Will of William John Jones, farmer and cattle dealer, 1886

Centre for Bucks Studies, D/1616/3

Will dated 19th April 1886.           
Codicil dated  5th July 1886.                                                      
Probate dated 11th December 1886               

[official stamp 1]    BUCKS AND OXON UNION BANK LTD
WINSLOW                                                                                                               
Registered 15th Decbr 1886
Ledger 139  Folio 403
H Freegard [signature]
Manager                          

[official stamp 2]
[1st line illegible]
BUCKINGHAM
Registered Dec 16th 1886
Ledger (Share)  Folio 169
T.C. Hudson [signature]
Secretary

Probate of the Will and Codicil of William John Jones deceased
Extracted by Willis & Willis Solicitors Winslow

This is the last Will and Testament of me William John Jones of Winslow in the County of Bucks Farmer and Cattle dealer I appoint my Brothers Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones and my Friend Benjamin Warr of Addington in the said County of Bucks Farmer Executors and Trustees of my Will I bequeath to my Wife Mary Ann my household goods and furniture plate linen china wines liquors consumable stores and other household effects absolutely I also bequeath to her the legacy or sum of Five hundred pounds absolutely which sum I direct shall be paid to her within Six calendar months next after my decease  I also devise and bequeath unto my said Wife all the rights and interests if any which may have accrued to me on my marriage with her out of the land at Silverstone and the Cottage at Wappenham in the County of Northampton which belonged to her prior to our marriage and also the rights and interests if any which may have accrued to me in any other property or properties which belonged to her I devise my two closes of freehold land situate and being in Winslow aforesaid known as “Mill Knob” and “The Slipe” and which I purchased of William Selby Lowndes and Matthew Fulks respectively unto my Daughter Annie Louisa Jones her heirs and assigns absolutely I devise the house in which I reside together with the house and shop occupied by Thomas Ridgway and the Cottage occupied by [blank space] also the house adjoining the one in my occupation and occupied by Mrs. Morgan and purchased by me of James Walker and all which premises are under one roof and are situate in the Buckingham road in Winslow aforesaid with the respective outbuildings and appurtenances thereto belonging also my three cottages or tenements in the Back Lane in Winslow aforesaid called Punn’s Cottages with the appurtenances thereto unto my Daughter Edith Jane Jones her heirs and assigns absolutely I devise my close of Pasture land called Hollow Furrow adjoining the Grandborough Road in Winslow aforesaid with the appurtenances thereto and purchased by me of the late Ann Cross unto my Daughter Frances Mary Jones her heirs and assigns absolutely I devise my close of Pasture land called Horsemead Piece adjoining the Addington Lane in Winslow aforesaid with the appurtenances thereto and purchased by me of the late Baron Rothschild unto my daughter Clara Matilda Jones her heirs and assigns absolutely I bequeath unto my Nephew William Thomas Jones (Son of my said Brother Thomas Jones) the legacy or sum of Fifty pounds which sum I direct shall be paid to him within Six calendar months after he shall attain the age of Twenty one years I devise all the residue of the real estate to which I shall be beneficially entitled at the time of my decease unto my said Brothers Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones and the said Benjamin Warr their heirs executors and administrators Upon trust in the first place to let and manage my said residuary real estate in the most advantageous manner and after payment of all incidental expenses incurred in such letting and management Upon further trust to pay the net annual income arising from such residuary real estate unto my said Wife Mary Ann until my child if only one or the youngest of my children if more than one shall have attained the age of Twenty one years the better to enable her to educate and bring them up And from and after the decease of my said Wife or from and after my child if only one or the youngest of my children if more than one shall have attained the age of Twenty one years which shall first happen Upon further trust to pay the net annual income arising from such residuary real estate unto my child if only one or unto and equally among all my children if more than one  Nevertheless I declare that if any child of mine shall die leaving issue before my residuary real estate shall be sold as hereinafter directed then I declare that such issue shall take the same share of such net rents as her or their parent would have been entitled to if living And from and after the decease of my said child if only one or the survivor of my said children if more than one Upon trust to sell my residuary real estate together or in parcels at Public Auction or Private Contract and after deducting all expenses connected with such sale and conversion Upon further trust to pay the net monies to arise from such sale and conversion unto my Grandchild if only one or unto and equally among my Grandchildren if more than one per capita and not per stirpes and in case no Grandchild of mine shall live to attain the age of Twenty one years then Upon further trust to pay out of the said net moneys the sum of One thousand pounds to my said Nephew William Thomas Jones (Son of my said Brother Thomas Jones) And to pay share and divide the residue of the said net moneys to arise as aforesaid unto and equally among my Nephews and Nieces being the children of my late Sisters Louisa Elliott and Eliza Marshall and my  Brothers Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones (including my Nephew the said William Thomas Jones) their executors administrators and assigns respectively I bequeath all the residue of the personal estate (including Farming stock) to which I shall be beneficially entitled at the time of my decease unto my said Brothers Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones and the said Benjamin Warr their executors administrators and assigns Upon trust to convert and get in my residuary personal estate and after payment thereout of my just debts my funeral and testamentary expenses to pay to my Daughters Frances Mary and Clara Matilda the legacy or sum of four hundred pounds each (as I consider the land devised to them is of less value that the property devised to their other sisters) as and when they shall severally and respectively attain the age of Twenty one years and upon further trust to invest the net moneys to arise from the said  personal estate in or upon any stocks funds or securities of or guaranteed by the government of the United Kingdom or of India or of any other British possession (including the stocks or securities of any Railway or other company in India or elsewhere having a fixed rate of interest thereon guaranteed as aforesaid) or in stock of the Bank of England or the Bonds or Debentures or Debenture stock or guaranteed or Preference stock or shares of any Railway or other company in Great Britain incorporated by Act of Parliament or Royal Charter and paying a dividend on its ordinary stock or shares or upon real or leasehold securities in England or Wales but not elsewhere such leasehold securities being held for a term whereof Sixty years at

