Welcome to another edition of the Brangwin family newsletter. I am glad that so many of you are enjoying finding out about our rather extended family.

In this edition:

• We look at a war service record. World War 1 records are available in a number of countries and make interesting reading.
• I would like to thank Gloria Brangwynne for agreeing to be our profile person this month. I'm am sure that you will enjoy learning more about another family member. I certainly did.
• Newspapers are an excellent source of family information. While not everything written is completely accurate what was written at the time of an event is likely to be a much better account than word of mouth or no living memory at all. This month two very different types of offers from newspapers are included. Thanks to Margaret Brangwyn and Ingrid Keltz for providing these transcripts.
• The feature family this month is a branch of the family that I discovered in Australia early last year. They had been here since October 8, 1848 and I had not thought about looking for Brangwin family members so close to home. It came as quite a shock. My great, great grandmother Mary Barnett nee Brangwin died around 1860. I am yet to establish exactly where and when she died and where she is buried. Her brother William died before February 1857 but the place remains a mystery. Enough mysteries for one family!
• Once again, there is a feature Will
• In addition, there are a number useful of odds and ends.

The number of people using the MyFamily.com site continues to grow. We are building quite a collection of photos of both people and places. If you have photos to add and don't know how please contact me for assistance. Also, if you would like access to the site, it is free, contact me. It is by invitation only.

Last month I indicated that I would include an article on the Dreweatt women this month. I have decided to hold that over until next month as this edition is already a bumper.

I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter.

Lorraine Wuth

lwuth@hups.net

Introducing Gloria Brangwynne

I was born on September 17, 1928, in the small town of Bradley, Maine, just three days before the first wedding anniversary of my young parents, Franklin Thomas Brangwynne and Florence Bender. My birth took place at home and was attended by my father, both grandmothers and the doctor, who arrived without much time to spare. He was counting on there being plenty of time, but I surprised him.

I was baptized on September 30, 1928. My parents planned on two children, thinking ahead to our college days. My brother, Franklin Alden "Alden", was born on November 21, 1933, when I was five. Our parents were loving, encouraging and supportive and we had good a childhood.

Bradley is 12 miles from Bangor. We lived in the village portion of our town. There were three small, family owned and run grocery stores, with the post office in one corner of Barton's store

Rich's store had good penny candy and Spencer's store was well known throughout the area for its delicious home-made ice cream. Our only school was a four room grammar school. Nearly every one knew everyone else and looked out for each other. There was a field across the street, with a large tree for tree swings and climbing, and room for playing games. We swam in the Penoscot River, which ran past our town. One of my friends lived on a farm and I enjoyed playing in the barn, walking on the beams, etc. I used to help her wash the bottles and cool the milk that was delivered door to door. It was a simple style of life. The best part was that we had ample opportunity for friendships and for free play. We did not have organized activities, and we did not much have exposure to higher culture. The townspeople would put on plays and shows, using local "talent", including Gloria, tap dancing! The "Ladies Aid" held fairs and dinners at the town hall.

My father worked at the Penobscot Chemical Fibre Company, a mill that made paper from logs cut in northern Maine and sent down to the mill by river. My father was elected the First Selectman of our town for several years. He was paid $300 a year for that position and he used that money for a correspondence course in accounting, attaining the equivalent of two years of college accounting. He then was able to move into the office at the mill. He held the position of Office Manager and Payroll Master until his retirement.

My mother had married early, before finishing high school. She devoted herself to being a homemaker, wife and mother. At the age of sixty she attained her high school diploma and at the age of seventy, she learned to swim.

After graduating from Bradley Grammar School, I went to Old Town High School, in the small nearby city of Old Town, Maine, graduating in 1946. The University of Maine in Orono, Maine, was within easy commuting distance. I attended as an off campus student, graduating with a degree in sociology in 1950.

I attained the job of my dreams as a child welfare worker for the State of Maine. I was assigned to the office in Skowhegan, Maine, which is right in the center of the state. I was responsible for all the child welfare needs in a geographical area, including service to children in their own homes, foster and adoptive home placement and supervision. Three children from that time remain in occasional contact with me to this day. In 1954 I went on paid educational leave to The New York of Social Work in New York City for one year of graduate work. I was required to return to work for the State of Maine for two years. Because I don't uproot myself very readily, I stayed four years, returning to school at my own expense, and graduating in 1960, with a master's degree from Columbia University.

As I wanted to go into family and individual counseling, I accepted employment with Family Service Association of Cleveland and moved to Cleveland in September 1960. I came to try it for two years but I'm still here! I retired in 1993, after 32 1/2 years with the agency. I loved my work, and I believe I had a successful career. I find it amazing that I haven't missed the job or even the work. I have been busy enough. Just before retirement, my small Episcopal church sponsored a refugee family from Vietnam. I was the convenor of the mission group, and I have remained involved with the family. Two babies have been born, each in the middle of the night. There were many issues, including health problems, for which they needed advocate help. They function quite independently now. At this time they are buying a home and are doing very well. The whole family calls me, "Mom".

