Philip Hallworth's estate, 1880

Philip Hallworth was born in 1814, and died in 1880 and was buried in Ampthill, aged 66.
His wife Elizabeth Hallworth (nee Kitchener) died before 1890.

In documents seen so far, there is a mention of his will, but I've not found it yet.

It seems that it took a while to sort out the estate to please everyone! There are several documents about this period (1880-1881) in the ever-bountiful BLARS (collection ref SF/39/88/1-6), and thanks again to Barbara for the copies.

The papers refer particularly to the sale at Limersey Farm, Bedfordshire.

• The Limersey area gets a mention in this document all about Ampthill, it seems to neighbour the Maulden parish. "The grange of LYMBOTSEY or LIMERSEY, with its rich pasture lands, was in the possession of the Abbot of Warden by the end of the 12th century." Additionally, in BLARS there is a mention of a stock sale due to Thomas Negus leaving Limersey Farm at the earlier time of 1876 {BLARS ref SF39/77}.

so that would imply that Philip took up the Farm after the late Thomas Negus in 1876, moving from Long Lane Farm, Toddington where he had certainly been the farmer in 1871. 

• Also a more recent document - {BLARS ref PK2/3/1/17} for the sale of entire stock of Limbersey Lane Poultry Farm by Mr Monkhouse in 1940. 
• (Sept 1881, BLARS ref SF/39/88) Limersey {Farm}: Live and dead farm stock, and other goods, by direction of the executors of the late Mr Philip Hallworth - auctioneers catalogue. The numbers of animals don't sound large by today's standards. We can see that his widow, Elizabeth, is not going to stay at the farm - some household furniture is up for sale, so perhaps she is moving somewhere smaller. In the page from within the catalogue (this was the auctioneers' copy) you can see who bought what - some familiar names there.

Other items which went to John Hallworth in the auction were an Iron Pig Trough, 4 dozen churns, a barley chopper, shovel and scuttle.
Also various carts and a quantity of harnesses/tack, as well as a timber Gig house to put it all in.
I particularly enjoyed seeing the notes about some of the animals, as their names were noted.  John bought several sheep & cattle, a Bull (£13/5s.), and 3 horses named 'Gilbert' (£28/7s.) 'Bandy', and 'Diamond'.

George Hallworth also joined in at the auction - he bid for an Iron Plough (£1/5s), an Avery's weighing machine (£3) and a horse rake (£1).
The total amount raised in this Swaffield auction was £525/10s.

Again, I had to look up several of the terms used in this catalogue: a hogshead cask, box mangle, daisy rakes, and beetle & wedges.
But what on earth were the several "Milk Lead", or the marvellous Nine-tine scuffle (sounds like a dance?! I've heard of a scuffle-hoe...)?

A set of valuation notes about the farm also gives details about the crops in each field. North Farm has fields of Wheat, Peas, Barley, Beans, Mangolds, and 15 acres at Wood Close laid for Hay. South Farm has fields of Oats, Wheat, Barley, Beans and more laid for Hay. (A road cuts through the farm, East-West.)

(Talk to me if you would like to see all these documents.)

• (Sept 1881) Letter from Park Farm office in Woburn (The Duke of Bedford, landlord) states that Mrs. Hallworth is behind with her Lady Day Rent (by £63). They look to Swaffield auctioneers for payment of the rent out of the proceeds of the sale.

 

• (Sept 1881) Letter from the Town Clerk’s Office, Dunstable. "Mr George Baker of Toddington, a trustee under Philip Hallworth’s will, objects to the widow and his co-trustee intending ‘to buy in or withdraw from the sale certain portions of the effects to enable Mrs Hallworth to join the son of the deceased in another farm’ and will hold Swaffield {auctioneers} responsible for the sale of the whole." {I know that Philip's daughter Lucy married a gent named Baker. We also know from the Spring 1881 Census that Philip's son John was in Wokingham at Folly Farm, but 'out of business' - was he just arriving or leaving?}

• And on the reverse of that letter, here's another little note by Geo Baker: difficult to read this one, but I think I read, "I do hereby agree for W. Swaffield to pay ... John Hallworth the amount I owe ...". So has he changed his mind?  Or is this to pay for something quite separate?

• And after the sale is complete, John Hallworth writes to Swaffields to authorise them to pay the sums they have agreed to a Mr Geo. Baker and a Mr G. Hallworth {brother-in-law & brother}. Notably misses out the Duke (for the Lady Day Rent) - probably that was in another letter.  You'll see that he is still living at Folly Farm - it's dated 31/10/1881. {BLARS ref SF/39/88}

As I mentioned before, his wife Elizabeth Hallworth (nee Kitchener) died around 1886. Probate records from her will have been made available, and will appear soon.
Now you can read more about his son John Hallworth: here, and his daughter Lucy Baker here.