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 Nicholas Averrill of
Alderweyes, being of at this time mind weak in bodie, yett in
perfect memory thankes be to god almightie I doe herby
make this my last will and Testament; as Followeth
Imprimis I give and bequeath unto my daughter Eline
Averrill the Sume of Twentie poundes; to be payed vnto her
att the age of Thirteene yeares; by my executor; And in
the meane tyme, my wife to have the use of the said
xx pounds towardes her mayntenance And I alsoe give vnto
my said daughter Alice one linerie Cubbard, and one
little painted box. Item I give to my father in Lawe
two shillinges six pernce, and vnto my mother in lawe, as much
to buie them gloves; Item I give vnto my brother Roger
Averill and his wife; two shillinges six peence a peece; And
Lastly I make and bequeath my lovenig wife Margery
Averrill; My: Sole executrix of this my last will and
Testament To have and enioye all my goodes and Chattles
moveable and vnmoveable; Avowing to my true intent
and meaning, except that which is formerly disposed of
In witnesse whereof I have herunto put my
hand this third daye of Maye 1646”
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, P/C/11 1649 Averrill, Nicholas
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.