A Tale of Inheritance and Deception

Background

- In 1909, James Patrick, a retired Police Inspector, purchased Sutton House and 25 acres of land.
- In 1933, Laura, James' daughter, left Sutton House with her husband and children (both born in the house).
- In 1935, 74-year-old George Breakwell 'befriended' James Patrick.
- In 1935, Mr. Patrick's wife, Emily, passed away.
- In 1936, the Breakwells moved in with Mr. Patrick.
- In 1939, James was forcibly removed from his house with only the clothes on his back.

Laura, James’ daughter, was subsequently barred from the property and felt cheated out of her inheritance. The circumstances surrounding the transfer of ownership remain unclear: Was the house sold, given away, or had the Breakwells simply occupied it, destroying wills and deeds while refusing to communicate with Laura Bateman?

Research Findings

Property Details

Address: Sutton House, Chelmarsh, Shropshire, Bridgnorth WV16 6BQ

Land Registry

- First filed on June 1, 2006, for Rupert Bebb and others.
- Deeds reconstructed, but only show transactions from 1936 onward.
- No mention of previous owner (Mr. Patrick) or Laura Bateman.
- Possible merging of deeds with "Sutton Farm" (rented by Rupert Bebb's mother-in-law until her death in 1935).
- Inconsistencies in the chain of ownership between George Breakwell and his daughter.

Property Sales

- In 1962, woodland was sold by Noch Deightons Auctioneers to Rupert Bebb (likely acting for Mary Westwood and Catherine Breakwell).
- Robin Nettleton, auctioneer and neighbor of Mr. Bebb, has no recollection of selling the house to Mr. Bebb.

Probate Records

1. James Patrick:
   • Died: November 5, 1940, in Eccles, Lancashire
   • Administration: August 22, 1941, to Laura Bateman
   • Effects: £1,994 3s 6d
2. Emily Ester Patrick:
   • Died: April 3, 1935, at Eccles & Patricroft Hospital
   • Administration: September 16, 1935, to James Patrick and Laura Bateman
   • Effects: £1,679 12s 5d
3. Jane Breakwell:
   • Died: March 24, 1944, at Sutton House, Chelmarsh
   • Administration: October 23, 1944, to George Breakwell
   • Effects: £1,370
4. George Breakwell:
   • Died: September 22, 1950, at Sutton House, Chelmarsh
   • Probate: November 14, 1950, to Frederick Sydney Breakwell
   • Effects: £1,020 7s 1d

Witness Account

Jack Breakwell (born 1922), a surviving relative not involved in the alleged deception, recalls village gossip suggesting the Breakwells were contriving to acquire Sutton House. Rumors circulated that the deeds were burned.

Timeline of Key Events

- Spring 1859: James Patrick born in Salford
- Spring 1895: George Breakwell marries Jane Breakwell in Cleobury
- Winter 1899: Catherine Francis Breakwell born in Cleobury
- 1909: James Patrick purchases Sutton House
- Autumn 1916: Mary Marjorie Breakwell born in Cleobury
- 1933: Laura leaves Sutton House with her family
- Summer 1935: Emily Patrick dies in Manchester
- 1935: George Breakwell befriends James Patrick
- 1936: Breakwells move in with James Patrick
- Summer 1936: Rupert Bebb marries Violet Mottershead in Bridgnorth
- 1939: James Patrick forcibly removed from Sutton House
- November 1940: James Patrick dies in Eccles, Lancashire
- Summer 1944: Jane Breakwell dies in Bridgnorth
- Autumn 1950: George Breakwell possibly dies in Bridgnorth
- Spring 2005: Violet M. Bebb dies in Bridgnorth

Additional Notes

- South Staffordshire Building Society (later Portman B.S.) likely destroyed records 7 years after redemption.
- Various documents, including electoral register entries, land registry extracts, and maps, are available for further investigation.

Compiled by Charles Bateman