In 1615, during Norden’s survey of the Manor, the area that would later become the Oval was part of five enclosed plots covering 38 acres. These plots were bordered by the Common, a common watercourse known as Vauxhall Creek, and lands owned by individuals named John Groome, Edward Carpenter, and William Cockerham. Richard Salter held the lease for these plots, and they were occupied by John Hubbard at that time.

By 1636, the tenement was in the possession of Mrs. Marie Coxe, a widow, and by 1649, it was held by George Coxe. From around this period, these five plots collectively became known as the Forty Acres.

In 1667, John Morrice and Robert Clayton, lessees of a significant portion of the Manor, apparently constructed a brick wall on the Forty Acres for the purpose of cultivating fruit. The area continued to be leased for horticultural activities. William Malcolm, who held a sub-lease from 1758 for the section of the demesne that Clayton Street and Bowling Green Street now traverse, was obligated to provide, in addition to a monetary rent, "one hundred of Asparagus in the Month of January in every Year."

In 1776, William Clayton secured a private Act that authorised him to issue building leases. In the subsequent year, he obtained a lease from the Duchy, which was granted for an extended term of 99 years.

By 1785, the area formed by the five plots had been divided into three tenements. One was occupied by Malcolm, another by Thomas Ellis, who was the landlord of the Horns, and others, and the third by James and George Mitchelson. This last tenement encompassed the majority of the future Oval site and was described as consisting of six fields for meadow, pasture, and nursery purposes. It also included an old brick dwelling house, barn, stable, seed shop, and sheds.

In 1790, after the construction of the Oval roadway, the tenements were reconfigured. The Mitchelsons’ tenement now encompassed only the area within the Oval, which was mostly taken from their previous holding but also included a portion of Malcolm’s. A new lease for 64½ years was granted for this modified tenement. After John Archer acquired this lease, it was put up for auction in 1826 and purchased by the Reverend William Otter, who was the minister of St. Mark’s and later became the Bishop of Chichester.

In 1834, with the Clayton interest having lapsed, Otter received a head lease from the Duchy on January 8, 1835, for the nursery or garden ground. This lease had a term of 99 years, with determination based on the life of one individual, which was later extended to three lives.

Otter’s intention in acquiring the lease for the Oval was to establish a site for the minister’s house and, by developing the remaining land, create an endowment for the church living. This marked the inception of the building project at the Oval.

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Main source:	Survey of London | British History Online
	Further citations and sources