Powys-Lybbe Forbears - Person Sheet
Powys-Lybbe Forbears - Person Sheet
NameWilliam Stephens 
[3, His death, Q2 of 1856, Bradfield dist, vol 2c, p. 207]
[3, His death, Q2 of 1856, Bradfield dist, vol 2c, p. 207]Birthca 1784, Alderminster, Berks
Death20 Apr 1856, Bradfield district, Berks
GeneralBanker. Of Prospect Hill (or Park), Tilehurst, Berks. Mayor of Reading 1820/1. JP. [15]
Spouses
FatherCharles Greenwood (1769-1835)
MotherMary Ann Jaques (1770-1820)
Marriage27 Jun 1811, St Mary, Wallingford [19, St Mary's Wallingford]
ChildrenAnn Phillis (Adopted) (1825-1912)
Notes for William Stephens
RCLP-L said Wm Left 70,000 ukp in Consols to his niece and adopted daughter, Ann Phillis Greenwood (married Philip Lybbe POWYS). In fact his will only includes a £20,000 legacy to her but does mention gifts made to her on her marriage, 12 years previously.
He had also adopted Ann Phillis's brother (Thomas) Frederick whose second son was Augustus Charles and grandson, 4th sone of Augustus Charles, was Major Arthur Alexander, author.
He had also adopted Ann Phillis's brother (Thomas) Frederick whose second son was Augustus Charles and grandson, 4th sone of Augustus Charles, was Major Arthur Alexander, author.
Will notes for William Stephens
His will was dated 18th April 1855 and probate was given in London on 16th May 1856. The executors were his brother Charles Stephens, banker, William Blandy, banker and Charles Lanfax.
His will does not, so far as I can read it, touch on his Real Estate let alone who was to possess same, but does deal at length with modest bequests to sundry charities and this siblings and their children and a major bequest, of £20,000, to his adopted daughter Ann Phyllis Greenwood. In the past I thought there was something significant also for his adopted son Thomad Frederick Greenwood but I cannot see this on a recent attempt to re-read it.
He left significant resources in trust for his wife but I cannot follow what was to happen to it when she died, which she did a few days after him.
Majpr A A Greenwood wrote in an article in the Berks FHS magazine of June 2003:
“They both died in the same month without issue in April 1856, leaving most of their fortune to build Reading Art Gallery and house their valuable art collection for the benefit of Berkshire.”
I once enquired of the Reading Art Gallery if this was true, which they said not in their records. Nor is this to be found in the will of William Stephens.
His will does not, so far as I can read it, touch on his Real Estate let alone who was to possess same, but does deal at length with modest bequests to sundry charities and this siblings and their children and a major bequest, of £20,000, to his adopted daughter Ann Phyllis Greenwood. In the past I thought there was something significant also for his adopted son Thomad Frederick Greenwood but I cannot see this on a recent attempt to re-read it.
He left significant resources in trust for his wife but I cannot follow what was to happen to it when she died, which she did a few days after him.
Majpr A A Greenwood wrote in an article in the Berks FHS magazine of June 2003:
“They both died in the same month without issue in April 1856, leaving most of their fortune to build Reading Art Gallery and house their valuable art collection for the benefit of Berkshire.”
I once enquired of the Reading Art Gallery if this was true, which they said not in their records. Nor is this to be found in the will of William Stephens.
Notes for William & Phillis (Family)
St mary's Wallingford Marriage Register:
"1811 Jun 27
STEPHENS William, Esq. St Giles Reading
GREENWOOD Phillis or Phyllis, minor, with her father's consent, All Hallows (by usage in the spiritual jurisdiction of St Mary''s Wallingford) Lic
Wit: Chas GREENWOOD, M. I? GREENWOOD, Karen JAQUES. RB"
"1811 Jun 27
STEPHENS William, Esq. St Giles Reading
GREENWOOD Phillis or Phyllis, minor, with her father's consent, All Hallows (by usage in the spiritual jurisdiction of St Mary''s Wallingford) Lic
Wit: Chas GREENWOOD, M. I? GREENWOOD, Karen JAQUES. RB"