Will of William Henry French of Winslow and Ashford, 1899

Principal Probate Registry

BE IT KNOWN, that William Henry French formerly of Ashford in the County of Kent died on the 25th day of September 1899, at Ashford aforesaid,

AND BE IT FURTHER KNOWN that at the date hereunder written the last Will and Testament of the said deceased was proved and registered in the Principal Probate Registry of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice and that Administration of all the estate which by law devolves to and vests in the personal representative of the said deceased was granted by the aforesaid Court to Henry Lewin French of Felixstowe in the County of Suffolk Grocer the Son and Sarah Jane French of Ashford aforesaid Widow the Relict of deceased and William Anders Adams of Ashford aforesaid Solicitor’s Clerk the Executors named in the said Will
Dated the 2nd  day of November December 1899
Gross value of Estate                     £4,652 -14 - 10
Net value of Personal Estate       £351 - 12 - 11

THIS IS MY LAST WILL & TESTAMENT I revoke all former wills I appoint as my EXORS my son Henry Lewin French my wife Sarah Jane French & my friend Willm A Adams of Ashford Kent Law Clerk I bequeath £20 Twenty pounds each to my  exors & to my wife Rose Cottage Twyford nr Buckingham wh [sic] the plot of land adjoining thereto absolutely & also all & sundry the household goods & chattels now in Oak Villa Ashford I direct my exors to apply the residue of my estate at their entire discretion both as to principal & interest to the maintenance of a home in the first instance by my widow for herself during her life or widowhood whichever first may determine for our son Edgar Hubert during his infancy also for my daughter Mary Edith French for her life & after that said end has been in any way sufficiently served then my residuary estate is to be applied in such way and manner as my exors may see to be most fit & suitable for the benefit of my three children Carrie Wigley French Elsie Margaret French & Henry Lewin French all of my first wife should my widow remarry she is to receive in addition to her other bequests £200 Two hundred pounds in full quittance of my estate & I hope that she will bequeath all the means of which she may die possessed to our son Edgar Hubert dated this 19th day of January 1899 – WM HY FRENCH –
Signed by the said Testator Wm Hy French as & for his last will & testament in the presence of us both present together who in his & each others presence have hereunto subscribed our names as witnessess - F HUGHES HALLETT – J TURNER WELLDON

ON the 4th day of December 1899 probate of this will was granted to Henry Lewin French Sarah Jane French and William Anders Adams the Executors.

Notes

W.H. French died in Ashford aged 57, but he had been a prominent figure in Winslow for most of his life. He was born in 1842, the eldest son of Joshua Lewin French and his wife Martha, nee Perkins, and grandson of William French of Buckingham. The family business was grocery and ironmongery. His father remained at 1 Horn Street as a grocer, his brother (also Joshua Lewin French) moved to Ashford in Kent, and W.H. French in 1869 bought the property which became 3 Market Square and rebuilt it as an ironmonger's shop. W.H. French was the leading figure in the Liberals' 1885 general election campaign in North Bucks, which also involved him in disputes with the Neals of The Bell and with the vicar. Among his many enterprises, he was probably the first person to popularise and sell bicycles in Winslow:

1877: Buckingham Express, 12 May
WINSLOW
  BICYCLING.- On Tuesday, May 1, Mr. W. H. French, Ironmonger, of this town, rode to Holborn Viaduct, London, and after transacting business, rode back to his home the same evening, a distance of 104 miles.
1877: Leighton Buzzard Observer, 19 June
BICYCLES !  BICYCLES !  BICYCLES !
W. H. FRENCH, IRONMONGER, WINSLOW.
HAS a GOOD STOCK always on hand, to choose from, of every size, from that of a child five years of age, to a man of six feet.  Purchase on hire system.  Instruction gratis to purchasers.
  SURPLUS STOCK OF FIVE BICYCLES, VALUED at £35, to be disposed of next Month on most advantageous terms.
  Particulars may be had of Mr. Porter, Saddler, Leighton Buzzard, of whom also tickets may be obtained for Drawing by ballot at 2s. 6d. each, or of W. H. French, Winslow.

