(N.B. This Robert Byard is probably a relative of the Robert Byard who starts our family tree)
Robert Byard (of Alderwasley) buried Wirksworth Nov. 9th 1674.
Inventory only, taken Dec. 19th. 1674
Robert Byard of Alderwasley, parish of Wirksworth, Derbyshire.
Deceased. Husbandman.
The "praisers" of the goods were Luke Valance, Thomas Armfield, Edward Ellott.
May 7th 1675, Elizabeth, relict of the deceased was given administration rights. She is of Alderwasley, widow. Luke Valance is to share these rights.
| Inventory: | £ | s | d |
| Things unseen and omitted | 10 | 6 | |
| Purse and apparel | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Pewter and brass in house | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| 1 cupboard, 1 dishboard, 1 coffer, 2 chairs | 12 | 0 | |
| 1 handiron, a fire-shovel, one pair of tongs | 2 | 6 | |
| In the parlour; 1 bed and bedding | 18 | 0 | |
| 4 blankets, 6 pairs of sheets | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| 1 old cupboard | 3 | 4 | |
| 2 oxen, 2 cows, 2 horses, 2 young stirks | 18 | 6 | 8 |
| 20 sheep | 5 | 10 | 0 |
| Corn and hay | 7 | 0 | 0 |
| Shares, harrows, yokes and other wares |
1 | 6 | 8 |
| Summa | 38 | 9 | 8 |
(N.B. Notice the error in the addition)
____________________________________________________________
(N.B. This is the Robert Byard who represents the start of our family tree)
Robert Byard of Alderwasley, buried Wirksworth Dec. 14th 1703
Will written September 13th 1703.
Robert Byard of Alderwasley, in the parish of Wirksworth. Husbandman.
Eldest son, Robert Byard, £50, unless he survives testators wife Anne and therefore inherits the house and land. In that case he would receive 1/-.
| Daughters: | Elizabeth Byard | 40s | ||
| Mary Byard | 50s | |||
| Anne Byard | £4 | 0 | 0 |
| Dearly beloved | wife Anne | }sole executrix and | . |
| son John | }executor | to have the remainder between them equally. |
| Witnesses: | Sarah Hanson | Robert Byard's mark |
| Robert Gothard | ||
| Geo. Bowmer |
Probate granted 21st. April 1704.
Inventory of goods taken 8th. December 1703 Total £52-0-0
| Appraisers: | Geo. Bowmer |
| Benja. Gretorex | |
| Ferdinand Potter |
John Byard married Elizabeth Spencer in 1708, during his life he was an 'Overseer of the Poor' as well as a 'Reeve' for the parish. In 1689 he is recorded as having paid 1/- Poll Tax.
Will written 6th. August 1755. Of Alderwasley, parish of Wirksworth. Husbandman.
| Three daughters: | Elizabeth Bown | each to receive 1s 0d |
| Hannah Raworth | ||
| Mary Fletcher |
Loving wife Elizabeth and son John Byard are to have all the rest and be executrix and executor.
| Witnesses: | Martha Caldwell | John Byard's mark |
| Willm. Storer |
| Inventory taken 5th September 1755 | £ | s | d |
| Purse and apparel | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Fire iron | 3 | 0 | |
| Pewter and brass | 1 | 10 | 0 |
| Dressers and trenchers | 2 | 6 | |
| 1 long seat, a little table, 4 chairs | 5 | 0 | |
| Bed and bedding and 1 table | 10 | 0 | |
| Chamber over parlour having a bed and bedding | 10 | 0 | |
| 1 chest | 5 | 0 | |
| Cheese | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Husbandry gear | 10 | 0 | |
| Wheat and barley, 3 acres | 3 | 15 | 0 |
| Oats and peas 8 and 1/2 acres | 10 | 12 | 6 |
| A piece of rick of old hay | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| 5 acres of grass | 3 | 12 | 6 |
| 4 acres new hay | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 12 sheep | 3 | 6 | 0 |
| 4 suckling calves | 2 | 10 | 0 |
| 5 milch cows | 17 | 10 | 0 |
| 4 year old calves | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 heifers | 5 | 5 | 0 |
| A mare and a year old filly | 9 | 0 | 0 |
| 2 pigs | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| ____ | ___ | ___ | |
|
78 | 6 | 6 |
N.B. Notice the error in the addition!
Appraised by : Willm. Storer
James WingfieldProbate granted 17th October 1755
(Thomas farmed at Broadgates with his wife Lydia)
Thomas Byard Wirksworth 3 April 1812
Of Ashleyhay, in the parish of Wirksworth. Farmer.
Sick and weak in body, but of sound mind and memory.
Wife Lydia to have all his "freehold and copyhold estate situate and being in Ashleyhay", "with all the houses and buildings standing thereon with all appurtenances whatsoever..." for her use and maintenance until such time as their youngest son Joshua shall be 21. If he should die before he is 21, then until next youngest reaches 21.
If Lydia dies before the youngest reaches 21, executors are to look after the estate/monies until the youngest is 21.
If Lydia lives until the youngest is 21, the children are to have all the real and personal estate divided among them equally, paying Lydia £3/10/- per annum out of it annually until she dies.
Executors: John Walker and Joseph Redfern --- farmers.
7 October 1811 Signed Thomas Byard
Witnesses: Richard Peak
Samuel Walker
John Walker
Affidavit sworn by 2 executors on 26 March 1812 that it is Thomas' will.
Amount did not exceed £100
Probate granted 3 April 1812.
He wants to be buried as near as possible to his beloved deceased daughter Louisa in the parish church of St. Bu.......(N.B. name not decipherable)
His dearly beloved wife Susanna to have £100 p.a. annuity and house and furniture at Mountain Tower (?). If she remarries, this all to be divided equally between daughters Harriet and Mary Ann Stuart, and rest to be divided between them anyway, when they reach 20. Then to their children or to one's children etc.
Richard Nelson (his 'good friend') of Plymouth, banker, to be executor, "in trust and as a token of our friendship", to have £5 to buy a ring.
Written 4th. October 1795
Witnesses....undecipherable.
He wanted to be buried with as little expense and ceremony as possible.
The probate:
Ann Eaton of Stoke Damerel, widow
Richard Thomas Nelson of the same, esquire.
They certify that Thomas Byard, captain of HM ship Foudroyant is the writer of this will etc. dated November 24th 1798.
All material in this section provided by Mrs. Kath Benny and Edna James