He was born in the June quarter of 1851 and baptized 27 May 1851 in Nantwich, the illegitimate son of John Pedley and Anne Hipkiss later Pedley. He was my wife's Great Grandfather on her mother's side.
He married (1) Emma Marshall 1847 - 1882 on 28 November 1878 at St John Chester, two children John Marshall 1880 - 1955 and Frances Ann 1881 - 1902. He married (2) Harriet Cope 1855 - 1898 on 26 December 1882, six children: Mary Elizabeth 1884 - 1950 married Ernest Martin Cope, Thomas William 1885 - 1962, Harriet Ellen 1886 - 1887, Harry 1888 - 1947, Frederick Cookson 1890 - 1917 and Alfred Edgar 1892 - 1966. He married (3) Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Sumner 1857 - 1900 on 4 October 1899. No children. He married (4) Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler on 27 August 1901 at St Mary and St Nicholas, Nantwich. No children.
This is some census and other data on him:
Occupation 1: 1871, Braider (Clothing)
Occupation 2: 1881, Annuitant
Occupation 3: 1891, Independent means
Occupation 4: 1901, Living on own means, Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 1: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 3: 1878, 30 Newgate Street, Nantwich, at time of first marriage. Describes himself as Gentleman and makes his mark because of his blindness.
Residence 4: 1881, Heathfield, Willaston in Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 5: 1885, At time of Thomas's birth, 6 Market Street, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1891, Heathside, Nantwich
Residence 7: 1901, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich
Residence 8: 1911, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich. Gentleman (private means). Married 9 years. He apparently completes and signs the schedule but as he was very nearly totally blind and made his mark on his marriage certificate in 1878 I think it is more likely that it was Alice Eliza or Frederick who did it.
Thomas was acknowledged by John Pedley as his "natural son" in his Will although he is described as his step son in the 1861 census where his name is still given as Hipkiss. He was born Thomas William Hipkiss to Ann Hipkiss in 1851 but is described in his father's will as "commonly known as Thomas William Pedley". John later married Ann Hipkiss in 1853 and they appear to have had no other children. Thomas inherited a substantial sum from his father, said to be some £30,000 by the family, and "never did a day's work." No doubt that was true after his father died but he is recorded as working as a braider in 1871. The Aberdeen Weekly Journal reports as follows on 29 December 1877: "Pedley v Hipkiss - Thomas Hipkiss advertises in the Times that he intends to discontinue using the name of Hipkiss, and to adopt that of Pedley."
Thomas was married first to Emma Marshall and then to Harriet Cope. Both died. His third wife Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Butler died 6 months after he married her. He then married Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler. She had been living in Willaston on the date of the census earlier that year which corroborates the family story that she was a housekeeper. Thomas was very nearly totally blind from an injury in childhood. Within a year of his death there is no trace of his widow or any other Pedleys in Willaston in Kelly's 1914 Directory but John Marshall Pedley is still in Nantwich working as a Draper. Eliza Alice Gilbert had been married before and had children from her previous marriage whom the family believes were preferred over Thomas's own children and got the money when he died though there is no evidence of that in his Will. His granddaughter Peggy Jones nee Pedley said that the children were sent away to boarding school after their father married Eliza Alice Gilbert but I think it is more likely to have been when their mother died in 1898 (when Thomas was still only 13) rather than 1901 when his father remarried for the fourth time (when he would have been 16). In the 1911 census Thomas, his fourth wife and his son Frederick Cookson Pedley are all together in Nantwich. No other Pedleys are living with them.
Thomas died in Nantwich Parish Church during the service on Christmas Day 1913. His granddaughter Peggy said he was the largest single ratepayer in Nantwich when he died. She kept his funeral card which read:
In Memoriam In Loving memory of Thomas William Pedley, of Heathfield, Nantwich; who died December 25th, 1913; aged 62 years; and was interred at All Saints' Cemetery, on the 29th instant. "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."
From the Nantwich Journal: Friday 02 January 1914
DEATH OF T. W. PEDLEY, NANTWICH
With the death of Mr. Thomas William Pedley Heathside, in Nantwich Church Christmas Day, after brief illness, the town and district loses very familiar figure. Mr Pedley was only taken ill on the Sunday previous with paralytic ?seizure? and regained consciousness ..... He was the son of the iate Mr. J. (Pedley) who in his day was the lead manufacturer of Nantwich. carrying on a business which was afterwards sold to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert—in Beam-street, Nantwich. Mr. T. W. was never actively engaged in business, livmg a quiet, unostentatious life, but took a keen interest in the town's affairs. was very proud of its historical institutions, and extensively versed in the traditions of the town. He was a staunch Liberal of the Gladstonian type. Pcdley was ultra-conservative in his retaining the old fairs and festivals, and other institutions, lor instance, long the Nantwich Horticultural Society held their show in Wakes Week he was most liberal to its funds, but when that society was driven by a succession of wet show days to select a date earlier in the year, steadfastly reiused to have anything more to do with it. Being afflicted with partial blindness Mr.Pedley developed memory of marvellous retentiveness. and never failed to recognise a voice when once heard it. Without the slightest hesitation he could give the day upon which Easter would fall lor many years hence, and it is said of him that he knew his Prayer Book by heart from beginning to end. chance the lesson other than the one appointed for the occasion was read, he would take the clergy to task. Just before his death he mentioned the fact that it was nineteen years had such mild weather to Christmas, after which frost set in, it proved one of the severest winters experienced for many years.While his memory of events and incidents that had come undsr his notice was infallible, his forecasts of the weather were very reliable, and he was regarded as a certain weather prophet. He gave generously to the church subscription lists, and was most regular in his attendance at church, and was there the Sunday he was taken ill. He was a subscriber to the Willaston Flower Show and the Nantwich Cottage Hospital, and was for some time president of the Nantwich Wednesday Football Club. in Mr. Pedley’s youth (Willaston) was a noted centre for the breeding of game birds; in fact the locality became famous for its own particular strain,' and Mr. Pedley’s father was extensive breeder. In order to maintain the town s reputation. Mr.Pedley gave year after year a silver cup for the best game cock bred in the district. For some years he was trustee of the A.O.F. Friendly Society, and was a subscriber to the funds.
