John ALSTON Inn Holder [3130]

  General Notes:

"John Alston son of John Alston Jnr and Elizabeth his wife baptised 23 Jul 1682"
Edwardstone Parish Register.

Parts of this view of John Alstons pedigree are conjectural, was the description in the Parish Register of his father as John Alston Jnr an error, or was his father's father also John?

Was John's father John Alston [4449]
John was described as a singleman of Stoke on his marriage to Elizabeth Bond.

John was living 1754 aged 74. His Portrait endorsed "Mr John Alston of Nayland Inn Holder aged 74 Good Wretton 5 Oct 1738 Beeston Coyte 1754", was in the hall at Alston Court, in the custody of Mary Burn of Little Bealings 2000, now at Christchurch Mansion Ipswich (2004).

A John Alston and Sarah Holder were married at Groton 15 April 1723 and a Joseph Holder was present at the marriage of John Smith and Mary Alston (999) 15 Oct 1754.
Dr E L Fenn in 1898 conjectures that Martha Stock was mother to John Alston (943) born 1680, was John twice married?

Was this John Alston whose portrait was painted 1754 aged 74? the - John son of John Alston Jnr and Elizabeth his wife baptised 23 July 1682 Edwardstone. IGI & Edwardstone Parish Transcripts Alstoniana.

A John Alston snr of Edwardstone yeoman, and John Alston the younger of Stoke by Nayland, assigned to Samuel Alston of Edwardstone Maltster a messuage called "Snows". 27 July 1731, ref 391/6/2 transcribed below.

A John Alston of Edwardstone signed a bond for performance of covenants to James Firman of Stoke by Nayland, dated 17 Aug 1728. witness (Jam?) Vanderzee. Note of interest paid 7pds 10shillings 29 Sept 1729.

References to a John Alston in the locality:
1712 John Alston of Stoke m Elizabeth Bond at Polstead.
1713 John Alston bap Stoke son John & Elizabeth
1714 29 Mar John Alston appt overseer for Stoke Parish
1715 9 May John Alston final account for Overseer duties.
1722 Jno Alston leases land from Jno Culbert
1723 John Alston m Sarah Holder at Groton
1723 26 Dec John Alston appt Highway Surveyor for Stoke Parish
1723/24 18 Mar rates struck Stoke Parish John Alston present
1725 John Alston & Sarah a son at Edwardstone
1726 20 Sept John Alston signs a lease of farm Shadaloos on Gravel Hill in the Parish of Stoke by Nayland
1726 4 April John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1726 11 April John an Overseer in Stoke 1725/26 presents his accounts
1726 11 May John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1726 4 May John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1726 6 July Parish Meeting Stoke "John A to have Jacob Totpill at . . . . . "
1726 7 Oct John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1727 3 April John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1727 30 April Parish Meeting Stoke "Paid more to Mr Alston . . . . . 00-5-10d
1727 31 April John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1727 3 May John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1727 30 May John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1727 12 Sept John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1728 10 Jan John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1728 6 Mar John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1728 5 April John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1728 22 Apr John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1728 Martha Alston 75 husband of John of Edwardstone buried
1728 John Snr signs Obligations & Indentures ref 391
1729 7 Apr John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1729 18 May John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1730 30 Mar John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1730 26 Dec John nominated to serve as a surveyor in Stoke
1731 19 Apr Stoke John to still keep John Mills granted L10 etc. . . . .
1731 19 Apr Stoke To Mr Alston for pr stockings John Mills 1-6d
1731 8 July John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1731 27 Dec John nominated to serve as a surveyor in Stoke
1731 16th Sept. John Alston m Francis Matchet both of Stoke by Lic
1731/2 9th Jan John Alston buried Stoke
1732 10 Apr Stoke Parish paid John 10/-
1732 26 Dec John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1734 15 Apr John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1735 6 Apr John nominated to serve as an Overseer in Stoke
1735 John Alston of Bare (Bear) St, buys land in Nayland HA/541/1.60
1735 Dec John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1736 7 Apr John signs as attending a Parish Meeting in Stoke
1736 26 Apr John presents his Overseer's accounts
1736 12 May John Alston of Nayland yeoman and Thomas Warner of Sudbury butcher buy a butchers shop. Ref HA541/1/60 Bury
1739 John Alston Nayland borrows L900 ref 391/70
1737 11 Apr Stoke Parish pays John 1/-
1742 John Alston Snr buried Edwardstone
1742 An obligation was entered into by John Alston jnr surrendering the lease dated 20 Sept 1726 of Shadaloos and other lands in Stoke & Nayland in dispute with his Landlord Sir Jn Williams. HA541/3/5 Bury PRO. Shaddelows Farm is a short distance from Nayland up Gravel Hill, but in Stoke parish
1742 Sale by John Jnr heir of John Snr dec'd of Lands in Edwardston
20 May 1750 & 1756 pay tax on "The Cock" Burch St Nayland & Fen St.
(Brief History of Nayland - The Cock seems to have occupied more than one site in Birch/Bear St in the course of its history. One of these in the 17th C sold by the Nayland Feoffees in 1673 can possibly be identified with the present 3 or 7 Birch St, another was on the north side of Birch St away from the river)
1748 John "Utson" m Elizabeth Butcher Stoke
1754 John Alston portrait aged 74
7 Apr 1760 John Alston at the Cock pays Village tax
10 Oct 1760 The Cock empty
15 Jan 1761 John Alston Buried Nayland
8 Oct 1761 William Brookes pays Village tax for The Cock
(The freehold for The Cock was held by the Parish of Nayland.
Ref Abstract of Nayland Parish Deeds 424/1-10 Bury RO Pg 12)

