A Transcription of The Will of John Wood (1717 - 89).
The Will is dated 28 September 1789.
(Post in preparation).
With the wills of his wife Sarah and his brother William
................................
The Bust of John Wood aged 36.
John * Wood
1754
AGED 36 Y
.................................
John Wood (1717 - 88).
Aged 49.
Inscribed on the back
I WOOD
1767
AGED 49
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Transcription of The Will of John Wood of Maryport.
The photographs of this document were very kindly supplied by Peter Moon of the very excellent Moon's Bookshop, Lowther Street, Whitehaven.
I am very grateful to him.
For Moon's Bookshop - a must for anyone visiting Whitehaven see -
https://www.ebay.co.uk/usr/michaelmoonsbookshop
https://www.instagram.com/michaelmoonsbookshop/?hl=en
http://samdjordison.blogspot.com/2005/09/moons-bookshop.html
My Transcription.
Complete except for a couple of illegible words.
This is the last will and testament of me John Wood of Strand Street in Maryport in the Parish of Cross Cannonby in the county of Cumberland Gentleman whereby I do dispose of my Real and personal Estate and effects in manner and form following (that is to say) Imprimus, I do hereby give and devise and bequeath unto my son Wilton Wood all that my freehold messuage and tenement with the appurtenances situate lying and being at a place called Wilton in Hale in the said county commonly called and known by the name of Town End and Yew Tree now in the possession of Isaac Dixon as farmer thereof To hold until my said son Wilton Wood his heirs executors and assigns forever, upon the special trust and confidence that he the said Wilton Wood his executors administrators or assigns shall pay or cause to be paid there out the several respective legacies and sum and sums of money herein after immediately mentioned first I give to my son Thomas Wood the sum of twenty pounds Item I give to my other son John Wood the sum of five guineas, Item, I give to my youngest son Kelsick Wood the sum of five guineas Item I give my daughter Sarah the wife of Joseph Fell of Maryport aforesaid Grocer the sum of Forty pounds and to my daughter Ann the wife of Robert Ferguson of Whitehaven in the said county merchant the sum of fifty pounds which said several legacys, thereby order and direct my son Wilton Wood to payor cause to be paid to the respective legatees at the end or expiration of twelve months after my decease and my will and mind is and do hereby order direct and declare it to be my real intention that the sum of one hundred pounds shall be paid to my son Wilton to my executrix herein after named by and out of my said estate at Wilton in Hale aforesaid at the end or expiration of twelve calendar months after my decease for and towards the paying off and discharging my just debts and which said sum of one hundred pounds I desire might be paid and applied towards defraying the same by my executrix and to and for no other use intent or purpose whatsoever and do order that the said several legacys so bequeathed to the several and respective legatees and the said sum of one hundred pounds so to be paid to my executrix as aforesaid shall be charged and chargeable upon my said premises at Wilton in Hale aforesaid Item I give devise and bequeath unto my said son Thomas Wood all that my messuage and tenement with the appurtenances situate lying and being at Egremont in the said county of Cumberland commonly called and known by the name of Seed Hill Houses and a field called Pigeon Coat Croft and a stint? in a field called Cow Field now in the several tenures or occupations of Isaac Gibson and John Braithwaite as farmers thereof to hold the said premises unto my said son Thomas his heirs and assigns for ever item I give and devise unto my said son Kelsick Wood all those messuages or dwelling house and premises with their and every of their rights members and appurtenances situate standing in and being at Egremont Town Head and also all those my lands and grounds situate lying and being at Egremont aforesaid commonly called and known by the several and respective names of the Holms, Williams Field, Low Meadows Bristow Close, and Kell Trees and a stint in Cow Field aforesaid, and half a pew in Egremont Church now in possession of David Sanderson to hold the same premises under my said son Kelsick Wood and his heirs and assigns for ever, but in case my said son Kelsick should happen to die before he attains the age of twenty one years or without leaving issue of his body lawfully begotten then and in either case therefore order and direct said my who is heir at law thereto son Wilton to pay or cause to be paid unto the remainder of my children that shall be living at the time of his death the sum of one hundred pounds to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike and do further charge the said premises with the payment thereof Item I give and devise unto my daughter Elizabeth the wife of Fletcher Mc Kenzie of Maryport aforesaid mariner all that my messuage or dwelling house with the appurtenances situate standing and being in Coats Lane, Whitehaven aforesaid in the tenure or occupation of Fowley Burnley as farmer thereof to hold the messuage or dwelling house unto my said daughter Elizabeth McKenzie her heirs and assigns forever. Item, I give and devise unto my said daughter Ann the wife of the said Robert Ferguson all that my close enclosure piece or parcel of ground or land which was lately inclosed upon Bigg Rigg Moor within the township Townfields or precinct of Egremont aforesaid to hold the said premises unto my said daughter Ann and to her heirs and assigns forever.
