The Ward-Boughton-Leigh family of Brownsover Hall are descended from the Boughtons who established themselves at Lawford Hall in the fifteenth century and came to hold much land in the Rugby area. They became entirely resident at Brownsover Hall in 1780 when Sir Edward Boughton 8th Baronet, caused Lawford Hall to be razed to the ground.

 

This extract from the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury relates to the will of James Laurens of Charlestown, South Carolina, a relative by marriage to Sir Egerton Leigh, 1st Baronet, (1733-1781). He left all of his slaves to his wife, with the exception of the female Satira who he declared free, 1784. [reference CR 162/577]