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Facts and Events
Jacob Walker's origins have yet to be established, although it is known that he had brothers called John and Joseph from his will. Jacob's first confirmed sighting is on 23rd August 1736, when he was married at Siddington in Cheshire to Ann Fernihough, who was from the nearby village of Marton. Ann's father's will of 1739 describes Joseph as being a blacksmith of Marton. Ann and Joseph do not appear to have had any children.
In 1757 Jacob wrote his will. He left money to his brothers John and Joseph. He also left money to the children of George Foden, who was probably his brother in law; a George Foden and Margaret Walker had married in Prestbury in 1717. Similarly he left money to the children of Robert Forster, who was probably another brother in law; a Robert Forster of Marton and Phoebe Walker of Siddington had married in Sandbach in 1726. He also referred to an indenture from John Fernihough of Willoughby in Nottinghamshire, who was his wife Ann's nephew. Ann and John had been left Ann's father's property at Marton so presumably this indenture related to that land.
It is not clear when Jacob died, although he died some time before March 1777. He seems to have started writing alternative wills, with two undated draft wills found after his death. In March and April 1777 his widow Ann presented the two draft wills to the courts and declared that she could not find a completed will, although she believed that one existed. In this declaration Joseph was described as being a yeoman of Marton. Later in the year she found the 1757 will, which she had proved in September 1777. Ann died the following year.
References
- Cheshire Wills and Probate (Cheshire Archives and Local Studies Service, Chester / findmypast.co.uk).
Reference: Walker, Jacob - SEE WC 1777
Notes: Will Contested - SEE Will Supra 1777
In the Name of God Amen I Jacob Walker of Marton being of Perfect Memery do make this my last Will and Testement in Maner and form following, first it is my Will and Mind that all mu Just Debts and funeral Expences shal be discharg[e]d and as for my personal Estate I dispose in maner and form following, first I leave The sum of fifteen pounds to John Foden seener and fifteen pounds to Jacob Foden and fifteen pounds to Martha Wood, also fifteen pounds to Pheby Allcock and fifteen pounds to Ann Jackson, allso Ellen Moor allso fifteen pounds to Sarah Walker allso Peter Mares and Henry Mars Each fifpounds [sic], allso Peter Mareses Two Daughters fifpounds Each, Paying fifshillings a year to Sarah Maers and Sarah Vernon allso to Katherine Goodyear fifpounds allso Joseph Taylor Tennpounds allso Mary Taylor and Sarah Taylor John Taylor and Martha Taylor, Eash fifpounds, also Sarah Mulener fifpounds and Joseph Mulener Tennpounds and Henry Mulener fifpounds allso Elizabeth Moor fifpounds allso to William Wilson fifpounds allso to Henry Jackson fifpounds allso the Rest resedue and Remainder in whoes hands so ever they may be found Estate Goods and Money I Give to Ann Walker my Wife
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In the Name of God Amen I Jacob Walker of Marton being of Perfect Memery do make this my last Will and Testement seting all Othre former wills Avoide; do make my will in Maner and form following, first it is my Will and Mind that all my just debts and funerall Expences Shall be Paid,and as for my personal Estate I dispose on in maner and folm following; first I leave Tennpounds to John Foden seener and Tennpounds to Jacob Foden and tennpounds to Martha Wood Allso tennpounds to Pheby Allcock and tennpounds toAnn Jackson Allso fifteen pounds to Ellen Moor Allso fifteenpounds to Sarah Walker allso Peter Maers and Henry Maers Each fifpounds allso Peter Mareses Two Daughters fifpounds Each paying to their Grandmother Sarah Mayer & Mary Vernon, their Aunt during their respective Lives 5d p An each Allso to Katherine Goodyear fifpounds Allso Joseph Taylor Tennpounds Allso Mary Taylor and Sarah Taylor And Jhn [sic] Taylor and Martha Taylor Each fifpounds Allso Sara Mulener Tennpoudns Joseph Mulener Tenn pounds and Henry Mulener fifpounds Allso Elizabeth Moor Tennpounds Allso William Wilson fifpounds Allso Henry Jackson fifpounds Allso Mary Jackson fifpounds Allso Ann Wilson fifpounds Also to John Foden Junior Fifpounds Also Elizabeth Stretch Two Pounds Ten shillings, Also Sarah Plant tow Pounds ten shillings, Also the Rest residue & remainder of my Estates Goods & Chattles I give to Ann Walker my Wife Also I nominate & appoint my wife Ann Walker Jos: Mulliner & Jos: Taylor to be Executors of this my last Will & Testament
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Allso I nomenate and apoint My Wife Ann Walker Joseph Mulener & Joseph Taylor to be my Executers of this my last Will and Testement
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In the Consistory Court of Chester
Ann Walker of Marton in the County of Chester Widow and Relict of Jacob Walker late of Marton aforesaid Yeoman deceased maketh Oath and saith that no Will or Paper writing purporting to be a Will or Testamentory Paper other than those now exhibited and remaining at the Acts of this Court have or hath in the Lifetime of the said Jacob Walker or since his decease come to the Hands Possession or Knowledge of this Deponent the said Ann Walker save that she believes she saw a Will of her Husband's about five or six years before he died in his Hands, and that no Paper Writing puporting to be or in the Nature of the last Will and Testament of the said Jacob Walker the Testator or by another Person to her Knowledge and belief
Sworn at Marton in the County of Chester the twenty sixth Day of March in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy seven} Ann Walker
Before me
J. Platt Surrog[ate]
[cover title]
Milliner agt. Walker
Affidavit of Ann Walker extos[?]
10 Apr 1777
Uneyary[?] the 9 1757
Know all men by thees presantes that I Jacob Walker of Marten doe make this my last Will and testement in maner and forme following first it is my will and mind that all my just deptes and funerall expences be fuly payed and discharged then I give and dispose of what I have in World in maner and forme folloind item I give to my broder John Walker tooe pound and ten shiling Allso I give to my broder Joseph Walker tooe pound and ten shiling allso I give to George Fodenes fore children ten shilings each allso I give to Robard Forster fore children ten shilings each allso I give to my broder Joseph Walkers dauter ten shilings allso I give to John Endon of Cosley ten shilings alles I give to Elisabeth Fearnihough that indenture made to mee by John Fearninough of Wilibey in Knotinghamshare Allso I give to Ann Walker my wife all thee rest resedew and remainder in whose hand soever it may be found allso I nomenat and apynt Ann Walker my loving Wife full and sole Execterix of this my will Jacob Walker sealed and delivered acording to the testateres mind by us
John Harrap
Hannah Goostnery
Aaron Sant
Sept[ember] 8th 1777
Anne Walker wid[o]w Sole Ex[ecu]trix in this will named took the usual oath of an Ex[ecu]trix
before me
J. Platt Surrog[at]e
Probat issued 15th of same
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