The Letters of Sir Samuel Hellier

Sir Samuel’s paternal grandfather had married the heiress Penelope Harris in 1698. The Harris family connections remained important throughout the lives of subsequent Hellier generations. The Harrises appear to have acted as the entry point for the Helliers into the Staffordshire Gentry and a means to elevate their wealth acquired in the capital within the rural areas. Penelope’s grandfather, John Harris, who passed away in 1706, left a substantial amount of land and estates in Bradford, Belbroughton, and Wombourne. Following the demise of Penelope's brother, William Harris, a portion of these properties was inherited by the Helliers. Penelope’s two brothers, Samuel and William, both passed away at a young age without leaving any heirs. Consequently, a significant share of these estates came Penelope and her heir, Samuel Hellier senior (1699–1751). However, a point of contention arose because Penelope’s father had remarried and had a second, much younger family. John Harris (baptized on January 17, 1708) and Charles Harris (baptized on December 8, 1709) were born nearly forty years later than their half-sisters.

John Harris (1708–86) pursued a career as an attorney and became deeply entangled in the disputed will of Samuel Hellier in 1751. He was referred to as the half-blood uncle and, as part of his responsibilities, he drafted codicils for the dying Samuel's will, which were ultimately declared invalid.[1]

Sir Samuel’s father was High Sheriff of Staffordshire 1744 (referred to as Samuel Hellier of Seawall)

The Huntbach and Hellier Families

Sir Samuel Hellier mother was a member of the Huntsbach family.

John Huntbach (1639–1705) married Mary Gough (b. 27 Sept 1636) sister of John Gough who purchased Perry Hall north of Birmingham. Of their eight children, only Rupert Huntbach (b. 1668) married: Sarah Huntbach née Cooke.[1] Sarah was Sir Samuel’s maternal grandmother who he refers to throughout his letters as the ‘old Lady’. Rupert and Sarah’s daughter, also Sarah (1710-45) married Samuel Hellier senior of Wombourne. Sir Samuel’s mother, Sarah, died in 1745 and his father died 1751[2]

but his grandmother, the ‘old Lady’ was just shy of 100 before passing in 1783, almost outliving Sir Samuel.

Although Sir Samuel controlled the income from his Wombourn estate (bought by his father by 1708), Mrs Huntsbach senior controlled other family incomes and lived at the Featherstone estate, leaving Samuel with insufficient money to match his life-style, especially towards the end of life when he had very heavy doctor's bills.

Sir Samuel Hellier’s Early Years

Samuel junior had not come of age when his father died, so he did not immediately inherit the family wealth; it’s likely that he didn’t fully receive all his dues, as it was common for debtors to use the death of a creditor to conceal their debt with the hope that it would be forgotten.

The Creditors of Samuel Hellier, late of the Woodhouses, in the County of Stafford, Esq; deceased, are desired to send forthwith (Post paid) an Account of their respective Demands to Mr. Dovey of Stourbridge, Mr. Eykin of Wolverhampton, Mr. Caldwal, or Mr. Crump, of Bewdley, or Mr. Blashfield of Bellbroughton.[1]

The will continued to be disputed and the following year the matter came before the court:

Last Week came on before Sir George Lee, Knt. Judge of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, the great Cause in Relation to the Will of Samuel Hellier, late of the Wood-Houses, in the County of Stafford, Esq; deceased, depending in that Court between Samuel Hellier, Esq; a Minor, the only Son of the Deceased, against the late Dame Elizabeth Cooks Windford, the Deceased’s Relict; when after a long Hearing, the Will, which was in Favour of the Minor, and found cancelled at the Deceased’s Death, was pronounced to be a good Will, and uncancelled by the Deceased. It seems the Joy on this Occasion was so great, that the Bells in above ten Parishes in the neighbouring County were set a ringing.[2]

The matter had not been fully closed the following year, when another advert appeared:

All Persons indebted to the Estate of Samuel Hellier, late of the Wood-Houses, in the County of Stafford, Esq; deceased, are required forthwith to pay their respective Debts to Mrs. Sarah Huntbach, of Featherstone, near Wolverhampton, in the said County of Stafford, the Administratrix they will be sued for the same. And all Persons who have Demands on the said Mr. Hellier’s Estate, (who have not already given an Account of the same to the said Mrs. Huntbach, Mr. Chester, at his Chambers in New-Court in the Temple, London ; or to Mr. Dovey, at Stourbridge in Worcestershire.[3]