Early Simpson Wills

Caverley Parish, Yorkshire

My Wife's UK and Irish family
Simpson Family of Idle
John Hainsworth Simpson, 1873-1964

Exchequer and Prerogative Court of the Archbishop of York, 1688 - 1858, (PCY) - Pre 1858 Wills and Administrations have been an important tool to determine or confirm the children of people in the Simpson family. Because they had land and some wealth, they needed to provide a will and these have been administered (probated) at the PCY. This information was gathered by using the films of the original hand written PCY index books through the Church of Latter Day Saints (99445-99453). Once a will of interest was found in the index book, then the film for the appropriate copybook volume was obtained and read. There were other smaller courts in and around York where wills may have been probated. See the subscription site at Origins.net for information on these pre 1858 probate jurisdictions. It is possible that this Simpson family may have owned land south of Yorkshire and that a will may be found administered by the Prerogative Court of Canterbury (PCC). See this search feature at the National Archives web site.

Use these links to see each will below.

17 Aug 1661: William Simson of Idle
16 Oct 1700: John and Ann Simpson
5 Jan 1747 : William Simpson (1691-1747) - son of William Simpson and Deborah Collier.
3 Jan 1771 : James Simpson - ?
17 Feb 1776: Ann [Gill] Simpson, married Wm Simpson, son of Wm Simpson & Deborah Collier.
6 Dec 1802: John Simpson (1735-1802) - son of John Simpson and Mary Booth.
Same will as above - but a full transcription.
21 Jun 1806: Joseph Simpson - ?
30 May 1808: James Simpson (1764-1808) - unmarried, son of John Simpson (1735-1802).
20 Dec 1819: Thomas Simpson (1749-1821) - unmarried, probable son of John Simpson and Mary Booth.
7 Feb 1824: William Simpson - We have been unable to place this William Simpson and have presented our best case under his will below.
21 Jul 1841: Thomas Simpson - son of John Simpson (1735-1802), m. Elizabeth Hobson, no children
Wills to look up

** We have been unable to place this William Simpson. A possibility is this burial of a William Simpson 15 Sep 1824 at Idle. Given that he is 21, this 1802 birth record with mother Hannah and father John seems a strong possibility.

17 Aug 1661 - The Will of William Simson of Idle, Yeoman, it was made 17 Aug 1661
William the testator, eldest son was to have his Lands in Carlton in Guisley [sic] Parish for 70 years of life after that his lawful heirs to have them, with this rent charge, that Richard and John Simson, Mary his wife, to have her thirds.
Richard & John £10 each, out of personal estate. Wm Ambler, his son in law 20s, Mary his wife 12d, John, son of John S, 20s. Mary & Jane, dau’s of John S 12 d. Wm S, One stand-bed, one feather bed, one matt, One payre of sheet, one coverlet, One Great Chest, Rest to Mary his wife, sole executrix.
She is directed to remember in her Will, Geo Ambler, son of Wm A. Witness. John Sergeson, Ja Sagar
Note: These notes are not totally clear but they seem to state that in 1661, William Simson of Idle, is giving his lands in Guiseley to his eldest son [Richard] and the rent to be shared 3 ways between Richard, John and Mary, his wife. William Ambler, his son in law to receive money thus he married daughter Mary. Son John has a son John and dau's Mary and Jane. George Ambler is a grandson.
[Note: Son William Simpson died in 1665 so is not included in the will. The 'Wm. S.' who gets the bed, etc is probably his grandson, son of the deceased son William.]
Source: Notes made by JHS and transcribed as written, c. 1904. This will needs to be checked.
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16 Oct 1700, Wills of John and Ann Simpson
Adm[inistration] of John Simpson of Idle to William his son.
Adm[inistration] of Anne Simpson widow, of Idle to her son.
Source: Notes made by JHS and transcribed as written, c. 1904. This will needs to be checked.

5 Jan 1747, James Simpson

FHL	Date	Person	Heirs	Land & other
99713	5 Jan 1747	William Simpson	Ann, my wife	all profits, goods chattels
		Idle, Calverley	Deborah Simpson, my mother	?
Prerog Court	sealed	Clothier	James Simpson, Idle, nephew	£50
York	22 Oct 1748		John Greenwood, Idle, nephew	£20
			Jane Simpson, Idle, sister	£10
Wills Admin			Ann Thompson, dau of Richard Thompson, Gordon?	£10
Vol 92/3			Jeremy Haley, son of Sarah Haley, my sister	£10
			Ann, wife of James Waterhouse, brother in law	£5
			Susan, wife of Joseph Crosley, Idle, my brother in law	£5
		Witnesses	Mary Mawson
			Sarah Illingworth
			Ric Waimman??