[verso] Least shall be unexpired at the time of such investment and in lending money on any Mortgage security my Trustees or Trustee may accept  whatever title or evidence of title shall appear to them or him sufficient and in particular may in the case of leasehold securities waive the production of the Lessors title without being answerable for any loss arising thereby and my Trustees or Trustee may at any time release any part of the property comprised in any mortgage upon being satisfied that the remaining property comprised therein is a sufficient security for money owing thereon and upon further trust to pay the net annual income arising from such residuary personal estate or the stocks funds and securities whereon the same shall be invested unto my said Wife Mary Ann until my child . . . shall have attained the age of Twenty one years the better to enable her to educate and bring them up and from and after the decease of my said Wife and from and after my child . . . shall have attained the age of Twenty one years which shall first happen Upon further trust to pay the net annual income arising from such residuary personal estate unto my child. . . Nevertheless I declare that if any child of mine shall die leaving issue before my . . . estate shall become divisible as hereinafter directed then I declare that such issue shall take the same share of such net income as her or their parent would have been entitled to if living and from and after the decease of my said child . . . Upon further trust to pay the net moneys from such . . . estate as aforesaid unto my Grandchild . . . and in case no Grandchildren of mine shall live to attain the age of Twenty one years then Upon further trust to pay share and divide the said net moneys to arise from my . . . estate unto and equally among my Nephews and Nieces . . . I declare that the power of appointing new Trustees conferred by Statute shall for the purposes of this my Will be vested in my said Wife during her Widowhood and upon any appointment under the said Statutory power the number of Trustees may be altered provided that immediately after each such appointment the number shall not exceed four or be less than two I devise that all estates vested in me as a Trustee or Mortgagee unto my said Brothers Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones and the said Benjamin Warr their heirs executors and administrators subject to the trusts and equities affecting the same respectively but so that the money secured By any Mortgage shall form part of my personal estate I appoint Thomas Jones and the said Benjamin Warr and the survivor of them Guardians and Guardian of my infant children Lastly I revoke all other Wills In witness whereof I the said William John Jones the Testator have to each sheet of this my Will contained on five sheets of paper set my hand this nineteenth day of April One thousand eight hundred and eighty six  William John Jones [signature] This sheet and the four sheets of paper hereto annexed was severally signed by the said William John Jones the Testator in the joint presence of us who at his request in his presence and the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
Tho s. Price Willis [signature]  Solicitor Winslow        Wm. N. Midgley [signature] his Clerk

