Rushgrove - Early

This document covers the early Rushgroves from Belbroughton in Worcestershire in 1550 to the start of the modern Rushgroves in Kington, Herefordshire in 1830.

Overview of the family

There are branches of the family in England, Wales, USA, and Australia. All the modern Rushgroves  are descended from one or other of the children of Joseph Rushgrove (1788-1852) and Hannah Walker (1792-1857) who were Nailmakers and lived in the small town of Kington in Herefordshire where most of their children were born. There are separate documents for each section of the family.

We have found several versions of the name: Rushgrove, Rusgrove, Ruzgrove, Risgrove, Rusgreave, Rusgrave, Rosgrove and Rosegrove but they are virtually all part of the same family and the name is, suprisingly, extremely rare. Although there are a few links that are tentative we can trace the Rushgrove family back to Worcestershire, England, in the time of Edward VI (1550); over 450 years. The earliest mention of the name is of a Miss Rusgrave of Belton, Yorkshire, b.1138 the wife of a Robert Peck.

Rushgroves in Belbroughton c.1550

William Rusgreave (c.1550). Our earliest identifiable ancestors are William Rusgreave born in about 1550 and his wife Joyce Dodsen; they were married in Belbroughton, Worcestershire in 1577. Assuming that he was about 25 when he married then William was born around 1550 and his father would have been born in the 1520's.

They had eight children most of whom were born in Belbroughton although Gryffyth was born in Clent, not far away.

Belbroughton - a village or small town in North Worcestershire in the Clent Hills. Even by 1580 metal working of all sorts was an important part of the economy in the area because farming was relatively difficult on the Clent hills and the fast-flowing streams provided power for mills. Belbroughton was well known for the making of Scythes.

Children of William and Joyce c.1580

William and Joyce had eight children

Gryffyth Rusgreave (1578-1638). Also spelt Griffin. The son of William and Joyce. He was christened on the 14th September 1578 in Belbroughton. He married Joan in about 1616 or earlier. His will was proved in 1638 where he is described as a Yeoman of Clent, Worcestershire. He left ten pounds to each of his children and all the rest of his goods to his wife Joan.

Joan's will was proved in 1639 and she is described as 'Joan Rusgreave widow of Clent'. She mentions three children and leaves all of her estate to them. An inventory was taken on the 26th February 1639 so she probably also died in February. The inventory was taken by, William Hope, John Walton, Richard Groome, and Johanne Taylor.

 Gryffyth and Joan had three children.

Richard Rushgrove (c.1617). His father left him ten pounds in his will. It looks as though he was at least 21 when his father died in 1638. George Rushgrove (c.1620). His father left him ten pounds in his will. He was under 21 at the time the will was made in 1638. Elizabeth Rushgrove (b.1622). She was christened on the 3rd of April 1622 in Clent. Her father left her ten pounds in his will in 1638.

Jhoane Rusgreave (b.1580). Probably Joan. The daughter of William and Joyce. She was christened on the 1st July 1580 in Belbroughton.

Anne Rusgreave (1582-c.1590). The daughter of William and Joyce. She was christened on the 23rd May 1582 in Belbroughton. She must have died by 1591 as there is another daughter christened Anne in that year.

Thomas Rusgreave (b.1583). The son of William and Joyce. He was christened in Belbroughton on the 26th June 1583 and we think he married in about 1614 and all the subsequent Rushgroves are probably descended from him.

William Rusgreave (b.1585). The son of William and Joyce. He was christened on the 4th February 1585 in Belbroughton.

Margarie Rusgreave (b.1587). The daughter of William and Joyce. She was christened in Belbroughton in May 1587.

John Rusgreave (b. 1588). The son of William and Joyce. He was christened on the 10th March 1588 in Belbroughton.

Anne Rusgreave (b.1591). The daughter of William and Joyce. She was christened on the 10th April 1591 in Belbroughton.

