INFORMATION


The Porter families covered in this blog are focussed in the Parishes of Standish, Croston, Leyland in Lancashire and Slaidburn, Whitewell (Whalley) in the West Riding of Yorkshire, and environs. The families researched covered the period 1565 to 1800. More parishes will be added to the blog with information and names will be included in Porter Name Database (see link in right hand column) with sources.

Anyone wishing to contribute to this database please provide names and sources. Only sourced information will be added. Contact me at the email listed above.

The following is a list of families that are associated with the Porter Families of Lancashire, Yorkshire and Canada:

Booth, Baldwin, Brinand/Brennand, Catrowe, Device/Deves/Davie/Davies (Pendleton), Hill, Holgate, Kendal, Langton/Longton, Laycock, Lightbound/Lightbourn/Lighbourne/Lightbown/Lightbowne, Martin/MacMartin/Martinus, O'Neill/McNeill, Pomfret, Rhodes, Robinson, Sellers/Sellars, Steele, Waddington.

Master tree (Family ad Infinitum) which includes all families, is available by invitation. This tree contains over 10,000 entries, sources, photos, documents, etc. If you are related to any of these families and wish to have access, grateful you provide your connection and I will invite you to the tree.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

THOMAS PORTER (1597 - circa 1668) of Mawdesley, Lancashire, England
son of Henry Porter and Ann Nelson


It appears that Thomas was the only son of Henry Porter and Ann Nelson (a second primary source for Ann is still being sought).  It appears that Thomas never married or had children, which is supported by the choice of beneficiaries in his will.  He left his estate to the children of his sister, Elizabeth Porter Rose.




Transcription by:
Denise A Harman
UK based Genealogical Researcher & Record Agent (est. 1993).
Research speciality areas:  Northwest England,
including Lancashire, Cheshire & Cumbria.
Scottish & Irish ancestry also researched.

WCW/12/1/1668          Thomas Porter of Mawdesley, Croston, Yeoman

Will & Inventory (2)


