This archive is the principal source for records of management of and title to the Brodrick estates in England and Ireland; although some family papers are included, the significant series of these are to be found in collection ref. 1248.
Other records of particular note relate to architectural work on the estates, such as designs for the new mansion at Peper Harow, 1750s, including a plan by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown (G145/92/86) as well as the designs by Sir William Chambers (G145/92/44) which were eventually used; and correspondence and plans relating to Augustus Pugin's work at Peper Harow, on the church and other estate buildings, 1840s (G145/box39/1-2, G145/39A-39C, G145/box98).
The following is a detailed summary of the contents:
G145/1 FAMILY SETTLEMENTS, WILLS AND OTHER RECORDS RELATING TO THE DESCENT OF THE WHOLE MIDLETON ESTATES (1680)-1917
Most estates in Ireland and Wandsworth, acquired by Sir Alan Brodrick (1623-1680), Sir St John Brodrick (1627-1712) and Alan 1st Viscount Midleton (c.1660-1728), and the Peper Harow estate (purchased 1713), came into the hands of a single heir, Alan 2nd Viscount Midleton, second son of the 1st Viscount and grandson of Sir St John, in 1730 (on the death without issue of Thomas Brodrick, b.1654, eldest son of Sir St John). The descent of the Midleton estates became increasingly complex, however, under marriage settlements and the provisions of wills: this is particularly the case with the Irish estates (see introduction to series relating to acquisition of these estates below). Following the contested wills of George Alan 5th Viscount, an Act of Parliament 'for giving effect to a compromise relating to the estate of the Rt Hon George Alan Viscount Midleton, deceased, and, with a view thereto, for vesting the estates in England and Ireland late of the said Viscount Midleton in trustees, and for other purposes', 1850, about a third of the former estate remained in family hands (Records and Reactions p34) under a series of conveyances and settlements from 1853 (the Act is henceforth cited as the Midleton Estate Act 1850). Settlements relating solely to Peper Harow or to Ireland are listed under the appropriate estate below. This applies to all settlements of Sir St John Brodrick (1627-1712), founder of Midleton, which relate to his estates in Co Cork, and elsewhere including Co Limerick and Co Monaghan, 1673-1707.
G145/1/1 ESTATES OF SIR THOMAS BRODRICK (c.1596-1641) 1646
G145/1/2 ESTATES OF SIR ALAN BRODRICK (1623-1680) 1680-PRE 1711
Sir Alan Brodrick died unmarried. His estates were left to his nephew Thomas (d.1730), in tail to his nephew Alan 1st Viscount Midleton, and the latter's heirs, to whom they descended.
G145/1/3 ESTATES OF ST JOHN BRODRICK (d.1707) 1707
St John Brodrick was the third son of Sir St John Brodrick, the founder of Midleton.
G145/1/4 SETTLEMENTS RELATING TO ALAN, 1ST VISCOUNT MIDLETON (c.1660-1728) 1710-1729
Alan Brodrick (created Baron Brodrick, 1715 and 1st Viscount Midleton, 1717) first married Katherine, daughter of Redmond Barry in c.1684; second Lucy, daughter of Sir Peter Courthope (from whom the Courthope Irish estates were acquired) in 1693; and third Ann, daughter of Sir John Trevor and widow of Michael Hill, in 1716. For settlements relating to his marriage with Lucy Courthope, including reference to his settlement on marriage with Katherine Barry, see M/43 and M/45, described under Irish estates below.
G145/1/5 INHERITANCE OF ALAN, 2ND VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1702-1747) 1730-1740
Alan 2nd Viscount Midleton became his father's heir at law on the death of his elder brother St John in Feb 1728. He also inherited the estates of St John devised to St John (including Caherduggan) and settled on him (including Peper Harow and estates in Co Limerick under the marriage of 1716, -/M/36 above) by their father. The rival claim of St John's daughters to Caherduggan was provided for under an Act of Parliament of 1736. Alan married Mary, daughter of Algernon, Earl of Essex, in 1729 (no marriage settlement held). He inherited his uncle Thomas Brodrick's estates on his death without issue in Oct 1730.
G145/1/6 INHERITANCE OF GEORGE, 3RD VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1730-1765) 1747-C.1752
George 3rd Viscount Midleton was the only surviving child of Alan 2nd Viscount Midleton, and inherited when under age (16 years old) all his father's estates with the exception of the Glenahiry estate, Co Waterford, which was devised to his mother Mary to provide for her dower by re-selling it to him (-/M/40, described under Irish estates), and the Limerick estate, also devised to Mary (see her will of 13 Feb 1755, -/box 34, described under Irish estates). George married Albinia Townshend in 1752. See inter alia Act of Parliament of 1766 (-/box 52, described below) for recitals from their marriage settlement.
