The Will of James Barber (1748 - 1808)
James died on 30 November, 1808, and was buried on 6 December. He left a Will dated 11 May, 1808.
In his Will, James refers to his sons, James, Charles, William and Robert and his daughteres, Maria and Mattilda, and his son-in-law, William Muskett. He describes himself as 'of Whittingham Hall,' and made James and Charles Barber and William Muskett his executors.
The Will required that all his cottages, tenements and lands in Fressingfield, as well as all his personal property, be sold and, after payment of debts, legacies, etc., be distributed as follows: 200 pounds to Maria Muskett, 500 pounds to Mattilda Barber and Robert Barber.
According to the Will, the tenants of the property were: new cottages - Clutten and Charles Warren, and Thomas Barrett; land - Samuel Easto; tenements - Rainer Smith and Robert Smith.
The value of the estate was assessed as between 2000 and 3,500 pounds.
With appreciation for information from Donald Caddick