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 George Moorcroft of Rocester in the County of Stafford Farmer being of sound Mind Memory and Understanding praised be Almighty God for the same do make this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following, First my Will is that all the just Debts that I shall owe at the time of my Decease and Funeral Expences be paid and discharged Also I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law Isaac Tortoishell the Sum of ten pounds to be paid him within six Months next after my Decease if he be then living but if he be then dead then I give and bequeath the said Sum of ten pounds to be equally divided between his two Sons John Tortoishell and Charles Tortoishell share and Share alike Also I give and bequeath unto my Daughter in Law Ann Ansell the Sum of fifty Pounds to be paid her within six Months next after my Decease if She the said Ann Ansell shall be then alive but if She be then dead then I give and bequeath the said Sum of fifty pounds to be equally divided amongst all her Children that shall be then living Share and Share alike and to be paid to them within six Months next after my Decease Also I give and bequeath unto my Son in Law John Oldfield the Sum of twenty pounds to be paid him within six Months next after my Decease if he be then living and if he be then dead then I give and bequeath the said Legacy or Sum of twenty Pounds to be equally divided between them the before mentioned John Tortoishell and Charles Tortoishell Sons of my said Son in Law Isaac Tortoishell share and Share alike and to be paid to them within six Months next after my Decease Also my Mind and Will is that the sum of One hundred pounds shall be placed in the Hands of Mr Thomas Wharton Orme of Clownham in the parish of Doveridge in the County of Derby Gentleman one of my Executors........”
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, B/C/11 1794 Moorcroft George
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.