FAMILY HISTORY: NORRIS
THE FAMILY OF RICHARD COTTAM
INFORMATION FROM WILLS:
| Sarah Cottam |
| Sarah Cottam died on 27 May 1873 aged only 49 years. She did not leave a Will and I have not found any record of the administration of her estate. |
| Richard Cottam |
| Richard Cottam, late of Castle House, Croston, in the county of Lancaster, Yeoman, died 12 October 1886 at Croston. His Will was proved at
Lancaster on 24 November 1886 to his widow, Elizabeth Cottam, and his son John Cottam, of the `Wheatsheaf Inn', Cottam, Innkeeper. Richard Cottam wrote his Will on 5 April 1879 and appointed his wife Elizabeth, his son John Cottam, and his nephew John Cottam, builder, Executors of his estate. He directed that his pianoforte in his dwellinghouse go to his daughter Elizabeth Ellen. His trust property was to be converted to cash, his debts, funeral and testamentary expenses paid, then a legacy of £30 paid to his wife immediately after his death. An investment was to be made which would provide an annuity of £52, paid to his wife in four quarterly payments each year, as long as she remained his widow. After her death or remarriage, the capital would become part of his trust property. The residue of the estate was to be divided equally between all of his children upon reaching the age of 21 years, or if female, marrying under that age. The child or children of any of his children that predecease him would be entitled to the deceased parents share. His wife, as long as she remained his widow, then the Executors, were to be the guardians of his infant children. Richard signed the Will, which was witnessed by William Banks and Edward C. Banks, Solicitors, Preston. The Will was proved at Lancaster on 24 November 1886, his nephew John Cottam having renounced his appointment as an Executor. Effects: Gross: £3,620 14s 6d, Net: £2,024 16s 7d [about £123,000 today] |
| Elizabeth Cottam |
| Elizabeth Cottam died on 8 December 1922. I have not yet found any Will or Administration of her estate. |
| NOTE: | |
| 1: | The above information is taken from a copy of the Will held at the Lancashire Record Office. |