Bell, Edward

'DEATH OF THE MAYOR OF CAMBRIDGE.

It is with the profoundest regret that we announce the death of Mr Ald. Edward Bell, the Mayor of Cambridge, who expired at his residence at Old Chesterton, on Wednesday evening. As we have previously stated, the deceased gentleman had been in ill-health for a considerable time past, and the sad event was by no means unexpected. He had been attended by Dr. Bradbury since the beginning of December last, though, since that time, he has been able to attend to the duties connected with his municipal office as well as his business. In the month of January he appeared to be improving in health, but another change in his condition soon occurred, and since the first of February he has been confined to his house, while he has not been able to leave his bed since last Monday week. He received continual medical attention subsequent to that, but it soon became known that he was never likely to leave his house again, and, between nine and ten on Wednesday evening, he passed away, peacefully and painlessly, in the presence of his family - Mrs Bell, her son and four daughters.

Mr Bell was 62 years of age, having been born in Cambridge in the month of January, 1827. He may be said to have commenced his business career at the age of twelve, and all through that career he has displayed those qualities of tact, energy, and perseverance which have justly earned for him the position of a successful merchant, besides making him thoroughly popular and respected among a wide circle both in his native town and the county in which it is situate; Mr Bell seized every opportunity for self-advancement and self-improvement during his life, and he applied himself with great zeal and determination to the development of the corn merchant's and maltster's business with which his lineal predecessors had been connected during upwards of 150 years. The deceased gentleman joined his father as a partner in that business, on Peas Hill, in 1847, at which time it was not nearly as extensive as at the present, being principally confined to retail trade. Shortly after this the wholesale branch was added and Mr Bell and his father attended markets in the metropolis as well as in this district - notably those of Cambridge and St. Ives. This branch continued to prosper under dual management until 1885, when the elder partner died. This did not, however, affect the prosperity of the business, for Mr Edward Bell continued to conduct it upon the lines previously laid down, and which had been proved, by experience, to be the best. But Mr Bell's energies were not confined to commercial avocations. For twenty years he represented the Market Ward in the Town Council, and, during the last seven or eight years, he held the position of an Alderman. As Mayor of the Borough, to which office he was elected in November 1887, and which he held till the time of his death, he was, as in other capacities, very successful, being greatly respected by his fellow-townsmen as Chief Magistrate of Cambridge. Besides being punctual in his attendance at the meetings of the Council and the Bench, he was always ready and willing to lend his aid both by his patronage and presence to any institution which he considered to be beneficial to his native town or the community at large. Though having his business in the borough, his residence was at Chesterton; and the ratepayers of this parish he represented on the Local Board, every year, with the exception of one, since its formation, and occupied the presidential chair of that body for five years. Besides holding these offices, he was a Conservator of the Cam, an Income Tax Commissioner, and a Trustee of all the Town Charities which are connected with the Corporation.

Such an event as the decease of a Mayor while in office has not, we believe, within present memory occurred; and, according to the Municipal Corporations Act of 1882, the appointment of the Deputy-Mayor in such a case lapses, and the succeeding Mayor must be appointed at a meeting of the Town Council held within 14 days after formal notice has been received from burgesses by the Town Clerk.

At the meeting of the Town Council, at which Mr Bell was re-elected on the 9th of November last, Mr Wace, in proposing the resolution, said that during the past year he had perhaps more opportunity than any other member of the Council of seeing how carefully Mr Bell had discharged the duties of the Mayoralty. Mr Bell was always anxious that the dignity of the office should not suffer while he held it, and he knew how willing that gentleman had been to ask the advice of his friends whenever any case of doubt or difficulty arose, and how willing he had shown himself to take the advice which was given to him. When elected last year, Mr Bell had had no experience of the office, but he (Mr Wace) thought that from what the members of the Council had seen of him during the past year, the out-going Mayor had more than justified the good opinions of his friends who appointed him. while the experience he had gained would be of great assistance to him in the performance of his duties during another year of office. Mr Ald. Lyon, in seconding the motion, said he thought Mr Bell had given great satisfaction, generally by the efficient way in which he had acted as Mayor during the past year, and he (Mr Lyon) was sure that the outgoing Mayor was deeply interested in the welfare and prosperity of his native town. He hoped that that gentleman would again accept the office, and that no opposition would be offered to his appointment, for he was sure the townsmen were much indebted to Mr Bell for the services he had rendered to the borough, as that gentleman was anxious to increase the trade of the borough, and to benefit it in any way in which he could.

