TITLE DEEDS & ASSOCIATED RECORDS

For Nos 74-79 and 81-83 Shoreditch High St, 1-3 Boundary Street (earlier Cock Lane), property on Boundary Passage (earlier Dirty Lane, then New Inn Passage) and Hare Alley

Note: This catalogue entry does not cover all individual items in this series.

Series begins with a mortgage by James Cook of his property in 1841, which comprised 74-79 High St, houses on the south side of Hare Alley and a house on Cock Lane (1-4). In 1852 George Mitchell, auctioneer, conveys to fellow auctioneer Thomas Mason 81-82 High St and a house on Boundary Street behind 83-4 High St occupied by Jeremiah Rotherham (5). In 1861 Thomas Ellis Owen, the Ven John Allen and Louisa Owen lease 1-3 Hare Alley to William Guyatt of Hoxton, builder for 99 years (plans, (6)). (10-15) are leases of Nos 76-79 from 1876-80.. In 1893 the Grocers Company lease Nos 83-84 High St to Jeremiah Rotherham & Co (site plan, (20)). In 1894 John Gordon Douglas-Willan and Frederick James Douglas-Willan sell 74-78 HIgh St and the Ship and Blue Bottle pub, Boundary St to William Joshua Smith, bookseller (plan, (21). In February 1899 Cook grants a lease of 74-75 High St to Louise & Co (detailed plan, (22), see also (62) below), a lease assigned in December 1899 to Emily Plaister (23). In 1900 Carey assigns the lease of 76-78 High St to J.Rotherham & Co (24). Also in 1900 Rotherhams acquire the freeholds of 79 High St ,17 Boundary St and 1-3 Hare Alley from the trustees of the late Mrs Louisa Owen (29), and Hare Alley itself from Shoreditch Vestry (30-32) and close it to the public. (31) is a land tax for 79 High St, which includes a plan. In 1902 J.Rotherham lease 81-82 High St from Maria Mason (detailed plan (38) ). In 1905 Rotherhams agree a lease for 74-78 High St with Rev H.H.Cook and others (also inc 1-3 Boundary Passage) Outline plan, (39) and in the following year are granted licence for building alterations for Nos 76-78 (43). In 1909 Emily Plaister surrenders her lease to Rotherhams on 74-75 High St (46). (50-52) are the outcome of a court case between James Stephen Smith and Florence Lea Smith heirs of the Cook estate in 1913. In 1921 F.L.Bassett and others convey to Rotherhams the freehold of 74-78 High Street, 1-3 Boundary Passage, and 13 Boundary St (The Ship and Blue Bottle) (56) In 1947 Rotherhams acquire the freehold of Nos 81-2 High St from Elizabeth Reynolds, doc. refers to war damage compensation to whole site (60) and in the following year Rotherhams also acquire the site of 83-84 High Street from the Grocers Company (61).

Other documents of note in the group include the share prospectus of Louise & Co of 1895, (62) which includes illustrations of their premises in Regent Street and 'The Button Box, 74-75 High Street, Shoreditch; plans of alterations to 76-78 High St by Rotherhams (plans and sections only), 1906 (65); declaration by Grocers Co Clerk re 83-4 High St (acquired by the Company from Sir John Hart in 1601) (75) and the Chancery papers of Smith v Smith 1912 (78-9) a copy of the order closing Hare Alley (80), 1900, and a plan of No 78 High St, c 1900 (83)

BRA 2591 Indefinite loan.