NameJohn Alston
GenderMale
Burial Date15 Jan 1761
Burial PlaceSuffolk, England
GS Film number887385

1777 Records of Court Bills for the Manor of Nayland show an entry for an Alienation of land dated April 1777 " presenting Alienation from Jno Alston to Wm Briggs in trust for son C Briggs" paid 3/6d. Biggs was Lord of Nayland Manor. HA541/2/1/11 Bury PRO.
PCC Will John Elliston Feb 1742 Essex
John was a single man at his marriage. His second marriage is conjectural

  Research Notes:

Johns family links are unproven but as he was painted with Samuel & Thomas by Coyte it is not unreasonable to assume them to be brothers.

That John's parents are Samuel and Mary was suggested by Dr E L Fenn in 1898 but not accepted by Cresswell, or E L Fenn in 2001 who conjectures that the biblical christian names are more likely to have come down from Daniel and Margaret.

John sonne of Daniell Alstone & Margarett his wife baptised 4 Dec 1664 Edwardstone. IGI & Edwardstone Parish Transcripts Alstoniana.

Perhaps is described as Jnr in relation to John [164] the cousin?

A John Allston was born 1666 Newton IGI no parents detailed but a wife shown Elizabeth Harris.
A John Alston was taxed on 3 hearths at Great Waldingfield in 1674
John Alston snr is named in an Indenture dated 1728 Ref 391 Corry Papers unlisted & unnumbered, and a mortgage to a James Firman of Stoke dated 1728.
An Indenture dated 1731 records land dealings with John Alston Snr & Jnr Ref 391/6.2 and 391 Corry papers unlisted unnumbered.
Between 1678-80 John Alston was a Church warden at Edwardstone.
Edwardstone 1710 Poll Book John Alston voted for Parker.
Edwardstone 1710 Lease Annabells Wood & Priory Down etc
Edwardstone 1731 land dealings John Snr & Jnr
Edwardstone 1742 a John Alston is buried
Edwardstone 1742 sale of lands & houses owned John Snr by heir John Jnr - Corry papers.
A John Alston died 1 Feb 1731/32 at Stoke by Nayland

On the 3 April 1739 John Alston of Nayland yeoman bound to a loan of 900pds from Thomas Grimwood. Alston's signature is over a seal in very good condition. The document is stamped with 3 6d stamps and a 10p stamp. Ref 391/70 Bury St Edmunds PRO.