Public References To The Death.

As a tribute of respect to the memory of the deceased gentleman, the flags on the Guildhall and the church of St. Mary the Great were yesterday and are today floated half-mast high. At the Borough Police Court, yesterday morning, the Chairman (Mr Charles Balls) said, inasmuch as he occupied the chair that morning, it was his painful duty to announce the decease of the respected Mayor of the Borough. He believed the case was very rare, it certainly had not occurred during the present century, that a Mayor of Cambridge had died during his year of office. That was a very striking incident. Mr Bell had been a most kind-hearted, generous, and, he thought, honest man. He had held the office of Mayor for one year with such satisfaction to his fellow-townsmen that he was re-elected, and, now, he was struck down by the hand of death. He (Mr Balls) was sure he was expressing the feelings of his fellow-townsmen when he said how deeply he regretted the loss of one of the most respected inhabitants of the town. At the meeting of the County Council, yesterday afternoon, too, the Chairman (Mr Arthur Sperling) spoke of the sorrow with which all must have heard of the death of Mr Bell, and proposed a vote of condolence with the deceased gentleman's family, to which the members of the Council instantly agreed. Reference to the death of the Mayor was also made at the annual meeting of the Cambs. Permanent Benefit Building Society, last night, and a vote of sympathy with the deceased gentleman's family was passed.

The Funeral.

The interment will take place on Monday next, at 2.30 p.m., in Old Chesterton Churchyard; and of course it will be attended by members and officers of the Corporation, the Improvement Commissioners, and representatives of public bodies in Cambridge and Chesterton. Directions have been given for the tolling of Great Saint Mary's (Cambridge) bell, and for a dumb peal in the evening; and it is suggested to the inhabitants that, during the funeral, they should have shop-shutters raised, blinds drawn, and other marks of respect offered.

Any further particulars which may be desired will be obtained on application to Messrs. W.E. Lilley and Co., of Market Street, who will be the undertakers.'

THE LATE ALDERMAN EDWARD BELL, MAYOR OF CAMBRIDGE.

After lingering between life and death for many weeks, during which period it has frequently been reported that his worship's illness had terminated fatally, it is now our painful duty to record the fact that such is indeed the case at last. The melancholy event occurred on Wednesday evening, at a quarter past nine o'clock, in the presence of his wife and family. Alderman Bell's health has been of anything but a satisfactory character since October last and he has been compelled to husband his strength as much as possible. Notwithstanding his efforts to combat the illness, which was slowly but surely developing, Mr Bell was obliged a few weeks since to leave his desk, and has been confined to his house for some weeks, during which his complaints gradually assumed more serious phases, and gave rise to considerable anxiety to his relatives and friends. As far back as the beginning of December Mr Bell considered it necessary to seek medical advice, and Dr. Bradbury was according called in. From that time Mr Bell gradually became worse, although (as an instance of his perseverance) we may state that he had attended the borough bench and other municipal duties since that time. During the last fortnight he had been confined to his bed, and was at times unconscious; indeed we are assured that he has hardly uttered a word since Monday last. The exact nature of the disease to which Mr Bell has succumbed has not been conveyed to us, but we understand that it really consisted of a combination of ailments including disease of the kidneys and an affection of the heart. It is stated, as perhaps an interesting fact, that no mayor of Cambridge in the present century has died during his term of office. Nothing definite has at the time of writing been fixed with reference to the funeral arrangements. Mr Bell has left a widow, four daughters and one son.

The following biographical sketch of the deceased gentleman appeared in the Cambridgeshire Weekly News for February 8th: -

