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 Richard Clarke of Essington in the parish of Bushbury and County of Stafford Weaver being in good health of body and of Sound and perfect mind and memory praise bee therefore given to Almighty God doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testament in manner and forme following (that is to say) First and principally I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty God hopeing through the meritts death and passion of my Saviour Jesus Christ to have full and free pardon and forgivenesse of all my Sins, and to inherit everlasting life and my body I comitt to the Earth to bee decently buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter named And as touching the disposition of all such Temporall Estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow upon me I give and dispose thereof as followeth; First I will that my debts and funerall charges shall bee paid and discharged Item I give to my Eleven Grandchildren thereafter named twelve pence a peice (viz.l[videlicet]) To Sarah daughter of Richard Marson of Willenhall One Shilling, To Sarah Forster daughter of Thomas Forster of Darlaston One Shilling, To Stephen Son of William Pedler of Willenhall One Shilling, To Anne daughter of Henry Beckett of Willenhall One Shilling, To Richard Son of Richard Pedler of Willenhall One Shilling, To Anne Hawkins daughter of Thomas Hawkins of Willenhall – one Shilling To Edward Son of Mr Wakering of Blackhalve One Shilling, To James Hope Son of John Hope of Prestwood One Shilling To William Farmer Son of John Farmer of Essington One Shilling To Margarett daughter of Thomas Hide of Penford One Shilling To Simon Son of Edward Marson of Willenhall one Shilling Item I give unto my Loving wife Anne Clarke Ten Shillings.......”
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, B/C/11 Clarke Richard 1716 3 May
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.