I have not done much with pre-19th Century records in England because most of my folks were not landowners, not tradesmen, and not will testator. Suddenly, however, I find I have an ancestor who had means. Now, I don't know where to go for more research!
I'm not looking for someone to do the research -- I need some recommendations on where to find records so I can ferret out the answers regarding acquisition and disposition of landholdings in Surrey and the final distribution of the estate. There was apparently a bankruptcy prior to 1804, and a subsequent
William Hunter died in the Islington Workhouse about 1840.
William
Hunter's will was executed 24 July 1804 and was probated 22 February 1805 by the PCC (NA Ref. PROB 11/1420/230). In the will, William Hunter described himself "of Fenchurch Street in the City of London Goldsmith." His legacies included
- to his nephew William Hunter, a copyhold estate in the parish of Wandsworth, Surrey, "which I hold of the Manor of Dunsford and late in the tenant? or occupation of Mr. Thomas Phillips gardener deceased and now of Mrs. Susanna Phillips his widow and which copyhold estate I have surrendered to this my last will and testament (to hold to my said nephew his heirs and assigns for ever according to the custom of the said Manor -- this phrase is subject to my mis-interpretation)
- to his two nieces Mary and Elizabeth Hunter the daughters of my brother Mr. Thomas Hunter all those? two freehold? messuages or tenaments? and premises? situate standing? and being in the town of Croydon in the county of Surrey aforesaid and now in the ___ or occupation of Mr. John Harris Surgeon to hold unto my said nieces their heirs and assigns forever...
- to his brother Thomas Hunter £500 ____ ___ Consolidated Bank Limited? part of a large ____ now standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England
- to his sister in law Mary Hunter wife of said brother Thomas Hunter £500 _____ Consolidated Bank annuities? ____ also? standing in my name in the books of the Governor and Company of the Bank of England and ____ ____ ____ that the____ shall not be subject or liable to the debts ____ ____ or ____ of ____ present (this section is difficult)
- to Elizabeth Wills (Mills?) alias Shutt? £20
- to Mrs Pittman daughter of the late Mrs Saml? Lloyd the sum of £20
- to Mrs Elizabeth Grafton (Crafton?) of Land? in the county of Surrey £20
- to his maid
- appears the remainder (difficult to read) to nephew William Hunter and nieces Mary and Elizabeth Hunter
He requested that he buried at "St. Gabriel Fenchurch as near as may be to the grave of my honoured parents." I have a listing of MI's of Hunters in that yard.
He nominated his brother,
Thomas Hunter, and nephew,
William Hunter to be Executors.
Witnesses appear to be ___ Thomas Bearbinder Lane, hilip Morshad, Rich
d Simpson his Clerk
Oath was given to William Hunter, nephew, but it appears Thomas Hunter, brother, did not apply to administer the will.
A marginal note states as follows:
On 13th January 1818. Admon with the will annexed of the Goods Chattels and Credits of William Hunter formerly of Lombard Street afterwards of Fenchurch Street but late of Gracechurch Street London deced (sic) left unadmin'd by William Hunter deced whilst living the nephew one of the Exers was granted to Mary Hunter and Elizabeth Hunter spinsters the nieces the surviving residuary legatees being first sworn duly to adminr Thomas Hunter the brother the other Exer died without having taken upon himself the Probate and Exon thereof.
