will reported in newspaper

[chempat]

The will of Robert Mills who died in 1921 was reported in the newspapers, as was common to do at the time.
(I do not know why it says keep off the grass - the heading of the column is "Mail - Mustard and Cress")
If he was worth £96,000 and she was given £12,000 a year during widowhood, did he expect her to marry or die fairly shortly, or just assume that his heir/son would make up the difference?  He was about 70 and she about 45.
She did move to a slightly smaller house, but difficult to know whether she was renting or owning and there was also a London house around.

Thanks for any explanations.

[BumbleB]

You could apply for a copy of the will - cost £1.50 - his name is listed as Robert Henry Davis Mills.

https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate

[chempat]

I could but I was assuming that the newspaper would have already read it and that was their understanding of what it said.  You think that the extra details would specify where the money would come from? What if it doesn't?  I have already bought 2 books this week - Tales of the Raj (Allen), and History of Romsey Abbey (Luce). Does the expenditure never end?  My Easter Treat?

[chempat]

Done.  Will update when received.

[BumbleB]

Good!

[still_looking]

Regarding 'keep off the grass', a reference to a grass widow maybe?

https://blog.oup.com/2009/02/grasswidows/

S_L

[chempat]

Thank-you - had not thought of it like that.  1920's newspaper humour frequently mystifies me, or goes over my head.

[BumbleB]

The 1911 census entry is quite interesting.  8 servants, and he was a Calico Printer in France.

[melba_schmelba]

Regarding 'keep off the grass', a reference to a grass widow maybe?

https://blog.oup.com/2009/02/grasswidows/

S_L

I assume the logic is, £12000 a year was a rather huge sum of money back then, at a minimum £631,900 but practically several million a year. So, I think the Mail was saying suitors should keep away and not encourage her to marry, or she'd lose her fortune !