1771-1836. John Broadway was House Steward to the first Duke and Duchess at Stowe from July 1822 or earlier (HEH STG Box 368 (56)) until his death there in 1836 (below).

He was born in 1771 and for a while lived at 21 Five Fields Row, Chelsea (later Upper Ebury Street).

Broadway died in an accident at Stowe House on 26 February 1836:

We experienced a dreadful shock a Month ago from the awful death of poor Broadway who fell from a trap Door a height of twelve feet upon a Stone Pavement & was instantly killed close to the Room where we were at breakfast. It is impossible to describe the effect it had upon us all & I trust the awful lesson of the uncertainty of this life will be of lasting benefit! (Anna Eliza, first Duchess to Percy Grace (HL STG Box 4 (29))

It is said that Broadway was killed while testing a lift being installed for the overweight first Duke, though there is no contemporary evidence for this.

Broadway was a Catholic and was buried at in the graveyard at Holy Trinity Church, Hethe, Oxfordshire.

The Will

The Will is archived in the PRO (PRO Prob 11/1860). The transcript here is based on an PDF copy and not all words can be deciphered.

• The will was made on 9 September 1835, just six months before his death
• Broadway is described as Clerk of the Works at Stowe
• He formerly lived at 21 Five Fields Row, Chelsea
• Wife: Agatha
• Daughter: Agatha
• Son: Alexander; whose wife was Martha and daughter Martha Agatha.
• He held land at land at Walton, near Aylesbury with his son, Alexander
• Witnesses: Thomas Bayliss, carpenter, Finmere; Richard Turpin, carpenter Lamport (Stowe); Richard Holton, bricklayer, Buckingham.

Text

Transcript by Tim Killeen 

In the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Ghost by John Broadway now clerk of the works at Stowe near Buckingham in Buckinghamshire, but last of No 21 Five Fields Row Chelsea Middlesex to [sic] this day September 9 ninth in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and thirty five do make and declare this my last will and testimony. First that all my property to remain as it now is for the support of my wife and daughter. Should my wife be married again my will is she be paid one hundred pounds and no more and at her marriage or death I give to my daughter Agatha sixty pounds a year for her life and the further sum of fifty pounds as an outfit to be paid immediately. Should my daughter be married and have children at her death, then at her death the sixty pounds a year to be paid to her children share and share alike but if no children at her death then to be paid to my son’s children share and share alike. On my death I shall be entitled to Fifty Pounds from the Masonic Benefit Society my will is that it be put out at compound interest till my granddaughter is of age Martha Agatha Broadway and then to be paid her. If she should not live to be of age my will is that the fifty pounds with the interest be then paid to my sons children share and share alike. I give to my son our silver pint cup and to his wife our silver half pint and my small table cloth. To my daughter Agatha I give our silver pint cup and my large table cloth with all my plate of every kind whatsoever and after the marriage or death of her mother to have whatever of my furniture she may think proper to take. To each of my brothers living at of my death each I give five pounds to be paid as soon as poƒsible. My son Alexander as joint proprietor with me of the land at Walton near Aylesbury he will of [?] possess at my death. The remainder of all I possess after all my behests, I give to my son Alexander Broadway hoping in the Lord he will ever be a dutiful son to his mother and a loving brother to his sister, and may God of his infinite mercy keep you all in good fellowship has been every been my prayer. I do so hereby institute and appoint my wife my son and my daughter Executors of this my last Will and Testament [?] of the said John Broadway the Testator have there unto set my hand and seal to this my last will written with my own hand on one sheet of paper in the day and year above written John Broadway—(L.S.)—Signed sealed published and declared and delivered by the said Testator and in his presence subscribed by us Thomas Bayliƒs Carpenter Finmer—Richard Turpin Carpenter Lamport—Richard Holton Buckingham bricklayer.

Proved at London the 25 April 1836 before the worshipful William Robinson Doctor of Law and Surrogate by the oath of Alexander Broadway the son, one of the executors to whom admon was granted, having been first sworn duly to administer. Power reserved of making the like grant to Agatha Broadway widow the Relict, and Agatha Broadway Spinster the daughter of the other Executor when they shall apply for the same.

[Margin note]

Proved at London the 23rd May 1845 before the Judge by the Oaths of Agatha Broadway Widow the Relict and Agatha Broadway Spinster the Daughter the other Executor [?] [?] was granted having been first sworn by [?] duly to Administer.

[Margin Note]

On the 2nd July 1853 [?] (with the Will asserted of Goods Chattels and [?] of John Broadway formerly of Five Fields Row Chelsea in the County of Middlesex but late of Stowe in the County of Buckingham left [?] [?] by Agatha Broadway therein [?] Relict Alexander Broadway the son and Agatha Broadway Spinster the daughter the Executors named in the said Will all since deceased) was granted to Martha Broadway Widow the Relict and administratix of the Goods of the said Alexander Broadway deceased who was also [?] Residuary [Legatee?] named in the said will having [?] first sworn [?] duly to [?]. The said Agatha Broadway Spinster [?] her [?] Executor also died Intestate.