3 Jan 1771, James Simpson

99732	3 Jan 1771	James Simpson	James Drufton or Duflow?, Idle, carpenter and	trustees and administrators my goods
		Idle, Calverley	John Berry, Idle, clothmaker	chattel and cattle, pay debts and expenses
Prerog Court	sealed	Clothmaker
York	11 Feb 1771		Mary Dawson, my mother	remaining part
			Joseph Wilkinson, servant	Use of my soase of the farm that I hold
Wills Admin				under John Histe? Esq.
Vol 115			Jeremiah Watson	£20
			Joshua Greenwood, servant	£20
			Wm Soury, slater, Idle	£20
			Jane, wife of John Ganot?, Pudsey, yeoman	£10
			Jeremiah Isaley?, Pudsey, yeoman	£10
			William Isaley, Norton, woolcomber	£10
			Ann, wife of James Waterhouse, Idle	£10
			James Dufton	£10
			Hannah Dufton, dau of said James Dufton	£10
			John Rawson, son of John Rawson, Idle	Silver cream boat
			John Berry	£5
			Joseph Wilkinson	residue, must live with his mother
		Executors	James Dufton, John Berry, Joseph Wilkinson
		Witnesses	John Brogden, Ann Hardaker

17 Feb 1776, Ann Simpson

99742	17 Feb 1776	Ann Simpson	my last husband, William Simpson	Pay his charges
		Idle, Calverley	William Gill, son of my brother John
Prerog Court		Widow	? Myers, dau of William Myers, Idle (hard to read)	£10
York	seal		Mary Myers, aforesaid widow (hard to read)
	Feb 1781
Wills Admin		Witness	John Waugh
Vol 125			Joseph Booth

6 Dec 1802, John Simpson

99764	6 Dec 1802	John Simpson
		Idle, Calverley	James Booth & Thomas Booth, both of Idle,	All messuages, dwellings, barns
pg 93	sealed	Clothmaker	they to sell all upon his decease at public auction and	in Idle known as Dunkhill now in
	22 Jan 1803		after taking their expenses dispose in equal shares to:	tenure Hannah Rawson, widow,
Prerog Court				& closes & grounds called Back
York			Sons James, John, Francis, Thomas Simpson	of the House Close, Rough
			Daughter Hannah, wife of William Brooksbank	Close and pasture. Also Song Close
Wills Admin			Daughter Judith, wife of Jeremiah Booth	under my occupation.
Vol 147			(Thomas hasn't reached age of 21)

		Executors	James and Thomas Booth.
		Witnesses	Greenw'd Bentley (may one or two people - not clear)
			William Rycroft
			James Illingworth

6 Dec 1802, John Simpson
WILL
This is the last Will and Testament of me, John Simpson, of Idle in the parish of Calverley and County of York, Clothmaker. I give and devise unto James Booth and Thomas Booth, both of Idle aforesaid, gentlemen, All that Mefsuage or dwelling house with the barn, stable and other outbuildings, gardens and crofts thereunto belonging and adjoining, situate and being in the Township of Idle aforesaid called or known by the name of Dunkhill and now in the Tenure of Hannah Rawson, widow and diso? All those three several Closes or parcels of ground to the said Mefsuage likewise belonging called the Back of the House Close, the Rough Close and the pasture with their appurtenances and now also in the tenure of the said Hannah Rawson and also all that other Close or ground in Idle aforesaid called the Song Close now in my own occupation. Together with all and singular the Hereditaments Rights to Members and appurtenances the said premises belonging.

To Hold to these, the said James Booth and Thomas Booth and the survivor of them and the heirs of such survivor, Upon trust and to the intent and purpose that they, my said Trustees or the survivor of them or the heirs of such survivor, shall and do with all convenient speed after my decease sell, convey and disperse of the said Mefsuage, Barnstable & other Outbuildings, Gardens, Crofts several Closes or parcels of ground and premises with their appurtenances by the public Auction for the best price or prices that can or may be obtained for the same.

And upon further trust that they, my said Trustees or the survivor of them or the heirs, Executors or Administrators of such survivor, after deducting and retaining to themselves and each of them out of the said sale monies all such costs, charges and expenses as they or either of them shall sustain, expend or incur in the said sale and disposition of the premises together with a reasonable sum as an allowance for their and each of their trouble in the execution of the trusts hereby in them reposed, shall and do pay or apply and dispose of the remainder of such monies arising from such Sale unto and equally amongst my sons, James, John, Francis and Thomas Simpson and my daughter Hannah, the wife of William Brooksbank and Judith, the wife of Jeremiah Booth, their several Executors and Administrators.

