Will of John Massey, late of Ollerton in the county of Chester, but now of Peover in the same county, Husbandman, being of sound mind, memory and understanding, do make this my last will and Testament in manner & form following, that is to say. In the first place I order and direct that all my just Debts and so much of my funeral expenses as may be and remain after the allowances from The George Club at Knutsford of which I am a member, shall be paid and discharged by my executors hereafter mentioned.

                  Secondly I give and bequeath to William Ward of Buxton in the county of Derbyshire, Hosteler, all my clothes and wearing apparel.

                  Thirdly to my nephew William Ward son of the above named William Ward, I leave my watch to be kept for him by my said executors and given to him when he shall arrives at the age of fourteen years, and in case he should die before that time I leave the same to my sister Ellen Ward to be disposed of as she shall see proper.

                   And I give and Bequeath all  the rest residue and remainder of my personal property of what kind or nature whatsoever, that I may be possessed of at that time of my decease, after payment of my just debts, funeral expenses and legacy’s before mentioned to Josiah Potts, Gentleman, and John Dale, Schoolmaster, both of Ollerton aforesaid. In trust to permit the same to remain upon the securities on which they now stand invested, or to call in and again place out the same at interest upon good real security, or in the public funds, and for the best interest that can be got for the same and that they  pay or cause to be paid the interest on dividends arising there from, so often as the same shall become due, and they may said Trustees shall have received the same to my Mother Hannah Massey of Peover aforesaid, Widow for and during the terms of her natural life, and after her death, I give and bequeath all my said personal property after the payments of  my debts funeral expenses  & legacies as aforesaid, with all interest that may remain due for the same at the time of  her decease, to my said sister Ellen Ward, wife of the aforesaid William Ward, during his natural life, and from and after  her decease, I give and bequeath the same to all and every child or children of my said sister Ellen Ward   their executors and administrators, share and share alike.

                  And I herby appoint the said Josiah Potts and John Dale executors of this my last will disclaiming any will or wills by me heretofore made and do herby publish and declare this to be my last will and testament Witness my hand and seal this eighteenth day of October 1801

Signed sealed and published and

declared to be the last will and testament

of the testator John Massey                                                              Signed    John Massey

  by us who at his desire and in his

 presence and in the presence of each

other do herby subscribe our names

 as witness to the same.

John Lawrence of Birmingham,  ---------Signed

James Taylor of Peover, Farmer,--------  Signed

Probate Granted -                                                        

The sixth day of August Josiah Potts and John Dale the executors within named were sworn in common form

Before me  Peter Wright,  Surrogate  6^th August 1802. Probate granted.

100+ 300-  

Notes:

Possibly baptised at Over Peover  in 15 August 1762, son of Matthew Massey & Hannah Bradbury.

Who married at Over Peover in 30 December  1760

  John Massey died 1 March 1802 buried at Over Peover.

Sister Ellen Massey married William Ward at Prestbury 19 July 1791