Nelson left Emma Hamilton to the nation; Parliament paid his brother and Emma died in debt in Calais

On the morning of Trafalgar, Horatio Nelson wrote a codicil leaving Emma, Lady Hamilton "a legacy to my King and country". He asked that she get "ample provision to maintain her rank in life" and left their daughter Horatia to the nation's care. He had no legitimate children. His brother William, a clergyman, was made Earl Nelson. The earldom carried a £5,000 annuity payable to its holders in perpetuity, and Parliament granted £90,000 to buy an estate. Nelson's sisters received £30,000 more. The estate, Standlynch in Wiltshire, became Trafalgar House. Emma got nothing under the codicil. Nelson's will left her £2,000. She was prosecuted for debt in 1813, fled to Calais in 1814 and died there on 15 January 1815. By 1946 the earls had drawn about £285,000 from the annuity. In 1889 they had refused a commutation offer of about £135,000. On 3 December 1946 the Commons voted 271 to 102 for the Trafalgar Estates Bill, which ended the annuity after the 4th Earl and his brother. In 1948 the 5th Earl sold the house and 3,415 acres for about £58,000^†. Simon Nelson, 10th Earl, holds the title in 2026^†, with no annuity and no estate.