Bond against dower

John Dunke of Whatlington to John Withens, dean of Battle

1 'a messuage, orchards, gardens and two pieces of land (5a) in Whatlington (N: street from Battle to Robertsbridge; E, S: land of the heirs of John Bisshoppe; W, N: land of Edward Dunke) and all other lands in Whatlington and Sedlescombe

2 all his land in Whatlington and Sedlescombe

includes dower of JD's wife Helen

W: John Sackvile, Thomas Frenshe, William Wythens

endorsed: 12 Sep 38 Eliz; picked up in street at Battle, 1881, J B Seeley and C Ant Benporath

The right-hand side of the document is torn away with the loss of between one and two inches of text. The damage clearly took place after the first endorsement, which dates from the middle years of the 18th century.

John B Seeley, a solicitor's clerk aged 49, was enumerated at High Street, Battle, with his wife Maria in 1881 (PRO RG 11/1034/19); a William Seeley had been clerk to Nathaniel Polhill Kell of Battle, solicitor, in 1847 (SAS/AN 394).

An Arthur N L Benporath, aged 12 and born at Hastings, was enumerated at the City of London Schools in Shepherds Lane, Lambeth, in 1881 (PRO RG 11/620/55). Charlotte Benporath otherwise Lawrence married the Battle solicitor William Cruttenden at St Leonard Shoreditch on 24 August 1875, and was enumerated with him and their son William Cruttenden at Battle High Street in 1881 (PRO RG 11/1034/8).