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Heald Probate and Wills: UK, before 1858

See also: Wills after 1858

Before the start of the nationally administered civil system in 1858, wills and probate were the jurisdiction of a patchwork of ecclesiatical courts across the country, often with complex historical boundaries. The extent to which indexes of surviving wills have been published varies considerably from court to court.


Lancashire

LAN: Wills proved within the archdeaconry of Richmond, 1457-1858 Top / HOME

Source: Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire vols. 10, 13, 23, 66, 99, 105

Date Name Location Occupation Notes  
1787 Heald, James Preston Brick Maker Ad A
1808 Heald, Edmund Lancaster Grocer Ad A
1817 Heald, Alice Lancaster Widow   A
1849 Heald, John Lancaster Corn Merchant Ad A

Notes: Ad = administration bond; A = Amoulderness Deanery
Now held at Lancashire Records Office


LAN: Wills proved at Chester, 1545-1837 Top / HOME

Source 1: Lesley Chandler (Chorley wills, original spellings preserved)
Source 2: Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire vols 2, 4, 15, 18, 20, 22, 25, 37, 38, 44, 45, 52, 62, 63, 78, 107, 113, 118, 120

Date Name Location Occupation Notes
1603 Heald, Robert Bury
1618 Helde, Adam Ackhurst, Chorley
1621 Helde, Willm. Leyland
1654 Heald, Thomas Liverpool   Proved in London (Alchin 296)
-- PROB 11/238 fol 345b
1661 Heald, John Ackhurst, Chorley   Inv; [Misfiled at Chester ?]
1667 Heald, William The Acres, Chorley   Inv;
1669 Heald, Margaret Liverpool Widow [Disputed ?]
1670 Heald, Thomas Liverpool   Admon+Inv;
1671 Heald, John Chorley    
1676 Heald, William Oldham   Inv; Infra
1677 Heald, William Chadderton   Inv; Infra
1681 Heald, Margaret Manchester Spinster Inv; Infra
1682 Held, Abraham Withington   Admon+Inv; [Disputed ?]
1687 Heald, Richard Bury   Admon+Inv
 
1701 Heald, John Ainsworth in Middleton Husbandman Infra
1708 Helde, James Chorley Tailor  
1708 Helde, Jonathan Chorley   Admon
1713 Heald, Margaret Chadderton, Oldham Widow Infra
1713 Heald, Sarah Chadderton, Oldham Spinster Admon+Inv; Infra
1715 Healde, Ellen Acres [Chorley] Spinster  
1720 Healde, Anne Chorley Widow  
1724 Heald, Jonathan Manchester Carpenter  
1725 Heald, Jonathan Manchester Carpenter  
1741,42 Heald, John Flixton   Infra
1746 Heald, Joseph Liverpool Ship Carpenter  
1752 Heald, Thomas Liverpool Mariner +Depositions(1751)
 
1801, Mar 2 Heald, John Liverpool Grocer  
1802, May 5 Heald, Peter Liverpool Cooper  
1806, Mar 24Heald, John Chorley Staymaker  
1815, Aug 29Heald, William Chorley Joiner Admon
1815, Nov 8Heald, Sarah Liverpool Spinster Admon
1829, Jan Heald, Joseph Charnock Richard Farmer
1833, Oct Heald, John Liverpool Salt Dealer
1837, Nov Heald, Samuel Liverpool Livery Stable Keeper

Now held at Lancashire Records Office
Lancaster R.O. has a handwritten index of the wills from 1837-1858 (not yet consulted).


LAN: Disputed wills, from the Diocesan Court at Chester, 1487-1800 Top / HOME

Source: Record Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, vols. 33, 43, 52

1637 Heald, Peter Bury   Admon
1670 Heald, Margery Liverpool Widow Allegations; Inventory;
Executor's Accounts; Depositions; etc
1682 Heald, Abraham Withington   Admon
1751 Heald, Thomas Liverpool Mariner Depositions

Now held at Lancashire Records Office


Cheshire

CHS: Wills at the Cheshire Records Office Top / HOME

Source: Extracted from the Cheshire Wills site, compiled by the Cheshire Record Office and the Family History Society of Cheshire.