Rosgroves in Shropshire

There are some records in the Ludlow parish registers for a Rosgrove family. Its not clear whether these are part of our family or not. If so then Richard born about 1570 could be the son of an unknown brother (born about 1550) of William Rusgreave.

Margareth Rosgrove alias Rascoll, christened, 27 October 1573. Ludlow

Sarah Rosgrove, daughter of Richard Rosgrove, christened, 6 Nov 1591, Ludlow

Samuel Rosgrove, son of Richard Rosgrove, christened, 19 Oct 1595, Ludlow

Dorries Rosgrove, daughter of Richard Rosgrove, christened, 15 Sep 1594, Ludlow

Priscilla Rosgrove, daughter of Richard Rosgrove, christened, 14 Feb 1592, Ludlow

Richard Rosgrove, gentleman, buried, 6 Jun 1637, Ludlow

Ludlow is not very far from Clent.

Children of Thomas c.1615

Thomas had three children

Joes Rusgrove (b.1615). Although the IGI says 'Female' the Joes possibly stands for Joseph. The son of Thomas. He was christened on the 5th July 1615 in Belbroughton. We think that he married in about 1634. His wife may have been the Eleanor Rusgrove who was buried at Clent, St Lenoard on the 5th December 1696.

There is no direct evidence that 'Joes' is the link to the modern Rusgroves and it may be that it is one of the other children of this generation either his cousins Richard or George (the sons of Gryfyth) or Richard his brother.

Elizabeth Rusgrove (b.1617).  The daughter of Thomas. She was christened on the 3rd May 1617 in Belbroughton.

Richard Rusgreave (c.1620). The son of Thomas. He was married and had at least one daughter Joan (Johane) who was christened in Old Swinford on the 30th August 1650 and is probably the Joan Rusgrove on the National Burial Index who was buried on the 20th August 1669.

Children of Joseph and ?Eleanor c.1635

We do not have any definite information about Joseph but we think that he had at least one son Henry who was born in about 1635.

Henry Rusgrove (c.1635-1701). Possibly the son of Joseph. He married Elinor in about 1662 probably in Clent and they had three children. Eleanor came from came from Cradley, Worcestershire and was buried in Halesowen on the 28th October 1729. It is possibly Henry who was the Henry Rusgrove buried at Clent, St Leonard on the 2nd November 1701.

Hannah Rusgrove (d.1696). She was buried at Clent St Leonard on the 19th January 1696. She may be one of Joseph's children or the wife of another Rusgrove in this generation.

Children of Henry and Eleanor c.1665

Henry and Eleanor had three children

Henry Rusgrove (1663-1710). The son of Henry and Eleanor. He was born in Clent on the 3rd April 1663. He married Mary in about 1688 and they had three children. Henry's wife Mary is probably the Mary Rusgrove who was buried in Clent on the 10th August 1725.

Henry Rusgrove (possibly) who died in Clent on 28th June 1739.

Mary Rusgrove christened in Clent on the 21st February 1690 and who died in Clent on the 17th May 1724.

Richard Rusgrove (RI) who was christened in Clent on the 27th April 1689. He may by the same person as the Richard Rugrove who married Margery Harris on the 25th May 1712 at St David, Exeter and is also possibly the 'Rischard Rusgrove' who was buried at Clent, St Leonard on the 30th October 1737.

Elizabeth Rusgrove (1672-1745). The daughter of Henry and Eleanor. She was born in Clent on the 14th December 1672 and may be the Elizabeth Rusgrove who was buried at Clent, St Leonard on the 25th October 1745.

John Rusgrove (1667-1727). The son of Henry and Eleanor. He was christened in Clent on the 12th January 1667. He married Susanna Coley in Old Swinford on the 13th September 1696. He was buried in Halesowen on the 12th October 1727. He was described as 'of Cradley' in the Parish register at his death. Susanna (1688-1721) was buried in Halesowen on the 4th February 1721. John and Susanna had four children.

Children of John and Susanna c.1700

John and Susanna had four children

Eleanor Rusgrove (b.1699). The daughter of John and Susanna. She was christened in Old Swinford on the 6th August 1699.

