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 I Ann Wood of Mier in the Parrish of Caverswall & County of Stafford Widew being weak in Body but of Perfect mind memory & Understanding (Blessed be God) do this twelveth Day of May In the Year of Our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred & forty Six make & Publish this my last Will & Testament in manner following (Viz) Imprimis I give my Soul into the hands of him that gave it & my Body to the Earth to be Buryed Decently att the Descression of my Executors hereafter named
Item I give to Elizabeth Walklate wife of Thomas Walklate & her two Children the Sum of twelve Pound ten Shillings.
Item I give to Joseph Wood of Mier the Sum of five pounds.
Item I give to Elizabeth Wood the Wife of Joseph Wood five Pounds.
Item I give to Margaret Wood Daughter of Joseph & Elizabeth Wood the Sum of two Pound ten Shilling.
Item I give to Thomas Heath Son of Joseph & Elizabeth Heath the Sum of two Pound ten Shillings.
Item I give to Ann Corne my neece the Sum of five Pounds
Item I give to my Nephew John Cornes Children two Pound ten Shillings Each of them.
Item I give to the Children of my neece Jane Tymes the Sum of two Pound ten Shillings Each of them.............”
Copyright : Lichfield Record Office ,B/C/11 Wood Ann 1746 7 Nov
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.