| Title | Cotton v. Cotton; Answer of Sir Robert Cotton, Kt and Thomas C., Esq. son and heir of William C., Esq., decd. defendants, to the Bill of Complaint of Sir John Cotton, Bart, complainant. |
| Description | Deny all charges in said Bill. Cite Marriage Settlement of 14 Jan. 1663 on marriage of Sir Robt. Cotton and Gertrude, dau. of Sir William Morris and Articles of Agreement made then which conveyed the Manor of Little Gransden, Cambs with lands there, 3 parts of the Manor of Hinkley, Leics., and 3 parts of the Manor of Sharnford, Leics, to Sir Robt. C. and his heirs in tail male. Remainder re. Manor of Gransden to Philip Cotton, Esq., decd, and issue, the rest to use of this defendant, Thomas Cotton in tail male. Cites Fine of Trinity Term 1653 and Deed to Declare Uses of Fine of 4 July 1653 conveying Manor of St. George Hatley, Cambs. These Manors and parts are all that Sir Robt. C. claims of the estate of the said Sir Thomas C. And Thomas C., Esq., only son and heir of William Cotton, Esq., son of the said Sir Thomas Cotton cites Indenture of 4 Dec. 1661 by which Sir Thomas Cotton conveyed all the Manors of Conington, Dansey and Elsworth with apps. in Cambs. and lands in Conington and Elsworth, Hilton and Fenstanton, with apps, to use of Sir Thomas for life with remainder to Philip Cotton, then Sir Robt., then William in tail male and Philip was possessed thereof for life and with Sir Robt C. and this defdt. the said Thomas C. suffered a Common Recovery of the same lands to bar entail. And the same indenture conveyed the Manor of Theddingworth Leics. with a ¼ of messuage and Rectory and Advowson there and all other lands there and in Owthorpe, Northants to use of Sir Thomas C. with remainder to Philip, then to William in tail male, which said premises Philip and this defdt. sold several years ago to Richard Newdigate, Bart., Cites indenture of 4 Dec. 1661 by which Sir Thomas Cotton assured the Manor of Cotton and Holme als Church Holme and farms in Sproston and Cranage in the county of Chester and Manor of Little Burton als. Burton Hastings, Warwicks and 3 parts of the Manor of Woodcoat to use of Sir Thomas C. with remainder to William C. and heirs in tail male and said Thomas has enjoyed same and some years since he sold the Manor of Little Burton and 3 parts of the Manor of Woodcoat as he hopes was lawful, which said Manors and lands were all the estate that this defdt. Thomas Cotton claimed. Demand the judgement of the Court whether they ought to be impelled to make any further answer to complt's bill. Do not know anything re. will etc. of Sir Thomas C. or lands inherited by complt., but only that their lands are not his. Deny that the Manor of Little Gransden is the complainants. Deny that they have any deeds of Sir John C. the grandfather. Believe that Sir Thomas C. was seized in right of Dorothy of Manor of Eworth for her joynture which went to Stephen Anderson after her death. Also in Manors of Stratton, Conington, Glatton and Holme which are vested in the complt., and Manors in occupation of defdts., and Manor of Alc. W. which is settled on the other defdt. Robt. C. and believe he sold it. These defdts. believe that the said Robt. C., Esq. is seized of the Manors of Gidding, Folksworth and Stilton but do not know how he claims them, but thinks it is by marriage settlement of Sir John Cotton and Elizabeth Honywood. Do not know what settlements were made on marriages with the Anderson. If marriage settlement of Dorothy A. is found by defdt. Thomas Cotton shall be delivered to said complt. if so decreed. Believe that Sir Thomas C. always reserved the right of revocation but do not know if he executed it. Know nothing re. the whereabouts of Sir Thos. Cotton's will. Deny all charges in said bill. Pray for them to be dismissed with costs and charges in their behalf most wrongfully sustained. Compiled by J. Fortescue Aland. |