Biography
Thomas Scard Susannah Benness
[1737-1824] [1743-1815]
(died Testate)
of Southampton, Eling & Totton, formerly of Christchurch, Hampshire
Issue: John Scard [1764-1838] (died Testate)
Susannah Scard [1765-1832]
Benness Scard [1768-1837] (died Testate)
Thomas Scard [1775-1816]
Abridged Version
A saddler by Trade, Thomas ran a successful business in Southampton where he married the daughter of a wealthy
maltster, who upon his death, his Estate for most part fell to Thomas's spouse. He then began conducting the business
of his deceased father-in-law and also accumulating several properties. All his children married into affluent families.
However the premature death of his youngest son Thomas, through a financial dealing, details of which are unsolved,
brought the family financially to its knees. His elder son & daughter rallied to the call, their inheritances in jeopardy,
but the second son would have no part of it and for this transgression he paid heavily in the Will of his father. This
set-back not yet resolved, although he still had considerable assets in Land, Thomas was again on the edge of finacial
catastrophe when his banker closed his doors due to fraud. Thomas never lived to see the result of the trial. He died
five weeks after the initial Hearing at the age of eighty-seven.
Unabridged Version
Researched, Compiled & Written by Judith-Ann S. Adams
With sincere thanks to Barry & Terry Keys (UK)
who found the Baptism & Parents of Thomas and his brother James
and to Lyn Mealy (Aust)
for kindly providing a scanned copy of the Original Will transcribed below
Thomas Scard was baptised 23rd September 1737 at Holdenhurst, Hampshire son of James Scard by his wife Mary nee Hollvey of Christchurch, Hampshire. He had one surviving sibling, an elder
brother James. On the 27th April 1749 Duty was paid on the Indenture of Thomas Scard (aged fourteen), "son of James Scard", to Benjamin North at Christchurch, a Saddler for a period of five years.
His brother James was also indentured at Christchurch at the age of thirteen as a Cooper in 1748 and later married Elizabeth Guthridge at Christchurch in 1758 settling at Gosport. Thomas carried
this trade into adulthood and later owned and ran a Saddlery at Southampton during which time he Indentured an apprentice, Moses Comyns on the 6th Apr 1762.
.jpg) Click on image to enlarge
(Register of Duties paid on Aprentices' Indentures 1710-1811. courtesy of Ancestry.com)
At the age of twenty-five Thomas married his twenty-year old bride, Susannah Benness, the daughter and later heiress of successful land owner, John Benness and his wife Elizabeth, at All Saints,
Southampton on the 10th Feb 1763. On the 9th November 1763 Thomas Scard Filed a complaint accusing Thomas Cooper [the younger] stealing Articles including whips and books. As the complaint
progressed, Thomas Scard gave further testimony on the 17th November 1763 with a witness providing evidence for further charges against the Defendant of additionally stealing from the home of
Thomas Scard, a volume of magazines in the prior year [1762]. An Estreat of recognizance by "Thomas Scard, Saddler of Southampton and John Cockleford of Southampton, butcher" on this same
date. A 'True Bill' was issued in the Indictment of Thomas Cooper the younger of Southampton, saddler, on the 13th January 1764 'for stealing a book of the value of 10d belonging to Thomas Scard'.
The following year the first of their four children was born however it would appear that soon after the birth they moved 3 miles N.W. to Eling where they had further issue. Later documents imply
that the family had their home in Totton 1 mile of Eling;
1764 Child 1: John [1764-1838] baptised at All Saints Southampton on the 25th May 1764.
1765: Child 2: Susannah [1765-1831] considered born at Eling.Walter Raleigh Smith, Esq
1768: Child 3: Benness [1768-1837] considered born at Eling.
1775: Child 4: Thomas [1775-1816] considered born at Eling.
During this time Susannah's father John Benness was buried at Eling Hampshire 4th April 1770 leaving a considerable Estate. His widow Elizabeth survived him a further 17months, buried at the same
venue on the 18th September 1771 also testate. In her father's Will, Susannah "wife of Thomas Scard" was a legatee with her two eldest children and named sole executrix and her mother's Will is
similar with the addition of Susannah's 3rd child, the infant 'Benness Scard' an additional legatee.
