Details of the Case of Methuen V Davisson in 1716
15 Oct 1647 Davisons Conveyance to Ashe Henry Davisson, Grandson of the said John Davisson conveys unto John Ashe where the fishery claimed int al fishings, fishing places, Liberties of fishing with other general words as priveleges Royalties Liberties franchises with all other for the Lands wherein the daid Henry Davison had any Estate of Inheritance in the fishes of Freshford and Hinton.
1659 John Ashe died and left his estate to his wife for life and after to his son Edward by Will
1673 The Widow of John Ashe enjoyed the Estate till 1673
1674 One Odiarne married the widow of Edward Ashe and carried her and her daughter (by Edward Ashe) who was ye heiress to the Estate into France where they remained for several years, during which time no one looking after the Estate, John Davisson ,the husband of the Defendant used a boat upon the River to fetch Cloths from Aukley (Avoncliffe) Mill and by degrees claimed a right of fishery.
But note the Defendant pleads a right by the purchase of a ground from one Ford in which Deed there are general words, But Ford in his own purchase deed in 1621 has some general words (among which are ponds -fishing in Freshford, Wellow & Twinhoe- and tis supposed that if he had any fishing it was in Wellow & Twinhoe for that the fishery in Freshford did belong to the Priory of Hinton and by Queen Elizabeth was granted to Davisson under whom ye plainteiff claims by deed of purchase dated 2 May 1712 from John Martin & Mary his wife who was daughter of Edward Ashe was son by John Ashe the purchaser from the Davisons.