G145/1/7 WILL OF GEORGE, 3RD VISCOUNT MIDLETON 1770
G145/1/8 INHERITANCE OF GEORGE, 4TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1754-1836), DURING HIS MINORITY 1766-1834
George 4th Viscount Midleton was his father's heir at law as his eldest son (aged 8) on his death in 1765. The 3rd Viscount's unincumbered estate was found insufficient for the payment of his debts and legacies, so Acts of Parliament of 1766 and 1771 provided for Albinia Dowager Viscountess and trustees to act free from the limitations of his will. Albinia received some lands in her own right including in the cities of Cork and Dublin (see recitals in -/M/63, under Irish estates, 1846) and the Limerick estate. She also sold part of the Caherduggan estate in 1766 (M/26). George married Frances Pelham (d.1783 with one daughter Frances Ann, later Jones) in 1778, and then married Maria Benyon in 1797. His marriage settlement with Maria included the corporation of Midleton, lands including Ballyannan, and Peper Harow. See inter alia -/M/72 and Box 102/8/3 below for recitals from these settlements.
G145/1/9 INHERITANCE OF GEORGE ALAN, 5TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1806-1848) 1831-1845
On George 4th Viscount Midleton's death, his personal and descended real estate were insufficient to pay his debts, and his heir at law George Alan made up the deficiency on behalf of the specific legatees Charles Brodrick [later 6th Viscount] and Frances Jones (recited in -/M/91 listed under Irish estates). The 4th Viscount had effectively disowned his son in devising most of the property he could (ie not in his marriage settlement) to his nephew Charles. Subsequent transactions, not all completed by the time of the suicide of George Alan 5th Viscount, arranged for the transfer of some of the estates from Charles to George Alan, including the furniture of Peper Harow. George Alan married Ellen Griffith of Peper Harow in 1833. By deed of 30 Jan 1837 (not held), he settled freehold estates in the baronies of Barrymore and Imokilly to provide jointure. A recovery of 1837 (-/box 34 described under Peper Harow estates) removed the entail on Peper Harow [mansion] and barred dower for Ellen.
G145/1/10 SALE OF ESTATES AND CREATION OF THE MIDLETON ESTATE TRUST BY ACT OF PARLIAMENT, 1850, AND OTHER PAPERS RELATING TO THE DISPUTED WILLS OF GEORGE ALAN, 5TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON, AND INHERITANCE OF CHARLES 6TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON C.1848-1864
George Alan 5th Viscount Midleton committed suicide at Peper Harow in November 1848.
G145/1/11 ESTATES AND SETTLEMENTS OF CHARLES, 6TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (c.1863) 1822-1880
Charles Brodrick was son of Charles Brodrick, Archbishop of Cashel and cousin of George Alan 5th Viscount Midleton. See above for records relating to the Midleton inheritance, and inheritance from the will of his uncle George 4th Viscount (box 80/12).
G145/1/12 INHERITANCE OF WILLIAM JOHN, 7TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1798-1870) 1850-1864
The Rev William John Brodrick was the brother of Charles 6th Viscount Midleton. He succeeded to the title in 1863.
G145/1/13 ESTATES OF WILLIAM JOHN, 7TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1798-1870) 1824-1870
William John Brodrick married firstly Elizabeth Anne Perceval, widow of The Hon John Perceval and daughter of the 6th Earl of Cardigan, in 1824, and secondly, after Elizabeth's death in the same year, his cousin Harriet Brodrick, sister of George Alan 5th Viscount Midleton, in 1829.
G145/1/14 ESTATES OF WILLIAM, 8TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1830-1907) 1853-1907
William, 8th Viscount Midleton, son of Harriet Brodrick (daughter of George 4th Viscount Midleton) and William John 7th Viscount Midleton (brother of Charles 6th Viscount Midleton), succeeded to the title in 1870. He married Augusta Mary Fremantle, daughter of Sir Thomas Francis Fremantle Bart, in 1853 (marriage settlement 24 Oct 1853, with further charges after his inheritance).
G145/1/15 INHERITANCE AND ESTATES OF WILLIAM ST JOHN FREMANTLE, 9TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON, LATER (1920) EARL OF MIDLETON (1856-1942) 1880-1917
William St John Fremantle, 9th Viscount Midleton succeeded his father in 1907. He married firstly the Hon Hilda Charteris in 1880, and secondly, after Hilda's death in 1901, Madeline Cecilia Carlyle, daughter of the Hon John Constantine Stanley, in 1903. On the death of the 1st Earl of Midleton in 1942 , he was succeeded by his son George St John Brodrick (1888-1979).
