Notes for James THURTELL

Thurtell and Related Families Thurtell and Related Families

Notes for James THURTELL

The family tree done by Harriet Thurtell about 1900 and the History of the Thurtell Family done by Susan Persia Thurtell about 1968, both in the possession of Susan Persia Thurtell Miller, list James Thurtell as the earliest known ancestor of our family.

See notes under James' son, John Thurtell. James is buried at Blundeston, and his tomb shows James Thurtell, died 19th January 1801, age 63 years.

Information received from Peter Murray in 1997 shows that James Thurtell was the second son of John and Elizabeth Thurtell of Trowse Newton and Norwich, Norfolk, England. James Thurtell was a cooper in Norwich and farmed in Lakenham, Norfolk, apparently on the Crowe family's estate near Norwich. His farming apparently was on the property in Lakenham later farmed under Southwell, landlord, by his son Thomas Thurtell apparently by Harford Bridge (according to the research of Eunice Wilson). In 1770 he inherited his father's property in Hempnall, Norfolk. The children of James and Winifred Nunn Thurtell were christened in the Church of St. Julian, Norwich, Norfolk, until at least 1772.

In about 1772, he acquired by lease a farm in Flixton, Suffolk, and property in the Redeham Marsh, Norfolk, and relocated his family from the parish of St. Julian, Norwich, to Flixton. From 1775 on his children were christened at the Church of St. Mary, Blundeston, Suffolk, England. He was afterwards a prominent parishioner in Blundeston-cum-Flixton and lived at White House Farm (possibly leased from the Woods family). He also continued to have a presence in the parish of St. Julian in Norwich until at least 1781 since some of his children were buried in that parish until at least that year. His first wife, Winifred, was the daughter of Thomas Nunn, a Norwich worsted weaver. James and Winifred Thurtell had nine children who survived childhood.

James Thurtell, son of John Thurtell and Elizabeth, appears in the will of his father in 1767 and 1769 and that of his brother John in 1772, being during that time "of the City of Norwich." His baptismal record has not been found, probably because the Archdeacon's transcript for Trowse Newton in the years beginning with 1736 do not survive and the parish records are virtually unreadable due to flood damage. In his father's will, in 1767, James Thurtell was bequeathed an equal share (with his brother John and sister Sarah) of his father's property on Boarstreet in the City of Norwich, this subject to use of it by his mother during her lifetime. He was also to receive all of his father's property in Hempnall, Norfolk, subject to compensation being paid to his brother John for his part. He also appears as an executor in the will of his brother John Thurtell, in 1772, in which he was charged with the sale of his brother's property in Trowse Milgate, with the proceeds to go to John's widow, Hannah. Where in Norwich this James Thurtell was living in 1767 is not stated, nor what became of the property in Hempnall that was bequeathed to him, or even whether and when the property in Trowse Milgate was in fact sold. However, the will of James Thurtell of Flixton, Suffolk, dated 1799 and proved in 1801, shows him in possession of a part freehold and part copyhold property in Hempnall, late in the occupation of William King and "now" in occupation of Samuel Gilbert. This is in addition to the property in his own occupation in Flixton, Suffolk, and Redeham Marshes, Norfolk, which he held by lease. It is therefore virtually certain that the James Thurtell who died in 1801 and married successively Winifred Nunn (c1740-1795) and the widow Elizabeth Atkinson (1748-1828) is in fact the son of John and Elizabeth Thurtell of Trowse Newton. Soon after 1772 he appears to have moved from Norwich and vicinity to Blundeston-cum-Flixton, Suffolk, where he first appears in our family tradition.

Peter Murray's records also shows that the following information is relevant:

James Thurtell married Winifred Nunn on December 7, 1758, at St. Etheldreda, Norwich, Norfolk County, England. He was a single man of St. Julian parish and she a single woman of St. Etheldreda parish, both in Norwich. The witnesses were Mary Chandler and Sarah Thurtell, but their relationships were not shown. James and Winifred Thurtell, before moving to Flixton, Suffolk, farmed property at Lakenham Norfolk, which is immediately adjacent to Trowse Newton.

A contemporary named James Thirtle married Mary Cook, 26 Dec 1762 at Norwich St. John de Sepulchre [i.e., in the same parish as the Norwich property of John Thurtell the peruch maker].

Other contemporaries of the name James are known, including James Thurtell who married Esther Vout 30 May 1763 at Norwich St. Saviour, and James Thirtle who married Susannah Berry 5 April 1752 at Norwich St. Stephen.

