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 Ralph Adderley of Blackhough in the parish of Dilhorn in the County of Stafford gentleman being weak in body but of sound and perfect memory( praise be given to God for the same)doe make & ordain this my last Will and Testament in manner & form following (that is to say)...
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, LRO B/C/11 1688 Adderley, Ralf
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.