- SOCKNERSH MANOR [P8/12]

Freehold sub-manor of Dallington [M62/60]

DETAILS OF PROPERTY

<1294-1294+ Ho + 158a. + wood Described in an IMP of 1294 as a messuage and garden worth 2/-; 50 acres of arable worth 16/8d; 100 acres of heath and pasture worth 25/-; and 8 acres of meadow worth 16/- (ie. 158 acres worth £2:17:8d). Also a wood, the pasture and pannage of which is worth 40d. Also manorial rents worth £3:11:8.25d + 1 cock, 4.5 hens and 40 eggs + works and customs worth 4.25d. Also pleas and perquisites worth 2/-. Total annual value of manor £7:4:7.5d [5]. <1551-1551+ The will of Alexander Collins of Lamberhurst mentions his lands and tenements called Socknersh with the furnaces, woods, etc [4]. 1559-1559+ Alexander Collins obtained a 20 year lease from George Martin of Brightling, husbandman, of the lands flooded by water between Socknersh and Owlhole. This lease was renewed, one renewal being dated 1596 [4]. 1605-1605+ Thomas Collins of Brightling, junior obtained from John Hay of Herstmonceux 3 pieces of land (c.9 acres) + a right of way to the road all abutting North onto Socknersh demesne, being part of Covehurst and Coveling ie. P8/47 [4]. <1622-1622+ Ho, bldgs + 300a. Described in a marriage settlement of 1622 as being 300 acres in extent [4]. <1681-1736+ Capital Mess etc Described in 1681 as a capital messuage called Sockenersh in Brightling quitrent of 3/- [2]. Described in a settlement of 1736 as a capital messuage, or mansion + lands called Socknersh [7]. <1839-1839+ Hos, bldgs + 370a. Described in the tithe award of 1839 as 2 houses, buildings, + 369a.0r.13p. Also Stockmarsh Cottage and 2 other cottages totalling 0a.3r.32p.. Overall total = 370a.0r.05p. [9].

DETAILS OF THE ESTATE

1752 The Estate of Henry Collins in 1752 is described in his will as the manors of Socknersh and Hollingrove and the farm called Fittlehurst in Brightling; Bivelham Farm in Mayfield; Manor of Shadwell in Buxted; a message and farm called Houndshurst in ; Mill Farm (ie. Strawberry Hole) in ; Cold Harbour Farm in and Brightling; 8a. of marshland in Wartling and Pevensey; other manors in Kent and Hampshire [7].

DETAILS OF THE HOUSE

This house was surveyed by ROHAS in 1985. A summary is given below, but for further details see Report No. 917.

1529 Called a mansion A deed to lead to the use of a recovery makes specifical reference to the mansion house of Socknersh [4]. c.1620 Mansion Rebuilt Mansion rebuilt either as a 'T' or 'H' plan timber-framed house with an extensive service crosswing. There is uncertainty about the original arangement at the parlour end. External walls of close studding. Good details. 1662-1665 Assessed @ 11 flues. Thomas Collins was assessed at 11 flues for this property [10]. 18th C. House sized down Converted into a farmhouse, and the eastern end (including the principal parlour accomodation) demolished. 1921 Renovations & extensions Major repairs and extensions were undertaken by Mrs Cross in 1921.

BRIGHTLING POOR BOOK ASSESSMENTS 1663 £120 including Woodland [6].

LAND TAX ASSESSMENTS [1]

1702-1735 £60 + £16 for Socknersh woodland. 1745-1839 £72:10 + £19:5 for Socknersh woodland.

