James Ginn of Royston d. 1842

James, son of Ben in my post of 19th March 2013 , married Sarah Pettitt in 1810.  James was an Ostler, though at what Inn (probably several) I don't know.  In his younger days he had been a Postboy, i.e. a lad in one of the posting inns in Royston who took the post by horseback to the next stage - likely from Royston to Cambridge.

                         Post - boys at The Inn by Geo.Moreland

James did the most extraordinary thing. I was astonished (and delighted) to discover that, after his father's death he made a claim to the cottages and land at Eastwood Lane, Anstey.  He had absolutely no right to do so, of course, but from my point of view it was very decent of him!   It gave me proof of the accuracy of my research.

James' grandfather (William) had sold the property (technically a 1000 year lease) in 1789, to a John Walls of Great Hormead. A joint tenancy had also been extended to a chap called Boultwood. Walls died in 1824; his executors were a Thomas Mott of Much Hadham and a certain Thomas Dellow.

Boultwood had also died, though had survived Walls, so technically Boultwood's estate was the owner.  However, that had not been the intention, and Dellow and Mott were prepared to give indemnities that Boultwood's estate would make no claim.

Thus, in 1825, it was agreed that Dellow and Mott would sell the Eastwood Lane property to Thomas Prior Esq. of Anstey, a prominent landowner. The price was £120.

The Abstract of Title (a summary of Mott and Dellow's ownership) survives (HRO).  Attached to it is a letter from Mott, addressed to Prior's solicitors.  It is apparent that James Ginn had made a claim to the Eastwood Lane cottage, probably soon after 1805 (when his father died).  I quote an extract from the letter (the underlinings are Mott's own):-

“Much Hadham

 Sept. 18th 1824

Dear Sir,

When, by my letter of the 29th May, I offered Mr Prior the Anstey cottage and Land and made the Stipulations regarding the Evidence of Title, I did not entertain the most distant notion of the existence of any person who could have the least possible claim, but in consequence of your statement that a person was now living at Royston who asserted a Right, I have directed particular Enquiry to be made; and I find that James Ginn, a Postlad or Ostler, at an Inn at Royston, did some time since assert his claim; but took no proceedings; and for the best possible reason, namely, because he claims as the eldest Grandson and Heir of William Ginn who in 1786 mortgaged, and in 1789 sold and conveyed the property to old Walls - with respect to the term of 1000 years, vested in old Walls and Boultwood as joint tenants....

Yours very faithfully

Thomas Saml Mott”

Mott went on to say that he was prepared to give indemnities against any claim by the Ginns, as well he might.  However, even the possibility of a claim upset the lawyers, and so a note was added to the Abstract of Title.  A most valuable note and proof of my research.

James Ginn died in 1842, he was 59.   Sarah was living with her daughter Mary Ann in 1851.

James and Sarah had six children:

Their children

John - married Mary Legge - see next post

Charles - married Sarah Lindsell - see later post

Fanny, Sarah and Emma - died in infancy

Mary Ann - was untraced until 2020.  She married James Reynolds, a Master Carpenter of  Hinxton in Cambridgeshire in 1848.  They had a number of children