In commencing our series of portraits of local personages, we have considered it eminently fitting that Alderman Edward Bell, the present chief magistrate of the town we live in, justly claimed priority of position. Accordingly, we herewith present an excellent likeness of his worship from a photograph by Messrs. Scott and Wilkinson, of Cambridge. It will probably be assumed, from the portrait, that Mr Bell has those "grey hairs" which "are honourable;" and such is indeed the case, for he was born in January, 1827, and is therefore 62 years of age this year. A well-known writer has said that "every man is the architect of his own fortune," and Mr Bell may be numbered amongst those who have recognised and acted up to the spirit of the truism, for from a very early age he has been a plodding, persevering, hard-working man, and his present position as a successful merchant, and his undoubted popularity amongst not only his fellow-townsmen, but also amongst a large circle of friends, throughout the county, may justly be attributed to a general recognition of those sterling qualities which he has consistently exhibited throughout a business career which really commenced when he was only twelve years old. Mr Bell was born in Cambridge, in which town he has spent the whole of his days. He can boast of no great academical distinctions, for he left school many years before our present great system of national education, and the many other "higher grade" educational agencies which have sprung up of late years, were probably even dreamed of. He did not, however, fail to improve all suitable opportunities of self-advancement after he had entered the world's stage, and appears early to have recognised that industry was one of the conditions of industrial success, by applying himself zealously to the development of the corn and seed merchant and maltster's business on Peas-hill, which has now been established upwards of 150 years, during the whole of which long period members of Mr Bell's family have been identified with its fortunes. Mr Bell's father carried on the business as "Edward Bell and Son," but his brother had preceded him in the business, and the present head of the firm joined it in a subordinate capacity, on leaving school some fifty years ago. He joined his father in partnership in 1847, when the business was of much less magnitude than at present. They then embarked upon an extensive wholesale business, and attended all the county and metropolitan markets, thereby obtaining a greatly-extended circle of clients. This partnership existed until 1885, when the elder partner died, but the business has continued to be a successful one nevertheless, as its present head has carried it on upon the methods which had been adopted long since, which ripened experience had confirmed as the most approved. Mr Bell also early took great personal interest in the affairs of his native town, and his municipal life has been a long one. He has been a member of the Corporation, representing Market Ward, in which his business is situated, for about twenty years, of which period he has been an alderman for seven or eight years. Amongst other public offices at present held by him are those of a conservator of the Cam, a member of the Chesterton Local Board (since its formation, with the exception of one year, and chairman five or six years), an income tax commissioner, a trustee of all the town charities which are connected with the Corporation, and a borough and county magistrate. He is also mayor of his native town again this year, having been unanimously re-elected last November. Mr Bell has during his mayoralty been a punctual and regular attendant upon the Bench daily, and has in every way in his power endeavoured to promote the welfare of the various institutions of the town by granting his patronage or presence to all deserving objects. His extensive business connection has made him well known amongst farmers and others in the county, and he is by no means the least conspicuous figure at St. Ives market, or at the Corn Exchange, Cambridge, on Saturdays.

REFERENCE At The CAMBRIDGE BOROUGH POLICE COURT.

Previous to the commencement of the business of the Court on Thursday, Mr C. Balls said inasmuch as he occupied the chair that morning it was his painful duty to announce the decease of their respected mayor. He believed the case was very rare, certainly it had not occurred during the present century, that a mayor of Cambridge had died during his year of office. That was a very striking incident. With reference to their late mayor, he was a most kind-hearted, generous, and he though honest man. He had held the office of mayor for one year, and had done so with such satisfaction to his fellow-townsmen that he was re-elected, and now he was struck down by the hand of death. He (Mr Balls) was sure he was expressing the feelings of his fellow-townsmen when he said how deeply he regretted the loss of one of the most respected inhabitants of the town.

THE COUNTY COUNCIL AND THE MAYOR.

The Chairman, before proceeding to the business upon the agenda at the County Council on Thursday, remarked that as a matter of respect to the memory of the mayor of Cambridge, that the County Council should express its sympathy and condolence with the town. They all knew how much respected the mayor was, and how suddenly he had been called away, so far as that council was concerned. He thought it was only due to the mayor's friends and to the corporation that they should express their sympathy with them in their present misfortune. He should also like to add the thanks of the council for the use of the chamber, in which they were at present meeting. He was sure that the council would agree to both suggestions he had made.

THE LATE MAYOR OF CAMBRIDGE.
FUNERAL CEREMONY AT CHESTERTON.

