CLARE CHATTER Jan 2012

Courtesy Larry Brennan

Family Bible

The Clare Champion of the 17th November 1954 tells us the following story:

Two family bibles from Ireland, which are nearly 100 years old, were 

examined in the Practice Court, Melbourne, when deciding who should inherit 

an estate now valued at £34,600.

The estate was left by Mrs. Annabella Sharpe, Benalla, Victoria, when she 

died in 1919, without leaving a will. Ever since the authorities have been 

searching for her next-of-kin.

Mrs. Sharpe was born in Ireland in 1836 and went to Australia when she was 

27. After an investigation of claims to the estate from Ireland, the Curator 

of the estates of deceased persons found that Mr. Harry Payne Thompson of 

Killaloe, Co. Clare, was the first cousin of Mrs. Sharpe and her next of 

kin. A summons for the distribution of the estate was taken out by Mr. 

Thompson, and March 31st was fixed as the last day for the lodgment of 

claims. Before the date a claim was made on behalf of Mrs. Gertrude Julia 

Holiday, Ireland, who said that she was a cousin of Mrs. Sharpe.After 

investigation, a decision was made in favour of Mr. Thompson, and a 

certificate has now been issued to that effect.