Edward St Barbe 1617 of Whiteparish, Wiltshire

Edward St Barbe is the brother of Thomas (Will 1610). There is a detailed inventory which includes weaponry, household / farming items and a few books and pictures, but little finery. Plenty of new words - you may need the Glossary. Summary Will Date:   7 April 1617Executor: Wife Christian and son EdwardOverseers:Cousin SadlerWitnesses:William Parkes, Richard Wooles, Joane Woodes …

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 Chubb 1592 of Nunton, Wiltshire, Husbandman

John Chubb's Will includes an interesting inventory with farming implements and weaponry. His wife Elizabeth Gauntlett, sister of Thomas Gauntlett (Will 1606) and daughter of John Gauntlett (Will 1559), signs an unusual formal obligation to bring up the children. Summary Will date:11 May 1591Executor:Wife ElizabethOverseers:Brother-in-law Thomas Gauntlett and son-in-law William NewmanWitnesses:Henry Patie, William Noke, Thomas …

Jeffrey Cobb 1538 of Sandringham, Norfolk

Jeffrey Cobb is the son of William Cobb of Sandringham (Will 1493). He has confidence in his wife's ability to continue to run both the household and the farm. The Will dates from the time of Henry VIII's break with Rome but contains provisions for a priest to say masses for twenty years as per …

Roger Sandy 1717 of St Mabyn, Cornwall, Will and Inventory

Roger Sandy is the son of Benedict Sandy (Will 1671) and his daughter Honor is the wife of Moses Ede the son of Walter Ede (Will 1717). He has few possessions and very little farming stock. Summary Will Date:3 July 1717Executor:Son Bennet SandyWitnesses:Thomas Hendy, William Crowch [or maybe Cowch]People:Sons Roger Sandy and Benedict SandyDaughters Honor …

Christopher Eyre 1584 of Upton Scudamore, Wiltshire, Gentleman

Christopher Eyre's Will mentions the poor of several parishes, his servants and various cousins including John Eyre of Orcheston (Will in 1600). He uses some interesting words for the items bequeathed. Summary Will date:20 May 1583Executor:Cousin Thomas Eyre Merchant of SalisburyOverseers:William Eyre of Chalfield, William Middleton of WarminsterWitnesses:William Ridley and William MayhewPeople:Five daughters of John …

Robert Eyre 1592 of Milborne Port, Somerset

Robert is probably the son of Robert Eyre of Stockton (Will 1539). His only family seems to be his sisters and his farm stock has been 'farmed out' to friends and neighbours. Summary Will date:3 September 1592Executors:John Ewens and Marmaduke Moore – his friendsFamily:Sister Alice Dampier of LovingtonSister CicelyPlaces:Milborne Port, Wincanton, Lovington, Drayton, Charlton Musgrove, …

Charles Tucker / Tooker 1571 of Maddington, Wiltshire

Charles Tucker would have had a good income from over a thousand sheep, other farm stock and arable land and yet he specifies very modest items, such a 2 sacks, in his bequests to his sons. This is similar to his father-in-law Thomas Nippred (1566). The picture given in this will is a surprising contrast …

Thomas Pearne 1703 of Lanreath, dyer

Thomas Pearne describes himself as a dyer, but the inventory shows that he was also a farmer in possession of livestock and some corn. He has little money at his disposal, and even his small bequests are deferred for a year. Summary Will Date:19 July 1703Executor:Son Thomas PearneWitnesses:Fraf????, Josias Hauton, Thomas Feof[?], John JanePeople:Son Edward …

Randal Snelgar 1598, of Downton, Wiltshire, Tailor

Randal Snelgar is the brother of Edmond Snelgar (Will 1614) and son or stepson of Margaret (Will 1560). He describes himself as a taylor, but the inventory shows he owns farm stock and implements. His household goods are sparse and he leaves his daughters the choice of a cow of 50 shillings in money. Summary Will …