James Thurtell of Flixton, Suffolk, in his will in 1799, proved in 1801, disposed of property in Hempnall, Norfolk, which appears to correspond with the property held in 1770 by James, brother of the above John Thurtell. These two James must therefore be one and the same, which means the other contemporaries also named James mentioned above must belong to different family groups.
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WILL OF JAMES THURTELL OF FLIXTON SFK, FARMER, 1799/1801
Archdeaconry of Suffolk, England [Original File Copy]
(Suffolk Record Office, Ipswich Branch, file IC/AA1/221/7)
Note: This James Thurtell (m.1st Winifred Nunn; m.2nd Elizabeth Atkinson) is the earliest ancestor remembered in our family tradition.
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[Seal affixed to top of page]

This is the Last Will and Testament of me James Thurtell of Flixton in the County of Suffolk farmer - that is to say - Whereas I have given to my three sons John Thomas and James and to my two daughters Sarah the wife of Robert Browne and Elizabeth the wife of John Clarke several sums of money mentioned and entered in a Book which I keep for that purpose Now I give and bequeath to each of my said five children John Thomas James Sarah and Elizabeth respectively so much more money as added to the sums so respectively received will make to each of them the sum of Five hundred pounds, and I direct the same to be paid within six calendar months after my decease, but my meaning is that such sums of money which I have lent to any of my said children on their note or other security in order for repayment shall be by them accordingly accounted for and paid to my executors hereafter named - Also I give and devise unto my son George Thurtell and his heirs for ever All and every my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments both freehold and copyhold with the rights and appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being in Hempnall in the County of Norfolk late in the occupation of William King his assigns or undertenants and now in the occupation of Samuel Gilbert his assigns or undertenants And also all other my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments whatsoever and wheresoever Upon Trust nevertheless to pay and apply all the net rents issues and profits thereof and of every part thereof in manner and for the purposes hereafter mentioned until my youngest daughter Sophia shall attain her age of twenty one years and when and as soon as my said daughter Sophia shall have attained such age or in case of her death under such age then when and so soon as I shall have no child living under the age of twenty one years Upon trust for my said son George or his heirs to sell and dispose of all my said Messuages Lands Tenements hereditaments and premises with the appurtenances either by a public sale by auction or by a provate sale and in such way and manner as he or they shall please for the best price and most money that can reasonably be had or gotten for the same and to convey surrender and assure all the said hereditaments and premises to the purchaser or purchasers thereof and to his her or their heirs or as he she or they shall direct or appoint, And all the moneys to arise from such sale or sales to pay and apply in manner hereafter mentioned and directed of and concerning the same But my will and meaning is that the purchaser or purchasers of my said Messuages hereditaments and premises or of any of them or of any parts thereof shall not be answerable or accountable for the misapplication of the purchase money or purchase moneys to be given for the same And that the receipt or receipts of my said son George or his heirs so selling and conveying the said premises as aforesaid shall be a full and sufficient discharge for such purchase money or purchase moneys or for so much money for which such receipt or receipts shall be given Also I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my three sons Thomas James and George and my daughters Ann and Charlotte to be Executors and Executrix of this my last will and testament Also I desire and direct my said Executors and Executrixes or such of them as shall take upon them the Probate of this my will or the survivors or survivor of them to raise as soon as they conveniently can after my decease from my personal estate a Sum of Money sufficient when laid out and invested in the three per cent Consolidated or reduced Bank annuities to produce an annual or yearly interest or dividend of Forty pounds and I direct them to invest the said Money so raised in one of the said funds or securities accordingly And I give and direct my said Ececutors to pay to Elizabeth my wife the said interest or divident of Forty pounds for the term of her life In discharge and satisfaction of a Bond or other security which upon my marriage with my said wife I entered into for payment to her for her life in the event of her surviving me of a like annuity and which provision is to be in bar lieu and satisfaction of all dower and thirds which she my said wife may be intitled to out of and from my real Estate And until the said money shall be so raised and invested as aforesaid I direct my Executors to pay the said annuity to my said wife from my personal Estate and also from the rents of my said real estate till the same shall be sold and disposed of as aforesaid And I also direct the said annuity to be paid on the several days and times mentioned and provided in the said Bond or security for the payment thereof And after my said wifes decease I give and bequeath all the said principal Money so raised and invested as aforesaid to be paid and applied in manner hereafter mentioned Also I give to my said Executors and Executrixs All my farming stock and implements of