Born: December 1787, baptized 27 December 1787 and died November 17 1858.
Son of: James Caldwell (1759-1838) and Elizabeth Caldwell (nee Stamford) (1754-1831).  
Brother of:
1. Hannah Eliza Roscoe (nee Caldwell, 1785-1854) who married Willam Stanley Roscoe (1782-1843).
2. Mary Caldwell, baptized 22 March 1789 and died 10 September 1813 aged 24.
3. Anne Marsh Caldwell (1791-1874) who married Arthur Cuthbert Marsh (1786-1849).
4. Margaret Emma Holland (nee Caldwell, 1792-1830) who married Sir Henry Holland (1788-1873). 
5. Catherine Louisa Caldwell, born 6 June, baptized 15 June 1794 and died 20 August 1814 aged 20.
6. Frances Caldwell, died 14 February 1801 aged 5.

James Stamford Caldwell never married.

James Stamford Caldwell: An Overview

We know of Stamford from the following sources:
1. The diary of his sister Anne Marsh Caldwell.
2. Books on the Wegdwood family.
3. Burke's Landed Gentry.
4. His books "A Treatise Of The Law Of Arbitration" and "Results of Reading".
5. His portrait by Thomas Phillips RA.
6. His bookplate.
7. A very large collection of documents at the Staffordshire Record Office including his will.
8. An entry in the record book by J.A. Venn, Alumni Cantabrigienses by JA Venn. Part II, 1752-1900, vol. I, Abbey-Challis, Cambridge, 1940, p. 490.

Bookplate of  James Stamford Caldwell

Stamford (the name which James Stamford Caldwell was known by), followed in his fathers footsteps and became a lawyer. He matriculated at St John's College, Cambridge University, 12 January 1804.  He seems to have had a scholarship of some kind and graduated with a BA in 1808 and MA in 1811.  He was admitted to Lincoln's Inn 12 November 1805, called to the bar in 1813 and incorported at the Inner Temple in 1821.  How much he practiced as a lawyer is not known and it maybe that he spent little time at it.  The motto on his bookplate reads Niti Facere Experiri (Trusted to act with experience).  Upon the death of his father in 1838 Stamford inherited the family estate of Linley Wood.

Linley Wood  Home of the Caldwells 1794-1949

Stamford seems to have lived the life of a highly educated English Country Gentelman.  He is mentioned briefly in the book "The Wedgwood Circle" as being a friend of the Wedgwood family.  He had a very large impressive portrait of himself painted by Thoms Phillips RA.  In addition to his library at Linley Wood, he also build up a fine collection of artwork, many of the items coming from the Stowe auction in 1848.

Stamford wrote a number of books as follows:
A Digest of the Laws relating to the Poor.  Published by J. Butterworth & Son: London, 1821.
A Treatise of the Law of Arbitration.  Published by J. Butterworth & Son: London, 1817.
A Treatise of the Law of Arbitration.  Published by J. Butterworth & Son: London, 1825.
A Treatise of the Law of Arbitration.  2nd American edition.  Published by Chauncey Goodrich: Burlington, USA, 1853.
Results of Reading.  Published by John Murray, London, 1843.

Stamford never married.  He died 17 November,1858, leaving a very unusual will which was very complicated.  The original will was written 20 November 1840 however over the following 18 years he made changes and additions on 17 seperate occasions with the last amendment being 29 April 1858.  Extensive legal paperwork relating to this will exists in the Staffordshire Record Office including a large summarising document (4229/4/1).  There is also a document (4228/1-5) listing Stamford's property (land), the majority of which was a group of farms making up the Linley Wood estate but in addition there was property near Derby (Cannon Hills, Quarndon) and a large number of share holdings in a variety of companies.

Stamford's will stated that the Linley Wood Estate would be held in trust.  His sister Anne Marsh could live at Linley Wood for the rest of her life, as could any of her unmarried daughters.  After that the estate would pass to the second son of his neice Mary Emma Heath and Leopold George Heath (later Lady Mary Emma Heath and Admiral Sir Leopold George Heath).  After that the estate would be passed on down to the eldest son.

The second son of Mary and Leopold was Frederick Crofton Heath, (later Maj Gen Frederick Crofton Heath-Caldwell) who was only a few months old at the time that Stamford wrote his last codicil.  Stamford wrote in numerous conditions including that all the people in possession of Linley Wood would all have to add "Caldwell" as the last part of their surname.  Hence Anne changed her surname to "Marsh-Caldwell" and Frederick changed his surname to "Heath-Caldwell" (when he finally inherited the estate 55 years later in 1913).  Stamford's will also stated that these eldest sons, who would inherit the Linley Wood estate, must be properly educated so that they could take up professions.

I understand that the will was contested, presumably by members of the family.  It was finally proved in the Court of Probate 18 months later in April 1860 with the effects recorded as being under £18,000.  However this was not the last of the legal battles.  Further legal disputes arose in 1862 and 1868 with Anne Marsh-Caldwell and the majority of the other relatives in dispute with her three unmarried daughters the Miss Marsh-Caldwells.  Further disputes also arose regarding a Derby property which had been given to one of the Roscoe family for his life only, after which it was to be returned to the person in possession of Linley Wood (4229/3/2).

Like his father, Stamford's name is recorded on plaques in both St.Martin's church in Talke and in St.James's church in Audley. He is presumably entombed in the crypt in St.James.

If you have any information to add to what is listed please contact me on jj@jjhc.info
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