I am single and have no biological children. My brother and sister-in-law, Alden and Patricia, and their family (five children and ten grandchildren) have always been very important to me. My brother is a dentist and my nieces and nephews have all chosen professions that involve service to people.

I also have a "chosen daughter and 7 year old grandson", Samantha "Sam" and Jason Paul "JP" Stimson. They were my neighbors and we developed a close bond. They now live in Florida and we keep in touch by e-mail and by visits.

I had a close friend who lived with me after her retirement. She was older than I and I took care of her before her death here in my home on August 9, 1999. My mother, who had lived with me for over a year, died here in my home nine days later, on August, 20, 1999. I had hospice help in caring for them, plus the support of many good friends.

My friends and I do various things together and are supportive of each other. Besides having friends and being a friend, I enjoy the cinema, the theatre, eating out, the museums, walking in the park in back of my house, and our Cleveland Women's National Basketball Association team, The Rockers. I am a dedicated fan and season ticket holder. I am not much of a traveler. However, I have been to London, where I bought books on the work of Sir Frank Brangwyn, and a signed etching. I also visited the Brangwyn Museum in Bruges, Belgium.

My former colleagues and I maintain our relationships. We meet for continued education, lunch, and our twice yearly weekend trips, just for fun.

My cat, Bernie, graciously shares his home with a wonderful little dog, Poppy, who stays with us days, while her owner, my English friend, works. Poppy is a border terrier mix from a shelter in Cambridgeshire, England. She is a most loving, responsive dog, loved by all who meet her.

I've been interested in family history, but I had not worked on it. All I had was a list of names and dates that my grandfather, Robert John Brangwynne, had written, on the back of piece of wall paper! As a result of Lorraine Wuth's contacting me, establishing our family website and sharing our family tree information, that she and Margaret Brangwyn have worked on for years, I now have names and dates that go back to my great, great, great, great, great grandparents, John Brangwin and Eliner Towne. I am busy sharing this with my brother and my Brangwynne cousins. I am truly appreciative, and I enjoy it all very much. Thank you, Lorraine and Margaret.

BDM = Birth, Death, Marriage

BVRI = British Vital Records Index

FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions

FHC = Family History Centre (operated by the Mormon Church - LDS)

FRC = Family Records Centre

GRO = General Register Office

IGI = International Genealogical Index (on line at http://www.familysearch.org)

LDS = Latter Day Saints (Mormon)

ONS = Office of National Statistics

PRO = Public Record Office

W.D.T.L. = Who Departed This Life

Census taking in England, Scotland and Wales

Since 1801, a census has been conducted every 10 years in England, Scotland and Wales with the exception of 1941 (World War 2). There is a 100 years embargo on the release of the census data. The 1901 census data will be released on January 2, 2002. The first couple of census only counted people. It was not until 1841 that details of households were recorded although exacts ages were not recorded (these were generally rounded up to the next 5 or 0) and only indicated whether the individual was born in the county. It did give name, relationship to the head of the household and occupation so provides some useful information. 1851 saw the extension of data to include the actual place of birth of each member of the household as well as their actual age. As long as the person giving the details actual knew the details, we can find where someone was born and the approximate year (plus or minus a year). The census data for 1841 through to 1891 has been filmed and is available world wide through a wide number of sources. Outside the UK the easiest source is generally your local LDS FHC through which you can order copies of the films.

So, on what dates were the census taken? Remember, each census was taken based on all persons resident at midnight Sunday / Monday night, so you will see lists which include variations on the full list below ...

1841 - Sunday/Monday - 6th/7th June

1851 - Sunday/Monday - 30th/31st March

1861 - Sunday/Monday - 7th/8th April

1871 - Sunday/Monday - 2nd/3rd April

1881 - Sunday/Monday - 3rd/4th April

1891 - Sunday/Monday - 5th/6th April

1901 - Sunday/Monday - 31st March/1st April

If you look through the online family tree you will see details extracted from the census in the notes.

The 1881 census is available on CD and both Margaret and I have copies. If you would like details from 1881 please contact us.

And off they went to war

Last month, in the article on Sir Frank, it was noted that he was upset by the death of a nephew who had been influenced by his posters to go off to war. Quite a number of family members did join up and fight in both world wars. I have a collection of service records and will highlight one this month and follow this up with some more in the future.

Cecil Raymond Abbey Brangwin enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force on April 27, 1915. His enlistment papers stated that he was born in London, England, he was a natural born British subject, 19 years 9 months with no relations in Australia. He was a labourer. He had not been apprenticed nor married. His next of kin was his mother, Mrs Florence Brangwin of 43 Donovan Avenue, Muswald Hill, London.