G145/1/16 ESTATES OF THE BRODRICK SISTERS, CO-HEIRESSES OF GEORGE ALAN 5TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON 1803-1896
For release by the sisters of land charged with provision of their marriage portions, 1843, see -/M/81. The sisters gained the right of pre-emption of the Peper Harow estate, and also purchased land in the Midleton estate in Co Cork under the Midleton Estate Act 1850, when a trust was created to hold the estate: see deeds and papers listed under title to manor of Peper Harow, and -/M/87 listed under Irish estate title.
G145/1/17 OTHER DOCUMENTS RELATING TO SETTLEMENTS 1801-EARLY 20TH CENT
G145/1/18 WILLS AND SETTLEMENTS NOT RELATING TO REAL ESTATE AND OTHER PAPERS 1748-1908
G145/1/19 PEDIGREES EARLY 19TH CENT-EARLY 20TH CENT
For other Brodrick pedigrees and related material, see 1248/27. Pedigrees of other families are listed under 'William Bray and the Rev Owen Manning' below.
G145/2 WHOLE ESTATE ACCOUNTS 1762-1803
For other records relating to the whole estate, see inter alia box 7/3, for schedule of estates in England and Ireland, 1742, and the schedules at the end of the Midleton Estate Act 1850 (box 26/8).
G145/3 PEPER HAROW ESTATE, PEPER HAROW, WITLEY, THURSLEY, GODALMING AND ELSEWHERE 1400-1936
Records in this series relate to the Surrey estates of the family centred on the demesne lands and mansion of the manor of Peper Harow, which occupied the majority of the small parish of Peper Harow, and from the 1790s onwards included further premises in the neighbouring parishes of Witley, Thursley, Elstead and Godalming and the small manor of Mousehill. (Other Surrey estates not connected with Peper Harow are listed under 'other family estates' below.) The manor of Peper Harow and Oxenford Grange, Witley, were purchased by trustees for Alan Brodrick from Philip Frowde (otherwise Froud) in 1713. George 4th Viscount Midleton (1754-1836) expanded the estate by purchase of lands in Witley, Thursley and Godalming, including the manor of Mousehill and lands, Borough Farm, Witley, and Michen Hall, Shackleford, Godalming. See -/box 80/4 for schedule of lands still within the estate at the end of the 19th cent. In 1883, the estate comprised 3105a valued at over £2000 pa (Complete Peerage). Deeds and papers relating to title are listed first, followed by manorial records and other records of estate administration.
G145/3/1 DEEDS AND OTHER PAPERS RELATING TO ACQUISITION OF AND TITLE TO ESTATES 1489-1929
See 7360 for agreement relating to the purchase of the Peper Harow estate and Oxenford by Martha Courthope, 1713.
G145/3/1/1 Manor of Peper Harow and Oxenford Grange, Witley 1489-1797
These core estates were obtained by Denzil Lord Holles and his heirs between 1655 (Peper Harow) and 1694 (Oxenford). They were put up for sale following an Act of 1697 to administer the estates of Francis Lord Holles. In 1699 Philip Frowde (or Froude) bought the premises from John Holles, Duke of Newcastle (VCH Vol III; M & B Vol II). In 1713, Frowde sold them to Martha Courthope (apparently in trust for Alan Brodrick). For a survey, see below under 'manor of Peper Harow'.
G145/3/1/2 Whole Surrey estate 1837-1909
Further family settlements which are relevant to the Surrey estate are listed under records relating to descent of the whole estate above. See also estate duty papers, box 78.
G145/3/1/3 Peper Harow glebe 1739-1816
The original glebe land of the rectory of Peper Harow was part of the manor but was not liable for quit rents or heriots (see survey of the manor, 1790s, box 83/1). This (or part of this) was purchased in exchange for other land in 1756 (see G46/8/28). Further exchange of land took place in 1810.
G145/3/1/4 Borough Farm, Witley 1547-1776
Borough Farm was purchased by Albinia Viscountess Dowager Midleton from Henry Streater Gill in 1770, and released by her to George [4th] Viscount Midleton in 1776 (recited in box 51/2).
G145/3/1/5 Shackleford heath 1760 x 1776
G145/3/1/6 Witley tithes 1713-1850
Witley tithes were purchased from John Leech in 1778 (box 51/2).
G145/3/1/7 Michen Hall, Hall Place and other premises at Shackleford purchased in 1797 and before 1570-1878
Hall Place was conveyed by Richard Sumner to George [4th] Viscount Midleton in 1797 (recited in box 62/9). It was previously held by John Richardson.
