LAND MAGNATE'S DEATH.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 97, 30 May 1914, Page 4

LAND MAGNATE'S DEATH.

OWNED PRACTICALLY HUDDERS- , FIELD. Sir John William Bamsden, the greatest territorial magnate in the baronetage, died recently at the Buckinghamshire seat, Bulstrode Park, Gerrard's Cross, after a brief illness. He was in his 83rd year.

Sir John owned about 150,000 acres of British land, including"practically the whole of Huddersfield. The story is told that the late baronet's grandfather was anxious to buy the one small piece Of Huddersfield not in his possession, and offered to cover it with sovereigns. But the owner, after suggesting unsuccessfully that the sovereigns should be placed on edge, declined to part with bis land. "Nay,-' Sir John," he said, "Huddersfield shall belong to thee and me still."

Bulstrode Park, one of the four Bamsden seats, was inherited' by the late Gwendolen Bamsden from her father, the twelfth Earl of Somerset, and during her lifetime was the scene of many stately entertainments. In recent years the Huddersfield property, from which the family drew a revenue estimated at £IBO,OOO a year, has been in the hands of Mr J. F. Bamsden, who succeeds to the baronetcy. The Manor of Huddersfield was granted to one William Bamsden by Queen Elizabeth in consideration of the sum of £965, and had then an annual value of £23 10/9. In recent years the corporation paid the baronet £43,303 for the site of the market and the market rights. Sir John enjoyed a Parliamentary experience which extended over 30 years. First eleeted as a Liberal member for Taunton in 1853, he subsequently sat in turn for Hythe, West Biding of Yorkshire, Monmouth District, Eastern Division of West Biding, and for the Osgoldcross Division. In 1857-8 he was Under-Secretary of State' for War.