Many thanks for the replies to my question about John Ainsworth Horrocks who died 1841 and John Horrocks who died in Fishpool Workhouse, Farnworth on 4th December 1871. I have looked at Preston, and tried the other sites, do you think they did not make a will? although I was assured at Preston, that every one made a will, even if it was only old clothes they were leaving. I will just have to keep on looking and hoping one will turn up. Margaret Horrocks

I think you have been seriously misinformed. Perhaps your informant was misled by the fact that many wills include clothing. This is because wearing apparel was comparatively expensive - everything was hand sewn and finer fabrics were imported and very costly. The old clothes you see in wills are items of value and could be altered to fit the next owner. Even in the 19th clothing was valuable enough to inspire the crime of child stripping in cities - a well dressed child would be dragged off the street and their clothes taken and sold. Judy On 28 Apr 2008, at 18:04, Margaret Horrocks wrote: > although I was assured at Preston, that > every one made a will, even if it was only old clothes they were > leaving.

I was shocked to read of children being stripped of their clothes if the clothes were valuable. Then thought of nowadays the same thing occurs routinely when kids wear expensive jackets and tennis shoes with designer labels. Nothing new under the sun except the style of the clothes. Joyce Stevens -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of judy olsen Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 4:22 AM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-BOLTON] Old Wills I think you have been seriously misinformed. Perhaps your informant was misled by the fact that many wills include clothing. This is because wearing apparel was comparatively expensive - everything was hand sewn and finer fabrics were imported and very costly. The old clothes you see in wills are items of value and could be altered to fit the next owner. Even in the 19th clothing was valuable enough to inspire the crime of child stripping in cities - a well dressed child would be dragged off the street and their clothes taken and sold. Judy On 28 Apr 2008, at 18:04, Margaret Horrocks wrote: > although I was assured at Preston, that > every one made a will, even if it was only old clothes they were > leaving. :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: Except for personal messages, please post replies to the list. Other people can learn from them! :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Have a look at the case of 10 year old Mary Wade in 1789 on the Old Bailey site. She was found guilty of stealing the clothes of another girl and sentenced to death. There was an appeal for clemency but the judge said that it was such a serious offence that he could not be lenient. http://www.oldbaileyonline.org/browse.jsp?id=t17890114-58-punish305&div=t178 90114-58#highlight She was transported to Australia because they needed more women so offered many convicted prisoners the option of transportation though some preferred death to Australia (no comment!) Martin Briscoe Fort William M&LFHS | Gwynedd FHS > -----Original Message----- > From: [email protected] > [mailto:[email protected]] On Behalf Of > joyce stevens > Sent: 29 April 2008 14:31 > To: [email protected] > Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-BOLTON] Old Wills > > I was shocked to read of children being stripped of their > clothes if the clothes were valuable. > Then thought of nowadays the same thing occurs routinely when > kids wear expensive jackets and tennis shoes with designer labels. > Nothing new under the sun except the style of the clothes. > Joyce Stevens

Hello everyone, I missed the first post of this but thought this may help. These are transcripts made from some early wills in Yorkshire, as you can see everything was of value, and I do mean everything. 1723, a weavers will , to dtr Mary, black russell coat, petty coat, blew coat, pr of linen sheets, 6 napkins, table cloth, long oak linen chest, etc etc. (Sic) 1732. Will. Possessions. £20. Squab cupboard, lamp, pepper pot, cheese plate, 2 tin dish covers, funnels, grater, coffee pot, cannister, 5 delft plates dishes, mugs, toasting iron, looking glass. (Sic) 1656 will. Purse & apparel 3s,Pair of shoes, table, form, etc 23s 4d. Bed & chist(chest?) 10s. codware, brass pot 3s4d one whie 36s 8d sum £4.2.0. Owing £3.4.11. 1682. Daughter of Jn Storr 1 of my best pewter dishes, Wife of Wm Hawson 1 of my best pewter dishes. Regards Maureen. ----- Original Message ----- From: "judy olsen" <[email protected]>To: <[email protected]> Sent: Tuesday, April 29, 2008 9:21 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-BOLTON] Old Wills I think you have been seriously misinformed. Perhaps your informant was misled by the fact that many wills include clothing. This is because wearing apparel was comparatively expensive - everything was hand sewn and finer fabrics were imported and very costly. The old clothes you see in wills are items of value and could be altered to fit the next owner. Even in the 19th clothing was valuable enough to inspire the crime of child stripping in cities - a well dressed child would be dragged off the street and their clothes taken and sold. Judy On 28 Apr 2008, at 18:04, Margaret Horrocks wrote: > although I was assured at Preston, that > every one made a will, even if it was only old clothes they were > leaving. :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: Except for personal messages, please post replies to the list. Other people can learn from them! :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Margaret: According to my own family tree, I was related to a John Horrocks who was born on January 12, 1777 in St. Peters, Bolton, Lancashire, England/Bolton, England and died on May 12, 1850 in Little Bolton, Lancashire, England. I really have no idea whether these records are completely accurate as I do not have copies of the either documents. I do, however, have a christening date of January 10, 1783 in Lostock, Deane, Lancashire, England and a burial date of May 12, 1850 in Chewmore, Lostock Deane, Lancs, England. I apologize for not having a middle name for John. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Margaret Horrocks" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Monday, April 28, 2008 11:04 AM Subject: Re: [ENG-LAN-BOLTON] Old Wills > Many thanks for the replies to my question about John Ainsworth Horrocks > who > died 1841 and John Horrocks who died in Fishpool Workhouse, Farnworth on > 4th > December 1871. I have looked at Preston, and tried the other sites, do > you > think they did not make a will? although I was assured at Preston, that > every one made a will, even if it was only old clothes they were leaving. > I will just have to keep on looking and hoping one will turn up. Margaret > Horrocks > > > > :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: > > Except for personal messages, please post replies to the list. > Other people can learn from them! > > :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: :-+-: > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > [email protected] with the word 'unsubscribe' without > the quotes in the subject and the body of the message