Mallinder Millions
Around 1978 Uncle Tom (My Father's brother) came to visit us in Gravesend from his home in Chesterfield, Derbyshire. He told my father how he was looking into a vast some of money that belonged to some Mallinders from long ago that was waiting to be inherited. I recall him explaining that these Mallinders had died "Gentlemen", which I guess would mean they were well loaded! To my surprise I came across the exact same story on Facebook by a John Bernard Mallinder.
Andy Mallinder, May 2014, wrote "When my dad was a boy he used to go along with his father to meetings that were held at the residence of Marriot Hall, who lived in a big house just off Ashley Lane, Killamarsh. Marriot Hall was a solicior and I understand he was acting on behalf of my grandfather and others who felt that they had claim on the Mallinder millions. My dad wasn't allowed in the meeting because he was too young, but would sit outside waiting for them to finish. One day after a meeting my grandfather came home and declared 'it was no good, the claim can't be won' or words to that effect. My dad can't be sure of the date, but I would guess it would be around 1935. This is all I know, but I have researched the Mallinders from Killamarsh for some years and there was a branch of the family who were wealthy farmers. It's likely the claim grew out of the fact that there were a lack of male heirs to inherit their estates, and therefore their wealth passed through to other families. Most had made wills, copies of which I have obtained. It all looked legitimate It is an fascinating story and if we could find some documentation around the claim (if it did go to chancery there is a possibility some might exist) that would be a bonus. There might even be a twist in the story yet."
John Mallinder wrote "My Name is John Bernard Mallinder. The Mallinder millions cannot be claimed now. The fund has been in Chancery for so long it cannot be claimed. The correct version of events is all based around the Killamarsh area of Sheffield, which is where most Mallinders origins can be related. Two farming brothers died in 1700's leaving no will. At the time nobody could find any relatives of these two Mallinders. Over the years, the fund has grown and grown, hence the reference to the Mallinder Millions. Several meetings were held in Killamarsh by Mallinders to try and work out a link between families and ancestors, all to no avail. I believe a branch of my family looked into this in quite a lot of detail (Oswald Mallinder) and drew a blank after tracing his family tree so far back. My own tree goes back to the late 1700's - Martin Mallinder, who was one of the founder members of St.Marie's Church in central Sheffield".
Interesting to note that he speaks of Martin Mallinder as a founding member of St. Marie's Church in central Sheffield. Here are some other bits on the story,
Penny Murray wrote "yes, the mallinder millions were based on sheffield steel. There was an inheritence claim denied due to an illegitimate birth and the court cases were still going on in the 1970's to try and claim them"
Emma Mallinder wrote "Has anyone heard of the "Mallinders' Millions"? My aunt told me that there is an old legend, something to do with railways."