The Minor Family of Somerset

Thomas Priestley of Holdworth, 7th son of Thomas Priestley (onl
y John left) dyed at one a clock, Sept 17, bur. at Halifax, Sep
t 19, 1695, an hopefull young man 30 y age, left a young wife wi
th child (Heywood's Register p 81
The Priestley Family
page 25 Thomas, the youngest, was very hopeful, and a great hel
p to his father in his old age. His father left him his whole e
state, 40l. a year, and made hims sole executor. This thomas
, after his father's death, married Elizabeth Kitchingman; he di
ed shortly, intestate, his wife with child, which was born afte
r his death, and died presently. Having no issue, the whole est
ate descended upon two daughters, the children of Joseph, the el
dest son, quite contrary to the father's intention. So that bra
nch of the family is extinct, as to any male issue, and the lan
d in Holdsworth that cameby my mother, and that my brother best
owed so much pains and care about is likely to be alienated bot
h from the name and the family.
I told my brother Thomas, once upon an occasion, he had a good p
ortion and inherited his mother'sland; he said he was not behol
ding to his mother for it, she could not deprive him of it; bu
t god has deprived both him and his of it. Let children bewar
e of being ungrateful to their parents. He was a man so devote
d to his own interest, he mattered no relation that stood in th
e way of it; would have his own will, if it was possible, whatev
er it cost him. My uncle Francis toldhi, a little before his d
eath, what an unconscionable man he was; "Pray," say he, "take y
our brother's advice;" but it was far from him to think he stoo
d in need of any advice from me. I could write more concernin
g him than isconvenient for me. I lived apprentice six years i
n his family, according toagreement, and five years a tabler i
n his house at Holdworth. He was interred at Halifax, Wednesda
y after Shrovetide, anno 1692