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From: "John and Dawn Foreman" <>
Subject: Five Pounds Worth
Date: Tue, 25 Oct 2005 15:22:23 +1000


Hello Listers,

I have just come by a will of one John Saunders of Dedham, and in it he leaves five pounds to each of his brothers and sisters, and a loom and three pounds to his nephew.

Does anyone have any idea of just how much five pounds would have been worth back in 1715? Would it have been a month's wages, or a year's wages, or the cost to build a house, maybe? I'm just trying to get my head around the concept of five pounds in those days. I know that it was a week's wages when my father was working - but back in 1715 ??? Any ideas?

Dawn
Australia

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