Old wills make for interesting reading. You can learn a lot about a family in a few pages. Who's in favor, who's not, and sometimes the messy legalities resulting from a family member feeling slighted.
In the case of Richard Eaton, he certainly had a lot to leave and was adamant about it staying in the family.
Richard Eaton Esq. (1766 - 1843) was born in Cambridge, England. He married Maria Jefferson in 1805 and they had at least four children together.
Richard Jefferson (1806 - 1847)
Christopher Edward (1807 - ?)
Reverend Henry Charles (1809 - 1839)
Dame Maria Louisa (1810 - 1869)
Richard wrote his last will and testament on November 22nd and 23rd, 1839. At around 35 pages long, he details who will receive his wealth and the terms for inheritance. He leaves any titles, estates, lands, and money to each of his children and their children with many conditions that must be met. For instance, his eldest son, Richard Jefferson can inherit his portion, and when Richard passes, his wife has no claim. Only his grandchildren can inherit any part of his wealth.
For his second son Christopher, he leaves a sum of money and provisions if the oldest son, Richard, were to pass with no male heirs.
His third son, Henry has passed by the time the will was written, so Richard essentially gave his daughter-in-law and her children what he had promised to his son Henry.
He makes no provisions for his Daughter, Dame Louisa Maria Reid, as she had married the second Baronet of of Ewell Grove and was 'amply provided for'.
Sir John Rae Reid was the son of Sir Thomas Reid, the first Baronet of Ewell. Sir Thomas was Director and Governor of the East India Company. Sir John married Louisa Maria Eaton and became the second Baronet of Ewell. He was the Governor of the Bank of England, MP for Dover, and had many business ventures including the practice of shipping unskilled labor to work in far away lands. The title of Baronet passed to Sir John's oldest son and, after his death, Sir John's youngest son Henry inherited the title. Because Henry left no male heirs, the title was extinct.
The will goes into great detail about allocating the wealth when Richard's children, grandchildren, and/or great grandchildren pass. Looking at it a different way, he's really only allowing each of his direct male family members the ability to borrow his wealth and then hand it down once they pass. He calls out that only current spouses are entitled to any of his wealth and any future spouses cannot use any of it.
Richard Eaton passed sometime before December 22, 1843, as that is when two of his executors applied to administer the will. And, on 30 Mar 1874, Henry Valentine Rae Reid requested a copy of the will.
It makes a person wonder how long generational wealth can last under strict guidelines. And, if Henry benefited from the will. I'll have to keep researching to find out.
Comments