Summary:

Testator:                 Rowland Scales (1) of Thwaitehead in Colton, Lancashire, husbandman

Wife and executrix: Bridget Scales (2)

Sons and executors:      Rowland, John and William Scales (3)

Supervisors:            John Taylor (4) of Roger Ridding and Reginald Strickland of Rusland

Signed:                   13 June 1717

Witnesses:              Robert Scales, William Taylor and Reginald Strickland

Bond:                     dated 27 Nov 1717

Bondsmen:             Bridget Scales, Rowland Scales and John Taylor

Probate:                 granted 27 Nov 1717 to Reg. Strickland by John Benson, Surrogate

Notes:

1. Testator was the son of Rowland Scale of Roger Ridding who died in 1682; his mother’s name is unknown; he had a brother John Scale, whose will was proved in 1702;

2. Testator’s wife was Bridget Greenup, but nothing is known of her provenance;

3. Testator’s sons were also named in the will of their uncle John Scale (1702);

4. John Taylor of Roger Ridding was John Scales’s grandson, son of his daughter Agnes by William Taylor of Colton.

Source:

LDS Family History Library, British Film 0098583

Text:

In the name of God, Amen.  The thirteenth day of June Anno Domini 1717, I, Rowland Scales of Thwaitehead in the parish of Colton and in the county of Lancaster, husbandman, sick in body but of perfect mind and memory, praised be Almighty God for the same, do make and declare this to be my last will and testament in manner following

First, I give my soul to God that gave it me, hoping through the merits of Christ’s death to have full pardon of all my sins and my body I commit to the earth to be decently buried at the discretion of my executors hereafter mentioned

And for my personal estate I dispose of the same as followeth

Imprimis, it is my will and full mind and I do give all my household goods at Thwaitehead with three bushels of oatmeal to Bridget Scales, my wife, and to her thirds and assigns forever

Item. I give to my son William Scales the gray mare he now hath and it is further my will that my debts shall be paid out of the sale money, and the funeral expenses, and further it is my will that my executors hereafter mentioned shall have the remainder of the sale money equally amongst them

Item, I make my loving wife Bridget Scales and my three sons, Rowland and John and William Scales, joint executors of this my last will, they paying all my just debts and funeral expenses as above mentioned

Supervisors hereof I desire and appoint John Taylor of Roger Ridding and Reginald Strickland of Rusland, desiring them to see this my will performed and my executors to content them for their pains

In witness hereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal the day and year first above written // Rowland Scales //

Signed, sealed, published and declared in the sight and presence of us // Robert Scales // William Taylor // Reginald Strickland //

Bond:

The first part of the bond is in Latin.  It binds Bridget Scales of Colton, Lancashire, widow, Rowland Scales and John Taylor of the same in the amount of £???.  It is dated 27 September 1717.

The second part of the bond is in English as follows:

The condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden Bridget and Rowland Scales shall and do well and truly execute and perform the last will and testament of Rowland Scales of the parish of Colton, deceased, and do pay all his debts and legacies so far as his goods will extend and law shall bind them; if also they do exhibit into court a true and perfect inventory of the deceased’s goods and personal estate, and give the court a true and just account thereof when they shall be thereunto called, that then this obligation to be void, or else in force.  // Bridget Scales, her mark // Rowland Scales // John Taylor //

Sealed and delivered in the presence of us // Marma. Lambert //