Wills proved at the Cheshire diocesan consistory court, 1492-1857, and now held at the Cheshire Records Office. The following records survive:

  1. = Will
  2. = 'Admon' or administration bond (normally where there is no will)
  3. = Inventory of personal property
  4. = Codicil or other probate documents
Infra = Value of estate less than 40 pounds; Wc=Will contested; Ws=Will supra (over £40);

Date Name Location Occupation Notes
1609 Heald, William Ashley Husbandman 1 3
1609 Heald, William Mobberley Gentleman 2 Wc - See Ws 1609
1609 Heald, William Mobberley 3 See Wc 1609
1609 Healde, Thurstan Chester Baker 2 3
1610 Held, Ann Mobberley Spinster 1 3 Infra
1616 Heald, John Ashley Husbandman 1 3
1637 Heald, Dorothy Etchells 1 3
1646 Heald, George Mobberley Yeoman 1 3
1661 Heald, John Chorley, Ackhurst 3 ? should be LAN ?
1664 Heald, John Etchells Tailor 1 3
1667 Heald, Margaret Mobberley Widow 1 3
1674 Heald, John Ashley Yeoman 1 3
1677 Heald, Thomas Stanneylands, Wilmslow Husbandman 1 3
1685 Heald, William The Elder Hale Yeoman 1 3
1699 Heald, Thomas Ashley Yeoman 2 3
 
1705 Heald, Thomas Wilmslow Taylor 1
1727 Heald Als Yells, Thomas Brimstage Yeoman 1
1727 Heald, John Over Peover Yeoman 1 3
1734 Heald, George The Elder Macclesfield Gentleman 1
1740 Heald, James Morley Yeoman 1 Infra
1742 Heald, Thomas Pownall Fee Yeoman 1
1746 Heald, George Macclesfield Gentleman 1
1750 Heald, Joseph Ashton Upon Mersey Chapman 1 3 Infra
1752 Heald, George Nether Knutsford Gentleman 1
1752 Heald, Elizabeth Macclesfield Spinster 2
1758 Heald, James Mobberley Yeoman 2
1760 Heald, Matthew Ashton Upon Mersey Shopkeeper 1 (of Cross Street)
1762 Heald, Samuel Mere Yeoman 2
1765 Heald, Ann Macclesfield Forest Widow 1
1768 Heald, William Over Peover Yeoman 1
1777 Heald, William Mobberley Yeoman 1
 
1803 Heald, Hugh Macclesfield Forest Farmer 1
1808 Heald, Thomas Over Tabley Yeoman 1
1813 Heald, Thomas Stockport Gentleman 1
1815 Heald, Thomas Wildboarclough Yeoman 1 Infra
1815 Heald, James Portwood Calico Printer 1 4
1822 Heald, Richard Ashton Upon Mersey Yeoman 1 Infra
1824 Heald, John Sale Gardener 1
1829 Heald, Thomas Lostock Gralam Farmer 2
1832 Heald, James Mere Farmer 1
1837 Heald, William Rainow Victualler 2
1839 Heald, Thomas Hale, Ringway Farmer 1
1853 Heald, George Hale Farmer 1


Yorkshire

YKS: Prerogative Court of York, 1389-1688 Top / HOME

Source: Yorkshire Archaeological Society (YAS), vols. 4, 6, 11, 14, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32, 35, 49, 1, 60, 68, 89.

Date Proved Name Location Occupation Date of Will Vol Page
1484, Oct 19Held, John York   (Oct 4, 1484) 5 241
1545, Dec 15Helde, Robert Rufforde in Aynsty Husbandman (Oct 15, 1545) 13 77
1558, Nov 17Heald, Alice Whitkirke (bur.) Widow of Umfray H. (Nov 8, 1558) 15 (3)111
1591, Feb 21Heald, John Ruffurthe Husbandman (Mar 25, 33 Eliz) 25829
1599, Oct 4 Heald, William Wakefild   Adm. (Pontefract)
 
1600, Apr 10Healde, Margaret Leedes Widow (Feb 8, 1598) 28 97
1628, May 1 Heald, George Seacrofte Wyerdrawer (Feb 9, 1624) 40 196
1631, Jan 21Heald, Jane Seacroft Widow Adm. (Ainsty) 164
1631, Aug 24Healde, William Stillingflett Grasseman (Nov 17, 1630) 41 223
1635, Oct 15Heald, Brian Leedes   Adm. (Ainsty) 218


YKS: Court of Chancery, York, 1316-1822 Top / HOME

Source: Yorkshire Archaeological Society (YAS), vol. 73, 93.

