SOME INTERESTING DOCUMENTS   

On the following pages are reproduced copies of wills, documents, invoices, etc., which are thought to be of  family and historical interest. Some words require interpreting at 'best guess'.

Manuscripts in the British Museum under "Derwas of Llandrinio" should be worth inspection as one numbered 9864/5 makes John Derwas the 1st and Richard Derwas, Vicar of Meifod, the 2nd son of Griffith Derwas of New Chapel, Penrhos.

Meifod was a very old foundation. In 1265 there was an agreement between Adam, son of Meurig, Rector or Co-Rector of Meifod, and the Prior of Alberbury Priory and a document corroborating this agreement between Meifod and Alberbury states: -

"Lisense, 28:6:1380. 'Richard II empowers Bishop Spridlington (with the consent of his Chapter) to unite the Chapelries of Pool and Guilsfield to the Parish Church of Meifod, and to appropriate the said Church, with the Churches annexed, to St Asaph and his successors for ever'. The same Licence was granted to Bishop John Trevor. Meifod was already the Mother Church to Braggington, Bausley and Middletown and Sir J.E.D. Lloyd's "History of Wales" also includes Llanfair Caereinion.

The Rectory or Vicarage at Meifod in Richard Derwas's time stood in a field on the edge of the village, now called ' the Moat '.

The Penrhos Vault at Llandrinio is to the south of the present church but had been inside the earlier church.

There are several entries between 1700 and 1780, (believed to be in the Oswestry Registers) of Derwas's of Llanerchkeela, but where this was we do not know.

In Boyd's Marriage Index for Shropshire there are several entries of Derwas marriages in Shrewsbury, e.g. 1772 at St Chads, Samual Derwas and Mary Grice; 1797 at St Marys (combined with St Michaels at one time) Samual Derwas (possibly son of former) and Mary Owen; then 9 years later in 1806 Samual Derwas and Mary Jones, and could be the formers 2nd marriage. As there is no Samual on the Family Tree these Register entries become more interesting but could be some of Rowlands descendants.

COPY OF WILL of John ap Owen, Alias DERWAS of Llandrinio dated 10:3:1576.

(The original is in the Manuscripts and Records Dept. Of the National Library of Wales at Aberystwyth and the following 'translation' was kindly made by the Salop County Records Office from a photostat copy of the original).

IN THE NAME OF GOD, AMEN.  The 15nth day of March in the year of the LORD one thousand five hundred and seventy six. In the year of the reign of our Lady Queen Elizabeth, by the grace of GOD, of England, France and Ireland, Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc., the eighteenth. I John ap Owen alias Derwas (sic) of Penrin Veghan in the countie of Montgomery, gent, beinge of whole mynd and in good and perfect rememberance, laud and prayse be unto allmightie GOD, do make and ordayne this my laste will and testamente in manner and forme ffolowinge.

Ffirst I bequeath my soule unto Jesus Christe my redeemer, and saviour of all them that faythfully beleave and put their truste in hym, and my bodie to be buried within the parish church of Llandrynio, nere unto the place wher my parents (whose soules GOD pardon) do lye.

Item, I geve and bequeath unto the poore mens boxe ijs (11 shillings?)

Item, I geve and bequeath unto Elyne my wief, Owen ap John and Rowland John, two of my sonnes (my deabts beinge payd and my funerall expensses discharged) the moytie and one halfe of all my goods and chattells moveable and unmoveable of what kind so ever they be, to be equallie and porcionablie devided into thre parts amongste them the sayde Elin, Owen and Rowlande.

Item, I geve and bequeath unto Hugh ap John alias Derwas, one other of my sonnes, the other moytie and one half of all and singular my goods and chattells moveable and unmoveable of what kind so ever they be.

Item, I will that where I the sayd John ap Owen have heretofor by diverse and soundry writings and conveighaunces, conveighed and assyred all my lands and tenements unto Richard ap John alias Derwas, and to Owen ap John, my sonnes, as by several writings shall and may appeare more at large, my meaninge and the true extente of this my laste will and testamente ys that the sayd Owen my sonne and his heyres shall paye yearlie forever ijs, beinge part of the rent due unto the chief lorde of the soyle oute and for the land and tenements to the sayd Owen assured, and that the sayd Richard Derwas and his heyres for ever shall paye and be charged within the reste and residue of all the rents due to the chief lords of the soyle for the rest of my said lands.

Item, I do ordayne, constitute and make the sayd Hugh ap John alias Derwas, and Owen, my sonnes, executores of this my last will and testamente.

Item, I do appoynt Roberte Williams and David ap Griffith ap Mathew, my overseers, to see this my last will and testamente truly performed.