In 1887 he leased the land at Steeple Claydon which became the Claydon Brotherhood Farm, putting into practice the Liberal policy of setting up labourers as smallholders, but it led to a quarrel with the Liberal organisers and a "passionate denunciation" by Silvanus Jones (Buckingham Advertiser, 24 Nov 1888). He sold his ironmonger's shop in 1889 to his assistant George Hurlstone, and his grocer's shop at 1 Horn Street to E.A. Illing. In 1891 he was living in Horn Street at the house he called Ye Olde Tanyard (now Sunnyside).

W.H. French ironmonger's letterhead

In 1865 W.H. French married Caroline Wigley, sister of the auctioneer George Wigley. They were prominent members of the Congregational Church. Their children who survived infancy were:

Caroline died on 18 July 1886, as reported by the Buckingham Advertiser (31 July):

THROUGH the death of Mrs. William Henry French, who passed away on Sunday, July 18th, the Congregationalists of this town as well as a large circle of immediate relations, experience a severe loss.  Always earnest and active in co-operating in any good work on behalf of the cause with which she had been connected all her days - fertile in suggestion, and with cheerful and encouraging words for those engaged in the same work.  The news of her being taken seriously ill was sufficient to cast a gloom over the soiree on behalf of the building fund, which took place at Easter, and this feeling was intensely deepened by the painful tidings of her decease, which reached Winslow on the Monday morning.  The large number of the general public, as well as friends, who attended the funeral on Friday last, as well as the closed shutters in many parts of the town, abundantly evidenced not only the respect in which the deceased was held, but also the sympathy which was felt for Mr. French and family in their bereavement.  The chapel was completely filled with a hushed congregation who reverently joined in singing her favourite hymn-
                                    “I heard the voice of Jesus say
                                    Come unto Me and rest”-
and then followed the melancholy procession to the parish graveyard, where the last sad look was taken at the coffin.  When the numerous floral offerings of sympathising friends were removed the inscription, “Caroline French, born November 26th, 1839; died July 18th, 1886,” came into view.  On both occasions the musical service was feelingly rendered by Mr. Day, who played in sympathetic and softened tones the tune “Vox dilecti” at the funeral service, and opened on Sunday morning with the sweet and reassuring strains of “I know that my Redeemer liveth.”  Many who can look back to a bright summer morning when children of the Independent Sunday School strewed flowers on the bridal path of the deceased, will recall with interest the fact that had she lived two more days she would have reached her 21st wedding day.

W.H. French got married again in London in 1895 to Sarah Jane George, born at Twyford in 1871, who was his housemaid in the 1891 census. Their son Edgar Hubert French was born at Ashford in 1897. Sarah was keeping a boarding house at Ashford in 1901.

1897: Bucks Herald, 13 March
  Mr. W. H. French, of Winslow, who was the tenant of the Liberal Brotherhood Farm at Claydon, and Mr. Tom Grace, the caretaker of the same while the Liberal Brotherhood was in existence - both of whom have since left the neighbourhood and been in business together at Dover - have been settling some differences which arose between them in a court of law, with the result that Mr. W. H. French has had to pay £50 and costs.

W.H. French's death was reported in the Buckingham Express:

DEATH OF MR. W. H. FRENCH. – One of Winslow’s former public men, Mr. William Henry French, of the Old Tanyard, passed away on Monday.  Mr. French was at one time known all over North Bucks as the president of the Liberal Brotherhood, and was a very ardent politician, but in later years his views became changed and he took little or no part in politics or local matters either. For a number of years he was in business in the Market-square as an ironmonger and took then a very great interest in the fire brigade of which he was a very energetic captain.  On retiring he went to the Old Tanyard to live and then was more or less away at Ashford and Felixstowe. He had considerable property in Winslow, Adstock, Padbury and Grandborough, some of which he disposed of by auction last June.

W.H. French had extensive property in Winslow but was in financial difficulties when he died. His executors were pursued in Chancery by his creditors and he was trying to arrange the sale of his property with his brother-in-law George Wigley (see CBS, D/WIG/2/7/1899/11), including The Old Tanyard for which he still owed the £600 he had paid for it, 2 Horn Street (The Booteries) and 5 Market Square.