Item I give and bequeath unto my said sons and daughters hereinafter named joint/ Wilton, Thomas, Kelsick, Sarah Fell, Ann Ferguson and Elizabeth McKenzie All that my tenth part or share of the Copperas or Copperas Works at the Gins near Whitehaven aforesaid and the rents houses produce and profits thereof. To hold to them the said Wilton Wood, Thomas Wood, Kelsick Wood, Ann Ferguson and Elizabeth McKenzie their executors administrators and assigns to be equally divided amongst them share and share alike and in such several shares and proportions as I shall herein after mention/ that is to say/one sixth part or share of my said Tenth part of the said Copperas Works to my said son Wilton also another sixth part thereof to my said son Thomas also another sixth part to my youngest son Kelsick, also another sixth part to my said daughter Sarah Fell also another sixth part to my said daughter Ann Ferguson and the remaining sixth part or share of my said tenth share of the said premises to my said daughter Elizabeth McKenzie, Item, I give and bequeath unto my said daughters also hereinafter mentioned/ Ann Ferguson and Elizabeth McKenzie each one third part or share of all that my twenty eighth share of the Low ship building yard, timber yard and stock in trade at Workington in the said county and the blacksmiths, shop ship yard and rope walk at Harrington Harbour, otherwise Bella Port in the said county together with all the rents issues/produce and profits thereof to hold to them the said Ann Ferguson and Elizabeth McKenzie their executors administrators and assigns to be equally divided between share and share alike Item, I give and bequeath unto my said other daughter Sarah Fell the rents issues produce and profits of all that my other third part or share of the said twenty eighth share of the said Low ship building yard, timber yard and stock in trade at Workington aforesaid and the blacksmiths shop, ship yard and rope walk at Harrington Harbour otherwise Bella Port aforesaid. To hold the said rents issues produce and profits thereof to her the said Sarah Fell and her assigns for and during the form of her natural life and from immediately after her decease then I give and bequeath the said third part the said twenty eighth share of the said last mentioned premises so herein given and bequeathed to my said daughter Sarah Fell to my three youngest grand children Martha Fell, Sarah Fell and Joseph Fell the son and daughters of the said Joseph Fell their executors administrators and assigns to be equally divided among them share and share alike, And my will and mind further is that in case the said sum of one hundred pounds so to be paid to my executrix for the purpose aforesaid be insufficient to pay off and discharge my just debts that then I order and direct the respective legatees of the several shares and proportions of my Low ship building yard, timber yard and stock in trade at Workington aforesaid and also the black smiths shop, ship yard and ropework at Harrington Harbour otherwise Bella Port aforesaid to pay or cause to be paid there out to my said executrix equally amongst according to their several estates and interests therein so much and such parts as will sufficiently enable my said executrix to discharge my said debts fully Item I give and devise unto my said loving wife Sarah Wood all that my store house with appurtenances situate in Coats Lane in Whitehaven aforesaid in the several tenures of Abraham Reed and Misc? Nutter as farmers thereof, to hold the same premises unto my said wife and her heirs and assigns forever and I do hereby the guardianship care tuition and education of my said son Kelsick to my said loving wife during his minority and with respect to all the rest residue and remainder of my goods chattles personal estates and effects whatsoever and where so ever and of what nature and kind so ever whereof or wherein I shall be possessed of …. Unto or interested in at the time of my death I give devise and bequeath the same unto my said loving wife Sarah Wood who I do hereby make ordain constitute and appoint sole executrix and residuary legatee of this my last will and testament hereby revoking all former and other will and wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be my last will and testament and I also publish and declare that these three sheets of paper annexed together wrote on one side only and each of them by me signed and the last of them sealed with my seal to be the same Dated this twenty eighth of September in the twenty ninth year of the reign of our sovereign Lord George the third by the grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of the faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty nine –
These three sheets of paper wrote (sic) on one side only were each of them signed by the said John Wood the said testator and the last of them sealed with his seal and were by him published and declared as and for his last will and testament in the presence of us and who in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witness thereto.