G145/3/1/8 Home Farm, Shackleford 1876-1878
Purchased from the devisees of John Roker in 1878.
G145/3/1/9 Copyhold at Attleford Common and other parcels in the manor of Godalming 1750-c.1870
G145/3/1/10 Lydling Farm, Shackleford, Godalming 1704-1816
Lydling Farm (or part of) was purchased by George [4th] Viscount Midleton from George and Mary Tate in 1814 (quoted in box 62/9).
G145/3/1/11 Royal Farm 1602-1873
Francis Skurray, James Wilkinson and John Faulkes conveyed land at Peper Harow to George [4th] Viscount Midleton in Sep 1819. See also box 3/1 under deeds relating to the manor of Peper Harow above.
G145/3/1/12 Estates at Mousehill, Witley, including manor of Mousehill otherwise Court Thorne 1583-1871
Documents listed here are not definitively established to be a true series, although many relate to the accumulation of estates formerly held by the Stillwell family. A long leasehold of the Mousehill estate, was purchased from the Stillwell estates in 1822 (listed in box 62/9). For records of the manor of Mousehill otherwise Court Thorn, 1400-1834, see below.
G145/3/1/13 Mistlebrook 1653-1827
G145/3/1/14 Enclosure of part of footway and horseway from Eashing to Farnham 1763
G145/3/1/15 Mousehill Green, copyhold of the manor of Witley 1796-1903 Copyholds were purchased in 1827 on the surrender of Stillwell (recited in box 62/9).
G145/3/1/16 Other estates at Eashing 1582-1929
G145/3/1/17 Other estates at Shackleford 1624-1907
G145/3/1/18 Other estates at Witley 1612-1903
G145/3/1/19 Estates at Elstead and Thursley including Cosford 1762-1896
G145/3/1/20 Goddards Farm, Godalming 1805-1818
G145/3/1/21 Land on Guinea Heath, Peper Harow 1873-1874
G145/3/1/22 Lands in Bramley, Shalford, Wonersh, Dunsfold and Cranleigh 18th cent-1906
G145/3/2 MANOR OF PEPER HAROW: RECORDS 1599-1889
The manor comprised the mansion house and demesne, glebe land of the rectory which did not pay quit rents, heriots etc, and which was purchased by exchange with the rector by Lord Midleton (see related deeds and papers above), one copyhold estate, freehold estates and Royal Farm, which 'seems to have paid quitrents formerly but they have been denied for many years and are understood to have been lost'; three commons known as Royal Common, Shackleford and Ockley Common (survey, box 83/1). For court records of the manor, 1320, 1670-1701 and 1732-1842, see LM/330 and G53/15 & 106.
G145/3/3 MANOR OF MOUSEHILL, OTHERWISE COURT THORNE, WITLEY: RECORDS 1400-1834
The manor of Mousehill comprised a small area at Mousehill, Witley, and neighbouring lands in Thursley. The court appears to have met very infrequently (less than once a year). Lands included The Whitmore, Pokenlands, Pondplace or Pondplate, Lower Reedons, High Stillwells, Shorthills, Holemore otherwise Holemere, Fithlands at Bovelith [Bowlers Green, Thursley], Sheppenham, and land near Emley.
G145/3/4 LEASES 1715-1919
See also box 75 for leases relating to Witley.
G145/3/5 ESTATE MANAGEMENT AND ACCOUNTS (1574)-1933
G145/3/5/1 ESTATE MANAGEMENT (1574-1933)
G145/3/5/2 Accounts 1762-1922
For accounts by William Bray recording expenses and payments for Wandsworth and Peper Harow estates, 1762-1803, see box 16/1 (listed under Wandsworth). For estate accounts, 1851-1855, see box 51/8; for estate accounts, 1860-1863 and 1899-1925, see 1774.
G145/3/5/3 Bills 1813-1870
G145/3/6 ESTATE CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS POST 1766-1916
G145/3/7 BUILDING AND LANDSCAPING WORKS ON PAPER HAROW MANSION AND ESTATE 1752-20TH CENT
The old manor house was pulled down by the 3rd Viscount between 1747 and 1765 (when he died). The new house, to designs by William Chambers, was completed in 1768; among the designs which were not accepted was one by Lancelot 'Capability' Brown, who did design the Park, 1762-63. An additional porch by CR Cockerell was added in 1843, and a north extension with 3rd storey was added in 1913. A barn and gatehouse by Augustus Welby Pugin were added to Oxenford Grange in 1843. Bonville Spring House, ½m to the north of Oxenford, is a 'holy well' in a polygonal chamber, also by Pugin. The north aisle, mortuary chapel, tower arch and chancel windows ('excitable stained glass') of the church were added by Pugin in 1844 (Nairn, Pevsner and Cherry, Buildings of England: Surrey, revised 1971). For further references to buildings by Pugin, see -/box 98, under Irish estate letters; see also 1248/33/1-57 for letters from Pugin to Viscount Midleton.
