January 7th 1852.

William Green, the walking postman from Clare to Belchamp, aged 42, was on Tuesday apprehended by Supt Hoy of Essex Constabulary on a charge of abstracting four half sovereigns from a post letter, when taken into custody, in his pocket was found a letter which had been posted at Whitechapel and a shilling taken therefrom.

January 7th 1852.

On Saturday evening, a straw stack at Stanstead the property of Mr Gooch was destroyed by fire. A lad named Cooper was apprehended on suspicion, he confessed his guilt and was brought before the magistrates at Clare and ordered to be whipped and discharged.

January 7th 1852

Captain Bence of Kentwell Hall has unsolicited made a deduction of 15 per cent to his tenantry. Sir Hyde Parker of Melford Hall has made a 10 per cent abatement.

January 7th 1852

George Chatters a Glemsford labourer was fined 5s for selling beer and allowing it to be drunk on his premises.
John Fenn also fined £ 1 8s for similar offence at Glemsford.

January 14th 1852

An accident has happened to Mr Samuel Raymond son of Mr Samuel Miles Raymond of Belchamp Hall, Belchamp Walter. Mr Raymond was going shooting and as he was taking his gun out of the gig it went off, the charge lodging in his shoulder. Medical assistance arrived and it was found necessary to amputate but the sufferer died a short time afterwards. He was 39 years of age. It is a remarkable fact that for four or five generations the eldest son has not lived to inherit the estate and the deceased with what is now regarded almost as a presentiment of his early death selected a spot in the churchyard and planted a shrub on the spot to make his future grave. This request has been observed and his remains were not interred in the family vault.

January 21st 1852.

Last week a fatal accident took place on the 12th inst to Mr W.S.Raymond, the son of Mr Samuel Raymond of Belchamp Hall, Essex. These particulars are given by the Essex Standard----

On the morning referred to, Samuel Millbank Raymond, accompanied by his eldest son, Mr S.W. Raymond, left home in a phaeton with the intention of driving to a neighbouring wood to shoot rabbits.
Mr Raymond's double barrelled gun was placed between his father and himself, it was a valuable fowling piece and had been examined before they started , arrangements had been made to take up another member of the family at the village inn known as the Bells.
On turning the phaeton round by some unexplained cause, one barrel exploded, the contents lodged in the left arm of S.W.Raymond and passed close to his father, the powder singed his eyebrows.
The young man immediately sprang from the vechicle and ran into the Bells Inn and excitedly shouted "I am shot" he threw himself with a groan and great agony onto the floor, his father and brother tried to stem the vital stream, a message was sent for medical aid but it was near half an hour before it could be procured,
In the meantime his mother was told and with wonderful presence of mind was enabled to do all she could until the arrival of the medical men, Mr Waring and Mr Lynch arrived from Sudbury, a distance of five miles.
The poor sufferer pronounced the wound to be mortal and desired a clergyman be sent for , the Rev Coleman, the Curate from Gestingthorpe arrived and administered spiritual consolation.
The medical men advised his removal to the Hall where the amputation of the limb was advised, the bones in his arm and surrounding parts were shattered by the shot, chloroform was administered and the limb removed from it's socket.

Death shortly after put a period to his suffering.

January 28th 1852.

On Monday last, the remains of Mr S.W. Raymond were committed to the grave amidst the largest assemblage of persons ever crowded into the village church. Mr Raymond was 39 years of age, his family is one of the most ancient in Essex. It is remarkable that for 4 or 5 generations the eldest son has not lived to inherit the estate and the deceased with what is now considered almost a presentiment of early death, sometime since, he planted a shrub to mark his future grave and the remains were not interred in the family vault.

February 3rd 1852.

