Englanddocuments

Added July 30, 2002 ~ Stokes Family Researchers

Dear STOKES family,

I am an antiques dealer here in England (and a keen genealogist). I recently purchased a number of old documents dating from 1633 to 1777 concerning the STOKES family of Kent and London (and a few other families). These documents have been stored away since they were written, some for over 350 years, I am currently selling these on Ebay auctions on the internet (26th December 2001). Being a keen genealogist myself I could not and would not sell these documents without first extracting important information for the STOKES family. Much of this information is previously unknown (having done a little research myself). I am therefore publishing the information I have extracted info from these documents for you all to see and use as you see fit but you may not sell it or use it for commercial purposes without my written permission. The documents as I said are listed on Ebay along with photos of the documents, I give you full permission to copy these photographs for your own records. (I think you can us the copy and paste features on your computer). I will also be sending these extracts to the Kent Family History Society. Below are a few I have done already…….Look out for the rest, I will post them shortly…..Happy Hunting!!! …….Chris Lyth

1) 24th June 1698. Indenture made between Thomas STOKES of Swingfield in Kent yeoman, Clement BURKE of Dover, furcale??? on the second part and Ann FOORD of Dover on the third part. Indeture about……… Thomas STOKES leased land to Clement BURKE in 1691 for 299 years, but now in 1698 Clement BURKE wants out and is selling the lease to Ann FOORD. Please see no.2

2) 2nd September 1721. Indenture between Mary COLSTON of Dover in the county of Kent Widow and Thomas DAWKES of Dover Gentleman and his wife Honor DAWKES (Mary COLSTON and Honor DAWKES being the executors of the will of the late Katherine STURGIS of Dover, widow deceased) who was (Katherine STURGIS) the sole executor of the will of Anne FOORD of Dover Spinster deceased of the first part and John HAMMOND of Hawkinge yeoman on the second part and William BRUMLY of the parish of Caple le’Herne in the county of kent on the third part. Whereas Thomas STOKES of Swingfield yeoman deceased did rent, lease land and buildings in Shothered in kent to Clement BURKE by an earlier indenture dated 6th January 1691 that farm and land now being in the occupation of Stephen HAMBROOK.
In 1691 Thomas Stokes leased the farm and land to Clement Burke and his heirs for a period of 299 years for the sum of one hundred and twenty pounds but a provision was made that if Thomas STOKES or another person was to pay back Clement Burke the sum of one hundred and twenty three pounds then the agreement would be void or pass on to the new person.
But in an indenture between Thomas Stokes, Clement Burke and Ann Foord dated 1698, Ann Foord bought the lease from Clement Burke. Now since Thomas Stokes died (according to this 1721 indenture) leaving the land to his Son Richard STOKES and since Richard STOKES is since deceased (according to this 1721 indenture) leaving the land to his Sons Thomas STOKES, Richard STOKES, John STOKES, Howard STOKES, Henry STOKES who are minors (in 1721) and are Sons in law of Thomas HAMMOND (so the wife of the deceased Richard STOKES (Susan FAGG) has remarried to Thomas HAMMOND). Now, With Ann FOORD owning the lease but now deceased, her affairs were passed on to her executor Katherine STURGIS, But now Katherine STURGIS is deceased her executors (Mary COLSTON and Honor DAWKES) are dealing with the affairs of Ann FOORD. But they have to deal with Thomas HAMMOND the step father of the Five STOKES boys because they are minors. A new face…….William BRUMLY….. William BRUMLY is buying the lease from Ann FOORDs Executors. Complicated wasn’t it!!!!!!!!!!

3) 24th December 1736. Indenture made between Thomas STOKES of the parish of Hawkinge in the county of kent yeoman John STOKES of the parish of Wintham??? In the said county (kent) carpenter and Henry STOKES of the Town of Hyth in the county of Kent aforesaid weaver of the one part and Richard STOKES of the parish of Holden or Shoulden in the said county of kent bricklayer of the other part. Which said Thomas, John, Henry and Richard STOKES are the Sons and Coheirs of Richard STOKES of swingfield in the county of kent, yeoman deceased. This indenture is about their Fathers farm and land situated in Swingfield Kent. Having divided the farm and land into four equal shares after their father Richards death, Richard jnr is buying his brothers out. So now Richard owns all four shares. (the farm now being in 1736 in the occupation of Thomas STOKES one of the other the brothers afore mentioned).

4) Marriage agreement dated 1661. That Thomas STOKES is soon to marry Mary TOMS the sister of Richard TOMS. In effect This marriage arrangement is this….Richard TOMS will pay Thomas STOKES upon marrying his sister ‘a considerable amount of money’ so long as when he (Thomas STOKES) dies he leaves Mary at least one hundred pounds in ready money or in goods and chattels.

5) Last Will and Testament of Thomas STOKES written in 1706. I Thomas STOKES of Swingfield in the county of Kent yeoman. Bequests to his daughter (and I quote) ‘ Elizabeth the wife of William TOES ‘, ‘My other daughter Mary the wife of Simon HORTON’, ‘Appoint my dutifull Son Richard STOKES of Swingfield aforesaid yeoman full and sole executor’. Thomas bequests money to his two daughters and land buildings etc ‘now in the possession of Edward RUSSELL situated in Swingfield to His Son Richard STOKES the executor.

6) 27th June 1759 Indenture between Ambrose STOKES late of the parish of Holden in the county of Kent Blacksmith and now of the parish of Hyth in the said county watchmaker and John STOKES in the said parish of Holden bricklayer two of the three sons of Richard STOKES late of the parish of Holden bricklayer deceased of the one part and John MIDDLETON of the parish of Deal in the said county gentleman on the other part. The STOKES brothers are selling land in Swingfield to John MIDDLETON.

7) Marriage Agreements (both parties). Dated 23 june 1661. Made between George STOKES of Swingfield in the count of Kent yeoman of the one part and John TAYLOR of Hastingleigh in the county aforesaid Bachtler in Divinitie (I think this means He is a Minister of religion) on the other part. Whereas there is a marriage hadd and solomized of by and between Henry STOKES one of the Sons of the said George STOKES and Mary TAYLOR one of the daughters of the said John TAYLOR. George and Henry STOKES are paying an annuity for yearly rent to John TAYLOR (for the married couple to live in) for Land and buildings etc in Swingfield.

8) 19th November 1777. Indenture between Thomas HARVEY of the parish of Lythome??? In th county of kent yeoman on the one part and Richard GARDINER of the parish of Swingfield in the said county yeoman of the other part. Thomas HARVER is renting land and Buildings in Swingfield Minmis? Near a place called Shotshed to Richard GARDINER.