Legacy
Wills Prior to 1600
This is a summary in date order of the information contained within. The wills recorded in Rochdale Library. Wills are a great source of major bequests to close relatives, personal estate assets and liabilities.
| Date Proved | Name and Position | Address | Relatives Named |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1544 | William Holt Merchant tailor |
Watling St, London born in Rochdale |
Sir Thomas Holt Kt.; uncles Thomas and Henry; Richard Holt, tailor, London. |
| 1554 | Robert Holt of Stubley | Stubley |
Eliza; R. d. Holt; Roger Holt; nephew Rt. Holt; James Holt; witness Henry Holt. Burial in Rochdale, chancel of church with other Holts. |
| 1556 | Robert Holt of Stubley | Stubley |
Richard Holt; Henry Holt; Reg Holt; James and John Holt; uncle Rt. Holt; d. Alice. Charles Holt if he marries Robert’s daughter Marie; if not, Charles’s brother. Wife Sicilie. Burial in Rochdale, chancel of church with other Holts. |
| 15.2.1559 | Robert Holt, gentleman | Ashworth |
Wife Jane; children William, Ciscelye, Dorothie, Elizabeth. James Holt; Hugh Holt; sons Robt Holt and William Holt; Sir Thomas Holt; Francis Holt. Burial in church at Middleton. |
| 1561 | Robert Holt of Stubley | Stubley |
Wife Isabell; son Fraunce?; daughters Elin and Margery; brothers Roger, Richard, Charles; Mary Holt; (Robert Holt the younger now deceased); John Holt; Henry Holt. Burial in chancel at Rochdale. |
| 1562 | Sir Thomas Holt of Gristlehurst | Gristlehurst | Sons Francis and Raffe; wife Dorothy; grandson Thomas; Robert Holt; Hugh Holt. |
| 1579 | Adam Holte | Tuneclyffe, Rochdale |
Wife Elizabeth; Thomas Holt son of Alen Holt; Adam and Thomas sons of Edmund Holt; Elizabeth, Margaret and Margery, daughters of Hugh Holt; Margaret, daughter of Hendrye Holt. |
| 1582 | Edmund Hoult | Kyrckehold, Rachdall |
Robert, Adam and Oliver Holt; nephews James and Edmund. Debts owed by John, Roger and Thomas Holt (among others). Burial in Rochdale churchyard. |
| 1584 | John Holte | Wolstenholme, Spotland |
Wife Alice; children James, Jane (torn), Elizabeth, Margaret, Grace, Emen. Debts owed by Robte Holt (among others). Burial in Rochdale churchyard. |
| 1593 | Thomas Holt, Husbandman | Whytfeld, Rochdale |
Wife Janne; son John; daughter Elizabeth (witness Robert Holt). Debts owed to William Holt, Edmunde Holt and others. |
| 1595 | Charles Holt, Yeoman | Nadene, Spotland |
Sons Francis and Richard; daughters Jane and Elizabeth; grandchildren Charles, William and Janne. Burial in Rochdale churchyard. |
| 1597 | Frauncis Holte | Grestlehurste | |
| 1599 | Richard Holte, Yeoman | Deplaysshill, Castleton |
Son Henrie; Richard son of Robte Holt; Richard son of Roger Holt; Issabell, Margrett and Jane; tenant of John Holt of Stubley. Buried in Rochdale church. |
Complete Transcriptions of Holt Family Wills
Testamentum Robert Holt of Ashworth (1541)
Sir Thomas Holt of Gristlehurst (1552)
Lancashire and Cheshire Wills and Inventories, First Portion, Vol. XXXIII, ed. Rev. George J. Piccope, The Chetham Society, 1860.
Robert Holt of Stubley Will (1554)
Robert Holt of Stubley Will (1556)
Robert Holt of Stubley Will (1561)
Lancashire and Cheshire Wills and Inventories, Second Portion, Vol. LI, Rev. George J. Piccope, The Chetham Society, 1860.
