Nuncupative will of Christopher Bigg, 1664

Herts RO 100AW4

Memorand(um) that on or about the eleaventh day of May 1664, Christopher Bigg late of Winslow in the County of Bucks deceased beinge in p(er)fect mind and memory and having a serious purpose and resolucion to settle his ‹and› dispose of his estate did make and declare his last will nuncupative that is to say by word of mouth to this or the like effect he beinge asked by his wife Jane Bigg how he would dispose of his estate answered that she \the s(ai)d Jane Bigg/ should have all his goods whatsoev(er) [deletion] at her disposall to give to his children as she pleased or he used words to the same or the like effect.  In the p(re)sence of Ann Willis & Mary Bigg and other credible witnesses.

[Latin text] Anne Willis and Mary Bigg the witnesses were sworn on the truth of this will before me John Ashford, surrogate.

The mark of Ann Willis

The mark of Mary Bigg 

[Latin text] Jane Bigg was sworn on 1 June 1664 before me John Ashhford, surrogate.                 

Inventory of Christopher Bigg, 1664

Herts RO A25/3694

A true and p(er)fect Inventory taken the 24th day of May Anno Dom(ini) 1664 of the goods cattles and chattells which late weare the goods cattells and chattells of Christopher Bigg of Winslow deceased praysed and vallewed by us whose names are under written

 
l
s
d
Imprimis In the halle one table and frame one cubard foure joyned stooles one little joynd table and payre of hand irons one fire shoule and tongues one hanger
01
03
04
Item In the parlor one table and frame one cubbard
00
10
00
Item In the chamber over the halle one Joyned bedsteed and trole bed, one table and frame three joyned stooles one chayre one payr of hand irons one feather bed one feather bolster one rugg; curtaines and rods
02
10
00
Item In the chamber over the ware shop one table and frame three joyned stooles two chayres, two coffers, one bedstead with curtaines and valians[?] one flock bed, one feather bolster and two feather pillowes, and one coverlett with other small things
01
13
4
Item In the chamber over the p(ar)lor two old bedsteads one table and frame one forme, three stooles one feather bed one woolbed two blanketts one coverlett with other things
01
00
00
Item In the chamber above the workinge shop one great chest, 8 payrs of sheets, three table cloaths, six napkinns, two pillow beeres, with other small linen
01
06
08
Item In the Buttery two hogsheads of beare with other empty hogsheads barrills and tubs & coop(er)y weare
02
00
00
Item In the Kitching, one furnace three kettles three porridge potts and other small brass
02
10
00
Item Six pewter platters six Flaggons, with other small pewter
01
06
08
Item In the weare shopp A small p(ar)sell of Iron weare
02
10
00
Item One horse one Cow and calfe and one pigg
04
10
00
Item Wheate and beanes in the yard and barne with A p(ar)sell of rakes and syth sneds
01
15
00
Item Two hovills one cart and other wood
01
15
00
Item Corne and grayne in the fielde
07
10
00
Item in money and desperate debts in ye shopbooke
06
00
00
Item his weareinge Aparrell
01
13
04
 
Sum(ma) total(is)
39
13
4

[signed]
Matthew Bishop
John Watts
Andrew Stutsbury
John Joseph Willis

[Latin] Presented on 6 June 1664 by Jane Bigg, widow.

Notes

Christopher Bigg was probably a retired blacksmith (Nicholas Bigg, d. 1683, seems to have been a blacksmith, and the house contained old and new smith's shops). His widow Jane died in 1665; her inventory was almost the same as his. Christopher was buried on 18 May 1664. He lived on the north side of the Market Square; his house probably included nos.21-27. He does not seem to have been a native of Winslow, and he is probably the Christopher Bigg who married Jane Oporing[??] at Oving on 29 June 1629.

Christopher and Jane had these children:

sned: a pole or handle for a scythe (OED)

Click on the pictures for full images of the documents:

The will:

Will of Christopher Bigg

The inventory:

Inventory of Christopher Bigg