Bequests in family wills can often tell us a lot about the person, their status, their priorities, and their relationships. And where there\u2019s a will, there\u2019s an occasional smile.<\/p>\n
Wills are a valuable resource for family history, as I covered in this post<\/a>.<\/p>\n When they just say: \u201cI leave the lot to my beloved wife,\u201d it is a huge disappointment. But sometimes, the bequests give us an insight into the testator, and his or her relationships with other members of the family.<\/p>\n The following extracts from Cumbrian wills \u2018jumped out\u2019 at me as I read the documents in full.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n His bequests included leaving his \u2018loving wife Isabella\u2019: \u00a37 a year from freehold estates, \u00a33 a year from custom estates:<\/p>\n \u2018And all the household furniture, except the bread cupboard<\/b> and great chest in the upper room in the kitchen.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Who gets the bread cupboard and why she doesn\u2019t, sadly isn\u2019t made clear!<\/p>\n She had a brother and a married sister in Dumfries\u00a0 <\/span>\u2013 which the will describes as being \u2018in Northern Britain\u2019<\/b>.<\/p>\n Wills can give an idea of what possessions were valued \u2018back in the day\u2019. I mean, it\u2019s not likely anyone in the UK today would bequeath clothing or bedding to a loved one, but it used to be common.<\/p>\n \u2026 Also I give and bequeath unto my said Grand Daughter Mary Hewitson over and above what I have hereinbefore given and devised to her as aforesaid\u2026 my Copper Tea Kettle\u2026 my large Tea Tray an Iron Fender\u2026\u00a0 <\/span>Five sheets, two pair of Blankets.. all the Quilts made by her<\/b> my best Table Cloth and all my pillow slips marked M. P. and M. C. my washing Tub Dolly Stand and Dolly and my Dough Tin. Iron Pot two Iron Pans and small Iron Tea Kettle two Box smoothing irons and four Heaters.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n So, Mary got back the quilts she\u2019d no doubt spent many, many hours making.<\/p>\n At least they were then Esther\u2019s to give back.<\/p>\n Among other bequests, Thomas leaves his share of the sloop Ann, at Port Carlisle, to nephew William Glaister, which is fair enough. But nephew Daniel Glaister gets\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u2018the clock that stands in his father\u2019s house in Newtown\u2019:\u00a0<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n which sound like being generous with someone else\u2019s stuff!.<\/p>\n Edward name-checks his wife Elizabeth, his son Thomas and his daughter Jane. Then says he leaves the rest: \u2018to my children by Thomas\u2019<\/b>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n A curious turn of phrase!\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Joseph leaves his furniture, china, plate, glass, books, consumable stores <\/b>and household effects to Mary Rome, \u201cwho is now living with me<\/b>\u201d.<\/p>\n Two things there. Firstly, why didn\u2019t he say: \u201cmy step-daughter,\u201d for that\u2019s who she was?Secondly, there\u2019s another \u2018gee thanks\u2019 that he left her the food.<\/p>\n Men often specify that bequests to their widows are to be forfeited if she marries someone else. But this is the first time I have come across a father wanting his son to stay single.<\/p>\n For John senior left John all freehold land at Arkleby \u201cif he keeps himself unmarried\u201d.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n \u201cI give and bequeath unto my dear William Mina for her own use and benefit all the wines and other liquors<\/b> and provisions that I shall be possessed of at the time of my decease. \u201cAnd also my wearing apparel<\/b>.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n She did also get the rest of the household goods and furniture. But why specify the alcohol? And why would she want his clothes?<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u2026niece Sarah Ann Robinson gets the furniture from the west bedroom, including the night commode<\/b>. She also gets furniture and effects from the west parlour. Among other bequests, niece Jane Elizabeth Robinson gets the east bedroom and east parlour stuff, including another night commode.<\/p>\n John left his daughter and son-in-law got one shilling each. That would appear to be worth about \u00a310 each in today\u2019s values.<\/p>\n Each of his grandchildren got a lamb.<\/p>\n John left his son John 5 shillings, son George 3 shillings, and niece Jane 1 shilling. With the rest going to his wife Mabel and daughter Jane. The will was signed with his mark \u2013 another bit of useful information for anyone researching him.<\/p>\n But the really interesting bit lies in what is usually basic preamble:<\/p>\n For John Stalker wants his burial to be:<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span>\u2018decent without pomp or state, at the discretion of my dear and beloved wife, who I doubt not will manage it with all requisite prudence.\u2019<\/p><\/blockquote>\n You can search for Cumbrian wills on the Cumbria Archive Service Catalogue (CASCAT) online here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Put the person\u2019s name in Any Text box in quote marks: \u201cName Surname,\u201d to see an entry shows up for them.<\/p>\nIntriguing exceptions<\/h2>\n
John Lawson, of Bowness-on-Solway, died in 1805<\/b><\/h4>\n
Local geography<\/h2>\n
Ann Lowthian, of Kirkoswald, 1764<\/b><\/h4>\n
Gee, thanks for that<\/h2>\n
Will of Esther Pears, of Aspatria, 1837<\/b><\/h4>\n
Thomas Glaister, of Allonby, 1823<\/b><\/h4>\n
Erm, excuse me?<\/h2>\n
Edward Simpson, of Cardewlees, 1822<\/b><\/h4>\n
Joseph Pattinson, Port Carlisle. 1880<\/b><\/h4>\n
John Thornthwaite of Arkleby, 1817<\/b><\/h4>\n
What are you trying to say?<\/h2>\n
John Sewell, of Broughton Lodge, Bridekirk 1846<\/b><\/h4>\n
Gee, thanks again<\/h2>\n
Anthony Robinson, Solway View (between Port Carlisle and Bowness-on-Solway). 1905<\/b><\/h4>\n
John Wharton, of Great Croglin, 1694<\/b><\/h4>\n
Is this a compliment, or\u2026?<\/h2>\n
John Stalker, of Langhorn Lane, in the parish of Dalston, 1753<\/b><\/h4>\n
Finding Cumbrian wills<\/h2>\n