Cecil was 5' 10" tall, weighed 154 lbs, had a chest measurement of 34 1/2" to 37", his complexion was fair and his eyes and hair were brown. He was considered fit for service.

Cecil was assigned to the 10^th Field Artillery Brigade. What happened over the next few months is uncertain but he would have undergone some training.

While Cecil was of good character according to his report sheet, he did come under notice for a number of matter. On January 20, 1916 "While on active service 'Breaking Isolation'" for which the punishment was 3 days C C.

On February 21, 1916 Cecil was absent from the 7am parade. He was finally found some 102 hours later in the Camp. For this he received 4 days C C and forfeited 12 days pay.

On September 21, 1916 he was once again on report. This time he was cited for neglect of duty as he had failed to deliver a message from HQ to OC. For this the punishment was 10 days F P.

Cecil left Adelaide on October 27, 1915 on board H M A T A24 "Benalla".

Cecil's service record shows that he joined the 50^th Battalion at Zeitoun on February 29, 1916 from the 3^rd Training Battalion. On March 14 he was in Tel el Kebir having been transferred to the 4^th Division Artillary. On April 18 he was in Serapeum having been transferred to the B. A. C. and had become a driver. Four days later he was once more a gunner and in Egypt. He left Alexandria on June 3 on the HMT "Elele" and disembarked at Marseilles on June 13.

He was serving in France when he neglected his duty in September, 1916.

On January 25, 1917 Cecil was posted to the 39^th Battery of the 10^th FAB. He was wounded in Action on April 28. On that day he is listed as being admitted to the 23^rd A F Amb with a S. W. Abdomen. He was transferred to the 45^th Casualty Clearing Station and died on the following day, April 29, of wounds received in action.

Cecil was buried in the Achiet le Grand Communal Cemetery Extension north west of Bapaume.

Cecil, as did most service men, wrote a will. It was very simple: "In the event of my death I give the whole of my property and effects to my next of kin:- Mrs Florence Brangwin, 43 Donovan Avenue, Muswell Hill, London, England". It was dates April 18, 1917 just a few days before his death. He was then a Sig (signals) in the 39^th Battery AFA.

The following inventory of effects was found in his record:

3^rd Echelon No. 1746 N.O.: 2 Identity discs, Metal watch, Lanyard, 3 Wallets, Pocket knife, Steel mirror, 2 Note books, Mirror (damaged), 5 Coins, Fountain pen, Badge, Battalion colours, Metal medal, Brooch, Letters, Photos,

Ex Kit Store: Scarf, Exercise book, Pair mittens, 3 Military books, Religious book, Housewife, Brush, Pouch, 4 Keys, Kit bag handle.

Two years and two days after enlisting, Cecil died of wounds received in action. He was one of many young, and not so young, men who went to war never to return.

So, who was Cecil? He was the son of Ernest Abbey Brangwin and Florence Trickey. He was born in 1895, the first of six children. He belongs to the Hambleden arm of the family so you can check him out on the online family tree.

Newspapers often carry items of interest to family members long after the event. I will include a couple of examples of articles from papers so that you can see the level of detail that can be found.

The first article deals with Thomas Hobbs Brangwin. He was the son of John Brangwin and Jane Fenner. He was born in 1819 at Wargrave, Berks and belongs to the Hambleden part of the family. Check the online family tree on the MyFamily.com site for details of his family.

THE FATAL ACCIDENT ON THE NORTH LONDON RAILWAY.

Thanks to Margaret Brangwyn for supplying the above transcript.

The other article was sent to me by Ingrid Keltz and is an obituary.

Maxine F Fahrenholz

The obituary tells us a lot about Maxine and her family and gives vital clues as to her children and their marital state. Most of the detail is there except "who was Earl Brangwin?"

Earl Alwin Brangwin was born March 24, 1922 the son of John Henry Brangwin and Matilda Louise Becker. He was the third of their five children.

This family fits into the Castle Brangwin line. I'll deal with this group in a coming newsletter.

The Australian Brangwins: a look at the branch of the family who turned up in New South Wales, Australia

Last month we were introduced to the family of Edmund Brangwin of Hambleden. This month we take a closer look at his son William and his descendants.

William was born at Hambleden and baptised there on January 11, 1801. He married Elizabeth Newell on September 19, 1828 at Stokenchurch, Bucks. At the time of the marriage William was of Lewknor and an adult. Elizabeth was a minor of Stokenchurch and her father was William Newell.

William and Elizabeth had four children, more about them later. Elizabeth died and was buried at Turville, Bucks, on August 29, 1840. Her age was given as 32 and her abode was Henley.

