Holt of Tottington - Probate Records

John Holt of Greenhalgh Moss d. 1723

Firstly, lets have a look at the 1723 letters of administration for the probate of John Holt of Greenhalgh Moss.  He died on the 18th June 1723, and was buried at Bury Parish Church on the 21st 'John Holte of Greenmoss'.  The admon and inventory contain the following information:

July 5th 1723 - Inventory appraised by John Holt and James Holt and came to a total value of £119.04.06.  It included materials and finished goods relating to his trade as a fustianman, including quantities wool and cotton, warps and wefts, Irish yarn, jeans, and goods stored at Manchester.

July 13th 1723 - Elizabeth Holt, widow and mother of John Holt of Greenhalgh Moss, deceased, being old and unfit, gave consent to James Holt, her surviving son and brother of John, to take on administration of his goods.

The bondsmen were James Holt of Tottington, weaver (brother of John), another James Holt of Tottington, weaver, and Edmund Holt of Tottington, calenderman.

Most likely, I think, this is the same John Holt at the head of the pedigrees drawn up by John Lord.

John Holt of Tottington, Yeoman & Clockmaker, probate 1703

This John Holt left a will dated 20th July 1703, in which he said that he was sick and weak of body.  The will stated that he had surrendered his estate with six acres of copyhold land to the Lord and Lady of the Manor, to the use and behoose of the trustees being Thomas Nuttall of Tottington, gentleman, and Thomas Holt of Holcomhead, yeoman, as feofees.  The profits from it were to be used to pay any debts he may have and then to maintain his wife and children, until the children reach the age of twenty one.  Thereafter, half was to go to his wife Elizabeth, and the other half to his son John.

The testator nominated his wife Elizabeth and James Pilkington of Breightmet as executors.   (Possible marriage at Bolton in 1687 - John Holt of Bury parish and Elizabeth Pilkington of Breightmet.  Also John Holt is a witness to the will of James Pilkington of Breightmet, 1693)

An inventory of goods was taken on 10th Aug 1703 by John Holte, Anthony Holme and Richard Ramsbothom.   The total value was £28.09.10.  Unfortunately, the inventory is damaged and part is missing.  It includes £4 worth of clocks and watches, and in the shop 'an engine for clocks', two guns and a pocket pistol.  There was also a smithy with bellows, anvil and lathe.  Probate was issued 21 Feb 1704.

I suspect this might be the father of John Holt of Greenhalgh Fold above (d. 1723).  The name of his wife Elizabeth and son John tie up.   Also, one of the trustees to whom he surrendered his property was Thomas Holt of Holcomehead.  We know there was a connection between the Holts at these two places; in the 1690 will of William Holt of Holcomehead, William names John Holt of Greenhalgh Moss as his brother, and his son as Thomas.

The name of John Holt's estate is unfortunately not given in his will, but the six acres is consistent with Greenhalgh Moss (see the later will of James Holt of Greenhalghmoss from 1803 where he says it is six acres and one rood).  The annual rental charge was said to be 2 shillings and 4 pence, which it might be possible to tie up with other rental records.

There is a burial at Bury Parish Church on 23rd July 1703, of John Holt of Tottington, who died on the 21st July 1703 (the day after his will was written, and his copyhold estate surrendered).  In both the will and the burial record, it says 'cutler' (I think - see images below), although the will also says 'Yeoman', and the inventory says 'Clockmaker'.  A cutler was someone who was a manufacturer of knives, scissors, razors and other sharp instruments.

Will - 1703

Burial - 1703

Another interesting reference that I think is probably referring to the same person is this letter from Lawrence Rawstorne to Roger Kenyon of Peel in 1683:

"Your intended watch is amakeing, and if you have any old silver lace, it will be the best that can be, for a figure plate. You may send it to Holcom, directed to John Holt, cutler, post, Holcom Hill, and Robert Starkie will take care to get it him. I have contributed a case, which will save some charge, if you approve thereof, and if not, you may alter that at pleasure."