Real Estate Question - Leighton Buzzard.

[bedfordshire boy]

I don't agree that he didn't necessarily  own property, although I'd have thought that he would have given details of it in his will.

He didn't own land of more than an acre in area in 1873, but he could have owned a couple of tenements or the Bell and Woolpack. But it might be difficult to find details of what real estate he did own

David

[Motueka Margaret]

Thank you David for all your help. I wonder if he has made his Will like this- transferring to his Trustees - perhaps to avoid death duty?  Do you think he did own the Bell & Woolpack Inn?  Another thought the Solicitor in Leighton Buzzard who drew up the Will was Henry Pettit. You wouldn't know if any legal papers are filed at the Bedford Archives or any other suggestions?  Regards, Margaret.

[bedfordshire boy]

Hi Margaret

The arrangement wouldn't have avoided death duty. It looks to me as though it was a pretty standard arrangement to look after the widow and give her some income for the rest of her days, and upon her death the property was to be sold and the proceeds to go to their children. By giving her a life interest it prevented the kids from trying to lay their hands on the property during her lifetime. From the wording of the will it does sound as though it was commercial premises that were referred to, rather than the marital home.

I had checked on BLARS online catalogue but found nothing for the Bell & Woolpack, but it wouldn't hurt to send them an email asking if they had any deeds relating to the pub.

Regards

David

[Motueka Margaret]

Thanks David, I will try Blars. Regards, Margaret.