Scope and Content
To wife Mary - Furniture of the room 'where I usually lie' except Glass scrutore, silver spurs, pistols and weather glass; - Common prayer book, little Bible, 1 tub, 1 warming pan, 1 brass ladle, 1 dripping pan, 1 basting ladle, 1 chest, 1 coffee pot, coffee mill, 6 pewter dishes, 2 dozen pewter plates, 2 kettles, 1 brass pan, 1 pottage pot, 2 spits, 6 brass candlesticks, 2 barrels with drink stalls, 1 of 'my sets' of china cups, saucers and slop bason, tea board, 1 pot hook, 1 saucepan, 1 skillet, 6 chairs in my best chamber, 300 faggots, 30 hundred of hard wood for firing, 4 dozen glass bottles, 6 pairs of sheets, 2 pillows, 2 pairs of pillow beers, 2 table cloths, 1 dozen napkins, 6 knives, 6 forks, the chest of drawers in my further chamber, one lock iron and pads, one of tea tables in the Great Parlour, one other table there and the glass in the same room - Currant wine, honey, honey bees and hives - Silver teapot, 2 silver canisters, 6 silver teaspoons, 4 larger silver spoons, silver tea tongs, silver cream pot, silver sugar dish; Silver items only for life and then for children - £30 and £5 more for mourning - Annuity of £20 in lieu of dower etc; To daughter Elizabeth York - 1 large silver salver, executor 1st choosing that salver he likes best - 3 large silver spoons, clock and case in the kitchen, 3 pairs of sheets, 4 pewter dishes, bed, bedstead, bedding, curtains and valance in the room at the stairs head; To daughter - Margaret Staines - Half headed bed, bedding, bedstead, curtains and valance in the little room over the kitchen, one brass ladle, 1 chest, least silver soup ladle, - Bed, bedding, bedstead, curtains, valance, glass, hanging sconces, table and all other furniture (except the chairs) in the best chamber - 14 pairs of sheets, 4 table clothes, 1 dozen napkins, 1 chest of drawers standing on the frame in the Blue Room, 4 large silver spoons, 1 pair of silver salts, 6 silver tea spoons, my other set of china, cups, saucers, sugar dish and slop basin, 2 small silver salvers, 2 dozen pewter plates, 10 pewter dishes, 1 kettle, 1 brass pan, fire shovel, tongs and fender in the Great Parlour, 1 dozen chairs, Dutch tea table and 2 brass candlesticks - £5; Also to wife - 4 cheeses 'such as she shall choose'; To son, William Staines - Residue of personal estate - All real estate in Kempston, subject to payment of annuity to mother, and also to £200 to Elizabeth York and £250 to Margaret (over and above what was given her 'by my late brother deceased') at 21 or marriage. Interest to be paid meanwhile at 4%; Son William Staines appointed sole executor; Will made 9 Nov 1741; Probate (Bedford) 17 Dec 1741