DETAILS OF OWNERSHIP

<1294-1294 Will de Etchingham Of Etchingham. He died holding the property in 1294 [5] For details of the pre 1469 history of the property see VCH [8]. <1469-1469+Hrs of Simon Bate + Will Covert They held the property in moieties [8]. <1503-1503 John Covert Son of William [8]. 1503-1529 Rich Covert, Esq Richard Covert was of Slagham in 1529 [4]. Cousin of John [8]. He sold his part of the property to John Collins in 1529 [4]. <1517-1517+John Ashburnham [8]. He held the moiety previously owned by Simon Bate. The Ashburnham's finally released their interest in the property in c.1600 [4]. 1529-1537 John Collins He acquired the Covert part of the property in 1529 [4]. At that date John Collins was described as a 'jernmaker' of Burwash [4]. He died holding the property [8]. 1537-1551 Alex Collins I, yeoman Son of John [8]. Of Lamberhurst when he made his will in 1549 [4]. The will was proved in 1551 [4]. 1551-1560 Alex Collins II He inherited, after his mother, under the terms of his father, Alexander Collin's will [4]. He was of Brightling in 1559 and in 1560 when he made his will wishing to be buried in Brightling church [4]. <1578-1612 Thos Collins I, yeoman Brother of Alexander II [8]. An award concerning Socknersh was made in favour of Thomas Collins of Brightling, yeoman (one of the sons of Alexander Collins of Lamberhurst) in 1578 [4]. He was still described as of Brightling, yeoman when he leased 2 acres of land adjacent to the Socknersh demesne, in 1596 [4]. These 2 acres, leased from George Martin, the younger of Brightling, yeoman, are described as 'the south side of the ponds called Upper Ponds of Socknersh' abutting:- N to Thomas Collin's Socknersh; W to George Martin, senior's Mortimers; S and E to George Martin, junior's Owl Hole. [4]. Thomas obtained a stint of some of the manorial rights over Socknersh from the lord of Dallington manor in 1602 [4]. Thomas died holding the property in 1612 [8]. 1612-1618 Mary Collins, widow Wife of Thomas. She paid #6:13:4d per annum for tithes in 1615-1618 [6]. She died holding the property, having made her will 2/7/1618, proved 28/9/1618 [4]. 1618-1667 Thos Collins II Eldest son of Thomas I & Mary [8]. Described as of Brightling, junior, when he obtained a small piece of land and a right of way from John Hay in 1605 [4]. He was described of Thomas Collins of Brightling, gentleman in 1607. He formerly inherited Socknersh in 1618 under the terms of his mother's will [4]. A marriage settlement was made concerning Socknersh in 1622, by which date the marriage had already been solemnized between Thomas Collins of Socknersh, gent and Mary one of the daughters of Anthony Cruttenden, of Fishers in Burwash, gent [4]. From 1618-1628 he paid £7:4:4d per annum for tithes, but at michaelmas 1628 he made a new computation by which he paid #7:19:0d tithe for Socknersh, 3/- for Coldharbour, 4/= for Harvie Down, and 4/- for Harmers. Total £8:10:0, which he continued to pay until 1663. By 1637 the total had risen to £9:10:0 and it continued at this rate until after 1641 [6]. In 1642 he contributed 40/- towards the relief of the Irish Protestants, the joint highest amount amongst the 83 parishoners who contributed [12]. Thomas was a staunch Presbyterian and Captain of the Militia, and being a Justice of the Peace celebrated many civil marriages at Brightling in 1653-7 [8]. In c.1660 he constructed a coach-house and stables adjacent Brightling Church, for his use when attending Church [11]. He was described as 'Captain' by Parson Lord 1663-1665, to whom he paid £10 per year tithes [6]. He died in 1667 [8]. 1667-1709 Thos Collins III, Esq [1,2] He was the nephew of Thomas II, and son of Increased Collins, and inherited the estate in 1667 [8] In 1675 Elizabeth Collins of Socknersh, widow surrendered to Thomas Collins of Socknersh (her nephew) her dower rights in the property, being the capital messuage or manor house called Socknersh with barns etc + 50a. of named lands and woods, part of Socknersh, in her own occupation [4]. In 1695 Thomas acquired from the Bishop of Chichester the right for he and his family to bury their dead in the north chapel of Brightling church and to set up tombs in the same. The Collins family were to maintain and repair the said chapel [4]. Thomas died in 1709 [8]. 1709-1736 Hen Collins I, Esq [1] Only surviving son of Thomas III [8]. He let the house in 1724 and removed to Hampshire [8] being described as of Carhampton, Hampshire in 1736 when he entered into a settlement with his son and heir apparent, Henry Collins, Esq of Brightling on the intended marriage of Henry Collins, junior with Jane Venables, spinster, eldest daughter of James Venables, Esq of Woodcott, Hampshire [7]. The settlement included Socknersh, Hollingrove, Sperwells, Mill House Farm (all in Brightling and Battle), the manor of Shadwell in Buxted, the manor of Turnford in Kent and Bivelham Farm in Mayfield [7]. 1736-1753 Hen Collins II, Esq, He acquired the property under the terms of his marriage settlement and made his will 22/10/1752 when living at Woodcte, Hampshire. The will was proved at 21/4/1753 in which he desired to be buried in 'My chancel' of the parish church of Brightling near his parents and ancestors. The will mentions his wife Jane and cousin George Luxford of Windmill Hill, Esq. If his heirs failed (which they did) the estate was to be inherited by the said George Luxford [7]. Henry Collins heirs were assessed for the property in 1755 [1]. 1753-1759 Geo Luxford, Esq Of Windmill Hill, Wartling in 1752 and at his death in 1759 [7]. He was the cousin and heir of Henry Collins [7]. By his will, made 12/8/1757, proved 9/5/1759 he left this property to his brother Thomas Luxford for life with remainder to his neice, Mary Wilson, daughter of Robert Wilson of Lombard Street. She married Stephen Comyns, junior of London, merchant, who thereby acquired the property in 1763 [7]. 1763-1792+ Step Comyns, Esq [1] He is described as of London, merchant, in a settlement involving his father, Stephen Comyns of Lincolns Inn in 1763 [7]. In Stephen and Mary are described as of 'Love Lane', London in 1785 when they mortgaged the property [7]. They, with their son, Stephen George Comyns of Windmill Hill, , took out a further mortgage on the property in 1792. Both mortgages were made by Thomas Graham who in 1800 was granted a decree in Chancery foreclosing on the mortgage [7]. 1800-1805+ Thos Graham, Esq [1] He is described as of Lincolns Inn in 1785 when he acquired a mortgage on the property. The mortgage was foreclosed in 1800 [7]. <1815-1840+John Holloway [1,3,9] DETAILS OF TENANCY

