Walter Snelgar 1635 of Whiteparish, Wiltshire

This is Walter Snelgar's Inventory, Administration Bond and Admin Account. The Inventory includes bees and crossbows along with typical husbandry implements. The Account gives details of the funeral arrangements and includes payment for a day's work and children's shoes. Summary Inventory date:15 January 163? Inventory by:Cuthbert Clifford, George Beacham, William Holloway, John Marshman, Richard DurmanInventory …

Amy Rolf 1522 of Langford, Norfolk

Amy Rolfe is presumably the widow of John Rolf of Ickburgh (Will 1520). She leaves bees to her sons and the church, and amends her Will after selling the chest she had bequeathed to her son.

Thomas Hargate 1620 the elder of Sedgeford, Norfolk, yeoman

Thomas Hargate makes detailed arrangements for his wife and sons which suggest there may be 'step' relationships involved. He bequeaths bees to his wife, as did his father Robert Hargate (Will 1597). Summary Will Date:23 March 1619/20Witnesses:To the land surrender: Raphe Hargate Junior, John ElgarTo the Will: Philip Loades, Thomas Cremer, John Cremer, John GoodwynExecutors:Wife …

Robert Hargate 1597 of Sedgeford, Norfolk

Robert Hargate gives a detailed list of items using interesting terminology eg. 'soa' a word of Scandinavian origin meaning a large tub. The items include Danish chests and bees. Bees are also mentioned in his son Thomas's will (1620). Both the original Will and the Probate Register copy survive.

John Gauntlet 1630 of Pensworth

John Gauntlett is probably the son of Simon Gauntlett (Will 1598). Simon leaves property at Landford to his son John and in this Will John passes it on to his son Simon. This is transcribed from the original Will, which is slightly damaged so a few words are missing. There is an inventory showing that …

John Gauntlett the elder 1558, of Pensworth in Downton, Wiltshire

John Gauntlett's Will gives a picture of the relatively sparse possessions he shares out to his family without forgetting the poor. He is clearly a man who liked a celebration as he makes arrangements for a 'drynking' the month after his death for all his neighbours, friends and the poor involving a fat ox, 2 sheep and 2 porkers and other provisions. He was the head of a large family. He had 9 children of his own and also brought up the 4 children of his wife Ellyn's first marriage to John Hussey. The Inventory, which is incomplete, covers property at Pensworth and Landford. The items reflect small scale husbandry and include basic household goods. Some of the terms are unfamiliar today and where possible I have put definitions in the glossary, but a few still elude me.