Reference code: GB-0033-BRA-1297
Title: Kennett family papers (BRA 1297)
Dates of creation: 1642-1755
Extent: 32 items
Held by: Durham University Library, Archives and Special Collections
Origination: deeds and papers relating to the manor of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, and other estates of the Kennett family.
The Family and Estates
Introduction
During the seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries, the Kennett family of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, belonged to the extensive network of Roman Catholic recusant families in the northern counties of England. They were among the upper ranks of the
gentry and were connected by marriage, religious persuasion and political activity with members of the Catholic nobility. Although not leaders, socially or politically, the Kennetts were for the most part recusants whose devotion was sufficiently
overt to ensure that they appeared frequently in records kept by both the English government and the Catholic clergy.
Their history is representative of many such families in Northern England at that period: they held moderate but often encumbered estates and engaged in spasmodic and largely peripheral political activity.
This small deposit of deeds and papers relates to some of the lands and revenues enjoyed by the family over one and a half centuries.
It should be borne in mind, however, that these 32 items give an incomplete picture of the family's estates. They do not explain how the lands and revenues were acquired nor, in most cases, how they were lost or otherwise disposed of. Moreover,
the transactions have some extra degree of obscurity because the main parties were Roman Catholics, who were seeking at times to evade some of the legal disabilities to which they and their estates were subject during these years.
The Family
The Kennett family
The immediate origins of the Kennetts of Coxhoe lay in Kent and London. Later claims to an aristocratic descent remain unproven, but successive heads of the family served the Crown throughout the sixteenth century in a manner which suggests no
religious inflexibility on their part at that date.
A connection with northern England and some of the most prominent recusant families there was established in the early seventeenth century when Sir William Kennett (d.1629) married as his second wife Catherine Conyers of Sockburn. His son, also
William (1594-1663), married twice into northern recusant families. His first wife, Mary, was the daughter and sole heiress of Christopher Blakiston, then lord of the manor of Coxhoe.
From then onwards the Kennetts were firmly established within the northern Catholic network. Numerous members of the family entered the religious life in English communities abroad; some of the men returned as missionary priests and chaplains.
Generally speaking, members of the family remained on the fringes of Jacobite politics in the late seventeenth and early eighteenth centuries. Nicholas Kennett appears to have avoided involvement with the Old Pretender only by dying in May 1715; his
son-in-law, William Mackenzie, 5th Earl of Seaforth, suffered attainder and forfeiture and narrowly escaped execution in the Rising of that year.
The Kennetts' financial position seems always to have been slightly precarious. Their estates were, even at their greatest extent, only moderate in size. There is, moreover, no hint of any attempts at agricultural improvement or exploitation of
minerals. The need to provide for multitudes of younger children proved to be a drain on the estate. It seems likely that the debts which had accumulated by 1681 (nos.7 and 8) were no financial expedient, but the reflection of a genuine shortage of
funds, necessitating the sale of land.
The bulk of the Kennetts' lands were subject to strict settlements in tail male. By the early eighteenth century the direct lines of descent had dwindled to two potential heiresses - one, the daughter of Cuthbert Kennett, a nun at Cambrai, the
other, the daughter of Nicholas Kennett, married to William Mackenzie, the Earl of Seaforth. The Earl's attainder and forfeiture placed in jeopardy the estates which had come into his hands on his marriage with Mary Kennett (no.25). The family had,
however, managed to divest itself before 1715 of the fee simple in most of the estates, by a series of trusts and mortgages which were almost certainly designed to cushion them against anti-Catholic legislation and possible sequestrations.
Kenneth, the eldest son of Mary and the Earl, conformed. He sat as Member of Parliament for Inverness and later for Ross-shire. This necessitated a large measure of conformity with Anglicanism, as all M.P.'s were required to take the oaths of
Supremacy and Allegiance. He was able eventually to redeem and repurchase various of his parents' estates including, in the 1740s, Coxhoe. The main Seaforth interests were, however, in Scotland. Mackenzie retained Coxhoe only until 1755, when he
sold it to John Burdon of Hardwick, thus ending the family's connection with the manor. The Mackenzie family retained the manor of Eldon Co. Durham, which had belonged to the Kennetts, until it was sold in 1781.