Before he made his actual will, French produced this very strange draft will which was preserved by George Wigley with the papers about the property sale (CBS, D/WIG/2/7/1902/22).

Unsigned draft will of William Henry French

This is my last Will & Testament written on 2 sheets. I revoke all former Wills I appoint as my Executors my Son Henry Lewin French my Cousin \Mr/ George Watson French & Mr M. A. Adams of Ashford Solicitors Clerk. I bequeath to each of these my 3 Executors £10 in some acknowledgement of their trouble. I bequeath to my Wife Sarah Jane my freehold house in Radnor Bridge Road Folkestone also Rose Cottage Twyford Bucks with the land adjoining the latter absolutely  I bequeath to my said Wife absolutely all the household furniture & properties of a personal kind now in Oak Villa 37 Kent Avenue Ashford.  I bequeath to my Sister in law Annie French now of Shelton near Stoke on Trent the stock in trade of the Glass & China Shop in new Rents Ashford known as Staffordshire House. I direct my Ex(ecut)ors to realize at their discretion all my estate in house & land in Buckinghamshire and in Kent & after paying my just & lawful debts & liabilities whether at Felixstowe or elsewhere to invest the residue for the joint benefit of my three Children under named.

The proceeds in rent or interest of my estate are to be equally divided annually for seven (7) years after my decease between my Son Henry Lewin & my Daughters Carrie Wigley & Elsie Margaret. My Son shall pay out of his Share for 7 years after my decease 21/- weekly to the maintenance of his Sister my second Daughter Mary Edith French  Seven years after my decease the unsold remainder of my estate shall be realized & divided equally among my three above named Son & two daughters & my Son shall out of his third share of my estate invest as much money for the benefit of his aforesaid Sister Mary Edith as will produce & yield to her maintenance 21/- weekly for her life

I have already given to my Son Henry Lewin considerable sums of money & I trust in his honor & his love & affection to all his Sisters that he will see them each & all free of want

The Trustees shall mortgage of such Bank doing such business such portions of my Real estate as may be most convenient as well as sufficient to secure the repayment of the loan in instalments of 6% per annum such instalments of 6% per annum to include & discharge both principal & interest in the course of the term provided by the actuarial Tables of the Bank.

All my Title Deeds not included in the above named mortgage are to be lodged with the same Bank for Safe custody only & the freeholds of those deeds the Trustees may sell should necessity arise or they may by arrangement with the Bank lodge these deeds in exchange for some more desirable to sell being held as security

The 3 Trustees named will take over from my Ex(ecut)ors my Estate thus mortgaged to the Bank & they will apply the rents of the said Estate to (1st) The payment of interest at the “Redemptive” rate of 6% per annum & then the balance is to be paid quarterly to my Widow throughout her life or Widowhood conditionally upon her giving residence & maintenance in her home to the application of one of my daughters i.e. to say firstly to Mary Edith French & should she not apply for it to Carrie Wigley French & should they neither apply for it then to Elsie Margaret French should they thus at any time or for any period request the same.  Upon Edgar Hubert reaching 16 (Sixteen) [written separately in left margin] years if not before I direct my Son Henry Lewin to be desired to do so as Managing Director of the Joint Stock business undertaking herein after provided to receive £100 on account of that Family Trust and to take Edgar Hubert as an apprentice to one or more of the trades carried on by the said Trusts hereinafter provided for 7 years or until Edgar Hubert is 21 years of age when he will be free to continue Service with the family trust or not as he may think fit

From the date of my decease until the redemption of Bk. Bk.  Mortgage The Felixstowe business is to be carried on by Henry Lewin \as/ a Joint Stock concern at such a salary as the business can sustain up to & not exceeding 10% on the cash taking & upon the redemption of the Estate by completion of the time payments

