The following transcriptions relate to the Grange, formerly belonging to Halesowen Abbey and sold to the tenant in 1558. The present-day Grange is an 18th century house which was given in 1951 to the Walter Somers Employees Trust as a sports and social club.
25 June 1558 Lease for 1000 years at 12d per year W.R.O. 2422/19 i
1) Thomas Blunt Esq, George Tuckey Esq
2) John Ive of Halesowen yeoman
Consideration £125
All that their Mansion House situate and being near unto the Town of Halesowen aforesaid in the said County of Salop commonly called the Graunge with the appurtenances now in the tenure opr occupation of the said John Ive and all the houses tenements and buildings on the South side of the said Graunge and all meadows belonging unto the said graunge called the graunge meadows the close called the Ghryrot and one more called Longe More and a pasture called Nymmynge and one little close called the Pease Croft with one poole called the Poole with all and singular the appurtenances and also all and of tithes coming growing and recuring in and upon the premises before demised or any part thereof al, which premisses do lie in Halesowen aforesaid and be now in the tenure or occupation of the said John Ive
11 March 1612 Will William Lea of Halesowen
To be buried in the parish churchyard of Halesowen
20s to the repair of the church
Whereas I together with Joyce my wife stand and by due means of the law possessed of and in all that messuage and tenement with the appurtenances commonly called the Graunge wherein I do now dwell in Halesowen aforesaid and of and in diverse closes leasowes meadowes pastures feedings lands and hereditaments thereunto belonging and the tithes thereof arising and coming situate lying and being within the parish of Halesowen aforesaid by force and virtue of one indenture of lease thereof heretofore granted and made to John Ive deceased father of the said Joyce my wife by Thomas Blounte and George Tuckey Esquires for the term of ten hundred years otherwise called a thousand years And by other lawful conveyance thereof to us made (one meadow called the Over Meadow now into two parts divided parcel of the said lands and premisses excepted) my will and desire is that my said wife to whom the same Graunge landes and premisses thereto belonging (except before excepted) doth of right by virtue of the aforesaid lawful conveyance belong and appurtain after my decease As my full whole mind will and intent is that it should shall give leave and assure the same messuage and tenement called the Graunge together with the said crofts closes leasows meadows pastures feedings and premisses thereto belonging or therewith used as aforesais (except before excepted) to William Lea my second son and to his executors and assigns for and during all the residue of the said term of one thousand years as shall to comeand unexopired at the decease of the said Joyce my wife
son Thomas Lea pasture in Solihull called Sidnalls paying £6 p.a. "at my now messuage at Lee Green in Kings Norton"
son William Lea £30
Youngest son John lea messuage and tenement with the appurtenances wherein one Thomas Coley doth now dwell.