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 Wightwick of Farwell alias Faggerwell in the County of Stafford Gentleman being of sound and disposing mind and memory, yet considering the uncertainty of this life, and for settlement of my estate, payment of my debts and raising portions for my children, do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner following, hereby revoking all former Wills by me at any time made. First I bequeath my Soul into the hands of Almighty God who gave it, trusting through the merits and mediation of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ to be made a partaker of his heavenly Kingdom. My Body I bequeath to the earth from whence it came to be decently buryed in the Parish Church or Chancell of Farwell, or where my Executrix (hereafter named) shall think fitt. Whereas I am seized of the prebend and Parsonage of Brewood in the County of Stafford (relation being thereunto had) by virtue of a Lease made to me by the present Deane of Lichfield Dr Lancelott Addison for three lives yet in being, As also another Lease of the tythes of part of Brewood park for two lives yet in being, And am also seized of a Messuage or Tenement and divers lands thereto belonging in Chorley or Longdon or one or both of them in the aforesaid County now or late in the tenure of Thomas Owen. I give and devise all my Estate right title and interest whatsoever which I have in the aforesaid Leases Messuages Tenements Lands and premises with their and every of their appurtenances unto Richard Pyott of Streethay Esquire, my Father in law Walter Fowler of Penford Esquire, my Brother in Law Charles Fowler of Penford Gentleman, My Brother in Law Rowland Fryth of Thornes Gentleman, and John Browne of Thornes Gentleman and their heires. In speciall trust and confidence never the less that they the said Richard Pyott, Walter Fowler, Charles Fowler, Rowland Fryth and John Browne shall by perception of the profitts or by Lease Mortgage or sale of the whole or any part or parcell thereof in the first place pay and satisfye my funerall charges and all such debts as I shall justly owe or be indebted unto any person or persons at the time of my decease, and afterwards shall raise such summ or summes of mony for the maintenance of my sonn John during the life of his Mother…………….”
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, P/C/11 1763 Wightwick, John
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.