Stoke by Nayland Parish Accounts 1697 - 1739.
John Alston (whose signature matches a John Alston of Nayland who signed a bond to Thomas Grimwood for L.900 the 3 Apr 1739) attended Stoke Parish meetings on the following dates as evidenced by his signature.
1726 4 Apr 1726, 11 May 1726, 24 May 1726, 8 Jun 1726, 6 Jul 1726, 7 Oct 1726.
1736
7 Apr 1736, 26 Apr 1736
Minuted meeting 26 Apr 1736 "At a Parish Meeting held the 26th day of Apr 1736 . . . . . Mr John Alston . . . . . Overseers for ye year past have pafsed their accts as follows.
Mr John Alston by rates L.32/14/8
Dispursed L.28/ 2/ 7
Remains in his hand L. 4/12/1

Pd John Wilsher L.3/0/0
Pd Saml Fenning for ye widoe . . . . . rent L.1/5/0
Pd ye . . . . . Taylor 0/11
Pd to Jonah Cole 6/2
Which closed his Accts L.4/12/1
1737
11 Apr 1737
Bury RO Ref. FB80/A1/2

Bury St Edmunds Quarter Sessions
21 Jan 1711/12
Samuel Alston & John Alston - Being indicted for Petty Larceny and whipt in Open Court are to be discharged paying their food being 6/4d each.
On file 2003

A John Alston was buried Polstead 6 May 1713.

  Other Records

1. Parish Book Entries: Involving John Alston Yeoman, 1714-1723, Stoke By Nayland SFK.
For a period of more than 23 years John Alston was active in the affairs of the Stoke by Nayland Parish, including being a Parish Highway Surveyor at least, 1723 1730 & 1732 and a Parish Overseer at least twice, 1714 & 1735.

These entries give a fascinating glimpse of how an English 18th C Parish was organised by its Parishioners. They filled key administrative roles annually, Churchwardens, Sidesmen, Overseers, Surveyors etc, unpaid, but for expenses. Responsible for collecting rates & taxes they disbursed them for the relief of the poor and the young, placing apprentices, roading, bridges, the fabric of the church etc.

29 March 1714 at a Parish Meeting John Alston is elected a Parish Overseer with two others. The overseers for the previous year presented their accounts of receipts from rates etc and disbursements, 12 persons signed that they attended.

9 May 1715 John's accounts are revised, 1s 11d remains in his hands.

26 Dec 1723 John is appointed a Highway Surveyor with Mrs Death and Thomas Mole.

18 Mar 1723/4 John attends a meeting where the rates for Stoke Parish are struck, 7 persons signed as being present.

2. John Alston: Indenture with John Culbert, 12 Mar 1721/22.
Indenture dated 12 Mar 1722 Between Jno Culbert of ye one part and Jno Alston of the other part, whereby Culbert demised ye Leys 8 acres & ye great Gow to Alston his Execs & Admis from Michas then next fall? for 8 years At & under ye rent of L.23.18.4 payable halfyearly 10% a provisoe to determine if the rent unpaid 10 days:
a Covent to pay ye rent halfyearly & each? halfyear at Midsummer next before the end afsd term
To lay out & provide for yearly 15 loads of good rotten muck
to maintain & leave gate flits?, posts, carry pales & rails & ye hedges ditches & forests
To take only 2 crops & a . . . . . land of 8 acres & gowes? Except turnips: nor yett of ye Lyes, except to lay it down with clover & lett it lye for pasture . . . . . year The Landlord to allow rough timber
Libty for Tent to pull down ye wis? between Leys
Bury R.O. HA541/1/53

3. Parish Book Entries: Involving John Alston Yeoman, 1725-1726, Stoke By Nayland SFK.
About 1726 John Alston took up the lease of Shadaloos Farm on Gravel Hill, Stoke by Nayland Parish.