The neighbourhood of Thetford has for several years been infested with a formidable gang of poachers, it is supposed to consist of as many as 30 whose homes are chiefly in the direction of Ixworth in Suffolk but whose place of rendezvous for the shooting season appears to be a public house in Thetford where they have been in the habit of setting out in large marauding expeditions to various game preserves by which the town is surrounded. To such a pitch of audacity they have reached, they sally forth without disguise with dogs and guns and return in the morning loaded with spoil, they have defied a gamekeeper to come out of his house and carried off his great coat as a trophy, their depredations have not been confined to game coverts but to farm poultry and sheep folds which have suffered greatly in this district.
About the commencement of the present season, the gang was joined by a rough looking fellow who gained their confidence by his ardour for the sport and his generous assistance to friends in need by paying fines etc with money he stated had been left him by a relative.
On Friday night the 23rd inst, Ben Knights, (the name by which the stranger was known) accompanied two of the gang named Jeffrey Reeve and Charles Hustler alias Blood, on a fowl stealing expedition to Mr Newdick's at Ingham near Bury, Knight was posted near the door of the fowl house armed with a gun whilst Reeve and Hustler secured the fowls.
The following morning information was given by a gentleman at Thetford to Supt Tyler with information of the house to be searched, the fowls were discovered and both men taken into custody on the same day.
"Ben Knights" left the gang for the residence of a gentleman, it is scarcely necessary to add "Ben Knights" was a detective. The following day, Reeve and Hustler were examined by magistrates and committed to Bury gaol for trial at the Quarter Sessions. Another of the gang, named Thomas Bantick, was apprehended and a man named Thacker who it is understood to be the receiver of the game were also committed.
The gang had a treasurer, an armourer and an account at the bank and two or three kept horses and carts.
Bantick who was transported in 1842 and Reeve are married and it is said that Bantick has declared he knew the man who shot poor Nathan, Mr Newton's keeper at Elden and that he has handled the gun that did it.

February 3rd 1852.

Elijah Golding under orders of bastardy at Cavendish. 3 months.

February 4th 1852

An incident happened at Sudbury railway station on Friday afternoon between one and two, a stiff breeze was blowing, so strong that two trucks and a carriage were set in motion and driven on the metals one or two miles towards Bures. It was feared a collision might occur and the red flag was hoisted but the trucks were attached to the incoming train and taken back to the station.

March 2nd 1852.

Death at Cavendish on the 15th ult, Richard Ambrose for many years a respectable farmer in his 81st year.

March 2nd 1852.

Died --- Richard Mingay late of Wales End Cavendish.

March 17th 1852.

Pebmarsh Mill for sale at the King's Head Inn. Milling and baking business. Valuable tower windmill situated in good corn growing district. She drives 3 pairs of excellent stones and other machinery, comfortable residence with 5 bedrooms. The present tenant is about to enter his father's extensive business.

March 10th 1852

In the little village of Acton a legend was current not many years ago that on certain occasions the park gates would fly open at midnight without hands and a carriage drawn by four spectral horses accompanied by a headless groom and outrider and would proceed with great rapidity towards a place called" nursery corner", the corner tradition says this is the spot where a bloody engagement took place when the Romans were Governors of England. Nearby there is a haunted pool called Wimbrell Pond in which tradition says an iron chest of money is concealed, any person who throws a stone into the water will hear it ring and a small person in white will call out in distress "thats mine".
I send you these legends as I heard them from the lips of my nurse, a native of this village

March 17th 1852

Tenders required for the erection of new farm buildings at Mr Pratt's farm at Otten Belchamp. The lowest tender will be accepted.

March 24th 1852.

At Norwich Assizes-Jeffery Reeve and Charles Hustler were charged with stealing five fowls from Charles Newdick of Ingham. 10 years transportation. Thacker not guilty.

March 24th 1852.

At Suffolk Assizes. Eli Partridge for stealing one batling from William Ennals of Chelsworth. 6 months hard labour.

March 24th 1852.

At Suffolk Assizes the jury found Rallinson guilty of murder. The judge said
"you did not intend the death of Anne Cornell of whose death you stand convicted, you intended to take the life of your daughter in law, the jury have recommended mercy because of your age but I cannot discharge my duty or hold out any hope of mercy and a terrible punishment is required to deter others, it is my duty to sentence you to death."

March 24th 1852.

At Suffolk Assizes. Mary Stewart,a dressmaker from Cockfield aged 22 years was charged with the wilful murder of her female bastard child. Mr Charles Smith said he was the surgeon at Bury Gaol and he was not in the least doubtful she was insane and that she will be properly taken care of.

March 31st 1852.

Suffolk Assizes.continued. Charles Hustler and Thomas Bantock were charged with night poaching and assaulting Charles Petch, the underkeeper at Timworth. Charles Petch said he was underkeeper for the Rev Benyon of Culford Hall, Timworth thicks is a plantation on the estate. To be transported for 15 years.