THE FUNERAL
The interment took place at All Saints Cemetery on Monday, the first portion of the service being taken at the Nantwich Parish Church. The Rector (the Rev. F. O. Poole) officiated. The mourners present included Mr. Marshall Pedley. Corporal Thomas Pedley Royal Engineers; Messrs. H. Pedley, F. Pedley and A Pedley (sons), Mrs. E. Cope (dalighter). Messrs. E. Cope, T. Barlow (agent). E. Steventon, John Barnett, F. Barnett, H. Potter. The bearers were Messrs. Wilkinson. Proudlove. Peter Stubbs, Sen., Frank Stubbs, A. Stubbs and J. Bickerton. Flowers were sent from the following: Mrs. Pedley (widow), "Jack and Ida,” ‘Tom and Lal,"Harrv and Rose,* “Fred and Edgar," "Marion and Ernest,” Mr. and Mrs. Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. J. Barnett. Mr. and Mrs. R. Hetteley, Mr. and Mrs. H. Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Webb, Mr. Waller, the children, Mr. Thomas Barlow. Mrs. Vaughan (Heathside). Mrs. Stoll
(The original of this article must have been very faded because I had to do a lot of reconstruction of the OCR text on the British Newspaper Archive website but I am satisfied that it is substantially right now).
Here is Thomas's will:
This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas William Pedley of Heathfield Willaston in the Parish of Nantwich in the County of Chester Gentleman. I nominate and appoint William Coventry of 41 Watergate Street in the City of Chester Stationer Thomas Barlow of the Barony Nantwich aforesaid Land and Estate Agent and my son John Marshall Pedley (hereinafter called my Trustees) to be Executors and Trustees of this Will. I appoint my said Trustees Guardians of my infant children. I give and bequeath to the said William Coventry and Thomas Barlow the sum of Fifty pounds each free and clear of legacy duty for their trouble in acting as such Executors and Trustees. I give and bequeath my gold watch and chain which I usually wear to my said son John Marshall Pedley absolutely. I direct my said Trustees at their discretion to sell all my household furniture and household effects plate plated articles linen china glass books pictures and prints immediately after my decease and invest the proceeds thereof and stand possessed of the interest arising therefrom upon the trusts hereinafter mentioned. I give devise and bequeath all my real estate and all my personal estate unto my said Trustees upon trust that my said trustees shall receive the rents issues and profits thereof until my youngest child shall attain the age of twenty one years and shall stand possessed of the said rents issues and profits until the times aforesaid upon the trust following that is to say in trust to pay to my said wife the annual amount to which she is entitled under the settlement made on our marriage and which amount will begin to run from the day of my decease and also out of the said rents issues and profits thereof to educate clothe and maintain at my said Trustees discretion such of my children as are infants until they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years and the residue of such rents issues and profits after the payment of all outgoings costs and expenses in the proper carrying on of my estate at the discretion of my said Trustees shall be paid equally among all my children who shall have attained the age of twenty one years. And I direct and declare when my youngest child shall have attained the age of twenty one years that my said Trustees shall sell call in and convert into money the whole of my said real and personal estate except that part of my estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in and conversion in trust to pay to my son John Marshall Pedley the sum of eight hundred pounds being the amount I received from his mother's estate and which I am desirous he should receive on that account over and above the shares of my other children and as to the residue of the proceeds of such last mentioned sale calling in and conversion in trust for all my children including my son John Marshall Pedley in equal shares and as to the other portions of my real estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement I direct and declare that my said trustees shall during the life of my said wife stand possessed of the same in trust as before directed and from and after the decease of my said wife shall sell call in and convert into money the said rest and portions of my said real estates or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in or conversion in trust for all my children in equal shares provided always that if any child of mine shall die in my lifetime leaving a child or children who shall survive me and being a son or sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or marry under that age then and in every such case the last mentioned child or children shall take (and if more than one equally between them) the share which his her or their parent would have taken of and in the residuary trust funds if such parent had survived me and attained the age of twenty one years and I also declare that all moneys liable to be invested under this my will may be invested in any stocks funds or securities authorized by law for trust funds or on mortgage of any leasehold houses or land in England or Wales for any term having sixty years to run at the time of the investment. I empower my Trustees to employ and pay an Agent to receive or pay money and to collect the rents and manage my real estate and I also declare that such power to employ and pay an Agent shall extend to and include the payment of one of my said Trustees and hereby revoking all former wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me I declare this to be my last Will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand to this my Will the fourth day of March one thousand nine hundred and eight- The Mark of Thomas William Pedley
Signed by the above named Thomas William Pedley on this and the one preceding sheet as this his last will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses the before mentioned Will having been first read over to and fully explained to him and he appeared perfectly to understand the same previous to his affixing his mark thereto -
William Barnett No 1 Market Street Nantwich Plumber
Thomas Frederick Barnett 51 Pillory Street Nantwich Plumber.
On the 16th March 1915 probate of this Will was granted at Chester to William Coventry Stationer, Thomas Barlow Estate Agent and John Marshall Pedley, Draper the Executors - Effects valued at £14,686 16s 3d or about £4.7m at 2002 prices. On an extracted copy of the probated will found with Thomas Pedley junior's papers there is a pencilled note in the margin to the effect that the amount due to his stepmother to which she was entitled under the terms of her marriage settlement was £104 per annum. Although Peggy's father Thomas William Pedley junior always said he got very little from his father's Will there is evidence which suggests otherwise. He was able to buy his first house outright. They never had a mortgage. Long after he still had the rents from property in Nantwich which his son in law Tom Jones eventually helped him to dispose of. His younger brother Frederick Cookson Pedley who was killed in the First World War left an Estate worth about £154,000 at today's prices. He was too young to have made his own money so he must have inherited the bulk of it.