(1)  Will
In the name of God Amen The Nyneteenth day of December in the yeare of o(ur) Lord God One Thousand Six hundred & Sixtie Eight.  I Thom(a)s Porter of Mawdesley in the Countie of Lanc(aster) yeoman being weake of Bodie, but of good & p(er)fect memory I give praise & thanks to Almightie for the same, And beeinge unmindfull to dye intestate doe ordaine this my last will and Testam(en)t wherein & whereby I doe expresse & declare my will & mind concernige the disposition of my Soule, my Body, my Reall & p(er)sonall Estate in manner & forme followinge, (That is to say) First and principally I doe recommend & bequeath my Soule & spirit into the mercifull proteccon of Almightie God my Maker & creator & in Jesus Christ, my most gracious and mercifull father who first inspired the same into my mortall Body hoping (by the merits of Christ his death & passion) to have free pardon & remission of all my Sinns.  Item my Bodie I doe recomend to the Earth from whence it came to bee intered (according to Christian buriall) at the Parish Church of Eccleston (neare Croston) in the usuall place of Buriall at the discretion of my friends.  Item I doe hereby revoke & make void all former wills Testam(en)ts Codicills & wills (…)cupative whatsoever heretofore by mee made or published.  And as conc(er)ninge my reall Estate I doe dispose of the same as followeth (to witt) all my Lands & tenem(en)ts scituate lyeinge and beeinge in Mawdesley aforesaid (whether in fee simply, or fee Taile) I doe give & bequeath to my Nephew Thom(a)s Rose of Bretherton, & his heires for Ever To have & to hould the same unto him the said Thom(a)s Rose and his heires for Ever.  Item I doe give devise Assigne and bequeath all that my mesuage houses Edifices Buildings Crofts yords orchards Gardins Priviledges & App(er)ten(a)cs whatsoever, & all my tythe & Estate there of or there unto w(hi)ch I hould by lease unto the said Thom(a)s Rose And his Assignes, And likewaise all my deeds (          ) my (        ) writings Leases Assignem(en)ts Surrenders & (        ) whatsoever touchinge and concerninge the saide Lands tenem(en)ts mesuage Crofts yords orchards & Gardins I give & bequeath to the said Thom(a)s Rose, It(em) I give devise bequeath and Assigne unto the said Thom(a)s Rose & his Assignes all the Estate title tearme & Interest w(hi)ch I have of and in one mesuage & small tenem(en)t in Wrightinton in the County of Lancast(er) called dwarihouse house & Tenem(en)t by force of A certaine Contract or Agreem(en)t heretofore made by and betweene Thurstan Heskin (late) of Wrightinton aforesaid gent (now deceased) & mee (the said) Thom(a)s Porter together w(i)th the said Contract.  Item as touchinge my p9er)sonall Estate I doe dispose of the same in manner as followeth (That is) First I doe will ordeine & appoint that my Buriall, all my funerall Expences, & penny – doale – to the poore shalbee first defray(e)d.  Item I doe give & bequeath unto the said Thom(a)s Rose one Beddstead, one great Chist & one Presse for Apparrell standinge in the Chamber at the higher End of the house, one Table in The house, one Cupboord in the Buttery; And one bigg Chist in the Chamber below to remaine as heire loomes to him & his heires from one generacon to another; It(em) I doe give & bequeath to my neece Margery the wife of Rob(er)t Martin Twentie pounds.  Item I doe give & bequeath to my neece Elizabeth the wife of Hugh Crosse Twentie pounds, And to their daughter Elizabeth Crosse Tenn pounds.  Item I doe give & bequeath to Elizabeth the wife of Rob(er)t Jackson beeinge my neece Tenn pounds.  And to their sonne Rob(er)t Jackson Tenn pounds.  Item wheras my father (in Law) Will(ia)m Wolell(?) of Walch=whittle oweth unto mee the sume of fortie pounds, I doe freely forgive unto him the one Twentie pounds thereof and I doe give bequeath & appoint the other twentie pounds (remainder of the said fortie pounds) to the poore inhabitants in Mawdesley to bee distributed and dealt amongst them at the discretion of my Executor hereafter named by fortie shillings A yere untill the said Twentie pounds and the Interest w(hi)ch shall (from yere to yere) become due for the remaininge parte of the said £20 shalbee wholly & clearly distributed & dealt in such manner as aforesaid, And the said yerely distribucon to bee made at two feasts in the yere (to witt) at Chrismas the summe of Twentie shillings, and at the feast of Easter 20s, the first paym(en)t to com(m)ence at whether of the said Feasts shall next & first ensue & come after my decease.  Item I doe give & bequeath to my Godson Thom(a)s Sollom five Shillings.  Item I doe give & bequeath to my Goddaughter Dorothy Finch five shillings.  Item I doe give & bequeath to my Godson James Finch Fortie shillings.  Item I doe give & bequeath to my Godson Will(ia)m Smith Fortie shillings.  Item I doe give & bequeath to my servant Thom(a)s Knowles three pounds.  Item I doe give & bequeath to my servant maid Margaret Armitrydinge fortie shillings.  Item I doe give & bequeath to Margery the wife of John Milner the long Chist w(hi)ch standeth in Thom(a)s Chamber, Item I doe give & bequeath to Jane Milner (their daughter) Fortie shillings.  Item all the rest residue & remainder of my goods Cattells Chattells & Creditts wherewith God hath indued mee, I doe give & bequeath to the aforesaid Thomas Rose, Will(ia)m Rose, Margery Martin, Elizabeth Crosse, Elizabeth Jackson, equally to bee divided amongst them; yet nevertheles it is my will & mind, and I doe accordingly hereby ordeine devise & appoint that of anie p(er)son or p(er)sons, Legatee, or Legatees to whom I have hereby given bequeathed devised assigned or appointed anie Guift, Legacie, oe bequest whatsoever; doe or shall (at anie time or times after my decease) either by him, her, or them self, or selves, or by anie other p(er)son or p(er)sons whosoever; raise com(m)ence or move, or cause to bee raised com(m)ented or moved anie suite or suits (al Law) or other Trouble or Controversie, either against my Executor for executinge this my will, or against anie p(ar)te of my will & mind herein exp(re)ssed & hereby declared, or shall (upon paym(en)t of his, her, or their Legacie, or Legacies) denie or refuse to seale & deliv(er) acquittances releases, or other lawfull discharges to my Ex(ecutor), or to his Ex(ecutors) or Adm(inistrators) for the same, & for the releasinge of all suites & controversies touchinge my Estate reall & p(er)sonall, the same Acquittancs, releases, or discharges beeinge lawfully tendered That then & from thenceforth forever, every such Legatee shalbee utterly & absolutely & totally secluded, barred, & deprived of his, her, & their Legacy & Legacies, And I doe ordeine will & appoint that my Ex(ecutor) shall reteine & keep every such Legacy in his hands & custodie to defend this my will w(i)thall against all opposers thereof; And if anie part of such Legacies shall remaine after all such suites or controversies shall bee ended, I doe will ordeine & appoint that the same shall bee dispossed of & equally divided w(i)th the remainder of my p(er)sonall Estate anythinge herein conteyned to the Contrary notw(i)thstandinge.  And Lastly I doe ordeine & make my aforesaid Nephew Thom(a)s Rose the sole Executor of this my last will & Testam(en)t hopinge that hee will truly and faithfully execute the same accordinge to my will & mind herein declared & accordinge to my trust in him (              ) reposed.  In witnes whereof I the said Testator Thomas Porter have hereunto set my hand and seale, & the same have published & declared for my last will the day & yere first above written.
Sealed Signed & deliv(er)ed                                                    Thomas Porter
in the p(re)sence of
William Eccleston
Jo(hn) Milner