Susanna Rusgrove (b.1702). The daughter of John and Susanna. She was christened on the 27th September 1702, probably in Old Swinford. She married John Dymock on the 25th December 1728 in Halesowen.

Elizabeth Rusgrove (c.1700). Also spelt Ruzgrove. The daughter of John and Susanna. She married Thomas Hebden (or Haden) on the 6th February 1719 at St John's church in Halesowen. They are both described as 'of this Parish'.

Joseph Rusgrove (1716-1786). The son of John and Susanna. He was born in 1716 and married Elizabeth in about 1745 and they had six children; most of whom were born in Old Swinford. Joseph was buried on the 25th April 1786 in Old Swinford, aged 70. He is several years younger than the other brothers and sisters that we know about so perhaps there were others. Elizabeth was born in 1717 and was buried in Old Swinford on the 20th March 1791, aged 74.

Children of Joseph and Elizabeth c.1750

Jane Rushgrove (1749-1801). The daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth. She was christened in Old Swinford on the 5th November 1749 and was buried in Old Swinford on the 30th August 1801, aged 50.

Abraham Rusgrove (1757-1842). The son of Joseph and Elizabeth. He was christened in Old Swinford on the 3rd August 1757. He married Mary Buxton in Old Swinford on the 28th January 1782 and they had three children. The witnesses to the marriage were Edward Mobberley and Joseph and Jane Rushgrove (probably Abraham's brother and sister). Edward Mobberley is possibly the father or brother of Joseph Mobberley who married Mary Rushgrove (Abraham's younger sister).

Abraham subscribed to a book: 'Sermons on Various Subjects, intended to promote Christian knowledge and human happiness'. 2nd edn., 1794, BOOKER, Luke. Dudley

Abraham made a will in November 1838 and died on the 26th November 1842 in Stourbridge, Worcestershire. At his death he describes himself as a Yeoman and his estate was less than one thousand pounds in value. He left his property and investments mainly to his granddaughters Mary and Hannah and nineteen pounds and nineteen shillings to each of the other five grandchildren. Mary was his executor along with a James Rowley.

It is clear though that the grandchildren were a sore trial. Mary, for example, had married a Benjamin Bunch but had never lived with him! As Abraham says in his will:-

As to one equal undivided half part to the said freehold hereditaments ..... during the life of my Granddaughter Mary Nash who some years ago intermarried with Benjamin Bunch but never lived with him .... [the executors] shall pay the yearly rents issues and profits of such undivided half part into the proper hands of the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch for her sole and separate use without being in anywise subject to the debts ... or interference of the said Benjamin Bunch (should he still be living) or any person with whom she may again intermarry or any person whomsoever and so that she shall not be able to deprive herself of the benefit thereof....

Mary Buxton is probably the Mary Rusgrove who was buried on the 16th January 1820 at St Mary, Old Swinford, aged 68.

The children of Abraham and Mary were:

Phoebe Rushgrove (b.1782). She was christened on the 12th May 1782 in Old Swinford. She married William Nash, a bachelor, on the 28th of August 1803. The witnesses were Thomas and Sarah Nash. They had seven children, Mary, Hannah, Thomas, William, Abraham, Isaac, and John.

Their son Issac Nash  (1818-1877) became well known in Belbroughton as a manufacturer of Scythes starting in 1842 with a small business and taking over an established business (Waldron's) in 1873 and employing over 100 men by 1881. One of his sons carried on the Rusgrove name as he was named William Rusgrove Nash (b.1861).

A poem in Memorian of Issac was published when he died.

The ding and the dong of the Forge's song

Is hushed for a while today,

And we hear instead the mourner's tread,

And the solemn death-bell's lay;

And on all around is a calm profound;

That befits the final close

Of a well-fought life in the world's great strife,

That has nobly earned repose.

'Closed' did I say, was that life today?

Ah! Not in its truest sense,

It shall live and rule in its well known school,

For some generations hence.