March 31st 1852.

John Mickleburgh aged 41 of Thrandeston was charged with on the 1st of August last year of killing Mary Baker. William Bootman said I knew Mary Baker who on the 31st of July last year was in service of the prisoner, I was at the time keeping company with her as her sweetheart. Thrandeston Fair was held on Tuesday the 31st of July last year, I met deceased at the fair, she was dairymaid to the prisoner and did the housework, he is a married man with three children, the farm is about 40-50 acres, I met her at the fair, at about ¼ of an hour later I met the prisoner, I went with the deceased to Easto's booth, I, ,John French and Clara French went in together, Clara is sister of the deceased. John French is her husband. He asked us to go with him for a drink and invited us all to go into Easto's booth. We remained there about ½ an hour. Prisoner and I sat together at one table, we were on friendly terms. Mary Baker and I left together. We went to Barret's "Bough House" where they sell beer at Fair times. It is a cottage converted into a drinking place and a bough is hung out. We had not been there long when John and Clara French came in. I did not see Mickleburgh come in. About 20 minutes after Mary Baker and I had been in the Bough House my attention was called to Mary Baker who cried "I am dead", I then saw prisoner, he had a knife in his hand, it was open, I assisted Mary into the backhouse then upstairs.
When the police came in and he was given into custody, Mickleburgh said "you may take me and do what you like with me-I have done what I intended to do and hope I have done it effectually "P.C .John Baker, said while I charged the prisoner at the Station, he said he went to a stall at the Fair and bought a knife, he gave 2s for it, when he went into Barret's and Mary Baker was sitting there, she said, "ah! Master, here I am" and I said "ah! mor, you shant be long before you have this piece of steel". He stated that on the Wednesday before, his wife went to Diss, Mary Baker and him slept together at nights etc. His Lordship put on the black cap and said the jury have found you guilty, he then passed the sentence of death in the usual way.

March 31st 1852.

William Rose was charged with stabbing William Baldwin, a gamekeeper of Cockfield. William Baldwin said he was at the King's Arms in Cockfield at about 11 on Sunday evening, when he left, Rose walked up the road before him but turned round and made as if to strike him, he tried to catch hold of his left arm but was stabbed by the right hand. Charles Thompson deposed that when they left the King's Arms, the prisoner pushed him down and Baldwin offered to walk with him home. The prisoner said he had a little set to with John Smith at Alpheton Fair and Smith had the worst of it. 6 months hard labour.

April 7th 1852.

A man named Henry Cranfield has been taken into custody at Castle Hedingham for having 16 years ago stolen a number of hams from the Green Man at Belchamp St Pauls.

April 7th 1852.

A case of sheep worrying occurred at Otten Belchamp on Sunday night. After returning from a friends house, a farmer heard several dogs hunting and going to the field found a flock of sheep belonging to Mr Goodchild Reeves clustered in the corner, the dogs however could not be found. Next morning 3 sheep were found in a ditch killed and partly devoured. Three dogs belonging to parties nearby were examined and being found dirty, wet and bloody, the owners were satisfied of their guilt and two were destroyed.

April 14th 1852.

At the County Court held by Mr Gurdon on Monday last, an interim order for the protection was granted to Mr Isaac Anderson, malster of Foxearth an insolvent.

April 14th 1852.

James Theobald of Borley, a pauper in the Union House at Sudbury was convicted of damaging the property of the Guardians.

April 27th 1852.

Letters to the Editor----Observing in last week's columns announcing that Mrs Day at Chilton near Sudbury had recently died aged 102, as Register of the District, may I inquire of your correspondent to whence his information was derived. The age of the individual in the Register Book is 96 years.

May 19th 1852.

Last week as some men employed by Mr James Freeman of Withersfield, near Haverhill, were forming a new road in the parish, in cutting through a side hill they came upon four skeletons about three feet below the surface, two were full grown and the other two were children, they had been buried a long time ago. The place where they were discovered was formerly much frequented by gipsy encampments and these skeletons were possibly the last remains of those wandering tribes.

May 19th 1852.

On Saturday last the 8th, two tramps passed through Wattisfield and stole a drabbet coat from a field which a poor man had been wearing, the man had laid down his frock at about 9 o'clock and missed it before 10 o'clock, information was given to p. c. William Parker who went in pursuit and captured them and the property. Committed for trial.

