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 Hatchet of Edingall in the County of Stafford Plowright, being at this present weak and sickly in body but of perfect memery and ready understanding Blessed be God: do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
First and chiefly I bequeath and comit my soule into the hands of Almighty God, beseeching him for his mercies sake in Christ Jesus to receive my spirit and to make it partaker of life everlasting, next I bequeath my body to the grave, to be buried in the churchyard of Edingall and there to rest in hope of a joyfull resurrection at the last day. Lasly for those worldly goods which God hath pleased to bestow upon mee, my will is that they be thus bestowed and disposed of...
Copyright: Lichfield Record Office, LRO P/C/11, Hatchett John
Reproduced by courtesy of the Lichfield Diocesan Registrar.