Extracts taken from the Will of Margaret Mort of the Peel in Little Hulton, Widdow dated 20 July 1666.

Body to be buried in the Parish Church of Deane in the place of burial belonging to Wharton Hall. Mentions an interest in "Astley Manor" my late sonne Adam Mort deceased grandson Thomas Mort sonne and heir apparent of the said Adam Mort Thomas Mort and his brothers Robert Mort, Adam Mort and Alexander Mort grandson Thomas Mort, eldest son of my late sonne Thomas Mort, deceased the house where I now dwell called the Hall of Peele....Witchizuss Anne and Margaret daughter of my said son Thomas Mort deceased Anne and Margaret Mort daughters of my son Robert Mort son John Mort £300 neice Elizabeth Leigh now wife of cousin George Leigh of West Leigh Exors: Robert and Anne Mort my children Witness: Thos Marsh and Geo Leigh Inv: 17 Aug 1675 by Hugh Hindley, Geo Leigh, Thos Marsh and James Marsh. Proved 26 Aug 1675 by Robert Mort (Anne being dead)

Inventory dated May 1680 by Peter Valentine and Adam Mort value £16. 0s. 6d.

Memorandum that upon the sixt day of May in the year of our lord one thousand six hundred and eighty of Thomas Mort of Worsley in the parish of Eccles, husbandman being sick and weak in body but of good and perfect mind and memorie do make this my last will and testament, bequeath unto my daughter Esther the dwelling house inherein belonging. I give unto my son in law William Brookes twelve pence, I give and bequeath to my son in law John Andrew twelve pence, I give to my son in law James Whitehead twelve pence, the residue and remainder unto my wife Anne. I nominate my wife Anne my sole executor.

Long parchment inventory dated Feb 8, 1689 total value £140-15s-03d

"In the name of God Amen, I Thomas Mort of Astley in the county of Lancaster, yeoman being sick and weak in body, but of sound and perfect mind and memory. And do nominate desire Margaret my loving wife to be overseer, messuage and tenement with appertances situate lying and being in Astley as I am purchased thereof with John Rogerson of Astley yeoman from Jeremiah Scott brother and heir of Lambert Scott deceased and Margaret Scott widow and relict of the said Lambert Scott and now wife of me the said Thomas Mort. Unto Arnold Mort my son and his heirs and asignes for ever provided the full sum of three score pounds for the use of my younger children, also three acres of land by purchase from Adam Mather of Croston, Lancs. Margaret my said wife shall receive £20. I do give unto Robert Mort and Anne Mort my two youngest children the several sum of ten pounds a piece. All my just debts and funeral expenses being first deducted shall be equally distributed unto James, John the said Robert and Anne Mort my younger children share and share alike set my hand Jan 18, 1689"

"In the name of God Amen the thirteenth day of September sixteen hundred and eighty eight I Robert Mort of Wharton Hall in Little Hulton in the county of Lancaster, gentleman being of sound memory and understanding by this my last will and testament. First it is my will and mind that it shall and may be lawful to and for John Andrew of Little Lever, gentleman (my sonne in law) to retain and keep in his hands during his natural life the sum of £253 due and owing in by his writing obligation bearing date on or about the two and twentieth day of May 1685. My further will and mind is that if my daughter Anna Andrew (now wife of the said John Andrew) shall happen to survive and overlive him the said John Andrew the said seveal sums above mentioned shall pay and satisfy the same. I do give and devise all my estate tythe tenement and interest my messuage tenement lands and hereditaments lying and being in Parr Foulds within Worsley, Boothes Bank situate in Worsley. Unto Nathan Mort and Margaret Mort my son and daughter equally to be divided between them. I give and bequeath to my cousin Elizabeth Leigh wife of my cousin George Leigh of Oughtington twenty shilings Mary Hurst widow my tenant forty shillings. And I do hereby desire Mr James Wood, Minister and Thomas Marsh of Middle Hulton to be overseers".

Note added to the will: 17 Mar 1691 Nathan and Margaret Mort executors sworn in common form.

"In the name of God Amen, I Richard Mort of Wigan, innkeeper, I give and bequeath unto Margery my loving wife one third part in three parts to be divided of all the rest residue and remainder of my said goods and personal estate, and the othertwo thirds unto Peter, Richard and Margaret Mortt my sons and daughter equally to be divided amongst them, share and share alike. Whereas the said Richard Mortt lawfully seized in my demesne and all that Messuage or burgage and tenement with appertence situate in or near Streets in Wigan afforesaid Walgate wherein I now inhabit and dwell and in all those two separate close closures of two acres and a half ot thereabouts. Unto Thomas Cooper of Wigan and one of the Aldermen of the burough of Wigan and Adam Bancks of the Milngate in Wigan after my demise and suffer the said Margery my wife and her assigns to have profits of all and singular the said messuage or burgage, tenement, close, closures and parcels of land until Richard Mortt my said son shall have or may have attained the age of one and twenty years, do allow for the better livelhood and stay of the said Peter, Richard and Margaret my said sons and daughters until they shall respectively attain he age of one and twenty years and nominate my wife sole Executrix, put my hand and seal the third day of August 1690".

Richard Mort made his mark.

Also a long inventory dated May 19, 1691 of Richard Mort of Walgate, Wigan