And aged sires, as they fan their fires,

Shall hold it up to view,

And shall say with pride, it was metal tried,

It was metal firm and true!

In the din and strife of the forge of life,

Our souls are cleansed and tried,

And each sounding blow of the stroke of woe

Should but leave them purified;

And burnt in the fires of our crushed desires

All that is false should be,

Till each process past, we emerge at last

From the dross of our nature free

Ah! well for us all, if each stroke as it fall,

'Shall tell of good labour done',

Shall tell of a fight against Satan's might,

And ring with the victory won;

Shall tell that the soul as it nears its goal,

Is of metal staunch and true;

That the test will stand of the Master's hand

And the Master's searching view!

J Foxall, Belbroughton September 1887

Sarah Rushgrove (1784-1822). She was christened in Old Swinford on the 20th May 1784 and is probably the Sarah Rushgrove who was buried at St Mary Old Swinford, aged, 37 on the 11th August 1822.

Elizabeth Rushgrove (b.1787). She was christened on the 8th July 1787 in Old Swinford.  She might be the Elizabeth Rushgrove who was buried at St Mary, Old Swinford, aged 45, on the 3rd Aprii 1831 but the age does not tie up exactly with the date of birth.

John Risgrove (1751-1753). The son of Joseph and Elizabeth. He was baptised on the 15th December 1751 in Old Swinford. He sadly died aged two years and was buried in Old Swinford on the 5th May 1753.

Mary Risgrove (c.1752). The daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth. She married Joseph Mobberley on the 6th February 1769 in Old Swinford. The witnesses to the marriage were Edward Mobberley and Edward Harris.

Phoebe Risgrove (b.1754). Also spelt Phebe. The daughter of Joseph and Elizabeth. She was baptised on the 17th July 1754 in Old Swinford. She married Samuel Kimberley in Old Swinford on the 18th February 1782. She was a witness to the marriage of a Benjamin Luckock and Susanne Hemes in Old Swinford on the 25th October 1779.

Joseph Rushgrove (b.1746). The son of Joseph and Elizabeth. He was christened on the 28th September 1746 in Old Swinford. He married Susanna Worral on the 21st November 1784 in Old Swinford. The witnesses to the marriage were William Barrat and Ann Webb. Joseph and Susanna had three children.

Children of Joseph and Susanna c.1785

Joseph and Susanna had three children.

George Rusgrove (b.1786). The son of Joseph and Susanna. He was christened on the 29th January 1786 in Old Swinford. The Michaelmas Sessions of the Worcester court records: ' Order to discharge George Rusgrove from his apprenticeship to Thomas Shelding, Oldswinford, by reason of his running away'. This is almost certainly George as he would have been about 17 in 1803 and in the middle of his apprenticeship.

Joseph Rusgrove (1788-1852). The son of Joseph and Susanna. He was baptised in Old Swinford on the 12th October 1788 but the Kington register for the birth of his daughter Susannah says that he came from Halesowen and the 1851 census says he was born in Clent. He married Hannah Walker on the 3rd February 1812 in Halesowen. He is described as a Nail Maker at the 1841 census and this was clearly a family business as all the children were also involved.

There was a thriving Nail Making business in Kington, Herefordshire in the 1840's and all the Nail makers lived in the Sunset district at the eastern edge of Kington. It looks as though Joseph came to Kington looking for work as his first son was born in Rowley Regis in Staffordshire. He later moved again probably in search of work in 1824/5 as two children were born in Burton on Trent in Derbyshire.

Some time after 1841 the family moved again and appear on the 1851 census living in Ludlow. At the 1851 census, age 63, Joseph was living at 57 Lower Broad Street, Ludlow; he is still described as a Nailer.

Joseph died on the 31st October 1852 aged 65, at Lower Caldeford, Ludlow. His occupation is described as a Nailer. Hannah was present at his death and registered it. The cause of death is stated as 'Diarrhoea' of one month duration - this is an odd cause of death and is probably the symptom of some other disease.