The body of the late Mayor of Cambridge, Mr Alderman Edward Bell, who died at his residence, at Chesterton, on Wednesday week, after a protracted illness, was interred in the churchyard of Old Chesterton, with due civic honours and ceremony, and amid the outward expressions of deep regret of all in Cambridge and the neighbourhood. In Cambridge and Chesterton the public offices were closed in the afternoon, and the shutters of business places were put up during the ceremony, while in many of the private houses the blinds were drawn. From the tower of St. Mary's a muffled peal was rung during the time of the funeral, and again in the evening. The weather was fine and spring-like. The hour fixed for the funeral was half past two. Before that time, however, the chief mourners, the members of the Corporation and other public bodies, and all who had been invited to attend, assembled at the house, while in and around the churchyard the general public thronged in hundreds. Along the approaches from every hand to the place of burial, those anxious to be present streamed for over an hour before the ceremony took place, and by half past two, probably four or five thousand persons had gathered together. The sight was a unique one in Chesterton churchyard, and will be remembered in the history of the parish. The crowd patiently awaited the appearance of the funeral cortege, and looked on with respectful interest as it emerged from the house.

THE ORDER OF PROCESSION

was as follows: -

Churchwardens.

Mr A.T. Cross and Mr D. Bland.

Choir.

Rev. S.E. Perry, Archdeacon Emery and Rev. H.C. Craddock.

Town Crier.

Chief Mace Bearer.

Two Mace Bearers. Two Mace Bearers.

Mr Charles Stretton, Chief Constable of the County, and Mr W.E. Lilley.

Bearers. BODY. Bearers.

Chief Mourners:

Mrs Bell, Mr G. Bell, Miss Bell, Miss B. Bell, Miss M. Bell, Miss R. Bell, James Lawrence, Esq., Rev. A. Roberts, Mr H. Roberts, Miss Webster, Mr and Mrs E. Headly, Mr Squires, Mr Watney, Mr Todd, Mr H.F. Baxter, Mr Rose, Mr Larbalestier, M.A., Corpus Christi, Mr J.H. Robinson, Mr F.W. Kett, Mr W. Robinson, Mr Williams and Mr Owen.

Members Of Corporation:

Aldermen Death, Lyon, Deck, Reed, Cooke, Redfarn and Ellis;

Officers:

Mr J.E.L. Whitehead, Town Clerk; Mr G.W. Fitch, Clerk of the Peace; Mr H.J. Whitehead, Borough Treasurer, and Mr H. Gotobed, the Coroner.

Bailiffs:

Mr Clayton, Mr H.T. Hall, Mr Spalding and Mr Cunnington;

Councillors:

Messrs. Leonard, Nichols, Rutter, Moden, Flack, Lee, W. Bell, Bullock, Kett, Banham, E.C. Young, Purchas, Wace, Campkin, Rae, Taylor, Morley, Whitmore, Wootten, Geldard and Lieut.-Colonel Hamilton.

The Borough Organist (Mr F. Dewberry); the Borough Auditor (Mr Jas. Catling); and the Borough Analyst (Mr J. West Knights.)

The Borough Magistrates:

Messrs. Dennis Adams, G. Ainslie, C.J. Clay, C.F. Foster, Dr. Fawcett, and J.Bennett, clerk.

Mr E.H. Parker, County Treasurer.

Chesterton Local Board:

Messrs. John Bester (chairman), Dr. Ransom, and Messrs. Jack French, Jas. Foster, J.M. Logan, Thos. Wright, M.I. Whibley.

Members Of The University:

The Right Worshipful the Vice-Chancellor (the Rev. Dr. Searle), the Master of St. John's (the Rev. Dr. Taylor), the Master of Corpus (the Rev. Dr. Perowne), the Master of Peterhouse (the Rev. Dr. Porter), the Master of Jesus (the Rev. Dr. Morgan), and the Rev. Prof. G.F. Browne.

Servants Of The Corporation:

Messrs. J. Jacobs, Guildhall keeper; H. List, Inspector of weights and measures; C.H. Ellis, collector of market tolls; J.R. Maze, collector of Corn Exchange dues; J. Pearce, pindar; H.J. Phillips, F.B. Reeve, school attendance officer.

Chief Inspector Turrell and other members of the Borough Police Force.

Amongst others who attended the ceremony were: - Messrs. G. Fulsher, member of the Cambridge Board of Guardians and Improvement Commissioners; B. Gibson, Governor of the Gaol; W.P.I. Rowton; J. Todd; R.C. Burrows, solicitor; F. Waters; and W.R. Bright, station-master.