The Estates
Lands
Coxhoe, parish of Kelloe, Co. Durham
The manor of Coxhoe formed the core of the Kennett family's holdings. Formerly in the possession of the Blakiston family, it came to the Kennetts as a result of the marriage of William Kennett
to Mary Blakiston, before 1626. It remained at the centre of the family's interests at least until 1715, when what appears to be default on a mortgage after the death of Nicholas Kennett took it at least nominally into other, non-Catholic, hands.
The equity of redemption descended to Kenneth MacKenzie, who was able to recover the manor in 1743, after the death of his father, the attainted Earl of Seaforth. He sold it in 1755.
Hunwick, parish of Auckland St Andrew, Co. Durham
William Kennett (1594-1663) acquired the manor of Hunwick in 1637 from the Hutton family. He retained a life interest and resided there until his death, but the manor was settled, along
with his other lands, on his son and heir John (see nos. 3 and 4). The manor also formed part of the settlement on the marriage of Cuthbert Kennett with Frances Towneley in 1688 and was later the source of a rent-charge contributing to Frances'
jointure following the death of Cuthbert Kennett in 1692. Her interest endured until 1717 and probably until her death in 1737, but the land at Hunwick last appears in these deeds in 1689. It is not clear when or how the Kennetts disposed of the
manor.
Tanfield, Co. Durham, the 'East Demaines'
This was the Kennett family's earliest landed holding in Co. Durham; it was purchased in 1614 by William Kennett the elder from Richard Hickson. The family still held this property in the 1680s
(see nos.7 and 8), but it vanishes from these deeds thereafter.
Over Whitwell, parish of Scorton, Yorks (North Riding)
The holding at “Overwhite Hall” (i.e. Over Whitwell) is variously described in the deeds as “a manor” or
“messuages”.
In 1618 William Kennett the elder acquired a messuage and lands there from Sir Bertram Bulmer, a distant connection by marriage and subsequently in debt to Kennett. The Kennetts retained this land until at least the 1680s.
The Bulmer family connection
Rent-charges
Fishburn, parish of Sedgefield, Co. Durham
A rent-charge from Fishburn is mentioned in a settlement of 1642 (nos. 3 and 4) and not again in these deeds. Originally part of the Bulmer inheritance, it had been
alienated by Sir Bertram Bulmer in 1602. The Bulmers were connected by marriage with both the Kennetts and the Tempests of Stella, parties to the marriage for which the deeds of 1642 are a settlement.
Tursdale, parish of Kelloe, Co. Durham
A rent-charge on lands in Tursdale is mentioned similarly only in the 1642 settlement. The manor had belonged to the Bulmers, but was sold in 1638 to Lord William Howard of Naworth. As William
Kennett (d.1629) had been a creditor of the improvident Sir Bertram Bulmer, it is possible that this charge was some form of debt-settlement, established before the 1638 sale.
Girsby, parish of Sockburn, Co. Durham/Yorks (North Riding)
A life annuity from the manor of Girsby was settled upon Mary Kennett (née Blakiston) in 1626, with remainder to her son John and his heirs. As the manor was subsequently
described as being late the property of Sir George Conyers (d.1625/6), it seems probable that this was a settlement by William Kennett the elder - whose second wife was Sir George's sister - upon his son William, daughter-in-law Mary and their
offspring, probably with Conyers' consent. In 1688 this rent-charge was part of the marriage settlement for Cuthbert Kennett and Frances Towneley, and was later a source for her jointure (see note 7, above).
Marrick, Yorks (North Riding)
A rent-charge here is mentioned only in 1681, but whether in addition to or as an alternative to that from Girsby is uncertain (nos. 7a and 8a). The origin of such a charge is likewise unknown. The Bulmers
held the manor 1650-70, but that may be coincidental.
