The Family of Thomas and Nanny Rigbye: Information from Wills

Thomas Rigbye

Thomas Rigbye was only 28 when he died and did not leave a Will. Administration papers were issued to his widow, Nanny, his brother William Rigbye, and a man called John Jones. Nanny took the oath as Administratrix on 29 April 1803. Nanny was to make a "true and perfect inventory" of Thomas' estate and submit that inventory to the Consistory Court of Chester by the 29th of October 1803. She was also required to make a "true and just" account of her administration of the estate by the 29th of April 1804.

The administration document was drawn up by the Rector of Croston, Streynsham Master and signed and sealed by Nanny Rigby, William Rigby and John Jones.

For a full transcript of the document click the Administration button below.

Nanny Rigbye

This is the last Will and Testament of me, Nanny Rigby of Croston in the County of Lancaster, Widow. I order and direct that all my just Debts, Funeral Expenses and the Charges of the Probate of this my Will be paid out of my Personal Estate and from and after payment thereof then I give Devise and Bequeath all my real and Personal Estate whatever and all my part share and Interest of and in the several Messuages Cottages or Dwellinghouses Lands Tenements and Hereditaments with their and every of their Appurtenances situate in Ulnes Walton and Euxton both in the said County and which came to me as Heiress at Law to my late Mother unto my Daughter Ellen Rigby and my Son John Rigby their Heirs Executors Administrators and assigns absolutely and for ever To Hold the same as Tenants in Common and not as joint tenants and in Case either of them shall happen to die without lawful issue then I Give Devise and Bequeath the same unto the Survivor of them his or her Heirs Executors Administrators and assigns absolutely and for ever And is case both of my said Daughter and Son shall happen to die without lawful issue then I Give Devise and Bequeath the same unto my eldest Son Robert Rigby his Heirs Executors Administrators and assigns absolutely and for ever and in Case all my said children shall happen to die without lawful issue then I Give Devise and Bequeath the same unto my Brotherinlaw William Rigby his Heirs Executors Administrators and assigns absolutely and for ever and do nominate and appoint the said William Rigby and John Norris of Croston aforesaid Yeoman Executors hereof and Guardians of my infant children. In Witness whereof I the said Nanny Rigby the Testatrix have hereunto set my hand and seal this fourteenth day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and five.

(signed) Nanny Rigby (with wax seal)

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the said Nanny Rigby the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who subscribe our names as Witnesses thereto in the presence of the said Testatrix and of each other - the words "or her" "assigns" being first interlined.

(signed) John Smith, John Brown, Jane Rigby

Probate issued dated 14 December 1805

The fourteenth day of December 1805, William Rigby and John Norris, the Executors in this Will named, were sworn in common form & they further made oath that the personal estate & effects of the Testatrix within the Diocese of Chester, were under the value of £100.

Before me, Thos. Postlethwaite, Surrogate

The Testatrix died the twenty forth day of June. 1805.

NOTES:
1:	Ann "Nanny" Rigbye was Heiress at Law to her mother Ellen (Miller) Rigbye, who died when Ann was less than one year old and didn't leave a Will. Ann would have been the sole beneficiary of any part of the Miller estate that her mother would have been entitled to. For more information, click the Indenture button below.
2:	The above information is taken from the original documents held at the Lancashire Record Office.