IN THE NAME OF GOD AMEN I Henry Tonge of Little Hulton in the County of Lancaster yeoman DO make publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament in manner and form following that is to say

FIRST it is my will and mind and I do hereby order will and direct that all my just Debts Funeral Expenses and Charges of the probate hereof to be paid out of my Personal Estate by my Executors herein after named as soon as conveniently may be after my Decease

ALSO I give and devise unto my loving wife those two rooms over the shop and kitchen where I now dwell and also so many household goods as she shall think sufficient for furnishing the said rooms suitable for a person in her condition and station for and during the term of her natural life and after her decease I give and bequeath the said household goods to such of my Daughters or Daughter as shall then be living share and share alike

ALSO I give and devise all that my messuage and tenement and the lands and heraditaments thereunto belonging and now in the profession or occupation of my son William Tongue lying and being in Little Hulton aforesaid commonly called and known by the name of the Little House and Croft and the two high meadows unto my son Henry Tongue his heirs and assigns forever

ALSO I give and devise all that my messuage and tenement and the lands and heraditaments thereunto belonging which is now in my own possession and occupation lying and being in Little Hulton aforesaid unto my said son William Tongue his heirs and assigns for ever subject nevertheless to the provisions charges and powers herein after mentioned

PROVIDED always and it is my will and mind and I do hereby order will and direct that all the lands and heraditaments devised to my said son William Tongue his heirs and assigns shall be charged and chargeable with payment of the Clear Yearly Rent or share of Eight pounds payable to my said wife and her assigns for and during the term of her natural life and to be paid to her on the feast days of Saint John the Baptist and the Nativity of Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ by even and equal portions the first payment thereof to be made on such of the feast days as shall next happen after my decease with full power for my said wife in case of any default being made in payment thereof to make distress and sale of such goods and chattels in such manner and form as is appointed by law to be made in cases of nonpayment of rent

PROVIDED also and it is my will and mind and I do hereby order will and direct that my said son Henry Tonge or his agent shall have full and free power and authority to fell and carry off so much oak timber in any part of the premises devised to my said son William Tongue so as the same shall not exceed in quantity so much as is sufficient for compleating one bay of building and the walls of the said bay shall be built with brick

ALSO I give and bequeath unto my said son William Tongue his heirs and assigns all those household goods and furniture in my said dwelling house as follows (VIZ) all the fire irons in my said house the press the bed in the parlor the cubbard in the house the oak ladder and the garner over the said parlor

PROVIDED also and I do hereby give and bequeath to my two daughters Alice Tongus and Martha Gordon each the sum of one hundred pounds of lawful British money and I do hereby charge and make chargeable every part of the said lands and heraditaments devised to my said son William Tongue his heirs and assigns with the payment of the said two hundred pounds to my said daughters and the same to be paid them respectively within twelve months after my decease ALSO I give and bequeath unto my said son Henry Tonge out of my personal estate the sum of Thirty pounds of lawful British money

ALSO I give and bequeath to my said daughter Alice Tongue out of my personal estate the sum of Twenty pounds of lawful British money ALSO as to the rest residue and remainder of any Personal Estate Goods Chattels & Credits by me not yet disposed off I give and bequeath unto my said Daughters Alice Tongue & Martha Gordon to be equally divided between them share & share alike

AND LASTLY I nominate constitute and appoint my said son William Tongue & William Gordon of Wigan my Son in Law Executors of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former or other Wills or Testaments by me heretofore or at any other time made

IN WITNESS whereof I the said Henry Tonge the Testator have hereunto sett my hand and seal this fourth day of February in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty three

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Henry Tongue the said Testator
for and as his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto
subscribed our names as witnesses hereunto in his presence and at his request.

John Farnworth Thomas Barlow Jas Sedgewick.

Henry Tonge
 

Note dated 4 July 1763:

William Gordon one of the executors within named took the usual oath of an executor
in common form Power reserved to William Tongue the other. Signed Thos. Broadhurst
 

 Also see:

• Manchester Newspapers
• Bridgewater Estate Collection