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heyjude
I see where you are coming from but to be fair to Mary Jane, she didn't inherit the whole fortune, so I don't think she blew quite £9m in 9 years! (For an elderly spinster Quaker lady that would be going it some!) According to a faded newspaper report I have, he made legacies to his brother John, his sister Hannah Close, several nephews and neices and various good causes - to the tune of about £12k. He left Mary Jane the rather grand house they lived in - Hollyhurst, Darlington, now a nursing home - for her lifetime but then it reverted to his other beneficiaries. The rest of his estate was split 3 ways, between Mary Jane and William's surviving brother and sister - so she may have got about £27k in assets in her own name, plus use of the house.
Not bad all the same for a girl whose mother couldn't sign her own name.
Family history is fascinating, isn't it!

Oh well we'll forgive her lol :-D But yes the fortune he built up was quite impressive. In the probate (I assume you have it - the will might be interesting to get if you haven't) shows his home as Hollyhurst but says he died in Hove. The transcription says Darlington.

I suspect the former is correct and this is the GRO

Deaths Jun 1910 (>99%)
Harding William 70 Steyning 2b 170 Scan available - click to view

I think your next step is to buy those two marriage certificates for Thomas and Mary and, hopefully, the father (and his occupation) will be the same proving they were siblings. fingers crossed.

William's sister Hannah Close who benefited from his will


William Close 1832 died 1886 married Hannah Harding A/M/J 1854 in Stockton.She was the daughter of Thomas and Ann born 1838.
Hannah Close widow of William Close died 1886 of 14,Peacock Street Midlesborough probate to Hannah £10

It is looking more certain that the 1841 is the correct family.
Just trying to prevent Ann from spending money on certificates if they are not needed.

Maryb

Hannah Close of 13 Cresent Parade Ripon widow died 28/5/1911 probate to Minnie harding Close spinster,William Harding Stockbroker !! and George Edward Peckett Davis doctor
£22109 17 7
resworn £25,603 19 3d

Maryb.

Thanks to everyone for their help. I'm away from home for a few days now so I'll have to consider all this carefully when I get back. I'm reasonably convinced that we've jointly established the connection between my gt gt grandmother Mary Harding and William harding the wealthy stockbroker, but I'll need to look into which documents I need to obtain to categorically prove the point.
In relation to place of death of Wm Harding I think it was Hove. He went to London for an operation (accompanied by my grandfather according to family legend) and then to the south coast to recuperate - but he didn't. I think I'll try and get the death certificate in case it was my grandfather who notified the death. And in case anyone was wondering, no grandpa didn't get a mention in the will, so I'm not an heiress! Funny how family fortunes always seem to be missing fortunes isn't it!