Date Proved Name Location Date of Will Vol Page
1734, Aug 29Heald, Thomas Vicar of Huddersfield (May 27, 1734; cod. 22 Jul) 35 138
1759, Sep 10Heald, Thomas Rector of Babworth (NTT) (undated) 36 118


Lichfield (DBY, SAL, STS, WAR)

Wills and Administrations at Lichfield, 1516-1652 Top / HOME

Source: British Records Society, vol. 7 (1892) - online scans by David Blackwell.

Note: "In some instances it appears as though a name was entered twice, but it may turn out, when checked with the records, to be a subsequent grant, or, in some cases, a renunciation, or an inventory exhibited at a later date in the same year."

Date Name Location Item Page in Act Book
1534Heyld, Joan Churchover 53
1534Heyld, Churchover 53
1610Healde, John   131
1618Heald, Robert   316
1618Heald, Robert   admon 2
1631Heald, John  
1634Heald, John  
1635Heald, John   inv
1635Heald, Nicholas  
1636Heald, Mary  
1638Heald, John Beeley
1642Heald, Francis Eyam admon   [bur. 15 Jun]
1648Heald, Thomas Ashburne
1648Heald, George Morten

Now held at the Lichfield Joint Records Office.


Nottinghamshire

NTT: Prerogative Court of York, 1389-1688 Top / HOME

Source: Yorkshire Archaeological Society (YAS), vols. 4, 6, 11, 14, 19, 22, 24, 26, 28, 32, 35, 49, 1, 60, 68, 89.

Date Proved Name Location Occupation Date of Will Vol Page
1620, May 11Heald, Henrie Marnham Yeoman (Jul 5, 1609) 36 98
1626, Oct 13Heald, also Hoile, Thomas Eikering [Eakring]   Adm. (Nottingham) 29
1628, Jul 11Healde, Henry Churchmarnham Yeoman (Mar 16, 1628) 41 25a
1640, Mar Heald, Robert Nottingham Tanner (Nov 8, 1639)    
1680, Feb 11Heald, George Sturton   Adm. (Retford) 132
1682, Oct 25Heald, Benjamine Sutton-upon-Trent Yeoman (Feb 10 1680)59 377
1684, Feb 9 Heald, Maria Sturton   Prob. Act (Retford) 151
1684, Feb 26Heald, William Hawton (NTT ?)   Adm. (Ainsty) 247


Lincolnshire

LIN: Consistory Court of Lincoln 1601-1700 Top / HOME

Source: British Record Society, vols. 41, 52, 57, 101
Not yet consulted: vol. 28 (1320-1600).

Date Name Location Occupation Will Other Docs.
1617Heild, Rog. Coningsby   1617(ii)/171
1632Heald, Thomas Mid-Rasen Labourer   Admon+Inv 1632/63
1652Heild, Hy. Fosdike   1652/89
1681Heald, Chilton Driby Gent. 1681(ii)/577 Inv 182A/197


Gloucestershire

GLS: Wills proved in Gloucester, 1541-1848 Top / HOME

Source: the online Genealogical Database of the Gloucester Record Office .
Wills proved in Gloucester, 1541-1848, and now held at the Gloucestershire Records Office.

Year Surname Forename       Parish Reference Catalogue
1554 Heeld William   Tewkesbury 1554/150 Wills 1541 - 1800
1616 Healde William   Littledean 1616/230 Wills 1541 - 1800
1640 Heald Richard   Deerhurst 1640/148 Wills 1541 - 1800
1699 Heald Rice   Churchdown 1699/157 Wills 1541 - 1800
1699 Heald Rice   Elbridge court 1699/157 Wills 1541 - 1800
1700 Held Ann   Churchdown 1700/194 Wills 1541 - 1800
1700 Held Ann   Elbridge 1700/194 Wills 1541 - 1800
1728 Heald Deborah   Gloucester 1728/281 Wills 1541 - 1800
1828 Heald Ann   Gloucester 1828/ 35 Wills 1801 - 1858


PCC (National)

Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1701-1800 Top / HOME

Source: Hardcopy index at Family Records Centre, London.

