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Church Gifts

An ancient and uncomplicated method of legally transferring ownership of property or belongings on the Island of Portland was by means of a "Church Gift". This had to be transacted within the church, in the presence of two or more witnesses, it could not be revoked and the property being transferred could be passed to the recipient either permanently or for the duration of his life. In the example given below, a piece of land called "Hed Lons" [Headlands] is being given, by a number of joint owners, to John Cox (my 5th Great Grandfather). The original document appears to have been competently written by Henry Sansom - a quarryman (who is also a distant uncle), and all of the witnesses and signatories (apart from Ruth Chaddock who made her mark) wrote their own signatures. This appears to indicate that most people in late 18th Century Portland were relatively literate, This is certainly not the case for many other parishes in Dorset or beyond.

Example of A Church Gift - January 1793

Memerandem. That on the Fourteen Day of January In the Year of our Lord one Thousen Seven hundred and Ninety three 1793 I Henry Sansom Quarryman with my Wife Elizabeth & Henry Dryer Quarryman with my Wife Grace & Edw Glover Chaddock Fisherman with my Wife Ruth & Robert Kingston mariner with my Wife Ann and Henry Sansom again Authorise by the Virtue of a Power of attorney by Susanna Collings all of the Isle of Portland In the County of Dorset then Com Into the Parish Church of St George In the Said Isle of Portland and did then and there a Cording to a Anchent Custom time out of mind Freely Give unto our Friend John Cox of the Same place and County a foresaid Quarryman - one Yeard of Arable Land In East Field In a Furlong Called Hed Lons bounded with the Lands of the Heirs of Wm Pearce on the North part & John Rod on the South part there of this our Yeard of arable Land and All Roads Leading to the Same I Henry Sansom with my Wife Elizabeth & Henry Dryer With my Wife Grace & Edwd Glover Chaddock with my Wife Ruth & Robt Kingston with my wife Ann & Henry Sansom for Susanna Collings all before named do here by Freely Give unto John Cox Freely to him to give or to Sell to him or his heirs For Ever a Cording to the Custom of the Isle and manner of Portland and with the Yearly Rent of Three Farthings To the Lord In Chief of the Said manner and the Appurtenances there unto belonging and this being our Free Church Gift In Wittness where of we have hereunto Sett our hands & Seals the Day and Year Firs above Written-

Signed Sealed & Delivered
In the presence of us -
Tennents of the manner
of Portland
Jno Colllings
Zach White
Rich Lano

Henry Sansom [Seal]
Elizth Sansom[Seal]
Grace Dryer [Seal]
Edward Glover Chaddock [Seal]
The mark of X Ruth Chaddock [Seal]
Robert Kingston [Seal]
Ann Kingston [Seal]