Diana Creasey (1757-1834) of Martham
Diana Creasey was born on 24th January 1757 in Martham as the fifth child of William Creasey & Mary, nee Robins. Her siblings were: Elizabeth, Benjamin, Jemima, Jane, Robert and Ann.
Not much is known about her life except that she came from a comfortably off family of long standing in Martham. Both her great grandfather William (1636-1712) and her great, great grandfather Richard (1602-1678) had been tailors in the village. Her father, William (1717-1797) was a successful grocer and draper but also invested in land. In addition, he married Mary Robins who had inherited a fortune from her parents who had lived at Itteringham, near Aylsham. When her father died his will did not state how much he left. His estate went to Diana’s mother but she died only a year after William and their three remaining daughters inherited everything divided equally between them. This left Diana well off and of independent means throughout her life. An indication of her wealth can be drawn from her land ownership at the time of the 1807 Inclosure Act and the 1812 Inclosure Award. Under the 1807 Act property and land owners had to make claims for what they owned. A copy of Diana’s 1807 claim is shown below in which she lays claim to 130 acres of land and five houses.
By the time her claim was determined under 1812 Inclosure Award she had acquired more land and was awarded just over 146 acres of arable, marsh, meadow and woodland in Martham alone, as shown in the Commissioner’s summary of the 1812 Award list below.
The two maps below come from the 1812 Commissioners maps and records of the Dean & Chapter of Norwich. Held in the Norwich Record Office Ref: CHC 11910 and BR 276/1/172. The land Diana owned in 1812 accounts for almost all the land to the west of Black Street. Plot 72 is now the Playing Field. Plots 184, 185 & 186 are now Bell Meadow.
Diana did not of course actually farm this land herself but would have let it out to others to provide part of her income. Records of Land Tax assessments show that from 1800 to 1812 she let land in Martham to William Payne, in 1800 for £2 per annum for which she had to pay eight shillings in tax and by 1812 this had gone up to ten shillings. In 1832 she let land to her nephew Robins Purdy which was also liable for Land Tax.
Diana never married but some idea of her lifestyle can be gleaned from her will dated 21st June 1826 and two codicils dated 30th December 1828 and 13th May 1833. Her will is shown at the bottom of this page but is difficult to read so I have added a transcript, as far as I can make it out. With no children to inherit she left her estate to be shared equally between her four nephews other than some bequests. Some aspects of her character can be gleaned from her Will but are subjective. She was obviously deeply religious; she included the Parish church name in her London address. She especially mentions two bibles and a collection of ecclesiastical magazines. She named the Reverend Thomas White Holmes as an executor to her Will and he appears to be more of a good friend than just her priest. The complex language of her Will indicates a detail-conscious person, financially astute and cautious. The conditions she sets to one generous bequest to her servant is nevertheless amazingly contrived to protect her own estate. Traditionally of the time she mentions her linen, wearing apparel and a valuable tea caddy but does not seem to be all that materialistic as there is no mention of furniture, paintings or prints which are usually mentioned in Wills of that period.
Towards the end of her life, she left the dividends of £400 investment to the local school. Under this endowment six poor girls were to have their clothing and school fees paid. She was emphatic that girls were to benefit, which is commemorated on a large blackboard that stands at the back of St Mary’s. (The blackboard, shown at the top of this page, contains two errors. Firstly, it calls her ‘Mrs’ when she never married and secondly it says the gift was made in1835 when in fact she died in February 1834 although she may have made the bequest at the end of her life and her executors honoured it later).
Diana’s final years were spent living at Mayfair, London where she died on 10th February 1834, aged 78. In accordance with her wishes she was buried at St Mary’s, Martham and her gravestone can be seen at section D, plot B1. It says: “Here lieth the body of Diana Creasey the daughter of William Creasey and Mary (nee Robins) his wife formerly of this Parish. She died in the Parish St Marylebone, London on the 10th day of February 1834 Aged 78 years. In life she was …………….”
