Thomas Dell snr & Ann Dell

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Thomas and Ann Dell. Research by Dennis Claydon and Joan West

The research into the lives of Thomas and Ann Dell started when Dennis Claydon was lent the deeds of Vine Cottage by Gwen Fletcher in the 1960s. Hearing that Joan West was interested in old houses, sparked by trying to discover when Stocken Farm house was built, she invited her to see the older features of Vine Cottage, her home. Dennis and Joan were already working together on local history research, so they both went along for a very interesting visit.

Thomas Dell, born 1736, was the son of William and Jane Dell. See William & Jane Dell, married pre 1736

Little is yet known about William and Jane. They first appear in Princes Risborough church register in 1739, where the baptism of nine children is recorded, however, research revealed that Thomas, born 1736 was also one of this family.

Research Note. Both Thomas and his brother Joshua Dell, born 1757 had a big impact on Lacey Green. (Put entrepreneurs into Search for similar people).

Thomas Dell, snr. born 1736 married Ann Jacobs born 1743, in Princes Risborough in 1764. They were both living in the parish of Princes Risborough, Ann in the town itself.

Children They had two children

Mary Dell, born 1767, married James Harmon of Saunderton in 1787. They only had one child, Mary, who died at one month old.  Because of this other members of the Dell family were to benefit in their wills. Click James and Mary Harmon, nee Dell for details

Thomas Dell jnr. born 1765 married Mary Carter in 1798. Click Thomas Dell Jnr. & Mary,nee Carter for their history

In 1772 Two cottages at Lacey Green were bequeathed to John Anderson of Speen, blacksmith, on the death of Edward Anderson. They were occupied by Josiah Ward, afterwards by Hannah West and subsequently by Peter Goodchild.

19th & 20th January 1775. Abstract of the Title of Mr. Henry Batt Mason to hereditements called 'Up Green' or the 'Roundabout', situate at Lacey Green in the Parish of Princes Risborough, as mortgagee thereof, with power of sale.

19th January 1775. Lease to Thomas Dell by Mr. Henry Batt Mason, mortgagee

Lease (deposit for one day prior to purchase) to Thomas Dell snr. of Lacey Green, shopkeeper, from John Anderson of Downley, blacksmith, for 5 shillings. This document is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall. See Thomas Dell snr & Ann Dell

Schedule. Two freehold cottages, also arable and meadow land of 2 acres, known as ‘Anderson’s Meadow’, at Up Green (or Roundabouts).

Thomas Dell and Ann, his wife are to be found under Families with Entrepreneurs.

Indentures of lease and release of these dates, the release made between John Anderson of Downley in the parish of West Wycombe, blacksmith of the one part and Thomas Dell of Lacey Green, shopkeeper, of the other part.   It is witnessed that for the sum of £64 paid to Mr. Anderson, sold to Thomas Dell – all that messuage, cottage or tenement, then divided into two tenements, lying in Lacey Green, wherein John Lacey and John Bowler did then dwell, together with several parcels of arable land, meadow or pasture thereto belonging, adjoining to the land of Mrs Franklin on the south, on the northwest two acres in the occupation of John Lacey, his undertenants or assigns together with all barns etc. And the Reversions etc. And all the Estate etc, and all Deeds Etc. To hold unto the said Thomas Dell his heirs and assigns. For the history of the cottage see Vine Cottage

20^th January 1775    Bond from said John Anderson to said Thomas Dell against the Power of Elizabeth, the wife of Mr. Anderson in the penal sum of £130.

Purchase by Thomas Dell

January 20^th1775.   Indenture between John Anderson and Thomas Dell.   Purchase by the said Thomas Dell from the said John Anderson for £64. This document is archived in Lacey Green Village Hall.

The Land at Up Green. The closes lay as crescent shaped meadow encircling three sides of 'Up Green' or “Roundabouts”.   The south-eastern half of this was an orchard. Also a small building at the far bottom east of the orchard. The land of Mrs Frankling lay to the south.

Lease to Thomas Dell

January 19^th 1775. Thomas Dell snr. of Lacey Green, shopkeeper, leased from John Anderson of Downley, blacksmith, for 5 shillings.

Schedule. Two cottages, also arable and meadow land of 2 acres, known as 'Andersons Meadow', at Up Green (or Roundabouts).   The tenants being John Lacey and John Bowler

Purchased by Thomas Dell

January 20^th. 1775.  Thomas Dell snr. purchased four acres of land and two cottages at ‘Up Green’ or ‘Roundabouts’ in Lacey Green, from John Anderson of Downley.

1.   Thomas set up shop as a baker, grocer and chandler.

2.   He built two additional cottages attached to the first.

Ed.  The cottages later became known as Vine Cottage, the area Roundlands, the Village Hall site and Idle Corner.

Lacey Green Farm

In 1796  Thomas Dell purchased Lacey Green Farm comprising four cottages, two barns, stable, cart house, and five fields, in all twenty-eight acres known as Pettifers and Newells. (put 'farm' into Search for other farms)

Research note. This farm was beyond the modern sports field with Slad Lane on the north and east of it.   The buildings have all disappeared.

Stocken Farm

Thomas and Ann rented Stocken Farm from the Manor of Princes Risborough from 1797.   They moved from Vine Cottage to live at the Farm.   Their grandson John Carter Dell moved to the shop. See John Carter & Elizabeth Dell for his history.

