Page 77

“Mother and Father, Bethany and I have some news to share,” Clem Collins told his parents. “However, before we share the news, there is a question I need to ask.”

On Friday, the younger Collins couple, who resided in Collins Hollow’s dower house, had arrived to visit as they did some days except Sunday. On the Sabbath, they were either at Collins Hollow or Bethany’s parents’ estate, Willow Ridge. They usually stayed from after services until after dinner. Weekdays, they alternated between the Collins and Osborne estate. They dined with either Bethany’s or Clem’s parents for at least one meal a day, usually the midday meal. Some days they also remained for dinner. The only break in the routine was when the younger Clem’s assistance was needed on the estate. The Collinses were often hosted for meals at Willow Ridge, and the Osbornes were invited to the Collins’ estate just as often.

“What is it you want us to know, Son,” Collins enquired.

“Father, the entail on Collins Hollow ends with you, is that correct?” Clem verified. “Are William and I not the first generation to be born beyond the entail?”

“Yes, that is correct,” Collins confirmed. “To what does this tend?”

“Just this. You need to remain a Collins for your lifetime; however, were we wrong when we thought that meant I could not reclaim the Bennet name before God calls you home?” Clem asked.

“That is what I thought. However, if you truly want to know, I suggest you go into Faversham and speak to Hampton. He is well versed in the stipulations of the entail. Before he was our solicitor, his father served the family faithfully, as did his father before him. If we were wrong, Hampton will be able to tell you definitively,” Collins stated. “May I ask why now?”

“We would like to have this question settled now for a good reason. Bethany and I are to be blessed with a child. She felt the quickening one day ago,” Clem revealed.

“I knew it!” Ophelia enthused. “Did I not say so, Clem?”

“You did, my love,” Collins agreed. “Before you ask, we did not mention your mother’s suspicion to you, but we were sure that you would tell us when you were ready. Your mother predicted you would share your news after the quickening. As in most things, she was quite right.”

“You are not sad that I told my mamma yester-afternoon, are you, Mother?” Bethany worried.

“Not at all, Beth dear. Of course, you wanted to speak to Emily first. She and Paul must be overjoyed to be grandparents next year. Emily and I will have to begin making garments for a babe,” Ophelia responded.

“Clem, after the meal, if you like and you have no other plans, you and I can take the curricle and drive into Faversham to visit Hampton,” Collins suggested.

“We have no previous engagements, so yes, Father, I will join you. The sooner we have clarity the better. I would prefer not to have any possible confusion of a child being born with one family name only to have to change it later. I pray that would be much later if it is tied to you going to your final reward,” Clem replied.

So it was that father and son rode into Faversham that afternoon. Thankfully, Guy Hampton had no other client meetings when they arrived. Hence, they were immediately shown into his office by his clerk.

“Hampton, we appreciate you seeing us without an appointment,” Collins said gratefully as he and his son sat.

“Mr Collins, you know if I am able and free, I will see you,” Hampton returned.

“Due to upcoming changes in his family, my eldest son has a question for you concerning the entail,” Collins revealed.

“In that case before Mr Clem asks, allow me to have my clerk bring the entail documents to me.” Hampton called for his clerk and told him what he required. It was not very long before the young man returned with the papers. The clerk left the office, pulling the door closed behind him.

“What is it you need to know?” Hampton enquired.

“My question is…” Clem made the enquiry about when he was allowed to reclaim the Bennet name.

Hampton read through all the relevant clauses. A half hour later, he looked up. “As you know, Mr Collins, you must remain a Collins for the remainder of your time in the mortal world. However, Mr Clem, you are free to change your name to Bennet, or anything else whenever you chuse. You are past your majority, and the documents stipulate that as the first generation after the end of the original entail, you only had to keep the Collins name until you turned one and twenty.”

“Are there any legal steps to my changing my name?” Clem questioned.

“No, Mr Clem, there are not. You would change your name pursuant to informal assumption, or as it is more commonly known, common law. Hence, if you decide to change your name, all you need do is begin to use your new name. You are free to publish the fact in the newspapers, but it is not required that you do so. If that is indeed your choice, I will have my clerk change your name on any legal documents, like Last Will and Testaments and the like. I assume you want to be known as Bennet?” Hampton verified.

“Yes, from today on my name is Clem Collins Bennet. I am switching my second and last names,” Clem Bennet stated happily.

“Is it as simple as this for William who does not have a choice because the entail on Longbourn requires him to have the Bennet name?” Collins queried.

“It depends when he makes the change. Because his taking the name Bennet is a requirement in an entail or will, if your second son waits until he inherits to change his name it will be under Royal License. At that point, I would submit an application through the College of Arms, also known as the Heralds’ Office, where the request will be drafted in the correct form. From there the petition would go to the Crown which will issue the Royal License. There is a fee. It can be up to fifty pounds, especially if a coat of arms is being changed. It would take a month to six weeks. However, if Mr William changes his name of his own accord before the current master of Longbourn is called home to God, the process is simple, as I just explained to Mr Bennet, the former Mr Clem Collins the younger,” Hampton explained.

“In that case, as Clem is now a Bennet, I will advise William to make the same change now and avoid the process you just enumerated,” Collins decided. “Thank you, Hampton. We will take our leave.”

Hampton stood. “Please let me know if Mr William also decides to adopt the Bennet name now. That way I will be able to change all relevant documents at once, rather than now and then again when he does so.” Hampton paused. “Mr Collins, Mr Bennet, it is always a pleasure to be of assistance.” The solicitor bowed to the men as they left his office after Mr Collins promised to notify him as soon as he heard from his younger son regarding his name.

The journey back to Collins Hollow passed quickly. It did not take long for father and son to relate all they had learnt to their wives. The newly named Bennets left shortly thereafter to return to the dower house.