The Family of John and Ellen Higson: Information from Wills

In the Name of God, Amen.

This is the last Will and Testament of me, John Higson, Saddler of Heywood within the Parish of Bury in the County of Lancaster.

In the first place I appoint my dear Wife Ellen Higson sole Executrix of this my Will and I direct her to manage and carry on my said trade or business of a Saddler for such length of time after my decease as she may deem advantageous and proper and out of the profits arising therefrom after payment of wages, rent, taxes and other necessary outgoings, to pay and discharge all my just debts, funeral, testamentary and probate expenses, the surplus (if any) to form part of my residuary personal estate and in case such profits shall prove insufficient for payment of my said debts and other expenses as aforesaid I charge the residue of my personal estate with payment thereof and I also direct that when my said Executrix shall deem it advisable to discontinue my said trade or business she shall sell and dispose of the Goodwill thereof and of all my stock in trade, leather, benches, working tools and implements for the most money that can be obtained for the same either by public auction or private treaty and shall stand possessed thereof as part of my Residuary estate personal.

In the next place I give and bequeath all my household goods and furniture, plate, linen, china, pictures, books and all wearing apparel, jewelry, trinkets and ornaments of the person unto my dear Wife Ellen Higson absolutely.

And as to for and concerning all the rest residue and remainder of my estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever I give and bequeath the same unto my dear Wife Ellen Higson, her executors, administrators and assigns absolutely to be enjoyed by her as her own sole separate and inalienable estate and free from the debts, control, intermeddling or engagement of any husband or husbands with whom she may hereafter intermarry.

And lastly revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time heretobefore made I declare this alone to be my last Will and Testament.

In Witness whereof I the said Testator John Higson have at the foot or end of this my last Will and Testament contained on two sheets of paper as also at the foot of the proceeding sheet hereof set my hand and subscribed my name this fifth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fifty six - John Higson.

Signed by the said Testator John Higson and by him declared to be his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who being parties present at the same time have at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses - Jno: B: Kennerley, Minister - Ellen Allban.

CODICIL:

I John Higson, Saddler of Heywood in the Parish of Bury, County of Lancaster append to this my last Will and Testament the following.

I appoint my son John Richard and my daughter Ellen Elizabeth Executors to this my Will after the decease of my dear Wife Ellen.

I also wish my son John Richard to carry on my business of Saddlery after the decease of my dear Wife Ellen, taking the Stock at a valuation.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellen Elizabeth the Harmonium and five pounds sterling to my granddaughter Catherina, and the remainder of my property whether in household goods, utensils or money be divided amongst my three children Margaret, John Richard, and Ellen Elizabeth share and share alike after paying all just claims on my property.

As Witness my hand this twenty seventh day of January 1863 - John Higson.

Signed by the said Testator John Higson in the presence of us who being parties present at the same time have at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses - Robert Howard, Cashier, Hooley Bridge - Robert Boswell Reid, Tailor, Market St., Heywood.

On the twenty second day of June 1863 the Will with a Codicil of John Higson, late of No. 8 Market Street, Heywood in the Parish of Bury in the County of Lancaster, Saddler, deceased, who died on the first day of May 1863 at No. 8 Market Street aforesaid, was proved by the oath of Ellen Higson, Widow, the Relict of the said Deceased, the Executrix named in the said Will, she having been first sworn duly to administer.

Effects under £300

NOTE:
1:	The above was transcribed from an Office Copy of the Will provided to me by the Probate Registry.