Burial: December 29, 1913, All Saints' Cemetery, Nantwich
He married (1) Emma Marshall 1847 - 1882 on 28 November 1878 at St John Chester, two children John Marshall 1880 - 1955 and Frances Ann 1881 - 1902. He married (2) Harriet Cope 1855 - 1898 on 26 December 1882, six children: Mary Elizabeth 1884 - 1950 married Ernest Martin Cope, Thomas William 1885 - 1962, Harriet Ellen 1886 - 1887, Harry 1888 - 1947, Frederick Cookson 1890 - 1917 and Alfred Edgar 1892 - 1966. He married (3) Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Sumner 1857 - 1900 on 4 October 1899. No children. He married (4) Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler on 27 August 1901 at St Mary and St Nicholas, Nantwich. No children.
This is some census and other data on him:
Occupation 1: 1871, Braider (Clothing)
Occupation 2: 1881, Annuitant
Occupation 3: 1891, Independent means
Occupation 4: 1901, Living on own means, Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 1: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 3: 1878, 30 Newgate Street, Nantwich, at time of first marriage. Describes himself as Gentleman and makes his mark because of his blindness.
Residence 4: 1881, Heathfield, Willaston in Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 5: 1885, At time of Thomas's birth, 6 Market Street, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1891, Heathside, Nantwich
Residence 7: 1901, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich
Residence 8: 1911, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich. Gentleman (private means). Married 9 years. He apparently completes and signs the schedule but as he was very nearly totally blind and made his mark on his marriage certificate in 1878 I think it is more likely that it was Alice Eliza or Frederick who did it.
Thomas was acknowledged by John Pedley as his "natural son" in his Will although he is described as his step son in the 1861 census where his name is still given as Hipkiss. He was born Thomas William Hipkiss to Ann Hipkiss in 1851 but is described in his father's will as "commonly known as Thomas William Pedley". John later married Ann Hipkiss in 1853 and they appear to have had no other children. Thomas inherited a substantial sum from his father, said to be some £30,000 by the family, and "never did a day's work." No doubt that was true after his father died but he is recorded as working as a braider in 1871. The Aberdeen Weekly Journal reports as follows on 29 December 1877: "Pedley v Hipkiss - Thomas Hipkiss advertises in the Times that he intends to discontinue using the name of Hipkiss, and to adopt that of Pedley."
Thomas was married first to Emma Marshall and then to Harriet Cope. Both died. His third wife Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Butler died 6 months after he married her. He then married Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler. She had been living in Willaston on the date of the census earlier that year which corroborates the family story that she was a housekeeper. Thomas was very nearly totally blind from an injury in childhood. Within a year of his death there is no trace of his widow or any other Pedleys in Willaston in Kelly's 1914 Directory but John Marshall Pedley is still in Nantwich working as a Draper. Eliza Alice Gilbert had been married before and had children from her previous marriage whom the family believes were preferred over Thomas's own children and got the money when he died though there is no evidence of that in his Will. His granddaughter Peggy Jones nee Pedley said that the children were sent away to boarding school after their father married Eliza Alice Gilbert but I think it is more likely to have been when their mother died in 1898 (when Thomas was still only 13) rather than 1901 when his father remarried for the fourth time (when he would have been 16). In the 1911 census Thomas, his fourth wife and his son Frederick Cookson Pedley are all together in Nantwich. No other Pedleys are living with them.
Thomas died in Nantwich Parish Church during the service on Christmas Day 1913. His granddaughter Peggy said he was the largest single ratepayer in Nantwich when he died. She kept his funeral card which read:
In Memoriam In Loving memory of Thomas William Pedley, of Heathfield, Nantwich; who died December 25th, 1913; aged 62 years; and was interred at All Saints' Cemetery, on the 29th instant. "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."
From the Nantwich Journal: Friday 02 January 1914
DEATH OF T. W. PEDLEY, NANTWICH
With the death of Mr. Thomas William Pedley Heathside, in Nantwich Church Christmas Day, after brief illness, the town and district loses very familiar figure. Mr Pedley was only taken ill on the Sunday previous with paralytic ?seizure? and regained consciousness ..... He was the son of the iate Mr. J. (Pedley) who in his day was the lead manufacturer of Nantwich. carrying on a business which was afterwards sold to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert—in Beam-street, Nantwich. Mr. T. W. was never actively engaged in business, livmg a quiet, unostentatious life, but took a keen interest in the town's affairs. was very proud of its historical institutions, and extensively versed in the traditions of the town. He was a staunch Liberal of the Gladstonian type. Pcdley was ultra-conservative in his retaining the old fairs and festivals, and other institutions, lor instance, long the Nantwich Horticultural Society held their show in Wakes Week he was most liberal to its funds, but when that society was driven by a succession of wet show days to select a date earlier in the year, steadfastly reiused to have anything more to do with it. Being afflicted with partial blindness Mr.Pedley developed memory of marvellous retentiveness. and never failed to recognise a voice when once heard it. Without the slightest hesitation he could give the day upon which Easter would fall lor many years hence, and it is said of him that he knew his Prayer Book by heart from beginning to end. chance the lesson other than the one appointed for the occasion was read, he would take the clergy to task. Just before his death he mentioned the fact that it was nineteen years had such mild weather to Christmas, after which frost set in, it proved one of the severest winters experienced for many years.While his memory of events and incidents that had come undsr his notice was infallible, his forecasts of the weather were very reliable, and he was regarded as a certain weather prophet. He gave generously to the church subscription lists, and was most regular in his attendance at church, and was there the Sunday he was taken ill. He was a subscriber to the Willaston Flower Show and the Nantwich Cottage Hospital, and was for some time president of the Nantwich Wednesday Football Club. in Mr. Pedley’s youth (Willaston) was a noted centre for the breeding of game birds; in fact the locality became famous for its own particular strain,' and Mr. Pedley’s father was extensive breeder. In order to maintain the town s reputation. Mr.Pedley gave year after year a silver cup for the best game cock bred in the district. For some years he was trustee of the A.O.F. Friendly Society, and was a subscriber to the funds.
