TESTATOR’S STRANGE BEQUEST.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 51, 1 March 1913, Page 6

TESTATOR’S STRANGE BEQUEST.

RICH MAN’S ASHES TO BE BURIED WITH HIS DOG. Mr James Griffith Dearden, F.S.A., of the Manor House, The Orchard, Rochdale, and of Walcot Park, near Stamford, Lord of the Manor of Rochdale, left estate of the gross value of £531,810, 'with net personality £388,117. A codicil, made on a sheet of notepaper, in the testator’s handwriting, was headed, “Instructions to my three executors,” and roads: It is my will and wish that my remains he cremated and then interred at the same place where my dog Pompey is now buried, either in the space at top of the monument in hand by W. Hilliam, of Stamford, the urn over which is to be so constructed as to contain the ashes. Failing this then in the open ground as near to my dog’s remains as may be; on no account at Barnack. I further charge my estates in Sonthorpe with £SOO, in addition to whatever 1 may have already bequeathed to Stamford Infirmary, if these interments are disturbed or removed, both as regards the dog’s remains and my own, from their present position within a hundred years! of this date. I further would that some minister of religion bo asked to accompany the mourners, and be invited at the place of interment to offer (as is the custom in the Church of Scotland) extemporary prayer, and also that he bo paid one guinea for his trouble, and reasonable travelling expenses. Among the bequests wore £IO,OOO and certain properties to deceased’s secretary and librarian, and £SOOO each to the Stamford and Peterborough fnfinnaries.