The Family of Ann "Nanny" Norris: Information from Wills

John Cottam

John Cottam died in October 1834 aged 45 years and apparently never made a Will. I can find no record of any Will or Administration for his estate.

James Dobson

James Dobson wrote his Will on 23 December 1850:

This is the last Will and Testament of me James Dobson of Croston in the County of Lancaster, Yeoman.

I hereby revoke all former Wills and Codicils and after payment of my debts and funeral and testamentary expenses I give and devise all that my real Estate or farm situate in Longton in the said County consisting of dwelling house, barn, and outbuildings and several closes of land belonging thereto and occupied therewith and now in the occupation of Richard Heyes as tenant unto my son Henry Dobson of Croston in the said County, farmer, and his heirs to hold to him his heirs and assigns for ever. And part of the residue in proportion to the value of his share at my decease hereinafter particularly mentioned; I give and bequeath unto my son John Dobson all those closes or parcels of land situate in Longton in the said County lately purchased from Loxam's heirs now in the occupation of Nicholas Cliff as tenant unto my son John Dobson of Bretherton in the said County, farmer, and his heirs to hold to him his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give and bequeath to my aforesaid son John the sum of six hundred pounds to be paid at my decease and part of the residue in proportion to the value of his share hereinafter particularly mentioned. I give and bequeath unto my son James Dobson of Croston in the said County, labourer and husbandman, the sum of twelve hundred pounds to be paid at my decease and part of the residue in proportion to the value of his share herewith particularly mentioned. I also give to my sons Henry, John and James and the survivor of them and the executors and Administrators of such survivors the sum of nine hundred pounds and part of the residue in proportion to the value of the respective share Upon Trust to invest and place the same upon Government or real security and pay the annual interest and profits arising therefrom unto my Daughter Betty Heyes, the wife of Richard Heyes of Longton aforesaid, farmer, for her sole use and her receipt alone shall be a sufficient discharge of the same as I hereby order that the monies received by my said Daughter Betty at any time by virtue of this my Will shall not be under the control or subject to the debts or engagements of her present or any future husband who shall not intermediate therewith and after the death of my said Daughter Betty I direct my said sons Henry, John and James and the survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such survivors to pay and divide the said sum of nine hundred pounds and share of residue equally between and amongst the lawful issue of my said Daughter Betty if more than one but if "only" one then to that child alone Provided always that the child or children of such as shall be dead shall be entitled to and receive such portion (in equal shares if more than one) as his her or their parent would have been entitled to had he or she been then living. And further I give to my sons Henry, John and James and the survivors of them and to the Executors and Administrators of such survivor the sum of nine hundred pounds and part of the residue in proportion to the value of the respective share Upon Trust to invest and place the same upon Government or real security and pay the annual interest and profits arising therefrom unto my Daughter Ann Howard, the wife of Richard Howard of Much Hoole in the said County, farmer, for her sole use during the term of her natural life and her receipt alone shall be a sufficient discharge of the same as I hereby order that the monies received by my said Daughter Ann at any time by virtue of this my Will shall not be under the control or subject to the debts or engagements of her present or any future husband who shall not intermediate therewith and after the death of my said Daughter Ann I direct my said sons Henry, John and James and the survivor of them and the Executors and Administrators of such survivors to pay and divide the said sum of nine hundred pounds and share of residue equally between and amongst the lawful issue of my said Daughter Ann if more than one but if only one then to that child alone Provided always that the child or children of such as shall be dead shall be entitled to and receive such portion (in equal shares if more than one) as his her or their parent would have been entitled to had he or she been then living. As to the residue and remainder of my Estate and property of whatsoever nature I direct my said sons Henry, John and James and the survivor of them and to the Executors and Administrators of such survivor to convert the same into money and divide it between and amongst the respective shares in proportion to the value and amount of each share and my daughters Betty and Ann their portions to be disposed of and invested as hereinbefore specially directed. And I hereby order that in case the principal of my monies and stock shall fail to accumulate the aforementioned sums bequeathed to my sons and daughters John, Betty and Ann that the same shall be deducted from and off their respective shares in proportion to the value and amount of each share. And I order and direct that if any of my said children shall happen to be indebted to me at that time of my death in any sum or sums the same shall be respectively considered and taken as forming part (according to the several amounts) of the bequest hereinbefore given to each of my said children. And further that if any person or persons shall become entitled to any sum or sums of money by virtue of this my Will before he or she or they shall have attained the age of twenty one years the respective portions of all such parties shall be each placed out at interest by my Executors hereinafter named and the proceeds arising therefrom shall be by them paid, laid out and expended for and towards the maintenance, education and support of all such minors respectively until they shall have attained their majority. And lastly I hereby appoint my said sons Henry, John and James Executors of this my last Will directing that each shall be answerable for his own acts, deeds and receipts only.

In witness whereof I, the said James Dobson, have hereunto subscribed my name this twenty third Day of December in the year of our Lord One thousand Nine hundred and Fifty.

(signed) James Dobson

Signed and published by the said Testator as the last Will and Testament of him (the word "bequeath" in the twenty forth line of the first page and the word "only" in the twenty forth line of the second page and the word "survivor" in the twelfth line of the third page of the said Will having been first written on the erasures in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as witnesses.

(signed) Roger Smith, blacksmith, Croston; James Glover Jr., Croston

The 16th day of June 1851, Henry Dobson, John Dobson and James Dobson, the Executors in this Will named, were sworn in common form, and they further made oath that the personal Estate and Effects of the Testator within the Diocese of Manchester were under the value of £4000.

Before me (illegible) Baldwin, Surrogate.

The Testator died the 7th day of February 1851, Probate issued Dated 23rd June 1851

Ann Cottam-Dobson

Nanny Dobson died on 7 April 1871 aged 78. I can find no record of any Will or Administration for her estate.

NOTES:
1:	This is probably the most oddly worded Will I've ever read.
2:	£4000 in 1851 would be equal to about £225,000 today.
3:	The above information is taken the original Will held at the Lancashire Record Office.