John Atherton

PROB 11/1636/408 - precis.

John Atherton of Prescot in Lancashire Esquire.

Will made 06/05/1815.

Mention of an indenture dated 10/11/1799 between me, my brother Henry Atherton and Joseph Joseph Atherton Esquire for estates in Granton, Eccleston, Rainhill and Whitson in Lancashire concerning a charge of £5,000 payable after my decease by demesing the estates comprised in the settlement to my late brother William Atherton Esquire for 500 years. Also a morgage in fee made 27/04/1802 by me to my brother William Atherton of my estate called Moss Wood Hall in Cheshire (since paid off).

Residue of this £5,000 indenture to Thomas Makin of Chester Esquire for life and thereafter to his son, also called Thomas Makin.

To John Chorley of Prescot and Richard Weston of Halewood in Lancashire, £35,000 in trust to purchase lands or manors for the use of my nephew Edward Atherton of Liverpool Esquire for his natural life, thence to his eldest son and his heirs, thence to James Allan Parke of Lincolns Inn Fields Esquire and his heirs, thence to his wife Lucy Parke.

To my nephew Thomas Makin £2,000. Upon trust for the use of my niece Ellen Weston, wife of Richard Weston, £2000. [Further legacies.]

Whereas upon the decease of my late brother William I became entitled to certain real estates in Jamaica now I give and devise such estates with the slaves upon them to my brother Henry Atherton and my nephew Edward Atherton as tenants in common.

All rest and residue of my estate to my nephew Edward Atherton.

My brother Henry Atherton, my nephews Edward Atherton and Thomas Makin and James Allan Park to be executors.

Proved at London with three codicils 29/12/1820 by Thomas Makin and Sir James Allan Park.

Codicil dated 22/01/1819. Increase from £300 to £400 in annuity to my niece Lucy the wife of James Allan Parke. Annuity to Mrs Mary Gwynn increased from £30 to £50. [Other smaller legacies]

Codicil dated 13/11/1819. Whereas it may be desirable to invest the whole or part of the sum of £35,000 in trust for Edward Atherton in land in Jamaica, doubts may arise whether the said trustees would be justified in making such purchase I do therefore declare it to be my will that the purchases be made in Jamaica.

Codicil dated 14/01/1820. Since the execution of my will I have purcahsed the capital messuage called Cronton Hall with land in Cronton and Rainhill in Lancashire for £16,000. Thus it may not be possible to pay the full amount of £35,000 as outlined in my will. I charge this £35,000 upon the land and hereditaments so purchase by me aforesaid and this land to be devised to my nephew Edward Atherton.