Will of Thomas Newham, doctor of medicine, 1887 (proved 1891)

Oxford Probate Registry

  BE IT KNOWN that at the date hereunder written the last Will and Testament of Thomas Newham late of Winslow in the County of Buckingham, Doctor of Medicine, deceased, who died on the 18th day of November 1890. At Winslow aforesaid, and who at the time of his death had a fixed place of abode at Winslow aforesaid, within the District of the Counties of Oxford, Berks and Buckingham, was proved and registered in the District Probate Registry of Her Majesty’s High Court of Justice at Oxford, and that Administration of the personal estate of the said deceased was granted by the aforesaid Court to Reginald Powell Newham of 29 Upper Park Road, in the County of Middlesex, Clerk in the Bank of England, Son of the Deceased, the sole Executor named in the said Will, he  having been first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same.
  Dated the 30th day of January 1891.
Gross value of personal estate £927.5.4
Debts to £1,291.7.6.
Extracted by Herbert Bullock, Solicitor, Winslow.

I Thomas Newham Doctor of Medicine residing at Winslow in the County of Buckingham, being of sound mind declare this to be my last Will and that it entirely rescinds and sets aside any former Will or Wills which now become null and void. I desire that upon my decease I may be buried in the same Grave as my deceased Wife and that my funeral may be as simple and inexpensive as possible the total cost not to exceed Five pounds sterling. I only ask that I may be buried with the full services of the Church of England which I so dearly love.  I hereby appoint my Son Reginald Powell Newham to be my sole Executor and I give and bequeath to him all the property I die possessed of whatever it may be real and personal Goods, Furniture, Stock, Carriages and all other kinds of property. If I die before the expiration of my Partnership with Mr. T. F. Vaisey any monies that would have accrued to me under the deed of Partnership together with Surgery fittings, Surgical Instruments and book debts  I leave to the said Reginald Powell Newham and I direct that in all Settlements of Accounts connected with the Partnership or after that has expired the said Reginald Powell Newham shall employ my valued Friend and Assistant Henry Sharp to act with him in the transaction of this Business and for this service he is to receive such per-centage as the said Reginald Powell Newham may consider amply remunerative.  By the Will of my late Father appended to this document certain dispositions of his property were made which will be found in the Copy of the Will.  To Ellen Mary Greaves and Lilian Ethel Tomkins my daughters together with Hugh Basil Greaves Newham who are amply provided for by their Grandfather’s Will. I leave my blessing and thanks for all the love they have given to me and without which love I could not have borne the dreadful calamity of the loss of my deceased Wife. And I make this Will in favour of Reginald Powell Newham so that he may receive some return for the great assistance he has rendered me on various occasions and for which assistance he has earned every right to recompense.  To all and each of my children I say may God bless you.
Signed by the testator in the joint presence of us who thereupon signed our names in his and each others presence.  Thomas Newham. M.D.
Jonas Hancock.
Thomas Cripps.
Dated this 8th day of August 1887. Winslow.

Proved at Oxford, the Thirtieth day of January 1891, by the Oath of Reginald Powell Newham, the son, the sole executor to whom Administration was granted.
  The Testator Thomas Newham was late of Winslow in the County of Buckingham, Doctor of Medicine, and died on the Eighteenth day of November 1890, at Winslow aforesaid.

Gross value of Personal Estate £927 .5. 4.
Debts etc. £1,291. 7. 6.
Herbert Bullock, Solicitor, Winslow.
It is hereby certified that the foregoing is a correct copy.
Dated this Fifth day of February 1891.

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Notes

For more about the family, see Willis family (Dr Newham's wife Maria) and the will of Dr Newham's daughter Ellen Greaves (proved 1937). Thomas Newham was born at Rothwell, Northants. He lived at Western Lodge (then called Western Cottage), Horn Street. There is a report of his wedding to Maria Louisa Willis in 1859 here.

Buckingham Advertiser, 22 Nov 1890: editorial
It is with the deepest possible regret our readers will hear of the death of Dr. Newham, of Winslow.  Previous to his illness he was the life and soul of Winslow in all that pertained to Church and State, and was generally elected the lay representative of the town at the Diocesan Conference, and he was also secretary to the Church Defence Association.  He was also a thorough musician, and took an active part as a member in the Winslow Brass Band during its existence, whilst the Volunteer Fife and Drum Band found in him its sole supporter.  Western House (now occupied by his son-in-law, G. R. Greaves, Esq., J.P.) was built for him.  He edited the “Winslow Magazine” for some time, and started the “Parochial Magazine,” which embraces a wider area, but was compelled by illness to relinquish the editorial duties to the present Vicar.