Children of William and Elizabeth:

1. William Alfred Brangwin, baptised August 23, 1829, at Ashampstead, Berks. He married Jane Hawkins on July 29, 1860 at Shoreditch, St John the Baptist. He died in 1860 and had no known offspring.
2. Edmund Newell Brangwin was baptised at Ashampstead on September 19, 1834, having been born around 1831- more on him later.
3. Sophia Letitia Brangwin - more on her later
4. Elizabeth Brangwin baptised at Ashampstead on August 25, 1839 and buried at Turville on September 6, 1839. She was 2 weeks old when she died and the families place of abode was given as Moore's End, Turville.

The 1841 British Census record William as living at Southfield End, Rotherfield Greys, which lies a couple of miles north west of Henley. His age was given as 40 and his occupation was listed as independent. His children were not in his household on the night of the census but his niece Julia Barnett was. [Julia was the daughter of his older sister Mary and her husband George Barnett].

William married a second time on November 16, 1844 at Hambleden. His second wife was Celia Rockall. The marriage register provided the following details:

Unfortunately, Celia died of dysenterica on February 23, 1846 in High Wycombe, Bucks, aged 24. William was once more a widower.

William arrived in Sydney, NSW October 8, 1848, aboard the Charlotte Jane which had sailed from London. He was accompanied by his son Edmund. That is the last entry found referencing William. Family sources state that he left Parramatta, where his son Edmund Newell was located, and went north. Where is unknown. What is known is that by the time his half brother Noah wrote his Will, February 1857, William had died as he is referred to as "my late half brother William".

Edmund settled west of Sydney, initially in the Parramatta area. Later he was to move further west to St Marys. Today Parramatta is part the larger Sydney metropolitan area however in the 1840s and 1850s it was a long haul from the Sydney Town. Obviously people in the colony had problems with Edmund's given name as it frequently appears as Edward in the records making them a potential source of error.

Edmund married Mary Ann White on December 11, 1855 at Parramatta. They had two children:

1. William Alfred Brangwin, born April 8, 1859, Earl Street, Parramatta, NSW, dying at the age of 6 on January 15, 1866, at Mount Garrett, NSW. Cause of death was accidentally drowned. He was buried on January 17, 1866 at South Creek.
2. Richard Brangwin, was born in 1861 in NSW. He married Olivia Hockey on July 22, 1885, at St Stephen's Church, Penrith, NSW. He died on October 24, 1944, Atchison Street, St Marys, NSW. A death notice was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on October 25, 1944:

And now the saga takes on a twist. Edmund had six more children and the mother was Frances Jane Payne, known as Fanny. It appears that Mary Ann was alive and is mentioned in Edmund's Will. It would appear that the two children of the marriage remained with their father. What happened to Mary Ann is unknown. One day she will turn up in the records and the mystery surrounding her will be solved. In the meantime, Edmund and Fanny had their children:

1. Fanny Elizabeth Brangwin, was born at. Quaker Hill, NSW, on April 15, 1863. She married Arthur T Wood in 1901
2. Sophia A C Brangwin, was born in 1865. She married Thomas Sheehan in 1919 and died in 1941.
3. Ada E Brangwin was born in 1867. She married George W Russell in 1891. They had a number of children, perhaps as many as ten according to family information.
4. Edward Brangwin, was born in 1870. He married Ambrosina Douglass in 1901. At the time of his death on December 17, 1938, at St Joseph's Hospital, Auburn, NSW he was living in Granville. The followin death notice was published in the Sydney Morning Herald on December 19, 1938:

BRANGWIN - December 17, 1938, at St Joseph's Hospital, Auburn, Edward Brangwin, loved husband of Emily Brangwin, of Granville, and dear father of George (New Zealand), Merle, and Doris (Mrs T Travis), of Granville, and Allen, of Guildford. Aged 68 years.

He was buried, as were his parents, at St Mary Magdalene Church of England Cemetery, St Marys, NSW.

5. Frederick Brangwin was born in 1872 and died at the age of 4 on October 7, 1876, South Creek, NSW, of malignant scarlet fever.
6. Phillip William Brangwin was born on April 14, 1875, at South Creek, NSW. He married Maude Mary Hofflick in 1902. He lived to the ripe old age of 87, dying on August 21, 1962.

Frances Jane Payne died of mitral stenosis, senile decay aged 79 in 1909. Her death entry gave her name as Jane Frances Brangwin formerly Payne, although she is buried under the name of Payne. The informant was her Richard, the oldest of Edmund Newell's children. He listed all 8 Brangwin offspring as belonging to Fanny and stated that he was a son.

Edmund died on August 4, 1920, aged 88. His cause of death was senility, myocardial degeneration. His occupation was listed as gardener and Old Age Pensioner. The informant was once again Richard. Edmund was buried on August 6, 1920 at the Church of England Cemetery [St Mary's]. His place of birth was stated as Lewknor, Oxfordshire, England. Richard obviously knew about the marriage of his parents as he stated that his father had been married at Parramatta but could give no further details on the marriage.

