Will and Inventory of Richard Mulford, senior, yeoman, 1585

Mulford was a farmer who wished to be buried in Basing churchyard, but also leased a farm in Stratfield Turgis. It was the home of his widow Margaret and he left her half the value of the house and all the contents, plus cattle to be kept without charge as her dower. The younger son was clearly a farmer (he was left the plough oxen); he and his sister were executors, but probate was granted to him and his brother in law, also a farmer. He also leased a property called Oaklands, fully equipped and separately valued, a copyhold from Mr Byfleet of Basing, and a meadow at Waterend.  He left specific bequests to all four children, (his eldest son was not a farmer but lived in Basing, and the heriots on that holding were to be paid by the executors), two grandchildren, another relative and three servants. Both properties were mixed farms and quite well furnished (painted cloths, panes of glass). He ran more sheep at Oakland (70 v 45) and cattle on both farms. He possessed a yew bow and two swords, tools, hemp, wool scales, and tubs and barrels. 

He was a man of some social status with goods worth £100, who employed live-in servants, owned two swords and five panes of glass.