| 
  Last Will & Testament 
   
(died 1688) 1687 19 May –  
 
Will of John Pickering of  Gorstage, Weaverham Parish, died Frodsham    
 
John Pickering and his family were living in Gorstage, Weaverham Parish,  Cheshire since the 1660’s or earlier. The place “Gorstage” was sometimes  written as Gorstich in the old records. John Pickering died between March 19,  1687 when the Will was written and signed, and April 3, 1688 when the Inventory  was taken. The Will was proven on May 5, 1688. The following are extracted from  his Will: 
 
  ".... I John Pickeringe of Gorstich .... yeoman ... the  Nineteinth day of March in the yeare .... One Thousand Six hundred Eghty Seven  beeing sicke in body but in good and perfect memory .... " 
  "...that my body shall bee buried at the parish Church  of Weaverham ...." 
  "... my Reall Estate that I purchassed from Thomas  Marbury of Marburye [ ] into ffeeform for ever as by deed of Indenture will  more full declare at Large & Accordinge to An Agreement had and all Redy  Made Covenanted With my son Thomas  Pickering..." 
  ".... give and Bequeath to my said son Thomas  Pickeringe the one halfe of all my Lands orchards Garding ...." 
  "my loving Wife  Elizabeth Pickeringe .... son John  Pickeringe ..." 
  "to his younger Brothers ... Samuel Pickeringe ... Bernard Pickeringe ... William  Pickering.... Joseph Pickeringe ..." 
  "And lastly I doe constitute and apoynte my loving wife  my onely Sole Executrix ..." 
   The Will was signed in the presence of Robert Wilcoxon,  Thomas Stones, and John Bassnett.  The Inventory was done by John  Bassnett, Peter Sante, Richard Ffryer and Thomas Pickeringe of Gorstich.   The signature and seal of John Pickering is on the document. 
   Among his  belongings listed in the Inventory were 
  "twoe  mares .. and one colte..." 
  "twoe Cows and twoe Calves..." 
  "nineteene Sheepes .... five Lambs..." 
   Elizabeth Pickering was living at the time when her husband  John Pickering had his Will written and signed on March 19, 1687. 
 
  
 
  |