And now for Sophia Letitia Brangwin. She was born at Lane End, bucks and baptised on September 19, 1834 at Ashampstead. She married Henry Joseph Stubbs on June 14, 1860 at Reading, Saint Giles, Berks. In 1881 Sophia was living at 95 High Street, Bray in Berkshire, she was 46 years old and still married to Henry who was 48, an ironmonger who had been born in Henley.

Sophia and Henry had at least eight children:

1. Edith Mary Stubbs, born 1861 at Maidenhead, Berks.
2. Herbert Henry Stubbs, born 1862 in Maidenhead.
3. Sophia Elizabeth Stubbs, born 1864 in Maidenhead.
4. Charles Stubbs, born 1866 in Maidenhead.
5. Anna Louisa Stubbs, born 1868 in Maidenhead.
6. Arthur Vincent Stubbs, born 1869 in Maidenhead.
7. Ernest A Stubbs, born about 1873 at Maidenhead.
8. Gertrude Stubbs, born about 1874 at Maidenhead.

Further research is needed to track down what happened to the Stubbs family members.

In the meantime, Brangwin family members continue to live in NSW.

The Will of Edmund Brangwin of Haddenham, Bucks.

This Will was written by Edmund on December 31, 1771. It is an important document as it links the Long Crendon and Hambleden parts of the family although it does not provide sufficient detail to sort out the exact relationship. There are some terms that are used in the Wills of this period which will be unfamiliar to most of us. Next month will include an explanation of some of these terms.

So, who was Edmund? He was the only child of Edmund Brangwin and his wife Ann Brampton. He was baptised at Haddenham, Bucks, on April 27, 1729. He married Martha Franklin on January 14, 1754 at Dorton, Bucks. They had no known children. Martha died in August 1771 and was buried at Haddenham. Edmund died on January 18, 1772 and was buried at Hambleden on January 23.

Just in case there is any doubt about the name Edmund in the Brangwin family, Edmund's grandfather was also an Edmund.

I Edmund Brangwin of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham husbandman being at this time weak and infirm in Body but of sound Perfect Mind memory thanks be therefore given to Almighty God for the same but considering the uncertainty of this mortal life therefore I do hereby and herein make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following

First and Principally I give and bequeath my Soul unto the Hands of Almighty God Who gave it hoping through the death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour and Redeemer to receive full and free pardon and forgiveness from all my Sins and to Inherit everlasting Life after my death and as for my Body I commit the same to the Earth again from whence it was first taken to be buried in a decent Christian manner according to the discretion of my Executor hereinafter nominated and as touching the Disposition of all such temporal Estates as it hath pleased Almighty God of his Goodness and mercy to bestow upon me I do hereby and herein give and dispose of as followeth

Item I give and bequeath for the use of the poor of the parish of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham all the freehold part of my Messuage or Tenement situate standing and being in the parish and Township of Haddenham and in the County of Buckingham Called or known by the name of the Banks House and Close together with all the out Houses and Buildings Yard Orchard Croft garden and backside and all other Appurtenances thereunto belonging which I purchased of John Cox Greenwood to be lett every Easter Monday by the Church Wardens and Overseers of the poor of the said parish to the best bidder and the Easter Monday following the Rent and Money to be distributed to such poor persons within the said parish that maintain themselves by their Labours and Receive no Collection of the parish according to the discretion of the said Churchwardens and overseers of the said parish for Ever

Item I give and bequeath unto Ann Cooper of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham singlewoman all that my freehold Messuages or tenement situate standing and being in the parish of Hichenden [sic] in the County of Buckingham called or known by the name of Polcatts In by or together with all Outhouses Buildings Yards orchards Gardens Close and Closes and all other the Appurtenances whatsoever to the same belonging or in any wise appertaining to have and to hold to her the said Ann Cooper and to her heirs and assigns for ever

Item whereas I have surrendered all my Copyhold Messuages or Tenements and all other my Copyhold Estates both arrable Land Ley ground pasture ground and Meadow ground that I have in the manor and parish of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham to the use and uses of this my last Will and Testament. I give my said Copyhold Estate with all and every of the Appurtenances unto John Eustace of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Husbandman to have and to hold the said during the term of twelve years from the Time of my decease and Immediately after the end and Expiration of the said Term of twelve of Years then I give my aforesaid Copyhold Estate above mentioned with all appurtenances unto Edmund Brangwin Son of my Kinsman Edmund Brangwin of Hambleden in the County of Buckingham husbandman to have and to hold unto him the said Edmund Brangwin Younger and to his heirs and assigns for ever according to the custom of the said Manor

