Freehold Properties

It has often been said that the Duke of Grafton, since 1705, "owned the whole Parish". This table
records items known to be outside the Grafton Estate. It is evident that sales were frequently
made in Victorian times to cope with the substantial development of the village.

Place	Date sold, if known	Comments
Windmill & Watermill	medieval	Traditionally, corn milling was supported by the Lord of the Manor in terms of freehold of the property and fees (usually also paid by the Lord) per bushel of corn that was milled.
A School	1504	Thought likely to be in South Street (Stoke Rd) as in 1798 the school there was destroyed by the Great Fire. The school predated the formation of the Honour of Grafton, it was built on manor (Wake) land and was presumably held in Trust. It is thought that at least the administration of the school and the execution of lessons needed to be taken over by the Rector but our knowledge of ownership of the school and the land it stands on is obscure. However, in the 1960s it is the Church that 'gives' the school to the parish.
Plots and 2 tiny Cottages	18th century	A small plot was bequeathed to the brother of the Duke's heir , Lord Charles Fitzroy - no reason known. No map with the Deed but the 1838 Survey identifies plots on Gayton Road to the east of Grafton House (Duke of Grafton Inn).
Land for Canal and Toll Road and yard and cottages at The Arm.	from ~1793	Parliamentary Act 1793.
The 'Half Moon Inn'	pre-1797	A plot containing a building was sold to John Linnett in 1797 to establish an inn later known as the Sun, Moon & Stars Inn. Energetic attempts have been made to take a look at the Deeds - so far, no success.
Plot at 'Little Ease', Mill Lane (Chapel Lane)	1800-1825	Bought by John Goodridge who placed it in trust for the Baptists Church. Became site of the Chapel.
Westley's bakery and/or mill, South Street	?	Samuel Westley, baker, son of Joseph senior is ack. freehold in 1838.
Increase in Glebe land	~1800	The rector's terriers (NRO) show a large increase from ~20 acres to over 100. It seems likely that the entire apportion for all the parishes in the benefice was made at Blisworth. The land was centred on Glebe Farm (see the features map)
Land for Westleys, South Street	pre-1838	Ann Westley (aka. Elizabeth) ack. freehold in 1838. The plot became the site of the Westley buildings.
Land for railway, & N'pton Road cottages, also small field with water reservoirs and three cottages.	from ~1835	A swath of land at least 100 yards wide was required to accommodate the rails and a high embankment for most of its passage through the parish.
The Loundes, nr. Blisworth Hotel	1845	Built and owned by Richard Dunkley
Blisworth Hotel & Gardens	1845	Built for Thomas Shaw by Richard Dunkley
Land for the Church Cemetery	1862	Opposite the church, Parish Council maintained.
Progressionists' Shop, High Street	1866	The failure of the N. Progressionists Society allowed the Young family to establish a grocer shop in the High Street.
A school for infants, Stoke Rd	1874	A previous attempt to secure land to extend the school failed in 1845.
Westley's Mill nr. the bridge	1879	A mill fire in South Street (Stoke Rd) led Westley to acquiring a large plot by the canal bridge. He probably relinquished his freehold of the windmill site at this time.
Site of Manor house (farm), High Street, Blisworth - opp. Church	1893	Bought by T. Burbidge from DoG and subsequently demolished the house. Taped interview by G. freeston.
The entire Wharf nr. the mill	c.1900	Acquired by the Westley family. Along with the above mill, it was bought by a canal carrying company in 1920, thence owned by British Waterways. The mill was sold for development c 1990 but the entire wharf (incl. boat businesses) still attracts ground rent to British Waterways.
6 Cottages nr. Sun, Moon & Stars	c1838	The then owner of that pub, Mr Phipps, built the cottages in 1896. 1838 survey states the land involved was owned by Phipps.
The Parish Lands	~1815	A collection of 1 acre plots were commutated in around 1815 (ie. presumably with the inclosures) into two fields owed by the church. Later sold to the County Council.
New Village School, Elm Corner	1913	A 3 acre field stripped of ironstone in 1911.

Grafton debt management	~1900	Parcels denoted "Prizage" were mortgaged off and one parcel in Blisworth is noted - the gulley adjacent to the Courteenhall Road.
ditto?	1902	Parcels amounting to 50 acres sold to the "Trees", being two members of the Fitzroy family and two others. Parcels distributed both sides of the Towcester Road. Grafton agent (Mr. Patterson remained agent to collect rent etc. Details in extract of Deeds for No. 8).
The main Grafton Sale	1919/20	Most small cottages were sold at this time in Blisworth. The Duke sold 90% of the estate to deal with death duties.
Remaining parcels of Land	1930/40	There remained 3 or 4 modest sized farms for which there were no takers in 1919. All were sold by 1940.