1.          JOHN PICKERING   was probably born in the 1630’s to 1640’s period.

Father:      Unknown

Mother:     Unknown

John Pickering married ELIZABETH --- ? --- .

John Pickering and his family were living in Gorstage, Weaverham parish, Cheshire, England since the 1660’s or earlier.  The place Gorstage was sometimes written as Gorstich in the old records.

John Pickering died between March 19, 1687 when the Will was written and signed and April 3, 1688 when the Inventory was taken.  The Will was proven on May 5, 1688.

The following are extracted from the Will

"And lastly I doe constitute and apoynte my loving wife my onely Sole Executrix ..."

The Will was signed in the presence of Robert Wilcoxon, Thomas Stones, and John Bassnett.  The Inventory was done by John Bassnett, Peter Sante, Richard Ffryer and Thomas Pickeringe of Gorstich.  The signature and seal of John Pickering is on the document.

Among his belongings listed in the Inventory were

Elizabeth Pickering was living at the time when her husband John Pickering had his Will written and signed on March 19, 1687.

CHILDREN OF JOHN AND ELIZABETH PICKERING

2.          THOMAS PICKERING   Thomas was mentioned in the Will of his father dated March 19, 1687.

Thomas Pickering was not mentioned in the Will of his brother, Samuel Pickering of Aston, Cheshire, dated June 13, 1711.  So it is possible that he has died before that date.

There are 2 entries in the Bishop transcripts of St. Mary church, Weaverham that probably involves this Thomas Pickering, "Elianora uxor Thoma Pickeringe de Gorstich" burial April 12, 1685 and "Thoma Pickeringe de Over" burial October 15, 1690.

And from the Cheshire Marriage Act Book, there is an entry of interest, Dec. Quinto 1685 Thomas Pickering de Waverham et Elizam Barker de Over vid.

3.          JOHN PICKERING   John was mentioned in the Will of his father dated March 19, 1687.

John Pickering was not mentioned in the Will of his brother, Samuel Pickering of Aston, Cheshire, dated June 13, 1711. So it is possible that he has died before.

From the Cheshire Marriage Act Book, there is an entry of interest, May Decimo Quarto 1690 Johem Pickering de Weverham et Mariam Adshead de Runcorn.

4.          SAMUEL PICKERING   Samuel was mentioned in the Will of his father dated March 19, 1687.

Samuel Pickering was a Taylor.

From the Will of Thomas Breck of Runcorn, Cheshire, dated August 13, 1687, we find that Samuel Pickering was one of the witnessess of the signing of the Will.  Samuel’s signature is on the document.

Samuel also participated in the Inventory of Thomas Breck’s goods & chattels, which was done on September 15, 1687.

From the Cheshire Marriage Act Book entry dated May 16, 1698 for the marriage of William Pickering and Mary Blackamore, Samuel Pickering is mentioned as a Taylor of Halton. Halton is in Runcorn parish, Cheshire.

From the Cheshire Marriage Bonds & Licences entry dated August 22, 1710 for the marriage of Bernard Pickering and Sarah Nixon, Samuel Pickering is mentioned as a yeoman of Runcorn, Cheshire.

Samuel Pickering of Aston, Cheshire died between June 13, 1711 when his Will was written and signed and April 3, 1712 when one of the executors, John Yockson, was sworn in.  Probate was issued April 17 1712.

The following are extracted from the Will

"I nominate & Appoint my Brother Joseph Pickering & John Yockson of Prenton to be Executors"

The Witnesses were Thomas Williams, Robert Knowls, and John Williams.  The signature and seal of Samuel Pickering is on the document.

Apparently Samuel Pickering did not have any children when he died.  If he was married, the wife was dead before the Will was made.

In studying the people who recieved legacies from Samuel Pickering, most of them are found to be the seven daughters and one son of the Thomas Breck who died in Runcorn in 1687.

It is possible that Thomas Breck or his wife, Anne Cooper, was related to the Pickerings since Samuel Pickering was one of the witnesses to Thomas Breck’s Will in 1687 and then 25 years later Samuel, in his own Will, gives legacies to the grandchildren of that family.

It is not known if there is a relationship between Samuel Pickering and Ellenor wife of Peter Cook of Northwich or Anne wife of Thomas Burges of Weston.  But it is known that there was a Peter and Eleanor Cook that were Quakers and that they went to Pennsylvania in 1712.

5.          BERNARD PICKERING   was born in Gorstich (Gorstage), Weaverham parish, Cheshire and christened August 6, 1665 in St. Mary church, Weaverham.

Bernard was mentioned in the Will of his father dated March 19, 1687.

In the Will of Elizabeth Done of Cuddington, Weaverham parish, a widow, dated September 29, 1693, we find that Bernard Pickering and Joseph Pickering were 2 of the 3 witnesses of the signing of the Will.  Their signatures are in the Will.

From Cheshire Marriage Bonds & Licences, there is a entry for August 22, 1710, Bearnard Pickering of the parish of Whitegate, Yeoman and Sarah Nixon pf Over, widow.   To be married at Whitegate or Over.  Samuel Pickering of Runcorn, Yeoman and John Doe were bondsmen for them.

Bernard Pickering was mentioned in the Will of his brother, Samuel Pickering of Aston, Cheshire, dated June 13, 1711.  Bernard recieved 1/3 part of Samuel Pickering’s Personal Estate.

On July 26, 1728, an Inventory of the Goods and Chattels of William Blackamore, yeoman Late of Crowton in the parish of Weaverham, was done and the Appraisors were Bernard Pickering, Wm Pickering, and John Bassnett.  Their signatures are on the document.

Bernard Pickering of Cuddington was buried February 21, 1737 at St. Mary church, Weaverham.

6.  +      WILLIAM PICKERING  William married Mary Blackamore.

7.          JOSEPH PICKERING   was born in Gorstich (Gorstage), Weaverham parish, Cheshire.  Joseph was mentioned in the Will of his father dated March 19, 1687.

In the Will of Elizabeth Done of Cuddington, Weaverham parish, a widow, dated September 29, 1693, we find that Bernard Pickering and Joseph Pickering were 2 of the 3 witnesses of the signing of the Will.  Their signatures are in the Will.

Joseph Pickering was mentioned in the Will of his brother, Samuel Pickering of Aston, Cheshire, dated June 13, 1711.

Joseph Pickering recieved Samuel Pickering’s "propriety of ye halfe estate I purchased from Thomas Mannering in great Buddeth Town".  Joseph also recieved 1/3 part of Samuel Pickering’s Personal Estate.

14.     1737 Burial of Bernard Pickering.  Bishop’s transcripts for St. Mary church in Weaverham, Cheshire, England.  FHL (G.S.) Film 1736164.  Pickering baptisms, marriages, burials extracted July 9, 1996.