Today, we’re taking a closer look at the estate records of John Babb of Hertford, Hertfordshire, dating back to 1723. These records provide a unique glimpse into the life and times of our ancestors, offering valuable insights into their daily lives, social status, and economic activities.
We last visited John when he obtained a license from the Queen for a large variety of goods. In the following 40 years he amassed quite an estate!
John Babb’s estate records are a treasure trove of information. They detail the various assets he owned, including land, livestock, and household items. These records not only highlight the wealth and status of John Babb but also reflect the broader economic conditions of Hertfordshire during the early 18th century.
One of the most intriguing aspects of these records is the detailed inventory of John Babb’s possessions. From furniture and clothing to tools and livestock, the inventory paints a vivid picture of his lifestyle. It’s fascinating to see how much has changed over the centuries, yet how some aspects of daily life remain remarkably similar.
The estate records also shed light on the social dynamics of the time. They include information about debts owed to and by John Babb, revealing the complex web of relationships and obligations that characterized 18th-century society. These records provide a window into the interconnected lives of our ancestors, illustrating how they navigated their social and economic worlds.
As we explore these estate records, we gain a deeper understanding of the Babb family’s history and heritage. Each document, each entry, tells a story – a story of resilience, adaptation, and continuity. It’s a reminder of the rich tapestry of our past and the enduring legacy of the Babb family.
Thank you for joining me on this journey through history. Stay tuned for more fascinating insights and discoveries from the Babb family archives. Until next time, keep exploring and uncovering the stories that make us who we are.
Last Will & Testament
Formal Transcription (Early Modern English)
In the name of God Amen I John Babb of the Town of Hertford in the County of Hertford being of sound mind and memory praised be God for the same doe make this my last will and testament in manner and form following
Impris after all my debts and funeral expenses first paid and discharged I give devise and bequeath all my Goods Chattells Reall and Personal Estate of what kind or nature soever (an inventory of my said goods being annexed unto this my Will ) unto my daughter Sarah Bowd of Hertford aforesaid Widdow for and during the normal natural life and after her decease I give devise and bequeath the same goods Chattells Reall and Personal Estate unto Sarah Bowd Susannah Bowd Daniell Bowd John Bowd and Ann Bowd children of my said Daughter Sarah Bowd to be equally divided between them share and Share hear of them to take and receive their respective share when they shall attaine to their respectuages of one and twenty years and if any of them dye before they come to the age aforesd then the same and proportion of him or he so dying before that time to be equally divided between the remainder of them
Item I do hereby nominate and appoint my said daughter Sarah Bowd and my loving friend James Man of Hertford aforesaid Brazier Executors of this my last Will and declarent and I do hereby intreat a desire my said Executor James Man to see this my last will and testament and I do given to the said James Man the sume of five pounds for his trouble therein and I do hereby therby release and make void all former wills by me heretofore made or declared In wittnes thereof I the said John Babb have hereunto set my hand and seals this first day of June the Ninth year of the reign of our Soveraign Lord George by the Grace of God of Great Bittain France and Ireland King Defend of the fail Anno Domini 1723
John Babb
Signed sealed delivered published and declared by me the above named John Babb as my last Will and Testament in the presence of those whose names are under written and subscribed by them in the presence of me the said Testator
John Stout
Susan Holle
Fran Feild
Modern English Translation
In the name of God, Amen. I, John Babb of the Town of Hertford in the County of Hertford, being of sound mind and memory, praised be God for the same, do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following:
First, after all my debts and funeral expenses are paid and discharged, I give, devise, and bequeath all my goods, chattels, real and personal estate of whatever kind or nature (an inventory of my said goods being annexed to this my will) to my daughter, Sarah Bowd of Hertford, widow, for and during her natural life. After her decease, I give, devise, and bequeath the same goods, chattels, real and personal estate to Sarah Bowd, Susannah Bowd, Daniell Bowd, John Bowd, and Ann Bowd, children of my said daughter, Sarah Bowd, to be equally divided between them, share and share alike. Each of them shall take and receive their respective share when they attain the age of twenty-one years. If any of them die before they reach the age aforesaid, then the share and proportion of him or her so dying shall be equally divided among the remainder of them.
Item: I hereby nominate and appoint my said daughter, Sarah Bowd, and my loving friend, James Man of Hertford, brazier, executors of this my last will and testament. I hereby request and desire my said executor, James Man, to see this my last will and testament performed. I give to the said James Man the sum of five pounds for his trouble therein. I hereby revoke and make void all former wills by me heretofore made or declared.
In witness whereof, I, the said John Babb, have hereunto set my hand and seal this first day of June, the ninth year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord George, by the Grace of God, of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, King, Defender of the Faith, Anno Domini 1723.
John Babb
Signed, sealed, delivered, published, and declared by me, the above-named John Babb, as my last will and testament in the presence of those whose names are underwritten and subscribed by them in the presence of me, the said testator.
John Stout
Susan Holle
Fran: Field
Glossary of Terms
– Impris: First, in the first place.
– Chattels: Moveable items of property.
– Devise: To leave real estate to someone by the terms of a will.
– Bequeath: To leave personal property to someone by the terms of a will.
– Widdow: Widow.
– Attaine: Attain, reach.
– Respectuages: Respective ages.
– Aforesd: Aforesaid, previously mentioned.
