Description
Letter to Isaac Evans from Duncan Warren Gardner Solicitors. The contents of this letter refer to the attempted transference of copyhold land in Herefordshire, held by George Eliot, to Charles Lewes (son of George Henry Lewes). Despite having written instruction to proceed from George Eliot, and upon her dying before surrendering the land to the steward of the manor, the land had been deemed to have been inherited by Isaac as customary heir. The Solicitor therefore requests that Isaac surrender the land to the steward in order that Charles be admitted as tenant. Signed Duncan Warren Gardner(?)
Facsimile
pages 1 and 2
pages 3 and 4
Transcript
45, Bloomsbury Square, London W.C.
2nd June 1882
Dear Sir,
We are sorry to have to trouble you again with respect to the late Mrs. Cross's affairs but a hitch has arisen with respect to some Copyhold property which compels us to seek your assistance.
The late Mr. G.H. Lewes was entitled to a small Estate in Herefordshire part of which is Copyhold of the Manor of Eaton Bishop.
He by his Will left this property to the late Mrs. Cross. She always allowed his son Mr. Charles Lee Lewes to have the benefit of this property and previously to her marriage arranged to transfer the property to him. The freehold part of the property was accordingly actually conveyed to Mr. C.L. Lewes by deed and the transfer of the Copyhold property would have been completed, but it was found impossible to arrange an appointment with the Deputy Steward of the Manor to take Mrs. Cross's Surrender and as he refused to grant a deputation for the purpose Mr. & Mrs. Cross executed a deed by which they both covenanted to surrender the property to Mr. C.L. Lewes and it was arranged that the title should be perfected as soon as convenient after the marriage. Mr. & Mrs. Cross after their marriage were abroad for some months and then stayed at Whitley so that we were unable to arrange an appointment for them to meet the Deputy Steward until December 1880.
An appointment was actually made for 22nd December 1880 but the meeting never took place in consequence of the sudden illness and death of Mrs. Cross. The consequence was that although Mrs. Cross had at her death parted with all beneficial interest in the Estate she remained the nominal owner upon the Court Rolls of the Manor, and a fine became due to the Lords of the Manor on her death. As Mrs. Cross considered that she had fully disposed of the property in her lifetime she made no mention of it in her Will and died intestate so far as related to it and we believe that the bare legal estate has vested in you as her customary heir.
The Steward of the Manor refuses to admit Mr. C.L. Lewes to the property but insists that you must be first admitted and then surrender to Mr. Lewes who can then be admitted on payment of a second fine and set of fees. We fear that there is no way out of the difficulty and have accordingly to ask whether you will consent to be admitted and then surrender to Mr. Lewes.
Mr. Lewes will of course pay all expenses and we will take care that you are not put to any personal trouble in the matter.
We are Dear Sir,
Yours Truly,
Duncan, Warren & Gardner
Isaac P. Evans Esqr. |  |
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