Scope and Content
(i) Copy of Will of John Playford, late of Gillingham in the County of Norfolk, farmer, deceased 7th May 1873.
Bequests:
- rents and profits of cottages, outbuildings and land in Thurlton, in the occupations of Samuel Warnes, William Ives, John Gunt and Woolner to his niece Anna Sarah Mary Playford Grimmer during her life for her separate use, independently of any husband, and then to any of her children or her brothers or sisters and then their issue, in trust if under the age of 21.
- rent and profits of cottage in the tenements called Bullam Hills in Norton Subcorse, in the occupation of Samuel Ford and James Read to his niece Catherine Holmes Grimmer during her life for her separate use, independently of any husband, and then to any of her children or her brothers or sisters and then their issue, in trust if under the age of 21.
- rents and profits of arable land situated in Norton Subcorse, in the occupation of William Palmer to his nephew Edgar Robert Grimmer during his life, and then to any of his children or his brothers or sisters and then their issue, in trust if under the age of 21.
- rents and profits of messuage or farm house, outbuildings, farm and land situated in Mettingham in the county of Suffolk, in the occupation of George Docking Maddle or his under-tenants to pay the following annuities in equal half-yearly instalments:
£25 to Anna Sarah Mary Playford Grimmer
£25 to Catherine Holmes Grimmer
£15 to Edgar Robert Grimmer
£5 to George John Grimmer
to his nieces paid to them for their separate use, free from the debts, control or engagements of any husband with whom they may intermarry,
- rents and profits of above messuage, farm and hereditaments to Herbert Alexander Grimmer during his life, and then to any of his children or his brothers or sisters and then their issue, in trust if under the age of 21, or if no issue to Anna Sarah Mary Playford Grimmer.
- all other real estates not hereinbefore disposed of to be sold and proceeds to fall into his personal estate.
- all household furniture, glass, china plate, linen and other household effects to Anna Sarah Mary Playford Grimmer.
- 19 guineas to Thomas Robert West as executor.
- 19 guineas to William Maddle as executor.
- all farming stock, crops, monies, personal estate and effects not hereinbefore disposed of to the Executors to collect all monies by public auction or private contract to pay all just debts, funeral and testamonary expences with any surplus to invest in Government Stocks to pay the income to his sister Mary Ann Grimmer during her life and after her decease to Anna Sarah Mary Playford Grimmer, Catherine Holmes Grimmer, Edgar Robert Grimmer and Herbert Alexander Grimmer during their lives in equal shares and joint Tenants and then to their issue upon attaining the age of 21 for males and attaining that age or be married for females, and to pay the income for any of the annuitants who shall be in minority towards the maintenance or education or otherwise to their benefit.
Executors:
- Thomas Robert West of Ravingham, farmer
- William Maddle of Toft Monks, farmer
- Mary Ann Grimmer, sister, widow
- Herbert Alexander Grimmer, nephew
Witnesses:
- J Wilton Rix
- Frederick Shelly Rix
signed 12th May 1871
probate granted at Norwich 24th June 1873
plus annotated typed transcript of above document
(ii) The Account of the last surviving Trustee of the above will, the last tenant for life Edgar Robert Grimmer deceased 4th January 1939. The full accounts also show residuary payments to:
- Mary Ann Amelia Rands (nee Francis), daughter of Catherine Holmes Francis (nee Grimmer)
- Rose Ada Brooks (nee Grimmer), daughter of Edgar Robert Grimmer
- John Playford Grimmer, son of Herbert Alexander Grimmer
- Edith Marie Grimmer, daughter of Herbert Alexander Grimmer
- Gertrude Elilzabeth Grimmer, daughter of Herbert Alexander Grimmer.
Plus a small newspaper cutting listing the winding up of the estate by Messrs. Read, Owles & Ashford of Beccles and Bungay, sold by auction at the King's Head Hotel, Beccles, 38 acres of freehold grazing marshes at Burgh St Peter with 7 acres of rands adjoining the River Waveney. Purchased by S A Banns of Burgh St Peter for £1,100.