(2)  Inventory
A True & p(er)fect Inventory of all the Goods Chattles and Chattells of Thomas Porter (late) of Mawdesley in the Countie of Lanc(aster) yeoman deceased taken & made by the Apprisem(en)t of Thom(a)s Prescott, Will(ia)m Blackhurst, William Eccleston, and Edward Bamford, The Fourth day of January Anno D(om)ini 1668
(English Style)                                                                                     £          s           d
Impr(imis)        one browne Cow                                                         3          7          0
It(em)               one other Cow                                                             3          13        0
It(em)               two Heyfers                                                                 5          0          0
It(em)               Foure sterks                                                                 7          0          0
It(em)               one Bullocke                                                               2          13        4
It(em)               two Calves                                                                   2          6          8
It(em)               one Fatt Cow                                                               4          10        0
It(em)               Eighteene sheep                                                           3          0          0
It(em)               two white mares                                                           8          10        0
It(em)               one blacke mare & A litle gray mare                           5          0          0
It(em)               two Coults a yere ould apiece                                      2          0          0
It(em)               Oates                                                                           9          0          0
It(em)               Barlie                                                                           3          0          0
It(em)               Beanes                                                                         2          10        0
It(em)               Hay                                                                              5          10        0
It(em)               Timber on the Milne hill                                              2          0          0
It(em)               stones at the barne syde                                                           1          0          0
It(em)               two life swine                                                              1          15        0
It(em)               in sawed Timber & boords                                          2          10        0
It(em)               one paire of wheeles                                                    1          15        0
It(em)               one Corne Cart                                                            0          15        0
It(em)               one Turfe Cart                                                             0          12        0
It(em)               one Coale Cart                                                             0          8          0
It(em)               Cloven Timber                                                             0          12        0
It(em)               one marle Cart & wheeles                                            0          9          0
It(em)               one other paire of shooed wheeles                              1          10        0
It(em)               two plowes & Irons                                                     0          12        0
It(em)               Harrowes & Swingletrees                                             0          7          0
It(em)               Horse geare                                                                  1          2          6
It(em)               one Cheese presse                                                       0          5          0
It(em)               one other Cheese presse                                                          0          3          4
It(em)               one Brake                                                                    0          2          6
It(em)               pilches, (    ), oreleys(?) & packsaddles                                   0          7          0
It(em)               Sacks & winnow sheets                                                           2          5          0
It(em)               Sives & Riddles                                                                       0          2          6
It(em)               one straw Hampert for Corne                                      0          1          6
It(em)               two Cart ropes                                                             0          4          0
It(em)               two Hatchetts                                                               0          1          4
It(em)               Forks & spades                                                                        0          2          0
It(em)               Eight pitchforks                                                                       0          2          0
It(em)               Rakes & shakeforks                                                    0          0          6
It(em)               one Worthing hooke & two Threshells                        0          0          6
It(em)               beast Seales                                                                 0          1          6
It(em)               Bricke                                                                          4          10        0
It(em)               floaringe Stone                                                            0          8          0