Hannah Walker (1792-1857) was born in about 1792 in Kington. She is also recorded as Susanna. They were married in Halesowen on the 3rd February 1812 and they had eight children. Her death was registered in Ludlow in the June quarter 1857.

Joseph and Hannah are the ancestors of all the modern Rushgroves and all the various branches of the family are descended from one or other of their children (see separate documents).

Edward Rusgrove (1790-1796). The son of Joseph and Susanna. He was buried, aged 6, in Old Swinford on the 31st July 1796. He may have been baptised just before he died on the 25th July 1796; the entry in the register is rather confused.

Nailmaking in the 19th Century

This description of nail making is taken from an article by Carol Moore who studied nailmaking in Halesowen (Hannah Walker's home town)

Nailmaking in the Black Country was mainly a domestic trade with nails being made in small workshops attached to the Nailers' houses. The nailshop was a small one-storey building with a hearth where iron rods were heated in a coke fire. There would be a bellows to provide draught to the fire, and an anvil on which the nails were hammered, a heavy hammer known as the 'oliver' which was worked by a treadle and a pole and which formed the head of the nail. To make a nail by hand required a great deal of hard work. An iron rod was heated in the fire. It was then laid on the anvil and the point formed by several blows of a hand hammer. It was then cut to the required length on a fixed chisel called a hardy, inserted into the bore which held it while the oliver, the heavy hammer, was brought down on it to form the head. It was then ejected from the bore by a lever and the process began again with the next length of iron on the rod.

 Most nailers were outworkers. They bought iron rods from the nailmasters' warehouse and then sold their work back to the warehouse. At times when trade was poor and the nailmasters no longer required workers, a middleman known as a 'fogger' came into his own. Foggers were notorious. They were known to have three sets of scales - one to weigh the iron rod, one to weigh the nails and a correct set for the inspectors! An article in Pearson's Magazine of 1896 comments that: 'By a pleasant custom of the trade, a thousand nails, as between man and master, are twelve hundred nails, but only eight hundred as between man and customer'. Result: four

hundred nails gratis in the warehouse. Nail foggers gave credit and also ran shops and public houses and paid for nails in goods (often expensive, poor quality goods), or in beer. It was a practice that the Truck Acts tried to stamp out but which continued despite them. A man might take his family's entire week's work to the fogger but only be paid half of its worth in poor quality food and then be given credit for the rest at the beershop.

Wills and Inventories for Rusgroves.

Will of Gryffyth Rusgreave 1638

In the name of God Amen. The 27th? Daye of May Anno Domini 1638 and in the 25th? Yeare of the reigne of Sovereign Lord Charles by the Grace of God of England Scotland France and Ireland <?> Defender of the faythe. Firstly? I Gryffen Rusgreave of the Parysh of Clent in the Countye of Stafford yeoman in <?> of bodye and of doubtful and uncertain health but praysed be to God of good and perfect mynde and remembrance I do herefore mayke and ordayne this to be my last wyll and testament in manner and forme following.

Firstly I commend my soule to Almighty God my maker <…..> and my bodye if it shall please God <…..> to be buryed in the Parysh Church of Clent.

Item. I give and bequeath unto Rychard Rusgreave my <?> sonne tenne pounds of lawful money of Englande to be payde unto hym when he shall come to the age of 21 years.

Item I give and bequeath unto George Rushgrove my Sonne tenne pounds of to be payde unto hym when he shall come to the age of 21 years.

Item. I give and bequeath unto Elizabethe my daughter tenne pounds to be payde unto her when she shall come to the age of 21 years.

All the residue of goodes moveable and unmoveable and <?> after my debts legacies and funerall expenses being diffrayedI do give and bequeath unto Joane Rusgreave my wyfe.  And I do also make and ordayne Joane my wyfe my full and soule Executrix for this my last wyll and testament for the <…..> of Almighty God <…..> And I do also appoint John Walton of Walton and Richard <?> of Clent my overseers for this my last will and testament <…..>.