In witnesse whearof I, the sayd John ap Owen alias Derwas, to this my laste will and testamente have put my seale, given the day and yeare above written, these being Wittnesses; Hugh Humfries, David ap Griffith ap Mathew, Roberte Williams and Henry Williams with others. 

The will of John ap Owen alias Derwas, deceased, was proved at Llanelwey, the fourteenth of November in the year of the Lord 1577, before Master E. Price, Doctor of Laws, Vicar General, etc., (Diocese of St Asaph ?) and administration of the goods etc., was committed to Hugh ap John alias Derwas the natural and legitimate son of the deceased, one of his executors named in this will, to well etc., by right etc., by inventory before the Feast of the Purification. 

Documents re Lawsuit between Richard Derwas, son of John ap Owen, and his Stepmother Elen and her son Owen.

Montgomery Collections, Vol. 49; Page 28.

1.  15th April 1578.  The award of Thomas Williams, Esq., of Winnington, Co. Salop, and of Thomas Tannatt Esq., Co Salop, settling matters in controversy between RICHARD DERWAS of Penrhyn Vechan, Co. Mont. Gent, OWEN DERWAS of aforesaid Penrhyn Vechan, Gent (his half brother), and Elin, widow of JOHN DERWAS of Penrhos, (Owen's mother).

First - the parties shall be lovers and friends with the others and so continue.

Item :- the said Owen Derwas, his heirs and assigns, shall hold all that messuage, etc., wherein the said Owen and Elin now live, called Tydden Yn Yr Hendre, all buildings etc., and parcels of land according to the intent of an Indeture of Uses dated 8th Nov. 1573, by the said John Derwas, alias John ap Owen, and Elen his wife, to one Edward ap David, and Gruffydd ap Hugh ap Madoc as feoffes of trust, without let or hinderance etc., by the said Richard Derwas and his assigns.

Item :- that the said R. Derwas and his assigns shall assure and warrant the aforesaid premises to the said O. Derwas and his assigns, be it by fine, feoffment, deed or deeds indented and enrolled, or by Surrender in Open Court where the premises do lie.

Item :- that the said O. Derwas, by way of obtaining the good-will and friendship of his brother, Richard Derwas, shall pay to him the sum of £20 on the Nativity of St John the Baptist, 1579, on the fontstone within the Parish Church of Llandryneo between the hours of 8am. and 11am.

BOND. (£100)  26th Feb. 1578. From Owen Derwas of Penrhyn Vechan, Co. Mont., Elen, daughter of Lewes Lloyd, relict of John Derwas, deceased, Robert Lloyd of Trewylan, Co. Mont. to Richard Derwas of Penrhyn Vechan, Co. Mont. for the due observance of the Award of Thos. Williams and Thos. Tannatt, concerning matters in controversy between the said parties. Wittnesses :- John Penryn, clerk; Hugh ap Humphrey; John Davys; Wm. Cadwallador; Gruff. ap Thomas ap Mores; Gruff. ap John ap Llen ap Madoc; Wm. ap Llen ap Rynald.

COPY of the WILL of Margaret Brown of Pentry. (Probably Grandmother of Elizabeth Brown who married John Derwas on 25th Sept. 1795).

6th May 1775.

In the name of God, Amen. - I Margaret Brown of Pentry in the Parish of Alberbury, in the County of Montgomery, widow, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, (that is to say) - My Will is that my Funeral Expenses and all my just debts be in the places paid and discharged. Item, I give and bequeath to my son John Brown the sum of Thirty Pounds. Item, I give to my grandson John, son of the above named John Brown, 2 ewes and 2 lambs if I die in that season, otherwise 2 ewes only. Item, I give to my daughter Sarah the sum of Thirty Pounds with the beststriped Feather Bed and my Bolster and appurtenancies. Item, I give to my son Lewis the sum of Thirty Pounds with a Tumbrill and wheels and gearing for one horse. Item, I give to my grandson William, son of the above named Lewis, 2 ewes and 2 lambs if I die in that season, otherwise 2 ewes only. Item, I give to my grand-daughter Margaret, daughter of the above named Lewis, my Chest of Drawers. Item, my will is that all my Household Linen be divided into 2 equal parts; one part I give to my son Thomas Brown ( this was Elizabeths father ) and the other part to my daughter Sarah. Lastly I give to my son, Thomas Brown, all the rest, residue and remainder of all my estates, real and personal, of what nature or kind soever, or whomsoever, hereby appointing him sole executor of this my last Will and Testament, made the sixth day of May, in the year of our Lord, one thousand, seven hundred and seventy five.