Date Name Loc. Doc Reference
1707, NovHeld, William Pts Will PROB 11/497, sig 246
1722, JunHeald, John LND Will PROB 11/585, sig 117
1733, JunHeald, John MDX Adm. (Adm. of goods unadministered above)
1728, NovHeald, Peter SSX Adm. PROB 6/104
1735, NovHeald, Cecily SSX Will PROB 11/674, sig 228
1737, NovHield, Thomas MDX Will PROB 11/686, sig 250
1738, OctHeald, Whitley (Rev.) OXF Adm. PROB 6/114
1741, JunHeald, Thomas LND Adm. PROB 6/117
1742, JanHeald, John LND Will PROB 11/715, sig 16
1742, SepHeald, John LND Will (Double probate)
1779, DecHeald, also Hied, Mark MDX Will 502
1783, JulHeald, George MDX Will 359
1786, JulHeald, Whitley (Rev.) NFK Will 385
1800, AprHildt, Frederick Pts Adm.+Will 142 (no ship)


Prerogative Court of Canterbury,
wills available for download from the National Archives		 Top / HOME

Source: National Archives Documents Online

Date Name Address Occupation Reference
1594, Oct 28 Healde or Heald, Richard DBY Youlgrave Yeoman PROB 11/84
1596, May 25 Heald, Edwarde LIN Hainton Yeoman PROB 11/87
 
1613, Oct 22 Yeald, Cicily LND   Widow PROB 11/122
1635, Nov 23 Heald, Richard SRY St Olave, Southwark   PROB 11/169
1654, Jul 1 Heald, Thomas LAN Liverpool Yeoman PROB 11/238
1678, Apr 11 Heald, Edward MDX St Andrew, Holborn Cutler PROB 11/356
1688, Feb 22 Heald, Lowry LND St Andrew, Holborn Widow PROB 11/390
 
1707, Nov 20 Helld or Held, William MDX St John, Wapping Mariner PROB 11/497
1722, Jun 2  Heald, John LND St John the Baptist Schoolmaster PROB 11/585
1735, Nov 11  Heald, Cecilia SSX Arundel Widow PROB 11/674
1737, Nov 9  Heild, Thomas; or Hield MDX St Martin in the Fields Victualler PROB 11/686
1741, Jan 7  Heald, John LND St Botolph without Aldgate Gentleman PROB 11/715
1783, Jul 5  Heald, George MDX St George, Hanover Square Farrier PROB 11/1106
1786, Jul 26  Heald, Whitley (Rev.) HRT Watford Clerk PROB 11/1144
1789, Mar 16  Healde, Dr. Thomas MDX Bow Doctor of Medicine, Doctor of Physic PROB 11/1177
1790, Aug 17  Healds, John MDX Saint Martin in the Fields Brickler PROB 11/1195
1795, Apr 2  Wheald, Ann; otherwise
Wheld formerly Edridge		 HRT Sawbridgeworth Widow PROB 11/1342
 
1800, May 21  Hildt, Frederick MDX Haughton Street Clare Market Pork Butcher PROB 11/1342
1801, Aug 25  Heald, Ann MDX St George, Hanover Square Farrier PROB 11/1361
1807, Sep 3  Heald, Alice HAM Southampton Widow PROB 11/1417
1815, Aug 26  Heald, James CHS Portwood Calico Printer PROB 11/1571
1817, Jul 19  Heald, Richard LIN Horncastle Gentleman PROB 11/1594
1821, Apr 16  Heald, Emilia HAM Bevis Mount, Southampton Spinster PROB 11/1642
1821, May 2  Heald, William KEN Gillingham Shopkeeper PROB 11/1643
1831, Oct 14  Heald, Thomas LIN Brant Broughton (at Sea) Mariner in the Merchant Service PROB 11/1791A
1834, Jun 18  Heald, George MDX York Place, Portman Square His Majesty's Counsel PROB 11/1832
1841, Mar 22  Heald, Richard LIN Spalding Doctor of Physic PROB 11/1942
1844, Sep 6  Heald, Samuel LAN Liverpool Livery Stable Keeper PROB 11/2005
1846, Oct 29  Heald, Robert MDX Lansdown Place, Fulham Road Gentleman PROB 11/2043
1854, Nov 24  Heald, John YKS Birstall Gentleman PROB 11/2181
1856, Jul 3 Heald, George Trafford MDX Acton   PROB 11/2236
 
1856, Jan 31 Bruges, William Heald Ludlow WIL Seend   PROB 11/2225
1856, Mar 7 Hewett, Harry Heald MDX 35 Hertford St, Mayfair Commander, Indian Navy PROB 11/2229

Feedback: j.heald@ucl.ac.uk Top / HOME