Vol 3 - Lackham Countryside Centre

The Manor of Lackham Vol 3 : The Montagu family
Usk were related, or even if Eleanor Jones was sister to Mary and Sarah
is unknown, but it is an interesting possibility.
An Elizabeth Flower witnessed both Elizabeth 295 and James’ wills, and
she may be the daughter of Henry and Mary. Elizabeth Flower married
the very recently widowered William Hedges of Alderton in September
1734 296 . If the witness and the new wife are the same person this fits
as Elizabeth Flower would not have been Elizabeth Hedges until later in
the year after witnessing the will. The close connections between the
Montagus and the Flowers and the Montagus and the Hedges supports
the idea that it is this Elizabeth who married William Hedges after the
death of Elizabeth Hedges, nee Gore. There is a much stronger link
between the Montagus and the Hedges families however, see below.
At this time Lackham owned much of the land north of the River Avon to
the slopes of Naish Hill, from Rey Bridge to the Great West Road at
Derry Hill. James sold all the messuages and houses on the north side of
the land running from Reybridge to Nash Hill to Thomas Holbourn for
£88 in 1774 297 . Later that same month James assigned Lackham and
Bewley Farm House to James IV 298 .
James Montagu III of Lackham died in 1747. His son and heir, James
Montagu IV, was born in 1714 and married Eleanor, daughter and heiress
of the William Hedges seen above, in 1744, but she was a daughter of his
first marriage.
The Hedges were a wealthy family, Eleanor’s marriage portion was
£5,000 299 . It is interesting to note that the agreement between James
295 W&SHC 212b/3671 Will of Elizabeth Montagu nee Eyles dated 2 November 1741
296 Alderton Parish Registers 10 September 1744
297 W&SHC 212a/7 dated 3 rd April 1774
298 W&SHC 212a/7 abstract made for Sir John Lodge, assignment dated 20 th June
1774
299 W&SHC 212B /3676 Marriage agreement dated 19/30 July 1744.
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