In the Kitchin
Impr(imis)        woodden vessell                                                          2          5          0
It(em)               one ould Chist                                                             0          4          0
It(em)               one ould dishboord                                                      0          3          0
It(em)               one half bushell, one Lanthorne, & other odd
                        Implem(en)ts                                                               0          2          0
It(em)               pann Brasse                                                                 1          17        4
It(em)               pott brasse                                                                   2          5          0
It(em)               foure litle priggs                                                           0          8          6

In the Butterie
Impr(imis)        plaine pewter                                                               0          19        2
It(em)               hollow ware                                                                 0          12        5
It(em)               one Cupboord                                                              0          10        0
It(em)               two Barrells & one kinlin(?)                                        0          6          0
It(em)               in Treene vessell                                                          0          9          0
It(em)               Earthen vessell                                                             0          8          0
It(em)               Glasse Bottles                                                              0          1          0
It(em)               brass mortar & pestell                                                  0          3          0
It(em)               boords, & shelfes                                                        0          2          6

In the Ieeling(?)
It(em)               one bucking knopp                                                      0          3          6
It(em)               one paire of Bedstocks                                                            0          4          0
It(em)               one paire of panniers                                                   0          0          6
It(em)               two Bee hyves                                                             0          6          8
It(em)               Towe, a sheep skin, & other odd things                                   0          0          6
It(em)               one sp(in)ing wheele                                                    0          2          0
It(em)               three Ladders                                                               0          5          0
It(em)               one sledd                                                                     0          0          6

In the Chamber over the Kitchin
It(em)               woodden vessell                                                          0          8          6 It(em)                        one Turnell                                                             0          8          0
It(em)               one sitting wheele                                                        0          1          0
It(em)               Sickles                                                                         0          1          0
It(em)               one sapling Chist                                                         0          12        0
It(em)               one Ash Chist                                                              0          5          0
It(em)               one Single stocke, & hand(le)                                      0          1          0
It(em)               one paire of beddstocks                                                           0          4          0
It(em)               one Chaffbedd & bolster                                             0          2          6
It(em)               two Coverletts & one Blanckett                                               0          7          0
It(em)               one Saw, One (    ), & other Iron geare there               0          2          6

In the Chamber below
It(em)               one Chist                                                                     0          13        0
It(em)               one other Chist                                                            0          7          0
It(em)               two Boxes                                                                    0          2          6
It(em)               one Trunke                                                                  0          8          0
It(em)               one Deske & litle box                                                  0          9          0
It(em)               one litle Chist & box                                                    0          4          6
It(em)               one Tresse & one boord                                                          0          2          0
It(em)               one bedstedd w(i)th Curtaines & valance                    0          17        0
It(em)               one greene Coveringe                                                  0          7          0
It(em)               two Blancketts                                                             0          7          0

more in the lower Chamber
It(em)               one Chaffe bedd, & one Boulster                                0          5          0
It(em)               4 quisheans                                                                  0          5          0

In the South Chamber above
It(em)               one Chist                                                                     0          6          0
It(em)               one other Chist                                                            0          4          0
It(em)               one litle Chist                                                               0          2          0
It(em)               one ould Trunke                                                          0          2          6
It(em)               one Chaffe bedd, & stocks                                          0          4          0
It(em)               3 Coverletts                                                                 0          14        0
It(em)               two Blancketts                                                             0          6          0
It(em)               two boords, & one staffe                                             0          2          0
It(em)               a paire of waights, a litle straw hampert & A paire of
                        Cards                                                                           0          1          0
It(em)               in hemp Tow & yarne                                                  1          0          0
It(em)               two litle wisketts & one baskett                                               0          0          6

In the South Chamber below                                      
Impr(imis)        one Chist                                                                     0          18        0 It(em)                        one Presse for Cloths                                                          0          14        0 It(em)                        one litle Chist                                                               0          4          0 It(em)                        a standinge bedstead                                                    1          10        0
It(em)               Curtaines & valence                                                    0          6          0 It(em)                        two Barrells                                                                        0          5          0
It(em)               one litle Chist & A chaire                                            0          1          6 It(em)                        one haire sive & an other Sive                                            0          1          6
It(em)               two Coverletts & two blancketts                                              1          5          0
It(em)               Books                                                                          1          4          0
It(em)               one draw Box                                                              0          0          4
It(em)               his later wives apparrell                                                           5          4          0