THE FUNERAL
The interment took place at All Saints Cemetery on Monday, the first portion of the service being taken at the Nantwich Parish Church. The Rector (the Rev. F. O. Poole) officiated. The mourners present included Mr. Marshall Pedley. Corporal Thomas Pedley Royal Engineers; Messrs. H. Pedley, F. Pedley and A Pedley (sons), Mrs. E. Cope (dalighter). Messrs. E. Cope, T. Barlow (agent). E. Steventon, John Barnett, F. Barnett, H. Potter. The bearers were Messrs. Wilkinson. Proudlove. Peter Stubbs, Sen., Frank Stubbs, A. Stubbs and J. Bickerton. Flowers were sent from the following: Mrs. Pedley (widow), "Jack and Ida,” ‘Tom and Lal,"Harrv and Rose,* “Fred and Edgar," "Marion and Ernest,” Mr. and Mrs. Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. J. Barnett. Mr. and Mrs. R. Hetteley, Mr. and Mrs. H. Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Webb, Mr. Waller, the children, Mr. Thomas Barlow. Mrs. Vaughan (Heathside). Mrs. Stoll
(The original of this article must have been very faded because I had to do a lot of reconstruction of the OCR text on the British Newspaper Archive website but I am satisfied that it is substantially right now).
Here is Thomas's will:
This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas William Pedley of Heathfield Willaston in the Parish of Nantwich in the County of Chester Gentleman. I nominate and appoint William Coventry of 41 Watergate Street in the City of Chester Stationer Thomas Barlow of the Barony Nantwich aforesaid Land and Estate Agent and my son John Marshall Pedley (hereinafter called my Trustees) to be Executors and Trustees of this Will. I appoint my said Trustees Guardians of my infant children. I give and bequeath to the said William Coventry and Thomas Barlow the sum of Fifty pounds each free and clear of legacy duty for their trouble in acting as such Executors and Trustees. I give and bequeath my gold watch and chain which I usually wear to my said son John Marshall Pedley absolutely. I direct my said Trustees at their discretion to sell all my household furniture and household effects plate plated articles linen china glass books pictures and prints immediately after my decease and invest the proceeds thereof and stand possessed of the interest arising therefrom upon the trusts hereinafter mentioned. I give devise and bequeath all my real estate and all my personal estate unto my said Trustees upon trust that my said trustees shall receive the rents issues and profits thereof until my youngest child shall attain the age of twenty one years and shall stand possessed of the said rents issues and profits until the times aforesaid upon the trust following that is to say in trust to pay to my said wife the annual amount to which she is entitled under the settlement made on our marriage and which amount will begin to run from the day of my decease and also out of the said rents issues and profits thereof to educate clothe and maintain at my said Trustees discretion such of my children as are infants until they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years and the residue of such rents issues and profits after the payment of all outgoings costs and expenses in the proper carrying on of my estate at the discretion of my said Trustees shall be paid equally among all my children who shall have attained the age of twenty one years. And I direct and declare when my youngest child shall have attained the age of twenty one years that my said Trustees shall sell call in and convert into money the whole of my said real and personal estate except that part of my estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in and conversion in trust to pay to my son John Marshall Pedley the sum of eight hundred pounds being the amount I received from his mother's estate and which I am desirous he should receive on that account over and above the shares of my other children and as to the residue of the proceeds of such last mentioned sale calling in and conversion in trust for all my children including my son John Marshall Pedley in equal shares and as to the other portions of my real estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement I direct and declare that my said trustees shall during the life of my said wife stand possessed of the same in trust as before directed and from and after the decease of my said wife shall sell call in and convert into money the said rest and portions of my said real estates or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in or conversion in trust for all my children in equal shares provided always that if any child of mine shall die in my lifetime leaving a child or children who shall survive me and being a son or sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or marry under that age then and in every such case the last mentioned child or children shall take (and if more than one equally between them) the share which his her or their parent would have taken of and in the residuary trust funds if such parent had survived me and attained the age of twenty one years and I also declare that all moneys liable to be invested under this my will may be invested in any stocks funds or securities authorized by law for trust funds or on mortgage of any leasehold houses or land in England or Wales for any term having sixty years to run at the time of the investment. I empower my Trustees to employ and pay an Agent to receive or pay money and to collect the rents and manage my real estate and I also declare that such power to employ and pay an Agent shall extend to and include the payment of one of my said Trustees and hereby revoking all former wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me I declare this to be my last Will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand to this my Will the fourth day of March one thousand nine hundred and eight- The Mark of Thomas William Pedley
Signed by the above named Thomas William Pedley on this and the one preceding sheet as this his last will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses the before mentioned Will having been first read over to and fully explained to him and he appeared perfectly to understand the same previous to his affixing his mark thereto -
William Barnett No 1 Market Street Nantwich Plumber
Thomas Frederick Barnett 51 Pillory Street Nantwich Plumber.
On the 16th March 1915 probate of this Will was granted at Chester to William Coventry Stationer, Thomas Barlow Estate Agent and John Marshall Pedley, Draper the Executors - Effects valued at £14,686 16s 3d or about £4.7m at 2002 prices. On an extracted copy of the probated will found with Thomas Pedley junior's papers there is a pencilled note in the margin to the effect that the amount due to his stepmother to which she was entitled under the terms of her marriage settlement was £104 per annum. Although Peggy's father Thomas William Pedley junior always said he got very little from his father's Will there is evidence which suggests otherwise. He was able to buy his first house outright. They never had a mortgage. Long after he still had the rents from property in Nantwich which his son in law Tom Jones eventually helped him to dispose of. His younger brother Frederick Cookson Pedley who was killed in the First World War left an Estate worth about £154,000 at today's prices. He was too young to have made his own money so he must have inherited the bulk of it.
Burial: December 29, 1913, All Saints' Cemetery, Nantwich
He was born in the June quarter of 1851 and baptized 27 May 1851 in Nantwich, the illegitimate son of John Pedley and Anne Hipkiss later Pedley. He was my wife's Great Grandfather on her mother's side.
