Conclusion
I started with the will of John Bowditch the older of Beaminster in which he refers to himself as a Yeoman. He wrote it in February 1820 and died the same year, before it was proved on 14 August 1820.
At the time of writing he had six surviving children, who were mentioned and provided for in his will. He was quite progressive for 1820 as his will set aside the concept of male primogeniture, all to the oldest son. This had made sense for the landed gentry for decades if not centuries beforehand, thereby avoiding the breakup of Estates. It worked as long as the head of the family looked after the needs of the whole family, and provided the Stately Homes and Estates we still have today. The rule of primogeniture for intestate persons was only dropped in England in 1925.
His Will divided his estate equally among his six surviving children, including his married daughters. The exception being; 'I give and bequeath unto my Son Michael Bowditch the sum of one hundred and fifty pounds and to my Servant Mary Bailey the sum of twenty pounds.'
In 2019, the relative value of £150 0s 0d from 1820 ranges from £12,080.00 to £763,400.00. Even the gift to the servant, Mary Bailey could be considered quite generous, as in 2019, the relative value of £20 0s 0d from 1820 ranges from £1,610.00 to £101,800.00.
Unfortunately, unlike another Will I have reviewed, the Will of John Fifield, Gentleman of Standbridge otherwise Standbridge Erles in the parish of Romsey, John Bowditch does not identify his estate by name. It therefore remains conjecture as to size and location of his estate, and the wealth of the children following his death.
'... distribute and divide the then surplus residue and remainder thereof unto and equally between my six children hereinafter mentioned that is to say the said Richard Bowditch the said Michael Bowditch the said John Bowditch the younger Robert Bowditch Elizabeth the wife of Thomas Hallett and Ann the wife of Isaac Morey share and share alike ...'
The daughters get the same as most of the Sons, despite being married and cared for.
