Scard Biographies - The Southampton, Hampshire Branch
Benness Scard Elizabeth Hill
[1768-1848] - [c.1774-1845/8]
of Stratford Wiltshire formerly of Nursling/Eling, Hampshire
Compiled and Written by J.S.Adams, combining the Original & Independent Researches of both JSAdams & LMealey
1768 Benness Scard was born in 1768 the third child and second son of Thomas Scard [the elder] and his wife Susannah nee Benness, of Eling Hampshire.
He had three known siblings; John, Susannah & Thomas. Benness was aged six & seven years respectively respectively when his maternal grandfather
John Benness, a wealthy Maltster died in 1770 and his maternal grandmother in 1771. Benness was legatee in the former Will with his mother and
siblings.
1792 At the age of twenty-four Benness Scard married Elizabeth Hill on the 6th November 1792 at Nursling, Hampshire. Elizabeth Hill was baptised at Nursling 22nd October 1767
the daughter of George Hill a wealthy yeoman and his wife Mary and the granddaughter of George Hill 'yeoman' and his wife Elizabeth nee Reay. The wealthy Hill Family
had been resident at Nursling for many generations. Elizabeth's grt. grandfather died testate in 20th June 1770 [1] leaving a considerable fortune, his main beneficiary was hi
grandson George Hill, Elizabeth's father. The Will of George Hill [Snr.] of Nursling Hampshire (1770) is not transcribed The Hill Family Estate was eventually bequeathed
to Elizabeth, her sisters and their children in upon her father's decease in 1821, her father having no surviving male heir. The couple settled at Nursling where they had four
children before moving to Stratford, Wiltshire;
Child 1: Elizabeth Scard [c. 1794-1794] - Elizabeth Scard buried 1st January 1794 [1] recorded 'infant' at Nursling
Child 2: Harriet Maria Scard [1795-1816] - Harriet Maria Scard died at the age of 21 yrs, unmarried and without issue
at Nursling she was buried at St. Boniface, Nursling at the venue of her parent's marriage.
Child 3: George Hill Scard [1796-1848] assumed born Stratford Wiltshire. See Epilogue
Child 4: Eliza Scard [1797-1869] born Stratford Wiltshire - died without issue, a spinster. See Epilogue
1798 Benness and his brother John were assigned according to their Station and listed in the London Times among many others appointed to serve in the Home Militia;
London Times [3] : 26th May 1798;
'Benness Scard to be Ensign with Stratford Under the Castle of Old Sarum Volunteers.' [Wiltshire] [now aged 30yrs].
'John Scard, Gent. To be Lieutenant with the Eling Volunteers.' [John now aged 34yrs]
His brother John was assigned as Lieutenant and later Captain of the Eling Battalion in 1798 and 1808 respectively.
1802 In 1802 Benness Scard was called as witness or victim to give evidence at the Wiltshire Quarter Sessions on the 27th April 1802. He was noted as of 'Stratford Sub Castle'
and ‘Overseer’.
1809: Three years later Benness's younger brother Thomas was facing debtor's prison. His father mentions in his Will [1824] details of this unfortunate event. His brother John
and his sister Susannah with their father rallied to help their brother Thomas financially however Benness refused, a decision that would cost him dearly in his father's Will.
1812 Monday, October 5th, 1812 Benness was noted in the County of Wiltshire Game Duty List published in the Salisbury Winchester Journal at the rate of
Three Guineas each for the year 1812 - Entry: 'Benness Scard of Stratford under Castle'.
The same year he appears in the same publication as a co-executor relating to an Estate;
' JOHN ROGERS begs leave to return his unfeigned thanks to the friends of his late Father, deceased, for the favours
they bestowed on him during the many years he carried on business, and respectfully to inform them and the public,
that he intends to continue the businesses of MALTSTER and BREWER, on the Premises of his late Father; and
humbly solicits their future favours and support, which he will strive to merit, by ready attention to their commands,
and supplying them with Goods of the first quality, on reasonable terms.
The following Item was published: CASTLE-STREET, SARUM, Oct. 29. 1812.
ALL Persons to whom the Deceased stood indebted at the time of his death, are requested to send or deliver the
particulars of their respective Demands to the said JOHN ROGERS, or BENNESS SCARD, of Stratford-under-the-Castle,
Gentleman, his joint Executors; or to Mr. WARDEN, solicitor, Close, Sarum: And those persons who are indebted to the
Estate of the said deceased, are desired to pay the amount of their respective debts to the said John Rogers forthwith.
1814 On the 18th June 1814, Benness Scard publishes his Will naming his wife Elizabeth as his sole Beneficiary and Executrix. Although Benness
had young children still in their minority at this time, they were not mentioned in his Will. Benness lived a further 23 years until his death
in 1837 but his Will was never changed and stood as written in 1814.
1815 Meanwhile at Ealing Benness' mother, Susannah died testate, buried at Eling 9th November 1815 [1] at the recorded age of 72yrs.
1816 Benness returned to Ealing with unfortunate consequences when his twenty-one year old daughter Harriet Maria Scard was buried 10th July 1816 at
the recorded age 21 at St. Boniface, Nursling, noted 'of Stratford'.
Within months Benness's youngest brother Thomas died intestate, buried at Eling on the 21st December 1816 leaving a widow with seven young children.
whom evidence suggests although her deceased spouse was unable to provide for them she was well provided by her wealthy brother John Yeates and
almost certainly the Scard Family.
1817 After his brother's death Benness and his remaining family returned to Stratford where the following year he was called as witness or victim to give
evidence at the Wiltshire Quarter Sessions on the 14th January 1817. He was noted as from Stratford Sub Castle and his occupation recorded as ‘Yeoman’.