But as to the sixth part or share of the said Sale Monies to which my said son Thomas may become intitled (sic) it is my Will and ??? and I do hereby direct that my said Trustees or the survivor of them or his heirs Executors or Administrators do and shall place and keep the same out, at interest, upon good security until my said son Thomas shall attain the age of twenty one years and pay or otherwise apply and dispose of the interest arising therefrom in the mean time as the same shall become due unto or for the use of my said son Thomas.

And I do hereby declare that the receipt or receipts of my said Trustees alone or the survivor or them or the heirs, Executors or Administrators of such Survivor shall be a sufficient release and discharge. Releases and discharges to the purchaser or purchasers of the said Mefsudge or Dwellinghouse, Barn, Stable, Outbuildings, Gardens, Crofts, several Closes or parcels of ground and premises for his, her, or their purchase money or purchase monies and such purchase or purchases thereof shall not afterwards be answerable or liable to see to the application thereof or accountable for the misapplication or non application thereof.

And I do hereby further declare that the said James Booth and Thomas Booth, their respective heirs, Executors and Administrators, shall not be answerable or accountable for or charged with more money than what they shall respectively actually receive under or by virtue of the trusts hereby in them reposed nor will or for any lofs that may happen to such trust monies unlefs the same shall happen by or through their willful neglect or default and also that it shall and may be lawful to and for the said James Booth and Thomas Booth and each of them by and out of the trust monies and premises which shall come to their hands to deduct and reimburse themselves all such costs, charges and expenses as they shall or may respectively pay, bear, sustain, expend or be put unto in or about the Execution of the trusts hereby in them reposed together with a reasonable sum as an allowance for their and each of their trouble in the Execution of the said trusts.

And I give and devise unto my said son Thomas and his afsigns for and during the term of his natural life, All that Cottage or dwellinghouse in Idle aforesaid wherein I now dwell with the stable and Garden thereunto belonging and adjoining and now by me occupied therewith. And from and immediately after the decease of my said son Thomas, I give and devise the said Cottage and Dwellinghouse, Stable and Garden unto such child or children of my son Thomas as will be living at the time of his decease if more than one to all such children, their several heirs and Afsigns for ever equally and share and share alike as tenants in Common. And if only one then to such any child his or her heirs and Afsigns for ever and in case my said son Thomas shall happen to die without leaving lawful ifsue, Then I give and devise the said Cottage, Stable and Garden unto and equally amongst any said sons James, John and Francis and my said daughters Hannah and Judith, their several heirs and afsigns forever as tenants in common.

And as to my personal estate, I dispose thereof as follows. I give and bequeath my calf and the Hay Stack standing in the said Close called the Song Close near to the Stable in my own occupation unto my Executors hereinafter named - Upon Trust that they or the survivor of them or his Executor or administrators do and shall with all convenient speed, sell and dispose of the same and divide the monies arising from such sale unto and equally amongst my said sons James, John and Francis and my daughters Hannah and Judith, their several Executors and Administrators.

And all the rest residue and remainder of my Goods, chattels, Cattle, Household furniture, Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever I give and bequeath unto any said son Thomas, his Executors and Administrators.

And I do hereby declare my mind and Will to be and it is my Wish that they, my said children, in consideration of the provision which I have hereinbefore made for them do and shall pay for And discharge all my just debts, funeral expenses and the charge of proving this my Will equally and share and share alike out of the personal Estate Monies and effects above by me respectively bequeathed to them. And I nominate, constitute and appoint the said James Booth and Thomas Booth, joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament and hereby revoke all former Wills by me made. In Witness hereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and two [6 Dec 1802] - John Simpson Signed (ink smudge) ??? shed and declared by the said John Simpson the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed (smudge) Witnesses thereto - Greenw'd Bentley, William Rycroft, James Illingworth - Passed Seal 22'd, January, 1803.
Source: Wills and administrations, 1389-1858, Church of England, Archbishop of York. Exchequer and Prerogative Courts (Main Author), Microfilm of original records in the Principal Probate Registry, Somerset House, Strand, London, v. 147, 1803 - FHL BRITISH Film [ 99764 ], page 941, transcribed by Randy Saylor, May 17, 2004.

