This is the last will and testament of me John Mort of Wigan duly published fourth day of March seventeen hundred and eighty. Firstly, I devise and bequeath to my nephews Thomas Ranson and Henry Ranson and my neice Elizabeth Ranson, sons and daughter of James Ranson of Wigan, Plumber and Glazier the goods and furniture in the Parlour where I now live, together with my wearing apparell and books equally amongst them, and unto Mary the wife of William Wood of Wigan, labourer the sum of fifty pounds. I also give unto Edward Fairbrother a soldier in his present Majestys service the sum of fifty pounds. I nominate nephews Thomas and Henry Ranson, executors, signed John Mort. Sworn in common form 7 Apr 1780 above £300

Probate May 25, 1780

I John Mort of Middle Hulton, in the parish of Deane, yeoman, this thirteenth day of March one thousand seven hundred and eighty four. First I give and bequeath to my eldest son Robert this my estate which I now live upon, as to my son John I give him one shilling, and to my son James one shilling. I give and bequeath to my three daughters Ann, Shannah and Margaret equally among them, share and share alike. I do hereby nominate my son Robert Mort, Peter Bradshaw anf Thomas Hatton my executors. Notes added to the will state: Ex and Adm to Robert Mort and Peter Bradshaw two of the exors. Thos Hatton the other renounced.

This is the last will and testament of me James Mort of Tyldesley with Shakerley in the parish of Leigh. I give to my sons William and James Mort either one pair of Good looms with all the geers and impliments of work. I give to my daughter Mary Mort one spinning engine or Great Wheel. I give unto Jenny Mort my now loving wife all the rest and residue of my personal estate provided she remains in her pure widdowhood, and the place wheron I now live, but if she should so happen that my aforesaid wife be married to any other person then my will and mind is that Jenny my wife aforesaid resign up unto my executors all the aforesaid personal and real estate. At my wife death or marriage which shall happen first that all my personal estate before mentioned and bequeathed to my wife shall be equally divided amongst my sons and daughters share and share alike or their lawful heirs, Ralph, William and James Mort, Margaret Grundy, Mary Mort and Ann Taylor. I also bequeath to my son Ralph Mort at my wifes death or marriage the full sum of eighty pounds, and that if my son Ralph Mort refuse or die that my son William shall have the option. I give choice to the same to my son James. >And whereas James Taylor my son in law is indebted to me by note the sum of ten pounds, to be deducted out of my daughter Ann share. I appoint Ralph Mort and William Mort my sons and Nathaniel Grundy my son in law executors dated May 7, 1774

Notes added to the will state: Proved Jan 25, 1785 by William Mort and Nathaniel Grundy surviving exors, Ralph the other being dead.

As in the presence and fear of Almighty God I John Mort of Atherton in the County of Lancaster, Chapman, do make this my last will and testament. I would have the estate God has entrusted me with dispose of in the following manner. I order all my just debts, funeral expenses, probate of this my last will to be paid out of my personal estate. I give and devise my freehold estates of Messuage and lands called Alderfold, where I now live, with all the rents from all those parcels of lands which I have to several persons, which were taken from land of the same Alderfold Estates and messuage which was conveyed to me by William Chorlton, now inhabited by Roger Eckersley, being formerley taken out of this same Alderfold Estate, also those eight cottages or dwelling houses called Pendleburys, now leased to John Sidlow being part of Alderfold Estate. I give and devise them, with all my right, tittle and interest to Peter Valentine my Friend and assistant and to his heirs for ever, nevertheless devise the same estates on this condition and subject to the charge od twelve hundred pounds which shall be accounted as part of my personal estate. I give and devise my Freehold Tenement and messuage called Ringley Fold held by lease of the Earle of Derby to my nephew John Rigby of Manchester. I give my tenement in Atherton called Gibfold held by lease of Robert Atherton Esq to the Rev'd Samuel Mercer. I bequeath the following legacies to be paid fifteen months after my decease to my Grand neices Sarah Parry and Elizabeth Bunny each three hundred pounds. To my neice Mabel six hundred pounds. I give to the Rev'd Samuel Mercer and to my cousin James Astley each twenty pounds, Also Ellen Hodkinson ten pounds. All the residue of my estate I leave to the aforementioned Peter Valentine whom I nominate and appoint to be executor. Signed Twenty second day of March in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty six. Witness Alex Gordon, Thomas Sale and William Slater. Value of the effects £1000. Will proved 7 Nov 1788

Know all men that we Margaret Mort of Bedford in the parish of Leigh, County of Lancaster and diocese of Chester, Widow and Ralph Battersby of Leigh, Cotton Manufacturer and Thomas Partington of Leigh, Victualler The condition of this obligation is such that the above Margaret Mort, widow and relict, Administrix of all goods, chattels and credits of John Mort late of Bedford, farmer, deceased Sealed in the presence of Daniel Birkett, Surrogate. The twentieth day of May, 1793, Margaret Mort within named took the oath of an administration in common form before me. Value of the effects under £300 3 Jun 1793 proved