(signed) Margaret Brown.

Signed, sealed, published and declared in the presence of us,

Jane Hayward.

Joshua Hayward.

Document proving the Will.

By the tenor of these Presents We (George Harris, Doctor of Laws, Vicar General and Official Principal of the Right Reverand Father in God James, by Divine provision, Lord Bishop of Hereford, lawfully instituted.) make known to all men that on the 30th day of June 1780, before the Rev. Thomas Rocke, Clerk, M.A., the Last Will and Testament of Margaret Brown late of the Parish of Alberbury in the Diocese of Hereford, Widow, hereunto annexed, was proved, approved and registered, and administration of all and singular - the goods, Chattels and Credits of the deceased, and in any way concerning her Will, was granted to Thomas Brown, the sole Executor named in the said Will, being first sworn upon the Holy Evangelist, well and faithfully to administer the same, and to make a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the said Goods, Chattels and Credits, and to exhibit the same in the Registry of the Consistory Court of the Diocese of Hereford, on or before the last day of July next ensuing, and also to render a just and true Account thereof. Given under our Seal of Office the day and year above written.

(signed)    Jas. Chas. Clarke.

       Registrar.

Will of JOHN DERWAS of the Pentre.

This is the last Will and Testament of me, John Derwas of the Pentre in the Township of Bausley, and the Parish of Alberbury in the County of Montgomery, Farmer.  I direct my just debts, funeral and Testamentary expenses to be paid by my Executrix and Executors hereinafter named, with all convenient speed after my decease.  I give, devise and bequeath all that my cottage, now in two dwellings with the garden and appurtenances thereunto belonging, and in the several holdings of William Gittins and Richard Careswell, ('Richard Belsh of the other part' pencilled in) situate in the said Township of Bausley, and the Parish of Alberbury, also all and singular of the live and dead Stock, Horses, Cows, Pigs, Sheep and other cattle, implements of Husbandry and other utensils on the Farm and premises which shall be occupied by me, at the time of my decease, and also all and singular my Household goods and Furniture, Plate, Linen and China, and all other my real and personal Estate and effects, whatsoever and wheresoever, unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Derwas and her assigns, for and during the term of her natural life; and from and after her decease, I give, devise and bequeath all singular the said cottage, Farm Stock, Implements, Utensils, Household Goods and Furniture, Plate, Linen and China, and all other my said real and personal Estate and effects, subject to the payment of the Legacies, hereinafter by me bequeathed, unto and equally between and amongst my sons Richard Derwas and John Derwas, and my daughter Margaret Martha Derwas, (married Edward Jones of Bachia Canol, Mont.) and their respective Heirs and Executors, Administrators and Assigns, as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tennants; I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Derwas, the Legacy or sum of Ten Pounds, and to my daughter Elizabeth Menlove wife of John Menlove of Worthen, Co. Salop, Farmer, the Legacy or sum of Thirty Pounds;  and I direct that neither of the said Legacies shall be paid till within 12 calender months after the decease of my said wife Elizabeth Derwas, and without any interest in the meantime; I appoint my said wife and my said sons Richard and John, joint Executrix and Executors of my said Will.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal, this sixth day of January, One thousand, 8 hundred and thirty seven.

(signed)  John Derwas.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Testator, John Derwas, as and for his last Will and Testament, in the presence of us, who, in his presence and at his request, and in the presence of each other, have here subscribed our names as witnesses thereto.

(signed)   John Williams of Shrewsbury, Gardener.

   John Jones of Pentre.

  Robert Moorson Scarth, clerk to MR Scarth,

                                  solicitor, Salop.

Document.  By tenor of these presents, We .....?..... Corget, Clerk, M.A. Vicar General and Official Principle of the Right Rev. Father in God, Thomas, by divine permission Lord Bishop of Hereford, lawfully constituted, made known to all that on the seventh day of Oct. 1837, before ................etc. Sworn under £600.  Testator died 3rd March 1837.

                           (Extracted by Thoms. Evans, N.P. Proctor, Broad Street, Hereford.)

Funeral Expenses for Mr. John Derwas, The Pentre.

Mrs. Derwas.

                                                            Coydway, March 7th. 1837.

Bought of T. Brown, Mercer, Grocer, Druggist, Chandler and Flour Dealer.

15th May 1837.                                                       Received the above.

                                                                                (signed)         A. Brown

Funeral Transport for Mr. John Derwas.  Kader Cottage, Ford.

Mr Barrett, Cross Gates.                                                   Dr. to Robert Oswald.

Licensed to let Post Horses, Flys, Dog Carts, etc.

Funerals and Wedding Parties neatly supplied.