Whereas my Son Henry Lewin French of Felixstowe Ironmonger is possessed of No 101 High St Dover and freehold property in Padbury And whereas my daughter C.W. French is possessed of No 4 Farbrace Villas Ashford & whereas my daughter Elsie M French is possessed of Nos 1 & 2 Earlsworth Villas So: Willesbro: with a plot of land adjoining same & whereas the title deeds of the above properties are placed by way of security to London & Co: Bank Ashford & whereas the cash advanced thereupon is at use in the business of my Son aforesaid at Felixstowe to the amounts of £700 to the said H.L. French & £350 each to C.W. French & Elsie M. French & whereas I have bequeathed to \my/ said Son my real & personal Estate with remainders to his Estate in trust to be devoted absolutely to the conversion of the said business at Felixstowe all & singular into a co-operative Joint Stock Lim(ite)d L(iabili)ty Co(mpan)y the same to be constituted upon a basis of perpetual joint ownership & whereas I have bound my exors for ever bar all possibility of division or appropriation to individual use the property of the said Coy & whereas I desire my Son & ex(ecut)ors & trustees to be free to make such necessary modifications of the general plan as they find need for I have not included the hereinafter mentioned directions in my Will they are designed to show the plan which I am now setting in operation to attain the end I have in view

Name [written in left margin] The name to be Lewin French Limited  (Incorporated & registered under the  [extended blank space]  Act
(… on terms of Ch(ie)f Dir(ecto)r [written in left margin] The object to be the capitalization of the profits of the concern for the permanent consolidation & indefinite extension that employment may be assured to all the lineal & legitimate descendants of my Parents Joshua Lewin & Martha French late of Winslow Bucks as far as the said profits & the ensuing extensions of the business may furnish the possibility of
[a]nd so agree they may sell
[wh]hat benefit concern without individual profit or they may
ry trade of which sufficient members have knowledge [written in left margin]

The members of L.F. Ltd are to be of 4 kinds or orders being
1st Contributory members are those who in addition to their fully paid up membership of £200 have lent or advanced Capital to the Compy  Such members being A.H. French H. Lewin French C.W. French & Elsie M. French

  1. Contributory mem(ber)s
  2. Directing              d(itt)o
  3. Co-operative     do
  4. Probationary      do
  5. Cont(ributor)y mems

can bequeath or sell their interest in the concern under provisions of the constitution

Conty members may attend by proxy & vote so                                                [numeric list of membership kinds written in left margin]

These take interest whenever the means of same are acquired at the rate of 1% over the Bank of England rate in addition to the weekly wages they take for Services rendered
(The weekly wages of Conty & Directy members will at the outset have to be pooled as far as possible  to meet housekeeping expenses)
No conty member can withdraw his or her capital unless the members of the Committee concur in the step as being more advantageous to the prospects of the Coy than an extension of its operations & no conty members shall be called upon to receive his or her money out of the concern unwillingly and the contributory member must be paid out if at all upon the basis of the ascertained actuarial value of his share at the date of withdrawal

  1. Directing members. Those who hold £200 fully paid up stock & who conduct the operations of the concern (for wages under the control of the Chief Director) whether they are also conty membs or not

* The Committee will consist of the conty & Directy Members with the addition or representatives (elected by the entire membership at each annual meeting) to a number equalling that of  the  directing members alone [written in left margin adjacent to reference to Committee role on withdrawals]
* See Weekly wages &c [written in left margin adjacent to section 2) Directing members]

The Chief Director is to be the member who at the outset made the greatest advance of cash to the concern & he is to nominate his Successor to each annual meeting that the said successor may assume power immediately upon occasion & the Chf Dir is to have power to change his nomination at any time & his nominee is to have absolute direction of the concern he is to have the obedience of every subordinate he is to be the sole referee touching any question subject to appeal to Committee & he is only subject to deposition upon the vote of 3/4rs in number & in value after such vote has been 3 times recorded in the course of one year

He may depute his successor or another [text breaks off]

Chancery case against the estate

National Archives, J15/2481/3942

In the High Court of Justice
Chancery Division 1900 F No. 1167
Mr Justice Cozens Hardy               At Chambers
Mr Godfrey Regr
Thursday the 8th day of November 1900

In the Matter of the estate of William Henry French deceased
Between Edward Worsfold Mowll and Henry Martyn Mowll on behalf of themselves and all other the unsatisfied Creditors of the above named William Henry French deceased.                 Plaintiffs
Henry Lewin French Sarah Jane French and William Anders Adams            Defendants