Transcript of Diana’s will. Her actual will is below the transcript.
“This is the last Will and Testament of Diana Creasey of Salisbury Place, New Road in the Parish of Saint Mary Saviour in the County of Middlesex, spinster. Firstly, order that I may be buried at Martham in the County of Norfolk where my dear parents lie interred. And direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses may be fully paid and satisfied as ??????? may be after my decease. I give and bequest unto the Reverend Thomas White Holmes of Martham in the County of Norfolk and William Creasey Ewing Cringleford in the said County of Norfolk / my Executors hereafter named / the sum of forty pounds each for the trouble they will share in the Executorship of this my Will. Also, I give and bequeath unto the said Executor Thomas White Holmes all my evangelical magazines in trust for his village library. I give and bequeath unto Diana Creasey Purdy daughter of my nephew William Creasey Purdy if and when she shall attain the age of twenty one years the sum of five hundred pounds, three pounds per centum Consolidated Bank securities and also my wattle ivory tea caddy but in case the said Diana Creasey Purdy should depart this life without attaining the said age of twenty one years then as to my wattle and ivory tea caddy I give and bequest the same unto each living daughter of the said William Creasey Ewing and as to the said sum of five hundred pounds, three pounds per centum Consolidated Bank securities I give and bequeath the same unto all and every the child and children of the said William Creasey Purdy who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years equally to be divide between and amongst them if more than one share and share alike but if there shall be but one such child then unto such one child and to be paid or transferred to him, her or them at his, her or their age or ages of twenty one years. And it is my will that until the said sum of five hundred pounds three pounds per centum Consolidated Bank securities shall ? originally transferable the dividend interest and yearly income thereof shall from time to time be payable and applicable for the maintenance, support and education of the person or persons for the time being presumptively entitled to the same capital sum I give and bequeath to Jane Purdy, another daughter of the said William Purdy the mourning ring which I have in memory of Elizabeth Cookson. I give and bequeath unto each of them the ??? Basil Wood of Paddington Green in the County of Middlesex George Piggott Howes of Church Street, Paddington Green aforesaid gentleman, the said Thomas White Holmes and the said William Creasey Ewing a masonic mourning ring the value thereof to be at the estimation of my Executors. I give and bequeath to my servant Susanna Manning one years wages and a suit of mourning if she shall be living with me at the time of my death. I give and bequeath unto John Purdy (son of my nephew Robins Purdy) my large family bible. I give and bequeath unto John Ewing (son of the said William Creasey Ewing) my family bible by ??? Tyler. I give and bequeath all my household and family linen and wearing apparel unto the said Thomas White Holmes and William Creasey Ewing upon trust to sell and dispose of and invest the same into money and to divide the proceeds thereof equally between and equally amongst all my nieces, the ? wives of them my nephews William Creasey Ewing, Robins Purdy, William Purdy and George Purdy or such of them my said ? as shall be living at my death. And I give and bequeath all my books not ? disposed of unto my said four nephews William Creasey Ewing, Robins Purdy, William Creasey Purdy and George Purdy equally to be divided between and amongst them at the direction of the said Thomas White Holmes. And as to all the rest residue and remainder of my real and personal estate whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind or ? I give and bequeath the same unto the said Thomas White Holmes and William Creasey Ewing the ? executors and administrators arising to the nature thereof respectively upon trust that they or the survivor of them do and shall as soon as ? after my decease sell and absolutely dispose of and revert into money all ? part thereof as shall not consist of money or securities for money by public auction or private contract and either together or in parcels and so and shall ? and ? the same ? sold unto the purchaser or purchasers for the money ? in such receipt or receipts shall be ? or acknowledged to be received and such purchaser or purchasers and his, hers, their ? executors administrators and assigns shall not be ? to set ? application or his, her, their, particular money or be answerable or accountable for any loss misapplication or nonapplication thereof or of part thereof and I direct that they my said executors do and shall stand possessors of and inter????? In the ? to by the sale or conversion of my said real and personal estate and also of all other my real and personal estate and effects whatsoever upon the trusts and for the interests and purposes ? ? ? / that is to say / as to one equal fourth part thereof in trust for ? ? said William Creasey Ewing his heirs executors and administrators absolutely. And as to our other equal forth part thereof in trust for my nephew Robins Purdy ? his executors and assigns absolutely. And as to our other equal fourth part thereof upon trust to pay for dividends interest and annual produce thereof unto or ? the same to be ? by my nephew William Creasey Purdy for and during the term of his natural life for his own absolute use or benefit. And from and after his deceased in trust for all and every ? child and children of him the said William Creasey Purdy lawfully to be begotten who shall live to attain the age of twenty-one years. If more than one equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike but if there shall be but one such this then in trust for such one child. And as to the ? or remaining fourth part or share of the said ? of my real and personal estate upon trust to pay the dividends, interest and annual produce thereof unto or ? the same to be received by my nephew George Purdy for and during the term of his natural life for his own absolute use and benefit. And from and after his deceased in trust for all and every child and children of my said nephews Robins Purdy and William Creasey Purdy lawfully to be begotten who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years. If more than one, equally to be divided between and amongst them share and share alike but it there shall be but one such child then in trust for such one child and it is my Will that during the minority of any child or children of any respective nephews William Creasey Purdy and Robins Purdy my executors and trustees or such of them as may be acting in the trusts of this my Will shall pay and apply the dividends, interest and annual produce of or in respect of presumptive share of such child or children respectively of in and to any of the aforesaid trust funds and ? in for and towards his, her, their respective support, ? and ? . And I hereby nominate ? and appoint the said Thomas White Holmes and the said William Creasey Ewing Executors of this my Will provided always and I do hereby declare that my said Executors and Trustees and any of their Executors, administrators and assigns shall be charged and chargeable only for such monies as they shall respectively actually received by virtue of this my Will notwithstanding his or their or any of their giving or signing or joining in giving or signing any receipt or receipts for the sake of uniformity and any one or more of them shall not be answerable or accountable for the other or others of them or for the acts receipts neglects or defaults of the other or others of them but ? of them for his own acts deeds receipts neglects or defaults only. And that they or any of them shall not be accountable for any misfortune, loss or damage that may happen in the execution of this my Will except for ? shall ? by or through his or their own respective wilful neglect or default. And also, that it shall be lawful for them my said Executors and trustees and every and any of them, their and every or any of their ? of every of their executors, administrators and assigns by and out of the monies which shall come to their respective hands by virtue of this my Will to retain and t? himself and ? respectively and allow to each ? all such costs, charges, damages and expenses as be they or any of them shall or may suffer sustain expense or be part sustain or about the execution of this my Will or any thing relating thereto. And lastly, I hereby revoke all former Will and Wills and testamentary papers and ???itings by me at any time ? made and to ? ? to be and contain my only last Will and Testament in writing whereof I the said Diana Creasey to this my last will and testament contained in four sheets of paper set my name and seal that is to say to the first three sheets set my hand and to this fourth and last sheet set my hand and attach my seal this twenty first day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six.
Diana Creasey
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Diana Creasey the testatrix as and for her last will and testament in the presence of who in her present at her request and in presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses
Joseph William Thrupp, 14 Duke Street, Manchester Square, London
Thomas Burgoyne
John Charles Burgoyne
THIS is a codicil to my last Will bearing date the twenty first day of June, one thousand eight hundred and twenty six whereas I am entitled as one of the ? at law of my late sister Mrs Cookson to a one individual third part a share of and in a freehold or copyhold or part freehold and part copyhold Estate situate at or near Martham in the County of Norfolk expectant on my ? without ? and which Estate is now in the occupation of my nephew Robins Purdy now I do order, give, devise and bequeath the said individual third part or share of and in the said Estate unto the said Robins Purdy his heirs and assigns for ever for his and their own absolute use and benefit in witness thereof I have hereunto set my hand and attached my seal this thirtieth day of December, one thousand eight hundred and twenty eight.
