Will of Robert Brett

[originQuest]

Hi there,

I've not uploaded on this section before, but I'm really struggling with reading a will of my ancestor Robert Brett.  I'd really love to know what the document says and if it mentions his son Thomas Brett.

I'm not sure if I upload the scan of the document here, or it is available on FindMyPast in their
Cheshire Wills and Probate Transcriptions

Robert Brett Yeoman of Bickley pr 1723.  The entry notes Administration and Inventory, says no will or codicil, but says 'Will supra'

In anticipation,

Thank you.

[Bookbox]

The first page is an administration bond, dated 21 October 1723, sworn by his widow Ellen Brett. The first section of it (the obligation) is in Latin, the second section (the condition) is in English.

The essence of it is that Ellen has to submit an inventory of her late husband's estate to the court by 21 January 1723/24 and complete the administration of his estate by 22 October 1724, against a penalty of £200. She and her bondsman, Hugh Brett, yeoman, both of Bickley, make their marks at the foot of the page. (There is also a dummy bondsman 'John Doe', who doesn't really exist.)

The inventory of Robert Brett's estate then follows on the next couple of pages. As we can't upload complete documents for copyright reasons, it's probably best if you have a go at transcribing as much of the inventory as you can. Then perhaps post your partial transcript here, with images of any parts that you're finding difficult? There are always plenty of people to help with inventories.

[originQuest]

Thank you so much for this help, and wow, this raises numerous questions ... so, this is an administration and it isn't actually a will?  I did see the page in Latin (which I can't read) and the page in English (which to me was predominantly unreadable).

What is the idea of a 'dummy bondsman'?

[originQuest]

This is my transcription of the inventory if anyone could check it over please?

A true Inventory of the Goods + Cattel of Robert Brett of Bickley deceased May the 23rd 1723

IMP                           £   S   d
14 Cows & a bull at                     29   00   00
2 Horses at                        4   00   00
2 … at 3 years old & 3 calves                  5   00   00
4 couples of sheep                     00   18   00
2 swine at                        00   18   00
Carts with all Implements of Husbandry               3   10   00
20 hundred of Cheese                     20   00   00   
In the house 2 tables 2 … & 6 chears & a screen            00   10   00
Brass pewter & iron Cettle                  2   00   00
In the Buttery 3 … & cheese picks               0   6   06
In the Chamber 2 beds & … with there appurtenances and one Chest   3   00   00
The room over the Chamber 2 beds & … with these appurtenances   0   2   6
All linning                        0   12   0
One long wheel 2 fitting wheels                  8   5   0
1 church & staff 1 chees tub 3 cokes
3 canns & chees pitts … & 3 barrills 1 …               1   12   08
All earthenware                        0   2   6
All lumber                        0   5   0
His wearing apparill                     2   00   00
… … … and sadle

                     Total      76   2   2
                              
Mr Hugh Brett of Bickley Esq.

[Bookbox]

For the best chance of getting help, please post snippets of the images where you are having difficulty, so that those without FindMyPast subscriptions can also assist.

[originQuest]

Thank you Bookbox - will try and get snippets of the inventory but have also moved ahead somewhat here with this research.

I've tried to read these other wills and am having no luck with the old handwritting - would it be possible, for somebody on here with a FindMyPast sub to perhaps have a look and pass on here the main points of the will (i.e. the names of beneficaries and relationships if mentioned).

No problem if not, but I thought it worth asking as it is a bit of struggle for me to start anywhere with these.

The wills references are here in case anyone can help out here.

Thank you.

Cheshire Wills and Probate Transcription
Print transcription .
First name(s) John
Last name Brett
Occupation Husbandman
Residence Bickley
Probate year 1613
Will Yes
Codicil No
Inventory Yes
Administration No
Notes Will Supra
County Cheshire
Country England
Record set Cheshire Wills and Probate
Category Birth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
Subcategory Wills & probate
Collections from United Kingdom


Cheshire Wills and Probate Transcription
Print transcription .
First name(s) Thomas
Last name Brett
Occupation Husbandman
Residence Hatherton
Probate year 1579
Will Yes
Codicil No
Inventory No
Administration No
Notes Will Supra
County Cheshire
Country England
Record set Cheshire Wills and Probate
Category Birth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
Subcategory Wills & probate
Collections from United Kingdom

Cheshire Wills and Probate Transcription
Print transcription .
First name(s) Alice
Last name Brett
Occupation Widow
Residence Bickley
Probate year 1609
Will Yes
Codicil No
Inventory Yes
Administration No
Notes Will Supra
County Cheshire
Country England
Record set Cheshire Wills and Probate
Category Birth, Marriage & Death (Parish Registers)
Subcategory Wills & probate
Collections from United Kingdom

[Skoosh]

"Church & Staff" should that be a Churn & Staff?

Skoosh.

[originQuest]

Hmmm I shall have a look at that Skoosh ... I'm not really sure what this means about my ancestor.  They seem to be quite wealthy tenant farmers. 

[Bookbox]

would it be possible, for somebody ... to pass on here the main points of the will (i.e. the names of beneficaries and relationships if mentioned)

Will of John Brett, Husbandman of Bickley, county of Chester, 1613
sick in body but of sound mind, to be buried in the churchyard at Malpas

Wife (unnamed) said to be deceased

Sons – John Brett, Hugh Brett, Richard Brett
Grandchildren – Thomas Brett (son of Hugh), Catheren Brett (daughter of Hugh), children (unnamed) of Richard
Son-in-law – Phillip Brett, and Phillip's son Thomas Brett
Godson – John Hayward, John Hayward’s 2 sisters, children (unnamed) of William Heyward
Servants – Elleyn ap Richard; Servant (unnamed) of his son Hugh, and her son
Executors – son John Brett, William Heyward

Debts owed to – Gylbert Wollam, Thomas Burrowes, Thomas Johnson, Thomas Johnson the elder, the Widow Johnson’s son Thomas, Thomas Hanton, and the priest of Cholmondeleighe for his hire

Witnesses – Jane Sayer, Elleyn ap Richard, Catheren Brett (daughter of Hugh Brett), ‘& mee William Swanwicke’ (presumably the writer)

Inventory – appraised 26 October 1613 by Thomas Bostocke, Hughe Harrcourte and Thomas Brett, husbandmen; total value £84 17s.