1837.               For Funeral of the late Mr Derwas

April 23rd.      Hearse and pair   -   Driver   -                                               £ 1   -   0   -   0

Recd. with Thanks.

                            (signed)          O.S.  Jones.

                             Solicitor.     May 7th. 1837

WILL of Richard Derwas of Kader Cottage, Ford, Salop.

This is the last Will and Testament of me, Richard Derwas of Kader Cottage, near Ford in the County of Salop, Farmer, made this eighth day of August, one thousand eight hundred and eighty five.

I do hereby revoke all former Wills and Testamentary depositions made by me, and declare this to be my last Will and Testament.

I appoint my nieces, Martha Derwas Jones, and Mary Anne Jones, and my friend, Thomas Barrett of Cross Gates near Ford aforesaid, the Executors and Trustees of this my Will.

I devise and bequeath all my real and personal estate (including the Household effects and Furniture which belonged to my wife) to my brother John Derwas for his life without impeachment of waste; I devise all my part, share ,estate, and interest of and in all these two cottages or dwellings, and gardens, with their appertinances, situate in the township of Bausley in the County of Montgomery, and in the several occupations of Richard Vaughan and John Vaughan, from and after the decease of my said brother, unto and to the use of my niece Elizabeth Margaret Derwas, her heirs and assigns for ever. I bequeath to Sarah Anne Barrett and Mary Elizabeth Barrett, the two nieces of my late wife, all such of the Household effects and Furniture which formally belonged to her, as shall be in my possession at the time of my decease, to be divided between them in equal shares at the death of my said brother.

I bequeath to John Menlove Platt, son of my late niece Margaret Maria Platt, deceased, at the death of my said brother, my half part of the debt of £500, due from him to me and my said brother, and secured by mortgage dated the 29th day of Sept. one thousand eight hundred and seventy seven; and all interest in such half, from the death of my said brother; I bequeath to Elizabeth Derwas Jebb (daughter of my said late niece Margaret Maria Platt, deceased) at the death of my said brother, my half part of the debt of £400 due from her to me and my said brother and secured by mortgages dated the twenty first day of June, one thousand eight hundred and seventy three, and all interest on such half from the death of my said brother.

I bequeath to Robert Edward Platt and Anne Maria Platt (children of my said late niece M. Platt, deceased) in equal share at the death of my said Bro. my half share of the debt of £300 due from their father, Robert Platt, to me and my said brother, and all interest on such half from the death of my brother. I bequeath to my said nieces, Martha Derwas Jones and Mary Anne Jones, in equal shares at the death of my said  brother, my half part or share of all the Furniture and other Household effects and of all live and dead agricultural and garden stock and effects (and of all) in and about or belonging to the House, land and premises situate in the Parish of Ford aforesaid, now occupied by myself and my said brother, or of such of the said same furniture, effects and stock as shall be in existance at his death.

I give and bequeath all the residue of my property, whether real or personal, at the death of my brother, to my said 3 nieces, Elizabeth Margaret Derwas, Martha Derwas Jones, and Mary Anne Jones, in equal shares.

I declare that my Trustees or Trustee shall, with the consent of my said brother during his life, retain or realise my invested personality and with the like consent, realise my uninvested personality and invest the proceeds in or upon any public stocks, funds or securities (not being Irish or Foreign) and may, from time to time, with such consent as aforesaid, vary such investments for others of any kind hereby authorised.

I declare that in case of any of my said Legatees should die before me or before my said brother, then the bequest or bequests to every Legatee so dying shall endure in favour of his or her executors or administrators for the benefit of his or her estate. In Witness whereof I have to this my Will contained in this and preceding sheet of paper, set my hand the day and year first before written.

(signed)     Richard Derwas.

Signed by the said Testator, Richard Derwas, as his last Will, in the presence of us, being present at the same time, who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other, subscribe our names as witnesses.

(signed)  Chas. D. Craig, Solicitor, Shrewsbury.

  William Gough, clerk to Messrs C.D.

  and  A.S. Craig, Solicitors, Shrewsbury

Will proved by Martha Derwas Jones, spinster, and Mary Anne Jones, spinster, nieces of the said deceased, two of the Executors, on 26th Oct. 1888.

Gross value of Estate sworn at £2,267 - 17 - 0. Examined with the Probate by me, H.M. Morris (Steward) Manor of Ford, County of Salop.

Inrolled the 23rd day of January 1889.

(signed)     H.M. Morris, Steward.

Document re Copyhold of Kader Cottage, Ford.