May 25th 1852.

Died on the 21st inst at the Aubries, Bulmer, Essex-Edwards Josias, the youngest son of Caledon Alexander, aged 3 months.

May 25th 1852.

Bury Corn Market---White wheat to 45s- Talavers to to 50s-Malting barley to 34s-Grinding barley to 26s-Oats to 26s-Rye to 32s-Beans to 34s-Peas to 34s. Fat cattle to 6s a stone-Fat sheep to 7s --Fat hogs per stone to 5s-Fat calves to 6s per stone---Cows with calves to £11---Springing cows and heifers to £10.

June 2nd 1852.

On Monday last, the hon. members of Stoke and Melford Benefit Society and Sickness Club, held their 24th anniversary, it was established in 1828.

June 8th 1952.

The poorer people of Wickhambrook were on Tuesday last afforded an unusual treat in rural sports such as donkey racing, jumping in sacks, foot hurdle racing, hunt for a pig with a soaped tail etc. It took place in Mr Fyson's meadow near the White Horse Inn. To close the sports a good shoulder of mutton was successfully climbed for up a greasy pole.

June 8th 1852.

At Melford fair, good horses were scarce and eagerly sought after, cows started at low prices, fat bullocks in scant supply. The object of interest was Ward and Silver's 5hp portable steam engine and an American reaper attracted much attention.

June 16th 1852.

Died on the 11th inst at Ashen near Clare after a lingering illness borne with fortitude and resignation to the Divine will, Mr Thomas Chickall of Claret Hall, son law of Mr Samuel Viall of Lower Hall, Foxearth in Essex, he lived respectable and died lamented.

June 16th 1852.

Charles Martin, a boy of 15 was charged with stealing a quantity of brass from his master, James Hawkins of Ballingdon, Sudbury and Robert Clarke aged 14 for receiving. I month each and Clarke to be whipped.

July 7th 1852.

A handsome powerful new organ built by Mr Walker of London was opened at Bures church on Sunday last, it was computed that near 1400 persons were present and the munificent sum of £116 18s was collected.

July 7th 1852.

Notice . 300 head of Irish cattle to be sold by auction at Attleborough, Norfolk. Imported for the sale from the estate of Hamilton Stubber of Moyne, Queens County, Ireland.

July 14th 1852.

On Sunday week, during Divine Service, 3 cottages belonging to Mr J. Weller Poley of Boxted were destroyed by fire which was occasioned by a child throwing a lighted lucifer onto some rubbish outside the house, The villagers, nearly all being at church or chapel, were prevented from reaching the spot to save any of the tenants property.

July 14th 1852

On Sunday during the time of divine service three cottages the property of Mr J.G.Weller Poley of Boxted were burnt down, it is supposed by a child who with its mother were the only people in the house and having thrown a lucifer into some rubbish near the house. The villagers being nearly all at church or chapel, scarcely anyone reached the spot in time.

July 20th 1852.

On Monday week, Jonathan King of Sudbury was convicted of creating a nuisance by knocking on the door of Mary Albury without lawful excuse. Fined 1s with 9s costs. The inhabitants of the street of St Gregory have been repeatedly annoyed by being woken from their sleep by young men who after drinking at late hours, on the way home knock on doors as they pass, King was detected by Mr Scott who sat up after midnight to wait.

July 20th 1852.

Scarletina appears to have prevailed in the airy village of Preston with fatal results resulting on That on Tuesday the 12th inst. six children were buried in the churchyard, two of the name of Rushbrook and four of one family of the name of Manning, they were of varying ages between 5-10 years old.

July 21st 1852

Cavendish. Cricket, this truly national and manly game has through thew zeal displayed Mr Castley and other local gentlemen has been revived in Cavendish and from the patronage which the Cavendish Cricket Club has received since its opening, in addition there is being a good ground on which to play. It bids fair to rival some of its provincial compeers and sooner or later an older rival will throw down the gauntlet (with every apology for any apparent presumption on the part of the Cricket Club) it will cheerfully be taken up who whether vanquished or not will hold out the hand of good fellowship, bearing in mind the well known motto, " Palenam qui meruit ferat".

July 21st 1852.

At Suffolk Quarter Sessions. Henry and Walter King, aged 18 and 19, for stealing a lamb at Stoke by Nayland. Walter King, 6 months and to be twice whipped, Walter King to be transported for 7 years.

