1618 Will of John Swithenbank

[zenobia37]

Hi,
I have recently uncovered the the will of a John Swithenbank of Aysgarth provedin 1618 and I'm hoping it might have a clue to get me past a 'brick wall' in my Swithenbank research that I've been stuck on for a number of years - but making sense of it is beyond me! If anyone can help with some or all of the attached paragraph I would be really grateful. Thanks!

[horselydown86]

I'm afraid it isn't a will; just an inventory which may or may not have accompanied a will.

The deceased is described as John Swythenbanke Layt of Ayskgarth and Walden.

I have abstracted the main information which may be of use to you, being the names of the appraisers:

Roger Spent, ffrancis tyrrye, Adam tyrrye and Christofer tunstall

The appraisal was made on 4 September 1618.

We can do the whole if you would like, but there won't be anything to help with a brick wall.

[zenobia37]

Thank you for your really quick reply. I haven't heard of Walden but will look into where that is. Is it possible to tell what his occuption might have been?

[horselydown86]

His occupation isn't stated.

He has a mare, a cow, some hay, a hive of bees and honey and a hackney saddle.

He doesn't appear to be wealthy.  His apparel, the money in his purse and the saddle together total only 30 shillings.

[zenobia37]

That's an interesting insight into his life. If he is one of my ancestors I wouldn't have been expecting great wealth! Thanks again for your help.

[goldie61]

Thought you might like to see a transcription zenobia.



The true and p(er)fect Inventorye of all and Singular
the goodes catteles and chattelles aswell moveable
and unmoveable that was John Swythenbankes
layt of ayshg arth and walden deceased praysed
by these iiij men vidz Roger Spent Francis
Tyrrye Adam Tyrrye , and Chrystofer Tunstall
the iiijth daye of September Anno Dim 1618
as followeth

Imprimis one blacke mayer pryced                      xlij s viiij d
Item one blacke cowe                                          l s
Item a pece of old heay in the howse                  vj s viiij d
Item one hive of bees & hunnye                         viij s
Item his apperrell his mony in his purse}             xxx s
     and one heakney sadell                   }

Thanks HD for the 'hive of bees'! Had me slightly stumped for a while til I re-read your post!

[zenobia37]

Thanks very much goldie. That might help me with working out what some the letters and spellings are for future too!

[goldie61]

That's what I thought too!