William Wood (crossed through).
Illegible signature. (crossed through).
Illegible signature (crossed through) (poss Isaac Martin).
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The ownership of Yew Tree Farm at Town End Wilton, Haile in the late 17th/early 18th century by the Wood family has already been established but I was unaware of the properties at Townfields, Egremont.
A tenth share of the Copperas works at Ginns near Whitehaven.
This business established in 1718 by Sir John Lowther, producing sulphuric acid, red iron oxide for paint and other chemicals used in making ink and in the dyeing industry.
The Carlisle Journal of 1st January 1820 includes the
following sale notice:
For the Copperas Industry at Whitehaven also see -
https://www.cumbria-industries.org.uk/a-z-of-industries/chemicals/
John Wood owned shares in the Low Yard - ship building yard and timber yard at Workington see my post
https://cumberlandshipbuilding.blogspot.com/2022/07/john-wood-at-workington.html
and the blacksmiths shop, ship yard and rope works at Harrington see my post.
https://cumberlandshipbuilding.blogspot.com/2022/08/the-woods-shipbuilding-at-harrington.html
Although living in Maryport at the time of his death he still owned the property at Coats Lane, Whitehaven.
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The Will of Sarah Wood nee Wilson, wife of John Wood.
of Kirby Street, Maryport.
27 October 1807.
Sarah WILSON (1720), daughter of Thomas WILSON and Sarah WOOD (2 marriages), was born on 31 Oct 1734 at Whitehaven.
She was baptised on 7 Sep 1735 at Holy
Trinity, Whitehaven, Cumberland. She
married John WOOD (Workington shipbuilder) (1719), son of John WOOD of Wilton and Elizabeth KELSICK, in 1751 at Whitehaven. She lived at Kirby Street,
Maryport, until her death. She died on 3
May 1807 at Maryport at age 72. She was
buried at St. Mary's, Maryport, inscription on headstone of her husband John
Wood (Workington Shipbuilder) (1719).
She left a Will proved on 27 Oct 1807.
Summary of the Will
of Sarah Wood, née Wilson, (1734-1807), of Maryport, widow. [#1720]. Written 19
October 1804, proved 27 October 1807.
TO:
John Wood, son: The properties in Coats Lane, Whitehaven .
An annuity to pay out £15 per year for
life. Mahogany desk and bookcase.
Martha Fell, granddaughter: £10 and a chest of
drawers.
Kelsick Wood, son: Picture of her late husband John Wood (1719) and one of herself and a statue of King William on horseback. One sixth of the rest and remainder of her estate and effects.
(the equestrian statue of King William is interesting - possibly that made by John Cheere).
The surviving children of late son Wilton Wood [i.e.
Adam, John, Mary, William, Wilton, Elizabeth , Kelsick]: One sixth of the rest and remainder of her estate and
effects divide equally between them.
The surviving children of late son Thomas Wood [i.e.
Ann, Sarah, Susannah]: One sixth of the rest and remainder
of her estate and effects divide equally between them.
Sarah Fell, née Wood, daughter: One sixth of the rest
and remainder of her estate and effects.
Elizabeth McKenzie, née Wood , daughter: One sixth of
the rest and remainder of her estate and effects.
Ann Ferguson, née Wood, daughter: One sixth of the
rest and remainder of her estate and effects.
Robert Ferguson, son-in-law: Executor of will.
Signed: X (Sarah Wood).
Date: 19 October 1804.
Witnesses: R. F. Dixon
John
Armstrong
S.
Saul
Proved: 27 Oct 1807.
