A family story about a will

[Tricia_2]

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

[mckha489]

Can you post the census links for 1871 and 1881 for the family please.

[cath151]

Hi,
There is a newspaper account of an accident in April 1873 concerning Lord and Lady Coventry who were riding round Bredon Hill and Ashton under Hill. Lady Coventry was "severely shaken".
"assistance was at hand and Lady Coventry was speedily extricated from her perilous position".
No mention how or by whom unfortunately.
I would imagine riding falls were quite common in those days and she did seem to be with others as they were riding with the hunt.

Cathy
Added  ..probably not the incident you are looking for as Lady Coventry was "assisted to walk to a neighbouring house "(John Baldwins) and an hour later conveyed home to Croome in his lordships own carriage.

[willyam]

The account of Lady Coventry's accident in 1873 had a nice ring to it, in the context of the family anecdote, and other sources online suggest that she was a really nice person.

However, as Cathy has already sown the seeds of doubt, I regret having to advise that it was probably not that person, Lady Blanche Coventry, that David Neale aided so well.

This is because, whereas he died in 1883, Lady Blanche did not die until March 1930.

Willyam

[GrahamSimons]

The bequest wouldn't have gone to the Crown - it would have gone into her residuary estate and therefore to whoever of the beneficiaries was entitled to that.
Must say I don't quite understand the need to go to London - communication by post with locally-sworn affidavits would almost certainly have worked fine.
The death was probably after 1858 so would have been through the probate registry - working through all the possible Wills there would be a massive undertaking. The Death Duty Registers on FindMyPast might narrow things down a bit, by county and indirectly by wealth.
You might try local histories for the area to see if you can find mention of death of a member of the gentry that might fit.

[Tricia_2]

There is a newspaper account of an accident in April 1873 concerning Lord and Lady Coventry who were riding round Bredon Hill and Ashton under Hill. ....

I must admit, that does sound perfect. Shame it doesn't quite fit.
Thank you, Cathy

[Tricia_2]

The account of Lady Coventry's accident in 1873 had a nice ring to it ... Lady Blanche did not die until March 1930.

Thanks Willyam. Too good to be true

[Erato]

It sounds like one of those 'if grandpa hadn't sold the farm ...' stories to me.

[Tricia_2]

The bequest wouldn't have gone to the Crown - it would have gone into her residuary estate ... I don't quite understand the need to go to London ...

Yes, I thought that it wouldn't have gone to the crown in those circumstances.
And I wondered about the need to go to London.

That's the thing, really - my desire to work out what exactly haoppened - if that's possible.
Yes, checking the newspapers for deaths of rich people is a good idea. Thank you.