Ancient market town in Stafford archdeaconry of the diocese of Coventry & Lichfield
Stafford [centre, pink] surrounded by (clockwise, from the north) Tillington [yellow], Hopton & Coton [blue], Castle Church [orange] and Seighford [green]. These were all separate ancient ecclesiastical parishes, except that Hopton & Coton was part of Lichfield St Mary, and Tillington was part of Stafford St Mary and St Chad.
General References
March 1832: A seven-page legal bill to the executors of the late Mr Henry Hand of Bromley, from Killmister & Challinor, solicitors, reciting the expenses incurred in dealing with the estate. Instructions were received 30 April 1821. 2 May 1821 a letter was sent to Mr White, proctor, at Lichfield, to send commission to Mr Challinor at Stafford. 11 May 1821 reference to Mrs Hand. 21 June 1821 Mr Dixon wrote enquiring the price of the premises at Millstone Green. 4 July 1821 Mr Rolls, solicitor to Mr Joseph Keen, saying that Keen would not abandon his claim to the Millstone Green property. Mr Harvey wrote about purchasing the property. 16 July a sale took place at Newcastle under Lyme. 24 July 1821 Messrs Audley were told that £180 was the lowest price acceptable for the Millstone Green property. September 1821 an agreement was drawn up for the sale of the property to Mr Swinnerton. Mr Kinnersley wrote enquiring about the premises at Ashley. During drawing up the abstract of title to the Millstone Green property, a letter was sent to Mr William Hand asking him for a copy of Mr Henry Hand’s will. A letter was sent to Mr Gibbs near Eccleshall. The abstract of title extended to include the late Mr Delaister’s premises. Mr Challinor had to go to Chippenham near Eccleshall to examine title deeds in the hands of Mr Gibbs relating to the Whithebed and Masters: but found that he only had those relating to the latter; the others being in the hands of Mr Bourne of near Drayton. Mr Comberbach, solicitor for Mr Henshaw, the purchaser of the Masters reviewed the title. Mr Bourne had entrusted his deeds to his solicitor, Mr Butterton. As to the Whitehead, part of the deeds were found in the hands of Mr Baddley, but others were unaccounted for. In March 1822 a letter was sent to Mr Stanley about the purchase, and one to Messrs Fenton with an abstract of Mr Kynnersley’s purchase. Mr Swinnerton’s purchase was affected by the terms of Miss Hand’s legacies. A letter was sent to Messrs Collins and Keen returning the draft of Mr Swinnerton’s conveyance. May 1822 a letter was sent to Mr Becketts of Woore about Jervis’s claim; the like to Mr Wright. An agreement was made between the executors and Mr E. Barker. June 1822 letters sent to Mr Henshaw on the subject of his purchase from the executors; the like to Mr Fox of Ashley. July 1822 perusing deeds relating to Mr Baker’s purchase. Mr Preston’s opinion was sought. Messrs Fenton not being satisfied with his opinion, they were sent a full abstract of Mr Rd Hand’s will. February 1823 Mr Stanley was buying the remaining Ashley property for a client of his. 20 October 1824 Mr Harding requested an abstract of title for the premises in Newcastle purchased by Mr John Audley of Newcastle. February 1825 Mr Jones raised objections to Mr Audley’s purchase. 3 May 1825 letter to Mr Harding of Willow Trees enquiring who were his father’s executors, he being a trustee under the late Mr Rd Hand’s settlement. 9 June 1825 letter to Mr Trevor solicitor to the Legacy Duty Office. £261 8s 2d
17 August 1844: Original letter from H. Saben, Stafford, to Mr Keates, John Cruso, esquires: ‘Gaunt decd. I have received copy will & enclose P.O. order for £2.7.1 amount of your bill which please return receipted. Mr Byrom shall have Mr Cruso’s letters which were returned from the dead letter office’
28 February 1846: Original letter from Henry S. Scark, Leek, (for Mr Cruso), to messrs Cowburn & Gay, Lincolns Inn Fields: ‘Cruso & ors ats Marsden. As it unfortunately happens that Mr Blagg is absent from home for 2 or 3 days and the Assizes being so near at hand, I have thought it right to communicate with you on this subject, and think you will agree that as much time should be gained to plead as possible and as they have only just filed their Decl’on (27 Instt.) it would be advisable if possible to prevent the trial of this cause at the ensuing Assizes – Can you not apply to change the Venue to Stafford, in which case Plt would be too late for trial? Has he delivered Particulars of demand? At all events you will gain as much time to plead as possible, and after seeing Mr Blagg which will be in a day or two, you will doubtless receive ample instr’ons to plead for him: endorsed with their reply: W. Cowburn, 10 Lincolns Inn Fields, by John Harrison: ‘I return this letter, because I know nothing of the cause it refers to. I sent it to Mr Gough, Mr Blagg’s agent, He returned it to me, stating that he had received this Morning Instructions from Blagg in the cause’. Endorsed ‘Gaunts ats Marsden’. Leek postmarks.
7 April 1879: Deserter from Her Majesty’s Service: A reward of from 5s to 20s is offered for the apprehension of Thomas Hamilton, [Reg. No:] —, Grenadier Guards; [born:] Liverpool; [trade] engraver; [age] 22; [size:] 5[ft] 8½[in]; [hair:] dark; [eyes:] dark; [face:] sallow; [coat & trousers:] —; [date of desertion:] 4 March 1879 [at] Stafford; [marks & remarks:] recruit
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