Extracts from the Court Rolls of the Manor concerning the custom for the Lord of the Manor to make grants of portions of the Waste, with the consent of the Homage.

The homage was represented by a jury of copyholders – usually 12, but sometimes fewer. These courts ceased to exist in 1925, as did the copyholders when the Law of Property Act was passed.

15th March 1732.

At this Court the Lord of this Manor by his Steward hath granted to Henry Spong husbandman, all that one acre of land heretofore taken out of the Waste of the Manor in the West End adjoining to the lands of Benjamin Collyer, John Brown, and the Common called Streets Heath. To have and to hold to the said Henry Spong, His heirs and assigns for ever, copy of Court Roll at the will of the Lord according to the custom of the said Manor, by rent of 6d. heriot, and other customs and services therefore due, and of right accustomed, and he gave to the Lord for a fine for such his estate as appears in the margin. (rent 6d. fine £1.0.6d.) and as he was admitted tenant and seizin by the rod and did fealty to the Lord.

7th December 1827.

The homage also present that Steven Gosden has without licence from the Lord and tenants set up a cottage on the waste of the Manor near the land of Sir William Abdy Bt., in the occupation of James Stone, and that the same Steven Gosden has had notice to pull down and remove the same before the 24th day of December next. The Homage also presents that Edward Cheeseman has without licence enclosed a parcel of waste land containing by estimation half an acre, and built a cottage thereon, near the land of Mr. Alliston at the West End of the Manor, and the Bailiff if directed to give the said Edward Cheeseman notice to throw the said enclosed land into Common, and to pull down and remove the said cottage without delay.

21st March 1834.

The Homage also present that James Taylor of Lucas Green within this Manor has without licence enclosed a piece of wasteland adjoining his garden, and the Bailiff is directed to give notice to the said James Taylor to throw the same to Common.

13th April 1841.

At this Court the Homage and Tenants of the Manor present in Court do consent and agree that the Lord of this Manor may grant to the Rev. James Jerram a piece of ground, parcel of the waste o f this Manor, containing one acre or thereabouts, for the purpose of erecting thereon a Chapel of Ease, situate at the west End adjoining Paines Lane, upon such terms and for such estate as the said Lord may think proper.

19 July, 1843

'At this court, the Homage do consent and agree that the Lord of this Manor may grant by copy of court roll for such estates he may think proper to William Tringham of Longcross in the Parish of Chertsey in the county of Surrey, esquire, all that piece or parcel of land, parcel of the waste of the Manor containing by estimation one acre or therabouts, as now stumped out, on which is a well or spring lying southwest of the dwelling house of the said William Tringham, and near unto the beer shop called The Travellers Friend, and the said William Tringham may enclose the said piece or parcel of land and hold the same enclosed for ever.'

13 March, 1843

'At this court the Homage do consent and after that the Lord of the Manor may grant by copy of court roll for such estate as he may think proper to Thomas Fielding of Westcroft in the parish of Chobham in the county of Surrey, esquire, all that piece or parcel of land late parcel of the waste of the Manor containing by estimation one quarter of an acre or thereabouts as now fenced in adjoining the road leading from Chobham to Bagshot, and that the said Thomas Fielding may enclose the said piece or parcel of land for ever hereafter.

'Also at this court the Homage do consent and agree that the Lord of the Manor may grant by copy of court roll for such estate as he may think proper to Sir Augustus Foster of Higham's Lodge in the parish of Chobham in the county of Surrey, Baronet, all that piece or parcel of land late parcel of the waste of the said Manor containing by estimate half an acre or thereabouts, as now fenced in lying between the lands of Sir Augustus Foster and Higham's Lane and Bagshot Road, and that the said Augustus Foster may inclose the said piece or parcel and hold the same inclosed forever.'

1849

Lord Vaux enclosed further large areas of waste at Highams Lodge.

April 28^th 1849

At this Court, the Homage do consent and agree that the Lord of this Manor may unanimously, that a Committee be appointed for the purpose of taking into consideration the best means to be adopted for protecting the rights and interests of the Parish from the encroachments and depredations that may be committed on the Common; the following were appointed; Messrs. Rogers, Houghton, Collyer, and the Churchwardens and Overseers for the time being resolved that the proceedings of the meeting be inserted in the County Chronicle. Signed R. Collyer, Chairman. April 28th, 1849.