After Susannah claimed the estate of her father in 1770, Thomas Scard appears to have given up his shop at Southampton and assumed the responsibilities of his deceased father-in-law as a Maltser,
in which he appears to have been successful and during the following years Thomas Leased several properties in 1778 at Eling; 1780 at Bulford Wiltshire; 1786 at Eling. A list of Properties with
descriptions relating to the family can be found at the Hampshire Record Office Online Catalogue The latter property was also advertised in the dated Monday, July 3rd, 1786;
Excerpt: ".... now in the occupation of Mr. Thomas Scard, as tenant at will, delightfully situated in the parish of ELING ... and consisting
of a Farm house, Barns, stables, Granary, and other Buildings, in good tenantable repair, and upwards of seventy-five acres of
land, whereof about fifty-nine acres are Arable, ten acres Meadow, and the remainder Coppice Ground.
This and other Newspaper Items relating to 'Scard', can be found in The Salisbury and Winchester Journal and General Advertiser transcribed by Richard Heaton Search Engine: (also try Seard) .
During this time Thomas and Susannah saw their two sons marry and daughter into old and established families at Eling;
1790 Susannah [the younger] at the age of twenty-five Susannah Scard married John Blake by licence at Eling on the 2nd November 1790.
The Blake Family were firmly entrenched at Eling for many Generations dating back to before the Reformation.
John and Susannah remained at Eling where they had issue. [Susannah has her own section below in Epilogue].
1792 Benness Scard at the age of twenty-four married twenty-five year old Elizabeth Hill at Nursling near Eling on the 6th November 1792.
Elizabeth Hill was baptised at Nursling 22nd October 1767 the daughter of George Hill a yeoman and his wife Mary.
The Hill Family was Estated and George and his heirs were main beneficiaries in his father's vast Estates in 1770.
1795 Thomas Scard [the younger] not yet of age married Mary Yeats by Licence at Eling on the 14th October 1795.
The Licence reads: 'Thomas Scard, a Maltser, aged 19yrs, with the consent of his father Thomas Scard the elder, maltser and the Bride, Mary Yeats
of Millbrook, aged 21yrs, spinster.' Mary Yeats: Mary's brother was William Yeats Esquire, a wealthy maltser at Eling who mentions his sister
"the wife of Thomas Scard" and her children as legatees in his Will.
1796: John Scard; John Scard married Mary Trofoley 17th August 1796 at All Saints Southampton.
Two years later in 1798, while the fear of French Invasion loomed there was great unrest in Ireland. The call for Volunteers was ordered by King George III and many landed citizens answered the
Call. By this time Thomas was aged sixty-one but two of his sons were appointed;
1798: London Times:- 26th May 1798: John Scard, Gent. To be Lieutenant with the Eling Volunteers. [John now aged 34yrs]
Benness Scard to be Ensign with Stratford Under the Castle of Old Sarum Volunteers. [Wilts.] [now aged 30yrs].
Notice of his son John's militia promotions also appeared in the same publication in 1803 & 1808.
Over the next decade as Thomas and Susannah continued to live at Eling, Thomas was still very much active in local issues and also in the affairs of his children. Their son Benness and his wife
Elizabeth first settled at nearby Nursling but after the death of their infant daughter Elizabeth in 1794 they moved to Stratford, Wiltshire. Sons John and Thomas and daughter Susannah remained
at Eling where Susannah no doubt took comfort in her daughter Susannah, the younger [now wife of John Blake] and her family living nearby.
