SNELL

Born 10 Jan 1811, Wayton, Landulph
Christened 15 Feb 1811, Landulph
Died 26 Nov 1894, Wayton House, Landulph
Buried 30 Nov 1894, Landulph Parish Church
Inherits Wayton House and the elder Benjamin's business interests in Landulph
The following is a transcript of a newspaper obituary which was published on the occasion of Benjamin Snell's death in 1894. I have a photocopy of the original cutting.

"THE LATE MR. B. SNELL OF WAYTON

"By the death of Mr. Benjamin Snell, justice of the peace for Cornwall, the county has lost a man of unsullied reputation, whose eminently useful life will long be held in reverent remembrance, and serve as a bright example of real worth and unostentatiousness. Blessed with troops of friends, he probably was without a single enemy during a long life of remarkable activity. Born at Wayton in January, 1811, he died there yesterday, having reached his 84th year. Upon the real business of life he entered at an early age, for he was only 20 when he succeeded his father in the ownership and occupation of the estate. For twenty years he devoted himself principally to agriculture, taking great pleasure and pride in getting up a flock of Cotswold sheep and also a choice herd of shorthorn cattle, a breed then becoming fashionable in the West of England. Half a century ago he had become a successful exhibitor in agricultural showyards, whilst the annual sales of breeding stock at Wayton was a noted event in the district, and his great business aptitude enables him to hold very numerous public positions. He was elected Guardian of his parish on the establishment of the new poor-law, and in that capacity he acted for upwards of twenty years in succession.
A plaque exists at Knapp Quay, Cargreen inscribed B SNELL 1837. This presumably commemorates the building of the Quay by Benjamin Snell, probably furthering his business interests following his inheritance of his father's business in 1831. (see picture, taken in 1967, courtesy Norman Snell)
1841 Census
The following household is recorded at Wayton in HO107/135 (Landulph) Folio 7 Page 9
Benjamin Snell, 30, Farmer
George Snell, 24
Eliza Rawlings, 29, Female Servant
Martha Mathews, 24, Female Servant
Elizabeth Westlake, 94, Independent
John Skinnard, 24, Male Servant
William Moon, 21, Ma;e Servant


A most unfortunate incident ocurred at Benjamin's funeral, which resulted in a court case involving a dispute between two clergymen. The Rev. Samuel Smith, rector of Landulph brought a case against the Rev. Frederick Grenville May, rector of St Mellion to recover the sum of two pounds and two shillings which were "damages by reason of his unlawfully officiating at a burial service on November 30, 1894 without the plaintiff's authority and in defiance of plaintiff's express wishes".

This incident, which must indicate a level of ill-feeling between rector and congegation, occurred when Benjamin's executor and heir, W. B. Snell, asked the Rev May to hold the burial service. No more was heard of this until the day of the funeral when the church doors were found to be locked. The sexton was sent to Rev. Smith for the keys, who answered that he was perfectly willing to give up the keys if his fees were paid, but the fees were not paid and Rev. Smith sent the sexton back to Rev. May to tell him not to officiate. In the event, Rev. May did officiate and Rev Smith claimed that he was held up to contempt.

The Rev Smith sent two postcards on the day of the funeral with insulting messages both to Rev May and to the Bishop, claiming that Rev May was conspiring with "lying Landulphers to defraud me of my lawful charge".

The judge ruled that the defendant had no right to officiate after permission was refused, but in view of the tone of the letters gave a verdict of one farthing without costs!




A record of the sale of Benjamin Snell's property, following his death in 1894 was published in the Bristol Mercury, Monday June 3, 1895, as follows:
"PROPERTY SALE AT LANDULPH
An important sale of freehold properties belonging to the late Mr Benjamon Snell, J.P., of Wayton, Landulph, has been held at the Drill hall, Cargreen, the auctioneers being Messrs. W. J. May and Son, of Liskeard; Lot 1, "Rose Hill," a dwelling house with 4 1/2 acres of pasture and garden, occupied by Mr. J. Spear at £27 a year, was bought by Mr. W. Barrett for £805, who also purchased Quillett Gardeb adjoining for £51. Lot 3, Barn Park, 5a. 1r. 25p. od pasture land, sold to Mr C. W. Congdon for £420. Lot 4, Bound's Tenement, dwelling house and 4 acres of pasture and garden land, occupied by Mr P. Barrett at £20 a year, was purchased by the tenant for £590. Lot 5, garden plot called "Quances," 1a. 1r. 4p., by Mr A. Richards for £240. LOt 6, 2-acre garden called "Barn," by Mr S. Hawken for £240. Lot 7, Church PArk, garden and orchard, 4a. 3r. 35p., by Mr J. Roberts for £600. Lot 8, Long Orchard, 2r. 32p., by Mr W. Rowe for £120. Lot 9 comprised the Cargreen Drill Hall, with dwelling house and about an acre of land, in the occupation of Mr John Heddon at £20 a year. The tenant became the purchaser for £400. Lots 10 to 19 inclusive consisted of cottages and gardens, mostly held at an average yearly rental of £5, and were bought by Messrs Braund, Best, Evans Cook and others at prices ranging from £40 to £105. Lots 20 and 21 comprised quays borderin gthe River Tamar, with stores , yards, manure manufactory &c.,, and the reserve price not being reached in either case, the lots were withdrawn. Thirty shares, 10 at £10, 10 at £9 15s.and 10 at £9 10s., - in the Saltash and Three Towns Steamboat Company made £10 each, Mr T. Bond bein gthe purchaser; and Mr A.. Maitland bought a couple of Plymouth Club shares at £4 apiece. There was a large attendance, and cosiderable local interest was taken in the sale. Biddings were consequently brisk, some of the garden land realising over £200 per acre/ Mr A. C. L. Glubb, of Liskeard, was solicitor for the vendors (the executors of the late Mr B Snell)."

A transcript of the original sale notice is available - see associated object
Benjamin Snell appears on the Voter's Lists for 1851/52, 1852/53 and 1864/65, qualifying with freehold house and land at Wayton.

Alias Jane SNELL
Born 1818, Buckland Monachorum, Devon, England
Died 4 Aug 1893, Wayton House, Landulph
Buried 8 Aug 1893, Landulph Parish Churchyard