Sir Frederick Wills

The Times

Friday, April 23, 1909

WILLS AND BEQUESTS Sir Frederick Wills Estate     Sir Frederick Wills, first baronet, of Northmoor, Dulverton, Somerset, of Manor Heath, Bournmouth, and of Kensington Palace-Gardens, W., who died at Cannes on February 18, left estate the net value of which is £2,916,649.   There is a reversion, in respect of which duty is not paid, amounting to £400,050.   The net estate on which duty has been paid is £2,516,599, and the estate duty paid was £313,735 14s 8d.   The executors under the will are Gilbert Alan Hamilton Wills, Henry Wills Gunn, and Hugh Fraser, and the testator left £1,000 each to the two latter.   The testator, who, it is stated, gave one-tenth of his income to religious, charitable, and philanthropic institutions during his lifetime, by a codicil dated December 14, 1908, gave £5,000 to the University of Bristol, providing that a charter for the establishment thereof be granted before January 14, 1910.   It is understood that Sir Frederick Wills left £1,000 and certain household furniture and effects to Lady Wills, and his yachting prizes, autograph portrait of the German Emperor, and other like articles to his son, Gilbert Wills, who succeeds to the title.   The testator bequeathed £12,000 a year for life (subject to reduction to £1,000 a year in the event of re-marriage) to Lady Wills, and the annuities for life to the following persons: - Samuel Day Wills, £500; Frank William Wills, £250; Stephen Prust Wills and his wife Annie Wills, £200; Arthur Lane Wills, £200; Grahame Hamilton Wills, £200; Mrs.Annie Knox, £200; Lucy Wills, £50; Charles Wills, £200; Isabella Gunn. £100; James Hamilton, £200; Herbert William Hamilton, £200; and Miss Brown,£100.

Under the will a baronetcy fund is created.   The trustees are directed to set apart sufficient securities to produce £10,000 per annum, and to pay the income arising from such securities to the different persons from time to time in actual enjoyment of the title of baronet conferred upon Sir Frederick Wills until the expiration of 21 years from the death of the last surviving issue of Sir Frederick Wills who could possibly succeed to that title, and when that period arrives the trustees are to hand over all securities representing this fund to the person then in possession of the title or dignity.   If an infant becomes entitled to the baronetcy, the trustees need only pay such infant such sum as they think fit out of the £10,000 income, and accumulate the residue and pay it to the infant at 21.   Of the residue of the estate three-ninths is left to Gilbert A. H. Wills absolutely: three-ninths to Frederick Noel Hamilton Wills if he marries or attains 25 years; one-ninth to the trustees in trust to invest and pay the income therefrom to the testator's daughter, Mrs. E. A. H. Douglas Hamilton: during her life, with power to her to will the principal at death; one-ninth to the trustees in trust to invest and pay the income to Sir Frederick's daughter, Mrs. M. H. Fellows, during her life, with similar power to will.   The remaining one-ninth share is to be divided into two equal parts and invested, and the income from one part to Sir Frederick's daughter, Miss Kathleen Wills, during her life.   The other part of this share is to be likewise invested, but the income from it is to be accumulated until Miss Kathleen Wills either marries or attains the age of 30.   Directly either of these events happens the income from this part is also to be paid to Miss Kathleen Wills during the remainder of her life.   Provision is made for dealing with the principal.

SPECIAL THANKS  to Clifford Allison, for many of the details provided above.