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: The sixt daye of Januarie Anno domini 1631 I Ellen Bourne of greate Chell in the Diocesse of Co:[Coventry] and Luch:[Lichfield] sicke in bodie but of good and perfect memorie thankes be to god therfore doe make and declare this my laste will and testament for the disposinge of my goodes as followeth but before all thinges I freelie committ & yeelde upp my soule into the handes of almightie god my maker, trustinge that through the merritts of Jesus christe my redeemer I shalbe made partaker of lyfe everlastinge And I comitte my bodie to the earthe from whence it is Item I give unto Marie Bourne my kinswoman and goddaughter xx s [shillings]. Item I give unto William Bourne John Bourne Thomas Bourne and Elizabeth Bourne my brother Jefferies children to everie one of them Five shillinges, a peece Item I give and bequeath unto everie of they children of William Bourne my brother late deceased Five shillings a peece Item I give unto they three children of Anne Davisson my sister likewise disseased Five shillinges a peece Item I give unto they foure children of Margrett Smalewoodde my disseased sister Five shillinges a peece Item I give unto they three children of Thomas Bourne my brother Five shillinges a peece Item I give unto Anne the wyfe of my brother Jefferie Five shillinges Item I give unto Anne the wyfe of my brother Thomas five shillinges Item I give unto my brother Jefferie Bourne Three poundes six shillinges & eight pence ……”
Copyright : Lichfield Record Office,
P/C/11 1631/2 Bourne, Ellen
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar