The Records of the Court Leet and Surveys of the Manor

These records of the Court and Surveys of the Manor and its tenants, provide the names of many. Among them and between the years 1577-78, John fflon and John Flann appear several times. However with the accounts being in Latin and illegible handwriting the exact transactions could not be deciphered.

For example; Thomas fflon is listed as a juror, Filius John Flann is mentioned along with filia John Flann (son and daughter.) In the Court Book for 1580-81 Thomas was again a juror and John fflon and his children’s affairs were still being discussed. In a statement of accounts and expenses between 1607-26, a fflon with an unrecognizable Christian name paid the amount of two shillings and sixpence. It would seem therefore over this period the Flann family had substantial land holdings involving numerous transactions.

These names continue to recur in 17th century entries, eg, those of John, Robert, Thomas, Rabbige and Abell. In 1686 a John fflon was Deputy Constable and in 1689 Abell followed him, and in both 1690 and 1691 John was Collector of Rents. This indicates them to be men of some standing in the community.

A Survey of the Manor of Portland was made in 1650, following the beheading of Charles Stuart I, (King Charles I) in 1649, and this showed the following fflons at;

These details were extracted from a survey made by the Parliamentarians, following their rise to power in the struggle between the King and Parliament and also give some idea of the size of these individuals land holdings.