Catalogue description Peters MSS

Introductory note

This collection represents the papers of William Parsons Peters (II), That they represent only a small part of the family documents is shown by the survival of a number of South Petherton deeds of Peters family property among the papers of R.M.P. Parsons, a South Petherton solicitor (DD/PLE, Boxes 70,71,85,86), a relation of the depositor of this collection. The documents were mostly loose and no original bundles were apparent, The collection fell automatically into two parts - the documents of the Peters family and of the Aysh and Cabell families,and have been listed in artificial groupings under those two heads.

The first member of the Peters family mentioned in these documents is John Peters of Maperton, whose son, John Weston Peters, inherited or purchased most of the properties represented, living first at Bridge House and then at Yeabridge House, both in South Petherton. On the latter's death without male issue in 1858 a large part of the estate passed to his nephew, William Parsons, who, in accordance with the terms of the will, adopted the name and arms of Peters. It is his son, William Parsons Peters, who is referred to above. The Peters family acquired the manor of South Petherton from the Edmonds family during the 19th century, thus explaining the presence of the court book for the period 1661 - 1841 (DD/PE/ 6).

However, no reason can be adduced to account for the presence of documents of the Aysh and Cabell families. The Ayshes were originally a Devonshire family who were settled at Ash in Musbury. In 1566 James Aysh of Chulmleigh, Devon, son of Nicholas Aysh and Joan Pollard [see Visitations of Somerset, 1531,1573, p.2; 1623, p.4.], acquired a moiety of the manor of South Petherton als. Hele and in 1582 he purchased the third of three parts into which the other moiety had been divided. The manor, with other properties acquired by marriage, descended to his great-grandson, William Aysh, who left a son, James, and two daughters, Mary, wife of James Prowse, and Elizabeth, wife firstly of Samuel Cabell, secondly of Richard Fownes. James died in 1681 and Elizabeth in 1724. By her will dated 14 June 1735 [DD/SAS, Brown 25/71-2], Mary Prowse left the manor to her 'kinsman', the Rev. Thomas Bowyer, Vicar of Martock, who is represented in this collection by 6 deeds of land in Martock. The descent of the manor and ownership of the documents after this date is not known. Collinson in his History of Somerset (1791) iii,110, states that the owner of Hele House was then Henry Stephens of Salisbury. Letter from A. Butterfield (IV - 7/5/70) states that manor was sold to Dr Henry Hele of Salisbury (1689-1778) thence to Henry Stephens whose wife was a grand-daughter of Dr Hele. A pedigree of the Somerset branch of the Aysh family is given in DD/SAS, Brown 25/63.

DD/X/PE is a schedule of documents made by William Parsons Peters, Esq. in May 1935, listing documents relating to the manor of South Petherton als. Hele which were then in his possession. This includes the following brief details of documents not represented in the present collection and presumably lost prior to 1952 when the deposit was made:

[n.d.] Title of parcel of land in Staineford and Fishlake in county of York

11 Edw.IV (1471-1472) Power of Attorney in connection with the same

1583 Francis Sandys to James Ashe, exchange, 2 acres

1640 James Ash dies

1657 Inventory of William Ashe, Aug.1st.

1715 Sir Philip Sydenham of Brympton, Samuel Wotten of Englebourne, Devon, and Elizabeth Fownes, widow, lease.

1738 Dr. Sandys and brother-in-law, John Norris, release as heirs at law to Mrs. Prowse.

SUMMARY OF DESCRIPTIVE LIST

PETERS FAMILY AND THEIR ESTATES

1 Deeds of South Petherton

2 Deed of Barrington

3-4 Surveys, etc.

5 Map

6 Court Book (South Petherton)

7 Account Roll (South Petherton)

8-10 Misc. items

11-17 Personal and business papers

AYSH FAMILY AND THEIR ESTATES

18-19 Deeds of South Petherton

20 Out-County Deeds

21 Personal Papers (William Aysh)

22 Rev. Thomas Bowyer and his Estate

23 Misc. items

Peters family of Somerset

C/369, C/454

• Aysh family of South Petherton, Somerset
• Somerset