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The Will of William Wood (1725 - 1804).
Younger Brother of John Wood.
26 September 1804.
The 1767 Bust of William Wood (1725 -1804).
Brother of John Wood.
This bust formerly with London dealer Philip Lucas.
Sold by Dreweatts of Newbury Lot 519, Ist December 2022.
If anyone knows the current owner of this bust I would very much like to get in touch!
The Share of the John Bone and Company, Brewery at Maryport are left to brother Thomas Wood.
The Maryport Brewery company appears to have been dissolved in September 1805.
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Newspaper Report Ref. John Bone of the Brewery at Maryport. The Cumberland Chronicle or Whitehaven Intelligencer, 3 December 1776.
On Nov 20 "a fine new vessel called the Kirkham, built by Mr William Wood, for Captain John Bone, was launched at Mary-Port: The launch was performed with the greatest nicety; and, as the length the vessel had to run was pretty considerable, it afforded an agreeable prospect to great number of spectators."
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To Elizabeth McKenzie - sixteenth share of the Brigantine Senhouse Moor .
To Kelsick Wood - the eighth share of the Vessel Postlethwaite of which he was master .
To Ann Ferguson - One Eighth of the Brigantine Woods of Maryport and profits and one sixteenth part of the Brigantine Unirigg and profits.
To Martha and Sarah Fell each - one thirty second part of the Brigantine Jeremiah of Maryport.
To Sarah, wife of Joseph Fell two sixteenth of earnings etc of the vessels called Betsey and Mary Ann of Maryport.
To William Fell - sixteenth part of the Vessel called Wilton Wood of Maryport whereof he is the master on condition that he secures unto his mother Sarah Fell an annuity of £5 a year.
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Will of Wilton Wood (1756 - 1803), Son of John Wood (1717 - 89)
Extracted Copy of the Will of Wilton Wood (Written 4.7.1803 and Proved
25.7.1803)
This is the last Will and Testament of me Wilton Wood of Workington in the County of Cumberland Merchant.
I give and devise unto my dear wife Sarah Wood all that my freehold Messuage or Tenement Lands and hereditaments with the appurtenances situate lying and being at Wilton in the parish of Hale in the County of Cumberland now in the Occupation of Isaac Dixon as Farmer thereof To hold unto my said Dear wife and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life if she shall so long continue and remain unmarried again and from and after the decease or Marriage again of my said wife which shall first happen
Then I do give and devise the same unto and to the use of my brother in law Robert Ferguson of the City of Carlisle Gentleman and my friend John Askew of Workington aforesaid Gentleman and their heirs In Trust only to support and preserve the contingent uses and Estates hereinafter given or limited from being defeated or destroyed and for that purpose to make entries and bring Actions as Occasion shall be or require but nevertheless to permit and suffer my said wife and her Assigns to receive and take the Rents Issues and profits of my said freehold Estate and premises at Wilton aforesaid for her own use during her life or until her Marriage again and from and after the decease or Marriage again of my said wife
Then I do give devise limit and appoint all that my said freehold Messuage Tenement Lands Grounds hereditaments and premises at Wilton aforesaid with the Appurtenances unto and to the use of my second Son John Wood in case he (or Issue of his body) shall be then living his heirs and Assigns for ever, but in case my said son John shall not then be living and shall have died without leaving lawful Issue living at the decease or Marriage again of my said wife, then I do give devise limit and appoint all and every my said premises at Wilton aforesaid unto and to the use of my third son William Wood his heirs and Assigns for ever in case my said son William (or Issue of his body) shall then be living, and in case my said son William shall not then be living and shall have also died without lawful Issue living at the determination of the Estate of my said wife of and in the said premises then I do give devise limit and appoint the same premises in like manner unto and to the use of my sons Wilton Wood and Kelsick Wood successively in fee and their respective heirs and assigns (in manner as before given and devised to my sons John and William) one after the other as they shall respectively be in seniority of age and priority of Birth. It being my Will and mind that a fee of and in the said premises shall vest in the older of my said four sons or his Issue then living immediately on the determination of the Estate and Interest of my said Wife therein, and so on progressively in the event of the death of the Elder without Issue then living to the Youngest and in case of the death of all my said sons in the life time or during the widowhood of my said wife without Issue as aforesaid Then I give devise limit and appoint All my said freehold Estate and premises at Wilton aforesaid unto my daughters Sarah Ann, Mary Jane and Elizabeth Wood to hold unto and to the use of my said daughters their heirs and Assigns for ever as tenants in Common and not as joint tenants subject nevertheless