Last Will and Testament of Lady Josephine Barry
Executed this Twelfth Day of December, in the year of Our Lord, Eighteen Hundred and Thirteen.
I, Josephine Barry, Dowager Lady Barry, of Nethercourt House in Ramsgate, in the county of Kent.
Widow of Sir Charles Barry, being of sound mind and understanding (though surrounded for many years by persons determined to try my patience and sanity), do declare this to be my Last Will and Testament, hereby revoking all former Wills and Codicils by me at any time heretofore made.
First, I commend my soul to Almighty God, trusting in his mercy and salvation, through Christ my Redeemer. My body, I commit to the Earth, to be interred in the family plot at Nethercourt House beside my daughter, Isobel Hagerman, with no unnecessary extravagance, parade, or foolish melancholy.
Regarding such worldly Estate as it hath pleased Providence to entrust to me, I dispose thereof in manner and form following:
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto my dear young friend Mrs Elizabeth Darcy, formerly Elizabeth Bennet, wife of Fitzwilliam Darcy, Esquire, of Pemberley in the County of Derbyshire, and unto the said Fitzwilliam Darcy, Esquire:
Netherfield Park in the County of Hertfordshire, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto the said Mr and Mrs Darcy the Sum of Forty Thousand Pounds Sterling, it being my intention and desire that the said sum shall, after the decease of Mrs Darcy, be divided amongst the Dowries and Portions of her daughters.
I further GIVE unto the said Mrs Elizabeth Darcy my Ruby Parure, inherited from my grandmother, and presently contained within my strongbox.
Mrs Darcy having brought more warmth, amusement, and comfort into my declining years than I had thought remained possible in this world, and her husband being, after considerable observation, the only gentleman whom I could ever fully approve for her.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Miss Georgiana Darcy of Pemberley in Derbyshire:
Rose Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Miss Georgiana Darcy the Townhouse situated at number four-and-thirty Park Lane in London.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Miss Georgiana Darcy the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Miss Georgiana Darcy my Aquamarine Parure, presently located in my strongbox.
Miss Darcy being one of the sweetest and most deserving young ladies ever born into this troublesome world, and the only daughter of the esteemed Lady Anne Darcy, previously Lady Anne Fitzwilliam, second daughter of James Fitzwilliam, Eighth Earl of Matlock, who was the dearest and most beloved friend of my only daughter.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Mrs Charlotte Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, formerly Charlotte Lucas, eldest daughter of Sir William Lucas:
Foxglove Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Mrs Charlotte Bennet the Sum of Five Thousand Pounds Sterling, with my express wish and intention that the said remaining funds of which, and said Cottage shall, upon her decease, descend unto her second son, Thomas.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Mrs Charlotte Bennet my Peridot Parure, being the Wedding Gift bestowed upon me by my mother, and presently located in my strongbox.
Mrs Bennet being a sensible woman who has borne family life with uncommon practicality and sensibility.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Jane, The Viscountess Fitzwilliam, formerly Jane Bennet:
Castle Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Lady Fitzwilliam, the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling, to be held in trust for her widow’s pension, and to be left to whomever she chuses upon her death.
Lady Fitzwilliam possessing such gentleness of temper as ought properly to shame the rest of mankind into better behaviour.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Mrs Mary Eaton of Meryton in Hertfordshire, formerly Mary Bennet:
Lilac Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Mary Eaton the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling, to be held in trust for her widow’s pension, and to be left to whomever she chuses upon her death.
And I most sincerely hope she shall remember that happiness is not a theological error.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Mrs Catherine Taylor, formerly Catherine Bennet, of Edgbaston in Birmingham:
Sunset Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Mrs Catherine Taylor the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling, to be held in trust for her widow’s pension, and to be left to whomever she chuses upon her death.
Mrs Taylor having improved remarkably once allowed proper society and encouragement.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Miss Lydia Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire:
Twilight Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Miss Lydia Bennet the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling.
And I direct that said legacy be settled firmly and securely for her sole and separate use, beyond the reach of any future scoundrel, adventurer, or fool whom she may unfortunately encounter, and to be held in trust for her widow’s pension, to be left to whomever she chuses upon her death.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Mrs Anne Bingley, formerly Anne de Bourgh, of Rosings Park in Kent:
Driftwood Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Mrs Anne Bingley my Amethyst Parure, presently located within my strongbox.
Mrs Bingley having at last learned once escaping her mother, that life may be lived and not merely endured.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Lady Priscilla Fitzwilliam, only daughter of Reginald Fitzwilliam, Ninth Earl of Matlock:
Grotto Cottage in Ramsgate, together with the Lands, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Lady Priscilla Fitzwilliam the Sum of Ten Thousand Pounds Sterling, And I direct that said legacy be settled firmly and securely for her sole and separate use, beyond the reach of any future scoundrel, adventurer, or fool whom she may unfortunately encounter, and to be held in trust for her widow’s pension, to be left to whomever she chuses upon her death.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Lady Priscilla Fitzwilliam my Emerald Parure, presently located within my strongbox.
Lady Priscilla being impertinent, clever, excessively observant, and entirely dear to me notwithstanding.