G145/3/7/1 Peper Harow mansion house and park 1752-20th cent
For description of the planting of cedars in the park, see 1248/27.
G145/3/7/2 Work by AW Pugin and others at Oxenford Grange, Mousehill and Bonville Spring, Witley c.1842-1847
For builders' accounts, see -/box/39/3 (part).
G145/3/7/3 Work including by AW Pugin at Peper Harow Church 1842-1900
See box 7/2 for documents relating to enlargement of the churchyard.
G145/3/7/4 Peper Harow parsonage c.1806
G145/3/7/5 Other buildings on the Peper Harow estate c.1827-1894
G145/3/8 ADVOWSONS OF PEPER HAROW AND SHACKLEFORD C.1905-1936
G145/4 IRISH ESTATES IN MIDLETON AND ELSEWHERE IN CORK, WATERFORD AND LIMERICK 1430-1933
The Irish estates were established by the careers of the sons of Sir Thomas Brodrick (d.1641), Sir St John and Sir Alan Brodrick. St John's second son Alan (c.1660-1728) made his legal career in Ireland, which culminated in his appointment as Lord Chancellor in 1714. He was created Baron Brodrick of Midleton in 1715, and Viscount Midleton in 1717. Marriage with Lucy Courthope, daughter of Sir Peter Courthope, brought an interest in further Irish properties. For records providing an overview of the value and importance of the estates, see -/M/95 (book of Alan 1st Viscount Midleton, discussing inter alia the Courthope estates), 18th cent; for the Midleton estate, see inter alia -/M/95, sale particulars, 1852. For further correspondence relating to Irish estate matters, see 1248, including 1248/20, letters, 1751-1784, 1248/13, letters 1776-1782; and 1248/22, letters, 1783-1823. Lists of named lands are not comprehensive in many of the descriptions below. Where identified, Irish place names with the exception of Midleton [Middleton] have been spelt according to General Alphabetical Index to the Townlands and Towns, Parishes and Baronies of Ireland, 1851, via The Irish Times website. Amendments to spellings in the documents have been made silently except where the identity is in doubt and the suggested preferred name is supplied in square brackets after the quoted spelling.
G145/4/1 DEEDS AND PAPERS RELATING TO ACQUISITION OF ESTATES 1430-1922
The descent of the Irish estates is of some complexity due to co-lateral inheritance of the principal estates and interests created by settlements on younger children, and the fluctuating values of lands charged with monetary bequests and annuities. Principal groups of properties are as follows: the town and manor of Midleton, granted to Sir St John Brodrick in 1671 as a new free corporation 'extending into the county of Cork for 100a in every direction from the centre of the town' (see -/M/83 below), which were inherited by his eldest son Thomas (d.1730) as his heir at law, and descended to Alan, 2nd Viscount Midleton in default of heirs of Thomas; other estates in Cork, Limerick and elsewhere acquired by Sir St John Brodrick (including from Sir John Fitzgerald), including Ballyannan and Cahermone, which were inherited by his second son Alan (later 1st Viscount Midleton) by settlement; estates of Sir Peter Courthope inherited by his daughter Lucy and her husband Alan (later 1st Viscount Midleton), including the Caherduggan estate and the Glanworth estate by 1697; estates purchased by Alan 1st Viscount Midleton including the Glenahiry estate in Co Waterford and Dungourney estate; estates in the barony of Barrymore (recited in -/M/49 below) purchased by Sir Alan Brodrick from the Duke of York in 1672, and inherited by Alan 2nd Viscount Midleton after the death of his uncle Thomas in 1730.
G145/4/1/1 Family settlements and other records relating to the whole Irish estate 1673-1878
G145/4/1/2 Estates of Sir St John Brodrick (1627-1712), including grant of the borough of Midleton 1662-1708
G145/4/1/3 Estates of Sir Alan Brodrick (d.1680) 1668-1708
G145/4/1/4 Courthope estates 1430-1723
The estates of Sir Peter Courthope, including Caherduggan and Glanworth, descended to his daughters Lucy Brodrick and Anne Clayton and their husbands Alan Brodrick [later 1st Viscount Midleton] and Laurence Clayton by 1697, following the death of Peter's son John in 1695 (recited in M/95). They partitioned the estate in 1718.