and I do hereby charge and make chargeable my said Estate and premises at Wilton aforesaid from and after the decease or Marriage again of my said wife with the payment of the sum of Eight hundred pounds which I do hereby give devise bequeath Order and direct to be paid by the Owner (after the decease or Marriage again of my said wife) for the time being of my said Estate and premises at Wilton aforesaid unto and amongst my said Sons William, Wilton, Kelsick and my said daughters Sarah Ann Mary Jane and Elizabeth (and to the Child or Children of such of them as shall be dead) equally share and share alike on their attaining their respective ages of twenty one years And I do will in case of any of my said Sons William, Wilton and Kelsick becoming entitled to the said Estate as above mentioned that the portion or part of such of my said sons William, Wilton and Kelsick as shall become entitled in fee to the said premises on the decease or Marriage again of my said wife of and in the sum of Eight hundred pounds shall be paid and divided equally unto and amongst the younger of my said sons and Daughters and their children in manner aforesaid
I give and devise unto my said dear Wife Sarah Wood all that my freehold Messuage or dwelling house Buildings Ground hereditaments and premises with the Appurtenances situate lying and being upon the Brow Top in the town of Workington in the said County of Cumberland now in my own Occupation To hold unto my said dear Wife and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life if she shall so long continue and remain unmarried again, and from and after the decease or Marriage again of my said Wife which shall first happen Then I do give and devise the same unto and to the use of the said Robert Ferguson and John Askew and their heirs In Trust only to support and preserve the contingent uses and estates hereinafter given or limited from being defeated or destroyed and for that purpose to make Entries and bring Actions as Occasion shall be or require but nevertheless to permit and suffer my said wife and her Assigns to receive and take the Rents and profits of my said freehold premises at Workington aforesaid for her own use during her natural life or until her Marriage again and from and after the decease or Marriage again of my said wife then I do give devise limit and appoint all those my said freehold Messuage or dwelling house building Ground hereditaments and premises at Workington aforesaid with the Appurtenances unto and to the use of my second Son John Wood in case he (or Issue of his body) shall then be living his heirs and Assigns for ever but in case my said son John shall not then be living and shall have died without leaving lawful Issue living at the decease or Marriage again of my said wife then I do give devise limit and appoint all and every my said premises at Workington aforesaid unto and to the use of my third son William Wood his heirs and assigns for ever in case my said son William (or Issue of his body) shall then be living, and in case my said son William shall not then be living and shall have also died without lawful Issue living at the determination of the Estate of my said wife of and in the said premises then I do give and devise the same premises in like manner unto and to the use of my sons Wilton Wood and Kelsick Wood successively in Fee and their respective heirs and Assigns (in manner as before given and devised to my sons John and William one after the other as they shall respectively be in seniority of age and priority of birth it being my Will and mind That a Fee of and in the said premises at Workington aforesaid shall vest immediately on the determination of the Estate and Interest of my said Wife therein in the older of my said sons then living or his Issue and so on progressively in the event of the death of the Elder without Issue then living to the youngest and in case of the death of all my said sons in the life time or during the widowhood of my said wife without Issue as aforesaid
Then I do give devise limit and appoint all my said freehold Messuage or dwelling house Buildings Ground and premises at Workington aforesaid unto and to the use of my said daughters Sarah Ann Mary Jane and Elizabeth their heirs and Assigns for ever as Tenants in common and not as joint tenants Subject nevertheless and I do hereby Charge and make chargeable my said premises at Workington aforesaid (from and after the decease or Marriage again of my said Wife) with the payment of the sum of four hundred pounds which I do hereby charge give devise bequeath Order and direct to be paid by the Owner for the time being of my said freehold premises at Workington aforesaid after the death or Marriage again of my said wife unto and amongst my said sons William, Wilton Kelsick and my said daughters Sarah Ann Mary Jane and Elizabeth and to the Child or Children of such of them as shall be dead (if any) equally share and share alike on their attaining their respective ages of Twenty One years and I do will in case of any of my said Sons William, Wilton and Kelsick becoming entitled in fee to the said premises as above mentioned That the portion or part of such of my said sons William Wilton and Kelsick as shall become entitled in fee to the said premises on the decease or Marriage of my said wife of and in the sum of four hundred pounds shall be paid and divided as aforesaid unto and amongst the younger of my said sons and daughters or their Children in manner as aforesaid