July 21st 1852.

Cricket-This truly national and manly game has through the zeal displayed by Mr T. Castley and other gentlemen has been revived in Cavendish and from the patronage which Cavendish Cricket Club and addition to there being a good ground for play, it bids fair to rival some of it's provincial compeers. And whether sooner or later an older rival throws down the gauntlet ( with every apology and any apparent presumption on the part of Cavendish Cricket Club) it will be cheerfully taken up by them, who, whether vanquished or not, will hold out alike, the hand of good fellowship, bearing in mind the well known motto "patenam qui meruit ferat"

August 4th 1852.

Suffolk Summer Assizes. Maria Stewart of Cockfield, was charged with the murder of her female bastard child, Mr Macintyre, governor of Bury Gaol, said she was incapable of taking her trial and has since become worse. The jury found her not guilty of murder.

September 3rd 1852

Ropers and Muntfords farms were for sale situated in Pentlow and Foxearth, Essex, 109 acres was offered in 13 lots and 10 lots comprising 59 acres with barn, stables and double tenament was sold by John Savill for 2023L averaging 35L per acre.

September 8th 1852.

Live and dead stock at Hill Farm, Gestingthorpe, for sale. Powerful cart horses- 4 yearling colts- -brown nag horse-5 well bred steers-shorthorn bull-188 half bred Down and Norfolk shearling wethers-several lots of house-hold furniture-brewing and dairy equipment. To be sold on the premises by Nockolds and King on the 17th of September by order of Mr John Turpin who quits at Michaelmas next.

September 15th 1852.

Some 40 years ago, a man named Bonney was transported for a felony at Sudbury, by good conduct he obtained a ticket of leave and sent for his family who joined him near Sydney, the eldest child was a clever and intelligent youth and by slow degree made his way in the colony, his savings were devoted to buying land in the neighbourhood of the now thriving town and at present is the owner of a fine establishment and a Justice of the.Peace in the colony where his father was a convict. He is still remembered in Sudbury as he was a scholar at the Sunday School of St Peter's parish.

September 22nd 1852

The Live and Dead Stock at Lovelands Farm, Belchamp St Pauls. To be sold by the directions of Mr H.H.Baker who's tenancy expires at Michelmas. 8 capital cart horses-bay riding mare-nag mare- brown gelding-3 cows-50 sows and pigs-waggons-tumbrils-ploughs-harrows- rollers-drills etc.
Also at Mary Hall Belchamp Walter by direction of Mr J.S.Stubbing-8 capital cart horses-chestnut filly-5 fat Welch runts-40 ewes-12 shoats- road waggon-3 harvest waggons-6 Downs foot ploughs-thistle plough-rolls- harrows-15 coulter Smythe drill-pony chaise-2 dressing machines-smut blower-brewing and dairy utensils-beer casks etc.

October 8th 1852.

Death on the 24th ult, aged 70, John Ruggles Brise of Spains Hall, in Essex and also of Cavendish in Suffolk.

October 8th 1852.

On Sunday week, a person named Thomas Parmenter, a marine store dealer of Lavenham, went home the previous night the worse for liquor and got into bed, his wife, a hard working woman, thought it proper to ransack his pockets as she thought she was more capable of taking care of what money she could. On Sunday morning he got up in good humour and after being down and lit the fire inquired where his money was, on refusing to give it up, a scuffle took place, she ran away laughing upon which he snatched a red hot poker from the fire and threw it with such violence it forced through her clothes and entered her body below the spade bone. There are doubts as to her recovery.

October 13th 1852.

On Saturday night last, as a labourer named Benjamin Mitchell in the employ of Mr Howe at Alpheton Hall, was returning home about 10 at night when he was stopped on Cold Hill, (between Alpheton and Melford ) by four men who robbed him of £4 10s and decamped after striking him. P.c. Thompson was given information and he proceeded to Lavenham and after great resistance succeeded in capturing one of the gang named Charles Collins and lodged him in Melford police station, he was immediately recognised by Mitchell and was taken before the Rev Coldham and remanded. It is hoped the other three will soon be in custody as they are well known.

October 13th 1852.

There was a melancholy case of mortality in a family at Brockley. Mr James Barton of that place having lost 5 children from typhus fever within 11 days and himself is now suffering from the same malady.

