Will of John Hartley of Whincop/Underbank, 1755
In the Name of God Amen, I, John Hartley of Whincop in the township of Birker in the Parish of Millom in the County of Cumberland, Yeoman, being of perfect mind and memory, and duly considering the Uncertainty of Human Life, do make this my Last Will and Testament; First and principaly, I ommit my soul into the hands of my Blessed Maker, trusting in his Mercies and in the Merits of my dear Redeemer, for the remission of all my Sins. My body I commit to the earth, to be decently interred, at the discretion of my Executor, hereinafter named. As to my Temporal Estate, I bequeath and dispose of it in the following manner.
First, I give and bequeath unto my beloved Wife Elizabeth Hartley the sum of Twenty five pounds of Lawful Money of great Brittan. Also I give and bequeath unto my son Edward Hartley the sum of Five Shilings of Lawful Money of Great Britan. Also I give and bequeath unto my Granddaughter Ruth Hartley the sum of one Shiling of Lawful Money of Great Britain to be paid to her at the age of Twenty one years. Also I give and bequeath unto my Grandchildren Ruth Wilson,, Henry Wilson and Jonathan Wilson each one of them the sum of Two pounds of Lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to each one of them at the age of Twenty one years and if any of them die before they come to the age of Twenty one years, I give and bequeath the Legacie or Legacies of such of them as die unto such of them as Live to the aforesd age. Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Susan, the wife of William Stable the sum of ten pounds of Lawful money of Great Britain. I do hereby nominate and appoint My Son John Hartley whole and sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament, requiring him to pay all my Just Debts and the legacies before mentioned, within six months after my decease excepting the legacies herein named and ordered to be paid to the within named persons at the age of Twwenty one years. Lastly I give and bequeath to John Hartley my son and Executor all the rest, residue and remainder of my Money in the house at my decease, all my debts due to me with all my goods, Chattells and Estates whatsoever to his use and Behoof and I declare this only to be my last Will and Testament. In witness thereof I have thereunto set my hand and seal this ninth day of September in the year of our Lord god one thousand seven hundred and Fifty Five.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said John Hartley to be his last will and testament in the presence of us, Witness hereof: John Hartley, Thomas Hartley, Thomas Hartley, younger and Nicholas Tyson.
May 2nd 1761. A true and perfect Inventory of all ye Goods and Chattels of John Hartley of Underbank in ye parish of Millum Chapelry of Eskdale, and County of Cumberland, Yeoman, Deceased, viewd & apprized, by us whose names are hereunto Subscribed this 1st day of May, in the year of our Lord God one thousand Seven hundred Sixty and one:
£ s d
First of all purse and apparel 5 0 0
Also Chists 0 10 0
Also Clock 2 15 0
Also money owing to ye deceased 86 10 0
In all 94 15 0
Thomas Hartley, Edward Hartley, Edward Parker, John James Apprizers; Witness Thomas Parker, Curate there.