The coffin, which was made of polished oak with brass fittings, bore the following simple inscription

Edward Bell,

Born 1827,

Died 1888,

Aged 62,

and was thickly covered with wreaths, which were surmounted by one of particular elegance and size, given by members of the family. The wreaths were mostly composed of roses, camellias, lilies, and sprigs of maidenhair fern. In front of the coffin was borne a large and beautiful floral cross, sent by Mr Felton, made up of the same kind of material. Among others who sent the wreaths, and besides the Corporation, the Corporation officers, and Chesterton Local Board, were: Mrs Bell, Chesterton; Miss Bell, do.; Miss B. Bell, do.; Miss M. Bell, do.; Miss R. Bell, do.; Mr G. Bell, do.; Mrs T. Bell, Liverpool; Mr Francis Bell, Liverpool; Miss Rose Brown, Croydon; Mr Charrington, St. Ives; Mrs Dyson, Milton Road; Mr Felton, Chesterton; Col. G. Hall, Ely; Mr and Mrs A. Jones, Trumpington House; Mr and Mrs G. Kett, the Avenue; Mr and Mrs Lynch, Botanical Gardens; Mr Lawrence, King's Lane; Mr and Mrs May, Chesterton; Mr and Mrs Macintosh, the Avenue; Mr S.M. Musehudin, Trinity College; Mrs Nayler, the Avenue; Rev. and Mrs Perry, Chesterton; Nurse Pattison, Mrs S. Rogers, Newmarket; Mr F. Rose, London; Mr Rippmann, Caius College; Mr H.S. Roberts, West Hampstead; Mr and Mrs Squires, Cherryhinton Road; Mr and Mrs Twigg, Liverpool; Mrs Topham, South Hampstead; Mr Nizam Udden Ahmed, Trinity College; Miss Webster, King's Lane; Mr Ward, Miss Wisbey, Cambridge; and Rev. and Mrs Headly Willson, Cherryhinton.

When the cortege had crossed the road from the house the choristers (wearing surplices) along with the clergy - Archdeacon Emery, the Rev. S.E. Perry (the vicar), and the Rev. H.C. Craddock (the curate) - joined and preceded it to the Church. As it moved slowly up the walk, which was lined on both sides by many of the general public, it was a peculiarly picturesque procession, notwithstanding the melancholy reason of its existence. The deep sombre colour of the apparel worn by the mourners and most of the others was relieved not loudly but impressively by the scarlet coat of the Town Crier, who bore the insignia of office, the drab and red robes of the mace-bearers, who each carried a draped mace in his hands, the scarlet robes of the Aldermen, who followed, and the rich varied colours of the wreaths. The church being reached, the coffin was placed on the bier at the entrance to the chancel, and the first part of the burial service was gone through. The Psalms were read by the Rev. H.C. Craddock, and the lesson by Archdeacon Emery, after which the Hymn, commencing: -

"On the Resurrection morning

Soul and body meet again,"

was sung, the congregation, which completely filled the large edifice, joining in. Mr H.E. Negus presided at the organ.

At the conclusion of the service in the church, the cortege filed out in the order in which it entered, and marched slowly to the grave, at the south west corner of the churchyard, and there the closing part of the solemn ceremony was conducted, in presence of thousands who had gathered inside and outside the walls, to pay a last tribute to the memory of the late chief magistrate. At the grave the Rev. S.E. Perry officiated, and the hymn beginning -

"Jesus lives! Thy terrors now

Can no longer, Death, appal us,"

was sung by the choir. The coffin having been placed in the grave (which was built by Mr Frost, Chesterton, and was walled with brick and lined with choice flowers and grasses), the mourners, preceded by the mace-bearers and the undertakers, slowly retraced their steps to the house. Many of the public loitered about the place for a considerable time to view the coffin as it lay in the grave. Throughout, the people assembled behaved in a most exemplary and respectful manner, and Mr Stretton, Chief Constable of the County, and Supt. Whitechurch, had no occasion to call upon the small body of men that had there to preserve order.

The undertakers were Messrs. W. Eaden Lilley and Company, Market Street, Cambridge, whose arrangements were so well made and calculated that everything was done in a most quiet, unostentatious and becoming manner.

References In Church.

At the church of Great St. Mary's, at the conclusion of the University service, Dr. Garrett, organist to the University, played the "Dead March in Saul," the whole congregation standing with heads bowed; and at St. Edward's, on Sunday evening, funeral hymns were sung, and the "Dead March in Saul" was played on the organ. The "Dead March in Saul" was played at St. Matthew's Church, on Sunday evening, the congregation remaining standing meanwhile.

