| Description | This collection of 91 deeds, dating from 1260 to 1745, relates to premises in the Nantwich area.
The parties include members of the families of Wilbraham, Fouleshurst, Mainwaring, Maisterson, Clutton and others; places mentioned are:- Acton, Bickerton, Brindley, Bulkeley, Burland, Carden, Chorley, Church Coppenhall, Clutton, Edge, Edleston, Faddiley, Haslington, Henhull, Leighton, Lowcross, Monks Coppenhall, Nantwich, Newbold, Newton juxta Tattenhall, Siddington, Tilston, Tiverton, Wimboldesley and Wistaston.
Twenty-five of the deeds are of Mediaeval date and in many cases the attached seals are complete and in good condition, e.g. DWN/1/1 - the seal of Hugh son of Geoffrey with the nose (cum naso), and DWN/1/14 - the armorial seal of Thomas Maisterson. No. DWN/1/21 is a good example of an early deed written in English. This is the appointment by the Abbot of Combermore of Randle Wilbraham procurator of "the chapell of oure lady Saynt Mary of the Nantwiche callet the Nantwiche chirche" for 13 years, to collect the tithes, oblations, obventions etc: due to the church, in return for which he is to receive an annual rent of 26/8 issuing from the Abbey lands in Nantwich. The date is 4. Sept. 1460, and the document is sealed with the common seal of the Abbey, which is unfortunately fragmentary.
The deeds include several early references to salt in the area, the earliest being a quitclaim by Sir John Tochet to William Partryche of Nantwich of his title to a salt pit of 12 leads in Nantwich, dated 10. Dec. 1406. (DWN/1/10). Of particular interest is DWN/1/54, which is entitled "A true note and declaracion of certen customes concernynge the occupacion and makynge of salte within the towne of Wiche Malbanke alias Namptwiche within the Countie of Chester wch have been used and alowed within the same towne durynge the tyme wherof the memorye of man is not to the contrarye and are yet used and alowed". The document is dated 24. Mar. 22 Elizabeth (1579/80), and is sealed with the common seal of the town of Nantwich.
An example of the Palatinate Seal of Queen Elizabeth I's reign is appended to an Exemplification of 1595 (DWN/1/63). |