The most notable member of the Sheldon family was Stephen Sheldon,
born 1777. Sheldon Place,
off Queen Street was named after him, indeed, he is believed to
have built it. He built many houses in 'Old'
Bollington and owned
many of them, letting them out. His Will, below, notes that he
lived in Queen Street and lists houses in Queen
Street, Gnathole (those around
and including the Vale Inn in Adlington
Road), and
implies that there are other properties elsewhere all belonging
to him at the time of his death in 1844. Note that in 1844 Bollington
was still a part of Prestbury parish, even though St
John's church had been erected by 1834.
The Sheldon family lived at various times in many of the houses
in Sugar Lane (actually in Adlington parish), and continue to do
so as I write (2011).
The last Will and Testament of me Stephen Sheldon senior, Yeoman,
of Queen Street Bollington in the parish of Prestbury.
I do hereby appoint James Harrop farmer of Beestall in Bollington,
my son John Sheldon, farmer of Sugar Lane in Adlington and
Thomas Beard, joiner of Church Street Bollington giving them
the power to compound all debts and settle all claims and to
allow to each other all necessary expenses incurred at my funeral
and of executing my will. and also to retain and allow to each
other 5% on all debts collected by them, and I direct my above
named executors to sell all those cottages or dwelling houses
belonging to me situate in what is commonly called the Gnat
Hole in Bollington, all those cottages or dwelling houses belonging
to me situate in Queen Street Bollington and also all the residue
of my property whatsoever and wheresoever situate.
And I will and bequeath to the surviving children
of my deceased daughter Mary Harrison, to my sons David Sheldon,
farmer of Bollington. Stephen Sheldon cotton dealer of Rainow
and John Sheldon, farmer of Sugar Lane in Adlington - to James
the surviving son of my deceased daughter Ann, wife of John Hallam
- to the surviving children of my deceased daughter Elizabeth,
wife of Thomas Beard - to my sons James Sheldon (at present resident
in America) - Adam Sheldon labourer of Rainow- Joseph Sheldon
labourer of Rainow and to my daughter Charlotte wife of William
Middleton each and all an equal share in the proceeds arising
from the sale of my property hereintofore mentioned save only
and except that William Harrison, son of my deceased daughter
Mary, shall receive only £5 as his share of the property the
remaining portion being equally divided between Stephen and Hannah,
brother and sister of the said William Harrison, and also I direct
that as my two sons David Sheldon farmer and Stephen Sheldon
cotton dealer have in times past received from me diverse sums
of money over and above what has fallen to the lot of my other
children, there shall be deducted from my son David’s share of
my property the sum of ten pounds sterling and from my son Stephen’s
share the sum of twenty pounds sterling. which sums shall be
equally divided amongst all my children and of giving to each
one tenth part.
And I direct my executors to sell all my property
[details omitted but including household furniture etc.]
and divide the proceeds arising from sale amongst my children
in the names above specified within 12 calendar months after
my decease.
And also it is my desire, that, previous to the said sale,
Hannah daughter of Mary Harrison deceased do reside in the
house at present occupied by me, free of charge, and that
upon her quitting the said house, all property belonging to her
as stated in an inventory taken of the same, shall be restored
to her, and I hereby revoke all other wills
Signed 27th November 1844 by Stephen Sheldon
Witnessed by
Charles Perkin of Bollington, innkeeper
Jabez Thomas Rathbone of Bollington, schoolmaster
John Carter
I am very much indebted to Anne Taylor who has researched much
information on the history of the Sheldon family and I hope to
add more of it here in due course.
