uch proprietary pews having been bequeathed by will have occurred in
Willenhall within comparatively recent times. Here is an extract from
the will of Thomas Hartill, dated June 5th, 1777:--

I give and bequeath to my Son, Abraham Hartill, the fourth part of a
seat in the Chapel, No. 4 in B row an all so one 4 part of a seat in
F row near the Dore. . . . and I bequeath to my Daughter, Phoebe
Read, one Fourth part of a seate No. 4 in B row and also one Fourth
part of a seate in the Chapel in F row near the Dore.

Similar testamentary disposals appear in the will of Isaac Hartill, dated
27 May, 1818:--

I give and devise to my Son, Isaac Hartill, all that my moiety or
half part of the seat or pew, being No. 10 in the South Aisle within
the Church or Chapel of Willenhall aforesaid, to hold to him my said
son, Isaac, his heirs and assigns tor ever. . . .

I give and devise unto my said Son, Ephraim Hartill, one moiety or
equal half part of, and in my seat, or pew, being number 4 in the
South Aisle within the Church or Chapel aforesaid, to hold to my said
Son, Ephraim, his Heirs, and assigns for ever. And I also give and
devise unto my daughter, Mary Atkins, the other moiety or equal half
part or share of the said last mentioned seat or pew, to hold to my
said Daughter Mary Atkins, her heirs and assigns for ever.

Of like purport is the following extract from codicil to the will of
Samuel Hartill, dated June 9, 1821; probate Nov. 12, 1821:--

I give devise and bequeath to my nephew Henry Bratt, all that my seat
or pew or part or share thereof being number eleven in A in
Willenhall Church, to hold to him his heirs, executors administrators
or assigns according to the tenure of the said property. I give
devise and bequeath to my Brother-in-law, Isaac Hartill in my Will
named all my other Seats or Pews or parts or shares of seats or pews
in Willenhall Church aforesaid to hold to him his heirs executors
administrators or assigns according to the tenure of the said
property.

Thus much in witness of the heritable nature of Church Pews; now for
documentary evidences of the trafficking in such properties (all relating
to Willenhall Church):--

19, Jan., 1750. Recd. of Tho. Harthil, John Parker and Joseph Wood
three pound one and sixpence for the seat behind ye Dore in F,
sixteen shillings and sixpence being al