Minutes Parish Meeting 11 Apr 1726 "At the same meeting Mr John Alston . . . . . O'seers for ye years past have pafs'd their accounts as follows.
Mr John Alston rec'd by rates L.51/17/3^1/4
Difbursed L.48/ 3/ 2
Due from him to ye town L. 3/14/1^1/4
Less
Lost money in John Alston 1/6
Paid Goody Holbrough 5/0
Paid Lugless rent 10/0
Paid for signing of rate
and for ye Warranty . . . . . 2/6
By Lowe's Bill 9/0
By ac Widow Miles 0/10 L.1/8/10

Remains in Mr Alston's hands L.2/5/3^1/4
Mr Alston paid to Robt Crane for Arthur L.1/9/0
Still in Mr Alston's hand 16/3

1726
Minutes Parish Meeting 6 Jul 1726 "that Mr Alston shall have James Tospill at Exning?"

Ref: Bury RO Ref. FB80/A1/2

4. Parish Book Entries: Involving John Alston Yeoman, 1726-1728, Stoke By Nayland SFK. Minutes Parish Meeting May 1727 "Paid more to Mr Alston as loft money re his rate 5/10d

Attendance at various meetings between 7 Oct 1726 and 22 April 1728

Ref: Bury RO Ref. FB80/A1/2

5. Parish Book Entries: Involving John Alston Yeoman, 1728-1731, Stoke By Nayland SFK. Minutes Parish Meeting 30 March 1730 "ye boy John Mills be promised of sufficient necessaries Mr Alfton having agreed to keep John Mills to easter next.

Minutes Parish Meeting 26 Dec 1730. John Alston nominated to serve as a Highway Surveyor for the ensuing year.

Minutes Parish Meeting 19 Apr 1731. Alfo John Mills keep Still with Mr Alfton who is to have 10/-? to find him cloaths keep him till Easter ye boy to have a pair of shoofe at ye charge of ye Parish

Ref: Bury RO Ref. FB80/A1/2

6. Parish Book Entries: Involving John Alston Yeoman, 1731-1732, Stoke By Nayland SFK. Minutes Parish Meeting 19 Apr 1731. To Mr Alfton for a pair of stockins for Jn Mills 1/6.

Minutes Parish Meeting 27 Dec 1731. John Alston nominated to serve as a Surveyor for the ensuing year.

Minutes Parish Meeting of 10 Apr 1732. To John Mills at Mr Alftons by agreement of ye Parish 5/-.

