Last Will and Testament of Hugh Howarth
This is the last Will and Testament of me, Hugh Howarth, of 73 Sheffield Road, Godley, Hyde, in the County of Chester, Accountant. I appoint my sons, John Frith Howarth and Robert Howarth, and my son in law, William Lee, trustees and Executors of this my Will.

I give and bequeath unto my son, the said John Frith Howarth, my walnut secretaire. I give unto my son, the said Robert Howarth, my gold watch and chain and cigar case. I give unto my daughter, Alice Matilda Howarth, my plush occasional chair, octagonal table, walnut carved mirror with eagle on and the gold watch and chain formerly worn by her late mother. I give unto my daughter, Jane Lee, (wife of the said William Lee) my oblong table and brass coal box in drawing room. I give unto my son in law, the said William Lee, my gold scarf pin.

I give unto my my said daughter, Alice Matilda Howarth, the legacy of fifty pounds free from legal duty. And subject as herein before mentioned I give, devise and bequeath all the real and personal estate and effects, or to which I shall be possesed or entitled, or over which I may have a power of appointment or disposition at the time of my decease unto my said trustess upon trust to sell, call in and convert the same into money, either by public auction or private contract, and stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale, calling in and conversion and my ready money in trust for such of my children, the said Jane Lee,, John Frith Howarth, Robert Howarth and Alice Matilda Howarth as shall be living at the time of my decease in equal shares and the issue of such of them as shall be then dead, such issue nevertheless to take only the share or shares to which his, her or them parent or parents would have been entitled, if living, and if more than one such issue in equal shares.

And I declare that my trustees may at their discretion raise any part or parts not exceeding together one half part of the vested or presumptive share of any child or grandchild of mine under this Will, and apply the same for his or her maintenance, education, advancement, preferment or benefit as my trustees shall think fit.

And lastly, I hereby revoke all former wills by me made. In witness whereof I have herewith set my hand this twenty eighth day of March one thousand nine hundred and eleven.

Hugh Howarth

Signed by the said Hugh Howarth, as and to be his last will and testament, in the presence of us present at the same time who, at his request, in his presence, and in the presence of each other, have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses – Fred Knowles, Solictor, Hyde – Joseph Knowles, his clerk.

On the 7th March 1912, Probate of this Will was granted at Chester to John Frith Howarth, Robert Howarth and William Lee, the executors.

© Source: Cheshire and Chester Archives and Local Studies Service— ref MF 91/60