Stephen SUMPTER

  General Notes:

Grave in Sumpter 'cluster' in St Peters, Irthlingborough;
Stephen Sumpter. Son of Thomas Freeman xxxxxx Sumpter. Died June 20th 1856, aged 63 years

1841 Census; Living, as head, aged 45, in the High St., Irthlingborough with widowed mother and a Maria MONEY and Mary Goddard - both are 20 and look like servants. Occupation; Publican. This Maria Elizabeth Money (dau of Solomon) is mentioned in his will - "resides with me". Solomon being late of Chelsea and Money being his mother's mdn name.

"History, gazetteer, and directory of Northamptonshire; comprising a general survey of the county" 1849; Stephen Sumpter is listed at Irtlingborough, at 'The Bull'.

1851 Census; Indexed as 'Stphen Sampler' ! ; Living, unmarried aged 57, as head in Irthlingborough with cousin Maria Money and servant xxxxx Line. PoB is Irthlingborough. Occupation; Innkeeper and Farmer employing 2 labourers. Cousin gives occupation as 'Head Keeper' so presumably she ran the pub?

Will dated 23 May 1856, occupation given is Victualler. This gives death date, probate granted 16 May 1857. Value for tax purposes - under £600. John Pirkins Wright was executor of his will which also mentions George & Julia Rands, William Wright, John Jenkins Wright, The Holbrooks, Money (his mothers surname), Rowe (his aunts Sarah's husbands name) and various other people who don't (yet) appear to be relatives with surnames; Wallis, Freestone, Clarke, Steptoe, Izzard, Scroxton, Hurlston and Rooksby. Basically;
1.John Wallis and John Freestone were the executors.
2.Richard Money (son of Solomon Money late of 1 James St, Marlborough Rd, Chelsea) recd £100.
3.Maria Eliza Money (dau of same Solomon) recd £500, she resided with Sumpter
4.Mary Ann Money (later Clarke, wife of Thomas Robert) (dau of same Solomon) recd £200.
5.Wm Money of Dunstable recd £100.
6.Children of late Susannah Steptoe (dau of his late Uncle John Sumpter) recd £50 to be divided between them
7.Children of late Jane Izzard (late Westway (another dau of John Sumpter) recd £50 to be divided between them.
8.Children of late George Freeman Scroxton (of Irthlingborough) recd £50 to be divided amongst them.
9.Susannah, wife of Wm Hurlston, of 3 Millman St., Bedford Row, London (formerly Susannah Scroxton, spinster) £50
10.Children of late Sarah Rowe of Irthlingborough £50 to be divided between them. This is his cousin, nee Sumpter.
11.Emma Rooksby, dau of Hannah Rooksby late of Irthlingborough, £50.
..... so thus far that is £1,200 - but estate valued at under £600 ! However looking at another document this could just be the value of the "goods, chattels and credits".
12.It then appears that any excess (fat chance!) was to go to "my friend Wm Wright" during his life and then to....
13."The four children of the said Wm Wright namely John Pirkins Wright, Sarah Ann now the wife of Thomas Holbrook, Mary Elizabeth now the wife of John Holbrook and Julia now the wife of George Rands.
14.Codicil that "old and faithful servant Issac Baker" should receive £19 and 16s.
14.Wm Wright is described in the will as "tenant for life".
15.John Freestone died before Sumpter.
16.John Wallis (and also Wm Wright although he not named as an executor!) seemed to have handed over the admin of the will to John P Wright, although possibly this was just the "Goods, chattels and credits".
17.John P Wright and George Rands and Wm Wright then seem to have paid £1500 pounds to the Bishop of Peterborough!?!? And passed over admin to John P Wright.
In short, very complicated (12 pages in total) and I don't really understand what is happening !

Google books there is reference to a "Stephen Sumpter, Farmer, Irthlingborough" in Testimonies to the Value and usefullness to the Church, and the Constitution of the Country.