Deed of Partition by way of Release (of the Manor of Hewish)

(i) Mary Merefield of Shaston (co. Dorset), widow of Robert M. of same, gent. (who was son of Robt. M. of Crewkerne, esq., decd., by his wife Lydia), and Matthew M. only son and heir of sd. Robt. the son (by sd. Mary);

(ii) John Donne of Crewkerne, gent., eldest son and heir of John D. of Chard, grocer, and wife Alice, both decd. (which Alice was a dau. of the sd. Robert M. the father by his first wife, and a sister and co-heir of John M. of Crewkerne, esq., decd., the only son of the sd. Robt. M. the father by his first wife);

(iii) William Merefield of Woolmiston in Crewkerne, gent., eldest son and heir of William M. of same, esq., and wife Susannah, both decd. (which Susannah was the other dau. [etc. as in (ii) for Alice]); and

(iv) Benjamin Donne of South Petherton, gent.

[Recites: (A): Act of Parliament [as recited in No. DD/BC/77 giving full details]

(B) No. DD/BC/77.

(C) That the sd. Mary Merefield, since the decease of her husband Robt., surrendered her estate for life in the 1/3rd part of the manor of Hewish to her son Matthew M. on conditions, to enable him to suffer a Common Recovery;

(D) Conveyance, (Lease and Release) dated 2, 3 Nov. 1744: (i) Matthew Merefield; (ii) Robert Gapper of Chancery Lane, London, gent; and

(iii) William Raw of Shaston, gent; (for docking and barring estates tail, reversions, remainders, etc.):

The third part of the manor of Hewish:

(To Robert Gapper, to the intent that a Common Recovery with double voucher might be suffered, to the use and behoof of Matthew Merefield his heirs and assigns);

(E) The sd. Common Recovery, Michaelmas 1744: William Raw versus Robert Gapper. Vouchee: Matthew Merefield;

(F) That the Conditions of the Surrender were not performed, and Mary Merefield again took an estate for life;

(G) Conveyance (Lease and Release), dated 25, 26 June 1739: (i) John Donne (party hereto); (ii) Amos Callard of New Inn (co. Midx.), gent.; and (iii) James Farr of South Perrott (co. Dorset), gent.; (for docking and barring estates tails and remainders):

The third part of the manor of Hewish:

(To Amos Callard, to the intent that a Common Recovery with double voucher might be suffered, to the use and behoof of John Donne his heirs and assigns);

(H) The sd. Common Recovery, Trinity 1739: James Farr versus Amos Callard. Vouchee: John Donne;

(I) Conveyance (Lease and Release), dated 14, 15 Oct. 1730: (i) Wm. Merefield (party hereto); (ii) John Wills of Crewkerne, outler; and

(iii) John Donne; (for docking estate tails and remainders):

The third part of the manor of Hewish;

(To John Wills, to the intent that a Common Recovery with double voucher might be suffered, to the use and behoof of William Merefield his heirs and assigns);

(J) The sd. Common Recovery, Michaelmas, 1730: John Donne versus John Wills. Vouchee: William Merefield;

(K) Articles of Agreement for division [see No. DD/BC/86];

(L) That Matthew Merefield is now 21, and content with the partition agreed in (K)].

The sd. manor of Hewish.

(To hold to sd. Benjamin Donne (party hereto) the sd. third parts [as in No. DD/BC/86] to the several uses of the parties (i), (ii) and (iii) hereto; except that William Merefield, since the Articles of Agreement, has conveyed to John Donne

The 3 closes of arable and mdw. (11 ac.) called Higher Common

Close, Lower Common Close, and Common Close Mead

to hold to John Donne for ever; and they are now to be held to Benj. Donne to the use of John Donne for ever).

Witn: Will. Raw, Mich. London, Wm. Buddon, Isaac Dominy.

12 Mar. 1744/5