On Sunday, the members of the Corporation will attend St. Edward's Church, where a funeral sermon will be preached.'

[Note to the above:

Alderman Edward Bell's younger sister, Alice Gillam Bell, married Charles (later Sir Charles) Todd, K.C.M.G., M.A., F.R.S., F.R.S.A., who became Astronomical Observer and Superintendent of Telegraphs in South Australia, Postmaster General of South Australia, President of the Astronomical Society of South Australia, and President of the Royal Society of South Australia. He constructed the Overland Telegraph, one of the greatest engineering feats in the history of Australia, connecting Adelaide and the rest of Australia, through Darwin, with England, by means of a single wire, in 1872. Mrs (later Lady) Todd gave her name to the town of Alice Springs.]

This is the last Will and Testament of me Edward Bell of Chesterton in the County of Cambridge Merchant I appoint James Lawrence of the Borough of Cambridge College Cook Henry John Matthew of Chesterton aforesaid Grocer and my Wife Louisa Welldon Bell Trustees and Executors of this my Will And I bequeath to each of them the said James Lawrence and Henry John Matthew a legacy of Fifty pounds as an acknowledgment of the trouble they will have in the execution of my Will I devise the Messuage or dwellinghouse with the buildings gardens and the actual and reputed appurtenances belonging thereto situate at Chesterton aforesaid now in my occupation to my said Wife Louisa Welldon Bell so long as she shall continue my Widow she keeping the same insured against loss by fire to the full value thereof and also keeping the same in good repair and condition (reasonable wear and tear excepted And from and after her death or remarriage I devise the said Messuage or dwellinghouse with the buildings gardens and appurtenances belonging thereto To the use of my Son Edward Gillam Bell his heirs and assigns for ever but in case my said Son Edward Gillam Bell shall die under the age of twenty one years then I direct that the said Messuage or dwellinghouse and premises shall from and after the death or remarriage of my said Wife fall into and form part of my residuary estate I bequeath all the household furniture plate and plated articles jewellery linen glass china pictures prints musical instruments books and other articles of household use or ornament horses carriages saddlery harness and stable furniture tools implements and utensils and wines liquors and household stores and provisions which shall be in or about my said dwellinghouse or the stables Coachhouses outbuildings and gardens belonging thereto to my said Wife Louisa Welldon Bell absolutely I devise all the residue of the real estate (except Copyhold or Customary estates) but including Leasehold estates and chattels real and bequeath all the residue of the personal estate of or to which I shall be seised possessed or entitled at my decease or over which I shall at that time have any disposing power unto and to the use of the said James Lawrance Henry John Matthew and Louisa Welldon Bell their heirs executors administrators and assigns respectively Upon the trusts hereinafter declared concerning the same respectively And I devise my Copyhold and Customary estates To the use of the said Henry John Matthew his heirs and assigns upon the trusts hereinafter declared concerning the same And I declare that the said James Lawrance Henry John Matthew and Louisa Welldon Bell and the survivors and survivor of them and the heirs executors administrators and assigns respectively of such survivor shall hold my said residuary real and personal estate (including my Copyhold and Customary estates) Upon trust in their his or her discretion so long as my said Wife shall continue my Widow and any child of mine shall be under the age of twenty one years to carry on my business as a Merchant at Cambridge aforesaid or any other business carried on by me at my decease and to employ therein for that purpose such part of my real and personal estate as shall constitute the capital employed therein at my decease with any additional capital which my Trustees shall think requisite with full discretionary powers as to insurance purchase of stock employment of Clerks servants and Labourers and their salaries powers and authorities and the extent of personal superintendence to be exercised by my said Trustees or Trustee And at the discretion of my said Trustees or Trustee to accept a fresh Lease or fresh Leases of any business premises I may occupy at my decease or to hire on Lease any other business premises for such term or terms as they he or she shall think expedient and generally to act in the management of such business and to use my real and personal property therein as if they he or she were the absolute owners thereof And subject to the trusts aforesaid Upon rust in the discretion of my said Trustees or Trustee to sell my said residuary real estate (including my said Copyhold