The Family of John Swarbrick: Wills

JOHN:

John Swarbrick, of 15 East-View, Preston, wrote his Will on 5 April 1881. He appointed William Hayes, Tea Merchant, of Lime Street, Preston; and his nephew Robert Hull, Brewer and Maltster, of Preston, as his Executors and Trustees, leaving them each £5.

He directed that his just debts, funeral and testamentary expenses be paid.

He directed that his wife Mary Elizabeth be given use of all household goods, effects, utensils, plate, linen, china, glass, and furniture during her life as his widow.

She was to be given £100 as soon after his death as was convenient, and £50 per year, in quarterly instalments, beginning 3 months after his death and continuing for her lifetime or until her remarriage.

A trust fund was to be set up for his children, or their issue, giving the trustees control to use any money left to any infant for the clothing, maintenance, education, and bringing up of said infant, paid to the parent or guardian of that infant.

Any estate left to any female was to be for their sole use, free from marital control.

He appointed his wife, as long as she remains his widow, and his trustees to be the guardians of the persons and fortunes of his infant children.

The Will was signed by John Swarbrick on 5 April 1881.

Probate granted at Lancaster on 10 August 1893 to William Hayes and Robert Hull. Effects: £3590, 7s.

MARY ELIZABETH:

Mary Elizabeth Swarbrick, of 50 Barton Terrace, Deepdale Road, Preston, widow of John Swarbrick, wrote her Will on 5 March 1920. She appointed George Shaw, of Hill-View, New Longton, Solicitor's Clerk, to be her sole Executor and Trustee, and left him £5.

She left £5 to the nursing sisters of St. Ignatius' church, and all of her household and personal property to her cousin Elizabeth Gesling, wife of Oswald Gesling of 35 Derby Street, Bolton, a Gas Office Clerk.

She directed that all other real and personal estate be converted to cash and her debts, funeral and testamentary expenses paid from her estate and the residue was to be paid to her friend Eliza Bleasdale.

The Will was signed by Mary Elizabeth Swarbrick, and witnessed by John H. Dickson and Frederick R. Hall, clerks with W. Banks and Co., Solicitors, Preston.

Probate was granted at Lancaster on 4 January 1924 to George Shaw.

NOTES:
1:	When John wrote his Will on 5 April 1881 his youngest child, Isabella Josephine, was 5 years old. She was 17 years old when John died in 1893.
2:	The above information is taken from the National Probate Index and from transcripts of the original Will held at the Lancashire Archives in Preston.