In the house
Impr(imis)        one Table                                                                     0          10        0
It(em)               one Chaire Table & box                                                          0          7          0
It(em)               Chaires stooles & quisheons                                        0          8          0
It(em)               shelves                                                                         0          2          6
It(em)               one Hatchell                                                                0          1          6
It(em)               one Coveringe voyder                                                 0          0          9
It(em)               one Girdle & Spittle                                                     0          4          0
It(em)               one smoothing Iron & heaters                                      0          1          6
It(em)               one dripping pann & other small Iron geare                 2          9          0
It(em)               one Chimney, two fire (     ) Tongues & other Iron geare
                        about the fire                                                               0          10        0

In other places
It(em)               feather bedds Boulsters & new Ticke                          9          9          0
It(em)               Linn(en) & Napperyware                                             3          7          0
It(em)               one rydinge Suite                                                         0          10        0
It(em)               one Brasse Candlesticke                                              0          0          6
It(em)               Fuell                                                                            1          6          8
It(em)               stoine troughs                                                              0          2          6
It(em)               the dunge                                                                     0          10        0
It(em)               Beeffe                                                                         0          8          0
It(em)               Bacon & swinesgrasse                                                 0          4          0
It(em)               pullen                                                                          0          1          4
It(em)               meale & malt & some wheat                                        0          16        0
It(em)               wheat on the ground                                                    2          10        0
It(em)               pillion & pillion cloth                                                  0          10        0
It(em)               one hackney Sadle                                                       0          5          0
It(em)               debts owinge by specialtie                                           57        14        10
It(em)               debts w(i)thout specialty                                              12        0          8
It(em)               the decedants Apparrell                                                           4          14        0

                                                                        Sum(a)  tot(alis)           222      08        0

                        12 January 1668
                        (Latin lines – to follow)

Wednesday, October 17, 2018

The Slaidburn Angel by Sheelagh Wittaker

There is a fascinating book written by Sheelagh Wittaker about the death of a toddler near Slaidburn , Lancashire, in 1885, called The Slaidburn Angel.
"While researching her ancestry on the Internet one gloomy evening, Penny is astonished by what she finds. Urgently, she instructs her sister Sheelagh, “Search ‘Slaidburn Suspected Child Murder!’ Now!” So begins a remarkable story within a story spanning more than a century.

In 1885 Yorkshire, sisters Grace and Isabella, accused of murdering Grace’s secret illegitimate toddler, were on trial for their lives. A sadly neglected two-year-old boy was dead following a failed attempt to lodge him at a workhouse. A tense and sensational trial followed in Victorian-era Leeds.
Sheelagh and Penny began keenly re-investigating these events. They feel personally involved because a prosecution witness at the murder trial, nine-year-old Margaret Isherwood, would later become their grandmother. The book grips us with dramatic events, but also touches us with the abiding loyalty of sisterhood, the desperate power of our need for love, and the crazy things that it can make us do."

The interest in the book comes from the relationship between Grace and Porter relatives - Thomas Rushton and Mary Isherwood Rushton. Grace married John Isherwood, a widower and Mary's brother. I suspect the horse and trap that Grace borrowed was from Tom and Mary Rushton. One can only speculate their thoughts and feelings about their unintentional part in the story.
Thomas Rushton is my second cousin, three times removed.



http://www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=42984


Edinburgh Evening News, Friday 22 May 1885
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000452/18850805/091/0004

Worcestershire Chronicle, Saturday, 23 May 1885
http://www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk/viewer/bl/0000350/18850523/034/0005


Sunday, May 14, 2017

TENANT RECORDS 
aBOUT


Thomas Porter (1759) - Tenant Records
About 1795 Thomas and Alice (Longton) Porter moved their family from Ulnes Walton, LAN to the Forest-of-Bowland area in the West Riding of Yorkshire.  Using Parish Records and inference, Thomas was a tenant on the Estate of the Duke of Buccleuch/Queensbury, and the Right Honourable, Earl of Beaulieu.  The following information is from the 1802 - 1829 Land Tax Assessment for the Township of the Forest of Bowland (The assessment amounts are written in English pounds, shillings, and pence.)  It is surmised that the farm Thomas Porter occupied was the New Hey Farm, N.W. of Whitewell, West Riding, Yorkshire.  It appears his son, Thomas ,took over the lease and remained on the land for many years.