It was this year that Benness' son George Hill Scard now come of age [21yrs] moved Nursling where he recorded purchasing a lease with his maternal
grandfather George Hill but had returned to Wiltshire noted of 'Downtown' was noted in a similar proceeding as witness or victim in the Wiltshire Quarter
Sessions on the 11th July 1820. Benness himself was also recorded as Witness in several Court Sessions in Wiltshire.
1821 The following year Benness's wealthy father-in-law George Hill died at Nursling in 1821 naming his daughter, Elizabeth Scard Executrix and main beneficiary
with grandchildren; George Hill Scard, Maria Harriet Scard (since deceased) and Georgina Spencer, all three grandchildren under the ages of 21yrs at the time
the testator published his Will. The Will of George Hill of Nursling Hampshire [ to be transcribed ].
1824/5 Three years later Benness' father Thomas Scard [the Elder] died testate, buried at Eling 29th January 1824 at the recorded age of 87years. His eldest brother
John was nominated as Executor, however it appears that due to an ongoing Suit brought about by Benness's father & John, administration was not sought
for another year. A notice was published in the Winchester & Salisbury Chronicle: Monday, February 14th, 1825:
"All Persons having any Demand on the Estate and Effects of the late Mr. Thomas Scard, of Totton, are requested forthwith to deliver
the same to his Executor Mr. John Scard, of Totton : and all Persons indebted to the Estate are desired to discharge the same without delay.
ALL Persons to whom the Deceased stood indebted at the time of his death, are requested to send or deliver the particulars of their respective
Demands to the said John Rogers, or Benness Scard, of Stratford-under-the-Castle, Gentleman, his joint Executors*; or to Mr. WARDEN, solicitor,
Close, Sarum: And those persons who are indebted to the Estate of the said deceased, are desired to pay the amount of their respective debts to the
said John Rogers forthwith.
That same year Benness returned to his cradle in Hampshire where several purchases of property were documented for Benness and his son George.
There is no further evidence to suggest that they ever returned to Wiltshire.
Date: 31 May 1825: Lessor in a Lease for 21 years - Property at Millbrook (2 copies) Messuage and garden in Millbrook and fixtures in and about the
messuage and garden and paddock adjacent, lawn and pleasure ground and close or piece or parcel of land in Millbrook
[Barker Mill family Estate] Principals: i) Benness Scard of Totton, Eling, gent. ii) Sir Charles Darlymple of Southampton
Date: 13 Apr 1825: Lessee Assignment of lease: Part of a close called Common Close containing one acre, one rod, twenty nine perches and a messuage
and garden. Principals: i) Mary Ann Hare and Richard Pollen of Middlesex, barrister; ii) Benness Scard of Eling, gent.
1837 Benness Scard died testate at Eling, buried on the 19th August 1837 at the recorded age of 69yrs. Benness Scard was survived by his Widow Elizabeth [nee Hill]
of forty-five years marriage and his two surviving children George Hill Scard aged forty-one and Eliza Scard aged forty.
Will of Benness Scard
Dated: 18th June 1814
Proved: 2nd April 1838
Kindly transcribed and submitted by LMealey
This is the last Will and Testament. of me Benness Scard of Stratford under the Castle of Old Sarum in the County of Wilts Gentleman, made and published this eighteenth day of June
in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fourteen, in manner and form following, that is to say - I give devise and bequeath unto my dear Wife Elizabeth Scard All that my
Freehold Meadow situate lying and being at Calmoor in the Parish of Eling in the County of Southampton called Calmoor Meadow Also I give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife
All Those my several Freehold Messuages or Tenements Gardens Lands and Hereditaments which I now possess situate lying and being within the City of New Sarum in the County of
Wilts To hold the said Meadow Messuages or Tenements Gardens Lands and Hereditaments unto her my dear Wife Elizabeth Scard her heirs and Assigns forever. And as to all and
singular other my Estate Monies and Securities for Money Stock in Husbandry Household Goods and Furniture Debts due and owing to me and all other my Real and Personal Estate
and Effects of every description and kind whatsoever and wheresoever situate and being that I may be seized or possessed of at the time of my decease I give devise and bequeath the same
and every part and parcel thereof unto my said Wife Elizabeth Scard To hold to her my said Wife Elizabeth Scard her Heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns as her own sole
Property forever And it is my express will and desire that, she, my said Wife, may dispose of all and singular my said Real and Personal Estate and Effects by me herein devised and
bequeathed to her or the Monies to arise therefrom respectively, either by her last Will and Testament, or otherwise in her Lifetime as she may think proper without control Hereby
revoking all former Wills by me at any time or times heretofore made. I do declare this to be and contain my last Will and Testament and I do hereby make nominate constitute and
appoint my said dear Wife Elizabeth Scard Sole Executrix hereof In witness whereof I the said Benness Scard the Testator have hereunto set my hand and seal the day and year first
hereinbefore written Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator Benness Scard as and for his last Will and Testament on the day of the date in the presence of
Benness Scard us, who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses. H.W. Lawrence; Isaac Petty;
Arthur Brownjohn
PROBATUM: The second day of April One thousand eight hundred and thirty eight. On which day the within named Elizabeth Scard of the Parish of Eling in the County of Southampton,
Widow, was duly sworn Executrix of the within written Will and Testament of Benness Scard , formerly of Stratford in the County of Wilts but for many years now last past
of the said Parish of Eling, and late of the last named Parish and in the said County of Southampton Gentleman deceased And the said Elizabeth Scard further made oath
that all the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased or of which he was possessed or entitled to, do not amount in value to the sum of Two Thousand Pounds – as she
believes. Before me Edward H Dewar Surrogate. |
