Genealogy Chat

I've just received a copy of a will of one of my ancestors. The writing is quite difficult to read, but one of the things he appears to be leaving is a milhouff bed. Has anyone ever heard of this? I may be wrong with the end of the word, but it definitely begins with mil.

Thanks

What looks like ff in old writing is usually ss but they doesn't make this word any more understandable!

Thanks for trying - I've tried googling but can't find any possibilities. There is a gap before the last 3 letters, so it may even be 2 words.

I've been looking at this again, and it says milpuff, which apparently they sometimes used to stuff mattresses instead of feathers. (It was slightly more expensive)

Thanks for letting us know Kirsty. I would have been awake all night on my Memory foam mattress wondering about that! lol

Sounds better than a horse hair mattress!! (which we had when i was at school)..abt 1000 years ago! lol

Gerri x

I found an article written in 1761, that gives the following prices:

Goose Feathers from 14d to 18d per Pound.- Common Feathers from 5d to 8d.- Milpuff from 8d to 11d. per Pound

I guess it depends on what kind of feathers were used!!! The other 3 beds he left in his will were feather beds.

A bed was a very desirable thing in the days when most people couldn't afford one.

At the time of the ripper (1880's) some lodgings in the east end would provide you with a place sleeping over a rope. It would be strung across the room for several people sharing for half penny a night.

Hi
I have just received a copy of a will today and ironically enough they too left a feather bed to each of his 3 daughters.
The will was dated 1794 and like Kirsty's will it was very difficult to read.
I have translated quite a bit but there are gaps.
William also left £50 to his eldest daughter so he must have been quite affluent for that time.

Carol

In 1790, £50 0s 0d would have the same spending worth of today's £2,801.50 (1970)

WOW! William can stuff his bed...just give me the 50 quid! lol

Having said that...I have just bought a new fangled bed and it cost me £2000!


http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/currency/default0.asp#mid

Gerri x

LOL Shelly...and dont forget the pooh and puke!

In 1760, £50 0s 0d would have the same spending worth of today's £3,739.50 (1970)

In 1760, £0 0s 8d would have the same spending worth of today's £2.49 (1970)

Hi Elva,

That's prompted me to find out who had the best bed - I've been meaning to look it up for a while.

This link

http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/museum/item.asp?item_id=21

suggests it went to his oldest surviving child Susannah.