This is the last Will and Testament of me William Rotherham of Mosborough in the parish of Eckington and county of Derby Hatter made this Ninth day of October in the year of our Lord One Thousand seven hundred and fifty five, as follows. First I give unto my beloved wife Anna Rotherham All that Messuage, Dwellinghouse or Tenement with the Croft adjoining with the Appurtenances and which said Messuage I now dwell to hold to her my said wife during the term of her Natural Life and from and after her decease I give and devise the same to my son Thomas Rotherham his Heirs and Assigns for ever; he paying therout unto my five youngest children Samuel, Margaret, Ann, Benjamin and James Rotherham the sum of Twenty Pounds apiece within Twelve months next after my said wife’s decease. I also give and bequeath unto my said son Samuel all my tenant right and interest of and in all that Farm called Plumley Farm, which I hold of Mr Staniforth. I also give and bequeath unto my son John Rotherham all my tenant right and interest in of and to all those two water corn mills called Renishaw Mill and Park Mill with all the ……. thereunto belonging which I hold of Andrew Wilkinson Esquire together with all the Stocks of corn and other stock belonging to the said Mills. I also give and bequeath unto my son Richard Rotherham all my tenant right and interest in of and to all those Lands and Premises called the Harber Lands And also all the coal mines therein and all other coal mines now in my possession, together with all the materials for working the same and the stock of coal which shall be upon the Hills at the time of my decease. He paying or allowing the expenses of getting such stock. And also the sum of One Hundred Pounds within six months next after my decease. I also give and bequeath unto my said wife all my household goods, Plate, Linnen and other Furniture now being in my said Dwellinghouse together with all my Cattle and stock belonging to or upon my Several Farms to and for her own proper use and disposal. All the rest residue and remainder of my Real and Personal Estates whatsoever and wheresoever I give devise and bequeath unto my said wife Anna Rotherham and my sons William and Richard Rotherham their Heirs Executors and Administrators to be by them or the Survivors of them,…. or their Hiers, Adms’ or Exects’, sold or otherwise disposed of with all convenient speed. And the Monies arising by and out of the Premises I will shall be applied by them for the Payment of my just Debts and Funeral Expenses and in case the same shall not be sufficient for that purpose then I will that such deficiency shall be made up out of the One Hundred Pounds charged to be paid by my son Richard. And the surplus of the Monies arising by sale of the Premises as aforesaid, if any be, together with the said One Hundred Pounds to be paid by my son Richard as aforesaid or so much of the same as shall remain after the payment of all my just Debts and Funeral Expenses I give and bequeath unto my said sons William and Richard on this Trust; that they or the survivor of them, his Exects’ and Adminsts’ do and shall permit and suffer my said wife to receive and take the Interest and proceeds thereof to and for her own use during her life, and from and after her decease I will that the same …… moneys shall be paid to and equally divided amongst my said five youngest children – Samuel Ann Margaret Benjamin and James Rotherham or to and amongst such of them as shall be living at the time of the decease of my said wife, Share and Share alike, to whom I do hereby give and bequeath the same. And lastly I do hereby constitue and appoint my said wife and my said sons William and Richard, joint Executors of this my Last Will and Testament hereby revoking all former wills by me made In witness whereof I the said William Rotherham the Testator have hereunto put my hand the Date and Year first within written.
Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Rotherham, the Testator, … for his last will and testament in the presence of us, who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses thereof in his presence and in the presence of each other:
Wm. Hobson,
Thomas Catour,
Wm(?) Malinson.
The Mosborough One-Place Study 