Cornelius Helden

???? - 1798


Biography

Irish absentee slave-owner of Heldens on St Kitts, dying in 1798. His will was the subject of subsequent suits, including Brown v M'Clintock. John Helden of Egham left his estate on St Kitts to his wife Mary for life and then to their daughter also Mary, with contingent remainder to his brother Cornelius Helden in his will proved 01/03/1738: it seems scarcely credible that the same brother was living 60 years later. In the will of John's widow Mary Helden of Egham, proved 16/01/1753, she refers to her 'brother' [in fact, it must be her brother-in-law] Cornelius Helden, and to her nephew John Helden and 'his son, Cornelius.' She left her 'negroes' and personal estate on Negros' Nest to her daughter Mary Foster to go with the real estate, and if Mary had no issue then to her 'brother Helden' 'as was the desire of my dear husband.'


Sources

Irish Equity Reports Argued and Determined in the High Court of Chancery...in 1844 and 1845 (Dublin, 1845) Vol.VII 'Brown v M'Clintock' p. 45. Will of John Helden of Egham PROB 11/688/84. Under the will John Helden left his estate of Negro's Nest on St Kitts to his beloved brother Cornelius Helden of Ireland, contingent [although the will is ambiguous on this point] on the death of the testator's wife and daughter, both named Mary; will of Mary Helden of Egham proved 16/01/1753, PROB 11/799/163.


Further Information

Spouse
Martha

Associated Estates (1)

The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes:

  • SD - Association Start Date
  • SY - Association Start Year
  • EA - Earliest Known Association
  • ED - Association End Date
  • EY - Association End Year
  • LA - Latest Known Association
- 1798 [EY] → Owner

Relationships (4)

Legatee → Testator
Notes →
Possibly also sister-in-law and brother-in-law, but more likely great aunt and great nephew...
Legatee → Testator
Notes →
Possibly also brothers, but more likely great uncle and great nephew....
Deceased Husband → Widow
Other relatives
Notes →
Mary Foster described Cornelius Helden of Granard as her 'kinsman' in her will made in 1776 and proved in 1777....