I Give and bequeath unto my said dear wife Sarah Wood all my household Goods furniture Beds Bedding linen plate and all and every my household Goods Implements and Utensils whatsoever belonging to me at the time of my decease To hold to my said dear wife her Executors Administrators and Assigns to her and their own use I give devise and bequeath unto my said dear wife Sarah Wood the Interest proceeds profits dividends and produce of all and every my rights parts shares and Interest of in and to all that the Copartnership Trade or concern in the making and Manufacturing of Copperas or Copperas Works now carrying on at or near Whitehaven in the said County And also of all these my Rights parts shares and Interests of in and to the Ship building Timber and Ropery Companies or Copartnership Trades now carrying on at Workington aforesaid and at or near Harrington in the said County and also of all my right part share or Interest of in or to the Brewery at Workington aforesaid and of all my Stock in trade Ships and shares of Ships and Vessels and all other my personal Estate Effects and things whatsoever and wheresoever (after payment in the first place out of the principal or Stock of my said personal Estate and effects of all my just debts funeral and Testamentary expenses with the payment whereof I do hereby expressly charge the same) to be had received and taken by my said dear wife and her assigns to her own use during the Term of her natural life or until her marriage again and from and after her death or marriage again Then I do hereby give devise and bequeath all and every my said Estates and Interests of and in the said several Copartnership Trades and concerns and all and every the Buildings Ground Materials Utensils and things belonging thereto respectively and all my Stock in Trade Ships shares of Ships and Vessels Monies and all and every other my personal Estates Effects and things whatsoever and wheresoever unto and amongst my said younger Children William, Wilton Kelsick Sarah Ann Mary Jane and Elizabeth and to the Child or Children of such of them as shall then happen to be dead (if any) to be divided amongst them in equal proportions share and share alike provided always and it is nevertheless my Will and mind that in case during the life time or Widowhood of my said Wife my Executrix and Executors think it for the benefit and advantage of any one or more of my said younger Children last above mentioned to advance them or for their use a Sum or sums of money for necessary purposes it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Executrix and Executors so to do out of my said personal Estates not exceeding in such advance the sum of Two hundred pounds to any one of my said Children at the same time taking a Security or Securities that the amount of such advance shall be deducted out of the share or portion of such of my said Children or shall be so advanced or of their representatives upon the general division of my said personal Estate after the decease or marriage of my said wife and I do further Will and order that in case during the life or widowhood of my said wife it shall be deemed necessary to alter or change any of the securities in which my said personal Estate is comprised or to sell any part of my said personal Estate for the payment of debts it shall and may be lawful for my Trustees and Executors at any time to sell and dispose of my said Ships and Vessels or shares of Ships and Vessels and other my personal Estate or such part or parts thereof or they shall think expedient and to alter and change all and every Security or Securities, replacing and investing the monies or produce thereof or such part as shall remain of the same so as to be applicable to the Intents and purposes hereinbefore declared in this my Will of and concerning my said personal Estate and I do hereby nominate and appoint the said Robert Ferguson and John Askew and their heirs the Trustees of and under this my Will of my said Real Estate and do also Constitute and appoint my said wife Sarah Wood and the said Robert Ferguson and John Askew Executrix and retain out of the Monies which by virtue of this my Will shall come to their hands all Costs Charges and Expenses which they shall respectively expend or be paid unto in or about the execution or performance of all or any of the Trusts of this my Will and that none of my said Trustees Executrix or Executors shall be chargeable with any loss that may happen in the execution of the Trusts hereby in them reposed without their respective wilful defaults nor answerable for the Receipts payments Acts or wilful defaults of the others or other of them but each of them for his and her own actual receipts payments acts and wilful defaults only And lastly I hereby revoke and make void all and every former Will and Wills by me heretofore made and declare this to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I the said Wilton Wood the said Testator have to this my last Will (contained upon three sheets of paper annexed together) set my hand and Seal (to each sheet thereof) the Fourth day of July in the Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and three.
