Born 1794, daughter of Charles Balshaw and Jane, of Burscough.
Baptised at Ormskirk parish church 22nd August 1794.
She was still unmarried on the 1851 census and her will says that she was a spinster three days before her death in 1863.
Inn keeper of the Plough Inn/tavern, Church Street, Ormskirk from the trade directories of 1834, and from the 1841 and 1851 census.
In 1840 she became the Tutrix, Curatrix and Guardian of her late brother Ralph 's children, Mary Balshaw age 14 years, Frances Balshaw aged 11 years, Charles Balshaw aged 3 years, and Nancy Balshaw aged 1 year or thereabouts. Since no Frances or Nancy Balshaw died between 1839 and 1842 there is some mystery about their whereabouts in 1841 at the census. Anyway, they were still alive in 1863 as they were mentioned on Nancy's will.
In 1841 and 1851 her nephew Charles and niece Mary were living with her . We know they were the children of her late brother Ralph adding to the evidence that the Charles Balshaw running The Plough in earlier years was her father.
She must have moved to St Helens before 1861, perhaps having retired from The Plough. Her nephew Charles, son of her brother John (not Ralph) seems to have been living with her at the time of her death and he received many of the items specified on the will. Her other nephew Charles (son of her brother Ralph) may also have been living with her.
The Plough has clearly been completely rebuilt since that time, as you can see from these pictures.
31st July 1863 in Ormskirk, Lancashire according to her will. Have copy of will.
She made her last will on 28th July 1863 leaving all her possessions to her nephews and nieces. The total value of the estate was less than £600, no leaseholds.
Ormskirk Advertiser, August 6 1863. Deaths. On the 1st instant [i.e. 1st August] aged 68 years at the house of her nephew Mr Sharrock, Moor St, Miss Nancy Balshaw, formerly of Church St in this town. (Also in this issue, T Sharrock, Butcher of Moor St, was advertising.)
[This will is very useful to establish the connections between the various nieces and nephews, their occupations etc. NHB]
I Nancy Balshaw of Saint Helens in the County of Lancaster Spinster do make my last will as follows. I bequeath to my nephew Charles son of my brother John my bookcase cupboard washstand table old (?) block in sitting room chamberware in bedroom artificial flowers constructed of shell on stand one set of tea and coffee service silver tea bags and half dozen spoons marked with the letters CJB [Charles and Jane Balshaw?, her parents] coffee pot the bedstead with bedding thereon in the room occupied by him and stuffed owl. I bequeath to my niece Mary wife of Henry Sharrock my looking glass in my bedroom and mahogany chest of drawers which formerly belonged to my mother and the large picture in the sitting room placed over the Cheffonier. To my nephew Charles son of my late brother Ralph my bed as it stands and bed and bedding belonging to it in my bedroom and the looking glass in his bedroom. To my niece Nancy Balshaw my bed and bedding in the room of my nephew Charles son of my late brother Ralph one dozen silver spoons and a pair of tongs to match marked with the letters NB. I devise and bequeath the residue of my estate and effects to my executors and trustees hereinafter mentioned on trust to sell convert and get in the same and to divide the proceeds arising therefrom unto and equally between my nephews and niece Charles Jane and Richard children of my late brother John and my nieces and nephew Mary Frances Charles and Nancy children of my late brother Ralph share and share alike as tenants in common. I declare that in case any of my said nephews and nieces shall depart this life in my life time leaving issue such issue shall take the share to which his or her parent would have been entitled to if living. I appoint my said nephew Charles son of my late brother John, Henry Sharrock of Ormskirk Flour Dealer and Thomas McKenzie of Saint Helens aforesaid Chemist executors and trustees of this my will. In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this twenty eighth day of July one thousand eight hundred and sixty three Nancy Balshaw.
Signed by the above named testatrix in the presence of us present at the same time who have hereunto signed our names as witnesses thereto in the presence of the said testatrix and in the presence of each other - Thomas Sharrock - H B Wareing.
On the 2nd December 1863 the will of Nancy Balshaw late of Saint Helens in the County of Lancaster Spinster deceased was proved by the oaths of Charles Balshaw nephew of the deceased son of her late brother John - Henry Sharrock and Thomas McKenzie the executors, they having first sworn duly to administer. Effects under £600. No leaseholds. Testatrix died 31st July 1863. Extracted by Robert Wareing Solicitor, Ormskirk.
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On the 2nd day of December 1863 the will of Nancy Balshaw late of Saint Helens in the County of Lancaster Spinster deceased who died on the 31st July 1863 at Ormskirk in the said county was proved in the District Registry attached to Her Majesty’s Court of Probate at Liverpool by the oath of Charles Balshaw of Saint Helens aforesaid Woollen Draper nephew of the deceased, son of her late brother John, Henry Sharrock of Ormskirk aforesaid Flour Dealer and Thomas McKenzie of Saint Helens aforesaid Chemist the executors therein named having first been sworn duly to administer.