Will of William Beardmore of Dimsdale, Wolstanton, 1856
William Beardmore (1784–1856), farmer, of Dimsdale in the parish of Wolstanton, son of William (1759–1824) and Mary, made his will on 12 July 1856 and died on 5 December 1856. It was proved at Stoke-on-Trent on 1 May 1857 by his son John and his unmarried daughters Elizabeth and Martha, the executors, and his personal estate was sworn at under £1,500. The will names six children, not four: besides John, Elizabeth, Martha and Kitty, there were daughters Mary and Emma.
Source: Original will, Lichfield diocesan probate records, held by Staffordshire Archives. Image on Findmypast, “Staffordshire, Dioceses of Lichfield and Coventry Wills and Probate 1521–1860”, film 007620708, images 546–550. The images are © Staffordshire County Council and are not reproduced here.
Abstract, with the main clauses transcribed
“This is the last Will and Testament of me William Beardmore of Dimsdale in the parish of Wolstanton in the County of Stafford Farmer. I direct all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expenses to be fully paid as soon as may be after my decease. I devise and bequeath all my real and personal Estate whatsoever and wheresoever unto my Son John Beardmore and my Daughters Elizabeth and Martha Beardmore their heirs executors administrators and assigns Upon the trusts hereinafter declared … Upon trust to carry on my Farming business …”
The trustees are to pay the income “during the lifetime of my dear Wife Mary Beardmore … unto and equally between and amongst my said Wife and my said three children the said John Beardmore Elizabeth Beardmore and Martha Beardmore … share and share alike.”
“And upon and immediately after the decease of my said Wife Upon trust to pay out of my said real and personal Estate the following Legacies namely the sum of Seventy pounds to my Daughter Kitty the Wife of William Mason the sum of One hundred pounds to my Daughter Mary and the sum of One hundred pounds to my Daughter Emma such legacies to become vested interests in them respectively at my decease.” Subject to these, John, Elizabeth and Martha are to carry on the farm and share the income equally.
If Elizabeth or Martha marries, dies or retires from the business, she (or her executors) is to be paid out of the estate — £100 to Elizabeth, £150 to Martha — and her share of the income passes to John; when both have gone, the estate “shall … go and belong” to “my said Son John Beardmore his heirs executors administrators and assigns”. [The remaining clauses, on valuing the farm stock, trust estates and the trustees’ liability, are formal.]
“I appoint my said Son John Beardmore and my said Daughters Elizabeth and Martha Beardmore Executor and Executrixes of this my will … In Witness whereof I the said Testator William Beardmore have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand this twelfth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty six. — William Beardmore.” Witnesses: [—] Knight, solicitor, Newcastle, Staffs.; J. A. Bladon, his clerk.
Probate
“At Stoke on Trent, 1st May 1857. Let probate of this will be granted to John Beardmore, Elizabeth Beardmore Spinster and Martha Beardmore Spinster, the Executors, they being duly sworn as also that the personal estate will not amount in value to £1500. Before me, E. C. Law, Surrogate.”