and Customary estates) by public sale or private contract and either together or in parcels and to sell convert and get in such residuary personal estate and do such assurances and acts as may be desirable or necessary for carrying any and every such sale into effect And upon further trust to invest the moneys arising under the trust last aforesaid in the names of my said Trustees or Trustee in or upon the public stocks funds or securities of the United Kingdom or on Mortgage of any real or leasehold securities in England or Wales and vary the investments from time to time for any others of the like nature And upon further trust to pay unto or permit my said Wife to receive the yearly produce of the trust fund constituted of such moneys or of the stocks funds or securities whereon the same shall be invested and the profits and income of my said business during the time the same may be carried on as aforesaid so long as she shall continue my Widow But if my said Wife shall marry again whilst any child of mine shall be under the age of twenty one years then Upon trust to pay her my said Wife out of the income of the said trust fund and the profits and income of my said business during the time the same may be carried on as aforesaid the sum of One hundred and fifty pounds per annum by equal half yearly payments until my youngest child shall attain the age of twenty one years such sum to be paid to my said Wife for her separate use independently of any and every husband with whom she may intermarry and without power of anticipation and her receipts alone shall be good discharges for the same And from and after the death of my said Wife or her remarriage and the attaining by my youngest child of the age of twenty one years then as to the said trust premises and the interest and income thereof In trust for all my children who shall attain the age of twenty one years in equal shares and the issue of such of them as shall be then dead leaving issue such issue nevertheless to take between or among them the share or shares his her or their parent or parents would have taken if living Provided always and I hereby declare that my said Trustees or Trustee may after the death or marriage of my said Wife or previously thereto or if she shall so direct in writing raise any part or parts not exceeding one half of the then expectant presumptive or vested share or fortune of any child under the trusts hereinbefore declared and apply the same for his or her advancement or benefit I empower my Trustees notwithstanding the trusts for sale hereinbefore contained to postpone for such period as they may deem advisable the sale of all or any of the Policies of Assurance on lives which may belong to me at my death and to pay the premiums on such Policies respectively out of the annual income of my residuary estate and to receive in cash the bonuses already accrued or hereafter to accrue thereon respectively which when received shall be held and disposed of as part of the corpus of the moneys to arise from the sale of my residuary estate under the trust for sale thereof hereinbefore contained or to surrender such bonuses as aforesaid respectively in consideration of a proportionate decrease in the said annual premiums respectively and in case of a sale or disposition of the said Policies to sell or dispose of the same respectively either by way of surrender to the Office in consideration of a gross sum of money or in the manner hereinbefore directed concerning the sale of my residuary estate And I hereby declare that the receipt of the Trustees or Trustee for the time being acting in the execution of any of the trusts hereof for the purchase money of property sold or for any moneys funds or securities paid or transferred to them or him in pursuance hereof or of any of the trusts hereof shall effectually discharge the purchaser or purchasers or other the person or persons paying or transferring the same therefrom and from being concerned to see to the application thereof And I hereby declare that the power of appointing a new Trustee or Trustees of this my Will shall be exercisable by my said Wife during her Widowhood and after her death or remariage by the surviving or continuing Trustees or Trustee for the time being or the acting executors or executor administrators or administrator of the last surviving and continuing Trustee or by the last retiring Trustees or Trustee and upon any such appointment the number of Trustees may be augmented or reduced I devise all estates vested in me Upon trust or by way of mortgage unto the said James Lawrance Henry John Matthew and Louisa Welldon Bell their heirs and assigns Upon the trusts and subject to the equities affecting the same respectively Lastly I revoke all former Wills In witness whereof I the said Edward Bell have to this my Will contained in five sheets of paper set my hand this sixteenth day of January One thousand eight hundred and seventy eight.

