Dated February 14, 1765

Below is the will of William Stanyforth, son of Samuel Staniforth and Elizabeth Parker and wife of Mary Creswick

In the Name of God Amen I William Staniforth of Mosbrough Moor in the Parish of Eckington and County of Derby Gentleman being of sound and disposing Mind Memory and Understanding do make and publish this my last Wiil and Testament in manner following. First I will and direct that all my just Debts and funeral Expenses be paid out of my personal Estate and if that shall not be sufficient to discharge the same then I subject my real Estate with the payment thereof Also I give and devise unto my Son John his Heirs and Assigns for ever All that Estate situate at High Lane in the Parish of Eckington and now in the possession of John Keeton And all the two closes called Newland Closes together with the woods called Newland Woods in the said Parish And all those five closes situate at Ridgeway in the said Parish now in the possession of Joseph Hutton which I lately purchased of Mr Nathaniel Creswick And all those closes at Ridgeway Moorside being part of my Wife’s jointure at her decease And all that Estate at Dronfield in the said County of Derby now in the several possessions of William Taylor John Maden William Mason and Benj’n Spooner w’ch I purchased of Mrs Bamforth And all those two closes at Eckington aforesaid now in the possession of William Rotherham Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter Elizabeth the sum of eight hundred pounds to be paid her at her age of twenty one years and until she arrives of age of twenty one years to be allowed sixteen pounds a year for her maintenance and with the payment of the said Sum of eight hundred Pounds and Sixteen Pounds a year as aforesaid I charge and make liable the Rest and Residue of all my real and personal Estate which I have hereafter given to my Son Samuel All the Rest and Residue of my real and personal Estate whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my Son Samuel his Heirs and Assigns for ever subject and chargeable with the payment of the said Sums of eight hundred pounds and sixteen pounds a year which I have before given to my Daughter Elizabeth as aforesaid provided he confirm by every legal Act which shall be necessary as to any claims he may have to any part of the Estate I have before given to my Son John And in case when my Son Samuel arrives of the age of twenty one years he shall refuse to confirm the same as aforesaid I give and devise unto my Son John his Heirs and Assigns for ever thirty pounds a year payable out of the real Estate which I have before given to my Son Samuel Also I will and direct that my Wife shall have liberty if she pleases to continue to live in the house which I now inhabit and have the use of all the furniture until my Son Samuel Staniforth shall arrive at the age of twenty one years rent free provided she continue unmarried but if she marries again then that she shall no longer dwell therein Also I will and appoint that my Brother in Law John Parker and my Nephew John Parker the younger and the survivor both of Woodthorpe shall have the Tuition and Guardianship of all my children during their Minority And I also constitute and appoint them Executors of this my Will revoking all former Wills In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this fourteenth Day of February in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred and Sixty five

Signed sealed published and declared by the above Wm Staniforth

named Testator as and for his last Will and

Testament in the presence of us who at his request

and in his presence have subscribed our names

as Witnesses thereunto

Thos. Staton

Sarah Booth

Ann Seley