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by Hugh Pihlens

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There are many Hungerford inventories. Those between 1650 and 1750 have been carefully transcribed and printed. Have a look in the archives for 1650-1699, and 1700-1750. One of the finest is that of Sarah Bell, who died intestate in 1714. As a result, a very complete inventory of The Three Swans was made in October 1714.

Inventory of Sarah Bell of the Three Swans [29^th October 1714]

A True & Pfect inventory- of all & singular the Goods & Chatties which were of Sarah Bell late of Hungerford in the County of Berks widow who dyed Intestate apparised the nine & twentieth day of October in the year of our Lord God one thousand seaven hundred & fourteene by Robert Tuck & George White both of Hungerford aforesaid Joyners as followeth viz:

Imprimis the wearing apparell & ready money of the intestate £600

In the kitchen The pewter dishes eight dozen of pewter plates, eight kettles & potts, four spitts one jack one Iron Back & fender, two pair of Cottrells, two warming pans, one frying pan, two chaffing dishes, five pair of brass candlesticks £20 07 00

In the Rose Two tables one couch four chaires one barrell & other lumber  £01 02 00

In the Buttery within the room called the Rose  One safe & other lumber   £00 05 00

In the Hall Two tables one dozen of chaires fire pan & tongs, dogs, bellows, & other lumber £02 04 00

In the Parlour & Buttery Three tables, seaven chaires firepan & tongs, dogs, Side table, cupboard, seaven Bushells of pease, One bushell of Wheate, a powdering tube & other lumber £02 16 06

In the roome at the wine cellar door, Two tables, one chest & other lumber £00 13 06

In the Beer Cellar All the Beer & ale, three barrells, two pipes, eight hogsheads, powdring tubb, stands & lumber £22 07 00

In the Wine Cellar Candles, soap, twenty barrells, one dozen of wine measures, bottles, glasses, three stands, one bottle rack, cyder & lumber, & also ninety six gallons of white Wine, thirty gallons of claret, ten gallons of damaged claret, ten gallons of brandy, & ten gallons of Canary £63 12 00

In the Passage one table & lumber £00 15 06

In the chamber over the kitchen One bed bedstead & all things thereto belonging,
one chest of drawers, one table, one chest, one trunk, fire pan tongs dogs & other lumber £12 14 00
Fifty ounces of plate £12 10 00
All the linnen £30 00 00

In the Chamber called the Bell One bed bedstead, curtains, vallense, blankets, rug one chair & other lumber £04 00 00

In the Chamber called the Dragon One bed bedstead, curtains, vallence counterpoint, two blankets, two tables one side cupboard, eight chaires, fire pan, tongs, & other lumber £11 05 00

In the Chamber called the Swan One bed bedstead, curtains, vallence & all things thereto belonging, one table four chaires, one stoole & other lumber £09 00 00

In the Crowne Chamber Two beds bedsteads curtains vallence & all things thereto belonging, seven chaires, two tables, firepan tongs & other lumber £03 18 00

In the Gate House chamber two beds & all things thereto belonging, two tables, fire pan tongs & other lumber £10 00 00

In the New Chamber Two tables, nine chaires, one looking glass, one pair of andirons, window curtains, firepan & tongs & other lumber £03 18 00

In the Passage & Shuffleboard Chamber Three beds & all things thereto belonging, a courch, side cupboard & lumber £11 00 00

In the Gallery & Garretts Beds bedsteads & all things thereto belonging wood oates beans chest of drawers & lumber £09 16 06

In the New Room one Bed bedstead two rugs a pair of sheets a table & other lumber £04 00 00

One Cow three & twenty tuns of hay six store piggs & two hogs, three stone pig troughs, hard wood & faggotts £97 17 00

In the Stables Racks. Flakes, boards lugs & other things £07 10 00

In the Brewhouse  Two furnaces, mearsfate pump coolers & other lumber  £19 08 00

Iin the Gatehouse a hogshead & pulley £00 06 00

Book Debts £30 00 00

Total  £405 04 00

Notes:

This is the best pub inventory for Hungerford. Pubs and ale-houses were often managed by women (more often than men) – it was a respectable occupation.

Chambers with names were common in pubs. There were 8 rooms upstairs, as well as a gallery and garrets – 13+ berooms.

Canary is probably "Madeira"; Shuffleboard was a game; Mearsfate was probable a "mash vat"

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