Diana Creasey
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said executrix as and for a Codicil to the last Will in the presence of us who in her presence at her request and in presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses
Susanna Manning servant to Mrs Creasey
Joseph William Thrupp, 160 Oxford Street
Joseph Lucas Clerk to Mr Thrupp
This is a further Codicil to my last Will and Testament bearing date this twenty first day of June one thousand eight hundred and twenty six whereas I am desirous of proving for my servant Susanna Manning after my death now therefore I do hereby direct that the Trustees and Executors of my said Will do and shall immediately after my death by and out of the stocks and funds of which I shall be possessed at the time of my death or by purchasing the same with any monies which shall ? to their hands by virtue of my said Will set apart such a portion of the said stocks and shares or funds ? then invested or to be purchased of aforesaid as will produce by the dividends interest and annual produce thereof the ? annual sum of twenty-five pounds or for that my said Trustees and Executors do and shall purchase a Government life Annuity of the amount of twenty five pounds for the life of her the said Susanna Manning. And I direct that they my said Executors and Trustees do and shall stand possessors of and investors in such stocks or funds or of such Governments Life Annuity as the case may be in Trust to pay the said dividends interest and annual produce of such Government Life Annuity as aforesaid by two half yearly payments on the tenth day of January and the tenth day July in every year unto such person or persons and for such interest and purposes as the said Susanna Manning shall by any writing under ? ? direct or appoint but not ? so as to dispose of or affect the same by sale, mortgage, charge or otherwise in the way of au???pation and in default of such direction, appointment and so far as any such direction or appointment (if incomplete) shall not extend unto ? ? proper funds free from the ? debt or debts of any husband with who she may intermarry and not to be subject or liable to his interference in any manner provided always and I so act by order that it shall and may be lawful for Mr George Piggot Howes of ? Street, Paddington in the County of Middlesex at any time or times during the life of the said Susanna Manning at his own direction to require payment to and from my said Executors of all or any part of the said annual sum of twenty-five pounds to be by ? ? in trust to pay for same or any part thereof unto or for the ? benefit or maintenance of the said Susanna Manning at such times and in such proportions ? and forms in all reports as the said George Piggot Howes shall think best provides also and I do hereby further direct that if the said Susanna Manning shall at any time or times during her life borrow, bankrupt or take the benefit of any act or acts of Parliament for the relief of insolvent debtors or sell, mortgage, charge or in any manner incumber the said Annuity of twenty five pounds or any part or parts thereof or shall seek to so ? of the above ? acts then and in such ? and ? I ? that the said Annuity of twenty-five pounds and every part thereof shall ? ? and be no longer paid or payable. And in ? such Annuity shall ? to be paid in either of the said cases I declare that the stocks or funds so set apart or to be purchased as aforesaid for underwriting the said Annuity shall sink into and become part of the residual part of my estate and effects. And I direct that the receipt or receipts in writing of the said Susanna Manning or her appointees as aforesaid or of the said George Piggott Howes shall be a good and sufficient discharge or discharges for such sums so as to be paid to ? ? or ? as aforesaid discharges. Whereof I have set unto my hand and affix my seal this thirteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty-three ———–
Diana Creasey
Signed, sealed, published and declared by the Testatrix as and for a further Codicil to her last Will in the presence of us who are in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as certifiers
Joseph William Thrupp, 160 Oxford Street, solicitor
Charles Austin Brookfield his Clerk
Proved at London with two Codicils the 3rd March 1834 before the Judge by the oaths of the Reverend ? Cubit ? Clerk and William Creasey Ewing the nephew the Executors to whom administration was granted having been first sworn by Commission duly to administrators.“
