PEARSON, John of Ullock in Dean (1677-1728)

Not complete. This is beyond my current time range.

Son of Christopher and Eleanor Pearson of Ullock.

Inventory

Perhaps the most intriguing part of his probate is the accumulated savings that the family have made - £77 out of a total of £194 6s 6d.

He's lent £62 out by 'speciality' (i.e. a formal contractual loan) with the remaining £15 being invested in two ships, 1/32 of one, 1/48 (1/3 x 1/16) of the other. This sounds like a sensible peice of financial planning - solid investment with the ships providing an element of risk.

This whole area, close to Whitehaven, was deeply involved in seafaring in one way or another. A direct investment in ships was not unusual - but it would be interesting to know whether these were Quaker owned and operated.