Item furthermore I give and bequeath unto John Eustace aforesaid all that my freehold Messuages or tenements with all appurtenances belonging to the same and all other my freehold Estate that I have in the parish of Haddenham aforesaid both arable Land Ley grounds and pasture ground and Meadow ground with all and every the appurtenances (the Banks House and Close only excepted) to have and to hold to him the said John Eustace during the term of twelve years from the Time of my decease and immediately after the said term of twelve years I give my said freehold Estate before mentioned with all and every the appurtenances unto the aforesaid Edmund Brangwin the Younger of Hambleden in the County of Buckingham to have and to hold to him his heirs and assigns for ever provided nevertheless and on Condition that they the said John Eustace and Edmund Brangwin shall pay or cause to be paid out of my Copyhold and freehold Estates above mentioned unto Jane Baker of Haddenham singlewoman the full and just sum of two Shillings a week during the Term of her natural Life the first payment to become due in the first week after my decease and the said Edmund Brangwin shall pay or Cause to be paid unto John Brangwin of Long Crendon the sum of one hundred pounds and to Edmund Brangwin the Sum of one hundred pounds and to Elinor Fryer of Long Crendon in the County of Buckingham the sum of one hundred pounds all of Good and lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to them the said John Brangwin Edmund Brangwin and Elinor Fryer out of my Copyhold and freehold Estates before mentioned at the end and term of Twelve Years next after my decease and if it should so happen after my decease that the said Edmund Brangwin the Younger should neglect or refuse to pay all or any of the aforesaid Legacies when they shall become due as aforesaid then it shall and may be lawful for all or any of my aforesaid Legatorees to enter in and upon all and any of my Copyhold and Freehold Estates and to have hold occupy and enjoy all and any of the same untill their said Legacys be fully paid with all charges that they shall be at or about or concerning the same

Item furthermore whereas I have surrendered all that my Copyhold Messuages and Copyhold Land that I have in the Manor and parish of Long Crendon in the County of Buckingham both arable land Ley Ground Meadow Ground and pasture Ground all which I have surrendered with the Appurtenances to the use and uses of this my Last Will and Testament by the Hands of two Copyhold Tenants of the same Manor I give my said Copyhold Estate with their and every Appurtenances unto Richard Brangwin the Younger of Long Crendon aforesaid and in the said County of Buckingham Husbandman to have and to hold to him the said Richard Brangwin the Younger to his Heirs or assigns for ever according to the Custom of the said Manor

Item I give and bequeath unto my Uncle Richard Brangwin of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Husbandman all my Household Goods and Household Furniture of what nature or kind soever and also I give and bequeath unto my Uncle Richard Brangwin aforesaid the full and just sum of fifty pounds of good and lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to him the said Richard Brangwin my Uncle by my Executor out of my personal Estate immediately after my decease

Item I give and bequeath unto my Aunt Mary Davis wife of John Davis of the City of Oxford Plaisterer the full and just sum of fifty pounds of Good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to her the said Mary Davis my Aunt by my Executor out of my personal Estate within Twelve Months next after my decease I give and bequeath unto Ann Cooper of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Single Woman the full and just sum of one Hundred pounds of good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to her the said Ann Cooper by my Executor out of my personal Estate within twelve Months next after my decease

Item I give and bequeath unto Farmer Eustace of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Husbandman the full and Just Sum of fifty pounds of Good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to him the said Farmer Eustace by my Executor out of my Personal Estate within Twelve months next after my decease

Item I give and bequeath unto my Uncle George Bamton the full and just Sum of ten pounds and also to Mrs Mary Medwin of High Wickham Widow the full and just Sum of ten pounds and to Francis Wood of Haddenham the full and just Sum of ten pounds And to Thomas Aulderman of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Labourer the full and just Sum of ten pounds and to William Dewbrey of Haddenham Labourer the full and just Sum of ten pounds and to John Penn of Haddenham aforesaid Labourer the sum of ten pounds And to Joseph Chapman of Haddenham aforesaid Labourer the full and just sum of ten pounds And to Francis Collingridg of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Labourer the full and just Sum of ten pounds And to John Loosley the Elder of Haddenham aforesaid the just Sum of ten pounds And to Henry Warland of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Carpenter the sum of ten pounds and to Edmund Fryday of Haddenham in the said County of Buckingham Taylor the sum of ten pounds And to Joseph Fletcher of Haddenham aforesaid Baker the sum of ten pounds And to John Chapman of Haddenham aforesaid Mason that now dwelleth in John Crippes House the sum of ten pounds And to my Servant James Wood the sum of ten pounds And to my Servant Mary Burges the sum of ten pounds all of Good and Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to them the said George Bamton Mary Medwin Francis Wood Thomas Aulderman William Dewbrey John Penn Joseph Chapman Francis Collingridg John Loosley Henry Warland Edmund Fryday Joseph Fletcher John Chapman James Wood and Mary Burges out of my personal Estate by my Executor within twelve Months next after my Decease