Buckingham Advertiser, 22 Nov 1890: obituary
For upwards of 40 years Dr. Newham has figured in the social, public, and political life of this parish, being until about a year ago one of its most prominent inhabitants, but, commencing with an attack of influenza, illness has since that period compelled his retirement from all public life, and while getting the better of several attacks he grew weaker, and passed away on Tuesday.  Coming into the town as an assistant to the noted Dr. Cowley, he gradually worked himself into the position of the first medical man of the place, and some years ago took into partnership Mr. Vaisey, the partnership only being dissolved about three months ago.  He was medical officer for the third district of the Winslow Union, to the Provident Society, and to the Odd Fellows, and on the death of Dr. Denne, was appointed registrar of births, marriages and deaths.  In town matters he at one time took a very large part, the old Choral Society owed much of its success to his efforts; for a number of years he was secretary and correspondent for the parochial schools; on many occasions he filled the post of Churchwarden; and of later years was an active member of the Church Choir; while he was never so happy as when arranging the details of a concert or entertainment on behalf of the Church Restoration Fund, or some kindred object; and always took great interest in the Flower Show, giving special prizes for potatoes.  In politics he was an ardent Conservative.  He married a daughter of the late D. T. Willis, Esq., and who died some 17 years ago.

Bicester Herald, 28 Nov 1890: report of funeral
The interment of the late Dr. Newham of Winslow, took place on Saturday afternoon, November 22, at Winslow, and was conducted by the Rev. P. H. Eliot, vicar, and the deceased having been a member of the choir, service was fully choral.  Shortly after 2.30 the procession entered the church. The cortege was composed of the choir (including Messrs. Bullock, M. S. Lowndes, G. Ingram, H. Ingram, Foskett, W. H. Stevens, Lomas, &c.), the Vicar, the Rev. T. K. Norman (curate), about 20 Oddfellows in mourning sashes, headed by Messrs. Osborn, Russell and White; the coffin, covered in wreaths, Mr. R. Newham, Mrs. Greaves and Mrs. Tompkins (son and daughters), Geo. R. Greaves Esq., and the Rev. H. C. Tompkins (sons-in-law), Mr. T. P. Willis (brother-in-law), Mr. T. F. Vaisey and Mr. T. L. Kennish.  The 90th psalm was sung and the hymn, “When our heads are bowed in woe,” as the procession left the church for the grave (close to the church porch).  Amongst those following were Lord Addington, Hon. Evelyn Hubbard, Revs. Mackwood, Stevens (Addington), W. M. Myres (Swanbourne), C. G. Hutchins (Dunton), F. W. Malpas (Little Horwood), S. Phillips (Grandborough), R. C. Allen (Whaddon), Messrs. H. Monk, G. D. E. Wigley, H. Brazier, W. Minter, J. Jennings, T. Saunders, G. Brooks, N. Ingram, W. Grace, Warr, F. Loffler, J. Loffler, J. Elley, J. East, Geo. King, J. Hillyer, A. G. Stevens, E. Parrett, J. R. Ager, Robinson, Clare, Bird, &c.  The hymn, “Now the labourer’s task is o’er,” was sung at the grave, Mr. Thompson officiating at a harmonium.  The coffin bore the inscription:- “Thomas Newham M.D., born 24th October, 1827; died 18th November, 1890.” The grave was literally covered with wreaths and crosses of lovely flowers, arums, camellias, Christmas roses, pompone chrysanthemums, violets &c., amongst them being the following: From Lord and Lady Addington “With sincerest and deepest regard”: Hon. Evelyn Hubbard and Mrs. Hubbard, “A mark of affectionate respect from an old friend”: Dowager Lady Addington, Lord Cottesloe and Miss Fremantle, Mr. and Mrs. Gore-Langton, Hon. T. F. and Lady Augusta Fremantle, Mrs. and Misses Lambton, Hon. Rose Hubbard, Hon. Arthur and Mrs. Hubbard, Mrs. Caulfeild Pratt, Mrs. Bass, Mr. and Mrs. T. P. Willis, Mrs. R. W. Jones, Mr. and Mrs. Wigley, Mr. Weston, Rev. P. H. Eliot, Rev. T. K. Norman, Brook Hall (Miss Reeves), the servants, Addington House (Mr. King), Mr. Minter (Union house), &c.  The arrangements in the church were carried out by Messrs. Hawley, Hathaway and George.  Messrs. W. and E. Matthews were the undertakers.

