Wilshamstead, Bedfordshire Beggers Bush 1655

Wilshamstead is now commonly known as Wilstead. The earliest record is in a Release of a missing Lease for £9 dated 2 June 1655 between Francis Winton, gent., Rich. Doggett, yeoman, Thos. Doggett, cordwainer, & Ralph Doggett, tailor, to Rich. Ashwell, husbandman, all of Leighton Buzzard, of 6 acres in the Open Fields, including place-names: “Shenley Hill Field, Long Woe Furlong; Midle Field, Leick Fg., Coppspill, Hockliffe Way, Leick Brook, Leick Brooke Fg., and Beggers Bush”.

Also in the same records is Probate of Will of Ellen Ashwell of L.B., widow made 5 Mar. 1671, proved 26 Feb. 1673/4 which includes bequests to her grandchild (son of John A.), “1 ac. in Leck Brook Furlong in the Field of L.B., land of Jn. Truelove E., & that of Mr. Burton W., shooting N. into Clipston way; to Wm. A. (son of her son, Richard Ashwell, decd.), 1 ac. at Beggars Bush, abuttg. W. on Nich. Parson, land of Mr. Plumer E., & that of Mr. Pym W. in L.B”.

OS Grid

TL040630

Sources

Bedfordshire and Luton Archives and Record Service, Bedford Corporation, Deeds relating to various properties in Wilshamstead BC1 – BC59 1624-1810 BC63, BC86

Posted: April 23rd, 2011 | Filed under: Places | Tags: Bedfordshire, Wilshamstead, Wilstead | No Comments »