| Description | LEASE (counterpart) for 3 lives, by the Rt. Hon. George Earl of Cholmondeley to John Wicksted of Nantwich, gentleman --- a parcel of land and meadow called Shrowbridg meadow in SHROWBRIDG [Shrewbridge], in the township of BADDINGTON, now in the holding of the said John, with a piece of building called the pump house, the Brine pit now completed and the wich house, with all brine springs and buildings belonging, with liberty to the said John, his heirs and assigns, at their own expence, to build 1 or more wich houses and all other conveniences for the making and vending of white salt; for lives of Richard Wicksted, John Wicksted and Thomas Wicksted, sons of the said John Wicksted, at an annual rent of £19 and a heriot of half a guinea. It is recited that an earlier lease of the premises (14th Jan. 1716/17, no. DCH/D/413) was made to the said John Wicksted, after which the said Earl of Cholmondeley sank for brine for the making of white salt and erected wich houses for the purpose, but finding brine of inferior quality, the said salt works was demolished; that the said John Wicksted, being informed that upon sinking lower with a new brine pit, a stronger brine might be raised to make a profitable salt work, agreed with the Earl for an advance of sufficient money to complete a good brine pit and build a wich house, to pay an additional rent of £6; and that the said John Wicksted has sunk and completed a good brine pit 7 or 3 yards deeper and found good strong brine and built a wich house. Seal: Red, applied, armorial. Parchment. |