Seventeen years later Susannah Scard (nee Benness) died at her home, buried at Eling 9th November 1815 at the recorded age of 72yrs. She was survived by her aging husband Thomas Scard of
fifty-two years marriage, her three sons John aged fifty-one, her daughter Susannah Blake [nee Scard] now aged fifty, son Benness Scard now forty-seven, son Thomas Scard now aged forty and
several grandchildren. During the time of Susannah's death, her son Benness appears in Hampshire with his wife returning to Nursling with their children when it is recorded that ragedy struck
the family the following year with the death of their twenty-one year old daughter Harriet Maria Scard who was buried on the 10th July 1816 at St Boniface, Nursling, the venue of her parent's
marriage. Harriet was recorded in the Parish Register as 'of Stratford' 'aged 21yrs'.
Tragedy struck the family again five months later in the premature death of Thomas' youngest son Thomas Scard [the younger] at Eling at the recorded age of forty-one, buried at Eling on the
21st December 1816 only a year after his mother's death. Thomas died in-testate. His Obituary was published in the Hampshire Telegraph:
' HOME NEWS - Monday Dec. 23rd 1816 Thomas Scard Jnr died Saturday last at his home at Totton.'
Thomas [Jnr] was survived by his wife Mary [nee Yeats] of twenty-one years marriage and their children, the youngest aged four years. There is evidence that a huge debt had been thrust upon the
family surrounding Thomas's death of which much trouble was seen to cover up the matter although his father Thomas senior mentions the matter briefly later in his Will. Grave concerns were
also expressed by Mary's brother, William Yeats, Esquire, for the welfare of his sister and the maintenance and education of her children in his Will written four years later.
Three years later in on Monday the 25th October 1819 a notice was published in the Winchester & Salisbury Chronicle; Declaration Address to the High Sheriff of the County of Southampton:
See previous link for this date at The Salisbury and Winchester Journal and General Advertiser. The Petition was signed, among many others by Thomas Scard and John Scard. [father and son].
In December 1823 Thomas and his son John sues his Banker when the co-petitioner who died at Eling five weeks later, buried 29th January 1824 and his estate not settled until the following year
[1825], it is considered that the delay in Administration of his Estate may have been due to the ongoing Proceedings. See Original Scan of Newspaper Article: London Times, Published Wednesday
18th Dec 1823;
Excerpt: The insolvent (i.e. Wm. Smith) was opposed by Mr. Brodrick, for Messrs Thomas and John Scard ......... The insolvent, who is very feeble, stated
that he had been a banker at Southampton, and attributed his insolvency to the robbery of his bank in 1819, when his loss amounted to 11,586,
which was subsequently reduced by the recovery of several bills and checks to the notes. A meeting of his creditors took place after the robbery,
and the greater number of them consented to take 10s. in the pound and executed a release for the balance. Those who refused to take this
composition were now returned as creditors in this schedule. He had two partners, who went off, one to India and the other to the Continent, and
had not since returned.......The Court finally adjourned the case to the 2nd of January.....
Thomas never lived to appear in Court on the Adjournment Date.
Thomas Scard died Testate, five weeks after the Court Hearing, buried at Eling on the 29th January 1824 at the recorded age of 87years.
His eldest son John Scard was named Executor of his Will and a year later the following notice was published in the Winchester & Salisbury Chronicle relating to his Estate:
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.'
The Will of Thomas Scard is Transcribed
and Presented after the Epilogue
Epilogue
John Scard [1764-1838] - eldest son of Thomas Scard & Susannah nee Benness - See Biography
Susannah Blake [nee Scard] [1765-1832] - only daughter of Thomas Scard and Susannah nee Benness. At the age of twenty-five Susannah Scard married John Blake
by Licence at Eling on the 2nd November 1790 at St. Martins, Salisbury.The Blake Family were firmly entrenched at Eling for many Generations
dating back to before the Reformation.
They had one known surviving child Susannah Blake [the younger].
Susannah Blake [nee Scard] was buried at Eling on the 30th November 1831 at the recorded age of 66yrs. Her spouse John Blake survived her
by a further five years and was buried at Eling on the 8th January 1836 at the recorded age of 69 years. They were survived by their married
daughter, Susannah Smith [nee Blake] the now
relict of the late Walter Raleigh Smith Esquire.
