Matthew Jackson Lyall lived in Sunderland. His last will was dated 7th October 1908.
In it he appointed his sister Margaret Elizabeth Lyall as the public trustee (of 11 Teresa Terrace, Coatham), his nieces Isabel Newton (wife of Charles Henry Newton) and Mary Elizabeth Howells (wife of Daniel Howells of Cowbridge Road, Bridgend) and his nephew Matthew Jackson Robson of 15th Beverley Street, Port Talbot.
He left money to his sisters Martha Isabel Robson of 15th Beverley Street Port Talbot and Margaret Elizabeth Lyall. Money was also left to Mary Jane Hunter of 9 St. Georges Square.
On Margaret's death it was noted that money should pass to his nephew Adam Lyall Robson of the Croft near Swansea and then down to his children. He also left similar trust funds money to his other nephews John George Robson (later presumably known as the Robson Trust Fund, nephew Matthew Jackson Robson and nieces Mary Elizabeth Howells and Isabel Newton.
In the North Eastern Daily Gazette, Middlesbrough, Tuesday 18th February 1919 there was a notice regarding an auction of his things: "To be sold by public auction, at the Lobster Hotel, Coatham, Redcar, on Wednesday February 26th 1919 at 7.50 o'clock in the Evening precisely, subject to the General Conditions of Sale of the durham and North Yorkshire Law Society and to such Special Conditions as shall be then produced and read.
Messrs A. Walker & Son, Auctioneers - All that Comfortable and Well-arranged FAMILY RESIDENCE, situate and being No. 11 Teresa-terrace, Coatham, Redcar, recently occupied by the late Mr. M. J. Lyall containing on the ground floor, a front vestibule entrance, a wide through passage with a tesselated paved floor, front bay windowed dining room, back drawing-room, kitchen scullery and pantry. On the first floor are spaious front bedroom with bay window , one small front bedroom, and one back bedroom. On the back landing floor are two bedrooms and w.c.. Small enclosed front garden and a long back yard at the rear with convenient cutoffices. The property fronts on to the main road and faces south, it is within 12 minutes walk from the railway station and close to the Golf Links and the Beach, Coatham Church, and Post office.
The property is leasehold, held for a term of 99 years commencing from the 6th September, 1874, at an apportioned yearly ground rent of £2 8s 8d. Vacant possession will be given.
The house will be open for inspection from 1 to 4 p.m. on Monday February 24th, two days preceding date of sale.
For further particulars apply to the Auctioneers at their Offices - Teresa-terrace, Coatham, and 99 Albert-road. Middlesbrough"
This is followed by a similar auction notice about the possessions inside the house which included: Mahogany Telescope Dining Table, with 2 loose leaves, Cottage PIANOFORTE by Kirkman, Mahogany Sideboard, Cheffonier Sideboard, Occasional tables, Mahogany Centre Tables, Mahogany Fall-leaf table, Square Mahogany dining table, antique low seat in Rosewood frame and wool-worked top, large Mahogany Canteen of Cutlery and spoons, substantially built Oak Hallstand, Mahogany dining-room suite in hair cloth, Walnut Drawing Room Suite, Spanish Mahogany toilet tables... Commode, Toilet Glasses... Hearth Rugs... Resisting safe by Turner, Stout Mahogany Rocking Chair, Clocks....