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 I John Slator of Gratwitch in the County of Stafford Gentleman being in Sound and Perfect mind and Memory God be praised do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner and Form following that is to say first I commend my Soul into the hands of Allmighty God my mercifull Corator hoping and Stedfastly believing to obtain everlasting Life thro the Precious and meritorious Death of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my Body to the Earth to be Decently interr’d at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter named. And as Touching my Worldly Estate I give and dispose thereof as follows Item I give and bequeath twenty Pounds a year to Elizabeth Blurton Daughter of Mr Thomas Blurton of Gratwitch ………….”
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, P/C/11 1752 Slater,John
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.