farming All my crops of corn grain and hay All my stock of horses and cattle All my household goods and furniture plate and linen dairy and brewing utensils All my ready money debts due or owing to me and securities for money and all and singular other my goods chattels and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever Upon Trust after paying thereout and therefrom all my just debts funeral and testamentary expences and the several Sums of money which I have hereinbefore given to my said sons John Thomas and James and to my said daughters Sarah and Elizabeth and after also raising therefrom the said Sum of money to be invested as aforesaid for obtaining the said annuity of Forty pounds - To apply employ lay out invest and dispose of all the rest and residue of my said Stock furniture monies and personal estate in manner and for several purposes following that is to say - to employ a sufficient part and portion thereof for carrying on my farm at Flixton aforesaid and towns adjoining in my own occupation with my Marshes at Redeham in the said County of Norfolk also in my own occupation for the remainder of my Lease or Leases therein respectively and for so long afterwards if it can be until my said son George and my said daughters Ann Charlotte and Sophia shall have attained their respective ages of twenty one years for their maintenance support and education And I request my said sons Thomas and James to superintend conduct and manage the said business and to retain annually or be paid from the monies thence arising Twenty pounds for their care and trouble in and about the same And as to so much of the residue of the said monies and personal Estate as shall not be wanted for that purpose To put and plan the same out at Interest on such security or securities real or personal as my said Executors shall see fit but at the risk and hazard of my Children who shall be entitled thereto by this my will And to apply such interest for the maintenance support and education of my said son George and my said daughters Ann Charlotte and Sophia Five hundred pounds apiece to be paid to them as and when they shall severally attain their age of twenty one years together with interest therefore at and after the rate of Four pounds and ten shillings per Centum per annum to be accounted from the time of my decease until the said Legacies respectively shall become due and payable And I direct the said legacies to be paid out of and from my personal Estate and from the monies to arise as aforesaid from the sale of my said real Estate if there be occasion to resort to that fund for payment thereof And when and so soon as my said Children shall have attainded their ages of twenty one years or before if my executors shall see fit I desire and direct them to sell and convert into money All the said farming Stock and implements of farming Stock houshold Goods and furniture plate linen and personal Estate And the monies so arising together with the monies to be put and placed out as aforesaid and all the residue of my said personal Estate and savings And also the monies to arise from the sale of my said real Estate after paying all lawful claims thereon and the said Legacies herein before given to my said four Children George Ann Charlotte and Sophia and Interest therefore as aforesaid to pay and apply and I give the same to be equally divided among my said nine Children John Thomas James George Sarah Elizabeth Ann Charlotte and Sophia share and share alike And as to the principal money to be raised and invested as aforesaid for payment of the said annuity of Forty pounds a year to my said wife for her life I give the same after her decease or so much thereof as shall not be wanted for the payment of any Legacy or Legacies which I have herein before given, To be equally divided among my said nine Children John Thomas James George Sarah Elizabeth Ann Charlotte and Sophia share and share alike, Provided always and my meaning is that if any loss should happen to my personal Estate from or by the carrying on the said farming business as aforesaid that my Executors shall not be answerable for any such loss or be subject or be liable to make good the same or any part thereof, But in Case of any gains or savings thereby the same after maintaining and educating my said four Children George Ann Charlotte and Sophia as aforesaid shall be added to and taken as part of my personal Estate to be applied and divided as aforesaid, Provided also and my will is that my Executors shall not be charged or chargeable with or accountable for any Sum or Sums of money whatsoever other than what shall actually come to their respective hands and be received by them respectively and not the one of them for the others or other of them or the receipts payments acts or wilful defaults of the others or other of them but each of them for himself and herself and for his and her own acts receipts payments and wilful defaults only Nor for any loss or losses which may happen without his her or their wilful default And lastly I revoke all former wills by me at any time heretofore made and I declare this to be my last will and testament - In witness whereof I the said James Thurtell the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament contained in four sheets of paper and affixed together at the tops to the first second and third sheets thereof set my hand and to the fourth sheet my hand and Seal this Thirtieth day of May in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and ninety nine.-

James Thurtell [+ Seal]

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator as and for his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto Subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto
Robt Reeve
T Mallitt [these also signed ea page]
Robt Reeve Jun.