Their daughter Susannah Blake married Walter Raleigh Smith Esquire 22nd July 1812 at Eling. Notice of the marriage was published in the Winchester Southampton Journal:
Winchester: Saturday 25th July 1812;
'On Wednesday last was married, at Eling, Hants, by the Rev. Thos. Branley, Walter Raleigh Smith, Esq. to Miss Blake, of Totton, in this county'.
Walter Raleigh Smith [1786-1820] was appointed High Sheriff of Southampton later in 1812; Winchester, Saturday 19th September 1812;
'On Friday last, at a Meeting of the Corporation of Southampton, William Edward Jolliffe, Esq was elected Mayor; Walter Raleigh Smith, Esq.
High Sheriff; Thomas Durell, jun. Esq. and Stephen Lintott, Esq. Bailiffs of that town and county, for the year ensuing; when John Butler
Harrison, Esq. the present Mayor, gave an elegant dinner at the Star Inn.' Susannah undoubtedly accompanied her distinguished husband at the
dinner.
Other items relating to Walter Raleigh Smith;
Walter was appointed Mayor of Southampton in 1818 [annual appointment].
Walter was recorded in several deed documents at the Hampshire Record Office.
Walter was also appointed the of Collector of Customs at the Port of Southampton. [usually a Royal Appointment]
Walter Raleigh Smith Esq. was buried at Southampton 16th March 1820 at the Recorded age of 34yrs. No issue has been found for the marriage to date.
In 1837 Susannah was sole beneficiary and executrix of her paternal Uncle John Scard's Estate. In the 1841 Census Susannah was recorded aged forty
living at Totton 'of independent means' noted 'not born in County' she also had a servant Elizabeth Keel aged 19yrs 'born in County' Susannah's burial
has not been found to date. No further information.
Benness Scard [1768-1837] - 2nd son of Thomas Scard & Susannah nee Benness - See Biography.
Thomas Scard (the younger) [1775- 1816] - Youngest son of Thomas Scard & Susannah nee Benness - See Biography.
WILL OF THOMAS SCARD [Snr] OF ELING
Transcribed by Judith-Ann S. Adams
The original Will was kindly supplied by Lyn Mealey
This is the Last Will and testament of me Thomas Scard of Totton in the Parish of Eling in the County of Southampton Yeoman and first I will and direct that all my just Debts and funeral
expenses be paid and discharged as soon as conveniently may be after my decease by my Executor herein after named. My household furniture of every description plate linen chyney Books
I give and bequeath unto my eldest son John Scard and to his sister Susannah Blake widow of the late John Blake Esq. of Stratford Old Sarum to be equally divided between them as near as
they can but it should so happen that they part from living together each will of course take their parts of the before mentioned household furniture plate linen Cheney Books x2 But if they
should continue living together till one of them depart this life then in that case I will and direct that the survivor do take to the whole of the before mentioned household furniture plate
linen Cheyney Books as to his or her own use and Benefit as the case may be. And from and after my decease I give and Bequeath unto my Eldest son John Scard all that my freehold Estate
I sometime since purchased of Charles Connolly Esq. situate at Totton in the Parish of Eling and adjoining the Estate he now lives in called Stormses. The Estate I so purchased of Charles
Conoly Esq consists of two tenements in the occupation of James Jones, Taylor (a Tailor) and Thomas Oliver labourer and a Paddock of Land about three quarters of an Acre which said
freehold Estate I give to my aforesaid Son John Scard and to his heirs and Assigns for ever. Item, I have and bequeath unto my said son John Scard my freehold estate called and known by
the name of Brishenford situate at Totton in the Parish of Eling with every standing and growing therein and thereto belonging which I give to my said son John Scard and to his Heirs and
assigns for ever. Item, I give an Bequeath unto my granddaughter Susannah Smith Widow of the late Walter Raleigh Smith Collector of the Customs in the Port of Southampton my copyhold
Estate called Kents situate at the end of Bares Lane in the Manor of Eling now in the occupation of Perdue Smith Esquire or his under tenant together with the allotment of Common Land
about five acres more or less allotted thereto which I give to my aforesaid grand daughter Susannah Smith, Widow on this condition that she permits her Uncle John Scard to receive theRents
and profits of the aforesaid Estate called Kents till John Barney Esq, Solicitor in Southampton is paid the money borrowed of him on account of the Smiths Bankers in Southampton
