Who was Bracewell?

[Tim]

I am confused about some data I have found and wondering if someone can help explain it or add or even add another theory.

I’m investigating Bracewell Deighton Whitehead b1866

And this is his brother Bracewell b1863, d 1863


GRO entry

One of the hints that has appeared for Bracewell Deighton Whitehead is a Probate


And this is where I get confused, the entry is recorded on the 18th May 1885, and says the death was 14 Jan 1863

The father’s name, address and occupation all match what I have for the father.

So who is the Probate entry in 1885 referring to? In 1885 Bracewell D would be 19.

I can’t find any death’s in or around 1885 on GRO or FreeBMD for Bracewell or for Whitehead that would potentially fit.

 

[ChalfontR]

The probate entry clearly refers to the child who died as an infant in 1863 ..... and years later the father had to apply for administration of the child's estate.

It is unusual for a baby to have an estate at all, but I would guess that this was something connected with the child receiving an inheritance at some stage, or being gifted something at birth which later the father needed to deal with. I'd be looking at the wills of grandparents and other relatives perhaps ? Did somebody leave a legacy to the "firstborn son" of William Whitehead maybe, and this caused the problem years afterwards ?

The second Bracewell (Deighton) Whitehead was registered in Jul-Sep 1865 (indexed as Braceful) - but it wasn't unusual for families to reuse a name, especially if it had some family significance.

 

[Tim]

Thanks ChalfontR, your suggestion is very plausible. But would they use the term "bachelor" for a baby who was potentially only days old?

 

[ChalfontR]

Thanks ChalfontR, your suggestion is very plausible. But would they use the term "bachelor" for a baby who was potentially only days old?

Sounds odd to us, but I don't see why not

 

[jorghes]

Are you able to order the will? I think it would be interesting to see if indeed it was a will for a baby.

 

[Pauline]

Are you able to order the will? I think it would be interesting to see if indeed it was a will for a baby.

There is no will in this case, it was an administration.

 

[Pauline]

Just to add to the above, if this had been a will then it would be apparent it wasn’t for a baby. From 1837 you had to be at least 21 to leave a will. Prior to that girls from the age of 12 and boys from 14 could leave wills, though from 1540, minors could only bequeath personal estate.

 

[Catharine]

Hi
My guess is that the older son was mentioned in the Will for one of his grandfather's, either James Fletcher died 1853 Leyland or more likely Bracewell Whitehead who died 1855. They both left Wills. I'm guessing one of them left a little bequest to his first grandson as yet unborn and it's been gathering interest ever since. Things get to 1885 when the dead child would have been over 21 and his father realizes he needs to sort out the financial affair. So legally as next of kin Dad has to claim the estate. I've seen it before when one son died in WW1 and each grandchild was left £100 to get when age 21. Well the one son never reached 21 but was entitled to the money, so 10 years latter his sister had to do an Admin.
The Grandfather's Wills seem to be at Lancashire Archives so if you're local why not pop in ?

 

[Tim]

Thanks for your thoughts Catharine, it makes sense. Unfortunately I'm not local

 

[Catharine]

No problem. In theory the Death Duty record is available on the National Archives website for free.
It's not as good as the Will but does tell you who got what.
So Bracewell Whitehead 1855 Leyland Lancs
Pcc and Country Courts IR27/315 ex Ann Whitehead E Chester Court Register 3 Folio 599

James Fletcher 1854 Leyland IR 27/309 no executer or court Vol 3 201

That said I've never actually managed to find the record .The date you want has been sent to Familysearch but I still can't get the record up.
Maybe someone out there can help.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/death-duties-1796-1903/

 

[Pauline]

Unless something has changed recently, you can't get a record from the Death Duty registers for 1855 from the TNA website for free. Many DDR records for 1796-1811 have been digitised and can be viewed for free (if you register) but after that obtaining DDR copies is more complicated and expensive if you can't visit TNA in person.

 

[peter]

Unfortunately I'm not local

Neither am I, but there must be lot of forum members who are. Perhaps one of them could step forward?