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Wills and testamentary papers

Description

Collection of letters, papers, vouchers, accounts etc. concerning dispute in the Exchequer between Mrs. Phoebe Zouch widow of John, Milcote, gent. and her stepson Benjamin Zouch. By her marriage settlement of 1747, Phoebe Huckell, widow of John, chandler, was granted by her husband-to-be, John Zouch of Milcote, gent., power of disposal of £200 by deed or will if there were no issue of the marriage. In 1752 John Zouch also agreed to the terms of a legacy to Phoebe Zouch (described as Huckell) granted to her under the will (11 July 1735) of Thomas Badger, Stratford-upon-Avon, gent., of £300 for her sole benefit. By his will, (15 November 1753) John Zouch left £200 to his executors to be invested for Phoebe for life, then to his 3 children by an earlier marriage: Benjamin Zouch, Thomas Zouch and Ann Humphries. He made no further provision to Phoebe and left his brother Francis executor. John Zouch died in 1759 and Phoebe continued to live with Benjamin in the family home until 1771 when a dispute arose and she left. Benjamin then brought an action to claim board and lodging at the rate of £40 p.a. Phoebe disputed this and brought a counter-claim for interest on the £200 which she had never received since her husband's death, for the £300 legacy which she had never received, nor had she had any appointment of her own property which she brought to the marriage. The Master of the Rolls gave judgement for Phoebe but dispute with Benjamin continued. (Some papers relate to the family of John Zouch's eldest son Goodwin).

Related material

Will of John Zouch at ER5/76