G145/4/1/5 Dungourney estate purchased by Alan 1st Viscount Midleton 1701-1851
Dungourney was purchased by Alan 1st Viscount Midleton in 1701.
G145/4/1/6 Estates in Glenahiry (otherwise Kilronan), Co Waterford, purchased by Alan 1st Viscount Midleton 1670-1843
The Waterford estates were purchased in 1723. They were sold to Lord Stradbrooke under the terms of the will of George 4th Viscount Midleton in 1841.
G145/4/1/7 Caherduggan estate, Co Cork, and other estates in the tenure of Albinia Dowager Viscountess Midleton following the death of George 3rd Viscount Midleton 1750-1791
Caherduggan was inherited from Sir Peter Courthope by Lucy and Alan Brodrick [later 1st Viscount Midleton]. Under the will of George [3rd] Viscount Midleton and an Act of Parliament of 1766, part of the estate was sold by Albinia Dowager Viscountess Midleton.
G145/4/1/8 Other estates in Co Cork 1630-1701
G145/4/1/9 Sales out of the estate 1853-1922
Records in this subseries are arranged chronologically. For sales arising from the Midleton Estate Act 1850, see above 'family settlements relating to whole Irish estate'. For Waterford estates sold to the Earl of Stradbroke during the 1840s, see inter alia box 102/5/1 above; for sale of part of Caherduggan, see M/26 and M/61 above. Various smaller sales took place under the Land Purchase Acts from 1885 onwards.
G145/4/1/10 Schedules of deeds 18th cent-19th cent
G145/4/2 RENTALS AND ACCOUNTS 1715-1934
See also -/box 64/8 for accounts of all English and Irish estates during Lord Midleton's minority, 1764-1776, under whole estate accounts. Accounts and some rentals are those of individual agents rather than a comprehensive record of the estates and their income.
G145/4/2/2 Accounts 1752-1916
G145/4/3 LEASES 1674-1908
Leases include printed pro formas; husbandry conditions; some sketch plans.
G145/4/4 BUILDING WORKS AND DEVELOPMENT ON THE IRISH ESTATES 1775-1850
G145/4/5 ESTATE MANAGEMENT 1686-1898
G145/5 WANDSWORTH ESTATES INCLUDING MANOR OF DUNSFORD, AND PROPERTY AT WEST HILL AND ELSEWHERE 1579-1933
Estates in Wandsworth were accumulated from the early 17th century, when William Brodrick, embroiderer to King James I, purchased a property in Love Lane from George Smith (box 24/1 and box 21/2). The manor of Dunsford was purchased by Sir Alan Brodrick from Thomas Smith in 1664 (box 18/1; VCH IV p114), and houses in Wandsworth appear to have been the homes of family members until at least the mid 18th century. Sir Thomas Brodrick (d.1641), Sir Alan Brodrick (d.1680), Alan [2nd] Viscount Midleton (d.1747), George [3rd] Viscount Midleton (d.1765) all had monuments in the parish church, and other Brodrick family members were buried there until the mid 19th century. (Sir Thomas's tomb was removed to Peper Harow: see box 73/3.) Other freehold property at West Hill and copyhold of the manors of Battersea and Wandsworth and Allfarthing was also acquired. The manor of Dunsford was described as being of modest value in an abstract relating to the estates of Thomas Brodrick (box 8/3/1), comprising a manor house in which he lived, and quit rents amounting to about £10 10s pa from not more than 30 tenants; it was without demesne (see box 23/2 below for papers concerning severance of the demesne). Areas of common land were shared with the manors of Battersea and Wandsworth and Wimbledon (or sometimes disputed); other land included Garratt Lane and the mills on the River Wandle [copper mills on John Rocque's map, 1768], and the French Horn public house, where courts were held. See box 13/2 for a valuation of the whole Wandsworth estate, 1779. The manor of Dunsford was sold in 1851 following the Midleton Estate Act 1850, although freehold property at West Hill was retained until 1933. The title Viscount Dunsford was chosen for the 9th Viscount William St John Fremantle when elevated in the English peerage and created Earl Midleton in 1920. The records in this series are most substantial for the period of administration of the estate by William Bray and later Reginald Bray, 1762-1851, and include some strays relating to other estates they administered for the family, as well as material relating to other interests of William Bray (see main introduction). Much documentation was created (and other material re-sorted) in the course of valuing the estate for sale after the Midleton Estates Act 1850. Many papers listed in the large subseries 'stewards' records' below are relevant to the other subseries, as in general no attempt has been made to divide bundles. For conveyance of a house in Wandsworth by James Wilford to Sir Alan Brodrick, 1664, see 1248/36. For agreement to enfranchise copyholds of the manor of Dunsford, 1844, see QS7/6/4.
