Lord Chancellor's judgement of the provisions of the will of Mary Ramsden, 1813 - 1820

File

Reference Code: GBR/1934/XXVI/1

Scope and Contents

Gresham and others versus the Fellows of St. Catharine's College. Includes briefs, correspondence and a copy of Mary Ramsden's will and her rites and order annexed.

Dates

Creation: 1813 - 1820

Biographical / Historical

Mary Ramsden's bequest has benefitted many lawyers as well as the College. One of the most expensive suits was that brought before Lord Eldon C., as Visitor, in 1814 by the Fellows on her Foundation. The College retained the famous law reformer Sir Samuel Romilly, KC, MP, former Solicitor-General, with John Bell as his junior. The suit dragged on for over 10 years - in the course of which Romilly committed suicide - and the College's taxed costs in the end exceeded £1,000.