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The Common Room / A family story about a will
« on: Sunday 10 January 21 03:44 GMT (UK) »
Hi and happy new year 
I would be interested in your thoughts
I knew my great grandmother, even though she was born in 1869, and I remember her well. She died when I was six. (That's her, with me and my mum in the photo.)
Great grandmother Alice and her three younger siblings were orphaned when she was 13. Their mother died first, in 1879, and then their father, in 1883. They lived in a village on Bredon Hill, on the Gloucestershire / Worcestershire border.
Alice used to tell a story about the time her father was out working, going from one place to another with his cart, when he came across a lady out riding. She was alone and had had an accident. She was lying injured on the ground, having fallen from her horse.
My great great grandfather helped her, of course. I cannot remember the exact details but I think that he lifted her onto his cart and took her home to safety. Understandably, the lady was extremely grateful. She asked for his details and told him: "I shan't forget you, David Neale". It seems to have been clear that she was rich and of high status, but I have no idea who she was.
When she died, she left David Neale a bequest in her will. Apparently, it was quite generous and included land and a mill in Wales. In order to claim it, Alice's father was asked to go to London. This would have been a major journey for him at any time, but, at this particular time, his wife was dying and he would not leave her.
Many years later, when my father asked her for more information, she said that it was pointless trying to follow it up, as the bequest would have already been lost and gone to the crown.
I appreciate that the bequest has probably long gone, either to the crown or to her family members, but I would still like to know more about it.
Has anyone got any ideas where I might start, please? I know that many families have such legends, but Alice seemed to be fairly certain of its truth when she told my family about it.
I'm just seeking ideas, as I can't think where to look, or even what to look for.
I don't think it's possible to search for Will beneficiaries.
I don't know if it is correct to assume that any property would have reverted to the crown.
I don't know who might have owned so much, yet been out riding around Bredon Hill, in the mid 1800s.
Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any advice
I would be interested in your thoughts
I knew my great grandmother, even though she was born in 1869, and I remember her well. She died when I was six. (That's her, with me and my mum in the photo.)
Great grandmother Alice and her three younger siblings were orphaned when she was 13. Their mother died first, in 1879, and then their father, in 1883. They lived in a village on Bredon Hill, on the Gloucestershire / Worcestershire border.
Alice used to tell a story about the time her father was out working, going from one place to another with his cart, when he came across a lady out riding. She was alone and had had an accident. She was lying injured on the ground, having fallen from her horse.
My great great grandfather helped her, of course. I cannot remember the exact details but I think that he lifted her onto his cart and took her home to safety. Understandably, the lady was extremely grateful. She asked for his details and told him: "I shan't forget you, David Neale". It seems to have been clear that she was rich and of high status, but I have no idea who she was.
When she died, she left David Neale a bequest in her will. Apparently, it was quite generous and included land and a mill in Wales. In order to claim it, Alice's father was asked to go to London. This would have been a major journey for him at any time, but, at this particular time, his wife was dying and he would not leave her.
Many years later, when my father asked her for more information, she said that it was pointless trying to follow it up, as the bequest would have already been lost and gone to the crown.
I appreciate that the bequest has probably long gone, either to the crown or to her family members, but I would still like to know more about it.
Has anyone got any ideas where I might start, please? I know that many families have such legends, but Alice seemed to be fairly certain of its truth when she told my family about it.
I'm just seeking ideas, as I can't think where to look, or even what to look for.
I don't think it's possible to search for Will beneficiaries.
I don't know if it is correct to assume that any property would have reverted to the crown.
I don't know who might have owned so much, yet been out riding around Bredon Hill, in the mid 1800s.
Thanks for reading and thanks in advance for any advice