            1802                 tenant              Thomas Porter              Assessment:     2.18.2
            1803                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.18.2

            Assessors: Thomas Porter, William Brimand
            Collectors:  Thomas Porter, William Brimand
            Confirmed by - the 30th day of May, 1804

            1805                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.18.2
            1807                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.18.2
            1808                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.18.2

            Land tax assessment for the Township of Slaidburn 1810/11, Lower Division, Forest of Bowland

            Estate of the Dowager Duchess of Buccleugh/Queensbury

            1810/11            tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.18.2
            1814                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.18.2
            1815/16            tenant              Thomas Porter                                     2.18.2
            1817                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13
            1818                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1819                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1820                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1821                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1822                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1823                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1824                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1825                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1827                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2
            1829                 tenant              Thomas Porter                                      2.13.2**


** This is likely Thomas Porter Jr (1789).  His father, Thomas Porter (1759) died in 1828.  No rents recorded for 1828, likely due to the probate and transfer to his son.




Probate of the Last Will and Testament of Lawrence Sumner, including Quit Claim on property transfered to Thomas Porter of Ulnes Walton, LAN, 1718


Thomas Porter (1675) secured a Smithy and accompanying parcels of land
 in the Ulnes Walton Township in 1718.  The following document
 outlines the agreement between the Sumnor family and Thomas
 Porter.


Probate of the Last Will and Testament of Lawrence Sumner, including Quit Claim on property transfered to Thomas Porter of Ulnes Walton, LAN, 1718.



