Basics

People

Properties

Can You Help?

Roads Off

Janet's Research

Sources & More

Will of William Christmas, 1839

Abstract of will

I William Christmas of New Brentford, china man, being of sound & disposing mind...

I give devise and bequeath (subject to the payment of my just debts and funeral expenses and to a claim of Mr William Davis PRICHARD upon my real estate for the sum of £340) unto my dear wife Elizabeth and my infant daughters Elizabeth and Sarah

... appoint dear wife Elizabeth & Joseph BURNESS the elder as executrix and executor

... dated 8th July 1837

... witnessed by Thomas PALMER, James NASH & Willoughby SPRAGG

... proved at London on 9th March 1839 by the oath of Elizabeth Christmas executrix

The testator

The Christmas family has been researched over a number of years at Christmastime: read more.

Following William's death, his widow Elizabeth continued the china and glass business at no. 219. Elizabeth died in 1871 and her daughter Sarah, who was born shortly before William Christmas died, ran the business until at least 1891.

Top

The witnesses & executor

Thomas PALMER: there were two Palmers living on the High Street in 1841 but neither was a Thomas

James NASH: a James Nash lived on the High Street in 1861 but was only 24 then; the witness to the will may have been his father or uncle

Willoughby SPRAGG: in 1841 he was a currier of Hill Street, Richmond, age 20; the household was headed by Elizabeth STEVENS, 40, and Fanny Stevens 35, both staymakers and presumably sisters. Willoughby married Ann Cripps by licence 13 Jan 1844.

In 1861 he was living in Kingston upon Thames, Surrey with his wife Ann and five children ages 3 to 16; he was a broker and currier, born Westminster.

Joseph BURNESS: currier, lived at no. 235 High Street in 1841.

William Davis PRICHARD

William Davis Prichard retired from the office of Common Councilman for Aldgate Ward,London, according to the Morning Herald (London) 24 December 1840. In 1852 several papers carry a note about the bankruptcy of William Davis Prichard and Daniel Prichard, coach smiths and ironmongers, High-street, Marylebone.

How to see this will in full

A copy of the original will can be downloaded from The National Archives Documents Online service, or it can be viewed free of charge by visiting TNA at Kew.

Top

Published ca 2010; updated November 2021.