Gordon Blair - Mystery? or Not!

[Rosinish]

I think the 'd' in 'GorDon' is the dead giveaway as there is no extended tail on the 'd' on the 1877 signature either.

Annie

[sparrett]

I find it a little odd that Gordon didn't write a new will in the 23 years between 1877 and 1900.

1877 was the year after his July marriage to DROUGHTON.


The drawing up of the will may have been a quick affair in order to firmly tie his estate, whatever that may become in the future, to his new wife and so avoid any "claims" from the former family if he were to die intestate.

Sue

ADDING a further thought here
Some of the signatures on wills I have seen have been very poor specimens.
Reason- the person was apparently extremely ill because in many cases, a death is recorded within days or weeks.  The signature may in these circumstances may even have been executed in a half reclining position etc.

 Although we know the death of Gordon was not until decades later, perhaps he had a health scare in 1877. The signature to me looks ' in haste' or 'under duress'

[Ruskie]

I did not put two and two together regarding the timing of the will, but it what you say makes sense with him making Julia the sole executrix and beneficiary, and his mention of her being guardian of "his" children. I thought that the addition of those words was a little odd as I would have thought as they were her children too Julia would obviously be their guardian anyway? I assumed it was just one of those things that was always included in wills kf children were involved.

I did wonder if Gordon's rushed looking signature was due to illness.

It does bring up some more questions though I think. 

Once I get my act together and sort out the documents, I am happy to forward them to anyone who is interested, but it amounts to around 80 pages. 

[Ruskie]

I now have the files sorted, so if anyone would like a copy of the land sale and Gordon and Julia's Ecclesiastical Files, please send me a PM with your email address.

The documents look very complicated, repetitive and dull to me but some of you may find it interesting, and more importantly you may be able to extract something useful.

[sparrett]

Marathon undertaking for you Ruskie. We need a shining star smiley.

I am not skilled with documents of the sort, so shall not ask for a look, but I do hope others have the expertise to extract any vital clues.
Such an interesting topic it has been.
Sue

[Ruskie]

Sue, all the Ecclesiastical documents are in one file and the land sale (only a few pages) is in another, so I am only sending out two attachments to an email - it is easy to just scroll through and avoid the 'boring bits' if you like. 

There are some dupicate pages such as with the death certificates as I was trying to ensure I had clear copies in case there was anything of importance on them.

 

As you put two and two together regarding the date of Gordon's will being not long after his marriage, I thought you might be the one to discover any other 'clues', if there are any to find.  One thing I thought unusual, and I don't think this is the norm on wills, but may relate to the will being written so close to their marriage, is that Gordon confirms Julia's maiden name as Droughton. I wonder why?.

[Rosinish]

Good on you Ruskie 

Reading through that lot will be like reading a novel 

Can I please have a copy of pages 2, 8, 11, 23, 27 & 29     

I actually wondered if the signature on the will was more of a 'mind elsewhere' possibly guilt knowing he's reading over & handing over his possessions to the 'guardian of "his" children' yet has other children elsewhere 

It's surprising to see (not that I've seen it) a will where the children's names are not written down or was that common? I'm sure the ones I've seen have all mentioned the children's names?

Annie

[majm]

Hi Ruskie,

I will send you a PM with my email address so that if you have spare moment you may send attachments through.   I doubt I could add much, as I have very little experience of Queensland records from that era.   I do know that in the NSW Probate files, that where my male ancestor has been married more than once, that those chaps wills written/signed etc prior to about 1875 always seem to nominate their wife as beneficiary using the following terms "my wife, (her given name/s), formerly "HER-MAIDEN-NAME."   I have assumed this was because until around 1875 NSW did not have any Divorce Laws, but that is simply speculation on my part.   

So, unless 'Dad's' children are formally named in his will, they have no claim on his deceased estate when 'Dad's' lawful wife is his nominated beneficiary.    And to ensure that 'Dad's' intent is clear, 'Dad' formally names his wife .... hence Gordon names Julia and gives her maiden surname too.   

It could also be that Gordon was following Scottish tradition by including Julia's maiden surname.

Anyway,  PM will be sent off to Ruskie.

JM

[majm]

Re names of the deceased's children not mentioned in a will.

I have had a quick look at my notes for nine of my NSW ancestors deceased estates, with wills prepared 1850s, 1860s, 1870s.  - none formally name their children    - I had not ever considered that aspect, thanks Annie for mentioning that.    All leave everything to their lawful wife, and fully identify her ... mostly by her given names and her maiden name and in one case, even naming her dad and her mum (and mum's maiden name).   

I would expect Qld practices to be similar to NSW in that era, Qld hived off from NSW 1859. 

JM