James William Smith (1839-1873)

James lived with his parents, Elias and Hester Smith (nee Ponting) at Southend Farm. This was number 531 on the Tithe Map, and is now called Millend Farm. The land and farmhouse were rented from William Lee Jortin Esq, but Elias did own the houses that were then in The Square, where there is now a sheltered development of bungalows. The household also held the farm bailiff, George Ponting, and his family, as well as three farm servants. James was their only child. In December 1861 he married Eliza Ann Hunt

James’ signature on his marriage certificate.

In 1871, he is listed as a farmer of 5 acres at nearby Howley, with Eliza and their 3 children, Francis Frederick (1862), Edith Eliza (1864) and Albert Edward (1869). The farm where he lived is now the (rebuilt) Daisy Farm. Even in 1871, 5 acres was not what could be considered a farm, and I can only assume that Elias allowed him the land and house from what he himself was renting from John Jortin.

James died in September 1873, of delirium tremens and epilepsy. Four years later, Eliza married Thomas Gabb and moved to Smarts Green, in another part of the parish.

When Elias died a year later, his will, written in 1866, left these instructions in his will

‘I devise all the real estate to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease and I bequeath all the residue of the personal estate to which I shall be then entitled unto the said Henry Barber and Charles Ponting their heirs executors adminstrators and assigns respectively [in a codicil written in 1872, Henry Barber was replaced by Lawford Lea], upon trust to sell my real estate together or in parcels by auction or by private contract and to convert and get in my personal estate and invest the monies to arise from such in the names of the trustees for the time being.. absolute discretion of trustees…to permit and empower my said wife to receive the annual income of the said monies…the said trustees shall pay so much and such part thereof only as they or he shall think proper for and towards the lodging clothing and maintenance of my son during his life …and in such proportions and manner as the trustees think fit.

And after the death of my said son as to the same monies and yearly income …in trust for my grandchildren equally is tenants in common the share of each female legatee to be for her sole and separate use. ‘

So James was not seen as capable of managing his inheritance.