Upon the application of the Plaintiffs by Originating Summons dated the 10th of  August 1900 and upon hearing the Solicitors for the Applicants and for the Defendants and upon reading Probate of the Will of William Henry French granted on the 2nd December 1899 to Henry Lewin French Sarah French Jane French and William Anders Adams and an affidavit of Henry Martyn Mowll filed the 2nd of November 1900 and the exhibit HMMd therein referred to.
It is ordered that the following accounts and enquiry be taken and made that is to say

  1. An account of what is due to the Plaintiffs and all other the Creditors of the above named Testator William Henry French.
  2. An account of the Testator’s funeral expenses.
  3. An account of the Testator’s personal estate come to the hands of the Defendants the Executors of his Will or of any of them or to the hands of any other person or persons by the order or for the use of the said Defendants or any of them.
  4. An enquiry what parts (if any) of the Testator’s personal estate are outstanding or undisposed of.

And it is ordered that the Testator’s personal estate be applied in payment of his debts and funeral expenses in a due course of administration.
And in case the Testator’s personal estate shall be insufficient for the payment of his debts and funeral expenses It is ordered that the following further enquiries and account be made and taken.

  1. An enquiry what real estate the Testator was seized of or entitled to at the time of his death.
  2. An enquiry what Incumbrances (if any) affect the Testator’s real estate or any and what parts thereof.
  3. An account of what residue to such of the incumbrances (if any) as shall consent to the sale hereinafter directed in respect of their incumbrances.
  4. An enquiry what are the priorities of such last mention incumbrances.
  5. And it is ordered that a sufficient part of the Testator’s real estate to make good the deficiency of the Testator’s personal estate or if necessary the whole of such real estate be sold with the approbation of the Judge free from the incumbrances (if any) of such of the Incumbrances (if any) as shall consent to the sale and subject to the incumbrances of such of them as shall not consent.

And it is ordered that the money to arise by such sale be paid into Court to the credit of this Action “Re French Mowll v French 1900 F.1167 proceeds of sale of real estate” subject to further order and if such money or any part thereof shall arise from real estate sold with the consent of the Incumbrances the money so arising is to be applied in the first place in payment of what shall appear to be due to such Incumbrances according to their priorities.

The further consideration of this Action is adjourned and any of the parties are to be at liberty to apply as they are advised.

[Illegible signatures of plaintiffs' and defendants' lawyers]

National Archives, J15/2548/3

1900. F. 1167
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE. (CHANCERY DIVISION.)
MR JUSTICE COZENS-HARDY. At Chambers.
Thursday the 11th day of July 1901.
Mr. JACKSON. Registrar.
In the Matter of the Estate of WILLIAM HENRY FRENCH deceased
Between EDWARD WORSFOLD MOWLL and HENRY MARTYN MOWLL on behalf of themselves and all other the Unsatisfied CREDITORS of the above-named William Henry French deceased.    Plaintiffs
HENRY LEWIN FRENCH and others    Defendants.
UPON THE APPLICATION (by Summons dated 31st May 1901) of the Plaintiffs and upon hearing the Solicitors for the Applicants and for the Defendants and upon reading the Order dated the 8th November 1900 the joint affidavit of Defendants filed 22nd April 1901 and exhibits therein referred to the joint affidavit of Defendants and James Turner Weldon filed 18th April 1901 and exhibits therein referred to an affidavit of John Burchell filed 1st June 1901 an affidavit of George Wilks filed 11th June 1901 of fitness of William Anders Adams as receiver an affidavit of Walter Sidney Bates filed 25th June 1901 and exhibit A therein referred to the receipt of clerk of enrolments dated 11th July 1901 for bond dated 19th June 1901

IT IS ORDERED THAT the real estate of William Henry French deceased the Testator in this action be sold with the approbation of the Judge free from incumbrances of such of the incumbrancers (if any) as shall consent to the same and subject to the incumbrances of such (if any) of them shall not consent thereto.

And It Is ordered that the money to arise by such sale be paid into Court to the Credit of this action “Re French Mowll v. French 1900. F. 1167 ‘Proceeds of sale of real estate’” subject to further order and if such money or any part thereof shall arise from real estate sold with the consent of such incumbrancers that it may be applied in the first place in payment of what shall appear to be due to such incumbrancers according to their priorities.

