On Saturday, October 9, 2021 at 9:01:32 AM UTC-7, J. Sardina wrote:
> He seems to have fathered 3 other sons, according to A topographical history of
> Surrey, by E.W. Brayley assisted by J. Britton and E.W. Brayley, junior, published in
> 1841.
>
> On page 309, the author discussed Molesey, and mentions, apparently based on a
> document from 1359 that I can not find at the National Archives, that Sampson
> settled his various possessions among his four sons, and that an inquisition took
> place at that time.
Brayley is likely referring to this:
"Sampson de Matham to grant the manor of Molesey to Hamelin his son and the heirs of his body, with remainder to Sampson also his son and the heirs of his body, remainder to Geoffrey also his son and the heirs of his body, remainder to Thomas also his son and the heirs of his body, remainder to John also his son and the heirs of his body, remainder to himself and his heirs, reserving a life-rent of 40 marks yearly, retaining the manor of 'Eststede' in Sawbridgeworth."
https://books.google.com/books?id=If3fAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA504
This is coupled with the royal patent for the grant:
1 July 1358: "Licence, for 10 marks paid to the king by Hamelin son of Sampson de Matham, for the said Sampson to grant to the said Hamelin the manor of said Muleseye, which, with the exception of 50 acres of land, 3 acres of meadow, 60 acres of pasture, 37 acres of wood and 5s 9d of rent in the manor, is held of the king in chief, to hold of him and the heirs of his body, to wit the manor of the king and the premises excepted of the other chief lords of those fees by the services due, rendering to the grantor for his life 40 marks yearly, with reversion to the grantor and his heirs."
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.l0063137277&view=1up&seq=96
also perhaps of interest:
"525. JOHN DE MATHAM
Writ, 10 September, 7 Edward III. SURREY. Ing. 20 September, 7 Edward III.
Moleseye. The manor (extent given), held of the king in chief by service of finding in the king's army a mounted crossbowman for forty days at the said John's charges, and after the forty days at the king's charges, and rendering 8s. yearly at the feast of St. Michael at the king's exchequer, by the hands of the men of Kyngeston, and 38. to the said men.
Walter; his son, aged 30 years and more, is his next heir."
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101073590695&view=1up&seq=418
"563. WALTER SON OF JOHN DE MATHAM
Writ, 8 February, 8 Edward III. SURREY. Ing. 18 February, 8 Edward III.
Moleseye. The manor (extent given), held of the king in chief, by service of finding the king in his army, a mounted crossbowman for forty days at the said Walter's charges, and after the forty days at the king's charges, and rendering 8s. yearly at the feast of St. Michael at the king's exchequer by the hands of the men of Kyngeston, and 38. to the said men.
Samson; his brother, son of the said John, aged 29 years and more, is his next heir."
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101073590695&view=1up&seq=453
17 March 1334: "Order to William de Northo, escheator in the counties of Surrey, Sussex, Kent and Middlesex, to deliver to Sampson de Matham, brother and heir of Walter de Matham, tenant in chief, the lands late of his said brother, he having done homage; saving to Margery late the wife of Walter her dower."
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=njp.32101077283594&view=1up&seq=405
25 November 1379: "Licence, for 10 marks paid to the king by Hamelin son of Sampson de Matham; to enfeoff John Wantoft of London, fishmonger, John Ive, parson of St. Michael’s, Wodestrete, London, Richard Birchet of Temmes- ditton, the elder, Robert Symond, master of the hospital of St. Mary Magdalene, Kyngeston-upon-Thames, John Arnold of Muleseye and Geoffrey de Matham, of his manor of Muleseye, with sundry exceptions, held in chief, and for the said feoffees, after seisin had, to grant the same to the said Hamelin and Cicely his wife, and the heirs of the said Hamelin, in tail."
https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.39015009337620&view=1up&seq=423
taf