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Archive Reference / Library Class No.D3580/C/545
TitleSydney Smithers at Ashford to William Longsdon care of Messrs Leech and Harrison forwarded care of Messrs Masters and MacKoe, New York, per Canada.
Date27 Apr 1829
DescriptionMr Wager most active of William's brothers' executors - thinks best to offer estate in 1 lot - if offered in lots, purchasers must be found amongst neighbours who are already drained of money by Colonel. Wright's sale a few years since - therefore sold to great disadvantage. Smithers ignorant of Mrs Longsdon's intentions, expects widow will adopt course to secure her own interest and that of family in event of child's death. All intercourse between them now at an end.
Executors advertised for debts. Smithers has put in claim for Mrs Longsdon's (James' mother) account made out from William's statement left with him. No money in hand nor likely to be more than sufficient to pay wages. Grazing off stock they found and selling up. Uncle John wishes to make fresh will - and has done so - real estate to brother Thomas for life then to his son James Longsdon of Manchester charged with payments of £150 to each of his sisters and £50 to William. William personalty £100, his sisters £350 each. Mrs Wager £100, the late William Longsdon's child £50, the late Thomas Longsdon's children £50, poor of Little Longston £60, William, his sisters Mary and Ann Longsdon residuary legatees £150 to Peter Longsdon, £25 to David Longsdon, £25 Ann Hudson.
Before James died he asked Uncle John to forego part of his claim upon him on account of child. John agreed expecting that it would go to child or on his death to William's family - claim £1,020 principal and long arrears of interest. Compromise £760 in all. John now acquainted with state of things regrets acquiescence but hesitates to deviate from promise - Smithers suggests making full claim on estate, leaving difference between debts and £760 to child in trust at coming of age.
At loss to account for great amount of his brother's embarrassments - William will be surprised for no idea of their extent when they last discussed this a year or two ago. Thinks much increased recently. Pity James didn't make a general arrangement of affairs when father died and raise a mortgage in one sum at a reduced interest of money he needed. It would have been very much to his comfort - became at length so great a source of anxiety as to form main grounds of illness in various ways. Has William any views on estate or any part of it if divided. Think £15,00 good price for Little Longstone estate to yield rent of £450 per annum. Writer should not like to take it at that rent. [Rough valuation of Little Longstone estate]
Extent1 item
LevelItem
RepositoryDerbyshire Record Office
Archive CreatorLongsdon family of Little Longstone
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TermLetters (documents)
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