Item I give and bequeath unto Henry Warlands two Daughters Sarah Warland and Leah Warland the Sum of twenty pounds (that is to say) ten pounds apiece of Good and lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to them the said Sarah Warland and Leah Warland or to their father Henry Warland of Haddenham aforesaid Carpenter for their Use by my Executor out of my personal Estate within twelve months after my decease

And I give to the poor of the parish of Haddenham ten pounds Worth of Bread and ten pounds worth of Plombe Cake to be provided by my Executor and delivered and given to them on the day of my funeral

Item I give to Joseph Fletcher a suit of Mourning to be provided by my Executor out of my personal Estate against my funeral [illegible – page torn]

And lastly all the rest and residue of my personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever the same may be at the time of my decease that is not already by me given and bequeathed I give and bequeath the same unto John Eustace of Haddenham in the County of Buckingham Husbandman who I do hereby and herein make and ordain my full whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament desiring him to bury me in a decent Christian manner and to see all my debts funeral charges and several legacies herein by me given and bequeathed carefully and honestly paid according to the true intent and meaning of this my last will and testament and I do hereby and herein disanul reverse and make void all former and other wills and testaments heretofore by me made in witness whereof I the said Edmund Brangwin testator to this my last will and testament contained in three sheets of paper have set my hand and seal to each sheet on and upon the thirty first day of December in this twelfth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God over Great Britain France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth and in this year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred seventy and one Edmund Brangwin Signed Sealed published and declared to be the last Will and Testament of me the aforesaid Edmund Brangwin Testator in the presence of us whose names are here unto subscribed as witnesses to the same

30^th January 1772

Appeared personally Mary Davis wife of John Davis of the City of Oxford Plaisterer

and John Eustace of Haddenham in the County of Bucks Farmer and being sworn upon the Holy Evangelists to depose the truth made oath and deposed as follows to wit and the said Mary Davis for herself said that Edmund Brangwin late of Haddenham aforesaid deceased had for a long time before his death been in a very Languishing State and that she this deponent attended the said deceased during such his illness for the last two months and upwards that the said deceased departed this life on the eighteenth instant that about nine or ten days before his death he the deceased being in bed and then attended by this deponent desired her to take the key of his drawers out of his pocket and give him a paper out of one of the drawers which he directed her to open that she accordingly unlocked the same wherein were several Writings and papers and delivered to the said deceased at different times two several papers which were uppermost but the said deceased telling her he wanted another paper and this deponent having been informed by the deceased that his Will was in the drawer she was directed to and seeing a paper with seals thereto asked the deceased if he wanted his Will and he replying in the affirmative she accordingly delivered the paper which she believed to be his Will whereupon the deceased say’d that is right and directing this deponent to hold him a Candle he read the same as she believes all over and then desired this deponent to get him a pen and ink which she accordingly gave him and therewith he struck out a part of the writing in three several places and this deponent having now viewed and perused the papers writings hereunto annexed purporting to be and contain the Last Will and Testament of the said deceased bearing date the thirty first day of December 1771 and being informed that the same contains the Will of the said deceased and that the same Ann Cooper is struck out in the second sheet thereof she believes the same to be the papers by her delivered to the deceased as aforesaid and the obliterations of the name Ann Cooper the same the said deceased struck out in her presence and she is the more convinced thereof by reason that the said deceased the next day informed this deponent that he had scratched out the hundred pounds which he had left Nanny Cooper by his Will and the said John Eustace for himself saith that he was present at the finding the said Will of the said deceased after his death and that at the time of so finding the same the Obliteration of the name Ann Cooper twice in the second sheet of the said Will appeared to be made and is now in every respect in the same plight and Condition as when found save and Except what has been written on the last sheet thereof for swearing this deponent Executor of the said Will

The Mark # of Mary Davis

John Eustace

Same day the said Mary Davis and John Eustace were duly sworn to the truth of this affidavit before me Francis Simpson Surrogate pp C A Crickitt M P

Proved at London the twentieth day of Febry 1772 before the worshipfull William Wynne Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of John Eustace the sole Executor to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn duly to Administer

Hen. Stevens }

John Stevens } Deputy Registers

G. Gostling }

David Brangwyn followed up on the Brangwin Charity that Edmund had tried to set up through his will. Incidentally, David used to work for the Charity Commission before he was a librarian (before he met Margaret, too) so he wrote to them asking about Edmund's charity. Their reply and the book extract about it. Follows. It seems that the charity was never set up.

I found documents at The PRO at Kew [in England] has documents relating to Edmund's will - Brangwin v. Ewstace, one dated 1774 and the other dated 1784.

Anyway, thanks to David and Margaret Brangwyn for providing the following:

Charity Commission, St Alban's House, 57/60 Haymarket, London, SW1Y 4QWX.