And It Is ordered that the Defendants (as Executors of the Will of the Testator) do make the payment into Court directed by the schedule hereto.

And the Judge having approved of William Anders Adams of 41 Sussex Avenue Ashford in the County of Kent Clerk to the Registrar of Ashford County Court as a proper person to be appointed receiver and the said William Anders Adams having given security pursuant to order 50 rule 16 by entering into a bond of himself with The Law Guarantee and Trust Society Limited as his sureties which has been approved by the Judge and duly enrolled –

THE JUDGE DOTH APPOINT William Anders Adams receiver of the rents and profits of the real estate of the above-named Testator William Henry French deceased and to collect and get in his personal estate other than and except the two policies in The United Kingdom and Temperance and General Provident Institution Limited on the respective lives of Thomas Humphrey and Joshua Lewin French as mentioned in the seconded schedule to said affidavit of Defendants file 22nd April 1901 and the tenants of the said estates are to attorn and pay their rents in arrears and growing rents to the said  William Anders Adams as such receiver.

And It Is ordered that the said receiver do on or before the 11th June 1902 and the same day in every succeeding year leave in the Chambers of the Judge his annual account as such receiver and do pay the balance certified to be due on such accounts or such part thereof as shall be certified to be payable as the Judge shall direct.

LODGEMENT SCHEDULE
In the High Court of Justice.
(Chancery Division.)
11th July 1901.
Re French            Mowll v. French 1900. F. 1167

Particulars of Funds to be lodged   Person to make the lodgement.              
Amounts
   
Money
Securities
   
£
s
d
£
s
d
Cash (being the amount of the admitted balance in their hands and due from them as appears by their account) Henry Lewin French and Sarah Jane  French widow and William Anders Adams Defendants
174
0
2

Invest and accumulate in New Consols amount when paid in
Exd Bower Cotton Bower [signatures]

National Archives, J15/2553/987

1900 F1167
In the High Court of Justice Chancery Division
Mr Justice Farwell At Chambers
Friday the 20th day of December 1901
Mr. Farmer. Regr.
In the Matter of the Estate of William Henry French deceased
Between Edward Worsfold Mowll and Henry Martyn Mowll on behalf of themselves and all other the unsatisfied Creditors of the above named William Henry French deceased.      Plaintiffs
Henry Lewin French Sarah Jane French and William Anders Adams     Defendants
Upon the application by Summons dated the 26th July 1901 of The Bucks and Oxon Union Bank Limited and upon hearing the Solicitors for the Applicants and for the plaintiffs and Defendants and upon reading an Order dated the 8th November 1900 an affidavit of Edward Robert Mayor filed 1st August 1901 and the three Exhibits marked E.R.M.1,  E.R.M.2,  and E.R.M.3 therein referred to \such exhibits/ being three second several Memoranda of Charge dated respectively the 26th June 1889 the 16th January 1897 and the 25th February 1899 a further affidavit of Edward Robert Mayor filed 9th August 1901 and the opinion of Mr. James Austin Cantwell dated 13th December 1901

It is ordered that the defendants Henry Lewin French Sarah Jane French and William Anders Adams as Executors of the Will of the Testator do execute and concur in a Mortgage to the Applicants The Bucks and Oxon Union Bank Limited with an immediate power of Sale of certain messuages lands and hereditaments situate in Adstock in the County of Bucks comprised in a Conveyance to the above named William Henry French dated 1st March 1889 in accordance with an Agreement to that effect contained in the said Memorandum of Charge dated 26th June 1889 under the hand of the said William Henry French and of the messuage cottage and land situate in Padbury in the said County of Bucks comprised in a Conveyance to the said Henry Lewin French dated the 29th September 1896 in accordance with an Agreement to that effect contained in the said Memorandum of Charge dated the 16th day January 1897 under the hand of the said Henry Lewin French and of the land in Herbert Road Royds Road and Earlsworth Road in Willesborough in the County of Kent respectively comprised in two Conveyances to the said Sarah Jane French dated respectively the 2nd day of January and 10th February 1899 in accordance with the Agreement to that effect contained in the said Memorandum of Charge dated the 25 day January 1899 under the hand of the said Sarah Jane French such mortgage to be for the principal sum of nine hundred and forty pounds with interest thereon at the rate of Five pounds per cent per annum from the 9th day of August 1901 

And It is Ordered that the Applicants be at liberty to retain possession of the first and second mentioned premises and let into possession of the last mentioned premises or into receipt of the rents and profits thereof.

