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 Andrew Horabin of Elford in the County of Stafford
Labourer being Sick And Weak in Body, but of Sound And Perfect Mind and Memory Thanks be given to God therefore do make Constitute and Ordain this my last Will and Testament in Manner And Form following and first I give And Bequeath my Soul into the Hands of Almighty God And My Body to be Buried in Elford Church yard at the Discretion of my Executors hereafter Mentioned And for my Temporal Estate I Give Devise and Bequeath in Manner following Imprimis I give and Bequeath unto my well beloved Sons Thomas and William Horabin twelve Pence a Piece desiring and requiring them Joyntly to take Care of my Son Richard and help and Assist him the best way they may or Can to help him to Some Trade as they Shall think most meet and Convenient. Item I give and Bequeath to my well beloved Wife Amy all my Goods Cattle and Chattle And all my Other Personal Estate to be by her Enjoyd during the Term of her Natural Life and if at her Decease Any thing Should be left, I would that that Should be Equally Divided Amongst my Three Sons John Richard Joseph and John Mousley my Said Wifes Amy’s Son Yet Notwithstanding I Will her to the best of her Power to Maintain and bring up Joseph till he is able to take Care of him
Self, And to Maintain John in Clothing during his Apprenticeship, And to Sett Richard out Handsomely with two Suit of Cloths and if it please God my said Wife Should be with Child I desire She will likewise take Care and provide for the Same...”