Michael D.Heath-Caldwell M.Arch.

1786

James Caldwell of Nantwich – aged about 66

Hannah Caldwell (ne Armstrong)

James Caldwell of Linley Wood – aged 26/27.

Elizabeth Caldwell of Linley Wood – aged 31/32 

Hannah Caldwell – aged 1 (Hannah E. Roscoe) born 11 Sept 1785 at Newcastle-u-Lyme

Public Records Office

The National Archives

Catalogue Ref Prob 11/1209

2^nd October 1786

THE LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT of Mr James Caldwell of Nantwich in the County of  Chester (Cheshire?) Linen Draper made the second day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand seven hundred and eighty six in manner following that is to say ffirst I direct that all my just debts shall be fully paid and satisfied

Also I give and bequeath unto my dear and affectionate wife Hannah Caldwell and her Assigns for and during the term of her natural life the yearly Interest (Fuour?) and (bordure – produce?) of the Sum of Two Thousand pounds and also because of all my leasehold good, plate, Linen and China and other ffurniture being in my Said dwelling house in Nantwich aforesaid

And which provision I do hereby direct and declare shall be in lieu bar and full satisfaction of all dower or kinds at Common Law which she can or may have or claim out of all or any my Real or personal Estate whatsoever and for the purpose aforesaid I do hereby direct that the Sum of Two thousand pounds shall immediately upon my decease be put placed and Continued out of Interest by my Executors and Executrices hereinafter named upon some good and sufficient real Security or Securities to be approved of nevertheless by my said wife and from and after the decease of my said wife then I direct that the said principal Sum of two thousand pounds shall sink into and become part of the Residue of my personal Estate hereinafter given and bequeathed to my Son James Caldwell

Also I give and bequeath to my said Wife the Sum of ffifty pounds to be paid to her within one Month next onsuing the time of my decease

Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Caldwell the Sum of One thousand six hundred and fifty pounds +

(Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth Caldwell the sum of one thousand six hundred and fifty pounds)

Also I give and bequeath unto my said Son James Caldwell and to said daughter Ann Caldwell and to my said daughter Elizabeth Caldwell and my daughter Margaret Skerratt from and after the decease of my said Wife all and Singular my household Goods plate Linen China and other ffurniture the use of which is so given to my said wife for her life as aforesaid equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike

Also I give and bequeath unto my daughter Margaret Skerrett the Sum of Seven hundred and ffifty pounds And which I do hereby direct and declare shall notwithstanding her (Executor?) be to and for ever sole and separate use and benefit And at her own disposal by Will or otherwise without the same being liable to the debts (contracts?) or Engagements of her present or any after taken as husband

And as to for and (remaining?) all the Rest residue and remainder of my Real and personal Estate of what nature or kind soever and wheresoever not hereinbefore disposed of and also all the said principal Sum of Two thousand so directed to be placed out at Interest for the Benefit of my said Wife for her life as aforesaid I do hereby give devolve and bequeath the same unto my said Son James Caldwell his (+) Executors Administrators and Assigns forever

And I do hereby direct that my Executors and Executrices hereinafter named so and shall and soon as conveniently may be after my decease sell and dispose of all and singular my Stock in Trade in such manner as to them shall seem most beneficial and advantageous and also do and shall roll out and Receive all Book and other debts due and owing to me from any person or persons whomsoever and with the money thereby arising (register?) with such sums as are owing to me on Mortgages Bonds Notes and other Securities do and shall pay the several Legacies or Sums of Money hereinbefore by me given and bequeathed at the times and in manner hereinbefore respectively mentioned and directed for and concerning the same

And I do hereby nominate and appoint and constitute my said Wife Hannah Caldwell my said Son James Caldwell and my Son in Law Joseph Skerratt and my said Daughter Ann Caldwell Executors and Executrices of this my last Will and Testament

And lastly do hereby revoke all former and other Will and Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof the said Testator James Caldwell (leque?) hereunto Set my hand and Seal this day and year first before written – James Caldwell LS Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testator James Caldwell as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our Names as Witnesses attesting the Execution thereof -
William Moyles

Thomas Hassal

Joseph Hassal.

7^th October 1791

This Will was proved at London the seventh day of October in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and ninety one before the Right Honorable Sir William Wynn Knight doctor of Laws, Master keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oaths of James Caldwell and Joseph Skerrett two of his Executors named in the said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and Singular the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased having been first sworn by Commission (any?) to Administer power reserved of making the like grant to Hannah Caldwell Widow the Relict of the said deceased and Ann Caldwell Spinster the daughter of the deceased and other Executors named in the said Will whom they or other of them shall apply for the (same?)

Very ragged letter addressed to:-

Mr Caldwell

-wton, 4^th July 1786

-Mr Bate, Mr Robert Cox (one of Mr Lawton’s Tenants and the Director of his Family Business) –ere together, and have determined that the –ed Montpelier which you some time ago –ed after, shall be sold.

(Ed - Montpelier was renamed Linley Wood by James Caldwell, I presume)

If agreeable to you, Mr Bate and I will submit the value of it to Mr Honshall of Long Port and Mr Cox, which if agreed upon by them and you approve, we will use our utmost endeavours to prevail on Mr Lawton to accede to, with all the expedition in our Power.

My respectful compliments

I am Sir, your obliged and most obedient Servant,

William Yoxall.

Wedgwood Archives

34-5873

12 July 1786?

Receipt from James Caldwell to Mr Swift.

Derby Mercury

Thursday 2 November 1786

Samuel Thomas , now of Nantwich in Cheshire, Cheese Factor. To appear Nov.17, 18, and Dec.16, at the Crown Inn, Newcastle-under-Lyme. Attornies, Messrs Sparrow and Caldwell, Newcaslte, and Messrs Peake, Southampton-Buildings, Chancery Lane.

Dec 1786

Birth of James Stamford Caldwell, son of James Caldwell of Linley Wood and Elizabeth Caldwell (nee Stamford)