He married (1) Emma Marshall 1847 - 1882 on 28 November 1878 at St John Chester, two children John Marshall 1880 - 1955 and Frances Ann 1881 - 1902. He married (2) Harriet Cope 1855 - 1898 on 26 December 1882, six children: Mary Elizabeth 1884 - 1950 married Ernest Martin Cope, Thomas William 1885 - 1962, Harriet Ellen 1886 - 1887, Harry 1888 - 1947, Frederick Cookson 1890 - 1917 and Alfred Edgar 1892 - 1966. He married (3) Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Sumner 1857 - 1900 on 4 October 1899. No children. He married (4) Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler on 27 August 1901 at St Mary and St Nicholas, Nantwich. No children.
This is some census and other data on him:
Occupation 1: 1871, Braider (Clothing)
Occupation 2: 1881, Annuitant
Occupation 3: 1891, Independent means
Occupation 4: 1901, Living on own means, Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 1: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 3: 1878, 30 Newgate Street, Nantwich, at time of first marriage. Describes himself as Gentleman and makes his mark because of his blindness.
Residence 4: 1881, Heathfield, Willaston in Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 5: 1885, At time of Thomas's birth, 6 Market Street, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1891, Heathside, Nantwich
Residence 7: 1901, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich
Residence 8: 1911, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich. Gentleman (private means). Married 9 years. He apparently completes and signs the schedule but as he was very nearly totally blind and made his mark on his marriage certificate in 1878 I think it is more likely that it was Alice Eliza or Frederick who did it.
Thomas was acknowledged by John Pedley as his "natural son" in his Will although he is described as his step son in the 1861 census where his name is still given as Hipkiss. He was born Thomas William Hipkiss to Ann Hipkiss in 1851 but is described in his father's will as "commonly known as Thomas William Pedley". John later married Ann Hipkiss in 1853 and they appear to have had no other children. Thomas inherited a substantial sum from his father, said to be some £30,000 by the family, and "never did a day's work." No doubt that was true after his father died but he is recorded as working as a braider in 1871. The Aberdeen Weekly Journal reports as follows on 29 December 1877: "Pedley v Hipkiss - Thomas Hipkiss advertises in the Times that he intends to discontinue using the name of Hipkiss, and to adopt that of Pedley."
Thomas was married first to Emma Marshall and then to Harriet Cope. Both died. His third wife Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Butler died 6 months after he married her. He then married Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler. She had been living in Willaston on the date of the census earlier that year which corroborates the family story that she was a housekeeper. Thomas was very nearly totally blind from an injury in childhood. Within a year of his death there is no trace of his widow or any other Pedleys in Willaston in Kelly's 1914 Directory but John Marshall Pedley is still in Nantwich working as a Draper. Eliza Alice Gilbert had been married before and had children from her previous marriage whom the family believes were preferred over Thomas's own children and got the money when he died though there is no evidence of that in his Will. His granddaughter Peggy Jones nee Pedley said that the children were sent away to boarding school after their father married Eliza Alice Gilbert but I think it is more likely to have been when their mother died in 1898 (when Thomas was still only 13) rather than 1901 when his father remarried for the fourth time (when he would have been 16). In the 1911 census Thomas, his fourth wife and his son Frederick Cookson Pedley are all together in Nantwich. No other Pedleys are living with them.
Thomas died in Nantwich Parish Church during the service on Christmas Day 1913. His granddaughter Peggy said he was the largest single ratepayer in Nantwich when he died. She kept his funeral card which read:
In Memoriam In Loving memory of Thomas William Pedley, of Heathfield, Nantwich; who died December 25th, 1913; aged 62 years; and was interred at All Saints' Cemetery, on the 29th instant. "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."
From the Nantwich Journal: Friday 02 January 1914
DEATH OF T. W. PEDLEY, NANTWICH
With the death of Mr. Thomas William Pedley Heathside, in Nantwich Church Christmas Day, after brief illness, the town and district loses very familiar figure. Mr Pedley was only taken ill on the Sunday previous with paralytic ?seizure? and regained consciousness ..... He was the son of the iate Mr. J. (Pedley) who in his day was the lead manufacturer of Nantwich. carrying on a business which was afterwards sold to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert—in Beam-street, Nantwich. Mr. T. W. was never actively engaged in business, livmg a quiet, unostentatious life, but took a keen interest in the town's affairs. was very proud of its historical institutions, and extensively versed in the traditions of the town. He was a staunch Liberal of the Gladstonian type. Pcdley was ultra-conservative in his retaining the old fairs and festivals, and other institutions, lor instance, long the Nantwich Horticultural Society held their show in Wakes Week he was most liberal to its funds, but when that society was driven by a succession of wet show days to select a date earlier in the year, steadfastly reiused to have anything more to do with it. Being afflicted with partial blindness Mr.Pedley developed memory of marvellous retentiveness. and never failed to recognise a voice when once heard it. Without the slightest hesitation he could give the day upon which Easter would fall lor many years hence, and it is said of him that he knew his Prayer Book by heart from beginning to end. chance the lesson other than the one appointed for the occasion was read, he would take the clergy to task. Just before his death he mentioned the fact that it was nineteen years had such mild weather to Christmas, after which frost set in, it proved one of the severest winters experienced for many years.While his memory of events and incidents that had come undsr his notice was infallible, his forecasts of the weather were very reliable, and he was regarded as a certain weather prophet. He gave generously to the church subscription lists, and was most regular in his attendance at church, and was there the Sunday he was taken ill. He was a subscriber to the Willaston Flower Show and the Nantwich Cottage Hospital, and was for some time president of the Nantwich Wednesday Football Club. in Mr. Pedley’s youth (Willaston) was a noted centre for the breeding of game birds; in fact the locality became famous for its own particular strain,' and Mr. Pedley’s father was extensive breeder. In order to maintain the town s reputation. Mr.Pedley gave year after year a silver cup for the best game cock bred in the district. For some years he was trustee of the A.O.F. Friendly Society, and was a subscriber to the funds.