Transcription

TO all Christian People to whom this present writing shall to wit Lawrence Sumnor of Leyland in the County of Lancaster ~ ~ husbandman John Sumnor of Ulnes Walton in the said County husbandman sons of John Sumnor of Ulnes Walton in the said County Yeoman George Parker of Leyland aforesaid husbandman and Mary his wife daughter of the said John Sumnor the father and Lawry Sumnor younger son of Lawry [Lawrence] Sumnor late of Ulnes Walton aforesaid Yeoman ~ ~ ~ deceased _____  WHEREAS Lawrence Sumnor late of Ulnes Walton aforesaid Yeoman deceased by his last Will and Testament in writing bearing date the twentieth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred ninety seven as touching all his lands tenements hereditaments in Ulnes Walton aforesaid which he held in fee did declare it to be his will and mind and thereby gave devised and bequeathed the same unto the eldest son of his son Lawry and his heirs forever with divers  other remaindors over he and the several other persons in remainder discharging his Executors of all his debts and all such legacies as wert thereafter mentioned and by the same will he amongst other things gave and bequeathed unto the Children then born of the said John Sumnor the father who was son to the Testator Lawrence Sumnor four pounds apiece when and as they severally attained to the age of twenty and one years to wit the first named Lawrence Mary John the son and also to Robert and Elizabeth both since deceased and if any of them died before they attained to the age of twenty one years their parts ~ ~ ~ to be divided amongst the survivors and the said Testator likewise gave unto the two younger children of his son Lawry the sum of twenty poungs equally betwixt them to be paid them by their older Brother when he attained to one and twenty years of age and of the said will made and appointed the said John Sumnor the fathor and William Chisnall and John Miller both ____ declared Executors as by the said will (Relations being thereunto had may more fully appear AND wheras Lawrence eldest son of the said Lawry Sumnor to whom the said Real Estate was first devised and bequeathed in tail by the said will is since dead whereby and by virtue of said will the said Estate destended or otherwise same to John Sumnor – the second son of the said Lawry Sumnor who had absolutely sold and conveyed the same to THOMAS PORTER of Ulnes Walton aforesaid Blacksmith in fee AND whereas the said Lawrence Sumnor and John Sumnor the sons of the said John Sumnor the fathor and also the said George Parker and Mary his wife have already received from the said THOMAS PORTER out of the purchase money for which the said Estate was sold the respective legacies mentioned to be to them given by said Will as aforesaid and the said Lawry Sumnor the son hath likewise at or before his Sealing and Delivery of these presents received and had of and from the said THOMAS PORTER the legacy mentioned to be to him given and bequeathed as aforesaid  NOW know ye that the said Lawrence Sumnor and John Sumnor the sons of the said John Sumner the father and the said George Parker and Lawry Sumnor the son do hereby respectively acknowledge the receipt and payment of their said several Legacies and do own and declare the sum to be in full satisfaction and discharge as now of all Legacies and sums of money given and bequeathed to them as any of them by the said Will as aforesaid as of all other the claims and demands of them the said Lawrence Sumnor and John Sumnor the sons of the said John Sumner the father George Parker Mary his wife and Lawry Sumnor the son or any of them forth or out of the Real or person Estate of the said Lawrence Sumnor the Testator by virture of the said Will or otherwise howsoever and in Consideration thereof and for divers other good causes and considerations they the said – Lawrence Sumnor and John Sumnor the sons of the said John Sumnor the fathor George Parker Mary his wife and Lawry Sumnor the son  HAVE and each and every one of them hath received released and for every quit claimed and by those present do and each and every one of them doth remise release and forever quit claim ____ to the said THOMAS PORTER his heirs Executors divises and assigns as to the said John Sumnor the fathor his Executors and Administrators All and all manner of action and actions cause and causes of action debts duties accounts reckonings sum and sums of money Legacies gifts bequests claims and demands whatsoever in law or equity which they the said Lawrence Sumnor and John Sumnor the sons of the said John Sumnor the father George Parker Mary his wife and Lawry Sumner the son or any of then now have or hath or is or are entitled to or which they or any of them or the Executors Administrators or legal representatives of them or any of them can or may at any time or times hereafter have claim challenge sue or pretend to insist on or demand from or against the said THOMAS PORTER and John Sumnor the father or either of them their or either of their heirs Executors or Administrators forth or out of the Estate of the said Testator by virtue of the said Will or any Legacy gift or bequest therin contained or otherwise touching the same WITNESSES where of the said Lawrence Sumnor and John Sumnor the sons of the said John Sumnor the father George Parker Mary his wife and Lawry Sumnor the son have hereunto set their hands and seals the Eleventh Day of October Anno Diem 1718.

 PORTER’S SMITHY
Within the Lancashire Triangle
Situated northeast of Croston, LAN, and north of Eccleston, LAN






THE HARE AND HOUND, 
NEWTON-IN-BOWLAND, YORKSHIRE


http://www.chrisspencer.co.uk/OldPostcards.html

Birthplace of Alice (Holgate) Porter, 1816, daughter of Francis and Martha (Laycock) Holgate.  Alice was married to William Porter at Waddington.

Monday, October 26, 2015

VELLIUM INDENTURES

While visiting the Porter ancestral home in Ulnes Walton, England, I had the fortune to view a number of indentures in connection with the land leased by the Porters  The following is an example of one of the indenture documents

http://www.historicpages.com/texts/velhist.htm
"Indentures" are legal contracts, and are entirely written by hand (in English) on large sheepskins, in keeping with legal practice dating back to Medieval times....The top edge of the document shows the wavy, or "indented" margin that gives these documents their name; as a safeguard against counterfeiting, the copies given to all parties were placed together and cut in this margin in a wavy, irregular pattern, thus uniquely identifying the authenticity of each copy.



  

Friday, June 12, 2015

IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING THE LANDLORDS

When researching the Porter genealogy and history, it was important to go beyond the general sources, ie parish records and/or census records.  One important source to check, particularly pre-parish/census records are land records.  One of the first things to research and study are the many landholders in the area in which your family lived.  An excellent source is British Online History .  A subscription is required in order to view some of the more useful records.

Other sources can be useful such Geni - Old Historic Families of Lancashire.  This website provides a short summary of major families in Lancashire and the area in which they held lands.

Once you have determined a family or families who owned land in the area of your ancestor, you can then check British Online History or the National Archives.  Search for any available records for each landlord.  I will discuss these two resources in later posts.

Sample of entry at National Archives:

Image 1



Image 2

Image 3

Image 4