Description:

Documents:
1. Will dated 4 May 1814
Beneficiaries: To Benjamin Lewis, son, all the freehold lands and estate in Newton , known as the Great House, for him and his legitimate heirs. Also all stock of cattle, implements, cider mill, 4 hogsheads, clock, and bed and bedstead.
Should he die without issue it is to be divided between the 4 daughters equally.
To daughter, Mary, wife of James Walter, £80
To daughter, Ann Farr, £120.
To daughter, Elizabeth Williams, £80. '… and her own receipt to be taken in full discharge of the same.'
To daughter, Catherine Lewis, £120.
Also to the daughters the residue of the household stuff.

Executors: son, Benjamin and David Prichard, farmer, of Newton

Signed by testator.

Witnesses: John Williams, Thomas Price and [hole] Price.

Date of Probate: 27 May 1814

2. Inventory: [plus copy] dated 23 May 1814 value £698 13 0d. Appraisers John Beavan and James Johnson.

Observations:

This was a man of wealth. His inventory, by floor rather than by room, lists the clock and the bedstead, the hogsheads but does not mention the cider mill. His main wealth seems to have come from money out on loan, £375 on notes and £142 on bonds with small debts and money in the house given as £137. Documents include a separate registration instruction. 4 sheets in all