Speen Farm

Thomas also purchased Speen Farm   (The date of purchase is not yet known) (put 'farm' into Search for other farms)

1811   Death of Thomas Dell Snr. See People with Wills for others who made wills

Thomas Dell snr. died in 1811 leaving his wife Ann the land and cottages at Up Green plus Lacey Green Farm, Speen Farm, and the tenancy of Stocken Farm.   Ann lived until 1827, another 16 years.

New Landlord

In 1813 Lord George Henry Cavendish purchased Stocken Farm from the Lord of the Manor, thus becoming Ann Dell’s new landlord.

1823 The Enclosures of the Manor of Princes Risborough

The new landlord, Cavendish, was working to get the Enclosures of Princes Risborough passed by parliament.   It was a requirement that all the farmers supported the campaign.   At first Ann at Stocken Farm and her son Thomas at Speen Farm, refused, but later changed their mind.   Did they have an inducement?   We will never know!

Premises Passed On.

Ann passed Speen Farm, Lacey Green Farm and all the properties at Up Green to their son Thomas before she died. She continued to live at Stocken Farm, rented from the Manor of Princes Risborough.

Ann Dell, Widow, Made Two Wills. See People with Wills for others who made wills

1st Will 1823. Extract giving gifts and legacies:-

To Mary Harmon. I give and devise unto my daughter Mary Harman, wife of James Harman of Saunderton, James & Mary Harmon, nee Dell all my two freehold messuages, lands and tenements lying and being in the town of Princes Risborough in the county of Buckingham, in the occupation of John Gilmer and Soloman Hughes, yearly tenants unto her my said daughter during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give and devise all the said two messuages to the children of my son Thomas Dell of Speen Farm and Mary his wife Thomas Dell Jnr. & Mary,nee Carter to be divided share and share alike between them. (These properties were probably inherited from her parents)

To Mary Harmon I give and devise the sum of £500 now on mortgage on an estate of W. Wheeler of High Wycombe, brewer, to my aforesaid daughter and the interest thereon for the term of her natural life and after her decease the said sum of £500 to be divided in equal shares between the children of my said son Thomas Dell and Mary his wife.

To Mary Harmon and James Dell I also give and bequeath to my said daughter for her life, one half of whatever sum or property may remain after my debts and funeral expenses have been paid out of my stock, goods and chattels that may belong to me at the time of my decease and the other half to my grandson James Dell, click James & Elizabeth Dell provided he does not inherit his father's estates. And after the decease of my said daughter Mary Harman, the aforesaid half bequeath to her for her life I give to my grandson James Dell, but should he inherit his father's estates then the said sum to be divided among the younger children of my son Thomas Dell and Mary his wife

Ann Dell's 2nd Will 1826

There were a number of changes made in Ann's second will.

The two messuages in Princes Risborough to now go to both Mary Harmon and her husband James Harmon, for their lives, see James & Mary Harmon, nee Dell, then after their decease to go to her grandson John Carter & Elizabeth Dell for his heirs and assigns forever.

The mortgage of £500 to now go to both Mary and her husband James Harman for their lives, then after their decease to be split, £200 to go to her grandson John Carter Dell for his absolute use and £300 to go to her grandson James Dell (click James & Elizabeth Dell) for his absolute use.

Added Declaration

I do hereby declare that I have sold and delivered unto the said James Dell all the farming stock, crop, implements of husbandry, horses, cows, sheep, pigs and all other articles and things which he has entered on in taking my farm at Lacey Green, aforesaid (Stocken Farm), for which I have given him a receipt in full he having to pay £50 to Mr Thomas Gibbons of Speen and to John Russell of Risborough £50 money I borrowed off them.

I do hereby nominate and appoint the said John Carter Dell and James Dell the joint executors of this my last Will and Testament.

signed on 1st July 1826.

Witnesses. John Lane X his mark; and John Green X his mark. Labourers working with James Dell of Lacey Green. Nash, solicitor, High Wycombe.

Note. In her wills Ann left items to her daughter Mary and her husband James Harman. However, these are only for their lifetimes. Ann has ensured that on their deaths they would come back into her own line of Dells, thus keeping them in her family. (ie. They could not be passed to the Harman side)

Death of Ann Dell

Ann died 19th February 1827.   She continued to live at Stocken Farm with James until her death. Having disposed of nearly everything she now had little to leave. To see the rates on Legacy Duty in 1827 click 1827 Legacy Duty

Account of the Personal Estate of Ann Dell

Ann Dell Died 19^th February, 1827.  Executors, James Dell and John Carter Dell

1.      Cash in house…………………………… £9

2.      Sale of household goods  and furniture   £8 – 5 – 6

3.      Interest on mortgage outstanding ……£506

4.      Balance of Cash……………………………………… . £523 – 5s – 6d

Payments out of money Received

1.     Probate administration costs……………£25

2.      Funeral costs………………………… …£30

3.      Debts……………………………………… £1

4.      Total Expences……………………………………… .. £56 – 0 - 0                

Balance of Cash………………………………………………………………… £467 – 5 – 6d

Value of annuities given by the will, remaining

A charge on the residue...…………………………………..£109 - 13 – 3d

Balance Paid to Legatees or Next of Kin……………………………………… ..£357 – 12 – 3d

Researchers Comment. Ann Dell and her husband Thomas were shrewd business people, who had built up a small estate of properties from nothing. These properties had all been inherited by their son Thomas Dell Jnr. In 1837 Thomas Jnr was declared bankrupt. Had Ann foreseen possible trouble brewing, which caused her to change her will? We shall never know, but it does seem a possibility.