[with Walter smith Esq & William P Longth?]in these misfortunes after which I give the aforesaid copyhold estate with every thing thereto belonging to my aforesaid Granddaughter Susannah
Smith widow and to her assigns to be enjoyed by her and them according to the Custom of the Manor of Eling. Item, I give and bequeath unto my said son John Scard my Copyhold piece of Land
called Moodys close situate at the end of Bares Lane and in the Manor of Eling and adjoining the aforesaid Estate called Kents together with a small piece of Common land allotted thereto
which I give to my aforesaid son John Scard during his natural life and from and after his decease I give the aforesaid piece of Land called Moodys close with the allotment of common land
allotted thereto my daughter Susannah Blake widow and to her heirs and Assigns to be enjoyed by her and them according to the custom of the Manor of Eling. Item, I give and bequeath unto
my aforesaid son John Scard my leasehold Estate situate in Waterlane in the Parish of Eling and in the Manor of Testwood which I hold by Lease under Con. C. Searle now in my own
occupation consisting of a Dwelling House Garden and outhouses with a paddock of land adjoining thereto As likewise a piece of land lately enclosed adjoining [?] coppice about four acres
which piece of land is included in the before mentioned leasehold Estate I so purchased of Con C Serle and which I give to my said son John Scard during his natural life and from and after
his decease I give the remainder of the Term and time that shall be unexpired in the aforesaid Lease unto my daughter Susannah Blake Widow and to her heirs and assigns. Item, I give and
bequeath unto my aforesaid son John Scard my Leasehold Estate called Poccocks situate at Totton in the Parish of Eling which I hold by Lease under the late John Compton Dilliss Esq. within
the Manor of Totton and Bartley and now in my own occupation which I give to my said son John Scard during his natural life and from and after his decease I give the remainder of the term
and time that shall be unexpired in the aforesaid lease unto my daughter Susannah Blake widow and to her heirs and assigns.
As for my second son Benness Scard I cannot say much at present as he is amply provided for in marriage with the only surviving daughter of George Hills Esq. of Nursling* and having been
very careful and industrious in his first setting out in Business has accumulated a very handsome fortune of his own and not having partaken in any way with the expenses and trouble that
I have been subject to with the younger part of my Family which will be felt by the other part now living with me as they generously gave up a part of their expectations to relieve the other's
necessities and therefore hope he will be satisfied with what I intend to do for him. As he has promised and given me the Rents & profits of the Copyhold Estate I bought some years ago of the
late Peter Searle Esq. for him and his sister Susannah Blake so long as I should live and having purchased the freehold of the before mentioned copyhold Estate of Con C Serle together with
the freehold of more land adjoining to the said Copyhold I am willing to give and bequeath unto my aforesaid Son Benness Scard and to his Heirs and Assigns for ever on condition that he
my said son Benness Scard do herewith and suffer his brother John Scard to receive the Rents and Profits of the before mentioned Copyhold Estate during his Life as he has allowed it to me
during my Life and Likewise to his sister Susannah Blake during her natural life as she has an interest in the aforesaid copyhold estate and having likewise purchased of Con C Serle the
Corn Tythes of these two Estates with the Timber and every thing standing and growing with the land Tax redeemed. And which before mentioned freehold Estates I so purchased of
Con C Serle being now joined together I give and bequeath to my aforesaid son Benness Scard and to his heirs and assigns for ever free and clear from all incumbencies whatsoever if he
peaceably acquiesce under this my Will and not disturb his brother John Scard nor his sister Susannah Blake in the enjoyment of the aforesaid Copyhold Estate during their lives. But if he
should so happen that my aforesaid son Benness Scard do not agree to this my Will and Bequest then he may take the Copyhold Estate away from the freehold part and do as he please with it
during his interest therein. And from and after my Son Benness Scard Interest in the before mentioned copyhold Estate is expired and done with his family I give and bequeath the whole of
the before mentioned freehold Estates both of which being now joined together to my eldest son John Scard during his natural life and from and after his decease to his sister Susannah Blake
