This is the last will and testament of me John Hodgson of Cleckheaton, machine maker and scribbling miller made this 25th November 1846. First I order and direct all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses to be paid by my executors hereinafter named.

    I give, devise and bequeath, all and singular all my real and personal estates whatsoever and wheresoever unto my friends Mr Joseph Johnson of Huddersfield, Yeoman, John Garside of Cleckheaton, grocer, and my son John Hodgson of Leeds, machine maker, their heirs and assigns according to the qualities and natures thereof. Upon trust to receive the rents and profits of all my estates and effects as and when the same shall become due and to pay thereout the annual interest of moneys secured by mortgage or otherwise on any parts of my estates, and also to pay all other my just debts. AND to set apart sufficient furniture for a small house for my dear wife Grace and to permit her the use of such furniture for her natural life. AND upon trust  to pay unto her my said wife, the surplus rents and proceeds of all my said estates and effects (after the payments thereout as above), for and during her natural life.

   But nevertheless I do hereby empower the trustees of this my last will, and the survivors of them and their administrators as soon as they shall think proper after my decease, to make sale of all my estates and effects either by public auction or private contract and in one or more lot or lots, for the best price or prices in money that can be obtained.

   AND out of such proceeds of such a sale to pay the expenses of this my will and my just debts, and upon trust to lay out and invest the surplus of such a sale or sales upon good real leasehold or Government securities and to pay and apply the rents, issues and other annual proceeds of such securities unto my said dear wife for her own use, for and during her natural life. AND upon trust from and immediately after the decease of my said dear wife to pay and divide all my estate and effects unto and equally between and amongst all my sons and daughters in equal shares.

  I do hereby revoke and make void all former wills by me at any time heretofore made. AND I do declare this to be my last will amd testament in witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand, the day and year first above written.

    Signed           John Hodgson

   Witnesses James Shepley and James Yates.

 Passed 9th February 1847 ( under £800)