As The Right Honourable Ashley, The Viscount Fitzwilliam, son of Reginald Fitzwilliam, Ninth Earl of Matlock, is already exceedingly well provided for in Fortune and Estate, I nevertheless GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto him, in fairness and affection, the Gold Lesser George Pocketwatch belonging formerly to my Grandfather and presently secured within my strongbox.
His Lordship being one of the few noblemen I have encountered who possesses both sense and reliability.
I GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Mr Thomas Bennet of Longbourn in Hertfordshire, my Barker Town Coach, which I purchased in the year 1806, for I fear his old shooting brake shall fall to pieces if he uses it much longer, and now that most of his daughters have married, he ought to transport his wife in better style.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Mr Arthur Johnson, Proprietor of The Gilded Pineapple Confectionery in Ramsgate, the Building at 25 Petticoat Lane in which his Establishment is presently situated, together with the freehold thereof.
I further GIVE AND DEVISE unto Mr Arthur Johnson, a similar building at thirteen Steine Lane in Brighton together with the freehold thereof.
In grateful acknowledgement of the many confectionery adventures conducted therein, which ultimately contributed in no small measure to the marriage and happiness of Mr and Mrs Fitzwilliam Darcy.
I GIVE AND DEVISE unto Mr Jacob Evins, tenant of Yewtree Farm in Ramsgate:
The lands, farmhouse, and buildings associated with Yewtree Farm, together with the Freehold, Appurtenances, Household Effects, Possessions, and Improvements thereunto belonging, in grateful acknowledgement of his assistance to a certain kidnapped young lady who will remain unnamed in the summer of the year of Our Lord Eighteen Hundred and Twelve.
I further GIVE AND BEQUEATH unto Mr Jacob Evins: Two Thousand Pounds Sterling, to be divided for the education and advancement of his children.
I GIVE unto:
my Butler, Mr Henry Chambers,
my Housekeeper, Mrs Mary Wickett,
and my Lady’s Maid, Miss Joan Adams,
the Sum of Five Hundred Pounds Sterling each, in gratitude for their long and faithful service.
And I further GIVE unto every other Servant within the household of Nethercourt House, both Indoor and Outdoor, including:
Maids,
Gardeners,
Grooms,
Stable Boys,
Hall Boys,
Kitchen Staff,
and all other dependants and retainers in regular service of Nethercourt House,
the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Sterling each.
For faithful servants are more valuable than most relations.
I GIVE unto:
The Housekeeper of Netherfield Park in Hertfordshire, Mrs Ann Nichols:
the Sum of Five Hundred Pounds Sterling, in gratitude for her long and faithful service.
And I further GIVE unto every other Servant within the household of Netherfield Park, both Indoor and Outdoor, including:
Maids,
Gardeners,
Grooms,
Stable Boys,
Hall Boys,
Kitchen Staff,
and all other dependants and retainers in regular service of Netherfield Park in the County of Hertfordshire,
the Sum of One Hundred Pounds Sterling each.
In thanks for the maintenance and well-keeping of my childhood home.
ALL THE REST, RESIDUE, AND REMAINDER of my Fortune, Property, Estates, Freeholds, Monies, Securities, Household Effects, and Possessions whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore specifically devised or bequeathed, including:
Nethercourt House and its Estate yielding Four Thousand Pounds per annum,
the remaining Thirteen Ramsgate Tourist Cottages in my ownership,
the Six Market Street Buildings in Petticoat Lane, Ramsgate,
the Four Market Street Buildings in St James’s Street, Brighton,
the Ten Townhouses in Bath,
the Seven London Townhouses in Mayfair,
and all remaining funds and investments whatsoever, estimated presently at approximately One Hundred and Sixty Thousand Pounds Sterling,
I GIVE, DEVISE, AND BEQUEATH these unto The Honourable Colonel Richard Fitzwilliam, second son of Reginald Fitzwilliam, Ninth Earl of Matlock. The Colonel having proved himself steadfast, honourable, good-humoured, and capable of bearing family absurdities with uncommon grace.
As to Sir Rupert Barry, distant cousin and Heir Presumptive to the Entailed Property of my late husband, Sir Charles Barry, together with his sister, Miss Mildred Barry, it is my express intention to leave them nothing whatsoever.
They, having long expected my Fortune while never possessing either my esteem or affection, and I, having never at any period of my life considered them proper Family Connections.
Should either of them object publicly to the dispositions herein made, I direct my Executors to inform them that disappointment builds character, which they both so desperately need.
Lastly, I appoint:
Thomas Bennet, Esquire, of Longbourn in Hertfordshire,
and the Right Honourable Ashley, The Viscount Fitzwilliam,
to be Executors of this, my Last Will and Testament, trusting they shall discharge the same with prudence, fairness, and as little unnecessary grumbling as may reasonably be expected of gentlemen.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Twelfth Day of December in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Thirteen.
Josephine Barry
Dowager Lady Barry
Signed, Sealed, Published, and Declared by the said Lady Barry as and for her Last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who at her request, in her presence, and in the presence of each other, have subscribed our names as Witnesses:
Sir Dudley Nibsby, Magistrate
Dr William Harvey, Physician