The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online

RECORD: Darwin, C. R. 1855.11.27. Codicil to Darwin's last Will and Testament. Skinner-2865BLot18. Edited by John van Wyhe (Darwin Online, http://darwin-online.org.uk/)

REVISION HISTORY: Transcribed by Christine Chua and edited by John van Wyhe 12.2022. RN1

NOTE: From the auction description: "Signed, 27 November 1855. Fragment of a document, with closing paragraph, date, signature, and witness signatures, and Darwin's own, the sheet inscribed on one side. The legal matter involves stocks and shares in companies associated with Robert Darwin's estate. Witness signatures of Henry Allen Wedgwood (1799-1885) and Catherine Ann Thorley identified only as 'Spinster,' who may be the Miss Thorley often mentioned in correspondence between Darwin and his wife, and described as a longtime governess of the family. Old folds, edge toning, yellowish mat burn affecting a band across the document four inches above the bottom edge, where formerly folded, and the vertical left edge, 12 3/4 x 12 in.' 16 Nov. 2015. Sold for: $2,829." See record in the Darwin Online manuscript catalogue, enter its Identifier here.

"Thorley, Ann Catherine Miss, 1829?-1911. From Tarporley, Cheshire. 1848-56 Governess at Down House. Came as 19-year-old when ED was pregnant with Francis Darwin. 1849 Nov. 2 took the children and went to London. T was paid £50 per annum until 1 Jan. 1857. 1851 Mar. 28 went to London then on to Malvern. T was present at Malvern when Anne died. The Darwins, just a day after Anne's death, had in mind to send T home in order for her to "recover her cheerfulness". 1851 Apr. 26, CD wrote the most complimentary letter to Mrs Thorley, full of praise and appreciation of her daughter's admirable conduct throughout their ordeal. 1852 Aug. 12 came with her brother John T. 1854 Aug. 12 Mrs T visited. 1855 T helped CD with studies of wild plants. She left 1856 Mar. 20 and returned in July. She was replaced by Miss Pugh.
"Wedgwood, Henry Allen (Hal/Harry), 1799-1885. 1837 Seabridge, Staffordshire. c.1847 The Hermitage, Surrey. 5th child of Josiah [II] and Sarah Elizabeth Allen. CD's first cousin and brother-in-law. Barrister. Author of The bird talisman: An eastern tale. 1821 Married 1 Caroline White. 1830 Married 2 his double first cousin Jessie Wedgwood. 6 children: 1 Louisa Frances, 2 Caroline Elizabeth, 3 John Darwin, 4 Anne Jane, 5 Arthur, 6 Rowland Henry."
Extracts from Paul van Helvert & John van Wyhe, Darwin: A Companion, 2021.

See Darwin, C. R. 1881-1882. Last Will and Testament of me Charles Robert Darwin. YorkProbateSubRegistry. See the letters discussing Darwin's will and a second codicil in Correspondence vols. 26 and 29.

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Great Britain which shall for at least three years immediately preceding the time of the investment have paid dividends of at least Three pounds percent per annum in the ordinary Shares or Stock of such Company or Companies

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-seventh day of November One thousand eight hundred and fifty five.—

[Signed] Charles R. Darwin

["twenty-seventh" and "November" are inserted in Darwin's hand.]

Signed by the said Testator Charles Robert Darwin as and for a Codicil to his last Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses……

[Signed] Catherine Ann Thorley, Spinster Down Kent

[Signed] Henry Allen Wedgwood Esquire Tenby Pembrokeshire

Citation: John van Wyhe, ed. 2002-. The Complete Work of Charles Darwin Online. (http://darwin-online.org.uk/)