1880

Miss Ellen Reardon

At the ever-informative MDFCTA we find:
Ellen Reardon of 2 New Terrace, Islington died on 4 February 1880. Her sister Margaret Reardon died 13 January 1876. In her will, Ellen Reardon bequeathed some money to the MDFCTA to erect troughs and drinking fountains with the inscription: “MISS ELLEN REARDON’S BEQUEST IN MEMORY OF HER FATHER, MOTHER AND SISTER DANIEL, ELIZABETH AND MARGARET REARDON 1880”. At least 13 "Reardon" troughs and more than 50 fountains were erected.

Note: In 1890 New Terrace became part of a renumbered Duncan Terrace.

Our colleague, Andrew Behan, advises that Ellen Reardon was born in 1807, the elder daughter of Daniel Reardon and his second wife Elizabeth Reardon née Payne. Her parents were married on 18 February 1806 at St Peter's Church, Cornhill and she was baptised there on 18 November 1807.

It is believed that her father died in 1814. In the 1841 census she is shown as living at New Terrace, Islington, with her mother and sister: Margaret Reardon (1809-1876), together with a female servant. All three family members were shown to be of independent means.

The 1851 census describes her incorrectly as aged 40 years, unmarried and living at 2 New Terrace, Islington, with her 73-years-old widowed mother and her 38-years-old unmarried sister, Margaret, together with a female house servant. All three family members were described as gentlewomen.

Probate records confirm that when her mother died on 14 January 1858 at 2 New Terrace, Islington, she was granted letters of administration on 13 March 1858 and her mother's estate was listed as under £6,000.

She was again described incorrectly as aged 50 years in the 1861 census, unmarried and living at 2 New Terrace, Islington, with her unmarried sister, Margaret, aged 48 years, together with a female house servant. Both sisters were described as shareholders.

Probate records confirm that when her sister died, aged 67 years, on 13 January 1876 at 2 New Terrace, Islington, she was granted administration of her sister's effects that were listed as under £30,000.

Her death was registered in the 1st quarter of 1880 in the Islington registration district and her correct age of 73 years was recorded. Probate records confirm that she died on 4 February 1880 at 2 New Terrace, Islington, and that her Will was proved on 1 March 1880 by her executors: Richard Pennington, a solicitor, of both 6 New Square, Lincoln's Inn and Sydenham Rise, Dulwich, Surrey and Frederick Norton of 13 Hillgrove Road, St John's Wood. Her personal estate was listed as under £70,000. These two executors were also granted on 13 March 1880 administration of her sister's estate that she had failed to completely administer. Her sister's effects were now listed as under £25,000.

The Thorners website gives more details of her charitable bequests.