Updated 18 Feb 2007

WIRKSWORTH Parish Records 1600-1900

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Wills of John CLOUGH 1843
and Samuel CLOUGH 1811


From: Simon Johnson
Subject: John Clough Will
Date: Sat, 02 Dec 2006 14:22:12 +0000
Hi John:

Attached is a transcription of the will of my five-times great grandfather,John Clough. Born at Wirksworth in 1762, John was the fifth of twelve children born to Thomas and Dorothy (Dolly) Clough. His father was a yeoman farmer at Wirksworth and John too became a fairly wealthy yeoman farmer and butcher, continuing the family's farming tradition. He married Hannah Walklett in 1789 and lived on The Dale at Wirksworth throughout much of his life, from where he traded as a butcher. Hannah produced eight children, of which seven survived into adulthood. John passed away at Wirksworth in December 1843, aged 81 years, and was interred in the churchyard of Wirksworth Parish Church. At the time of his death, John owned numerous houses and patches of land in and around the Wirksworth area and these were split between his seven children after his death.

Hope that you find this to be of interest, and if you feel it will be of interest to others then by all means add it to your website. Unfortunately I am not currently sure of the date that probate was granted, but I will find this out in due course. This was a copy will that I found deposited at the Derbyshire Record Office. I have checked the transcription numerous times and everything seems to be correct. My only alterations are a few full stops and commas, only where I felt they were absolutely necessary to enhance the readability of the will.

I have a list of probate records for various Clough's and Clough relations from in and around Wirksworth and will forward this list to you early next week. These are mostly pre-1858 wills that I found at Lichfield.

Simon Johnson.

From: Simon Johnson
Subject: Samuel Clough Will
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2007 Sat, 16:25 +0000

Hi John,

Attached is a copy of the probate documents of Samuel Clough of Wirksworth for inclusion on your site. He was an older brother of the John Clough whose will is currently included on your site.

There is only one word that I haven't been able to transcribe as it was very difficult to read. This is typed in red and is followed by a question mark. It appears to read 'Ufton Hall'. This is where the probate was granted to the executors.

Simon Johnson.

Outline of CLOUGH Family 

                                 1727             1734
                                 Thomas   1752    Dorothy
                                 CLOUGH=====v=====WILLIAMSON
                                 1813       |     1803
                                            |
                                            |
 |----|----------|-------|-------|-----|----|---|------|-------|-------|--------|------|
 |    |          |       |       |     |        |      |       |       |        |      |
1753 1755       1757    1760    1762  1765     1768   1770    1772    1774     1777   1778
Ann  Elizabeth  Samuel  Thomas  John  Dorothy  Sarah  Joseph  George  William  James  Charles
1763 1822       1811    1837    1843  1778     1835   1771    1847    1824     1781   1792
                                 |                |
                                 |                |
                                1762             1768
                                John     1789    Hannah
                                CLOUGH=====v=====WALKLETT
                                1843       |     1840
                                           |
                                           |
 |-----|----------|--------|--------|----|-|---|-------|
 |     |          |        |        |    |     |       |
1790  1791       1793     1794     1795 1801  1805    1815
John  Elizabeth  William  Dorothy  Ann  John  Edward  Charles
1790  1794       1855     1863     1866 1845  1882    1895

Will of John CLOUGH 1843

The last Will and Testament of
John CLOUGH of Wirksworth, Derbyshire
Drawn up: 20th December 1843
Died: 23rd December 1843
Probate granted: ---
Transcribed: 2nd December 2006
by Simon Johnson of Derbyshire, his five-times Greatgrandson.