This is a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of me William John Jones of Winslow in the County of Bucks Farmer and Cattle Dealer which Will bears date nineteenth day of April One thousand eight hundred and eighty six Whereas and by my said Will I have bequeathed certain residuary personal estate unto my Brothers Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones and my friend Benjamin Warr their executors and administrators Upon certain trusts in my said Will mentioned and upon further trust to pay the net annual income arising from such residuary personal estate or the stocks funds and securities whereon the same shall be invested unto my Wife Mary Ann until my child . . . shall have attained the age of Twenty one years the better to enable her to educate and bring them up and upon the further trusts therein mentioned being trusts in favour of my children and their issue Now I hereby direct that my said Brothers Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones and the said Benjamin Warr their executors administrators and assigns shall before paying any of the said net annual income . . . to my said Wife or children pay unto my Servant John Warner during his life the sum of Four shillings weekly and every week And I declare that the receipt of the said John Warner shall be sufficient discharge for the said weekly payments And I ratify and confirm my said Will in all other respects In witness whereof I the said William John Jones have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of July One thousand eight hundred and eighty six  William John Jones [signature] Signed by the said William John Jones as a Codicil to his last Will in the presence of us present at the same time who in his presence and at his request and the presence of each other hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
Thos. Price Willis, [signature] Sol Winslow     Matilda Betsy Jessop, [signature] Winslow, Spinster

[attached document]
The District Registry at Oxford.
In Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice.
BE IT KNOWN, at the date here underwritten, the last Will and Testament with a Codicil thereto (a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed) of
                        William John Jones, late of Winslow in the County of Buckingham, Farmer and Cattle Dealer,
deceased, who died on the eighteenth day of October 1886 ,
at Winslow aforesaid, and who at the time of his death had a fixed place of abode at Winslow aforesaid, within the District of the Counties of Oxford, Berks and Buckingham,
was proved and registered in the District Registry attached to the Probate Division of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice, at Oxford and that Administration of the personal estate of the said deceased was granted by the aforesaid Court to Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones, the Brothers of the deceased, two of the Executors named in the said Will, they having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same. Benjamin Warr, the other Executor named in the said Will, having renounced the Probate and execution of the said Will and Codicil.
And it is hereby certified that an Affidavit in verification of the Account of the said estate has been delivered duly stamped wherein it is shown that the gross value of the said estate amounts to £3,669:1:0 and no more.
            Dated the Eleventh day of December 1886.
                        Thomas M Davenport. [signature]
                                    District Registrar
[Note in left hand margin]
Extracted by Willis and Willis, Solicitors, Winslow

Notes

W.J. Jones was 69 when he died. He was described as "one of the most widely known and respected agriculturists and cattle dealers in this district", and a "most regular attendant" at the Congregational Church (Buckingham Express, 30 Oct 1886). He lived at the former Three Pigeons (27-29 High Street) which closed when his father (William Jones d.1857) retired in 1855. See below for the sale of his livestock. He had already sold 71 head of cattle and 162 sheep on his farm at Swanbourne which he gave up due to ill health (Bucks Herald, 11 Sep 1886).

His wife was Mary Ann Pittam, b. Weedon, Northants. They had 4 daughters:

The widow and daughters were all living at the ex-Three Pigeons in 1891, but only Edith was there in 1901 and she had left by 1911. W.J.'s brother Silvanus was a well-known figure in Winslow who lived at 3 Horn Street; the other brother Thomas lived at Kettering according to reports of the funeral but had previously been in business at Ramsgate.

"Buckingham Road" in the will actually refers to the south part of the High Street. Punn's Cottages are now 5 Vicarage Road.

