Extracts from various wills proved at Chester

Oldest son John France, estate in Lostock, with buildings known as Snughouses
Lease of farm held under Mr. Blundell, including cows, horses, ploughs and husbandry equipment
Son Richard France, estate at Dixons, Westhoughton
Grandson Jeremiah France, under 21 in 1798
Siblings of grandson Jeremiah; John, Mary & Betty
Son Jeremiah France (in debt)
Dated 15th Feb 1798, Probate issued 9th Aug 1808
Executors; sons John France and Richard France

Notes:

Burial of Jeremiah France of Rumworth, at Deane, 13th June 1808
Rumworth Poor Rate records show Ralph Winward and Jere: France paying £1 4s 0d or thereabouts between 1786 and June 1808.
From September 1808, John France pays the same rate
In 1823 John France is listed as being at Walker Fold.

Messuages in Blackrod, in occupation of Henry Holt, to two sons John & Ralph
Wife Sarah – cottages in Heaton, leased from Henry Blundell Esq.
Cottages in possession of William Morris, Richard Morris, John Harwood, Samuel Thornley, Henry Welsby, to son Ralph
“Pinks’ Cottage” in Heaton, in possession of him, his sons James & William, and Jeremiah Pendlebury and Mary Lee, to his son William Markland
Daughter Sarah, wife of Adam Crompton

Sons William Markland, James Markland, Thomas Markland and Wright Markland
House on Deansgate, Great Bolton, in occupation of John Kell (deceased)
Son in law, William Markland
Daughter Ann, 2 houses on Deansgate, Great Bolton, in the occupation of Henry Calvert, butcher, and Mrs. Knowles
Executors: son William Markland, and son in law, William Markland

2 cottages in Darcy Lever, in possession of John Fletcher and his son Thomas Mather, to his son Thomas Mather
2 cottages in Darcy Lever, in possession of Samuel Martin and Nathaniel Warburton, to the daughters of his late daughter Betty Hulme
2 cottages in Darcy Lever, is possession of himself and Joseph Warburton, to daughter Jane Fohold (who has three children)
1 cottage to grandson Thomas Mather
1 cottage in Little Bolton, in the occupation of Barnabas Kitchen, to son in law, Henry Warburton
1 cottage in King Street, Great Bolton, to son John Mather
Late son Richard Mather – has children

Dated 9th May 1803, probate issued 15th August 1806
Three nephews; James Platt of Rumworth, farmer, Adam Platt of Rumworth, weaver, William Platt of Great Bolton, book keeper
Thorp Cottages in Westhoughton, formerly purchased from Ralph Dearden
Chiphil Hole, Over Hulton, leased from William Hulton, Esq.
Little Meadow, Ralph Platt’s Tenement, leased from Henry Blundell, Esq.
Nelly Eckersley, wife of William Eckersley of Over Hulton, weaver
Betty Lomax, wife of William Lomax, of Over Hulton, farmer
Mary Gerrard, wife of Wright Gerrard of Rumworth, farmer