Be it remembered that on Weds. the 23rd day of January 1889, Mary Anne Jones of Kader Cottage nr Ford in the County of Salop, spinster (the heir, according to the custom of the said Manor, of Richard Derwas of Kader Cottage aforesaid, Farmer, decd.) in her own proper right person came before Henry Meeson Morris, Gentleman, the Steward of Mary Eliza Tatham Warter, widow and Lady of the said Manor, and desired to be admitted Tenant to the Lady of the said Manor, to all that copyhold house and buildings wherein Thomas Baldwin once lived, with part of Welshman's Ford, (containing with the sight of the said house and buildings about 30 perches). Also all that piece of land called Moor Leasow, containing 6 acres and 22 perches (there being now no right of road across this piece to the adjoining land); the Gladstones or Ash Coppice (in two pieces divided) containing 4 acres and 25 perches (less about 2 roods and 25 perches, the quantity therefrom by the Potteries, Shrewsbury and North Wales Railway), part of the Upper Gladstones or Moor Meadow containing 2 roods and 38 perches, all which herediments are situate in the said Manor of Ford in the said County of Salop, and now or late in the occupation of John Brown, to which said premises (with other herediments) the said Richard Derwas and his deceased brother, John Derwas, were admitted Tenants at a Court holden in and for the said Manor on the 19th day of June, one thousand eight hundred and seventy five:- together with the rights, members and appurtenances thereunto belonging or in any way appertaining:  To whom the Lady of the said Manor, by her Steward aforesaid, granted All and Singular the said premises with their appurtenances; and seizing thereof by the rod according to the custom of the Manor aforesaid: To have and to hold the premises aforesaid with their appurtenances.

Subject to such right or equity of redemption therein as is mentioned and referred to in the said admittance thereto of the said Richard Derwas and John Derwas, unto the said Mary Anne Jones and her heirs customary, as the will of the Lady, according to the custom of the said Manor by the rights, heriots, duties, customs and services thereof due and of the right accustomed: And she gave to the Lady, for a fine for such her Estate and admittance, TWO shillings, and was admitted Tenant according to the custom of the Manor aforesaid, and fealty is respited.

(signed)   Mary Anne Jones.

Examined with the Original by me.

H.M. Morris.     Steward.

(The Tenant has to present a rod or twig to the Lady of the Manor or her Representative).

From a Mss Book in the County Records Office (per Mrs. Halford, County Archivist) re Tenancy of Kader Cottage, Ford. 

Copy of Declaration.                              (Signed 12. 1. 1889)

I, Martha Derwas Jones, of Kader Cottage, near Ford, in the County of Salop, Spinster, Do solemnly and sincerely declare as follws :-

1.  I am of the age of 44 years and upwards.

2.  I have been informed, and verily believe, that my Grandfather was John Derwas, of Pentre, in the Township of Bausley, in that part of the Parish of Alberbury which is in the County of Montgomery, and was a farmer and that he married Elizabeth Brown at Alberbury aforesaid, on the 25th day of Sept. 1795.

3.  They had 6 children and no more, all born at Pentre aforesaid :-  namely (1) Thomas, born 30.5.1796, and died in childhood; (2)  Thomas, born 14.11.1799, who died at Upper Bausley 29.7.1867, without issue; (3)  Richard, born 19.4.1802, died at Kader Cottage aforesaid, 9.6.1888, without issue; (4)  John, born 28.9.1804, who died at Kader Cottage aforesaid, 20.4.1887,a bachelor; (5)  Elizabeth, born 4.2.1798, who married John Menlove, and died at Worthen in the County of Salop on 22.2.1875; (6)  Margaret Martha, born 21.1.1808, who married Edward Jones of Llanfyllin at Alberbury aforesaid, on 18.4.1838, and died at Bachia, near Llanfyllin in the County of Montgomery on 17.4.1860.

4.  My mother, the said Margaret Martha Derwas, and my father, the said Edward Jones, had issue of their marriage, 5 children and no more, all born at Bachia aforesaid, namely :-  (1)  Elizabeth Nargaret Jones, born 22.4.1839; (2)  Edward Derwas Jones, born 6.8.1840, who died in childhood; (3)  Edward Jones, born 4.3.1842, who died in childhood; (4)  Myself, Martha Derwas Jones, born 30.6.1844, and (5)  Mary Anne Jones, born 26.4.1846.

And I make this solemn Declaration, concientiously believing the same to be true, and by virtue of the Provisions of the Statutory Declarations Act, 1835.

(signed)   Martha Derwas Jones.

  It is believed the above declaration was made necessary for inheritance purposes. In the above it is noticed that all important words start with a capital letter, thought to be not so much for emphasis or importance as for truth. Note how Vicars proved wills in those days.