In Witness whereof <….> the daye and yeare already above written,

Gryffin Rusgreave - his mark.

Rychard <?> of the Paryishe of <…..>

Witnesses <…..>

Ambrose Passerman?

Robert Sellart?

John Walton

Francis Taylor

Inventory of Joan Rusgreave 1639 (damaged)

A true and perfect Inventory of all the goods chattels and cattel of Joanne Rusgreave late of Clent in the Countye of Stafford. And <?> of money for <?> taken and prayzed the 26th? Daye of February Anno Dominii 1639. William Boy? John Walton., Rychard Croome, Francis Taylor with others.

<…..>

Will of Abraham Rusgrove proved 1842

This is the last Will and Testament of me Abraham Rusgrove of Stourbridge in the County of Worcester Yeoman. I do hereby revoke all former Wills and testamontary dispositions and declare this to be my last Will and Testament. I devise all my freehold estates whatsoever and wheresoever afor to which I or any person for me is or are or may be at the time of my decease seiszed or entitled by any means or which in ? of any power. I am or may be enabled to appoint by this my last Will unto James Rowley of Wetherton? in the County of Worcester forever to him and his heirs. To the uses and the trusts and purposes hereinafter declared that is to say:-

As to one equal undivided half part to the said freehold hereditaments. To the use of the said James Rowley his Executors, Administrators and Assigns during the life of my Grandaughter Mary Nash who some years ago ? married with Benjamin Bunch but never lived with him. Upon trust that the said James Rowley his Exectors Administrators and Assigns (as the case may be) ? he shall pay the yearly rents ? and profits of such individed half part into the proper hands of the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch for her sole and separate without being in anywise subjects to the debts ? or interference of the said Benjamin Bunch (should he still be living) or any person with whom she may again intermarry or any person whomsoever and so that she shall not be able to deprive herself of the benefit thereof by way of anticipation and or that the receipts of the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch shall notwithstanding any ? be effectual discharge for the money therein repectively to be acknowledged to be received.

And after the decease of the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch to such uses upon and for such trusts intents and purposes and under and subject to such power provisions and declarations as the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch by and deed or deeds with or without power of ? and new appointment to be sealed and delivered in the presence of and to be attended by two or more witnesses or by her last Will and Testament in ? or any codicil or codicils thereto be signed and attested by the like number of witnesses shall limit or approve.

And in default of such limitations or appointments and so far as any such limitation or appointment is incomplete shall not attend to the use of the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch in fee.

And as to the other undivided half part of the said freehold hereditaments to the use of said James Rowley his executors, administrators and assigns during the life of my Grandaughter Hannah Nash upon trust that the said James Rowley his Executors, Administrators and Assigns (as the case may be) do and shall the yearly rents issues and profits of such last mentioned undivided half part into the proper hands of the said Hannah Nash for her sole and separate use without being in anywise subject to the debts contracts or interference of any husband with whom she may intermarry or any person whomsoever and so that she shall not be able to deprive herself of the benefit thereof by way of anticipation and so that the receipts of the said Hannah Nash shall notwithstanding any ? be effectual discharge for the Money therein respectively acknowledged to be received.

And the decease of the said Hannah Nash to such uses and upon such trusts intents and purposes and under and subject to such powers provisions and declarations as the said Hannah Nash by any deed or deeds with or without power of ? and new appointment to be sealed and delivered in the presence of and attended by two or more witnesses or by her last will and testament in writing or any Codicil or Codicills thereto to be signed and attested by the like number of witnesses shall limit or appoint.

And in default of such limitation or appointment and so far as any such limitation of appointment is incomplete shall not attend to the use of the said Hannah Nash in fee.

And I hereby empower the said James Rowley his executors, administrators and assigns (as the case may be) with the consent of the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch and Hannah Nash living their joint lives and after the death of one of them and with the consent of the survivor to be testified by some writing under their or her hand in the presence of and attested by two credibe persons to sell all or any part of the said freehold hereditaments and the inheritance thereof to any person or persons for such sum of money as to him or them shall seem reasonable.