Askham Bryan, Yorks (West Riding)
A rent or rent-charge from Askham Bryan appears in the settlement of 1642, but not again in these deeds. Its origins and termination are wholly obscure.
Corn tithes
The corn tithes of Cornforth, Co. Durham, are mentioned only in the 1642 settlement. The nature and duration of the Kennetts' interest here are unrecorded.
This small deposit was sent to the Department of Palaeography and Diplomatic, with a covering letter of 18 October 1963, as a gift. The British Records Association had received it from Langton and Passmore, 8 Bolton Street, Piccadilly, London
W.1.
Foster, M.R., "The Kennetts of Coxhoe: Catholic Gentry in County Durham, c. 1614-1715" in
Northern Catholic History 24 (1986).
Kennett family papers (BRA 1297)1 Box 1. 21 September 1642
(1a) Henry Tempest of Stella, Co. Durham, esq.
(1b) William Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2) John Hall, draper, alderman of the City of Durham
Bargain and sale by (1a) at the request of (1b) to (2) of the manor of Over Whitwell, Yorks [NR], the manor of Coxhoe and the manor and capital messuage of Hunwick, Co. Durham, all of which (1b) conveyed formerly to Sir Thomas Tempest,
bart., to the intent that (2) may attorn as tenant thereof to any grant to uses which shall be made by (1a) at the request of (1b).
Term: 14 days.
Consideration: 5s.
Signed: (1a), (1b). Seals missing from two parchment tags.
Parchment 1m.
2
Counterpart of no.1.
Signed. (2). Seal: red wax on parchment tag (fragmentary).
Parchment 1m.
3 22 September 1642
(1a) Henry Tempest of Stella, Co. Durham, esq.
(1b) William Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2a) John Kennett, son and heir of (1b)
(2b) Troath, wife of (2a) and daughter of Sir Thomas Tempest of Stella, bart., deceased.
(3) John Hall, draper, alderman of the City of Durham
Assignment by (1a) at the request of (1b) with the consent of (3) to (2a), of the premises in the preceding bargain and sale, together with an annual rent-charge of £150 from the manor of Askham Bryan, Yorks [ WR], and all rent-charges from
Girsby, Yorks [NR] and Tursdale and Fishburn, Co. Durham, and the corn-tithe of Cornforth, Co. Durham, to hold to the following uses:
(i) the manor of Coxhoe to the use of (2a) and (2b) and the survivor of them, as jointure for (2b), with entail
upon their heirs male;
(ii) the mansion house, offices and orchard of Hunwick to the use of (3) for 60 years in trust for (1b) if he shall live so long;
(iii) the reversion of the premises at Hunwick and all others to the use of (2a) and
his heirs upon trust to pay all taxes and also a life annuity of £200 to (1b) and annuities to William Kennett the younger, Cuthbert, Christopher, Robert and James Kennett, and £90 p.a. for the education of these and of Samuel Kennett, younger sons
of (1b) until each shall reach twenty-one years of age.
Covenants by (1a) that (2a) and (2b) shall occupy the premises, and by (2a) to execute within seven years a conveyance for securing the payment of all taxes.
Signed: (1a), (1b), (3).
Seals: three, red wax on parchment tags.
(i) armorial, Tempest of Stella (rubbed).
(ii) (rubbed).
(iii) (broken).
Endorsed: 'John Kenets Marriage Settlement 1743' (
recte 1642).
Parchment 2mm.
4
Counterpart of number 3.
Signed: (2a), (2b), (3). Seals: one red wax on parchment tag (rubbed); two missing from parchment tags.
Parchment 2mm.
5 6 September 1676
Will of John Kennett of Coxhoe, esq. (? copy).
