The Silver Bowl: 1876 Will of Samuel BRADFORD

1876 February 18 Agreement

NOTE: I often get all fuddle-brained when I read documents like this, and so am indebted to the clarity that Wendy Jack brings to the table. As she pointed out in an email to me (January 31, 2009), basically this document was drawn up as a tool to indemnify the trustees of Andrew Coulter Bradford's will against potential litigation by the beneficiaries (Thomas Jackson was their representative) after the trustees (including Thomas McCULLAGH - in a controversial decision) leased parts of Cavavanore and Annaghvacky to Samuel BRADFORD of Carnbeg. It was this lease and all the legal shenanigans around it that became the bane of the later years of Elizabeth Jackson's life.

I Samuel Bradford[1] of Carnbeg[2] in the County of Louth gentleman do hereby for myself my heirs executors administrators and assigns promise and covenant to and with Thomas MCullagh[3] of Derryvalley[4] in the County of Monaghan justice of the peace that in consideration that the said Thomas MCullagh shall execute a lease for twenty one years from the first of November last past at the annual rent of two hundred and forty seven pounds sterling of these parts of the land of Cavananore [5]and Anaghvackey[6] lately in the possession of Miss Mary Jane Oliver[7] now deceased I shall and will indemnify the said Thomas MCullagh his heirs executors administrators for and against all damages costs loss and expenses of what kind or nature soever that may or shall in any way (either directly or indirectly) or at any time be incurred by or entailed on the said Thomas MCullagh his heirs executors or administrators in consequence of the said Thomas MCullagh's executing said lease and more particularly for and against all damages costs and expenses of any action which shall or may be brought against the said Thomas MCullagh his heirs executors or administrators by Thomas Jackson[8] Esquire of Hong Kong as Residuary Devisee of the estate of Andrew Coulter Bradford[9] of Cavananore aforesaid or by his representatives in title. In witness whereof I have hereto put my hand and seal this eighteenth day of February eighteen hundred and seventy six.

[1] Samuel BRADFORD (born bet 1836-1840-d. 1915). This is the Samuel BRADFORD of many financial scandals that are mentioned in several letters by Elizabeth JACKSON to her son, Thomas JACKSON. He was probably born at Carnbeg, certainly owned leases there later in life, and died at Janeville, Dunleer, Co. Louth. He married Sarah Louisa Wilson on April 29^th, 1885 at Garvary Church of Ireland, Parish of Enniskillen, Co. Fermanagh. They had two known children" Margart & Florence Louisa (1889-1952).

[2] Carnbeg, Parish of Dundalk, Co. Louth. Leases in this townland were held intergenerationally by COULTERs and BRADFORDs.

[3] Thomas MCULLAGH (1793-1877), married his cousin, Sarah McCULLAGH (1816-1857). He is mentioned in a range of family financial dealings involving the JACKSONs.

[4] Derryvalley, Co. Monaghan. Home of McCULLAGHs for many generations.

[5] Cavananore, Parish of Creggan. Home of COULTERs and BRADFORDs for many generations

[6] Anaghvackey, Parish of Creggan. Leased by BRADFORDs, COULTERs and DICKIEs for many generations

[7] Mary Jane OLIVER (1821-1875). Her mother, Elizabeth Bradford was the sister of Andrew Coulter Bradford.

[8] Thomas JACKSON (1841-1915) A nephew of Mary Jane OLIVER, he was knighted for his work with HSBC and other accomplishments in the Far East.

[9] Andrew Coulter BRADFORD (1788-May 10, 1847 ). According to Blin BROWN, he died unmarried. He was the only son of Thomas Bradford and Elizabeth Breakey.