PEOPLE: The Wards

These are some of the references to the Ward family and their properties, from the Strutt archives.

The Ward family is of interest for two main reasons: firstly their connections to the other families of this website, and secondly their possible connection to the Strutt family, which will be explored separately, at a later date.

D3772/T8/40/1-27 Milley Laund, the WARD Family

This huge bundle of documents relates to a court case brought against Jedediah Strutt by the Ward of Milley Laund in Belper, after what appears to have been a severe flood that devastated the Ward's house and land. Ward won the case and was paid seven thousand pounds by Strutt as the price of his house.

1a) A note written on this: purchase money paid by Mr Strutt to W. Richard Ward for Milley Laund Farm, at the Swan Inn in Belper 2nd May 1810 £7,013-6-8 in notes.

Inventory of Documents October 1810

• 17 Copy will of Matthew Bradley 3rd Nov 1737
• 18 17th March 1791 presentment of death of Matthew Bradley, admittance of Elizabeth Ward
• 19 2nd Feb 1792, Richard Ward and wife to S. Mr Ward's will, surrender of Milley Laund
• 20 Pedigree of Bradleys and Wards (see on Pedigree pages)
• 21 ditto (copy)
• 25 Richard Ward's title to land near bridge purchased by John Bradley

T8/40/28 - plans of the river on a roll, separately.

D3772/T13/13/2 Sadler, Ward

Cottages in Belper Lane - Mostly dates from 1800 onwards

24th May 1753 Court, death of Richard Ward, admittance of Richard Ward his nephew

Jury:

• Isaac Johnson
• James Tomlinson
• Thomas Thorpe
• Nathaniel Ormerand?
• John Samaster? Lancaster?
• Francis Flixon
• William Tomlinson
• Samuel Tomlinson
• George Tomlinson
• Mr. Nathaniel Milnes
• Thomas Haywood
• John Robinson
• John Shardlow

At a small court baron of Elizabeth, mother and guardian of Richard Joderell, infant son of Paul Joderell, dec's, before Thomas Gell. Richard Ward and Elizabeth his wife, otherwise Burnam??? Tenant premises in Belper, cottage, croft adjoining, Wheat Close and Well Pingle and Carr, all = three acres. Richard Ward willed, dated 20 th April 1742, to his wife his house, barn, stable, pingle, bakehouse etc. Richard Ward the nephew is entitled to it now.

5th Nov 1761

John SADLER, brother and heir of William Sadler, deceased and Susan his wife; Half part of cottage and one parcel of land = three acres in the possn of John WARD and half part of all properties To the use of Richard Ward and Elizabeth.

1800 Salonel to Samuel WARD
1815 Admittance of Samuel WARD under the will of his father Richard WARD.

Jury

• Isaac Statham
• William Cooper
• Edward Ward
• Samuel Mather
• William Bakervill?
• Thomas Malin
• Thomas Mills
• Joseph Moseley (Moreley?)
• German Hunt???
• William Slater
• John Alsopp
• Richard Burley?

11 th April 1812, The Will of Richard WARD

Proved 12 th April 1815. The will of Richard Ward, Gent. Properties in Belper Lane in possn of John Ward my son and others: Top Close, The Croft, Wheat Close, Clover Close, The Carr, the Orchard and Well Close, To my son William Ward and Samuel Ward -

• To the use of my son John Ward
• Then to grandson Salatheil Ward, the son of John Ward
• If no heirs of Salathiel, then to granddaughters of John, Sarah, Hannah, Elizabeth and Ann.

Gives freehold lands in Belper in possession of John MONK/Joseph LYNAN to my son the Revd Richard WARD, Clerk, and on his death to grandchildren Francis Ward, Mary Ward, Elizabeth Ward and Ann Ward - daughters of Richard Ward.

Also the house and land, Flax Piece, Well yard, Necky Close (purchased of Samuel Street) in the possn of my son in law John MONK, and my house in Belper Lane in possn of Michael HILL, with garden, orchard and plot of land late in the possn of William MARSDEN, unto my son in law, John Monk and my daughter Sarah (nee Ward) his wife. Also, Upper Croft, nether Croft and Swinney Well Close, also nether Close and Two Riley Closes, copyhold, to my wife; land in Chevin Ward = six acres now in possn of John Monk unto my son Samuel Ward.

And whereas Robert Dannah of Windley, Gent is indebted to me for £1000 - paid to my granddaughters Sarah, Hannah, Eliz and Ann (of John my son) £60 each, to Ann daughter of my late son Thomas Ward £300. To my daughter Elizabeth Ward, all else. William and Samuel executors.

Proved 12th April 1815

28th July 1823 The Will of Samuel WARD and Sarah his wife

Swinney Well Close, Upper Croft, in my occupation, two houses in Belper Lane, also Nether Close, Two Riley Closes; brother William of Skegby Notts, Gent;

Mentions his house in Belper, the Black Swan.