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 where 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 The eight day of Aprill Anno Dominus 1676 I George Madder of Gayton in the countie of Stafford yeoman weake in bodie but of good & perfect memory (God be praysed) doe make & ordaine this my last will & Testament in manner & forme followinge . that is to say . First I commend my soule into the hands of Almighty God my Maker hopeinge assuredly through the only meritts of Jesus Christ my blessed Saviour & Redeemer to be made partaker of life Everlastinge. And I commend my body to the earth whereof it is made And as for my worldly Estate my desire is that it be disposed on as followeth And first I give & bequeath unto my son Thomas Madder the summe of twelve pence one paire of Mustard stones one old barrell & the old salt coffer, Item I leave unto my Grandchild George Madder survivinge my wife the Iron backstone or fireplate in the howse & to my little grandchild Moses five shillings Item I give unto my son in law Ansell twelve pence And to my grandchild George Ansell twenty shillings at the age of 21 yeares Item I give & bequeath unto my Daughter Margarett the summe of Thirty & seven pounds And to my Daughter Ann the summe of Thirty pounds Item I give unto my son Henry Madder All my implements of husbandry & the Maltmill and as for & concerninge all the rest of my estate I leave unto my deare & lovinge wife duringe her naturall life my debts legasies & funerall expences beinge first discharged …….”
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, B/C/11 1676 Madder, George
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.