Formal Transcription (Early Modern English)

In the Name of God Amen the five and twentieth day of June in the thirtieth year of the Reign of our Soveraign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britan & France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and soforth and in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Six I John Bab of Berkhamsted St Peter in the County of Hertford Wheelwright being weak in Body but of sound mind and memory ( praised be God ) and considering the uncertainty of this Life Do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following ( that is to say )

First I comend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my Body to the this to be decently Intered at the – Discretion of my Executors hereinafter named in hopes of a glorious Resurrection from the Dead this the only meritts of my most blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and as to the Temporal Estate which it hath pleased God of his goodness to send me I dispose of the same in manner and forme following , that is to say ) First I give and devise unto my Loveing Son William Bab All that my messuage or tenement with the appurtenances now divided into two dwethings and now in the tenures or occupations of me the said John Bab and James East situate standing and being at Berkhamsted Saint Peter aforesaid Together with all houses outhouses Edifices buildings barnes stables Yards Gardens Orchards Shops ways waters watercourses profitts priveldges Comoditys advantages and appurtenances to the said Messuage or Tenement belonging or in any wise apperteining To hold the same Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances unto my said son William Babb his heirs and assigns forever – Subject to and chargeable nevertheless with the payment of Twenty Pounds of good and Lawfull money of Great Britain towards the discharging of those Legacys hereinafter by me bequeathed

Item I do give and devise unto my Loveing Son John Bab All that my – Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances (now divided into two dwellings) and now in the tenures or occupations of George Fasham and Henry Putman situate standing and being of Berkhamsted Saint Mary otherwise North Church in the said County of Hertford Together with all houses outhouses Edifices buildings barnes stables yards gardens orchards barbsides wages waters water courses profits priviledges Comoditys advantages and appurtenances to all and every the aforesaid Messuage or tenement and premisses last mentioned belonging or in any wise apperteining To hold the said last mentioned Messuage or Tenement with appurtenances unto my said son John Bab his heirs and assignes for ever Subject to and chargeable nevertheless with the payment of Twenty pounds of like Lawfull money towards discharging the Legacy hereinafter by me bequeathed
Item I do give and bequeath unto my son in Law Daniel Wheeler the sum of
John Babb (signature)

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Twenty pounds of like Lawfull money to be paid him by my Executors hereinafter named within twelve months next after my decease
Item I do give and bequeath to Daniel John Elizabeth and Mary Wheeler the sum of ten pounds a piece of like Lawful money being all the children of the said Daniel Wheeler by Frances – his late wife deceased and to be paid to them respectively at their respective ages of one and twenty years by my Executors hereinafter named

Item I do give and bequeath unto my Loveing Daughter Ann Horrington wife of Stephen Horrington the sum of Fifty pounds of like Lawfull money to be paid to her by my said Executors within twelve months next after my decease

Item I do give and bequeath unto – Ann Horrington and Susanna Horrington the Daughters of my said Daughter Ann Norrington the sum of ten pounds a peice of like Lawfull money to be paid to them respectively when they shall attain their several and respective ages of one and twenty years by my said Executors

And Lastly I do give and bequeath All and Singular my Household goods furniture and Implements of Household stuff Stock in Trade ready money rights and Credits and all other my personall Estate of what nature sort or kind soever the same be unto my said sons William and John Bab equally to be divided between them share and share alike they paying my Just debts Legacys and Funerall Expences and I do hereby make constitute and appoint my said two sons William Bab and John Bab Joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament And I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare and publish this to be my last will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper to the first whereof I have sett my hand and to the last my hand and seal the day and year first above written
John Babb (signature)

Signed Sealed published and declared by the Testator John Bab as and for his last Will and Testament In the presence of us who subscribed or name as Witnesses thereto In the presence of the said Testator

Thomas Geary (signature)
James East (signature)
John Duncombe (signature)

Proved &c at Little Gaddesden 8th of April 1757 before the Revd David Jenks CC Master of Arts Surrogate of the Worshipfull Arthur Collier Doctor of Lawe commissary of the Arch deaconry of Huntingdon & by the Oath of the Extors &c To whom was Granted Adcon &c being first sworn &c Saving &c

