Will of William Verney Mallett of Great Horwood, gentleman, 1809
National Archives PROB 11/1501/203
William Verney Mallett was the son of John and Elizabeth (nee Verney) Mallett of Great Horwood. He was born in very modest circumstances but became the heir of his mother's rich cousin Grant Hewiett (d.1796). He was probably in his early 30s when he died. The provisions of the will are summarised here:
To my friends Lancelot Wyatt of Winslow gentleman and Joseph Dudley of Winslow draper: all my real estate, upon trust to sell it.
£600 from the sale is to be placed out at interest. The interest to be paid to my father or reputed father John Mallett of Great Horwood Labourer for his life, then in equal shares to my brothers and sisters or reputed brothers and sisters:
- Thomas Mallett of Great Horwood Labourer
- James Mallett of Great Horwood Tailor
- John Mallett of Winslow Shoemaker
- Ann wife of Francis Whitby of Great Horwood Farmer
- Mary Mallett of Great Horwood Spinster
£1,000 to be placed out at interest. The interest to be for the sole use of my sister or reputed sister Ann wife of Francis Whitby for her life, then for the maintenance of her lawfully begotten children until they are 21. When each reaches 21, s/he is to receive an equal share of the £1,000.
The residue of the proceeds of the sale to be paid to my said brothers and sisters or reputed brothers and sisters in equal shares.
£80 to Lancelot Wyatt, £30 to Joseph Dudley. They are to be joint executors.
The residue of the estate to be divided between the brothers and sisters share and share alike.
Dated 30 March 1809. Witnesses: Augus. Lines Hillsden, John Jones Great Horwood, Richard Winton Great Horwood.
Codicil
I have since been admitted tenant according to the custom of the manor of Great Horwood to the reversion on the decease of my father or reputed father John Mallett of the farm and lands lately bought by Grant Hewiett deceased from Mr Clarke lying in the open fields of Great Horwood, which were devised by his will to John Mallett for his life. I now devise the reversion to Lancelot Wyatt and John Dudley in trust.
Legacy of £10 to Rev. Jonathan Bugges of Thornborough.
Dated 29 April 1809. Witnesses: Robert Miller, Jos. Whitby, John Jones.
Proved at London 28 July 1809 by the oaths of Lancelot Wyatt and John Dudley.
Did William refer to his "reputed" father and siblings because his social status was so different from theirs, or because he didn't think they were his real family? Did he think that Grant Hewiett was his father?
William inherited from Grant Hewiett 24 High Street, Winslow, which had been owned by the Verney family, including his grandfather William Verney, for most of the 18th century. He sold it in 1808.