Hiley signatures

Going back in time to the 1800s and earlier centuries many people were illiterate and could not sign their own names. Documents like marriage certificates would often show the bride and bridegroom making their mark, usually a cross, next to their name as written down by the official.

On 8th June 1845 Thomas Highley and Sarah Jackson (and the two witnesses) both made their marks on the certificate when they were married in St Chad's Church in Rochdale.

Marriage of Thomas Highley and Sarah Jackson (Ancestry record)

The signatures of 6 generations of Hileys are shown below:

6 generations of Hileys, fathers and sons

John Highley, marriage to Grace Ogden in 1783

John Highley, marriage to Mally Unsworth in 1810

Charles Highley, marriage to Betty Harrison in 1844

Samuel Hiley, letter about his property in Walsden, 1931

Harold Hiley, marriage to Grace Annie Heyworth, 1925


Henry Hiley, document from Service Record, 1945






The Blogpost of 5th June 2019 showed the inventory of Henry Hyley of Warley from 1732/3. The inventory accompanied an 'admon', or letters of administration, which was issued if there was no valid will and was a formal permission allowing the administrator (usually a relative, appointed by the court) to deal with the deceased person's estate.

In this case, Henry's widow Sarah was the administrator. Her signature appears at the bottom of the document. Also witnessing the document is John Hily, referred to elsewhere as 'Johannes Hiley of Warley the Clothmaker'.

Excerpt from the will of Henry Hyley 1732/3

These are the earliest Hiley signatures so far found.