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Merry Christmas!! Does anyone have any Briercliffe Will’s on their wish list (you are unlikely to find any before 1900)? If so, I need a name and date of death.

Unless you come from wealthy stock!

Merry Christmas Kris....and everyone else!

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Will making perhaps commoner in say 17th and earlier 18th centuries than later 18th and mid to late 19th. That's a sweeping generalisation, but it probably corresponds with the 'descent', for many families, into the propertyless classes. In areas south of ours this might be due to enclosure of common fields, and the growth of the large class of landless 'agricultural labourers'. In classic hand-weaving areas such as Briercliffe etc it might be due to the growth of middlemen (putters-out), resulting in the loss of independent weaver status.

In my WATSON line, my 8-gt-grandfather left an interesting will in 1682 (he was an innkeeper in Colne), the next one down was my grandfather, 1963 !

A Lincolnshire branch of mine, yeoman farmers, left a terrific sequence of wills (about 5 generations) from mid 16c, but few after about 1730.

Rex

My experience with wills is similar in some ways to yours, Rex. I have about a dozen wills from one branch of my family in Ashton-under-Lyne, between 1786 and 1901. They were cotton manufacturers and probably wanted to ensure the continuation of the businesses.

Three of the wills, though, were written by unmarried sisters, and wonderfully different in the bequests: jewellry, needlework, writing desk, etc. They were especially informative because they named many relatives. One was handwritten, with words crossed out, and others substituted. It was witnessed by three female friends, and no solicitor, but it was legal.

On the other hand, my ancestors in the Briercliffe area, most of whom were weavers, stonemasons and small farmers, didn't leave wills.

Joan

Hi Joan, that must have been so interesting to see the hand written one. And, the jewellry, were there descriptions of it? Oh and a writing desk---lovely.
Did you ever get those photos I contacted you about?

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Hi Gloria, yes, all the jewellry was described: gold ring set with blue, topaz brooch, garnet bracelet, shawl pin, etc., and she also bequeathed her piano, gold pencil case, eye glass and smelling bottle, among many other personal items. The whole will was very personal, compared with the business like wills of the men, and especially so with being handwritten. It was a wonderful insight into her life. Her two unmarried sisters were the executrix's, but were not witnesses. The date was 1855.

I can "see" these four women sitting and setting out this will, but maybe I'm letting my imagination carry me away.

I haven't received any photographs yet, but will let you know if I do.

Joan

Joan, has he been in touch about the pics?

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

Not yet, Gloria.

Joan

I will see him on the last wed in Jan. I had given him my phone number in case he had any problems contacting you, but I haven't heard anything either.

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Gloria

I'd be dangerous with a brain.

He could be busy, Gloria. I'll just wait, but if I hear from him I'll let you know.

Joan

Merry Christmas All!
from the far flung colony of the South Pacific! New Zealand :D
I wish you all a wonderful Christmas.

Glenys

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The hawk flys round and round, the sky is so blue. I think I can hear the old bell ringing like I rang it to call them home ... Oh I was young then, and I walked in my body like a Queen

Yes.A very Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy 2008 to everyone,from a crisp and sunny Briercliffe. ( It does not quite have the same ring to it as the South Pacific somehow lol)

David

Ditto that sentiment from a cold, icy grey Staffordshire.

(Are you better David?)

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Mel

Searching for lost relatives? Win the Lottery!

Much better than I was thanks Mel,Am hoping to make it to my daughter's on Sunday for a bit of TLC over Christmas.

Best wishes
David

Merry Christmas from China!!! It's very cold over here!!!