John Heathcote

Profile & Legacies Summary

1749 - 15^th Jan 1821

Biography

John Heathcote (c. 18/01/1749-15/01/1821), was the son of Arthur Heathcote (c. 1717-06/12/1807) of Blackwall in Taddington, Derbyshire, and his wife Anne (c. 1716-04/11/1807). Brother of William Heathcote (d. 1811), from whom he inherited Stancliffe Hall in Derbyshire (and Haags Bosch in Demerara?). Living at Stancliffe Hall in 1817. Died unmarried in 1821. John Heathcote devised Stancliffe to his nephew, Arthur Heathcote Shepley, son of James Shepley & Elizabeth Heathcote. Arthur Heathcote Shepley was also the excutor of Heathcote's will (proved 15/05/1821).

The History of the County of Derby (1829) by Stephen Glover, gives John Heathcote as the eldest son of Arthur Heathcote, of Blackwall in Taddington, Derbyshire, yeoman, who died in 1807 aged 90, and his wife Ann, who died in 1807 aged 91. His baptism date is given as 18/01/1749 and his date of death as 15/01/1821, when he was aged 72 and unmarried.

Parish Register for Taddington gives "Bap'd John son of Arthur Heathcote Jany the 18 [1749/50]." John Heathcote, Gentleman, of Stonecliffe, Derbydale, was buried 18/01/1821 aged 72, by the curate of Darley, Rev. Saxton. Note this suggests he may have been baptised aged 1.

Sources

T71/1258 British Guiana claim nos. 832A-C: Abstract of document shewing the right of Mr Heathcote and Mr & Mrs Brailsford to receive compensation. Will of Wm Heathcote of Demerara 02/02/1811, which left the Stonecliffe [=Stancliffe] House estate in Darley Dale to his elder brother John Heathcote, and if John Heathcote died without male heirs, left estate to Arthur Heathcote Shepley, provided he took the name of Heathcote; Findmypast, co,uk, Staffordshire, Dioceses of Lichfield and Coventry wills and probate 1521-1860 [database online].

Daniel Lysons and Samuel Lysons, 'Parishes: Dalbury - Derby', in Magna Britannia: Volume 5, Derbyshire (London, 1817), pp. 94-129, British History Online http://www.british-history.ac.uk/magna-britannia/vol5/pp94-129 [accessed 04/01/2018].

Stephen Glover, The History, Gazetteer, and Directory of the County of Derby: Drawn Up From Actual Observation, and From the Best Authorities; Part II... (Derby, 1829) pp. 360-361.

Baptism (image of original) and death information by email from Kerrie Brailsford, 29/07/2018.

We are grateful to Kerrie Brailsford and Miranda Kaufman for their assistance with compiling this entry.

Further Information

Absentee?

British/Irish

Spouse

died unmarried

Will

Precis from Findmypast, co,uk, Staffordshire, Dioceses of Lichfield and Coventry wills and probate 1521-1860 [database online].

John Heathcote of Stonecliff Hall in the parish of Darley, Derbyshire, gentleman.

By my last will dated 14/09/1811 I bequeathed £1,000 each to my nieces Elizabeth and Ann, to be paid within 12 months after my decease, I now confirm the legacies but direct the same to be paid at the end of three years next, after my decease.

My nephew Arthur Heathcote Shepley to be my sole executor; his sisters Elizabeth and Ann to be discharged from acting as executrixes.

This present writing to be a codicil to my said will. Signed 08/04/1816.

Last will and testament of John Heathcote of Stonecliff Hall in Darley parish, Derbyshire, gentleman.

To my sister Mrs Shepley, widow, for her natural life, an annuity of £40 per annum for life, payable outof my freehold estates in Derbyshire. Also to her for her natural life (and for her residence) any one of my dwellinghouses (except the manion which I now inhabit called Stonecliff Hall) which she shall think proper to make choice of. Also a cow found and kept for her summer and winter at the costs and charges of my estate.

To my niece Elizabeth Shepley £1,000, and the like sum to my niece Ann Shepley, to be paid in twelve months after my decease not subject to the debts, control or engagements of their husbands.

Legacies to my servants to be given in an annexed document.

All my residuary real and personal estate to my nephew Arthur Heathcotte Shepley of Blackwell in Derbyshire, gentleman, on condition that he take the name and arms of Heathcote only in compliance with the will of my late brother William Heathcote Esquire deceased, but subject nevertheless in this my will expresseed.

My nephew Arthur Heathcote Shepley and nieces Elizabeth and Ann Shepley to be executors.

Signed 14/09/1811.

Associated Estates (1)

The dates listed below have different categories as denoted by the letters in the brackets following each date. Here is a key to explain those letter codes: