ROBERT
LAW OF RAMSDEN WOOD, WALSDEN
1774-1842
Cotton
Spinner and Manufacturer
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Robert's
story can be read HERE
This
is the last Will and Testament of me Robert Law of Ramsden Wood
in Walsden in the parish of Rochdale in the county of Lancaster,
Cotton Spinner and Manufacturer. Whereby I give and bequeath seven
eighths undivided equal parts (the whole into 8 equal parts to be
divided) of and in my share and interest in the cotton mill called
Ramsden Mill and ten several cottages situate near thereto, as the
same are now in the occupation of myself and brothers, and John
Schofield, Henry Sutcliffe, James Hurst, Samuel Newall, John Law,
James Eastwood, William Crabtree, Matthias Law, Samuel Law and Samuel
Craven. And
the machinery, steam engines, gearing apparatus, goods and chattels
in the said mill, and the stock in trade, and debts in and owing
to the Partnership, Business and Concern carried on by me and my
said brothers as Cotton Spinners and Manufacturers. And also all
those freehold cottages situate at Smales in Walsden aforesaid,
occupied by James Greenwood, William Butterworth, James Pickup and
John Woodhead. And also of the dwelling house in my own occupation
with the respective hereditaments and buildings, yards, gardens,
rights, privileges and appurtanances to the said several premises
belonging. And also of and in all my real and personal Whatsoever
and Whensoever unto and equally amongst my dear wife Betty, my sons
John and Robert and my daughters Sarah Priestley, Mally Marland,
Betty Hudson and Martha Fielden, their heirs, administrators and
assigns according to the nature and quality thereof, share and share
alike as tenants in common and not joint tenants.
And
it is my will and mind that my said children shall unite and shall
cooperate in carrying on the said business for which purpose I particularly
and earnestly recommend them to appoint two persons to manage and
attend to the concern on their behalf. But if it should be found
impracticable for my said children to unite in carrying on the said
business and if any one or more of them should be desirous of disposing
of his or her share and interest in all or any part of the hereditaments,
premises, estate and effects hereinbefore mentioned and bequeathed,
then I direct that he or she or they shall make the first offer
of the same to my other children or such of them as may be desirous
of purchasing. And if they cannot agree on the price or value of
the premises, the same shall be fixed and determined by two competent
persons, one to be chosen by each party or their umpire, but if
none of my said children shall be willing to purchase then the premises
may be sold to any other person or persons.
I
give devise and bequeath the remaining undivided eighth part or
share of and in all and singular the hereditaments, premises, estate
and effects herebefore mentioned unto my son John and son-in-law
John Marland, my son Robert and son-in-law Eli Hudson, their heirs
executors administrators and assignees according to the nature thereof
on Trust if they think fit to unite with my said wife and other
children in carrying on the said business so long as it may be found
practicable. And to receive the rents of such part thereof as may
not be required for that purpose or on Trust to let and receive
the rents of the whole of the said undivided eighth part of and
in the said premises and to sell and dispose of such last mentioned
share of such part thereof as shall not consist of buildings. And
on Trust to receive and pay the profits, rents and interest arising
from the said last mentioned share of my said hereditaments, premises
and effects unto my daughter Susan, the wife of John Dawson, during
her life for her own separate use, by two equal half yearly payments,
the first payment to be made in half a year from my decease, and
I direct that the same shall be free from the control, debts and
engagements of her said husband, that she shall not have power to
dispose of the same by way of anticipation. And that her receipts
notwithstanding her covature shall be effectual discharges to my
said Trustees.
And
I further direct that my said Trustees shall stand seized and ______of
the said last mentioned one eighth part of my said hereditaments,
premises and effects on Trust (notwithstanding anything hereinbefore
contained) in case my said children shall not be able to unite in
carrying on the said business, or in letting the said premises,
to sell and absolutely dispose of the same either altogether or
in parcels and by public auction or by private contract, and to
sign and execute all necessary contracts and conveyances thereof.
And
I direct that the receipts of my said Trustees or the survivors
or survivor of them shall be effectual discharges for the purchase
money thereof. And in further Trust to invest the monies arising
from such sale or sales on eligible mortgage security, and to receive
and pay the interest arising therefrom by two equal half yearly
payments as aforesaid to my said daughter Susan, subject to the
powers and restrictions above mentioned. And in the decease of my
said daughter Susan I give, devise and bequeath the said one eighth
part of the said premises and effects or the monies arising therefrom
as aforesaid to and amongst all her present or future children who
shall attain the age of twenty one or die under that age of twenty
one or die since that age leaving lawful issue in equal shares and
as tenants in common, and their respective heirs, executors, administrators
and assigns according to the nature thereof.
I
also direct that my sons and daughters may reimburse themselves
all costs and expenses they may incur in and about this the execution
of my will. And lastly I nominate and appoint my said sons John
and Robert and sons-in-law John Marland and Eli Hudson executors
of this my will and revoke all wills by me herebefore made. In witness
whereof I the said Robert Law the said Testator have hereunto set
my hand this twenty fifth day of January 1842.
Proved
on 28th. May 1842 in the presence of all 4 executors. The value
of the personal estate and effects were under the value of £4,000.
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