<1437-1437+Sim Bates He was also owner of one moiety of the property [8]. <1560-1560 Alex Collins II Owner occupier [4] <1578-1612 Thos Collins I yeoman/gent. Owner occupier, a son of Alexander Collins of Lamberhurst [4] 1612-1618 Mary Collins, widow Owner occupier [4] 1618-1667 Thos Collins II, gent/esq. Owner occupier [4] 1667-1709 Thos Collins III, Esq. Owner occupier [1,4]. 1709-1724 Hen Collins, Esq Owner occupier [1] 1724-1735+ Sam Newington [1,7] <1745-1745+Mr Newington [1] <1755-1755+Will Baker [1] <1775-1775+Mr Baker [1] <1785-1839+John Holloway [9]. Became owner occupier [1]

SOURCES Marked [] at the end of each entry

1. ESRO Land tax. 2. BL AMS 33184. 3. ESRO ASH 736. 4. HPL B 77, 97-98, 102-103, 114, 126, 133, 138-140, 144, 156-157, 167-168. 5. PRO C 133/68/7. IMP of William de Etchingham. 6. ESRO PAR 254/6/7. Lords Tithe Book. 7. ESRO SAS/RF/8/168-191. 8. VCH Sussex, Vol. 9, pp. 228-229. Socknersh & Hollingrove. 9. ESRO TDE 144 - Brightling. 10. ESRO XA5/2 - Hearth Tax Returns. 11. HPL B.165. 12. PRO E179/191/390.