Ref: Bury RO Ref. FB80/A1/2

7. Agreement between John Alston the Elder & the Younger, 27 Jul 1731, Stoke By Nayland SFK.
Articles of Agreement here made and concluded upon this 27th Day of July Anno Dui 1731
BETWEEN John Alston the Elder of Edwardstone in the County of Suffolk Yeoman and John Alston the younger of Stoke near Nayland in the said County Yeoman of the one part and Samuel Alston of Edwardstone aforesaid Maltster of the other part
WHEREAS by Articles of Agreement bearing the date the first day of September Anno Dui 1730 made between him the said John Alston the Elder of the one part and the said Samuel Alston of the other part he the said John Alston the Elder did demise and to lease [?] lett unto the said Samuel Alston all those two Messuages or Tenements with all and singular the houses and outhouses buildings barley stables gardens orchards fruit trees ways ponds waters paths passages tenure [?] & right of common thereunto belonging AND also all those three closes and fields of arable land thereunto near adjoining containing by estimation six acres be the same more or less AND also all that meadow or pasture ground containing by estimation five acres be the same more or less AND also all that close or field of arable land containing by estimation seven acres called Grovefield or otherwise with the appurtances AND all that field commonly called Thornfield containing by estimation six acres by the same more or less As all and singular the same premises late were in the tenure or occupation of the said John Alston the Elder or his Assigns and are situate lying and being in Edwardstone aforesaid To hold the same Premises to him the said Samuel Alston his Executors and Administrators from the feast of St Michael the Arch Angel thou last passed for the Term of 31 years from (as therein is promised - struck out) from thence forth [?] ensuing at & under the yearly rent of eighteen pounds payable as herein is mentioned AND whereas all & every the same premises are by assignment of certain mortgages passed down to and vested in the said Samuel Alston for the remainder of two & several [?] Terms of five hundred years and one thousand years for securing payment to the said Samuel Alston his Executors and Administrators or Assigns of four hundred and fifty pounds and interest for the same now it is agreed by and between the said parties and the said Samuel Alston for himself his Executors and Administrators & Assigns doth by these presents covenant and agree to and with the said John Alston the Older and John Alston the younger or either of them their or either of their heirs ExEcutors Administrators or Assigns that if the said John Alston the Older and John Alston the younger or either of them their or either of their Heirs Executors Administrators or Assigns do and shall pay off and discharge the aforesaid sum of four hundred and fifty pounds and interest to grow [?] due for the same and also to Francis Green of Preston twenty pounds and to Mary Kirks widow fourteen pounds and interest within the space of four years next ensuing the date hereof then the aforesaid Lease shall be void and of nowe effect from and after one years end after the said four years shall be expired otherwise to remain in full force for the remainder of the said term of one and thirty years.AND it is agreed that the said Samuel Alston shall accept and take the yearly rent and proffits of the premises in leiu of full satisfaction of the yearly interest to grow due on the said assignment of the said mortgages and he the said Samuel Alston his Executors Administrators or Assigns shall not nor will cut or cropp any of the trees growing on the premises within the said term of five years nor afterwards if the said principle money or sum of four hundred and fifty pounds and interest and the said money due to the said Frances Green and Mary Kirks with interest thereof and charges be fully paid off within the said term of four years next to come from the day of the date hereof in . . . . . whereof the said John Alston the Elder and John Alston the younger hereby covenant and agree and with the said Samuel Alston his Executors Administrators and Assigns maintain and keep all and singular the premises in good substance and condition of all sort of repairs from the day of the date hereof during the term of five years from there next ensuing.
Witness their hands and seals the day and year first herein written.
John Alston. John Alston Jnr.
Sam Alston signed and delivered in the presence of us R. Cole Henry Pyne this is a copy of the origional Articles of Agreement lodged in the hands of John Alston ye younger and was examined by us R Cole Henry Pyne. (in whose hand it is)
Ref. Bury RO 391/6/2 (2001)

8. Parish Book Entries: Involving John Alston Yeoman, 1732-1737, Stoke By Nayland SFK. Minuted Parish Meeting of 6 April 1735 "Officers chose for ye yr ensuing John Alston, Overseer."

Minutes Parish Meeting 26 Apr 1736 "At a Parish Meeting held the 26th day of Apr 1736 . . . . . Mr John Alston . . . . . Overseers for ye year past have pafsed their accts as follows.
Mr John Alston by rates L.32/14/8
Dispursed L.28/2/7
Remains in his hand L.4/12/1

Pd John Wilsher L.3/0/0
Pd Saml Fenning for ye widoe . . . . . rent L.1/5/0
Pd ye . . . . . Taylor 0/11
Pd to Jonah Cole 6/2
Which closed his Accts L.4/12/1
Ref: Bury RO Ref. FB80/A1/2

