Ann Liffiton (Huntley or Huntly), 1783-1860

Wife of tailor John Liffiton of Littleham and Exmouth in Devonshire. Mother of six children, she is buried at Littleham Parish Church. Written two years before her death, Ann's will provides rich details of her life and relations.

Details:

1808 From Littleham Parish Register: 26 March, 1808 John Liffiton bachelor of Littleham married Ann Huntley spinster of Littleham

1810 From Exmouth Ebenezer Chapel Register: Maria Huntly Daughter of John and Ann Liffiton Baptized June the 2, 1810 by me JP Baker

1813 From Exmouth Ebenezer Chapel Register: Caroline Daughter of John and Ann Liffiton Baptized August the 27, 1813 by me JP Baker

1816 From Exmouth Ebenezer Chapel Register: Mary Ann Parse Daughter of John and Ann Liffiton Baptized September the 22 1816 by me (JP Baker)

1817 From Exmouth Ebenezer Chapel Register: Ellen Huntley Daughter of John and Ann Liffiton Baptised March the 23 1817 by me JP Baker

1819 From Exmouth Ebenezer Chapel Register: Thomas Huntly son of John & Ann Liffiton Baptised April 25, 1819 by me JP Baker

1820 From a newspaper, Trewman’s Exeter Flying-Post Thursday, June 1, 1820 J. Liffiton TAYLOR and HABIT-MAKER Returns his sincere thanks to the Inhabitants of Exmouth, and his Friends in general for the very liberal support he has met with for the last Ten Years, and hopes, by strict attention to Business, to merit a continuance of their favours. J.L. also begs leave to observe, he is just returned from London, where he has acquired a knowledge of the NEWEST FASHIONS in some of the first Houses in the Trade.

1825 From Exmouth Ebenezer Chapel Register: baptised - Ann Huntly Liffiton.

1850 May 1850 Notice of a bazaar to be held at Ebenezer Independent Chapel, Exmouth to raise money for a school for children of all denominations. Committee members: Mrs. Liffiton, Ormond Place Miss Liffiton, Ormond Place Mrs. T Liffiton, Sheppard’s Walk Miss Mercy Liffiton, Littleham Mrs. Parker, Parker’s Place Miss Ellen Parker, Parker’s Place Mrs. Nolloth, Bicton Place Source: Peg Vause email of February 2, 2002

1856 from a newspaper, Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post (Exeter, England) Thursday, February 28, 1856; Issue 4690 Classified Ads No. 2, Ormond Terrace, Exmouth Thomas Crudge will SELL, by Auction, on Tuesday next , the Fourth of March inst., on the premises, all the HOUSEHOLD FURNITURE, Piano Fore, and effects, the property of Mrs. Liffiton which will be sold without reserve. Sale to commence precisely at Half-past One o’Clock. Exmouth, February 26th, 1856.

1860 From a newspaper, Trewman’s Exeter Flying Post Wednesday, November 21, 1860; Issue 4936 Deaths November 11, Ann, widow of Mr. J. Liffiton of Exmouth in her 78th year, deeply regretted.

1860 From the Index to deaths registered at the General Register Office, London: 1860 Dec quarter Ann Liffiton District of St. Thomas Volume/Page 5B/74

1858 From the will of Ann Liffiton dated 15 Nov 1858 see below

1860 From the Littleham Parish Register: 15 Nov 1860 Ann Liffiton of Exmouth was buried age 77 years

1860 From the National Probate Index at Somerset House, London: 27 Nov 1860 Will of Ann Liffiton formerly of 2 Sheppards Walk but late of 6 parkers black, both in Exmouth, Devon. Wido deceased. Died 11 Nov 1860 at Parkers Place. Proved by the oath of Frederick Besley of Oak Lodge, Highgate, Middlesex, Wharfinger, sole executor. Under £600 Principal Registry. Resworn at the stamp office June 1863 under pounds £300.

1858/1860 From the will of Ann Liffiton dated 15 Nov 1858, and proved in probate at London 27th November 1860 Paragraphs have been added arbitrarily, but punctuation and spelling are original.

I Ann Liffiton formerly of No. 2 Sheppards Walk but now residing at No. 6 Parkers Place Exmouth in the county of Devon widow of John Liffiton of the first mentioned place being of sound mind and in full possession of all my faculties do on this fifteenth day of November 1858 make this my last will and testament in manner and form following.

Whereas by the will of my late husband John Liffiton the whole of his estate is made chargeable in the first place with the payments of his just debts and funeral expenses. And whereas at the time of his decease there were no funds available to that purpose so that I was under the necessity of paying said debts and funeral expenses out of the income to which I was entitled as tenant for life for my own separate use and benefit.

And whereas there I have from time to time advanced to my late husband’s executors out of my savings certain sums of money as by the annexed account will appear to enable them to pay debts honorably and promptly which ought to have been paid by the sale of property.

And whereas there is now due to me from my late husbands executors the sum of £408 exclusive of interest which I now dispose of by this my will together with any other property I may possess at the time of my decease and further by the decease of my late daughter Mary Ann Parse Sage without issue I am left with only two surviving children who are naturally first in my regard and affection and also I feel strongly the kindness and attention of my grand daughter with who I am residing at the present time and who does everything she can to comfort me in my old age.

With the considerations before stated in my mind I desire and request that my two surviving children and my grand daughter what little property I have should go. To carry out these intentions I do hereby nominate and appoint my son in law Frederick Besley of Oak Lodge Highgate in the county of Middlesex wharfinger executor and trustee of this my will. i give and bequeath to my son in law Frederick Besley all the monies I may be possessed of at my decease debts due to me household furniture plate and effects of every description whatsoever in trust for the following purposes.

As soon as may be after my decease I request my executor and trustee to realized all my property first paying any debts I may owe funeral expenses and other liabilities and the residue of my estate I wish him to divide in the manner hereafter directed. I give and bequeath to my son Thomas Huntley Liffiton of Wanganui New Zealand one third share of my property but should he die before me my executor and trustee is hereby required to divide his share equally between Ellen Huntly Besly and Ellen Maria Parker and in the event of their death before me their shares of the share which would have belonged to Thomas Huntly Liffiton to follow the directions hereafter given.

I give and bequeath to my daughter Ellen Huntly Besley on third share of my property but if she should die before me. I hereby require my executor to divide the amount equally between the children of the said Frederick Besley and Ellen Huntly Besley living at the time of my decease together with any portion of the share of Thomas Huntly Liffiton should the contingency of his share happen as before mentioned.

I give and bequeath to my grand daughter Ellen Maria Parker one third share of my property but should she die before me I hereby require my executor and trustee to divide her share between her brothers Arthur Parker and Stanley to share and share alike should there be only one brother surviving her the survivor to take the who share together with any contingent interest in the share of Thomas Huntly Liffiton. And I hereby revoke and make void all former wills by me made and I do declare this to be my last will and testament.

In witness thereof I the said Ann Liffiton the testator have to this my last will and testament set my hand the day and year first above written

_____ Ann Liffiton Signed by the testator Ann Liffiton in the prsence of us present at the time who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses this 15th day of November 1858

_____ Gilbert Hall draper Sheppard Walk

_____ Arthur Parker ship owner 6 Parkers Place.

_____ Gilbert Hall Sworn by the said Gilbert Hall at Exmouth in the county of Devon this twenty first day of November 1860 before me

_____ Henry Cranstown Adams, a commissioner to administer oaths in chancery in England Proved at London 27th November 1860 by the oath of Frederick Besley the sole executor to who administration was granted.

(Revised 10/03/2010)