widow during her natural life and from and after her decease to her daughter Susannah Smith widow and to the heirs of her body lawfully begotten but if it should so happen that no such heir
is living by her at the time of her decease then in that case I give the aforesaid freehold Estate to Edward Scard the younger, son of the late Thomas Scard of Totton and to his heirs and his
assigns for ever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my daughter Susannah Blake widow my leasehold Estate late Mr. Hichsons which I purchased of the late John Compton Williss Esq situate at
Totton in the Parish of Eling consisting of a dwelling house garden stable barn and other outbuildings with about twenty acres of arable and meadow land. The house Garden Stable and other
out buildings except the Barn with about five acres of arable land are now left to Richard Baker Gardner the remainder in my own occupation which before mentioned leasehold estate I so
purchased of John Compton Williss Esq I give to my aforesaid daughter Susannah Blake widow and to her assigns subject to this condition that she and they do suffer my aforesaid son
John Scard to receive the Rents and Profits of the aforesaid Lease hold Estate until the money borrowed of John Barney Esq & Solicitor for the purpose of saving William Smith Esq and
William Pardue Smith from very disagreeable circumstances is paid again to the aforesaid John Barney, Esq after which to receive it themselves with other bequests.
Item, I give and bequeath unto my aforesaid daughter Susannah Blake widow my copyhold house and garden with everything hereto belonging which I hold under the late John Compton Williss
Esq within the Manor of Totton and Barkley now in the occupation of Philip Ewer Baker, which I give unto my aforesaid daughter Susannah Blake Widow and to her heirs and assigns to be
enjoyed by her and them according to the custom of the Manor. Item, I give and Bequeath unto my eldest son John Scard my freehold Estate called and known by the name of Foxhills or Foxholds
situate on the Southside of the River leading from fletchwood to Eling Mill and near Hounsdown in the occupation of Purdue Smith Esq or her under Tenant consisting of two pieces of land about
four acres each piece and both free from corn tythes together with the timber and every thing standing and growing thereon which I give to my aforesaid son John Scard and to his Heirs and
Assigns for ever. Item, I give and bequeath unto my aforesaid son John Scard my Copyhold Estate situate as Fletchwood called Wales on the North side of the River leading from Fletchwood to
Eling Mill in the Manor of Eling now in the occupation of Pudue Smith Esq or his under Tenant together with the Corn Tythes, Timber and every thing standing and growing thereon and likewise
the allotment of Common Land allotted thereto being free from all Tythes together with the timber and every thing standing and growing on the aforesaid allotments of common land having paid
the College for the same according to their Valuation and which before mentioned copyhold Estate and every part thereof I give to my aforesaid son John Scard to be enjoyed by him according to
the custom of the Manor of Eling.
And all the rest and residue of my Real and Personal Estates goods Chattels Debts and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever of which I shall die possessed of and not by me herein before given and
bequeathed I give devise and bequeath unto my eldest son John Scard, And do hereby nominate and appoint my aforesaid son John Scard to be full and sole executor of this my last Will and
Testament revoking all other Wills or Will by me at any time heretofore make and do Publish and Declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the said Thomas Scard
the Testator to this my last Will and testament contained in ten sides of five sheets of paper to be the first nine sides have set my hand only and to the last side my hand and Seal the fifteenth day
of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty And in the first years of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Fourth By the Grace of God of the united Kingdom of
Great Britain and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth. Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the before named Thomas Scard the testator as and for his last Will and Testament
in the presence of us who at his request and in his presence and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses hereto [Signed] Thomas Scard [with large seal];
George Lowe; John Starks; James Jones [the number 25 appears after this latter signature]. |