21 June 1806, Joseph Simpson

99768	21 June 1806	Joseph Simpson	John Simpson, Pudsey, clothier and	Whole of personal estate as my
		Calverley Moor	John Clarkson, Farsley, clothier	executors and trustees
pg 9	past	Calverley		to dispose of as follows.
	21 Jan 1807	Clothier	Daughter Hannah Simpson, 10 yr old 23 April last	Whole of estate - conditions
Prerog Court			Brother and executor, John Simpson, Pudsey	2/3 if Hannah dies before 21.
York			Brother Jonathan Simpson, Twp Calverley	1/3 if Hannah dies before 21.
			Molly Simpson, niece, dau of brother John aforesaid.
Wills Admin			John Simpson, nephew, son of brother John aforesaid.
Vol 151
		Witnesses	Willm Stowe
			John Gaunt
			John Simpson
			John Clarkson

30 May 1808, James Simpson

99769	30 May 1808	James Simpson	Uncle William Simpson	all money & personal estate
		Idle		and he shall pay as follows:
pg 304/5	past	Claverley	Sister Hannah, wife of William Brookbank, Idle	£20
	4 Oct 1808	Clothier	Brother Francis Simpson	£20
Prerog Court			Brother Thomas Simpson	Larger silver watch
York			Brother Francis Simpson	Other silver watch.
			William Brookbank, brother in law, aforesaid	Clothes
Wills Admin		Sole Executor	William Simpson, aforesaid
Vol 152		Witnesses	Jonas Smith
			James Gill

99785	20 Dec 1819	Thomas Simpson	James Brashaw, nephew, Idle, Malster	Administer the will as Trustee,
		Idle		settle debts, funeral expenses
	passed	Calverley	William Brashaw, Idle, clothier	£300
	30 Apr 1821	Yeoman	Niece, Elizabeth the wife of John Illingworth	£100
Prerog Court			of Huddersfield, pattern maker
York			Nephew Thomas Simpson	£50
			Hannah, widow of my late nephew Thomas Brashaw	£100
Wills Admin			Brother in law James Brashaw and sister Martha, wife	£20 yearly during his/her natural life.
Vol 166			of the said James Brashaw
			Nephew James Brashaw	Cottages houses situate at Mabgate in
				Leeds and "my stand in the piece
				Hall at Bradford" and the residue of
				the estate.
			Nephew James Brashaw	sole executor

7 Feb 1824, William Simpson

99790	7 Feb 1824	William Simpson	Hannah Illingworth, my dear mother	Whole of personal and Freehold estate,
Prerog Court		Idle	situate within the Township of Idle
York	passed	Calverley	Christopher Dibb?, Idle, grocer	sole executor
	10 Nov 1824	Woolcomber
Wills Admin			Witness: Joseph Whitefield, Christpher Dibb?
Vol 170

We have been unable to place this William Simpson. A possibility is this burial of a William Simpson 15 Sep 1824 at Idle Particular Baptist Chapel. Given that he is 21, this 1803 birth and baptism record seems a strong possibility. William was baptised on 27 Mar 1803 at Idle Upper Chapel Independent Church, along with as his older sister Martha (born 11 Jan 1800). On this entry, William's mother's name is given as 'Hannah' which cross-references with the details on his will, where he leaves "Hannah Illingworth, my dear mother" the whole of his personal and freehold estate in Idle.

Jane Macdonald suggests two possible candidates for the marriage (no suitable John's on the Calverley Baptism lists by JHS.)

29 Jun 1797, John Simpson, of this parish, & Hannah Yewdall, of Bradford parish.
22 Jul 1799, Jonathan Simpson Clothier Calverley, & Hannah Hurst by licence?

Neither of the above are from Idle and we would have to imagine that the husband John died and Hannah remarried to an Illingworth. There is an 1808 marriage between John Illingworth, widower and Ann Simpson, widow, Calverley Parish [Idle not stated]. The fact that William names his mother as "Hannah Illingworth" does suggest that she had remarried, otherwise he would most likely have named his mother Hannah Simpson.

21 July 1841, Thomas Simpson

99826	21 July 1841	Thomas Simpson	wife Elizabeth Simpson	Residue after paying debts
Prerog Court		Idle	Witnessed: Dawson Rycroft, solicitor, Bradford	No children, family named.
York	passed	Calverley	Benjamin Supton, woolcomber, Idle
Wills Admin	Nov 1842	Beer Retailer
Vol 206

WILLS TO LOOK UP

17 Aug 1661 - The Will of William Simson of Idle, Yeoman, it was made 17 Aug 1661
16 Oct 1700, Wills of John and Ann Simpson
Wm Prob 24 Oct 1816 (as per JHS notes) for Wm born 1740.
There is a will for Mary Simpson, formerly Lightfoot, died Nov 1823, pg Vol 168, #683