Buckingham Advertiser, 30 Oct 1886
25 HEAD OF SHORTHORN CATTLE
COMPRISING
6 DOWN-CALVING COWS,
4 Forward-in-Calf Ditto,
6 Milch COWS,
2 Fat HEIFERS,
3 Meaty Ditto, Pair of eighteen-months-old STEERS, and Pair of six-months-old CALVES;
34 Fat SHEEP,
2 Fat PIGS,
Brown Nag HORSE, rising 5, quiet to ride or drive,
FARMING IMPLEMENTS,
3 Stacks of Old and New HAY to go off, and
35 Acres of Rich GRASS KEEPING, up to October, 1887, part of which may be mown and the Hay taken off, or grazed, at the option of the Purchaser,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY Mr. Geo. WIGLEY
On WEDNESDAY, November 10th, 1886, on the Farm Premises, Mill Knob, near to Winslow Railway Station, by direction of the Executors of the late Mr. William John Jones.
The whole of the Stock is of excellent character.  The Grass Keeping will be let under unusually favourable terms, and comprises some of the richest Accommodation Closes in the Parish of Winslow.  A good Shepherd will be provided to carefully superintend the stock.  The hay also has been well secured.
The Sale will commence punctually at 1-30.
Catalogues may be had at the Offices of the Auctioneer, Winslow.

In 1919 S.P. Wigley valued the remaining property (CBS, D/WIG/2/9/182)

31st July,
Dear Sir,
The Misses Jones Properties.
Winslow and Singlebrough.
  In accordance with your instructions we have carefully considered the value of several properties on which you instructed us, and beg to report as follows:-

1.Brick and Slated House, Horn Street. [32 Horn Street]
  This comprises a brick and slated house containing two reception rooms, four bedrooms, bath-room, the usual domestic apartments, out buildings and a small garden.
  We understand that the property is Freehold, and is now let to Mr. L. J. Hawley at a tenancy terminable any quarter day by 12 months notice; the rent being £24 per annum.  The property is subject to Land Tax but is not now assessed.
   This is an old property let at full rent.  The internal decorative repairs being quite good, but the exterior repair is bad, whilst the roof requires over-hauling.
  We consider that the Freehold value of this property is £350. [in pencil: Sold £425]

2. Freehold House adjoining No.1. [34 Horn Street]
  This comprises a brick and slated Freehold house containing two sitting rooms, three bedrooms, a box attic and the usual domestic offices, whilst outside there are a number of out buildings, mostly in bad structural repair.  The property has a side entrance from Horn Street through a pair of yard gates.  It is now let to Mrs. Adams on a quarterly tenancy at £20 per annum, and is also subject to Land Tax.
  This property is also in bad decorative repair outside, and the roof requires over-hauling.  Some of the joinery, more particularly in the windows, is very bad, whilst the inside of the house would require redecorating for any new tenant.
  This property has a serious drawback in that a bedroom belonging to No. 1 extends over the kitchen, and apart from the question of support, there is a window in the bedroom referred to overlooking the yard, and thus seriously interfering with the privacy of this property.
  We consider that the fair Freehold value of this property is £260. [in pencil: Sold £260]

3. Cottage in Church Street. [1 Church Street]
   This comprises a Freehold detached cottage with a small garden, let to William Rolfe, at 16/2 per lunar month (landlord paying rates).  We understand that this property is Freehold and is subject to Land Tax.
  It has a very bad approach, and is in a very indifferent state of repair.  The roof in particular being very bad.
  We cannot advise the value of this property to be over £150. [in pencil: Sold £165]

4 & 5. Stevens House and Shop with the cottage adjoining, High Street, Winslow. [former Three Pigeons]
  This property comprises a brick and slated house and shop situate in the High Street, and contains entrance hall, dining room, a good shop, cellar, and the usual domestic offices on the ground floor.  A drawing room, four bedrooms and a box room on the first floor, whilst at the back there is a small garden with a few out-houses.
  It is at present let to Mr. W. H. Stevens on a lease expiring the 25th March 1923, at a rental of £35 per annum, but this rental includes the workshop in the yard of the adjoining property which we cannot advise should be included with this property, and for the purpose of Sale it will be necessary to apportion the rental.  We should therefore apportion the rental as to be £32 for the house and shop and £3 for the workshop, which is to go with the adjoining property.
  We understand that during Mr. Steven’s tenancy he has put in the concrete floor to the workshop, with a boarded floor over, and has inserted a new window to the workshop overlooking the garden to the main property.  In as much as it is now proposed to separate the ownership of these two properties, it will be necessary for the purchaser of the adjoining property to covenant to take out the window on the expiration of the lease, and block up the opening, and also block up the existing opening in the loft over.
  This property is we understand Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow, and is subject to a Land Tax.
  With this property must be included a brick and slated cottage in High Street, on the south side of the main property, as abutting on the Church Yard, and now in the occupation of Mr. Richard Saunders on a quarterly tenancy at £10 per annum (the landlord paying rates).
 This property is also Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow, and is subject to Land Tax.
  We consider that the Copyhold value of the house, shop and cottage is £600.
  Although we have taken away the workshop now let with the house and shop, the cottage should provide much more convenient accommodation, for this purpose, but apart from this, the drainage and premises are so mixed up that we could not advise them being dealt with separately. [in pencil: Sold £600]

