"In the name of God Amen I Catherine Mort of Peele otherwise Wicheeves within Little Hulton, widow do make this my last will and testement. I commend my soul to Almighty God and my will is that my body be decently interred at the Parish Church of Manchester in the ancient burying place of Sir Oswald Mosley at the discretion of my executors. I give and devise all that capital messuage or dwelling house commonly called Peele Hall otherwise Whicheves where I now live and the demesn and demesn lands and other lands therto belonging. And also all other messuages lands tenements coal mines and heridments whatesoever with all appurtenances situate lying and being in Little Hulton aforesaid Tildesley with Shakerly and Worsley or elsewhere in the said county whereof or wherein I have any estate of Inheritance together with any seats in the Gallery of the Parish Church of Dean unto Joseph Yates of Manchester Esq and the Reverand James Rothwell clerk Vicar of Deane to permit and suffer my nephew John Fletcher of the city of Dublin in the Kingdom of Ireland Esq and his assigns to have hold use occupy possess and enjoy the said capital messuage or dwelling house and the Demesn and Demesn lands thereto belonging, and also all other messuages, lands, tenements and Hereditments seats in the said church wherein I have my estate of inheritance in possession ( The Coal Mines within the said premises only excepted) during the term of his natural life. The said John Fletcher and his assigns from time to time and at all times during the said term maintaining upholding and keeping all the edifices houses Buildings Gates stiles Fences and premises in good and substantial repair. And I do hereby reserve unto my executors and trustees herein named during the continuence of the estate and interest hereby devised to the said John Fletcher all the Coal Mines in the premises and all manner of priviledges and Roads convenient for sinking pits, getting banking laying selling and carrying away the same to the uses herein expressed without allowing any damages. Nevertheless the said John Fletcher and his assigns shall have and hold the premises during his life upon the express condition do and shall dwell and chiefly reside at Peele Hall during his life. But if the said John Fletcher shall not think fit to come and dwell at Peele Hall for himself and his family then the Gift of the said Capital Messuage and premises herein before mentioned shall cease and be utterley void. But in case of his refusal to live there then immediately after my death upon trust that all the said Capital Messuage and lands Coal Mines seats in the said church shall remain and be to and for the use and behalf of the said Joseph Yates and upon his death for the use of Joseph Yates son of the said Joseph Yates and heirs of his body lawfully begotten And for default of such issue to and for the use and behalf of Edward Mossley son of Sir Edward Mosley of Ancoats. I give unto Catherine daughter of my nephew Nicholas Mosley of Manchester, Woollen Draper deceased the sum of three hundred pounds, and all the other children of the said Nicholas Mosley the sum of three hundred pounds to be equally divided amongst them, share and share alike. Also I give unto the said Sir Oswald Mosley the sum of one hundred pounds and all the money due or payable unto me by virtue of three bonds bearing date on or about the 20th Jan 1671 of which bonds was given by my brother Oswald Mosley Esq to John Lever Esq, another was given to my sister Ann Mosley, spinster and a third to my sister Elizabeth Mosley, spinster. Also I give unto Ann daughter of my nephew Nicholas Mosley late of London deceased the sum of one hundred pounds. Also I give unto Thomas Sutton of Damhouse Esq the sum of three hundred pounds provided he do seal and execute a good and sufficient release of all estate right tithe interest and claim shall have or pretend to haveout of the said messuage, lands now belonging to me, set my hand and seal the first day of November 1734"

Note added states that Joseph Yates and James Rothwell sworn in common form May 2, 1735

By indenture between testator, Thos Sutton gentleman, Robert Booth Esq and George Kenyon Esq on certain property in trust.. cousins Thomas, Richard, and John Mort sons of George Mort cousins Margaret Allen, Dorothy Hankshaw, Thomas Heskain cousins Robert and Alexander Law cousin Nathan Mort cousin Ann Andrews, sister of said cousin Nathan cousin Mary Frogate cousin Thomas Mawdesley of Heskin cousin Alexander Mawdesley of Wigan cousin the Rev Thomas Mawdesley, curate of Astley Mrs Catherine King daughter of my late cousin Seth Mort the Rev'd George Ward, servant Wm Heyes, my sister Sutton to John Markland of Wigan, gent and Nathan Sutton of Leek Co Stafford, money upon trust cousin Ann Dewhurst wife of John Dewhurst cousin Juliane Halliwell wife of Halliwell to said cousin Thomas Sutton now living with me at Damhouse all my books etc Sole Exec cousin Thos Sutton dated 16 Nov 1732