G145/5/1 DEEDS AND PAPERS RELATING TO ACQUISITION OF THE MANOR AND ESTATES, AND SALE AFTER MIDLETON ESTATE ACT OF 1850, 1607-1852
Further relevant deeds relating to the Midleton estates as a whole are listed under family settlements above. See also box 7/3.
G145/5/2 MANOR OF DUNSFORD: COURT RECORDS 1579-1848
Further copies and drafts of court rolls are listed in the bundles of stewards' records below.
G145/5/3 STEWARD'S RECORDS RELATING TO MANORIAL AND FREEHOLD ESTATES 1607-1851
The records were in many cases deposited in what appeared to be original bundles, and these have been retained; however, these generally relate to diverse business and a wide range of dates, and are not in chronological order. Papers relating to a particular tenancy or other matter may be found in more than one bundle. The bulk of the business relates to tenants' title to copyhold, establishing title to land liable for quit rents and heriots, and enfranchisement. Tenants for whom there is a quantity of material include: Da Costa (lands in Bridge Field), Barrett (mills in Garratt Lane), Coussmaker, Rucker, Nash, Wilmot, Deacon, Constable, Langton, Sir Matthew Blakiston, and Montolieu Baron Hippolite; also the proprietors of the Surrey Iron Railway.
G145/5/3/1 Quit rentals and accounts 1762-1850
G145/5/3/2 Papers relating to tenants' title and other business concerning manor and freehold property 1607-1851
Documents described below as 'records of tenants' title' comprise memoranda, copies of licences to demise, absolute surrenders, admissions and surrenders, copy wills, sale particulars and conveyances.
G145/5/3/3 Plans relating to tenants' title 1786-1848
G145/5/4 PROPERTY AT WEST HILL, WANDSWORTH 1789-1933
G145/5/5 WANDSWORTH PARISH CHURCH 1678-1707
G145/5/6 WANDSWORTH CHARITY SCHOOL 1781-1813
The Wandsworth Charity School, originally founded in the 18th century, was reformed as the Auxiliary National School in Apr 1812. (See Manning & Bray vol. III)
G145/5/7 WANDSWORTH VOLUNTEER CORPS 1808-1810
The Wandsworth Volunteers were re-formed in 1794 in response to the events of the French Revolution. Lord Midleton subscribed to the corps (about 250 men) and contributed two weapons. They were active until 1810. (See Manning & Bray vol. III p343)
G145/6 OTHER FAMILY ESTATES IN SURREY AND OTHER COUNTIES 1602-1924
G145/6/1 COPIES OF DEEDS AND PAPERS CONCERNED WITH PROCEEDINGS AFTER THE DEATHS OF VARIOUS MEMBERS OF THE MIDLETON FAMILY 19th cent
G145/6/2 ESTATES OF LADY MIDLETON IN ELSTEAD, MIDHURST, SUSSEX, AND STOCKBRIDGE, HAMPSHIRE 1752-1771
G145/6/3 INHOLM, EWHURST 18TH CENT
G145/6/4 ESTATES OF ST JOHN BRODRICK (d.1707) 1700
G145/6/5 ESTATES SUBJECT TO THE MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT OF INIGO THOMAS AND FRANCES ANN BRODRICK IN RATTON, SUSSEX AND ANTIGUA 1803-1841
G145/6/6 ESTATES RELATING TO THE BENYON FAMILY OF ENGLEFIELD, BERKSHIRE, IN ESSEX, BERKSHIRE, HAMPSHIRE AND HERTFORDSHIRE 1690-1823
G145/6/7 ESTATES IN LINCOLNSHIRE INCLUDING BRANSTON HALL ESTATE 1602-1858
G145/6/8 FAMILY ESTATES AND LEASED PROPERTY IN LONDON 1757-1922
G145/6/9 MANOR AND ADVOWSON OF WHITNEY, HERTFORDSHIRE 1854
G145/6/10 ADVOWSON OF THE RECTORY OF WICKFORD ESSEX 1897-1924
G145/7 ADMINISTRATION OF THE DIOCESE OF KILMORE AND THE ARCHDIOCESE OF CASHEL UNDER CHARLES BRODRICK (1761-1822) c.1742-1820
Charles Brodrick was Bishop of Kilmore (1796), then Archbishop of Cashel, 1801-1822. See D Jenkins 'The Correspondence of Charles Brodrick (1761-1822), Archbishop of Cashel' (Irish Archives Bulletin, vol 9-10, 1979-1980).
