William Atherton

PROB 11/1403/224 - precis.

William Atherton of Prescot in Lancashire.

I relinquish any claim I may have on the estate of my late father-in-law Mr John Sepleton of Ormskirk deceased and I give to my dear wife Elizabeth Atherton all my claim and interest whatsoever upon the said estate.

I subject all my estate, real and personal whether in Jamaica or Britain to the payment of my debts and all legacies and annuities I may make in my will.

To my dear wife Elizabeth Atherton an annuity of £2,000 per annum for life (£500 each three months, the first payment within a month of my death). Should any payment be in arrears for more than 6 months then my wife shall take possession of all my estates and retain the profits until the arrears shall be fully paid. This annuity to be paid before any other legacy or charge. This is in lieu of the £300 per annum settlement made upon her at the time of our marriage and a further annuity of £200 per annum intended to be granted to her for which I granted my bond to the trustees of the marriage articles.

To my dear wife £5,000 to be paid as soon as conveniently possible after my decease. Also to my wife all my copyhold estate in the parish of Prescot for her life and the remainder of the terms in my farms of Knowsley and Eccleston, the rents of the farms to be paid out of the estate.

To my dear wife all my household furniture, plate, pictures, prints, books, linen, wine and other liquors, all the provisions of every kind in my house in Prescot and all my horses, carriages, harness and horse furniture, carts and all implements of husbandry, garden utensils and farming utensils in Prescot and Eccleston and all plants etc in my gardens and hothouses, greenhouses and peach houses in Prescot and Eccleston.

To my nephew Mr Thomas Makin[?] £2,500.

To my niece Ellen Weston, wife of Mr Richard Weston of Balewood Green, £2,500. Should she die without issue then the money to revert to her brother.

To my John Atherton £3,000 in trust to be applied by him in such manner as he shall think fit for the use and benefit of my stepson Rev. Joseph Brenton Wanton, and until paid I give Joseph Brenton Wanton an annuity of £120 per annum. Should he died without issue and before the £3,000 is paid then this money to revert to my estate. I discharge Joseph Brenton Wanton of any account I may have against him.

To my highly esteemed friend John Tharp of Chippenham Park Esquire 50 guineas trusting that he will continue his friendly protection to my converins[?] and his good and kind assistance to my wife in the settlement of my affairs when ever he is required to do so.

To my faithful good servant John Smith £300.

To Mary Southworth a mulatto woman in Preston £20 per annum for life, the said annuity being in lieu of any claim she may set up against me and to cease immediately if any such claim should be preferred.

To my dear friend Rev. Edward Balme 'my picture painted by Torburgh' [probably not his portrait but simply a painting by the Dutch painter Gerard Terburg or ter Borch, d. 1681; Rev. Edward Balme was a collector whose collection was sold by Christies 01/03/1823] ] now in his possession. All my other pictures and prints that are at my dear friend's I give to my wife.

All rest, residue and remainder whether in Jamaica or Great Britain to my brother John Atherton for his natural life and at his death to my brothers Richard and Henry Atherton as tenants in common and to their heirs forever.

My wife Elizabeth Atherton, my friends John Tharp of Chippenham Park, my brothers John, Richard and Henry Atherton to be my executors.

Signed 08/05/1802.

Codicil - dated 29/04/1803. James Wareing removed as an executor and as a trustee of the legacy to Joseph Brenton Wanton [these entries scored out of original will] the late conduct of that man convincing me that I have very long mistaken his real character and now think him an improper person to be trusted in any manner whatever.

Witnesses appeared to give oaths 04/11/1833.

Proved 10/11/1803, then proved in London 26/01/1804.