Being seised of the manor and capital messuage of Hunwick, messuages and lands in Tanfield, Co. Durham, and Over Whitwell, parish of Scorton, Yorks [ NR], and of an annuity or rent-charge of £100
from hereditaments in Girsby, Yorks [NR], late the estate of Sir George Conyers of Sockburn, deceased, bequests are made:
(i) to his sons, Bryan, Samuel, Nicholas, Charles, Peter and Henry Kennett, with provision in case Bryan and Samuel shall
not marry nor live in the world;
(ii) to his daughters, Mary, Katherine and Isabell;
(iii) to his wife, Troth, plate, jewels and all personal estate, with the mill and lime-kilns at Coxhoe;
(iv) to Arnold Burdett,
brother-in-law.
Signed: John Kennett. Seal: red wax applied; armorial, Kennett of Coxhoe.
Witnesses: William Bradshaigh.
A[ rnold] Burdett.
Anthony Metham.
Paper 3ff, with wrapper.
6 7 January 1681
(1) Cuthbert Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq., son and heir of John Kennett of Coxhoe, esq., deceased
(2a) Thomas Wright of the City of Durham, esq.
(2b) John Hall, draper tailor and alderman of the City of Durham
Bargain and sale by (1) to (2a) and (2b) of the manor of Coxhoe, with all appurtenances, the manor and capital messuage of Hunwick, the messuage in Tanfield in the lordship of Beamish, called the East Demaines, and messuages and lands in
Over Whitwell.
Term: 6 months.
Consideration: 5s.
Signed: (1). Seal: red wax on parchment tag, paper covered (broken).
Parchment 1m.
7a 8 January 1681
(1) Cuthbert Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq., son and heir of John Kennett of Coxhoe,
esq., deceased. (2a) Thomas Wright of the City of Durham, esq.
(2b) John Hall, draper tailor and freeman of the City of Durham
Release by (1) to (2a) and (2b) of the premises in the above bargain and sale and of annuities or rent-charges from lands in Girsby or Marrick, Yorks, to hold to the following uses:
(i) for the payment of all debts and annuities
mentioned in the attached schedule, and of all taxes and subsidies;
(ii) to pay to (1), until all debts be discharged, £80 p.a. by quarterly instalments;
(iii) if necessary, to sell the premises to raise money to pay the debts;
(iv)
after payment of the debts to pay over any surplus from sales to (1) and to stand seised of the remaining premises to the use of (1). (1) has put (2a) and (2b) in seisin of the annuities and rent-charges by payment of 6d.
Covenant by (1) to levy
a fine to (2a) and (2b) before December next and to execute any further acts which (2a) and (2b) shall require for securing this conveyance.
Consideration: 5s.
Signed: (1). Seal: missing from parchment tag.
Parchment 1m.
7b
Attached to 7a.
Schedule of debts and annuities.
Parchment 1m.
8a
Counterpart of no. 7a.
Signed: (2a), (2b). Seals: missing from two parchment tags.
Parchment 1m.
8b
Attached to 8a.
Schedule of debts and annuities (as no. 7b, above).
Parchment 1m.
9 15 January 1681 (erroneously dated 1671)
(1a) Thomas Wright of the City of Durham, esq.
(1b) John Hall, draper tailor and alderman of the City of Durham
(2) Cuthbert Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
Agreement between (1a) and (1b) and (2) that:
(i) (2) may at any time pay 5s. to (1a) and (1b) to revoke any uses limited in the previous release, satisfying them also for any expenses they have incurred;
(ii) (2) may declare new
uses;
(iii) at (2)'s request, (1a) and (1b) shall convey the premises to (2) or his appointees, but shall stand seised thereof in the meantime in trust for (2) to the uses newly declared.
Signed: (1a), (1b). Seals: missing from two parchment
tags.
Parchment 1m.
10 1 March 1681
(1) Edward Elstob, gent., and Arthur Hall, gent., demandants
(2) Thomas Wright, esq., and John Hall, alderman, tenants
Cuthbert Kennett, esq., vouchee
William Brockett, common vouchee
Exemplification of common recovery obtained in the court of pleas, Durham, 13 Jan./11 Feb. 1681, by (1) against (2) in respect of the manor of Coxhoe with all appurtenances.
