Will of John Showell of Ledbury, husbandman, 1668
Herefordshire Record Office Ref. 23/1/15
In the name of God, Amen. I John Showale of the parish of Ledbury in the county of Hereford, husbandman, being sick in body but of perfect memory, thanks be given to Almighty God, do ordain this my last will and testament in manner and form following. First I do bequeath my soul into the hands of the Almighty God that first gave it me, wholly trusting in and through the merits and bitter passion of Jesus Christ my redeemer to be made partaker of that heavenly kingdom in the world to come, and my body to be buried in Christian burial at the pleasure of my executors hereafter named. And as for what worldly estate it hath pleased the Lord to bestow upon me, I do hereby give and bequeath unto Mary Showell my loving wife and to William Showell my son to be equitably divided between them. And likewise all such monies, bills, bonds, goods, or cattle that of right ought to descent unto me John Showell as executor of Joan Young of Cradley, deceased; the said Mary my wife and William my son first discharging my funeral expenses and satisfying my debts. And I do hereby nominate and appoint my said wife Mary and William my son to be my sole executors of this my last will and testament, renouncing all former wills or acts formerly by me made. In witness whereof I have hereunto put my hand and seal this fourth day of December anno regni Regis Caroli secundi, dei gracia nunc Anglie etc. vicesimo et annoque domini 1668.
John Showell (his mark)
Published and declared in the presence of Richard Hankins (his mark); Elizabeth Neathway (her mark); William Brawford
A true and perfect inventory taken and appraised the 20 day of February AD 1668 by Robert Hall, William Cam and William Powell of all the goods, cattle and chattels that John Showell, late of the parish of Ledbury, died possessed of
In primis his wearing apparel and money in his purse, £2
In the chambers one feather bed, two flock beds, three coverlets, and three blankets, £3
Item six pairs of hurden sheets and half a dozen of table napkins and two table cloths, £1 5s.
Item one pot, 4 kettles, one brass pan and one warming pan and some other old possnets, £2 10s.
Item ten hogsheads, one great skeel, two cowls, 4 hogsheads of small cider, £3
Item, one table board, one cupboard, one trough to make bread in, three coffers, pails, and all sorts of wooden ware, £1
Item one spit, one pair of ‘cobbons’ [cobirons], one pair of andirons, tongs and pothooks, 3s.
Item wains, ploughs, yokes, harrows and all implements of husbandry, £4
Item four oxen, £18
Item one cow and one year-old heifer, £4 10s.
Item one horse, and one mare and two colts, £10
Item four pigs, £1 10s.
Item corn in the house and in the barn, and ‘prowse’ [pulse?], and the corn that is sowed, and the fallow that is left to sown with barley, £8
Sum total £58 18s.
This inventory was taken and appraised the day and year above said by us: Robert Hall, William Cam
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