Will and Inventory of William Wakefield/Wakefild, yeoman, 1586

Wakefield left 2d.to the cathedral and 10s. to Basing church. He was presumably an older man, leaving his son John as main heir and executor but making provision for his five grandchildren, at least two of whom were old enough to farm. The descriptions of the land he bequeathed at Waterend are interesting. All the grandchildren are given a sum of money (£6 13s.4d.) and items of furniture. The house was well equipped and there were crops in the ground and grain in the barn. The large flock of sheep (120) and 6 tods of wool imply that his main farmland was on the chalk. Total value £86 5s.8d.