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1939 Probate

January 2021

Christian Hugh Septimus James died on 4th October 1938. His will, dated 27th May 1920 is reproduced in the Probate granted on 6th January 1939. The document is typed and written on 3 folded sheets of parchment 424 x 326mm, making 12 pages.

The will appointed his son, Christian Wilfred James and his solicitor, George Francis Bell as exectors. He set aside £4000 to provide an income for his widow, Diana Lily James, and gave everything else to Christian Wilfred James. This appears to have included assets in the Isle of Wight, Western Australia, and South Africa as well as (presumably) shares in a tea company, a knitwear manufacturer and a railway.

There are several interesing addenda to the document:

Inland Revenue Stamp

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Inland Revenue Stamp
Inside the front cover is an Inland Revenue stamp dated 19th June 1939 stating that "The true gross value of the said estate is now shown to be £14,729-4-11. The amount of deduction for debts and funreal expenses is £1,208-4-3"

Australia

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Australia
Under the seal of the Supreme Court of Western Australia, Alec Dixon Smith of Katanning, Western Australia, his solicitor, the estate was valued at £761-8-6 on which £15-4-7 (approximately 2%) duty was paid.

Isle of Wight 1

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Isle of Wight 1
£500 owing on a mortgage for land and premises in Brading, Isle of Wight.

Isle of Wight 2

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Isle of Wight 2
Another (?) £500 owing on a mortgage for land and premises in Brading, Isle of Wight.

Isle of Wight 3

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Isle of Wight 3
This later memorandum dated 12th January 1945, gives more detail on the property in the Isle of Wight, stating that Christian Wilfrid James and Goerge Francis Bell granter the remainder of the 900 year lease on 1, 2, 3 and 4 Hornsey Rise Cottages, The Mall, Brading in the Isle of Wight to Arthur Earnest Brown

Rudchester 1

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Rudchester 1
This states that "the freehold premises known as Rudchester" pass to Christian Wilfrid James subject to the 1905 mortgage.

Rudchester 2

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Rudchester 2
This states essentially the same thing.

Rudchester 3

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Rudchester 3
This states essentially the same thing.

Bank of England seal

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Bank of England seal
There are 7 official stamps, presumably recording that all assets are accounted for in the probate.

Inspector of Taxes (Hexham)

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Inspector of Taxes (Hexham)

The International Team Company's Stores Limited

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The International Team Company's Stores Limited

Bairns-Wear Limited

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Bairns-Wear Limited

London & North East Railway Company

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London & North East Railway Company

Holfontein (TCL) Gold Mining Company

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Holfontein (TCL) Gold Mining Company

Transvaal Consolidated Land & Exploration Company Limited

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Transvaal Consolidated Land & Exploration Company Limited

1939 Probate

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1939 Probate
The full document is available here