Deciphering handwriting (Completed)

[Glenpenny]

Could someone please have a look at the words in the red boxes and let me have suggestions.  It's a Will signed in 1729 and I've transcribedmost of it but these words have me baffled.  Incidentally, the old boy left two pence to every member of the poor in his village who attended his burial.  I suspect he had a good send off!

[Glenpenny]

Seems my typing is a bit like the handwriting - all to pot!

[cep]

First:  I hold under Mr Spencer

Last:   in the presence of Us whose names are hereunto subscribed



Regards   CP

[Tati]

Could one of the words be 'Issues' and the other 'Successor' ?

[Glenpenny]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I read one as "under" Mr Spencer too.  But why would he hold the land under Mr Spencer if he had bought this land previously.  It sounds as though it was rented.

[suegill]

Right before the I hold under its says "lease"  so he didn't buy it but is leasing it.

Sue

[Glenpenny]

Hi Sue,

but after Mr Spencer it says "and which I formerly bought of Robert Gardner of Forton".  I'm quite confused by this......

[suegill]

You can buy the time left on a leasehold.  Its still quite common in the bigger cities today.  If you buy the leasehold its the time left on the lease (I think leaseholds usually start at around 99 years).  If you buy a freehold you own the property.

Sue

[Glenpenny]

Thank you again Sue. 

So perhaps the lease might be what we would call ground rent these days.  He owned the farm and buildings but not the freehold.

Got a bit sidetracked from the handwriting didn't we?

Glenys