Seal: brown wax on parchment tag (broken).
Official, County
Palatine of Durham.
Parchment 1m.
11
Copy of no. 10 (undated).
Paper 2ff.
12 13 January 1683
(1) Cuthbert Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2a) Hugh Dicconson of Wrightington, Lancs., esq.
(2b) Elizabeth, his daughter
(2c) Sir Roger Bradshaigh, junior, of Haigh, Lancs.
(3a) William Bradshaigh of Bishop Middleham, Co. Durham, esq.
(3b) Nicholas Kennett, gent., brother of (1)
(3c) William Dicconson, gent., son and heir of (2a)
Marriage settlement, in the form of a release by (1), to (2a) and (2c), of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, the manor of Hunwick with appurtenances, and an annual rent-charge of £100 from the manor of Girsby, upon the following
trusts:
(i) to the use of (1) until his marriage to (2b) and thereafter for his life and after his death to the use that (2b) if she survive shall receive an annuity of £20 for life out of the manor of Coxhoe, and the £100 from Girsby as her
jointure;
(ii) as regards all other premises and the £100 rent-charge after the death of the survivor, to the use of the heirs male of (1) and (2b) and in default thereof to the use of (3a), (3b) and (3c) for 99 years upon the trusts hereafter
declared with remainders successively to the heirs male of (1), of Nicholas Kennett and of Henry Kennett, brothers of (1) and to the right heirs of (1);
(iii) the term of 99 years being upon trusts to provide portions for any daughters of (1)
and for their education.
Proviso that (1) may charge the premises with annuities for his younger sons and may devise by will up to £1000 to any person he may think fit and up to £1000 as jointure for his second wife if he should marry
again.
Signed: (1). Seal: red wax on parchment tag (broken).
Endorsed: a further provision concerning arrears in payment of the rent-charge of £120 from the manor of Coxhoe.
Parchment 2mm.
13
Counterpart of no. 12.
Signed: (2a), (2b) as Elizabeth Kennett, (3b).
Seals: six parchment tags: (i), (ii) (iv), (v), (vi) seals missing; (iii) red wax, paper covered.
Parchment 2mm.
14 20 November 1689
(1) Bryan Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2) Nicholas Kennett, his brother
Release with warranty by (1) to (2) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, the manor of Hunwick with appurtenances, messuages and lands in Over Whitwell and an annual rent-charge of £100 from the manor of Girsby.
Consideration:
natural love and affection and an unspecified sum of money.
Signed: (1).
Seal: red wax on parchment tag (rubbed). Double-sided; obverse armorial, Kennet of Coxhoe.
Parchment 1m.
15 7 March 1691
Award by Sir Charles Ingleby, serjeant-at-law, in settlement of differences between Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, esq., and Frances, widow of Cuthbert Kennett of Coxhoe, esq., concerning £250 payable as jointure to her from the estate of Cuthbert,
of which £20 was abated by agreement between Nicholas and Richard Townley, 20 November [ 1690] and of which a further £8 is now abated. Cuthbert Kennett shall within one week enter into a recognisance in statute staple to Richard Townley. Frances
Kennett shall within one month appoint by letter of attorney someone to collect the £222 from the manors of Coxhoe and Hunwick.
Signed: Charles Ingleby. Seal: red wax, applied (damaged).
Armorial, Ingleby of Lawkland, differenced.
Parchment 1m.
16 26 March 1691
(1) Frances Kennett of Towneley, Lancs., widow of Cuthbert Kennett of Coxhoe, esq.
(2) Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, esq.
Power of attorney granted by (1) to (2), in accordance with the terms of the previous award, to collect £250 (sic) from the tenants of the manors of Coxhoe and Hunwick, of which the estate in law is vested in Elizabeth Kennett, niece of (2).
