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 wagstaffe of phasley in the County of Stafford husbandman finding my selfe aged and weake though I praise my good god my perfect memory doe make this my last will and testament as followet Imprimis I give and bequeathe my soule to allmightly god that gave it me not doubting but by the merits of Jesus Christ my soule shalbe received into that eternall Rest in Glory there to remayne for ever with him."
Copyright : Lichfield Record Office , B/C/11 1679 Wagstaffe John
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.