THE FUNERAL
The interment took place at All Saints Cemetery on Monday, the first portion of the service being taken at the Nantwich Parish Church. The Rector (the Rev. F. O. Poole) officiated. The mourners present included Mr. Marshall Pedley. Corporal Thomas Pedley Royal Engineers; Messrs. H. Pedley, F. Pedley and A Pedley (sons), Mrs. E. Cope (dalighter). Messrs. E. Cope, T. Barlow (agent). E. Steventon, John Barnett, F. Barnett, H. Potter. The bearers were Messrs. Wilkinson. Proudlove. Peter Stubbs, Sen., Frank Stubbs, A. Stubbs and J. Bickerton. Flowers were sent from the following: Mrs. Pedley (widow), "Jack and Ida,” ‘Tom and Lal,"Harrv and Rose,* “Fred and Edgar," "Marion and Ernest,” Mr. and Mrs. Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. J. Barnett. Mr. and Mrs. R. Hetteley, Mr. and Mrs. H. Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Webb, Mr. Waller, the children, Mr. Thomas Barlow. Mrs. Vaughan (Heathside). Mrs. Stoll
(The original of this article must have been very faded because I had to do a lot of reconstruction of the OCR text on the British Newspaper Archive website but I am satisfied that it is substantially right now).
Here is Thomas's will:
This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas William Pedley of Heathfield Willaston in the Parish of Nantwich in the County of Chester Gentleman. I nominate and appoint William Coventry of 41 Watergate Street in the City of Chester Stationer Thomas Barlow of the Barony Nantwich aforesaid Land and Estate Agent and my son John Marshall Pedley (hereinafter called my Trustees) to be Executors and Trustees of this Will. I appoint my said Trustees Guardians of my infant children. I give and bequeath to the said William Coventry and Thomas Barlow the sum of Fifty pounds each free and clear of legacy duty for their trouble in acting as such Executors and Trustees. I give and bequeath my gold watch and chain which I usually wear to my said son John Marshall Pedley absolutely. I direct my said Trustees at their discretion to sell all my household furniture and household effects plate plated articles linen china glass books pictures and prints immediately after my decease and invest the proceeds thereof and stand possessed of the interest arising therefrom upon the trusts hereinafter mentioned. I give devise and bequeath all my real estate and all my personal estate unto my said Trustees upon trust that my said trustees shall receive the rents issues and profits thereof until my youngest child shall attain the age of twenty one years and shall stand possessed of the said rents issues and profits until the times aforesaid upon the trust following that is to say in trust to pay to my said wife the annual amount to which she is entitled under the settlement made on our marriage and which amount will begin to run from the day of my decease and also out of the said rents issues and profits thereof to educate clothe and maintain at my said Trustees discretion such of my children as are infants until they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years and the residue of such rents issues and profits after the payment of all outgoings costs and expenses in the proper carrying on of my estate at the discretion of my said Trustees shall be paid equally among all my children who shall have attained the age of twenty one years. And I direct and declare when my youngest child shall have attained the age of twenty one years that my said Trustees shall sell call in and convert into money the whole of my said real and personal estate except that part of my estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in and conversion in trust to pay to my son John Marshall Pedley the sum of eight hundred pounds being the amount I received from his mother's estate and which I am desirous he should receive on that account over and above the shares of my other children and as to the residue of the proceeds of such last mentioned sale calling in and conversion in trust for all my children including my son John Marshall Pedley in equal shares and as to the other portions of my real estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement I direct and declare that my said trustees shall during the life of my said wife stand possessed of the same in trust as before directed and from and after the decease of my said wife shall sell call in and convert into money the said rest and portions of my said real estates or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in or conversion in trust for all my children in equal shares provided always that if any child of mine shall die in my lifetime leaving a child or children who shall survive me and being a son or sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or marry under that age then and in every such case the last mentioned child or children shall take (and if more than one equally between them) the share which his her or their parent would have taken of and in the residuary trust funds if such parent had survived me and attained the age of twenty one years and I also declare that all moneys liable to be invested under this my will may be invested in any stocks funds or securities authorized by law for trust funds or on mortgage of any leasehold houses or land in England or Wales for any term having sixty years to run at the time of the investment. I empower my Trustees to employ and pay an Agent to receive or pay money and to collect the rents and manage my real estate and I also declare that such power to employ and pay an Agent shall extend to and include the payment of one of my said Trustees and hereby revoking all former wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me I declare this to be my last Will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand to this my Will the fourth day of March one thousand nine hundred and eight- The Mark of Thomas William Pedley
Signed by the above named Thomas William Pedley on this and the one preceding sheet as this his last will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses the before mentioned Will having been first read over to and fully explained to him and he appeared perfectly to understand the same previous to his affixing his mark thereto -
William Barnett No 1 Market Street Nantwich Plumber
Thomas Frederick Barnett 51 Pillory Street Nantwich Plumber.
On the 16th March 1915 probate of this Will was granted at Chester to William Coventry Stationer, Thomas Barlow Estate Agent and John Marshall Pedley, Draper the Executors - Effects valued at £14,686 16s 3d or about £4.7m at 2002 prices. On an extracted copy of the probated will found with Thomas Pedley junior's papers there is a pencilled note in the margin to the effect that the amount due to his stepmother to which she was entitled under the terms of her marriage settlement was £104 per annum. Although Peggy's father Thomas William Pedley junior always said he got very little from his father's Will there is evidence which suggests otherwise. He was able to buy his first house outright. They never had a mortgage. Long after he still had the rents from property in Nantwich which his son in law Tom Jones eventually helped him to dispose of. His younger brother Frederick Cookson Pedley who was killed in the First World War left an Estate worth about £154,000 at today's prices. He was too young to have made his own money so he must have inherited the bulk of it.
Burial: December 29, 1913, All Saints' Cemetery, Nantwich
He married (1) Emma Marshall 1847 - 1882 on 28 November 1878 at St John Chester, two children John Marshall 1880 - 1955 and Frances Ann 1881 - 1902. He married (2) Harriet Cope 1855 - 1898 on 26 December 1882, six children: Mary Elizabeth 1884 - 1950 married Ernest Martin Cope, Thomas William 1885 - 1962, Harriet Ellen 1886 - 1887, Harry 1888 - 1947, Frederick Cookson 1890 - 1917 and Alfred Edgar 1892 - 1966. He married (3) Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Sumner 1857 - 1900 on 4 October 1899. No children. He married (4) Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler on 27 August 1901 at St Mary and St Nicholas, Nantwich. No children.
