The Family of Thomas and Mary Norris: Wills

Thomas Norris

Thomas Norris, of Gravel Farm, Croston, Lancashire, retired Farmer, died 2 October 1920.
PROBATE Lancaster 9 November 1920 to Richard Aspinall, Peter Moon and Ralph Alty, Farmers; and Henry Hayes, Motor Works Manager. Effects: £2,584 3s 4d

Thomas Norris, of Gravel Farm, Croston, Farmer, wrote his Will on 14 November 1911 appointing his sons-in-law Richard Aspinall, Peter Moon, Ralph Alty and Henry Hayes as his Executors.

He left a legacy of £100 to his wife Mary, free of legacy duty, to be paid to her as soon as possible after his death, and also left her his farmhouse Gravel Farm with all of it's outbuildings and land for her use during her lifetime "if she shall so long remain my widow without impeachment of waste".

After the death or remarriage of his wife the property would pass to the use of his daughters Margaret Norris and Kate Norris during their lives or until either one of them married. After the death or marriage of either one of the them the property would pass to the other. After the death or marriage of both of his spinster daughters the farm would pass to the use of his grandson Thomas Norris Aspinall during his lifetime then to his children upon reaching the age of 21 years in equal shares.

If his grandson died without leaving lawful issue the farm would pass to the use of his other grandson Hugh Norris Moon during his lifetime, then to his children, etc.

If Hugh Norris Moon died without lawful issue the property would become a part of his residuary real estate.

He left all of his household furniture, items of personal and domestic use, and his live and dead farm stock to his executors upon trust for the use of his wife Mary during her life as his widow. She was to have use and enjoyment the property and carry on his farm business and was entitled to all profits from the business.

After the death or remarriage of his wife the furniture and effects were to become a part of his residuary personal estate.

He directed that all the rest residue and remainder of his real and personal estate was to be converted into cash and out of that money and the ready money he possessed at the time of his death, pay his debts funeral and testamentary expenses and any legacies contained in his Will. The balance was to be invested and the proceeds paid to his wife Mary during her life as his widow.

He directed that the rents and income from any of his trust property left unsold was to be treated as if it were income from investments and paid out in the same manner.

After her death or remarriage the proceeds were to be paid to his children Elizabeth Aspinall, Ellen Moon, Mary Ann Hayes, Alice Alty, Margaret Norris and Kate Norris in equal shares.

He directed that his Executors could employ a solicitor or agent to act on their behalf.

The Will was signed by Thomas Norris and witnessed by C. Eastwood, solicitor, and Robert Wood, clerk, from the firm of William Banks and Co., Solicitors of Preston.

Mary Norris

NOTES:
1:	The value of Thomas' estate would be the equivalent of about £56,000 today.
2:	The above information is taken from a copy of the Will held at the Lancashire Record Office.