Amongst the legacies mentioned in wheelwright William Lebbell’s will of the 17th July, 1897, was the gift of all his stock, trade materials and effects to carpenter, James Reeder who was said to be in William’s service. Further, the will states that William Lebbell had already conveyed his dwellinghouse, premises and land to James Reeder….
Category: Wills
Three Sons-in-law with the name John!
Death of William Downes William Downes died on the 30th August, 1853 at the age of 79. He was buried in the churchyard at the Parish Church of St James a few days later on the 4th September. Just three weeks earlier, William had put his affairs in order. He signed his last Will and…
‘Stranger in Blood’
Extract from 28th January 1898 Inland Revenue Account of Succession to real or leasehold property completed by R W H Venn, Solicitor, Attleborough for the Executors of William Lebbell deceased The above extract from an Inland Revenue Account dated 28th January 1898, confirms that Hannah Saunders, a beneficiary of property under the Will of the…
The Porch at the Church of St James appointed as the place for the Payment of Legacies
In his will dated December 13th, 1779, yeoman Isaac Eke of Great Ellingham appointed the porch at the Parish Church of Great Ellingham to be the place for the payments to be made of the legacies which he mentions in his will. Widower Isaac Eke was buried in the churchyard at Great Ellingham on February…
Roger & Rebecca Turvey of Penhill Road
Roger Turvey died on April 28th, 1860 aged 80 years. He was buried in the churchyard of St James’s Church a few days later on the 4th May. Who was Roger Turvey? Was he a local man? The 1841 census captures Roger and Rebecca Turvey living in Great Ellingham. The census undertaken 10 years later…
1715: Will of Stephen Martin, Yeoman, of Great Ellingham
It is hard to imagine a time back history some three hundred years ago when Stephen Martin, a yeoman, of Great Ellingham signed his last will and testament. In the presence of witnesses John Turner, Anthony Porter and James Dawes, Stephen Martin signed the will on the 9th October 1715. In 1715, King George I…
Sarah Smith, Shopkeeper, of Great Ellingham dies in 1784
We may think it unusual today to see an item of clothing or bedding mentioned as a legacy in a will, unless, of course, it was of some sentimental value. However, in 1784 when Sarah Smith, a shopkeeper of Great Ellingham, made her will, it was not unsual for wearing apparel and household goods to…
Charles & Frances Thilthorpe survived only by their daughter Thomasin
Marriage and Children Charles Thilthorpe arrived in Great Ellingham with his wife Frances (neé Bunkall) sometime after their marriage in Watton on 11th October, 1772. Baptisms for at least eight children of Charles and Frances Thilthorpe appear in the Great Ellingham Parish Registers between 1774 and 1785. One entry confirms that Frances was formerly spinster…
Landed Proprietor William Mann of Great Ellingham
William Mann was buried in the churchyard at Great Ellingham on 31st August, 1869 aged 73 years Will & Codicil On reaching his mid-fifties, William Mann may well have thought it time to put his affairs in order. Accordingly he drew up his last Will and Testament (amounting to four pages) and executed this in…
Three Cottages in the street late called Churchgate Street
1897: Purchase of Three Cottages by James Houchen By an Indenture (property deed) dated 11th October, 1897 three cottages with gardens and grounds were conveyed to James Houchen of Great Ellingham. An earlier deed of 1874 and a later deed of 1920, described the cottages as being ‘in the street then or late called Churchgate…