LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT OF JAMES FIELDEN

OF SQUARE IN WALSDEN

(1768-1828)

Weaver

This is the last will and testament of JAMES FIELDEN of Square in Walsden in the Township of Todmorden and Walsden in the County of Lancaster, weaver, as followeth.

That is to say, First it is my mind and will that all my just debts, funeral expenses, the charge of this my will in Probate and all other my other expenses, necessary charges and expenses as well and reasonable wages be all fully paid and satisfied and discharged.

I do bequeath and give unto JOHN my son one cottage house situated at Square in Walsden.

I do give and bequeath unto JONNEY my son one cottage house at Square in Walsden.

I do give and bequeath unto SAMUEL my son one cottage house at Square in Walsden.

I do bequeath and give unto ABRAHAM my son one cottage house at Square in Walsden.

I do bequeath and give unto BETTY my daughter, wife of SAMUEL LAW, one cottage house at Square in Walsden.

I do give and bequeath unto my son JAMES one cottage house at Square, the house that I now live in, also ten pounds of lawful money to pay school wages and other necessary things. And that said ten pounds to be paid by my executors by instalments as they think proper until he be at the age of 14 years of age.

I do bequeath and give unto my daughter MALLY, wife of OGDEN MITCHELL, to have her share paid unto her in current money of England as she has no house left unto her. It is my mind and will for her to have share and share alike with the other children.

I do bequeath and give unto SARAH my wife her third of all the houses, and if sick, lame or blind, or anything that she cannot work, it is my will and mind that she shall receive four shillings weekly and ever so long as she is not able to work, and also the bed that we usually lie in, and if she happen to marry again then she is to be quit from the four shillings in the week and her bed.

And further it is my mind that after my death for my wife and children to have the house they now live in one year without paying any rent, and after one year is expired, if they can agree, it is my mind for them to have the household goods as they now stand in the house. And if they cannot agree, then my executors may either sell them or divide the said household goods among my children share and share alike.

And it is my will and mind that all the said cottages before mentioned is to be valued by some disinterested person or persons which the said houses stand upon is freehold land, and when the said houses has taken a valuation that I order my executors to call all my debts and effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature and kind soever they be, and if it happen any of my children die before they be twenty years of age and have no child or children, then the children which is living is to have share and share alike if any happen to die.

And lastly, I order my executors to divide all my estate and effects to all my children share and share alike as near as they can.

I do nominate, constitute and appoint jointly to be my executors of this my will JOHN FIELDEN at Square, my son, and SAMUEL FIELDEN Winterbutlee in Walsden, farmer.

In witness whereof I the said JAMES FIELDEN the testator do hereunto do put my hand and seal, the tenth day of October in the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Eight Hundred and Twenty Eight.

James Fielden, his mark

Witnesses:

Abraham Law, Square

William Rigg, Square

The twentieth day of April 1829

JOHN FIELDEN of Square in Walsden, cotton weaver, and SAMUEL FIELDEN of Winterbutlee, farmer, sworn in common form etc. etc.

The testator died the 23rd day of October 1828

Probate issued 20th April 1829

Value under £450

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