Or, is this estate like the other portion of the Lady Margaret’s gift, safely lodged in private hands?
I must confess that I am not able to answer these questions.