Legal Eagle

While it is highly likely that there will be a long queue to check out the following documents it might be an idea to get your name down now for a viewing. Rex Johnson had put the following information onto the internet forum concerning the deposit of documents into Grimsby Archives because the Scunthorpe Museum has insufficient room for the mass of documents involved. A Scunthorpe solicitor, Mr Hett had decided to have a clear out and instead of throwing away 17^th documents, something that I know has taken place in the past by others, had offered them to the museum service. A large pat on the back to the solicitor and will other holders of documents please take note. When a friend of Rex asked him to look at a sample of the documents to see what was available he ended up with four large boxes relating to Messingham and it is supposed that this is a fraction of what is being held. The opening of the boxes revealed a treasure trove of documents that included original Wills, Deeds, Conveyances, Mortgages, Land Disputes etc. and Rex reported that he had “never seen such a collection of vellum, parchment, original papers”. It is supposed that there will be as wide a coverage of many other villages. The papers are not indexed so who knows, this might be a job for the Lincolnshire Family History Society and I am sure that an index on fiche may eventually be produced by their valiant volunteers. If you would like to know more about access to these documents then contact Grimsby Archives and John.Wilson@nelincs.gov.uk. Rex has put a list in his email of some of the people mentioned in the documents that he saw. There were Wills for John Martyn gent., 1628-9; Ralphe Rowbottom, 1638; Francis Rowbottom of East Ferry, Yeoman, 1655/6; Wm. Hood 1658; Jane Hood, 1658; Helen Little wid., 1662; Wm. Atkinson 1794. An original will of William Smith 1763. Will of James Holland 1808. Administration of Goods of William Clarke, late of Ashby, 1834. Lease of Abraham Stocks. Wm. Kendall and others, land to Wm. Walker 1834. John Hall mortgage 1834. Abraham Stocks mortgage to Frances Pilfoot 1849. Elizabeth Wright 1851. Copy of Amelia Sowerby's baptism certificate. Will of Thomas Sowerby proved 31 July 1818. Names in other documents related to: Samuel Simpson, John Dauber, Hannah Nicholson, Hannah Mason, Edward Hannath, John Bennet, Thomas Freer, William Whaplate, Mary Toft, John Wray, Edward Westoby, George Benson, John Cawkwell, Thomas Mundy, Mary Hammond, Charlotte Richardson, Robert Hide, Thomas Bird etc. etc. What a fantastic spread of data. Over two hundred years of history saved. Alan Wass who originally found out about the deposit did so because he asked the Archive if there was any information about Windmills. He, and several other Messingham residents, have just produced a booklet called “A Brief History of Messingham”. Rex is currently transcribing Messingham parish records to put online at FreeREG which a site is collecting parish material for people to trace ancestors at the parish level without having to subscribe or pay for the data.

One name that is new to me is that of pilfoot. It is not in the dictionary and neither is it on the surname profile website. By 1901 just one holder of the name is listed. Charles pilfoot was born in Goxhill and lived in Sculcoates. John Sherwood pilfoot is listed as living in Hull with his wife in 1881 but there are no other entries for this family. As John and Elizabeth didn’t died until around 1910 just where were they in 1901?

Bits and bobs

LRSM - 17th February 1832 - Marriage: At Spilsby on Wednesday the 8th February, Mr COUPLAND of Skendleby to Mrs DALES of the former place. - The Bridegroom became dissatisfied with his bargain before midnight and shortly after supper left his Bride to mourn her absent Lord.