In the event of (2)'s death, (1) will appoint in his place such attorney as he shall direct by writing or in his will.
Signed: (1). Seal: black wax on parchment tag.
Armorial, Towneley of Towneley.
Parchment 1m.
17 25 March 1709
(1) Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2) William Bradshaigh, late of Bishop Middleham, Co. Durham, now of Stonecroft, Northumberland, esq.
(3) John Ingleby of Lawkland, Yorks [ WR], esq.
Mortgage by (1) at the request of (2) to (3), for 99 years, of the manor of Coxhoe with all appurtenances, by estimation 1000 acres, now in the possession of (1) and his tenants (named);
redeemable on payment of £1200 within three months
of the death of (2).
Covenant by (2) that (1) may demand £3000 owed to (2) by Nicholas Hall under the terms of a mortgage which (2) has assigned to (1).
Consideration: 5s.
Signed: (1), (2), (3).
Seals: three, red wax applied (all
damaged).
Armorial: (i) Kennett of Coxhoe; (ii) Bradshaigh of Haigh; (iii) Ingleby of Lawkland impaling Bradshaigh.
Parchment 2mm.
18
Counterpart of no. 17.
Signed: (1), (2), (3).
Seals: three, red wax applied (all damaged). As no. 17, above.
Parchment 1m.
19 Box 2. 11 December 1712
(1) Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2) Michael Bland of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, merchant
Mortgage by (1) to (2) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, redeemable upon payment of £1000 at interest by 11 December 1713.
Covenants:
(i) by (1) to (2) that he is lawfully seised of the premises, subject to a life annuity of
£222 payable to Frances, widow of Cuthbert Kennett, brother of (1);
(ii) indemnifying (2) against all other claims, especially for the jointure of Mary Kennett, wife of (1).
Signed: (1), (2). Seals: two, red wax applied to tape (both
slightly damaged).
Parchment 2mm.
20 12 July 1714
(1) Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2) Samuel Langdale of Sunderland near the sea, Co. Durham, master and mariner
Bargain and sale by (1) to (2) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances so that he may accept a release of the premises.
Term: one year.
Rent: a peppercorn at Martinmas.
Consideration: 5s.
Signed: (1). Seal: red wax applied
(damaged). Armorial, Kennett of Coxhoe.
Parchment 1m.
21a 13 July 1714
(1) Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq.
(2) George Cockson of Old Elvet, near the City of Durham, gent.
(3) Samuel Langdale of Sunderland near the sea, Co. Durham, master and mariner
Mortgage by (1) to (3) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, redeemable upon payment to (2) of £400 at 5.5% interest, according to a bond of 9 Jan. 1714, and to (3) of £600 at 10% interest by 13 July 1715.
Covenants:
(i) by (1)
to (2) that he is lawfully seised of the premises subject to a life annuity of £222 payable to Frances, widow of Cuthbert Kennett, esq., brother of (1), and to the payment of £1000 at 5.5% interest to Michael Bland of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, merchant;
(ii) indemnifying (2) against all other claims, especially for the jointure of Mary Kennett, wife of (1).
Signed: (1). Seal: red wax applied (damaged). Armorial, Kennett of Coxhoe.
Parchment 2mm.
21b 13 July 1714
Enclosed with 21.
Bond of (1) to (3) to observe the covenants declared in the mortgage.
Signed: (1) (cancelled). Seal: red wax applied (damaged). Armorial, Kennett of Coxhoe.
Paper 2ff.
22 1 November 1715
(1) Michael Bland of Newcastle-upon-Tyne, merchant
(2) Humphrey Arrowsmith, now or late of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, yeoman
Assignment of mortgage by (1) to (2), of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, redeemable by payment of £1000 to (2) within twelve months, by the heirs of Nicholas Kennett, deceased.
Consideration: £1000.
Signed: (2). Seal: red wax
applied (slightly damaged). ?Armorial.
Parchment 1m.