G145/8 ESTATES NOT OBVIOUSLY CONNECTED WITH THE BRODRICK FAMILY 1622-1768
G145/8/1 BEDDINGTON AND CARSHALTON 1622-1633
G145/8/2 SOUTHWARK 1658
G145/8/3 WOKING 1672
G145/8/4 CROYDON 1671
G145/8/5 MANOR OF LIMPSFIELD AND LANDS IN LIMPSFIELD AND OXTED, AND ESTATES IN YORKSHIRE 1768
G145/8/6 ESTATES OF ROBERT GILL OF LONDON 1673
It has not been investigated whether Robert Gill is associated with the Gill family of Eashing.
G145/8/7 LAND IN MIDDLE, SHROPSHIRE 1653
G145/8/8 JAMAICA 1694
G145/8/9 MARRIAGE SETTLEMENT OF JOHN WILLIS AND SARAH FIELDING 1733
G145/9 PUBLIC OFFICES AND POSITIONS HELD BY FAMILY MEMBERS 1690-c.1906
This series in the main comprises minor records connected with the public careers of the family. The following is a brief summary of related records held in other accessions. For correspondence of Sir Alan Brodrick (1623-1680), including with the Earl of Clarendon, relating to his position as Surveyor General of Ireland and other political papers, see 1248/1; further political papers are in 1248/9. For papers relating to the membership of Thomas Brodrick (1654-1730) of the 'Committee of Secrecy' concerning the South Sea Bubble, see 1248/32. For correspondence of Alan 1st Viscount Midleton (c.1660-1728), including English and Irish political papers and papers relating to the proposed Bank of Ireland, see 1248/2-9. George 3rd Viscount acted as a commissioner of the Godalming Navigation and a trustee of the Wey Navigation (the river ran through the Peper Harow estate). George 4th Viscount Midleton (created an English peer as Baron Brodrick of Peper Harow in 1796) served as Lord Lieutenant of Surrey, 1814-1830. William 8th Viscount was, before succeeding to the title, Conservative MP for Mid Surrey, 1868-1870, high steward of Kingston on Thames 1875-1893, and served as Lord Lieutenant, 1896-1907: for his correspondence, see 1248/23-26. For records relating to his part in elections of 1865 and 1868, see 552. The career of William St John Fremantle, 9th Viscount and later 1st Earl Midleton, is described in his autobiography Records and Reactions (1939). For records relating to Charles Brodrick, Archbishop of Cashel, formerly Bishop of Clonfert (1795) and Bishop of Kilmore (1796), see records of Irish estates above; also 1248/14-19 for his correspondence, 1784-1820, and 1248/27 pp51-93 for sermon including tribute to him, 1822.
G145/9/1 ST JOHN BRODRICK (d.1707), SERJEANT AT LAW 1690-1707
St John Brodrick was the 3rd son of Sir St John Brodrick (1627-1711).
G145/9/2 LEGAL BUSINESS OF THOMAS BRODRICK (1756-1795) AND WILLIAM BRODRICK (b.1763), LATE 18TH CENT
Thomas and William Brodrick were younger sons of George, 3rd Viscount.
G145/9/3 GEORGE 3RD VISCOUNT MIDLETON 1753
G145/9/4 GEORGE 4TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON 1791-1832
For letters concerning burgage votes in Whitchurch, Hants, where Midleton was MP in 1774, 1780 and 1784, see box 19/4 (among William Bray's papers as steward to manor of Dunsford). Letters to the Earl of Chichester, 1783-1812, are held at the Birtish Library, Add MSS 33100-30.
G145/9/5 WILLIAM JOHN, 7TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (d.1870) 1854-1870
G145/9/6 WILLIAM 8TH VISCOUNT MIDLETON (1830-1907) C.1894-C.1906
G145/10 FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS 1792-1936
For family correspondence and diaries of William 8th Viscount Midleton and his wife Augusta Fremantle, 1842-1899, see 5295 and 1538.
G145/10/1 MISCELLANEOUS FAMILY CORRESPONDENCE AND PAPERS 1809-1920
G145/10/2 PRINTED PAPERS AND MAPS 1792-1936
G145/11 WILLIAM BRAY AND THE REV OWEN MANNING, ANTIQUARIANS: COLLECTED RECORDS AND HISTORICAL WORK PRE 1549-LATE 18TH CENT
The Rev Owen Manning was rector of Peper Harow, 1769-1801. In addition to his work on Manning and Bray, History and Antiquities of the County of Surrey (1803-1814), William Bray acted as steward to the Brodrick family (see in particular records relating to the manor of Dunsford above). Records relating to Loseley appear to be strays from the More Molyneux estate records, transferred by Bray. See also box 62/2 under 'manor of Peper Harow', a letter apparently removed from the Loseley Manuscripts correspondence series.