Daniel James
Daniel James (1801-1876) of Phelps, James and Co
1801 Born at Truxton, New York
1861 Living at Oakwood House, Elmswood Road, Garston, Lancs: Daniel James (age 58 born New york, USA), Merchant (Metal Trade). With his wife Sophia H. James (age 41 born New york, USA) with their two daughters and three sons aged from 6 to 27 and all born in Liverpool. Four servants.[1]
1871 July 5th. Married(3) Ruth Dickinson. 'At Alston, on the inst., by the Rev W. C. P. P. Baylee, M.A., vicar, Daniel James, Esq., Beaconsfield, Liverpool, to Ruth Lancaster, only daughter of the late Joseph Dickinson, Esq., of Alston.'[2]
1876 November 27th. Died. 'On the 27th inst. at his residence, Beaconsfield, Woolton, near Liverpool, Daniel James, in his 78th year'[3]
1877 January. Will.[4]
The will of the late Mr. Daniel James, merchant, of Beaconsfield, Woolton, who died on the 27th of November last, has been proved in the Liverpool District Registry of the Court of Probate by Mr. William Daniel Rees, the executor to whom administration was granted, with power reserved of making the like grant to Frank Linsley James, the son of the deceased, the other executor named in a second codicil to the will, so far as relates to the deceased's property in England. The personalty was sworn under £40,000.
The original will was made on the 23rd June, 1870, but in a codicil dated the 8th of October, 1874, it was stated that since the execution of the last will Mr. James bad inter-married with his wife, Ruth Lancaster James, to whom he bequeaths the sum of £1000, to be paid within one month of his decease. He also gives to her all his movable property in the house and grounds at Beaconsfield, and directs that she shall be at liberty to reside at Beaconsfield as long as she shall think proper, she continuing as his widow and undertaking to keep the premises in a proper state of repair.
The deceased bequeaths to his American trustees the sum of 300,000 dollars, to be invested in one or more of the railways in the United States, the interest and dividends from which will be paid to his widow during her life, and at her death the same shall be invested to form part of his residuary estate.
By another codicil, dated April 13th, 1870, the testator directs the investment of the residue of his real and personal property till his youngest son attains the age of 25 years, when the amount, with all the accumulation, shall be divided amongst the various children, or to their descendants if the parents be dead.
To his brother Henry Jame, of Baltimore, Maryland, and his son Daniel William James, of New York, executors so far as relates to the testator's property in America, a bequest of $3000. each is made, and to each of the English executors the sum of £150 each.
To his nephews living in Detroit he bequeaths the sum of $10,000 each, to be paid on their attaining the age of 25 years.
With regard to his real estates in England, the testator directs that they shall be sold, and that the proceeds shall be invested until the coming-of-age of his youngest son, when the amount shall be paid to the varions children.
The will also directs the payment of the following legacies, all free of duty:-
- American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions $10,000
- London Missionary Society £2000
- Liverpool Town Mission 1000
- Lancashire Congregational Union 500
- Liverpool Seamen's Society 500
- British and Foreign Bible Society 500