23 17 December 1717
(1) Humphrey Arrowsmith, now or late of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, yeoman
(2) Marmaduke Norcliffe of the parish of St Andrew, Holborn, Middx., surgeon
Bargain and sale by (1) to (2) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, so that he may be in actual possession in order to accept an estate of inheritance.
Term: one year.
Rent: one peppercorn.
Consideration: 5s.
Signed:
(1). Seal: red wax applied.
Parchment 1m.
24 18 December 1717
(1a) William Ingleby, of the parish of St Giles in the Fields, late of the City of Durham, gent.
(1b) Humphrey Arrowsmith, now or late of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, yeoman
(2) Marmaduke Norcliffe of the parish of St Andrew, Holborn, Middx., surgeon
Mortgage by (1b) at the direction of (1a), to (2), of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, redeemable upon payment of £420 by 18 December 1718.
Signed: (1a), (1b). Seals: two, red wax applied (one slightly damaged).
Parchment 2mm.
25 27 May 1719
Essex House, London.
Award by the Commissioners for Forfeited Estates, allowing the claim of Mary Kennett, widow and executrix of Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq., who died in May 1715, for dower and other monies owing to her from
the manor of Coxhoe, under the terms of Nicholas Kennett's will, the estate having been forfeited to the Crown upon the attainder for high treason of William Mackenzie, called Earl of Seaforth, the residuary legatee, son-in-law of Nicholas Kennett.
Signed: Henry Cunningham, esq.
John Birch, serjeant-at-law.
Sir John Eyles, bart.
Charles Long, esq.
(Commissioners).
Seals: four, red wax applied to tape (all slightly damaged). Official.
Parchment 4 membranes.
26a 12 August 1727
Durham
Grant of probate of the will of Mary Kennett, widow.
Seal: red wax, papered, on parchment tag. Official.
Parchment 1m.
26b
Attached to 26a:
Copy will of Mary Kennett of Coxhoe, widow, dated 22 August 1717.
Bequests to Sir Charles Ingleby, kinsman, and to Charles Kennett, brother-in-law.
Executor: Thomas Norcliffe of the parish of St Andrew, Holborn,
Middx., esq.
Parchment 1m.
27 21 October 1734
(1) John Ingleby of Lawkland, Yorks [ WR], esq.
(2) John Cornforth of Quarrington, Co. Durham, gent.
Assignment by (1) to (2) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, in which (1) has an absolute estate derived from the non-payment of £1200 with £400 interest due to him under a mortgage of 25 March 1709 (no. 17 above).
Term: the
remainder of a term of 99 years.
Consideration: £400.
Signed: (1). Seal: red wax applied to tape (slightly damaged).
Parchment 1m.
28 11 August 1743
(1a and b) John Hylton of Hylton Castle, Co. Durham, esq., and John Howard of the parish of St George the martyr, Middx., gent., executors of William Ingleby, late of the City of Durham, gent., deceased.
(2) Thomas Busby of Leicester, gent.
(3) Thomas Norcliffe of Aspley Guise, Beds., esq., nephew and heir of Marmaduke Norcliffe, late of the parish of St Andrew, Holborn, Middx., surgeon, deceased, and son and heir of Thomas Norcliffe, late of Aspley Guise, esq., eldest brother
of Marmaduke.
(4) Kenneth MacKenzie, commonly called Lord Fortrose, grandson and heir of Nicholas Kennett, late of Coxhoe, esq.
Bargain and sale by (3), at the direction of (1a), (1b) and (2), to (4), of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, following the settlement of differences concerning the repayment of £1000 and interest due under the terms of a mortgage of
11 December 1712 (no.19 above) and subsequent transactions.
Considerations:
£400 paid by (4) to (2).
£500 paid by (4) to (1a) and (1b).
5s. paid by (4) to (3).
Signed: (1a), (1b), (2), (3). Seals: four, red wax applied to tape
(all damaged). (i) armorial, Hylton of Hylton.
