A bit of a mystery...

[Jan1954]

Thanks Jeremy.

It reminds me of a record in the 1841 census. For ages I couldn't find Pharoah Smith (b 1837) but finally tracked down his parents (John and Elizabeth) in Ashdon, Essex. There was this unknown daughter recorded. Then I realised - it was Pharaoh but recorded as "Sarah".

I suppose with the flat Essex accent of the day the enumerator mis-heard! Bless...

You never know - you could now be in contact with one of Vincent Stuckey's "current" beneficiaries!

Thanks,

Jan

[Jan1954]

There is quite a write up in the Times about Vincent Stuckey's death, the head of the household in 1901 (where there is a possible Jane Milstead). He died January 20th 1902.

Bumblebee

So today I had the opportunity to visit the Probate Office in Holborn, where I managed to lay my hands on a copy of Vincent Stuckey's will.

After 16 pages of henceforths, aforementioneds and messuages etc, plus 2 codicils, I am no closer to solving this riddle.

He left everything (valued at £42,856 11/3d) to his wife and 2 daughters - no mention of any other bequests (apart from to the other executor).

According to FreeBMD, his wife Mary may have died in 1902 as well, but I didn't see a will record for her.

So, my next question is:

If his wife had decided just to pass on a goodwill "handout" to any staff, would it be "cash in hand" or would it have been likely to have been done properly i.e. through a solicitor?

If the latter, any clues as to how I might find out more information?

Thanks,

[Thomasin]

Here she is in 1881:-

RG11/807 Folio 63 Page 48
Elmwood, Coulsdon, Croydon

Mary Homer unm 43 Don Cook Kent Tinderden
Jane Milsted unm 39 Housemaid Kent Thorek?

This is definitely a transposition, Jan. FMP gives Thirsk as Jane's birthplace, but I have just looked for Mary Horner and she was born in Thirsk, Kent in 1839. Therefore Jane = Tenterden.

Thomasin

[Jan1954]

Thanks, Thomasin - you have just confirmed my suspicions!

[Browneyes]

If his wife had decided just to pass on a goodwill "handout" to any staff, would it be "cash in hand" or would it have been likely to have been done properly i.e. through a solicitor?

Shakespeare left his bed to Ann Hathaway......yeah I know, totally irrelevant.

Just a guess but if there were official Executors dealing with the matter they'd probably list everything. If not I suppose family members might have dealt with it on a more intimate basis.