This is some census and other data on him:
Occupation 1: 1871, Braider (Clothing)
Occupation 2: 1881, Annuitant
Occupation 3: 1891, Independent means
Occupation 4: 1901, Living on own means, Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 1: 1861, Beam Street, Nantwich
Residence 2: 1871, Oak Bank Villa, Station Road, Nantwich
Residence 3: 1878, 30 Newgate Street, Nantwich, at time of first marriage. Describes himself as Gentleman and makes his mark because of his blindness.
Residence 4: 1881, Heathfield, Willaston in Nantwich, Cheshire
Residence 5: 1885, At time of Thomas's birth, 6 Market Street, Nantwich
Residence 6: 1891, Heathside, Nantwich
Residence 7: 1901, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich
Residence 8: 1911, Heathfield House, Willaston, Nantwich. Gentleman (private means). Married 9 years. He apparently completes and signs the schedule but as he was very nearly totally blind and made his mark on his marriage certificate in 1878 I think it is more likely that it was Alice Eliza or Frederick who did it.
Thomas was acknowledged by John Pedley as his "natural son" in his Will although he is described as his step son in the 1861 census where his name is still given as Hipkiss. He was born Thomas William Hipkiss to Ann Hipkiss in 1851 but is described in his father's will as "commonly known as Thomas William Pedley". John later married Ann Hipkiss in 1853 and they appear to have had no other children. Thomas inherited a substantial sum from his father, said to be some £30,000 by the family, and "never did a day's work." No doubt that was true after his father died but he is recorded as working as a braider in 1871. The Aberdeen Weekly Journal reports as follows on 29 December 1877: "Pedley v Hipkiss - Thomas Hipkiss advertises in the Times that he intends to discontinue using the name of Hipkiss, and to adopt that of Pedley."
Thomas was married first to Emma Marshall and then to Harriet Cope. Both died. His third wife Elizabeth Ann Bunn nee Butler died 6 months after he married her. He then married Eliza Alice Gilbert nee Butler. She had been living in Willaston on the date of the census earlier that year which corroborates the family story that she was a housekeeper. Thomas was very nearly totally blind from an injury in childhood. Within a year of his death there is no trace of his widow or any other Pedleys in Willaston in Kelly's 1914 Directory but John Marshall Pedley is still in Nantwich working as a Draper. Eliza Alice Gilbert had been married before and had children from her previous marriage whom the family believes were preferred over Thomas's own children and got the money when he died though there is no evidence of that in his Will. His granddaughter Peggy Jones nee Pedley said that the children were sent away to boarding school after their father married Eliza Alice Gilbert but I think it is more likely to have been when their mother died in 1898 (when Thomas was still only 13) rather than 1901 when his father remarried for the fourth time (when he would have been 16). In the 1911 census Thomas, his fourth wife and his son Frederick Cookson Pedley are all together in Nantwich. No other Pedleys are living with them.
Thomas died in Nantwich Parish Church during the service on Christmas Day 1913. His granddaughter Peggy said he was the largest single ratepayer in Nantwich when he died. She kept his funeral card which read:
In Memoriam In Loving memory of Thomas William Pedley, of Heathfield, Nantwich; who died December 25th, 1913; aged 62 years; and was interred at All Saints' Cemetery, on the 29th instant. "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in Thy sight."
From the Nantwich Journal: Friday 02 January 1914
DEATH OF T. W. PEDLEY, NANTWICH
With the death of Mr. Thomas William Pedley Heathside, in Nantwich Church Christmas Day, after brief illness, the town and district loses very familiar figure. Mr Pedley was only taken ill on the Sunday previous with paralytic ?seizure? and regained consciousness ..... He was the son of the iate Mr. J. (Pedley) who in his day was the lead manufacturer of Nantwich. carrying on a business which was afterwards sold to Messrs. Coward and Gilbert—in Beam-street, Nantwich. Mr. T. W. was never actively engaged in business, livmg a quiet, unostentatious life, but took a keen interest in the town's affairs. was very proud of its historical institutions, and extensively versed in the traditions of the town. He was a staunch Liberal of the Gladstonian type. Pcdley was ultra-conservative in his retaining the old fairs and festivals, and other institutions, lor instance, long the Nantwich Horticultural Society held their show in Wakes Week he was most liberal to its funds, but when that society was driven by a succession of wet show days to select a date earlier in the year, steadfastly reiused to have anything more to do with it. Being afflicted with partial blindness Mr.Pedley developed memory of marvellous retentiveness. and never failed to recognise a voice when once heard it. Without the slightest hesitation he could give the day upon which Easter would fall lor many years hence, and it is said of him that he knew his Prayer Book by heart from beginning to end. chance the lesson other than the one appointed for the occasion was read, he would take the clergy to task. Just before his death he mentioned the fact that it was nineteen years had such mild weather to Christmas, after which frost set in, it proved one of the severest winters experienced for many years.While his memory of events and incidents that had come undsr his notice was infallible, his forecasts of the weather were very reliable, and he was regarded as a certain weather prophet. He gave generously to the church subscription lists, and was most regular in his attendance at church, and was there the Sunday he was taken ill. He was a subscriber to the Willaston Flower Show and the Nantwich Cottage Hospital, and was for some time president of the Nantwich Wednesday Football Club. in Mr. Pedley’s youth (Willaston) was a noted centre for the breeding of game birds; in fact the locality became famous for its own particular strain,' and Mr. Pedley’s father was extensive breeder. In order to maintain the town s reputation. Mr.Pedley gave year after year a silver cup for the best game cock bred in the district. For some years he was trustee of the A.O.F. Friendly Society, and was a subscriber to the funds.