October 13th 1852.

On Monday morning, last, there was an inquest at Coombs into the deaths of two children named Eliza aged 5 years and her sister, Jane Read, aged 18months who were found drowned in a pond at Coombs last Saturday afternoon. Clarissa Brown deposed at about 5- 30,
'I was returning from Moat's Tye with Thomas Theobald and Charlotte Scarfe, I saw Mrs Read running across Mr Denny's bean field crying out "come here, my babies are both in the water", the eldest was lying on her back about one foot from the left side of the pond, the other was about one yard and a half out. Mary Bone, grandmother of the children said Mary Read was at my house at between 5 and 6, I told her to go home as it was cold and gave her a piece of wood for the fire, she said she would get a lap full of beans on the way home, I asked her how she would carry beans and a piece of firewood, she said she would take the children home and return for the beans. I went to Stowmarket and when I returned I heard the children were drowned, I went to my daughter's house, she shook her head and said, "I cannot tell you what happened", she afterwards told me she set the children down by a tree in the bean field away from the pond, on missing them she went to the pond and tried to get them out.'
Found drowned.

October 20th 1852.

The annual dinner of the Hinckford Agricultural Club and Conservative Club took place on Thursday last at Castle Hedingham. Major Beresford M.P., replied to the toast of "her majesty" and that ministers said that the Government will try to do their best for the farmers, etc etc.

November 3rd 1852.

Post horse duty at Mildenhall----At Mildenhall Petty Sessions, James Balls, carrier of Mildenhall, was fined £5 and £3 costs for having let a horse on the 5th of August last year, go the Glemsford and back and evading post horse duty.

November 10th 1852.

On Thursday last, Mr W. Martin and his son were engaged in repairing a well belonging to Mr King of Stoke by Nayland when about 16 ft in the middle gave way and it supposed 1400 bricks and 16 loads of sand fell in on them. Two men were sent down to examine the well, after being down the well all night till about 10 on Saturday morning, the men came up, they had not been up more than twenty minutes when the whole went in, providentially they were up or there would be two more lives lost. The men are now busily engaged in trying to recover the bodies which are supposed to be 65ft below the surface.

November 17th 1852.

During the whole of Tuesday and Wednesday last, the body of the Duke of Wellington has lain in state at Walmer Castle.

November 17th 1852.

It is announced with deep regret at Sudbury, the sudden death of Major General Thomas Addison of Chilton Lodge. The General had left home on Tuesday in his usual good health for London to attend the funeral of the Duke of Wellington, he repaired to the Green Dragon Hotel in Bishopsgate and on retiring left orders to be called at 7 in the morning, the servant knocked on the door and entered to find the General a corpse.

December 1st 1852.

William Boreham for leaving his wife chargeable to the parish of Glemsford. 1 month.
For like offence, John East of Melford. 21 days.
Isaac Howe for like offence at Glemsford. 14 days.

December 1st 1852.

Live and dead stock for sale at Lyston Hall Farm by instructions from Maj. Harrison-3 horses-Brown hunter, well known in the Essex and Suffolk hunts.-7 bullocks-2 heifers-8 Suffolk cows-2 fat hogs- 3sows- 12 shoats etc.

December 15th 1852

The annual gift was given to six old men of Glemsford arising from a field called " old man" s field" on Friday evening last amounting to £ 2 and upwards. Unfortunately one of the poor men died on the following evening.

December 24th 1852.

We regret to observe that the hitherto loyal and patriotic parish of Pentloe in Essex was a singular exception to the almost universal tribute of respect paid on Thursday last to the memory of the Duke of Wellington.
While all around us the funeral knell was heard and the winds brought the sound of muffled peals far over the fields, our bells were mute and the day passed as if we had no share in the mourning voice which England was raising for our great Wellington.

December 24th 1852.

Within the last few days, a poor man living at Mountnessing in Essex by the name of Crush has received from his son in Australia a bank post bill for £109 9s 6d. At the March Assizes in 1845, Thomas Crush, aged 23, a sawyer, was convicted of poaching at Mountnessing and sentenced to be transported for 10 years. Owing to good conduct he obtained his ticket of leave and meeting with success, whether at the diggings or not, he has shown parental affection by sending through the Australian bank, a post bill for the above amount, payable to his brother in case his father was not living and he was to have the money.