"John Willatt (1768-1772). His ancestors date back a long way in local records. Thomas Willatt was the son and heir of Thomas Willatt, the elder, who came from Fenny Stratford, co. Bucks, and settled in Manchester about 1556, and was living there in 1561. Thomas Willatt, the younger, married Ellen, fifth and youngest daughter of Sir Edmund Trafford, of Trafford (vol. i., 190 n). He was borough reeve in 1562-3, and afferator and juror in 1569 (p. 127-8). John Willatt was born in 1731, and married Sarah Benson, April 25th, 1754, who was of his age."

"In 1768 Isaac Clegg retired from office, and was succeeded by John Willatt ...; the latter seems to have been a very efficient

postmaster

who acquired his training under Clegg. ...."

Until 1768 John Willatt worked as a clerk at the

Manchester post office

, then led by the postmaster Isaac Clegg. "Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society" then continue:

"November the 18th. 1768.    ...  Ordered that Mr John Willatt be appointed Deputy of Manchester in the stead of Mr Clegg resigned."

The "British Postal Service Appointment Books, 1737-1969" (source found by John Humphreys) say that on

About John Willatt's life as Manchester's postmaster "Transactions of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society" continue:

The Mercury, July 28th, 1772, alludes to his death as follows:

Before or during his work for the post office John Willatt seems to have tried other enterprises, too, as a side notice in Hannah Barker's "The Business of Women" (Oxford 2006) shows:

"In 1776, Sarah Willatt was charged with refusing to pay the debts of her late husband John incurred duing his partnership in a lacemaking firm."

"An entry in the Constable's Accounts runs: Octbr. 17th, 1770: To Postage of 62 Hue and Cry warrants paid Mr. Willatt, £1,17.2.

 
He had a family of nine children, of which he lost two in 1763, and two in 1772. His tombstone in St. Ann's Church reads :

'On Friday last died Mr. John Willatt, Postmaster in this town, second to none in this part of the Kingdom in the knowledge of his profession ; he discharged it with a diligence and impartiality which rendered him beloved and respected by all ; benevolent and sociable in his disposition, he was esteemed by those who knew him, as a sincere friend and an honest man, and as a kind husband and a tender parent, his death is much lamented by a wife and four children.'

The public were much concerned, and general sympathy was extended to his afflicted widow. Prompt steps were taken to secure to her the succession of the office; we read, therefore, August 4th, 1772 (Mercury):

'His Majesty's Postmaster General has been pleased to appoint Mrs. Sarah Willatt, widow of the late Mr. Willatt, to be Deputy Post Mistress of this Town.' "

'Here is interred John Willatt,
late Post Master of the Town,
Who departed this life
July 24, 1772, aged 41 years.'