• Welcome to this forum . We are a worldwide group with a common interest in Birmingham and its history. While here, please follow a few simple rules. We ask that you respect other members, thank those who have helped you and please keep your contributions on-topic with the thread.

    We do hope you enjoy your visit. BHF Admin Team

James Stephens, 62 Constitution Hill, and where to find a Will

Jayell

Jayell

master brummie
I'm trying to find the Will of my 4 x Gt Grandfather, James Stephens. He died in 1847 at 62 Constitution Hill, where he had run a business as a Boot & Shoe Maker for many years, and he lived (I believe) at the back of same or 62a.

An application to HM Courts & Tribunals Service Probate Registry produced no results, and the fee for same covers a 4 year search from the year of death. I presumed that he had left a Will, as in the Will of his daughter (Emelia Mackain) she states that he has left her property at 64 Constitution Hill (in the occupation of Parkwood draper in 1865) and a property in the yard adjoining (No.2).

On Googling 62 Constitution Hill, it appears that the property standing there is a Grade II listed building - 60-62 Constitution Hill - and it looks a fine property, but the buildings to the side have been demolished.

Any ideas where I could now look for a Will? Might Lichfield Record Office be a possibility?

Judy
 

Jayell
I cannot help you with the will, but can correct something else. Between 1883 & 1884 there was a renumbering of Constitution Hill from consecutive to odd numbers one side, even the other. Therefore the buildings which you thought were nos 62 & 64 were not. I attach a map which shows some pre 1883 numbers (52, 54 & 66) with the later numbers in red
(115, 119, & 139) Number 64 pre 1883 was later no. 141, but am unable to say for certain exactly which no 62 became, as the directories have several missing numbers. All I can say is that it was either 137 or 139. The junction on the map is that at the top of the Hill, with Gt. Hampton Row & Livery St. I;m afraid none of that block are still there.

map_c_1889_top_Constitution_hill__showing_1152C__1192C_139.jpg
 
Thank you so much Mike. I had guessed as much. The possibility of the road being re-numbered was on my mind. Thought that the Grade ll building was too much of a good thing to expect. Your map is excellent and it gives me something to go on. I will look at Google Maps and see where it was in the road. I have connections at 62 Constitution Hill from about 1821. Just wish I could locate that elusive Will which might tell me more!

Judy
 
Last edited:
The centralisation of wills through the civil courts didn´t start until 1858. Prior to that, they were proved through the church courts.
Sorry, can´t tell you any more than that, but it may be worth having a word with one of the archivists at Central library.
 
Jayell

On FMP Index to death duty register 1796-1903 under the sub heading PCC and Country Courts, 1847 – 1847, Wills, 3 images, there is this entry on 2[SUP]nd[/SUP] sheet (page 30) 8[SUP]th[/SUP] entry on page:
Testator -Stephens James. Residence – Birmingham. Executors – Robt Purdie. Court – illegible (to me at least). Register – I think it says 2. Folio – 424.

Hope this helps.

Bewdley
 
Thank you senoraruz - apologies for the delay in replying but my internet connection has been down.

Judy
 
Bewdley - Your are a star! This is my man. Thank you so very much. I know this is the correct James Stephens, as the executor Robert Purdie was his son-in-law. I am not subscribed to FMP but will try and get to view the images on the Index to the Death Duty Registers. I wonder where the actual Will would be held if it comes under the PCC and Country Courts? I am thinking that my idea of contacting Lichfield Record Office might be worth a go now that I have something to go on, or as Senoraruz suggested, I could contact Birmingham Archives. Again, I can't thank you enough for this information

Judy
 
Bewdley - I now have access to the FMP indexes, and am looking at the entry for James Stephens. Like you, I find the Court name illegible - so far!!! I'm trying hard to decipher it.

Judy
 
It's a possibility Suzanne, and would make sense. Thanks for looking. The last four letters could be 'ield', but I wondered if they were an abbreviation and maybe read 'ter' at the end. To me it looks like two words. The first letter of the first word looks like a B, and looking at the entry below James Stephens' one the first word looks similar, possibly Bpsle. Could this be the type of Court?

Judy
 
Bewdley and Suzanne! I contacted Lichfield Record Office by email this morning, and was thrilled to receive a reply from them this afternoon saying that they had located the will of James Stephens. I have now ordered a copy from them. Thanks you for all your help - you are amazing!

Judy
 
Last edited:
Jayell said:
Bewdley and Suzanne! I contacted Lichfield Record Office by email this morning, and was thrilled to receive a reply from them this afternoon saying that they had located the will of James Stephens. I have now ordered a copy from them. Thanks you for all your help - you are amazing!

Judy
Click to expand...

great news judy...i love it when a plan comes together lol..

lyn
 
All I can say is thank you to those who have helped me. This is such a fantastic forum - always willing to help and so knowledgable. I've been looking for James Stephens for some time now, finding little bits here and there, and then I ask for help on the forum and lo and behold in a couple of days I've found the will! So thanks again for helping me piece some of my family history together. I'm hoping that I might be able to trace James back to Scotland one day!

Judy
 
Thats great news Judy I love trawling through wills they hold some excellent information for Family Historians. Well done to all who helped.

To all who don't know, the early wills in Birmingham (not sure of exact date) but they are all held at Lichfield.
 
Last edited by a moderator:
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top