Buckingham Advertiser, 6 December 1890
VALUABLE HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE COMPRISING The Contents of WESTERN COTTAGE.
THE DINING-ROOM FURNITURE CONSISTS OF
MAHOGANY Dining and other Tables, a three-tier Dinner Wagon, Mahogany Sideboard, Secretaire and Bookcase, 6 Dining room Chairs, Easy and Reading Chairs, Chimney Glasses, Duplex Reading Lamps, Oak Hat and Umbrella Stand, Wheel Barometer, Brussels and other Carpets, a roll of 25 yards of 27-inch New Brussels Carpet.
THE DRAWING-ROOM FURNITURE COMPRISES
Walnut  Occasional Card, Writing and Work Tables, Easy and Occasional Chairs, a Chippendale Table and Chair, a 7-octave Cottage PIANOFORTE (by Broadwood), in Walnut case.
THE BED-ROOM FURNITURE
Includes Painted Iron, French, and half-tester Bedsteads, Bedding, Oak, and Mahogany Washstands, Dressing Tables, Mahogany and Oak Chests of Drawers, Gentlemen’s Wardrobe, Casement, Invalid, and Easy Chairs, Bed and Table Linen, China and Glass, Quantity of Plated Articles, Plated Tea and Coffee Service, a case of Mahogany Ivory-handled Knives and Forks, a case of Dessert Knives and Forks.
About 200 volumes of Books, and a collection of unbound Magazines, Kitchen Requisites, and numerous Miscellaneous Items.
THE OUT-DOOR EFFECTS, COMPRISE
2 IRON GARDEN ROLLERS, Lawn Mower by Green, Maughan’s patent Geyser, Ladders, Cucumber Frames and Lights, Wheelbarrow Garden Tools, and quantity of Seed Potatoes, PONY CART, by Meade, of Aylesbury, in excellent condition, cushions &c., complete,
TO BE SOLD BY AUCTION, BY Mr. GEO. WIGLEY,
On TUESDAY, December 16, 1890, on the premises at Western Cottage, by direction of the Executor of the late Dr. Newham.
  The whole may be viewed the morning of Sale.  The Sale will commence at 11 o’clock.
  Catalogues may be had at the Offices of the Auctioneer, Winslow, and Town Hall Offices, Fenny Stratford.

Invoice from Dr Newham to the executors of Mrs Grace (who actually died in 1881)

Dr Newham was originally in partnership with Dr Denne:

1862: Bucks Herald, 10 May
THE PARTNERSHIP hitherto existing between MESSRS. DENNE and NEWHAM, will be DISSOLVED (by mutual consent) on the TWENTY-FOURTH of JUNE next.  After that date the Accounts of the Firm will be placed in the hands of an Accountant, and all Debts must be at once paid, so that the Affairs may be wound up.
  MESSRS. DENNE and NEWHAM will continue to practise at their respective Residences, in the Market Square and at Western House.
  Winslow, May 1862.

He was involved in various charitable activities, including fundraising when the cotton industry in Lancashire was ruined by the American Civil War:

1862: Bucks Herald, 15 Nov
THE DISTRESS IN LANCASHIRE
TO THE EDITOR OF THE BUCKS HERALD
  SIR,- As you have been kind enough to insert a former letter of mine, appealing to the charitable of this neighbourhood for assistance for the poor Lancashire people, in the shape of cast-off clothing, I trust you will again assist me in making known the fact that large quantities of clothing have been sent to me in answer to my appeal, and that I have lost no time in forwarding the same into Lancashire.
  Owing to the pressure of business, I am not able to acknowledge the receipt of each parcel, but I beg to thank all those who have sent them, and to say that by your kind permission I will give a list of donors in a future number of your paper.
  Thanking you for your kind assistance,
          I remain,
                   Your obedient servant,
                               THOMAS NEWHAM, M. D.
Western House, Winslow.
  13th November, 1862.

He was also an author:

1871: Bucks Herald, 9 Sep
JUST PUBLISHED – PRICE SIXPENCE,
VACCINATION POPULARLY CONSIDERED, by Dr. NEWHAM, WINSLOW.
  Buckingham: Printed and sold by  W. CARTER, Bookseller; Sold also by E. J. FRENCH, Winslow; and by Messrs, HAMILTON, ADAMS, and Co., London