Description:Wills and their accompanying inventories of goods and chattels, are an excellent source of information for family, social and economic history. A will can provide all kinds of useful information about family relationships and the social and economic status of the testator, that is the person making the will. In addition before 1750, an itemised inventory of the goods of the deceased was drawn up by between two and five unbiased persons called appraisors, overseers or supervisors. The inventory includes all the moveable goods, including there appropriate household goods, clothing, stock-in-trade, farm stock, growing and cut corn, loose money and any rent and debts due but it does not include land.
“In the Name of god Amen Anno Domini 1627 one the 12th day of February in the same yeare Hugh Bradocke of the County of Stafford and Hamlet of Milton & parish of Stoake uppon Trent husbandman beeing sicke in Body but perfect in sense memory & understanding did before us witnesses whose names are subscribed declare by words this to be his last Will & Testament in manner & forme following: First he the said Hugh Bradocke did bequea[th] his soule into the hands of almighty god by the merits of assuring his soule to be saved Item he did bequeath his body to Christian Buriall Concerning his poor Estate of worldly goods he thus did order of them & bequeath them First he did give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Mellor his daughter 12d in full satisfaction of her childs parte Item he did give & bequeath unto Margaret Capell his daughter 12d in full satisfaction of her childs parte Item he did further give and bequeath unto Joane Bradocke his wife the rest of all his Goods Cattels & Chattels, leases and all other his rightes & estates whatsoever whome he did ordayne his sole Executrix naming Joane Bradocke his wife......”
Lichfiled Record Office; B/C/11 Braddock - Hugh, 6th March 1628-28