Signed by the said Edward

Bell as and for his last

Will and Testament in the Ed. Bell

presence of us present at the

same time who at his request

in his presence and in the

presence of each other have

hereunto subscribed our names

as witnesses.

J. Eaden

Solr. Cambridge

William Rowton

Ironmonger, Cambridge

This is a Codicil to the Will of me Edward Bell of the Manor House Chesterton in the County of Cambridge Justice of the Peace Mayor of the Borough of Cambridge which Will bears date the 16th day of January 1878 Whereas by my Will I have appointed certain persons executors or executors and Trustees thereof Now I revoke my said Will so far as such appointment of such persons is concerned and instead thereof I appoint and substitute my Wife Louisa Weldon Bell and my friends Charles Arthur Roberts of St. Johns College Cambridge Clerk in Holy Orders and James Lawrence of the Borough of Cambridge Cook to Kings College there Executors and Trustees of my Will in the place of the persons named in my Will And I declare that my said Will shall take effect in the same manner as if the names of the said Louisa Weldon Bell Charles Arthur Roberts and James Lawrence had been originally inserted throughout the said Will instead of the names of the persons mentioned in my Will as Executors or as Executors and Trustees thereof I further declare that on my said Son Edward Gillam Bell attaining the age of 21 years I appoint him a Trustee of my Will And I direct that my Will shall from the time of his acceptance of the Trusteeship take effect and be construed as to the property remaining Subject to the trusts thereof in the same manner as if my said Son Edward Gillam Bell had been originally named a Trustee and Executor jointly with the above named Louisa Weldon Bell Charles Arthur Roberts and James Lawrence And I declare that until the said appointment of my Son Edward Gillam Bell shall take effect such appointment shall not fetter or prejudice the exercise of any trusts powers or discretions given to my other executors and trustees And I further declare that as to any devise bequest gift or benefit taken by any woman under my Will the same shall operate entirely to the sole and separate use of such person free from the control of any husband to whom she may at any time be married In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this fifth day of March 1889.

Signed by the above named Edward

Bell as a Codicil to his Will in the

presence of us present at the same Ed. Bell

time who in his presence at his

request in the presence of each other

have hereunto set our names as

witnesses

Anne Topham

9 Uppr Avenue Road

London N.W.

H.C. Squires

Solicitor, Cambridge

Proved at Peterborough with one Codicil on the 29th day of August 1889 by the Oaths of Louisa Weldon Bell Widow the Relict the Reverend Arthur Charles (in the appointment written "Charles Arthur) Roberts, Clerk, and James Lawrance three of the Executors named in the Codicil to whom administration was granted. Power being reserved of making the like Grant to Edward Gillam Bell the Son the other Executor named in the Codicil on his attaining the age of 21 years. The Testator Edward Bell was late of the Manor House Chesterton in the County of Cambridge Merchant and died on the 20th day of March 1889 at the Manor House Chesterton aforesaid.

Gross �7287 - 16 - 7 Net �2973 - 3 - 5

H.C. Squires, Solr., Cambridge

Be It Known that at the date hereunder written the last Will and Testament with one Codicil of Edward Bell late of The Manor House Chesterton in the County of Cambridge, Merchant, deceased, who died on the 20th day of March 1889, at The Manor House Chesterton aforesaid and who at the time of his death had a fixed place of abode at Chesterton aforesaid within the District of Peterborough was proved and registered in the District Probate Registry of Her Majesty's High Court of Justice at Peterborough and that Administration of the personal estate of the said deceased was granted by the aforesaid Court to Louisa Weldon Bell of The Manor House Chesterton aforesaid, Widow, the Relict of the said Deceased, The Reverend Arthur Charles (in the Appointment written "Charles Arthur") Roberts of 18, Lady Margaret Road Kentish Town in the County of Middlesex, Clerk, and James Lawrance of the Borough of Cambridge, College Cook, three of the Executors named in the said Codicil, They having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same. Power being reserved of making the like Grant to Edward Gillam Bell the Son of the said Deceased the other Executor named in the Codicil on his attaining the age of Twenty one years.

Dated the 29th day of August 1889.

Gross value of Personal Estate �7,287 - 16 - 7.

Net value �2,973 - 3 - 5.

Extracted by H.C. Squires, Solicitor, Cambridge.

(Stamped) Court of Probate District Registrar Peterborough Registry

C. J. Middleton, Esqre.

1. It appears in the Will that Mrs Bell's second Christian named was misspelled. 'Weldon' should have had only one 'l' and, in the Codicil, the error was rectified.
2. Mrs Louisa Weldon Bell's maiden surname is unknown at present.
3. It seems that, for some reason unknown at present, Mr Henry John Matthew had fallen out of favour for an Executorship by the time the Codicil was made. This Mr Matthew may have been an early member of the Matthew family of grocers that were in business in Cambridge well into the 20th century.
4. James Lawrance/Lawrence seems to have had different spellings of his name in the Will and the Codicil. It is believed that he was the same person throughout.
5. 'H.C. Squires', the Solicitor, may have been the Henry C. Squires who appeared on the 1881 Census as an unmarried 30-year-old law student living at the house of Martha Tuffield, a widow and an annuitant, at 9 Downing Terrace, Cambridge.]