And for effecting such sales as aforesaid to revoke all or any of the uses trusts purposes powers and provisions herein declared concerning the same herediataments ?

And by the same or any other deed or deeds to limit any use or uses that ? estate or estates of the same hereditaments or any part or parts thereof the uses of which shall be revoked.

And I direct that the said James Rowley his executors administrators or assigns shall with all convenient speed invest the money to arise by every such Sale in their name or manner in the Parliamentary or Public funds or at interest upon Goverment or real Securities and may vary the said funds or securities for or into others of a like nature as ? shall require yet that such investments investments respectively be made with the consent in writing of the person or persons who under the limitations hereinbefore contained would be entitled to the receipt of the interest dividends and produce of the said trust premises.

And that the annual produce arising from the said funds and securities shall be paid and applied to the person or persons in the manner and for the purpose to whom the yearly rents and profits of the said freehold hereditaments are made payable as above mentioned.

And as to all my personal estate and effects of what nature of kind soever I bequeath the same unto the said James Rowley his Executors Administrators and Assigns upon trust either to permit the same to remain in the same state of investment they may be found at my decease or in such manner as he or they shall think beneficial to sell dispose or call in and convert into Money all the the said personal estate and effects (except such parts thereof as shall consist of Money) or so much thereof as he or they shall think expedient.

And to apply all the Money to ? by the means aforesaid Upon trust to pay my just debts funeral and testamentary expenses and subject thereto upon trust to pay the sum of nineteen pounds nineteen shillings to each of my five grandsons, Thomas, William, Abraham, Issac, and John Nash (as a token of my remebrance), at the end of six months after my decease And subject thereto upon trust that he the said James Rowley his Executors Administrators and Assignsn shall invest the residue of the said last mentioned trust monies in his or their name or names in the Parliamentary or Public funds or at interest upon Government or real securities. And do and shall vary such funds or securities for others of a like nature as to him or them shall seem expedient and I declare that the said trust monies funds and securities shall remain and be held upon such trusts and with and with and under such powers and provisions regard being had to the difference in the nature thereof as will best or nearest correspond with the uses trusts powers and provisions hereinbefore declared and contained concerning the freehold herediatements hereinbefore devised.

I give and devise the said James Rowley his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns, all the estates vested in me as ? or trusts to hold the same unto and to the use of the said James Rowley his Heirs Executors Asministrators and Assigns as for all my Estate and interests therein subject to the same equities and trusts as affect the same respectively and which shall be capable of taking effect,

And I appoint the said Mary Nash otherwise Mary Bunch and James Rowley Executors of this my Will.

And I hereby declare that the receipts of my said trustee for the time being for any money payable to him or them under my Will shall effectually discharge the person or persons to whom the same shall be given from being obliged to see to the application or from being answerable for the misapplication or non application of the Money therein mentioned to be received.

And it is my will that the said James Rowley his heirs Executors Aministrators and Assigns shall be chargeable for such Money only as he or they shall actually receive and shall not be answerable for involuntary losses.

And also that he and they may out of the monies which shall come to his or their hands reimburse himself and themselves respectively all damages and expenses which he or they may sustain disburse or be put unto in or about the execution of the aforesaid trusts or in relation thereto.

In Witness whereof I the said Abraham Rusgrove the testator have to this my last will and testament contained and written upon four sheets of paper signed my hand this sixteenth day of November one thousand eight hundred and thirty eight.

The Mark of

Abraham Rusgrove

The Signature of the said testator Abraham Rusgrove was made by him in the presence of us who were present at the same time and in his presence and at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto attested and subscribed our names as Witnesses.

Henry Ebershall?

Edwin Dudley

10th December 1842. James Rowley the Executor in this Will made? appearance and was sworn in common form of Law. Also that the Personal estate of the testator who died on or about the 26th day of November 1842 does not amount in value to the sum of ne thousand pounds.

Before me

Allan Wheeler?

Surrogate.