– Declarent: A person who makes a formal declaration.
– Intreat: Entreat, request.
– Wittnes: Witness.
– Soveraign: Sovereign.
– Anno Domini: In the year of our Lord.
Inventory
Formal Transcription (Early Modern English)
An Inventory of the Goods of John Babb of Hertford Mealeman
Imprimis Pooler Annotasons two volums Mc Perkinson for three vollames a great old Bible and about forty other books , a wainscott box in my closets and in the Box two Gold Kings two silver spoons and a silver tea spoone In the Chamber where I lye one chest one clock & case a chest of drawers and my bed blanketts and rugg feather bed curtains and vallance
In the kitchen above a fire shovel tongs and warming pan a chest of drawers and a little – Two now Holland Shirts In the Garrett one chest of drawers one feather bed a bready being added to it a half bed in the little Garrett a flock bed bedding where the maid lyes In the lower kitchin one greatbrass kettle a different kettle seaven pewter dishes and fifteen plates A pull up Jark & Split two dripping pans a frying pan gridirons two brass poridge potts a wind up Jark & Wailes and one skillett at McCrows in the shop one Counter a bin & tin stales & beams call for of small wailes & measures at the mill by horse and by wood and hay all foule of corne I shall dye posted off a stroomer & gtroal stales & beams all my wailes and bushell small measure & larks in the mill house the copper masting flatt & coolers two cooling subs four Kilderkins a brass paile & stimer
Modern English Translation
An Inventory of the Goods of John Babb of Hertford, Mealeman:
Firstly, Pooler Annotasons, two volumes, Mc Perkinson for three volumes, a great old Bible and about forty other books, a wainscot box in my closets and in the box two gold rings, two silver spoons, and a silver tea spoon. In the chamber where I lie, one chest, one clock & case, a chest of drawers, and my bed blankets and rug, feather bed, curtains, and valance.
In the kitchen above, a fire shovel, tongs, and warming pan, a chest of drawers, and two new Holland shirts. In the garret, one chest of drawers, one feather bed, a bed added to it, a half bed in the little garret, a flock bed, bedding where the maid lies. In the lower kitchen, one great brass kettle, a different kettle, seven pewter dishes, and fifteen plates. A pull-up jack & spit, two dripping pans, a frying pan, gridirons, two brass porridge pots, a wind-up jack & wails, and one skillet at McCrows. In the shop, one counter, a bin & tin scales & beams, call for small wails & measures at the mill, my horse, and my wood and hay. All foul of corn, I shall die posted off a streamer & great scales & beams, all my wails and bushel small measure & larks in the mill house, the copper masting flat & coolers, two cooling tubs, four kilderkins, a brass pail & steamer.
Glossary of Terms
– Imprimis: Firstly, in the first place.
– Wainscot: Wooden paneling on the walls.
– Holland Shirts: Shirts made from Holland cloth, a fine linen.
– Garret: An attic or top-floor room.
– Flock Bed: A bed filled with flock, which is wool or cotton waste.
– Pewter: A metal alloy used for making dishes and plates.
– Kilderkin: A small barrel or cask.
– Porridge Pot: A pot used for cooking porridge.
– Jack: A mechanical device used for turning a spit.
– Skillet: A small pan.
Probate and Legal Summary of John Babb’s Estate (June 1723 – April 1725)
Formal Transcription (Early Modern English)
Mr Babb
Will Day
Dat 1st June 1723
1725
Hertfordshire Apd Bengeo Apr 7th Dio 1725 to
Sarah Bowd wid & Jacobe Man Coexecutors, informal de bene & fell administrand In forma juris jural rant cor MS
Danl Whister Jur
Probated at Bengeo she/him dt April Anno Dom 1725 roam and am Whister Neils Viz Johns Chidren Leger in lot in front Conty offer unto the rails Coussefull cost are one singular bond or an Evangelia in form Jurijurate Laborer
Gus Barker Regither Deputy
Modern English Interpretation
Mr. Babb’s Will Day dated June 1, 1723, and probated in 1725 in Hertfordshire at Bengeo on April 7th, 1725.
The executors are Sarah Bowd, widow, and Jacob Man, co-executors, with informal administration in legal form.
Probated by Daniel Whister, Juror.
Probated at Bengeo on April 1725, with John Whister and Neils as witnesses.
John’s children are listed in the front lot of the county.
Costs are covered by a singular bond or an Evangelia in legal form.
Gus Barker is the Deputy Registrar.
Glossary of Legal Terms
– Probate: The legal process of administering the estate of a deceased person.
– Executor: A person appointed to carry out the terms of a will.
– Juror: A member of a jury.
– Bond: A formal written agreement by which a person undertakes to perform a certain act.
– Evangelia: Likely refers to a legal document or oath.
– Registrar: An official responsible for keeping records.
Citation
“Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England records,” images, FamilySearch (https:// http://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNL-CQ2W?view=fullText : Jun 7, 2025), image 944 of 985; Church of England. Archdeaconry of Huntingdon. Hitchin Division. Court.
Image Group Number: 008084776
https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNL-CQ2W?view=fullText
The Tree (still under construction)
This tree fragment Hertfordshire Pedigree (Hertford 1683) consists of just the people that I have discussed in this post. As of this moment I have no way to connect them with another tree. But it is presented in hopes that others might be able to help me carry it further.
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