Note: a codicil dated May 21, 1733 mentions in addition cousin Sarah Mawdesley, cousin Elizabeth Mawdesley, friend Ralph Banks of Salford, and for the minister of Astley Chapel house proved Jul 29, 1736

"In the name of God Amen the twentieth day of March in the year of our Lord God one thousand sevenhundred and eighteen, I Alexander Mort of Damhouse within Tyldesley, Gentleman being in perfect health of body and of sound and perfect mind and memory do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following. My body to be interred in decent and christian manner in the East End of Astley Chappel near my late wife Elizabeth Mort, and whereas I have a tenement in Pemberton which I hold under Mr Legh of Lyme for certain lives. It is my mind and will that my dear and loving wife shall have the same after her decease I give and bequeath unto my loving daughter Mary Mort, whereas I have a certain close in Wigan and whereas I have power to charge my estates in Bedford, and the books. I do make my cozen John Markland of Wigan and my nephew Thomas Wright my executors". Signed by Alexander Mort

Hand written note on the back of the Will: On the thirteenth day of January in the year 1737 appeared Thomas Sutton Esq Administrator within the Will annexed of Alexander Mort, Gentleman and took the oath of an Administrator in common form ( John Markland and Thomas Wright executors named therein renouncing in writing and Mary Sutton otherwise Mort Relict of the said Alexander Mort renouncing in person ) before me Adam Bancks, Surrogate

Another handwritten note: In chancery Wigan Oct 12, 1737 Between Lamberton Astley Esq and Margaret Maudesley, widow Thomas Sutton, Mary his wife.

Amongst the Will is a separate document: Know all men by these present that John Markland of Wigan and Thomas Wright of Cronton, Gentleman executors of the last will and testament of Alexander Mort late of Damhouse within Tyldesley, Gentlemen deceased hath renounced released relinquished and quitclaimed all our right by the authority and power to the executors of the personal estate of the said Alexander Mort and agree that letters of Administration be granted unto Thomas Sutton of Damhouse Esq who is one of the next of Kin to the said Alexander Mort dated Jan 2, 1737 witnessed signature of James Parr and signed by John Markland and Thomas Wright.

"I Henry Mort of Wigan, Innholder do make my last will and testament in manner following whereas Gerrard Ford, late of Wigan, innholder, my stepfather in and by his last will and testament amongst other things therein contained did charge all his lands and real estates with the payment of such as his personall estate should fall short to pay and satisfy. And whereas the personall estate of the said Gerrard Ford did fall much short in paying his debts, insomuch that Elizabeth Ford my mother did actually and bona fida pay to several persons in discharge of the debts of her husband by her last will and testament dated 23 Dec 1726. Therefore I do hereby give and bequeath the same unto Adam Bancks of Wigan, Gentleman. After the discharge and pay thereof unto my three daughters Elizabeth, Ellen and Jane, share and share alike". dated 3 Feb 1742

"I Henry Mort of Liverpool in the county of Lancaster, Skinner do make ordain and publish this my last will and testament in manner and form following. And first as to my stock in trade, book debts, credits and personnal estate whatsoever except such part as I shall otherwise by this my last will specifically dispose of. I give bequeath the same to my son George subject and chargeable with all my just debts funeral expenses and legacies. I give to my son John fifty pounds within six months next after my decease but if he dyes before that time I will that one third part of that legacy lapse into my persnal estate, one third to my daughter Ann and one third to my daughter Dorothy. I give and devise to my said son John for his natural life and after his decease to the issue of his body lawful all my messuage lands and tenements and hereditments in Huyton in the said County, except a parcel of land late Ellen Howards containing about three acres of land I give to my daughter Ann for her natural life a small messuage or dwelling house adjoining to where I now live in Liverpool. I give and bequeath to my nephew George Mort ten pounds. I appoint my said son George and my daughters Ann and Dorothy Executors. Set my hand and seal Jul 10". 1744 signed Henry Mort

Note added to the will states that on May 2, 1745 appeared personnally George, Ann and Dorothy Mort sworn