Wilton Wood. Signed sealed published and declared by the said Wilton
Wood the said Testator as and for his last will and testament in the presence
of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have
hereunto subscribed our Names as Witnesses.
Ann Ferguson. Richd. Brown. Henry Fearon.
This Will was proved at York 25 July 1803 by the Oaths of Sarah Wood
Widow ye. Relict Robt.
Ferguson and John Askew the joint Executors therein named to whom probate was
granted they having been first sworn duly to administer.
Joseph Buckle
Joseph Buckle Junr Deputy Registers
Extracted by
Thos.Brook
Proctor. Joyce Reed who was of Town End Farm, Wilton had the old Wood deeds for the farm and Wilton's will.
With the exception of the will these documents were deposited with Whitehaven Record
Office in 2005.
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The Will of Kelsick Wood.
What we know of the Will of Kelsick Wood is not very informative.
He left a Will dated 28 Jun 1834
In this will he refers to his wife Mary Wood, his son
John Nelson Wood, his son John Wood and his wife's brother John
Inman as executors and beneficiaries. He also refers to his son Kelsick
Wood , Mary the wife of John Nelson Wood, his ship building
premises in Maryport, his ships and shares in ships, his land and property at
Egremont and his household contents etc.
The following Administration was granted on 5 May 1893,
fifty three years after the death of Kelsick:
Administration with the Will annexed.
The District Registry at York in Her Majesty's High Court of Justice
BE IT KNOWN, that Kelsick Wood late of Maryport in the County of Cumberland, Shipbuilder deceased, who died on the sixteenth day of May 1840, at Maryport aforesaid, made and duly executed his Last Will and Testament and did therein name his Wife Mary Wood (#3383 d. 1841), his Sons John Nelson Wood (# 3382 d.1855) and John Wood (#3388 d.1859), and John Inman (#3542 d.1849) Executors and Residuary Legatees in trust, and his said Wife Residuary Legatee during life or widowhood, and did therein substitute his Son Kelsick Wood (#3441 d.1867) Residuary Legatee.
And be it further known that in the month of December 1840
the said John Nelson Wood and John Wood alone duly proved the said Will in the
Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of York, and afterwards both died leaving
part of the personal estate of the said deceased unadministered, and that the
said John Wood survived his Co Executor the said John Nelson Wood and died on
the eighth day of January 1859, intestate.
And be it further known that the said Mary Wood*, Widow the
Relict of the said Testator and John Inman** survived their Co Executors but
died without having taken upon themselves the Probate and execution of the said
Will, and that the said Kelsick Wood survived the said Testator and is since
dead.
AND BE IT FURTHER KNOWN, that at the date hereunder written,
Letters of Administration, with the Will (a Copy whereof is hereunto annexed)
of the personal estate of the said Kelsick Wood deceased, left unadministered
as aforesaid, deceased, were granted by her Majesty's High Court of Justice at
the District Probate Registry thereof at York to James Smith Wood (#3473) the
lawful Attorney of Margaret Wood Widow the Relict and Administratrix of the
personal estate of the said Kelsick Wood deceased whilst living the Son of the
said Testator and the Residuary Legatee substituted in the said Will as
aforesaid, now residing at Fairmont Well Road in Moffat, Scotland, for her use
and benefit and until she shall duly apply for and obtain Letters of
Administration with the said Will annexed of the unadministered personal estate
of the said Testator to be granted to her, he the said James Smith Wood having been
first sworn well and faithfully to administer the same.
And it is hereby certified that an Affidavit in verification
of the Account of the said estate has been delivered duly stamped wherein it is
shown that the gross value of the said estate amounts to £108.13.7 and no more.
Dated the twenty fifth day of May 1893.
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