RootsChat.Com
England (Counties as in 1851-1901) => England => Topic started by: bob14trinity on Sunday 11 February 24 17:41 GMT (UK)
-
Hi
At the Westminster archive in the Hedges & Butler archive are some papers from the administration of the estate of Grace Ellen Frederika Blandy
(d1918)
One of her trustees is listed as Capt.Mark Kerr.
The Blandy's were and are major wine producers in Madeira. Hedges & Butler were significant wine merchants in London. I wanted to see if there might have been a marital or financial link, basically a reason why the papers are in the archive.
Any help appreciated.
If I have posted in the wrong area please do let me know.
-
Have you downloaded a copy of her will? https://www.gov.uk/search-will-probate
Choose 1919 as the year to search - she died 12.11.1918 aged 63 but the entry is incorrectly recorded in the year probate was granted
You refer to Mark Kerr as a Trustee - on the probate entry he is shown as an Executor
Probate entry shows her Executors as Mark Kerr - Captain in the Scottish Rifles & Caroline Isabel Crawford Spinster
Caroline was b 1868 - Croydon & died 19.6.1922 London - she also left a will
-
Does not as though she ever married.
BLANDY, GRACE ELLEN FREDERICA mothers maiden name THOMAS
GRO Reference: 1855 S Quarter in WANDSWORTH Volume 01D Page 392
SS
-
Probate entry refers to her as a spinster - same as Caroline
-
I believe Mark Kerr is Mark Ancrum Kerr born 1859 Maurius. He appears on 1921 census as Mark Anerum Kerr. His military record on FindMyPast.
KERR, MARK ANCRUM aged 82
GRO Reference: 1941 D Quarter in CHELTENHAM Volume 06A Page 708
Probate record on Anc*
SS
-
when her father Frederick died in 1896 the executors were Radclyffe Walters Esq. and Russell James Kerr the younger, barrister at law
her mother was Ellen - born India - and she had one sister Agnes, who died, unmarried, in 1915
-
marriage of Frederic Blandy & Ellen Mary Margaret Thomas St James Piccadilly 25 April 1854. Newspaper announcement notes Frederic as third son of John Blandy of Madeira and Ellen only daughter of the late Captain John Thomas of the East India Company Service and grand daughter of the late General George Dick of Harley Place, Clifton
-
I believe Mark Kerr is Mark Ancrum Kerr born 1859 Maurius. He appears on 1921 census as Mark Anerum Kerr. His military record on FindMyPast.
KERR, MARK ANCRUM aged 82
GRO Reference: 1941 D Quarter in CHELTENHAM Volume 06A Page 708
Probate record on Anc*
SS
I don;t think it's him as he became a Colonel and was connected to the Indian Army, whereas the executor was Captain in the Scottish Rifles. I can find someone who fits in the Army List
Mark Kerr
Birth Date 10 Nov 1877
Enlistment Date 1897
Rank in 1902 Lieutenant
Regiment Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) (2nd Battalion)
Relative 1 R.J Kerr
relative 1 is presumably connected to the barrister / executor of Frederick
-
Well found Mabel
SS
-
1881 - The Hall, Newnham, Glos.
Russell Jas. Kerr 48 Barrister
Rosa M.A. Kerr 43
Mark Kerr 3 Son
Mary Kerr 19 Daughter
-
from what I can see Grace's father was settled in the UK and lived the life of a comfortably off gentleman, rather than an active part of the Madeiran enterprise. I can only assume there was some sort of financial investment into Hedges & Butler which she inherited.
-
Thanks for all your help.
Although I didn't photograph the document at the archives the description of the item says "Papers from administration of the estate of Grace Ellen Frederica Blandy decd, late of 40 Greycoat Gardens, spinster who died 12th Nov 1918. Capt Mark Kerr of Fairy Cross, Seaford, Sussex, a cousin of the decd and a trustee of her will (probate 24 Jan 1919) was responsible for payment of an annuity to Lucy Harby which reverted to the residual estate upom death of Lucy Harby on 21 Oct 1924."
So if he is a first cousin I guess I have to go through all female siblings of Graces parents and find one who married a Kerr. Does that sound right?
Thanks again.
-
Possibly - but cousin can be rather a loose description of a multi-generational relationship
To start
Mark Kerr's mother was Rosa Mary Anne Griffiths, daughter of George Richard Griffiths, deceased and Letitia, nee Chatfield
Mark's father was Russell James Kerr (the elder), son of William Charles Kerr and Maria Eliza Robison nee Lewis
Any of these surnames connecting?
Is it possible that Grace inherited some shares in Hedges & Butler, who then needed to know the arrangement of her affairs so they could pay dividends to those who benefited under the will?
Lucy Harby appears to have been a servant in her earlier days
-
Thanks for that, none of those names mean anything at the moment.
Also in the archive was a document "Bond of Edwin Camillo Oppenheim formerly Gustavo to Grace Blandy then of Birchamp Gloucs in the sum of 10,000lire to be paid within 3 years"
I'm definately going to have to make another visit and look at the items in detail.
-
London Gazette
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30017/page/3517
FindMyPast has 2 items re. holdings with GWR
-
London Gazette
https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/30017/page/3517
FindMyPast has 2 items re. holdings with GWR
Birchamp House was Grace's father's house. I am guessing the Land Registry entry is as it shows in the link because Grace inherited a half share. The other half was her sister Agnes'. She died in 1915. Her executors were Grace and the Public Trustee (who is appointed if an executor is unable or unwilling to act). So her half was registered in the name of the executors of her estate.