6 & 7. Bakehouse shop and cottage adjoining. [29-31 High Street]
  This lot comprises a brick and slated house and shop situate in the High Street, Winslow, containing a double fronted shop, tiled hall, good sitting room, six bedrooms, the usual domestic departments and store room.
  In the yard at the back, approached through a gate way through which the owner of No.4 must be granted a Right of Way, is a brick and slated bakehouse with flour store over, a brick and tiled stable with loft over, the workshop as now let to Mr. Stevens and a few other outbuildings.
  This property is now let to Mr. Bateman upon a yearly Michaelmas tenancy at £27 per annum.
  Adjoining is a brick and slated cottage of a very cramped description, now let to David Skeet at 12/- per lunar month.
  Both properties are Copyhold of the Manor of Winslow, and generally speaking are in a poor state of repair, both inside and out; they are subject to Land Tax.
  We understand that the oven and other brick work in connection with the bake house are the property of the tenant, and at the expiration of the tenancy may either be taken to by the Landlord at a Valuation, or if the Landlord declines to do so, be removed by the tenant, subject to his making good all damage caused by the removal.
  We understand that on the 10th May last Mr. Bateman was informed that Miss Jones was willing to grant him a lease for 7 years, upon the terms of the lease that formerly existed.
  In as much as we understand the tenant has not chosen to exercise this option, nor taken any steps to get the lease executed we suppose we may regard this provisional undertaking as not being binding on Miss Jones.
  We consider that the present Copyhold value of Nos. 6 & 7, (which for the purpose of Sale must \not/ be divided) to be £400, but if we are justified in disregarding the promise with reference to the lease, and can take into account any question of goodwill which must necessarily be attached to the premises, and assuming that he does business of 12 to 15 sacks per week, we should then estimate the present value of the property to be £500 \and should advise you to stand out for that price/. [in pencil: Sold £500]

8. A Block of 3 Cottages off Vicarage Lane. [Punn's Cottages]
  These are a most unsalable lot of cottages; very cramped.  They have practically no garden, and are badly shut in, and have a very poor approach.
  We understand that the present gross rents amount to £17.11.0 per annum, out of which the Landlord has to pay rates, repairs, insurance, Land Tax and the cost of collecting the weekly rents.
  The cottages are very old and of a poor description.  We very much doubt whether, as Copyhold, you will be successful in realising more than £100 even if a purchaser can be found [in pencil: Sold £75]

[9, property at Singleborough, not included]

The following case presumably resulted from W.J. Jones not having any grandchildren.

Buckingham Advertiser, 28 Nov 1953
Legal Notice
  FOR the purpose of an Enquiry directed by Order (dated 25th June 1943) of the High Court of Justice (Chancery Division) in proceedings entitled re William John Jones deceased (late of Winslow Bucks who died 18th October 1886) Wigley v Allen 1943 J.237 to ascertain the children who were living on 18th October 1886 of Louisa Elliott and Eliza Marshall (sisters of the Testator) and Silvanus Jones and Thomas Jones (brothers of the Testator) and the personal representatives of any such children who have died since that date.  All persons claiming to be entitled are to send to Joseph Charlton Lane-Claypen, Solicitor at 12 Lincoln’s Inn Fields, London, W.C.2., so as to reach him not later than 20th April 1954 full particulars of their claims.  In default thereof they will be excluded from the benefit of the said Order unless the Court on application otherwise orders.
            DATED 19th November 1953.
                                    M. G. WILLMOTT.
                                                Master.
  Note.- Persons particularly sought are William Jones Marshall and Annie Louisa Marshall – children of William Marshall (grocer) and Eliza his wife – or their personal representatives.  The said William Marshall sometime resided in Buckingham and later at Newport Pagnell.

Copyright 16 January, 2023