Modern English Translation

In the Name of God Amen the twenty-fifth day of June in the thirtieth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord George the Second by the Grace of God of Great Britain & France and Ireland King Defender of the faith and so forth and in the year of our Lord One thousand Seven hundred and Fifty Six I John Babb of Berkhamsted St Peter in the County of Hertford Wheelwright being weak in Body but of sound mind and memory (praised be God) and considering the uncertainty of this Life Do make and ordain this my last will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)

First I commend my soul into the hands of Almighty God that gave it and my Body to the earth to be decently Interred at the Discretion of my Executors hereinafter named in hopes of a glorious Resurrection from the Dead through the merits of my most blessed Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and as to the Temporal Estate which it hath pleased God of his goodness to send me I dispose of the same in manner and form following, that is to say) First I give and devise unto my Loving Son William Babb All that my messuage or tenement with the appurtenances now divided into two dwellings and now in the tenures or occupations of me the said John Babb and James East situate standing and being at Berkhamsted Saint Peter aforesaid Together with all houses outhouses Edifices buildings barns stables Yards Gardens Orchards Shops ways waters watercourses profits privileges Commodities advantages and appurtenances to the said Messuage or Tenement belonging or in any wise appertaining To hold the same Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances unto my said son William Babb his heirs and assigns forever – Subject to and chargeable nevertheless with the payment of Twenty Pounds of good and Lawful money of Great Britain towards the discharging of those Legacies hereinafter by me bequeathed.

Item I do give and devise unto my Loving Son John Babb All that my – Messuage or Tenement with the appurtenances (now divided into two dwellings) and now in the tenures or occupations of George Fasham and Henry Putman situate standing and being of Berkhamsted Saint Mary otherwise North Church in the said County of Hertford Together with all houses outhouses Edifices buildings barns stables yards gardens orchards barbsides wages waters water courses profits privileges Commodities advantages and appurtenances to all and every the aforesaid Messuage or tenement and premises last mentioned belonging or in any wise appertaining To hold the said last mentioned Messuage or Tenement with appurtenances unto my said son John Babb his heirs and assigns forever Subject to and chargeable nevertheless with the payment of Twenty pounds of like Lawful money towards discharging the Legacy hereinafter by me bequeathed.

Item I do give and bequeath unto my son in Law Daniel Wheeler the sum of
John Babb (signature)

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Twenty pounds of like Lawful money to be paid him by my Executors hereinafter named within twelve months next after my decease
Item I do give and bequeath to Daniel, John, Elizabeth, and Mary Wheeler the sum of ten pounds a piece of like Lawful money being all the children of the said Daniel Wheeler by Frances – his late wife deceased and to be paid to them respectively at their respective ages of one and twenty years by my Executors hereinafter named.

Item I do give and bequeath unto my Loving Daughter Ann Horrington wife of Stephen Horrington the sum of Fifty pounds of like Lawful money to be paid to her by my said Executors within twelve months next after my decease.

Item I do give and bequeath unto – Ann Horrington and Susanna Horrington the Daughters of my said Daughter Ann Norrington the sum of ten pounds a piece of like Lawful money to be paid to them respectively when they shall attain their several and respective ages of one and twenty years by my said Executors.

And Lastly I do give and bequeath All and Singular my Household goods furniture and Implements of Household stuff Stock in Trade ready money rights and Credits and all other my personal Estate of what nature sort or kind soever the same be unto my said sons William and John Babb equally to be divided between them share and share alike they paying my Just debts Legacies and Funeral Expenses and I do hereby make constitute and appoint my said two sons William Babb and John Babb Joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament And I do hereby revoke all former Wills by me at any time heretofore made and do declare and publish this to be my last will and Testament contained in two sheets of paper to the first whereof I have set my hand and to the last my hand and seal the day and year first above written
John Babb (signature)

Signed Sealed published and declared by the Testator John Babb as and for his last Will and Testament In the presence of us who subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto In the presence of the said Testator
Thomas Geary (signature)
James East (signature)
John Duncombe (signature)

Proved &c at Little Gaddesden 8th of April 1757 before the Revd David Jenks CC Master of Arts Surrogate of the Worshipful Arthur Collier Doctor of Law commissary of the Archdeaconry of Huntingdon & by the Oath of the Executors &c To whom was Granted Administration &c being first sworn &c Saving &c