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[Seal affixed to top of page]

At Yarmouth the thirty first Day of January 1801. The within named Executors Thomas Thurtell and James Thurtell were sworn in due form of law before me

Thomas Baker Surrogate
to the Official

Personal Estate |
under L10,000 |
Power is reserved for George Thurtell, Ann Thurtell and Charlotte Thurtell the other Executors within named to be sworn and act
_________
23 Sheets

1804 Dec.7th The said Charlotte Thurtell (now the wife of Thomas Paine of Lowestoft Gent./ one of the Executors was sworn in due form of Law before the revd Barthw Ritson Clk Surr.

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[attached page]

Form of Oath to be administered to Charlotte Paine the Wife of Thomas Paine of Lowestoft in the County of Suffolk Gentleman late Charlotte Thurtell Spinster natural and lawful Daughter and one of the Executors named in the last Will and Testament of James Thurtell late of Flixton in the County and Archdeaconry of Suffolk Farmer deceased.

"You swear that the writing contained in certain forur Sheets of paper together annexed bearing date the 30th day of May 1799 and purporting to be the last Will and Testament of James Thurtell late of Flixton aforesaid deceased now remaining in the registry of the Court of the said Archdeaconry is as you verily believe the last Will and Testament of the said deceased, that you are one of the Executrixes therein named, and that you will well and faithfully perform that office by first paying the debts of the said deceased and then the Legacies contained in the said Will so far forth as the Goods Rights Chattels and Credits will extend and as by Law you are bound that you will make and exhibit a true full and perfect Inventory of all and singular the said Goods Rights Chattels and Credits of the said deceased and render a just and true account of your Executrixship when you shall be thereunto lawfully called"

The Seventh day of December 1804
The abovenamed Charlotte Paine was sworn in due form of Law,
before me,
Barthw Ritson Clk. Surrogate |
to the Archdeacon of Suffolk. |

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END OF DOCUMENT
FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS OF JAMES THURTELL OF FLIXTON, FARMER, 1801

James Thurtell of Flixton was a farmer with property also at the Marsh at Redeham Norfolk, and in Hempnall Norfolk. His will was dated 1799 and the executors sworn 1801 when apparently he had died.
Wife: Elizabeth, whose maintenance is provided for in the will but she was not named as an executor. Terms of their marriage bond are referred to in the will.
His children (mother not stated):
John Thurtell
Thomas Thurtell
James Thurtell
George Thurtell
Sarah wife of Robert Browne
Elizabeth wife of John Clarke
Ann Thurtell
Charlotte Thurtell, afterwards wife of Thomas Paine
Sophia Thurtell
Siblings or other relatives: none mentioned.
All of the above were living in 1799 and 1801, and it is made clear that these were all his children then living.

Provisions of the will (as interpreted by Peter Murray):
His 5 children who were not underage, John, Thomas, James, Sarah, and Elizabeth, were to repay to the estate sums of money which he had previously advanced to them.
Each of his 9 children were to be given 500 pounds of money, but only upon reaching age 21 if underage.
His wife Elizabeth was to receive an annuity of 40 pounds, being earnings from a portion of the estate to be set aside and invested for that purpose.
His 4 underage children, George, Ann, Charlotte, and Sophia were to have their maintenance and education provided from the revenues of his properties in Hempnall, Flixton and Redeham Marshes etc.
His freehold and copyhold property in Hempnall Norfolk was to be entrusted to his son George for his use and to provide family revenue until he and all his siblings have reached the age of 21, upon which it was to be sold by George and the proceeds divided equally among the 9 children.
His properties in Flixton Suffolk and the Marsh at Redeham Norfolk were to be maintained and managed for the family benefit by his sons Thomas and James, who were to be given an annuity of 20 pounds for their trouble, for the remaining term of the lease or for as long as they remained profitable, and if eventually sold, proceeds to be divided equally among his nine children.
His other personal estate etc when eventually converted into money to be equally divided among his 9 children.
He appointed as executors his children Thomas, James, George, Ann, and Charlotte (power being reserved for the latter three, they being underage).

Notes:
This is the James Thurtell (1737-1801), our ancestor, who married first 1758 to Winifred Woods (mother of all their children) and 2ndly 1797 to Elizabeth Atkinson, a widow, who survived him.

The seal of James Thurtell affixed to the will needs to be examined in case there is a crest or other insignia (not visible on the copy we have). This can be compared with seals and insignia on other Thurtell wills and documents before and after this time as clues to other relationships and heraldic status.

Since our James Thurtell is shown here to have possessed property in Hempnall Norfolk, he appears to be identical to the James Thurtell who was bequeathed property in Hempnall by the will of his father John Thurtell of Trowse Newton in 1770.

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