And It is Ordered that the sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds be accepted as compensation under the Fire Insurance Policy No. 3573550 in the Alliance Assurance Company upon the said messuage and cottage at Padbury aforesaid in respect of their destruction by fire on or about the 20th day of August 1901.

And It is Ordered that the Applicants be entitled to receive the said sum of Two hundred and fifty pounds on account of their said mortgage.
[Illegible signatures of plaintiffs' and defendants' lawyers]

There should be another document dated 1 May 1902 which we haven't yet tracked down at the National Archives.

National Archives, J15/2619/1542

1900 F1167
IN THE HIGH COURT OF JUSTICE. (CHANCERY DIVISION.) MR. JUSTICE SWINFEN EADIE At Chambers.
Saturday the 20th day of December 1902.
Mr. CARRINGTON Registrar.
In the Matter of the Estate of WILLIAM HENRY FRENCH deceased
Between EDWARD WORSFOLD MOWLL and Others Plaintiffs
AND HENRY LEWIN FRENCH and Others Defendants

UPON THE APPLICATION (by Summons dated the 8th of November 1902) of Joseph Johnson George Stevens The Winslow Rural District Council and David Benjamin Wise (the persons by the Master’s certificate dated the 1st of May 1902 allowed as the purchasers of the hereditaments comprised respectively in lots 1 of the Folkestone and Ashford sales and lots 1 and 2 of the Winslow sale in the said certificate mentioned) and of George Frederick Davis the purchaser under the order dated the 5th of May 1902 of the hereditaments comprised in lot 2 of the said Ashford sale (such lot not having been sold at the said sale) and all of which lots form the estates sold pursuant to the order dated the 11th of July 1901 and upon hearing the solicitors for the Applicants and for the Plaintiffs and Defendants and upon reading the said orders and certificate of result of sale the certificates of lodgement whereby it appears that the respective purchasers paid their respective purchase money into Court and the certificate of the fund–

And it appearing the defendants Sarah Jane French and William Anders Adams have duly executed conveyances to such purchasers of the lots purchased by them respectively–

And the Judge being of opinion the purchasers respectively set forth in the schedule hereto are entitled to the hereditaments mentioned in the said schedule–

And it appearing that the said Defendant Henry Lewin French cannot be found and that it is expedient for the purpose of carrying such sale into effect that an order should be made vesting the said properties in the respective purchasers thereof –

THIS COURT DOTH ORDER that the several hereditaments described in the said schedule as lot 1 at the said Folkestone sale lots 1 and 2 at the said Ashford sale and lots 1 and 2 at the said Winslow sale do vest in  in the respective purchasers whose names are stated in the said schedule against such respective lots for all the estate and interest of the said Henry Lewin French therein respectively.

And It is Ordered that the costs of the Applicants of the Plaintiffs and of the Defendants of this application be taxed by the Taxing Master and that the said costs when taxed be paid as directed in the Payment Schedule hereto.

ORDER SCHEDULE
Names and addresses of purchasers. Number of lots
FOLKESTONE SALE.  
Joseph Johnson of 37 High Street Folkestone Kent  1
ASHFORD SALE.  
George Stevens of 39 Sussex Avenue Ashford Kent  1
George Frederick Davis of Ashford Kent     2
WINSLOW SALE  
Winslow Rural District Counci 1
David Benjamin Wise of Godington Oxfordshire 2

Winslow RDC bought "The Booteries" (2 Horn Street), most of which was demolished to widen the road. D.B. Wise presumably bought the property in Twyford.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

FUNDS IN COURT TO BE DEALT WITH. – 126l. 0s 0d. Money on deposit.

The table was left blank.

National Archives J15/2614/484 dated 5 May 1902 confirms the sale to G.F. Davis of "two cottages blacksmith's forge and premises at South Willesborough in the County of Kent", part of the Ashford sale, for £210.

Copyright 10 December, 2021