It
was stated on the website
Exploring Surrey’s History that the building that houses Godalming
Museum was a bakery for 370 years.
A document G1/31/6 at Surrey History Centre suggests that this was the
bakery run at one time by the middle Joshua Joyce in 1700. Godalming Museum
have since confirmed that Joshua indeed was the tenant and that there are deeds
dated 1641, 1670, 1742, 1778 which mention Joshua Joyce .
... All that Messuage, Tenement... ... situate and being
in the High Street of Godalming aforesaid, betweene the messuage of William
Smith Shopkeeper on the East pte whereof, and the Tenement Newergate in the
occupation of one John Woodier on the West pte thereof , and butteth on the
High Street of Godalming aforesaid towards the North and the tenement tenant
Markethouse there.
The Later Town Hall, known as the Pepperpot was built on the site of the
Markethouse. It is exactly in front of the Godalming Museum as described
above, and I have been in the museum. See
here
for a picture of the Markethouse.
The building was presumably two shops in the past, with the bakery at this
end. The Museum houses the Woods collection, an excellent resource for
Family Historians with Godalming ancestors. Also there is a framework
knitting machine (Godalming was one of the centres for this business), and a
Richard Stedman Tavern Clock (one of the Richard Stedmans had James Douglass
apprenticed to him). Note that the Library which house the research
facilities is open afternoons Tuesday to Saturday.
Timbers in the building have been dated to 1446, making the second oldest
building in the town after the parish church - at least as far as dating
made by this method.
Rear of the property
Go to Joyces page
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Full transcript of the lease below
Joshua Joyce Lease of the building 23rd December
1700 Surrey History Centre ref G1/31/6
This Indenture
Made the three and twentieth day of
December in the twelfth year of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord William the
Third, By the Grace of God. Betweene Thomas Jessey The Younger of Godalminge the
County of Surrey yeoman of the one parte And Joshua Joyce of Godalminge
aforesaid in the said County of Surrey Baker of the other parte.
Witnesseth that the
Said Thomas Jessey for and in consideration of the Summe of Twenty shillings of
Lawfull money of England to him before the sealing and delivery hereof in hand
part by the said Joshua Joyce The receipt whereof he the said Thomas Jessey
hereby confesseth and Acknowledgeth and therefore of every part and parcell doth
clearley acquitt, release, and forever discharge the said Joshua Joyce his
heires & Executors & Administrators & Assigns and every of them by these psents
hath bargained held and demised and by these psents doth bargaine sell and
demise unto the said Joshua Joyce his executors administrators & assigns All
that Messuage or Tenement Garden Orchard Watercourse Backside, Barnes,
Buildings, Outhouses, hereditaments & pmises whatsoever to the same belonging or
in any wise appteyning or ever used occupied or enjoyed with the same situate
and being in the high Street of Godalming aforesaid Betweene the Messuage of
William Smith Shopkeeper on the East pte whereof And the Tenement Newergate in
the Occupation of one John Woodier on the west part thereof, and Butteth on the
High Street of Godalming aforesaid towards the North and the tenemt Tenant
Markethouse there And now in the severall occupacõns of the said Thomas Jessey,
Joshua Joyce, William Smith and James Coster a glover or of heirs assigns. And
Allsoe all Outhouses, Edifices, Buildings woods Trees Commons Ways Waters
easements pfitts Comodities & appurtenances belonging or in any wise appteyning
And the the revercõns remainders & yearly & other rents issues & befitts of all
& singular the before mencõned Pmisses with the Appurtenances with the sum
Thomas Jessey the younger By Indenture of bargain & sale for a yeare bearing at
the thirtieth day of December in the 12th year of the raigne of
aforementioned Soveraine Lord King William III of England Anno dim 1691 and a
grant and release thereupone made by indenture bearing date the one and
thirtieth day of the month of December purchased of his Uncle Thomas Jessey The
Elder of Godalming aforesaid Baker to have and to hold. The said messuage or
tenement, garden, orchard, watercourse, Backside, Barnes, Buildings,
appurtenances, the revercõn and revercõns remainder and remainders therever and
of every pte and pcell there unto the said Joshua Joyce his heirs and assigns
and fully to compleat and end yealdinge and paying herefore unto the said
Thomas Jessey the younger his heirs assigns one pepper-corne only on or near
the feast day of St Thomas the apostle next end the date thereof if it shall be
lawfully demanded to the intent that by vertue of these psents and of the
statute made for transferring of use into psession the said Joshua Joyce may be
in the actuall possession of the aid messuage, tenement, garden, orchard,
watercourse, Backside, Barnes, buildings, hereditaments and other pmises and of
either of them with their and every of theire appurtenances and may be enabled a
grant and release of the revercõn and inheritance either of to be may Joshua
Joyce and of his heirs and assigns for ever in Witness whereof the pties first
above, together or interchangeably theire hands and seals have set dated the day
& year above written.
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