THE FUNERAL
The interment took place at All Saints Cemetery on Monday, the first portion of the service being taken at the Nantwich Parish Church. The Rector (the Rev. F. O. Poole) officiated. The mourners present included Mr. Marshall Pedley. Corporal Thomas Pedley Royal Engineers; Messrs. H. Pedley, F. Pedley and A Pedley (sons), Mrs. E. Cope (dalighter). Messrs. E. Cope, T. Barlow (agent). E. Steventon, John Barnett, F. Barnett, H. Potter. The bearers were Messrs. Wilkinson. Proudlove. Peter Stubbs, Sen., Frank Stubbs, A. Stubbs and J. Bickerton. Flowers were sent from the following: Mrs. Pedley (widow), "Jack and Ida,” ‘Tom and Lal,"Harrv and Rose,* “Fred and Edgar," "Marion and Ernest,” Mr. and Mrs. Barlow, Mr. and Mrs. J. Barnett. Mr. and Mrs. R. Hetteley, Mr. and Mrs. H. Potter, Mr. and Mrs. Stubbs, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Webb, Mr. Waller, the children, Mr. Thomas Barlow. Mrs. Vaughan (Heathside). Mrs. Stoll
(The original of this article must have been very faded because I had to do a lot of reconstruction of the OCR text on the British Newspaper Archive website but I am satisfied that it is substantially right now).
Here is Thomas's will:
This is the last Will and Testament of me Thomas William Pedley of Heathfield Willaston in the Parish of Nantwich in the County of Chester Gentleman. I nominate and appoint William Coventry of 41 Watergate Street in the City of Chester Stationer Thomas Barlow of the Barony Nantwich aforesaid Land and Estate Agent and my son John Marshall Pedley (hereinafter called my Trustees) to be Executors and Trustees of this Will. I appoint my said Trustees Guardians of my infant children. I give and bequeath to the said William Coventry and Thomas Barlow the sum of Fifty pounds each free and clear of legacy duty for their trouble in acting as such Executors and Trustees. I give and bequeath my gold watch and chain which I usually wear to my said son John Marshall Pedley absolutely. I direct my said Trustees at their discretion to sell all my household furniture and household effects plate plated articles linen china glass books pictures and prints immediately after my decease and invest the proceeds thereof and stand possessed of the interest arising therefrom upon the trusts hereinafter mentioned. I give devise and bequeath all my real estate and all my personal estate unto my said Trustees upon trust that my said trustees shall receive the rents issues and profits thereof until my youngest child shall attain the age of twenty one years and shall stand possessed of the said rents issues and profits until the times aforesaid upon the trust following that is to say in trust to pay to my said wife the annual amount to which she is entitled under the settlement made on our marriage and which amount will begin to run from the day of my decease and also out of the said rents issues and profits thereof to educate clothe and maintain at my said Trustees discretion such of my children as are infants until they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years and the residue of such rents issues and profits after the payment of all outgoings costs and expenses in the proper carrying on of my estate at the discretion of my said Trustees shall be paid equally among all my children who shall have attained the age of twenty one years. And I direct and declare when my youngest child shall have attained the age of twenty one years that my said Trustees shall sell call in and convert into money the whole of my said real and personal estate except that part of my estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in and conversion in trust to pay to my son John Marshall Pedley the sum of eight hundred pounds being the amount I received from his mother's estate and which I am desirous he should receive on that account over and above the shares of my other children and as to the residue of the proceeds of such last mentioned sale calling in and conversion in trust for all my children including my son John Marshall Pedley in equal shares and as to the other portions of my real estate charged under the said Marriage Settlement I direct and declare that my said trustees shall during the life of my said wife stand possessed of the same in trust as before directed and from and after the decease of my said wife shall sell call in and convert into money the said rest and portions of my said real estates or such part thereof as shall not consist of money either by public auction or private contract at their discretion and shall stand possessed of the proceeds of such sale calling in or conversion in trust for all my children in equal shares provided always that if any child of mine shall die in my lifetime leaving a child or children who shall survive me and being a son or sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or daughters shall attain that age or marry under that age then and in every such case the last mentioned child or children shall take (and if more than one equally between them) the share which his her or their parent would have taken of and in the residuary trust funds if such parent had survived me and attained the age of twenty one years and I also declare that all moneys liable to be invested under this my will may be invested in any stocks funds or securities authorized by law for trust funds or on mortgage of any leasehold houses or land in England or Wales for any term having sixty years to run at the time of the investment. I empower my Trustees to employ and pay an Agent to receive or pay money and to collect the rents and manage my real estate and I also declare that such power to employ and pay an Agent shall extend to and include the payment of one of my said Trustees and hereby revoking all former wills and testamentary dispositions heretofore made by me I declare this to be my last Will and testament in witness whereof I have set my hand to this my Will the fourth day of March one thousand nine hundred and eight- The Mark of Thomas William Pedley
Signed by the above named Thomas William Pedley on this and the one preceding sheet as this his last will in the presence of us both being present at the same time who in his presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses the before mentioned Will having been first read over to and fully explained to him and he appeared perfectly to understand the same previous to his affixing his mark thereto -
William Barnett No 1 Market Street Nantwich Plumber
Thomas Frederick Barnett 51 Pillory Street Nantwich Plumber.
On the 16th March 1915 probate of this Will was granted at Chester to William Coventry Stationer, Thomas Barlow Estate Agent and John Marshall Pedley, Draper the Executors - Effects valued at £14,686 16s 3d or about £4.7m at 2002 prices. On an extracted copy of the probated will found with Thomas Pedley junior's papers there is a pencilled note in the margin to the effect that the amount due to his stepmother to which she was entitled under the terms of her marriage settlement was £104 per annum. Although Peggy's father Thomas William Pedley junior always said he got very little from his father's Will there is evidence which suggests otherwise. He was able to buy his first house outright. They never had a mortgage. Long after he still had the rents from property in Nantwich which his son in law Tom Jones eventually helped him to dispose of. His younger brother Frederick Cookson Pedley who was killed in the First World War left an Estate worth about £154,000 at today's prices. He was too young to have made his own money so he must have inherited the bulk of it.
Burial: December 29, 1913, All Saints' Cemetery, Nantwich
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