This is the last Will and Testament of me John Clough the Elder of Wirksworth in the County of Derby, Yeoman. I give and devise all that house, garden and premises situate in the Nether Street in Wirksworth in the occupation of William Weston unto my son William Clough his heirs and assigns for ever. I also give and devise the Upper Holy Close containing by estimation two acres and two roods or thereabouts unto my said son William Clough and his assigns for life and after his decease to his wife Sarah for life and after the decease of the survivor of them to any child or children which the said William Clough may hereafter have but in case he dies without such issue then I give the said Close to my son Charles his heirs and assigns for ever and I charge the said Close with the payment of the sum of two pounds per annum to my daughter Dolly and her assigns for and during the term of ten years to be computed from the time of my decease. I give and devise unto my son John Clough his heirs and assigns for ever the house in which he now resides situate in the Dale with the slaughterhouse and pigstye to corner of the stable. Also all that my Nether Holy Close subject to the payment of the sum of five pounds per annum to my said daughter Dolly and her assigns for and during the term of ten years to be computed from the time of my decease. I give and devise unto my son Edward Clough his heirs and assigns for ever all that my new house called the Rock House and premises and the Wether Wetherick Leys or the corner close subject to the payment of the sum of three pounds per annum to my said daughter Dolly and her assigns for and during the term of ten years to be computed from the time of my decease. I give and devise unto my son Charles Clough his heirs and assigns for ever all that house and garden, stable and premises wherein I now reside and in my occupation together with one yard of ground from the gable end of my stable up to Captain Goodwin's property with my pew in Wirksworth Church and also my garden on Green Hill. And also all that land I purchased from Mr Longden and all the rest and residue of my personal estate, household goods and furniture, cattle farming stock and other effects of which I may be possessed at the time of my decease I give and bequeath unto my daughter Ann Clough absolutely. I also give and devise unto my said daughter Ann Clough her heirs and assigns for ever all those my two houses and premises occupied by James Orridge and Joseph Hunt. I also give and bequeath unto my said daughter Ann Clough the rents profits and proceeds arising and accruing from and out of all and singular my houses and land for and during the term of twelve calendar months next after my decease. Provided always and my Will and mind is that in case of any of the aforesaid annuities shall be in arrear and unpaid for the space of one month next after the same shall respectively become due or payable then and in such case I give to my said daughter Dolly and her assigns full power and authority to recover the same or such of them as shall be in arrear by distress and sale upon such of the land as the respective sums so in arrear shall be chargeable and I give her in all respects the same remedies for recovery thereof as landlords have for rent in arrear and I direct my said daughter Ann to pay all my debts funeral and testamentary expenses by and out of my personal estate and I nominate and appoint my said daughter Ann and Mr John Wilson of Wirksworth, Maltster, and Mr Wilmott of Alderwasley joint executors of this my Will.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twentieth day of December in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty three.

______ Signed published and declared by the said John Clough the Elder as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses ______ John Wilson ______ P. Hubbersty.

Will of Samuel CLOUGH 1811

Last Will and Testament of Samuel CLOUGH
Drawn up: 17th April 1811
Died: April 1811
Probate granted: 1st May 1811
Transcribed: 11th February 2007
by Simon Johnson of Derbyshire, a direct descendent of Samuel’s brother, John Clough.

In the name of God amen, I Samuel Clough of Wirksworth in the county of Derby, Joiner, do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in manner following. First I will and direct that all my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses be fully paid and discharged by my executors hereafter named as soon as conveniently may be after my decease. And I give and bequeath unto my niece Mary the daughter of William Brocklehurst of Alderwasley in the said county of Derby, Farmer, the sum of five pounds to be paid to her immediately after my decease. All the rest residue and remainder of my personal estate and effects of what nature or kind-soever and whether consisting of ready money or otherwise, and where-soever the same shall be at the time of my decease I give and bequeath unto my brother William Clough of Buxton in the said county Butcher the said William Brocklehurst and John Wilmot of Alderwasley aforesaid Farmer their executors administrators and assigns upon the Trusts and to and for the uses intents and purposes hereinafter mentioned concerning the same (that is to say) upon trust that they my said trustees or the survivor of them his executors or administrators do and shall as soon as conveniently may be after my decease call in and receive all such sum and sums of money as shall be owing to me by any person and persons whomsoever and also do and shall convert into ready money all such part of my personal estate as shall not consist of money by all or any lawful ways or means as they my said trustees or the survivor of them his executors or administrators shall think proper and from and immediately after the same personal estate and effects shall have been received and converted into ready money as aforesaid upon this further trust that they my said trustees or the survivor of them his executors or administrators do and shall place out the same upon some good and sufficient real security or securities at interest and the interest issues and produce thereof as the same shall become due do and shall from time to time pay apply and dispose thereof for and towards the maintenance and support of my brother Thomas Clough for and during the term of his natural life in such manner as they my said trustees or the survivor of them his executors or administrators shall think proper and from and immediately after the decease of my said brother Thomas upon trust that they my said trustees or the survivor of them his executors or administrators do and shall call in and receive the said principal money which shall have been so placed out as aforesaid and all interest then due for the same and pay and divide the same unto and equally amongst my brother the said William Clough, Elizabeth the wife of the said William Brocklehurst, Sarah the wife of the said John Wilmot, and my brother John Clough or to their respective legal representatives (if any of them shall be then dead) share and share alike. But it is my will and mind and I do hereby direct that my said brother John Clough do and shall out of his share of the said trust monies and premises pay the sum of ten pounds unto and equally amongst the said William Clough, Elizabeth Brocklehurst and Sarah Wilmot, share and share alike. And lastly I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said William Clough, William Brocklehurst and John Wilmot joint executors of this my will hereby revoking and making void 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 I the said Samuel Clough have hereunto set my hand and seal the seventeenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eleven. 

      his
Samuel X Clough 
      mark

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said testator Samuel Clough as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us, who at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as witnesses thereto . . . .

Jno Andrew
James Barton Clay

Testator died in April 1811.

At Ufton(?) Hall 1st May 1811:

Let a probate of this Will be granted to William Brocklehurst and John Wilmot, two of the executors therein named, reserving a power for William Clough.

Being duly sworn, also that the deceased’s personal estate is not of the value of £200,

Before me,

Richd Buckeridge.

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