The Document Chest

James Walters Hilbourne

Maltster of Yeovil

 

Very little is known of James Walters Hilbourne "of Sydling St Nicholas, Dorset", other than he was a maltster, initially in his own company in Yeovil - Hilbourne & Co - and later in partnership with James Cayme the Younger and solicitor Thomas Bullock Watts (the latter two were also in partnership together as brandy merchants).

On 15 August 1805, at St John's church, James married Elizabeth Watts, probably a cousin of his partner Thomas Bullock Watts. They had a daughter, Mary, who would marry Yeoman William Davey Fooks of Yeovil.

The London Gazette had two announcements for 6 October 1821. The first gave notice that James Cayme the Younger was quitting the partnership and that Thomas Bullock Watts would continue "on his own account" a firm called Thomas Bullock Watts & Co. The second announcement gave notice that James Hilbourne, Thomas Bullock Watts and James Cayme the Younger had dissolved their firm of maltsters that had previously operated under the name Hilbourne & Co. This business would now be carried out by James Cayme the Younger on his own account.

 

 

Gallery

 

The record of the 15 August 1805 marriage of James Hilbourne and Elizabeth Watts from the marriage register of St John's church.

 

1821 Will of James Walters Hilbourne

 

This is the last Will of me James Walters Hilbourne of Yeovil in the County of Somerset Malster First I desire that all my just debts and Funeral expences be discharged as soon after my decease as possible and after the same be so done I hereby request that my Executrix and Executors In trust hereinafter named will call in and receive all the residue of my monies and securities for monies of what nature or kind soever and when so received to place the same out on Government or other good Security and the interest dividends or produce arising therefrom I give and bequeath unto my dear wife to hold to her for and during the term of her natural life and from and after her decease I give and bequeath the same interest dividends or produce unto my daughter Mary the wife of William Davey Fooks of Yeovil aforesaid Yeoman whom I provided for some years since to hold to her for and during the term of her natural life the same to be paid her quarterly and from and after the decease of the said Mary Fooks I give and bequeath the said Principal monies arising from such said Securities unto my said wife for her disposal as by any will in her will shall direct and appoint I give unto my Son in Law the said William Davey Fooks such part of my Clothes and Wearing apparel as my said wife shall think proper to send him I also give and bequeath unto my said wife all my household Goods and Furniture but I hereby direct that all of which that she may have at the time of her decease shall be sold and disposed of by my Executors in trust and the produce and interest thereof shall be applied in the same manner as my other monies above mentioned all the rest and residue of my Personal Estate and Effects of what nature or kind soever or wheresoever the same may be at the time of my decease I give and bequeath the same unto my said Wife whom I make constitute and Appoint sole Executrix of this my last will and testament hereby also requesting my two Friends James Cayme the Younger and George Glyde both of Yeovil aforesaid Brandy Merchants to act as Executors In trust on behalf of my said Daughter should she survive my said wife In witness whereof I have to this my last will and testament set my hand and seal this eighth day of September one thousand eight hundred and twenty one

James W Hilbourne

Signed sealed published and delivered by the said Testator James Walters Hilbourne as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto

Thos B Watts          Thos Sansom



Proved at London 9th July 1822 before the Judge by the Oath of Elizabeth Hilbourne widow the Relict the sole Executrix for life to whom admi[nistrati]on was granted having bee first sworn by Comm[issio]n duly to adm[iniste]r



Transcribed by Bob Osborn