Glossary of Terms

– Wheelright: A wheelwright is a skilled craftsperson who builds and repairs wooden wheels, particularly for carts, wagons, and carriages. The trade was essential before the industrial era, especially in rural and agricultural communities like those in 18th-century Hertfordshire.
– Messuage: A dwelling house with outbuildings and land assigned to its use.
– Tenement: Any kind of permanent property, e.g., lands or buildings.
– Appurtenances: Accessories or other items associated with a particular activity or style of living.
– Interred: Buried.
– Executors: Persons appointed to carry out the terms of a will.
– Lawful money: Legally recognized currency.
– Legacies: Money or property left to someone in a will.
– Temporal Estate: Property and possessions.
– Privileges: Special rights or advantages.
– Commodities: Goods or products.
– Premises: Land and buildings.
– Proved: Legal process to establish the validity of a will.
– Surrogate: A substitute, especially a person deputizing for another in a specific role or office.
– Commissary: A representative or deputy.
– Administration: Management and settlement of an estate.

Is it possible that John Babb made enough money as a wheelright to purchase 4 households?

Yes, it’s quite possible that John Babb, as a wheelwright, could have accumulated enough wealth to own multiple properties—especially in a rural or semi-rural area like Berkhamsted, Hertfordshire in the 18th century. Here’s why:

1. Wheelwrights Were Skilled Tradesmen

Wheelwrights were essential in pre-industrial England. They built and maintained wheels for carts, wagons, and carriages—vital for transportation, agriculture, and commerce. Their work required:

• Technical skill in woodworking and metalworking
• Access to quality materials
• Collaboration with blacksmiths

This made them respected and relatively well-compensated artisans.

2. Economic Context

In the 1700s:

• Land and property in rural areas were more affordable than in cities.
• Skilled tradesmen often combined their trade with small-scale farming or other income sources.
• Owning multiple small dwellings (like cottages or tenements) was not uncommon for prosperous tradesmen, especially if they rented them out.

3. Inheritance and Family Wealth

It’s also possible that:

• John Babb inherited property from relatives.
• He may have married into property.
• He could have invested his earnings wisely over time.

4. Berkhamsted’s Status

Berkhamsted was a market town with a long history and a relatively active local economy. A successful wheelwright there could have had steady work and opportunities to invest in property.

In 18th-century Hertfordshire, a wheelwright—as a skilled tradesman—would have earned significantly more than general laborers or domestic servants. While exact figures for wheelwrights in Hertfordshire are scarce, we can make a well-supported estimate based on available data:

💰 Estimated Annual Wages for a Wheelwright (circa 1750s):

• Skilled tradesmen in building and engineering trades earned between £29 and £44 per year 
• A wheelwright, being a skilled artisan, likely earned £30–£40 annually, possibly more if self-employed or operating a successful workshop.

📊 Comparison:

• Agricultural laborers earned around £17–£21 per year 
• Domestic servants earned between £5 and £20 per year, depending on role and gender 

🏠 Property Costs Context:

• In rural Hertfordshire, small cottages or tenements could be purchased for £20–£50 each, depending on size, location, and condition.
• Over a working life of 30–40 years, a successful wheelwright could accumulate enough savings or reinvest earnings to purchase multiple properties—especially if he also rented them out or inherited land.

So yes, John Babb could realistically have acquired four households through a combination of:

• Skilled trade income
• Long-term savings
• Possible inheritance or marriage
• Property investment and rental income

Citation:

“Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England records,” images, FamilySearch (https:// http://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNL-S9XJ-K?view=fullText : Jun 8, 2025), image 434 of 737; Church of England. Archdeaconry of Huntingdon. Hitchin Division. Court. Image Group Number: 008084777 https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNL-S9XJ-K?view=fullText

The Executors within named were sworn to the due Execution of this Will in form of Law this Eighth day of April 1757 before me David Jenks.

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The Tree

John is a member of the Hertfordshire Pedigree (Berkhamstead 1546), son of Willyam Babbe & Jane. His descendants at this moment read as follows:

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