Nicholas Machell was born about 1762 (in Selside, according to the 1851 Sedbergh Census. He’s living at Mosergh Folds, Selside in 1841.) He died 4 July 1855 in Kendal at the age of 93. He was a bachelor. His will was written in 1833, in Woodhouse, Heversham.
His primary legatee is his sister, Sarah Machell, Spinster. I also have a copy of her will, which was written in 1833. It’s almost identical to her brother’s. She died 11 November 1840, in Milnthorpe, at the age of 90. I have a copy of the baptism record of a Sarah Machell, daughter of John Machell and Alice. She was baptized 8 November 1748 in Selsisde.
Five of the legatees in the wills were the children of Edward Machell (b abt 1740) of Whinfell and Ann Birkett—referred to in the wills as nephews and niece:
John Machell abt. 1766
Isabella Machell abt. 1768
Thomas Machell abt. 1771 (My ggg grandfather.)
James Machell abt. 1773
George Machell abt. 1776
Three other legatees, also referred to as nephews:
Leonard Machell of Manchester born abt. 1786--in Kendal.
James Machell of Preston also born abt. 1786--in Kendal.
John Machell of Preston born about 1790.
Two other legatees, referred to as nieces, were the daughters of Margaret Machell and John Levens. Margaret Machell was baptized 20 August 1758 in Grayrigg; she was the daughter of John Machell and Alice of Whinfell.
My question: I have been unable to find baptism records for Edward and Nicholas Machell--even though I spent quite a lot of time in the Kendal record office searching for them. I have copies of Edward’s marriage bond, his will, and his burial record—as well as copies of all his children’s baptisms.
Are Nicholas and Sarah’s wills giving me enough information to determine who Edward and Nicholas’s parents were? Or could the terms nephew and niece be used loosely, and actually mean cousins?