9. John Alston: Bond to Thomas Grimwood, 3 Apr 1739, Nayland.
BOND JOHN ALSTON AND THOMAS GRIMWOOD
Know all men by these presents that I John Alston of Nayland in the County of Suffolk Yeoman am held and firmly bound unto Thomas Grimwood of Dedham in the County of Essex Clerk in the sum of nine hundred pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to the said Thomas Grimwood or his Certain Attorney his Executors Administrators or Assignes To which payment well and truly to be made I bind myself my heirs Executors and Administrators firmly by these presents sealed by my seal dated the Third day of April in the Twelfth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and soforth. And in the year of our Lord one Thousand Seven Hundred and Thirty Nine.
THE CONDITION of the above obligation above written is such that if the above bounden John Alston his Heirs Executors Administrators or Assignes shall and do truly pay or cause to be paid unto the abovementioned Thomas Grimwood his Executors Administrators or Assignes the full sum of four hundred and seventy two pounds and ten shillings of lawful money of Great Britain at or in the note [?] dwelling house of the said Thomas Grimwood situated in Dedham aforesaid (that is to say) the sum of eleven pounds and five shillings part thereof on the 2nd [?] Friday [?] 7 [?] day of October next Ensuing the date of these presents and the sum of four hundred and sixty one pounds and five shillings residue thereof on the third day of April which shall be in the year of our Lord one thousand and forty without fraud? or further delay which said sum of four hundred and seventy two pounds and ten shillings is the same sum of four hundred and seventy two pounds and ten shillings provided and covenenanted to be paid by the said John Alston his Heirs Executors Administrators and Assignes to the said Thomas Grimwood his Executors Administrators and Assignes in and by a certain Indenture of Assignement of Mortgage of three parts bearing even date with these presents and made or were caused to be made between Thomas Goodall of Boxted in the County of Essex Gentleman of the first part the said John Alston of the second part and the said Thomas Grimwood of the third part AND FURTHER if the said John Alston his Heirs Executors Administrators shall at all times hereafter well and truely perform observe and fulfill accomplish pay and keep all and singular the Covenants Grants Clauses Articles Payments Provisions Conditons and Agreements in the said Indenture mentoned and contained which on the part and behalf of the said John Alston his Heirs Executors and Administrators are or ought to be Observed Performed Fulfilled Paid Accomplished and kept According to the true intentioned meaning of the said Indenture That then this present obligation to be void or cease to be and remain in full force power and virtue.
Sealed and delivered (being first duly stampt) in the presence of us: John Alston (seal)
John Bullen Rich Frost.
Ref; Bury St Edmunds Public Records Office 391/70

10. Obligation from John Alston to Sr Jno Williams, 1742, Stoke By Nayland SFK.
Obligation from John Alston to Sir Jno Williams
John Alston agrees with Sir John Williams to pay the cost of a court case and surrender his lease of "Shadloes" farmland in Stoke by Nayland: OBLIGATION - from John Alston to Sir Jno Williams
Copy of a bond dated 1742 for payment of cost of suits and surrender of lease dated 20 Sept 1726 of farm lands and premises in Stoke by Nayland.
Whereas certain controversys and differences have for some time past arisen & subsided between the above named Sir Jno Williams and the above named John Alston concerning the said Alston withholding the possion of a certain farmlands and premises called Shadalooes & otherwise lying and being in Stoke next Nayland aforesaid & Nayland in the co of Suffolk from him the said Sir Jno Williams the landlord thereof and assisning over the same or part thereof without licence of said Sir Jno Williams and otherwise. AND WHEREAS in or about Michas Term last an Action was comenced in His Majestys Court of Common pleas at Westminster against the said Jno Alston at the suit of the said Sir Jno Williams and a declaration was ready for delivery therein but not delivered by reason of the uncertainty of some matters ("being concealed" and "unknown" is written, then struck out) which it was thought advisable first to get a discovery off. AND WHEREAS in or about the same time term a Bill was filed in His Majestys Court of Exchequor by the said Sir Jno Williams Compt against the said John Alston, John Moor Esq, and Plamplin Richardson Gent. Defts for the discovery of such matters and for such other purposes as are therein mentioned and the said John Alston being served with process of spa has put in his answer thereto & the said Jno Moor & Plamplin Richardson being also since served with process of spa the said Jno Moor has also sworn his answer in the same cause and it is expected that the said Plamplin Richardson will forthwith do the same. AND WHEREAS the said John Alston being desirous that the Action and the Suit or Suits aforesaid and all proceedings at law and in equity between the said Sir Jno Williams & him the said Jno Alston or on his account concerning any of the matters aforesaid may be finally ended hath agreed on or before the . . . . . (Date not entered on MS) . . . . . day of . . . . . next ensuing to pay unto the said Sir Jno Williams his Executors Administrators and Assigns all and singular the costs and charges which the said Sir Jno Williams hath expended or been put unto and which he shall expend or be put unto by reason or means of the Action or Suit or Suits at Law & Equity aforesaid or any ways concerning the same. AND ALSO well and truly to pay all such costs as at any time or times hereafter shall be legally due to or claimed by the said Jno Moor & Plamplin Richardson & either of them on dismissing the said Bill in the Exchequor & all other cost charges & expenses whatsoever which shall arise which he the said Sir Jno Williams may be put to by reason of the dismission thereof or by reason of any Cross Bill or any other Bill in Equity or Suit or Suits or Action whatsoever which shall or may be brought by him the said Jno Alston or by them the said Jno Moor & Plamplin Richardson or other of them of for touching or concerning any of the aforesaid differences matters or thing between the said Sir Jno Williams & Jno Alston & to indemnify the said Sir Jno Williams his Heirs Executors Administrators of from & against all expenses damages and demands on account of all or any of the matters aforesaid AND FURTHER in due form of law to surrender the Lease or Articles of Demise made from the said Sir Jno Williams to the said Jno Alston of the said farm lands and premises bearing date on or about the 20th day of Sept 1726 and to yield up the possession of the same farm lands and premises and of all other the lands and tenements in the said recited Articles contained unto the said Sir Jno Williams his Heirs or Assigns on or before the 29th Sept now next ensuing NOW THEREFORE THE CONDITION of this obligation is such that if the said Jno Alston his Exs etc shall and do well and truly pay all and every the costs charges and expenses above mentioned according to the true intent and meaning hereof AND shall and do from time to time and at all times hereafter well and sufficiently save harmless and keep indemnified the said Sir Jno Williams his Heirs etc and his and their goods and chattles lands and tenements of from and against all and all manner of damages costs charges and expenses whatsoever by reason or means of the commencing prosecuting and or staying the action and Suit or Suits at Law and Equity aforesaid and of and from all charges damages and expenses which have arisen or may arise by reason of any of the matters abovementioned and do and shall on or before the 29th day of Sept next surrender the said farm lands and premises and the aforesaid Articles of Demise thereof unto him the said Sir Jno Williams his Heirs etc without any allowance to be made to him the said Jno Alston his Exc's etc for the same AND shall observe perform fulfill accomplish and keep all and every the payments and agreements aforesaid in all things according to the true intent and meaning hereof
Ref: Bury St Edmonds Public Records Office HA541/3/5
Does this action suggest that John Alston was a somewhat difficult man to deal with ?

