Death by Poison Covered Up?

[jorose]

Couple of little bits:

Newton's will is in the NZ probate records (presumably because despite living in Australia he still had property in his name in NZ)
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3QS7-89ND-JCN4?i=3&cc=1865481
Irene Whitfield Oldbury was bequeathed outright the furniture, household belongings, plate and linen plus 500 pounds.
In addition, he left 12000 pounds into a trust to provide her with 300 pounds a year for the remainder of her life, and the right to occupy the house.

The use of a trust was possibly to ensure that the property went back to his descendants?

Anthony Ianson (l'Anson) arrived from England into Victoria in 1909:
https://prov.vic.gov.au/archive/42D2B4BF-F96C-11E9-AE98-7702640455C2?image=231

[sparrett]

That is very interesting Jorose.
I hope Happy Searcher is back soon to comment.

Over the last days I have put some time into trying to locate travel pathways and records for this runaway couple and whether or not the children went too. The 2 exnuptial chn seem not to be included in discussion.

I've not had huge success, but of interest the NZ newspapers kept up with the court in England proceedings on the matter.
Attached below some very  relevant snips regarding departures and whereabouts.

This NZ paper item adds to the picture
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/NZH19090312.2.92
 
It states that in 1905 Isaiah Oldbury handed his business over to his son, Arthur, due to family disagreements and divested property through deeds of gifts disposing of his assets  and property and kept only personal effects and cash.

Oldbury was about 63 years when the I'anson affair happened and had been married to Sarah Ann (nee Halford) since 1861. There had been children and prosperity.

Isaiah died in England in 1922 and the National Probate calendar gives an address of 53 Torrington Sq. Middlesex and assetes of 160 pounds to widow Sarah Ann.

She died in 1924 aged 86 W. Bromwich 6b/701. 
In 1911 Sarah Ann was separated from Isaiah who is registered to vote on the NZ elector’s roll in 1911.
In the 1911 census she is with a son-in-law and her daughter Emily Tonks and their family, and she is household head. The home is very large and I am guessing it is her marital home and she remains resident there.
Portland House, Wood Green Wednesbury. (I think it is a childcare centre now).

Her 1924 death notice states "at her home Wood Green"

Isaiah died in 1922 back in England but clearly not at the same address as Sarah Ann..

Anyhow, given the information in the NZ News clips, this is one possible shipping record.
It shows some  WHITFIELDs (a likely substitute name ) and OLDBURYs departng for Natal in  Oct 14th 1905. It is an Ancestry link. Can you see it?

https://www.ancestry.com.au/search/collections/2997/?name=+_oldbury&count=50&departure=1905-8&departure_x=0-0-0&name_x=1_1

I feel a little uncertain about it as the gender and titles and number of the  people do not add up to the runaway couple and 3 children


Clips

[jorose]

It doesn't help that a lot of the arrivals into NZ of the time would just have surnames with Mr/Mrs (ah, but which surname!)

It looks like "Empire Bridge, Chaney's" was the location of the farmland, which Isaiah Oldbury owned near Christchurch but was being sold up in 1908.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19080509.2.110.3?query=%22I+Oldbury%22

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19090306.2.64
 - 97 acres of farmland, plus also a house and land at Tuam Street, Linwood.

This may be the ad for Tuam Street. Oldbury is not named but owner is "leaving for england" and the timing goes along with the farmland being put up for sale.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19080512.2.71.3?query=%22Tuam+Street+Linwood%22

Additional records I can think of that might help would be:
1) land records that might show exactly when Isaiah Oldbury purchased property in NZ, giving a bounding for when they went in NZ and whether they might have stayed in South Africa for a short while.
2) school records, that might show when the kids (particularly Basil), joined and left school in NZ

[sparrett]

 

This may be the ad for Tuam Street. Oldbury is not named but owner is "leaving for england" and the timing goes along with the farmland being put up for sale.
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19080512.2.71.3?query=%22Tuam+Street+Linwood%22

 

Just building on those findings jorose, this item confirms the owner by name and lists a mind- boggling selection of high-quality furniture

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19081104.2.52.3?items_per_page=10&query=++empire+bridge+oldbury&snippet=true

Seems to be no shortage of funds.

Sue

[mckha489]

And a stuffed albatross. Imagine how much room that took up!

[sparrett]

And how disgusting it looked

[Happy Searcher]

Good morning, 
Sorry to have been away for a few days over Christmas.  Sincere thanks to Jorose for the will information regarding Irene.  She lived on for a further six years after Newton's death and was clearly well provided for.  I am sure your theory about the Trust is correct - keep the funds in the family!
I am indebted to Sparrett for the painstaking research about the travel.  I know Isaiah Oldbury sometimes travelled as John Wilson and this is even the name on his death certificate!
One definitive date I have is when Basil Oldbury [I'Anson] was admitted to Phillpstown school - 3rd July 1905 - earlier than I'd supposed they'd be set up in NZ.
The reference to travelling under the name Whitfield is interesting as that is the maiden name of the eloping mother [Christiana].  Thanks again guys.  I will mark the topic complete.  Best wishes for 2024