"In the name of God Amen, I William Mort of Wigan in the County of Lancaster, currier being sick and week in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament. And wheras I am seized of a certain messuage and burgage situate lying and being in Milngate in Wigan. I give and devise the same with its rights to my loving wife Elizabeth during her natural life and after her decease I give to my eldest son William Mort his heirs forever paying the sum of five pounds to my four other children vizt Ellen, Peter, John and Henry within five years the first payment to my son Henry the next to my son John the third to my son Peter and the last to my daughter Ellen, or if any of them shall happen to die before he or she shall arrive at a lawful age I bequeath the share amongst all the survivors equally. My son William is lately bond an apprentice my wife shall find and provide for him and make good my agreement with the master according to the Indenture. I nominate and appoint James Aspinall of Upholland weaver and my dear wife Exec, put my hand and seal 22 Sep 1713 signed William Mort"

Note Added in latin dated 14 May 1714 James Aspinall and Eliz Mort exec (probably probate)

"In the name of God Amen I Richard Mort of Peele in the county of Lancaster, Gentleman being in good health of body and sound and perfect memory do make this my last will and testament. I do hereby give devise and bequeath unto my dearly and well beloved wife Katherine Mort her heirs and assifns for ever my messuage lands and tenement standing lying and being in Little Hulton commonly called or known by the name of Peele alias Whicheves and all that other messuage or tenement called Tynebank and all other my messuages, millo fillo lands tenements commons common of pasture and turbary lying and being in Worsley and Tildesley or within Parish of Deane, Leigh and Eccles or any of them or elsewhere in the said county of Lancaster, after my just debts and funeral expenses first paid and my late fathers Will be performed, then I bequeath unto my brother Adam Mort the sum of twohundred pounds and appoint my said loving wife Katherine Mort the sole executor. I have put my hand and seal this twentieth day of August 1697".

Note added to the will states: Probate 2 Nov 1723 Catherine Mort sole executrix.

"In the name of God Amen I Robert Mort of Middle Hulton, tanner being of sound and disposing mind and memory and understanding do make publish and declare this my last will and testament in manner and form following viz I give and bequeath unto my son Thomas Mort ye summe of forty five pounds, the same to be in full satisfaction of all his claims Tytles and demands whatever out of any my lands tenements and hereditments or other estates. Unto Margaret my loving wife the annual or yearly sume of four pounds during the term of her natural life. That my said loving wife Margaret shall have the little house in the fould where I now dwell in Middle Hulton for a dwelling place during her chaste widdowhood. Unto my son John Mort all the lands, tenements, personnel effects and remains of whole estate. I do hereby nominate and appoint my said son John Mort and Thomas Mather of Middle Hulton to be executors of this my last will and testament dated 20 Aug 1728".

"In the name of God Amen I Elizabeth Mort of Swinton with Worsley widdow being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory and understanding this is my last will and testament. My executors hereafter named shall let and let the messuage and tenement for the best tearly value of rent until my son John attain the full age of twenty one years and as soon as conveniently may be after my decease shall all my household goods and personalities and I will that the money arising by such sale be put forth at interest by my exors until my daughter Elizabeth shall atain to her full age of twenty one. And I will that my late husband John Mort his will be formed and paid according to his content and true meaning. I appoint my loving friends John Yates the elder and John Yates the younger of Swintin Gentleman executors of this my last will and testament set my hand and seal". Her mark Jan 23, 1729

Probate Manchester 1731

"In the name of God Amen, I Adam Mort of Atherton, Gent being sick and weak in body but of sound mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manor following. Six hundred and ifty pounds charged under to be paid for the purpose upon my messuage or land in Atherton called Owler Fould. Unto my brother John Mort all my said messuage of land in Atherton called Owler Fould and my tenement in Atherton called Mr Woods Tenement with all my Tythes. Unto my daughter Mary Mort all my other land tenement hereditaments and emoluments, certain articles made and executed between my honoured father Nathan Mort and my self. Twenty pounds to be paid unto my loving wife Martha Mort yearly. If my said daughter Mary depart this life before she attains the age of twenty years leaving no issue then the other lands unto my brother John Mort. Two hundred pounds unto my loving wife Martha Mort and four hundred pounds unto my sister Hannah Rigby of Atherton widdow. To John Astley of Atherton the sum of ten pounds, to James Astley of Liverpool the sum of ten pounds, to Ann Astley their sister seven pounds, and Henry and Thomas Astley the younger brothers the sum of fifteen pounds. I appoint my said brother John Mort and my said loving wife Martha Mort to be executors of this my last will and testament made this ninth day of August 1730". signed Adam Mort.

Long inventory in great detail made thirtyfirst day of August 1730 of Adam Mort late of Adam, includes goods in the Hall, Items in the Garrets, Item Goods in Edwards Chamber, Items in the Parlour, near Kitchen, other Kitchen, Buttry, Little Parlour, Cellar, Room over the Hall, over the House, over the Parlour.