HA 108/2/12
1743 - 1746
Messuage and farm called Shardelowes als Sharlows with 105a 3r of land and pasture and 11a of meadow, with Hide and Maidfields cont 44a with barn in Stoke by Nayland, 4 fields called Gores, Gore Close, and Little Farthing cont 18a in Stoke by Nayland, Nayland and Wissington, Little Gore close of 4a with adjacent Ganfish Marsh cont la in Wissington, Holland als Scarlets als Reevesfield, messuage and 2 crofts with 4a site of a windmill in Stoke by Nayland, messuage called the House at the Hill in Nayland, wood called Sad Feen wood of 8a in Polstead and all other property devised to the sons of Sir John Williams in Polstead, Hadleigh, Boxford, Wissington, Nayland and Stoke by Nayland.

11. John Alston Jnr: Publican of the Cock Nayland, 1750.
Documents relating to the Cock in Bear St Nayland owned by Nayland Town lands.
Note Page 17, item 17 (enlarged to the rtight) records John Alston's occupation of the tenement called the "Sign of the Cock" in Bear St.

12. Tithe Payers (part) Nayland Village, 20 May 1750.
Note John Alston at The Cock Burch St.
Also other family members in the village.
Bury RO HA541/2/5/3

John married Elizabeth BOND of Edwardstone [4619] [MRIN: 271] on 10 Apr 1712 in Polstead SFK. (Elizabeth BOND of Edwardstone [4619] was buried on 18 May 1731 in Stoke By Nayland SFK.)

John next married Frances MATCHETT [5272] [MRIN: 1874] on 16 Sep 1731 in Stoke By Nayland SFK by Lic Arch. Sudbury.