3^rd February 1997

Dear Mr. Brangwyn,

Thank you for your letter of 22^nd December 1996.

You are quite correct when you say that this charity is recorded in the Printed Reports of the Former Commissioners for Inquiring Concerning Charities. It can be found in Vol. 26 at page 80. I enclose a copy of this which I hope will be of assistance.

You will note from the extract that there appears to have been some difficulty as to the devised property. I have not been able to find any further information. I have made a search of the old card index which you mat remember when you were at Ryder Street. This has been in constant use as a valuable source of information about charities pre 1961. The index has not been added to since the introduction of computerised systems in the Commission in late 1995. The Charities and LGA CT files for Haddenham and other places make no mention of the charity at all.

The answer may be that matters mentioned in the enclosed extract were not satisfactorily concluded and the devise of property to charity was in fact void under Mortmain. The property probably passed to the relatives of Edmund Brangwin long before the Charity Commissioners came into being in 1853. This would explain why there is no record of it and therefore no entry for it in the Central Register of Charities.

I am sorry to disappoint you but I cannot give a positive reply to your question.

Yours faithfully,

E. A. Baker.

Edmund Brangwin, by his Will, dated 31^st December 1771, and proved the 20^th February 1772, bequeathed for the use of the poor of the parish of Haddenham, all the freehold part of his messuage and tenement situate in the said parish, called Bank's House and Close, with the appurtenances thereto belonging, which he purchased of John Cox Greenwood, to be let every Easter Monday, by the churchwardens and overseers of the poor of the said parish, to the best bidder; on the Easter Monday following, the rent to be distributed to such persons within the parish that maintain themselves by their labour and receive no collection from the parish, according to the discretion of the churchwardens and overseers.

The above abstract is from a copy of the whole Will.

Edmund Brangwin, the testator, derived his title to the house and land above mentioned under a Will made by his wife, reciting, that she had a power of devising lands during coverture, and devising the reversion of the above premises, which had been limited to her heirs, to the heirs of her husband. We have been informed and believe that she had no such power of devising during her coverture; and it will be observed, that even if the title of the testator to the property in question be admitted to be good, his devise itself appears to be void under the Mortmain Act. A statement was made to us, that his heir-at-law had offered to confirm the devise; but some difference of opinion exists as to the party entitled to claim the premises in that capacity.

The property called Banks's House and Close is now in the possession of John Francklin; his ancestor George Francklin, took possession of the property on the death of the testator, as the heir-at-law of Martha Brangwin, the testators wife, and as such was entitled so to do, if her devise of the reversion was invalid: his heirs have held the premises since that time. He property consists of a dwelling-house, with a small garden and outbuildings attached, called Banks's, and an orchard containing about two acres of land.

There is a tablet in the parish church, of which the following is a copy:-

"Joseph Francklin, esq. of Haddenham, in his last Will, dated 1^st September 1813, gave and bequeathed unto the poor of this parish 50L a year for ever, to be laid out in bread at Christmas, and administered by the minister and churchwardens to the most needy objects in the parish."

By an Order of the Court of Chancery made 26^th March 1815, on the petition of George Francklin, Samuel Churchill and Edward Hedges, executors of the said Joseph Francklin, it was ordered that the said executors should transfer £1666 13s. 4d. three per cent annuities into the name of the Accountant General of that Court the dividends to be paid to the minister and churchwardens of the parish of Haddenham for the time being, to be verified by affidavit, to be by them applied for the charitable purposes mentioned in the said Will.

The above abstract is from an office copy of the Order. An office copy of the Accountant General's certificate of the transfer of the stock, dated 13^th November 1816, was also produced.

The dividends of the above stock amounting to £50 were regularly received by the minister up to Christmas 1829. Afterwards a claim for legacy duty by the Stamp Office, which had been made four years previously to that time, was renewed, and the Commissioners deducted a part of the abovementioned stock in discharge of principal and interest upon that claim. A sum of £15 8s. appears also to have been paid by the minister in 1830 to Mr. Rose, the solicitor of the parish, for extra costs not allowed by the Master on taxation under the abovementioned proceedings.

The stock which now remains, after the deduction by the Commissioners, is £1,370 17s. 4d.

The dividends amount to £41 2s. 6d. They are received by the minister, and by him expended in the purchase of bread made up into half quartern, quartern and half-peck loaves, which are distributed by the minister and churchwardens about Christmas in the church, to very poor persons, in shares varying according to the size of their families, allowing about a quartern loaf to each member of a family.

A list is kept of the objects receiving the charity.

So, it just goes to show that not everything is as straightforward as it seems and it is worthwhile checking what happened after the event. Surprising things do happen.

That's all this month.

Remember, if you have anything to contribute it would be most welcome. Please send it to me at lwuth@hups.net