Eve wrote: Usually, leaving a son or daughter one shilling just means that they have already had their share or the estate, on setting up in business or marriage. Where someone is really 'cut off' it usually says 'twelve pence of English money and no more, because he had been ungrateful to his mother and myself' The name had to be mentioned, otherwise the son could contest the will on the grounds that his name had simply been missed in copying. The above phrase makes it quite clear - forgotten, no, disliked, yes. -- Eve McLaughlin This fellow did not take any chances on his five children either (Will of Francis Langcake, Maryland, USA, 03/02/1754): "To five children: -all livestock to be divided equally and if any of the children become contentious over the division of property that child to be debarred from their share with only one shilling sterling -children to choose a mediator to divide the property" Art Lengkeek, Chilliwack,BC