Endorsed: Memorandum concerning enrolment in the High Court of Chancery, 22 Dec. [ 1743].
Parchment 2mm.
29 24 May 1755
Grant of administration to the Rt.Hon. Kenneth Mackenzie, commonly called Lord Fortrose, of the goods and chattels of the Hon. Mary Mackenzie, commonly called Marchioness of Seaforth, of Coxhoe, his mother, deceased.
Seal: red wax, papered,
on parchment tongue. Official.
Parchment 1m.
30 28 May 1755
(1a) Rt.Hon. Kenneth MacKenzie of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq., commonly called Lord Fortrose, son and heir of the Hon. William MacKenzie, deceased, sometimes Marquess and othertimes Earl of Seaforth, and Mary his wife, also deceased,
daughter and heiress of Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, deceased.
(1b) Ann Robson of Whickham, Co. Durham, widow, before her marriage called Ann Armstrong, devisee of the will of Sir Nicholas Tempest of Stanley, Co. Durham, bart., deceased.
(2) John Burdon of Hardwick, Co. Durham, esq.
Bargain and sale by (1a) and (1b) to (2) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, including lands now held by certain tenants (named), to the intent that he may accept a release.
Term: one year.
Consideration: 10s.
Signed:
(1a), (1b). Seals: two, red wax, applied (both slightly damaged). (i) armorial, Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose.
Parchment 1m.
31 29 May 1755
(1) Rt.Hon. Kenneth Mackenzie of Coxhoe, Co. Durham, esq., commonly called Lord Fortrose, son and heir of the Hon. William MacKenzie, deceased, sometimes called Marquess and othertimes Earl of Seaforth, and Mary his wife, also
deceased, daughter and heir of Nicholas Kennett of Coxhoe, esq., deceased.
(2) Ann Robson of Whickham, widow, before her marriage called Ann Armstrong, devisee of the will of Sir Nicholas Tempest of Stanley, bart., deceased.
(3) John Burdon of Hardwick, esq.
(4) James Moncaster of Wallsend, Northumberland, esq.
Release by (1) and (2) to (3) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances.
The parties agree that for barring all estates tail (4) may at the request of (3) cause a common recovery to be suffered in the Court of Chancery of
Durham.
Covenants by (1) to (3):
(i) that (1) is fully seised of the premises, subject to a term of 99 years hitherto vested in John Cornforth, gent., in trust for William Mackenzie and intended to be assigned in trust for (3);
(ii)
excepting the estate and interest now vested in Thomas Langdale, gent., and intended to be conveyed to, or in trust for, (3).
Considerations:
£13,315 paid by (3) to (1).
10s. paid by (3) to (2).
Signed: (1), (2).
Seals: three,
red wax applied to tape (all damaged). (ii) armorial, MacKenzie, Lord Fortrose.
Parchment 3 membranes.
32 29 May 1755
(1) William Dunn of Brancepeth, Co. Durham, gent., administrator with the will annexed of John Cornforth of Quarrington, Co. Durham, gent., deceased.
(2) Rt.Hon. Kenneth Mackenzie, commonly called Lord Fortrose, son and heir and administrator of the goods and chattels of the Hon. William Mackenzie and Mary his wife, both deceased.
(3) John Burdon of Hardwick, Co. Durham, esq.
(4) Edward Collingwood of Chirton, Northumberland, esq.
Assignment by (1), at the request of (2), to (4) of the manor of Coxhoe with appurtenances, as mortgaged on 25 March 1709 (no. 17 above) and assigned on 21 October 1734 (no. 27 above) in trust to be disposed of as (3) shall assign, and in
default of such assignment, in trust for (3) and his heirs to attend the reversion and inheritance.
Term: the remainder of a term of 99 years.
Considerations: £13,315 paid by (3) to (2).
10s. paid by (4) to (1).
Signed: (1), (2).
Seals: three, red wax applied to tape (all damaged).
(ii) armorial, Mackenzie, Lord Fortrose.
Parchment 1m.
