John Thurtell lived at 80 Crow Street, Norwich, and Trowse Newton and Trowse Milgate, all in Norfolk, England. He was a peruch maker (wig maker). He made his will March 11, 1772, signed by his own hand, and presumably died before 23 April the same year when the will was examined and the executors sworn. His baptism is recorded in Trowse Newton 19 September 1731, son of John and Elizabeth Thurtell. In his will he disposed of property in Norwich St. John de Sepulchre, Trowse Newton, and Trowse Milgate, all in Norfolk. He is also mentioned in his father's will, 1767 and 1769 by which he was left a share of his father's Boarstreet property in Norwich, and was to be compensated for property in Hempnall Norfolk willed to his brother James. He may then have already been in possession of the property in Trowse Newton since disposal of it is not mentioned in his father's will.

John Thurtell married Hannah Chambers on 29 February 1756 at St. George Tombland, Norwich. She was in 1772 executrix of his will, with his brother James the executor, and was the sole heir mentioned in her husband's will. She was to receive the property in St. John de Sepulchre in Norwich, the property in Trowse Newton, and the money from the sale of property in Trowse Milgate.

The Court Roll of the Manor of Trowse Newton, 25 November 1772, also mentions this John Thurtell. There it is recited that at the Court of November 1765, when he was admitted at the surrender of Anthony Freestone, John Thurtell, further described as the younger of Norwich, barber, surrendered to the use of his will his copyhold messuages, lands, tenements and hereditaments. Now (25 November 1772) his widow Hannah comes to Court with his will dated the previous 11th March, in which he left her his messuage or tenement with appurtenances in Trowse Newton, to which she is accordingly admitted and surrenders to the use of her will. And in the margin of this record it is noted that on 1 November 1785, Hannah as Hannah Dobson surrenders the property to Richard Youngs. Could this have had something to do with the reexamination of the will of her late husband's father in 1784?

John and Hannah Thurtell had one daughter who is not mentioned in the will, Hannah Thurtell.

Text of Will:


WILL OF JOHN THURTELL OF NORWICH, PERUKE MAKER, 80 CROW STREET

1772 Norwich Consistory Court, Norfolk

This is the Last Will and Testament of me John Thurtell of Norwich Poruke maker.

First I hereby authorize impower and direct my Brother James Thurtell his Executors & Administrators To Sell and dispose of all my Mesuages Lands Tenements & Hereditaments situate lying & being in Trowse Milgate in the County of the City of Norwich as soon as conveniently can be after my decease And the Money from thence arising after payment of all my Just Debts & the Expences attending such Sale I give to Hannah my Wife. Item I give & devise to the said Hannah my Wife & her heirs All that my Part and Share of & in certain Mesuages Lands Tenements & Hereditaments situate lying and being in Saint John de Sepulchre in Norwich aforesaid. I also Give and devise to the said Hannah my Wife & her Heirs All that my Messuage or Tenement with the Appurtenances thereto belonging situate lying and being in Trowse Newton in the County of Norfolk. Item I give and bequeath to the said Hannah my Wife All my Personal Estate of what kind or nature soever and wheresoever being She paying my Funeral Charges Probate and Execution of this my Will and such of my Just Debts as I shall owe at my Death and that shall remain unpaid In case the Premisses aforesaid directed to be Sold shall not produce and raise Money sufficient for the payment of all my Just Debts. Item I nominate and appoint the said Hannah my Wife Executrix and my said Brother James Thurtell Executor fo this my Will. In Witness whereof I the said John Thurtell have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Eleventh Day of March One Thousand Seven Hundred and Seventy two.

Jno Thurtell.

Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Testator John Thurtell of & for his last Will & Testament in the Presence of Us who in his presence & at his request have subscribed our Names as Witnesses Clare Blyth Senor. Elizabeth Bell. Thomas Beeston.

23 April 1772 James Thurtell the Executor within named was then Sworn in due form of Law (power being reserved for the Executrix on being Sworn) before me John Greene the [?] Surrogr;

23 April 1772 Hannah Thurtell the Executrix within named was also sworn in due form of Law Examined before me John Greene Clkg Surrog. John Tubby. Saml Cole.