Conducting an ‘inventory’ can reveal many useful in many business financial respects. It provides an idea of the value of the stock. In 1823, when my ancestor Lodewick Sypher died, an ‘inventory’ was taken of his accounts both receivable and payable as well as the chattels he had. We see some typical things for a Yeoman such as cattle, horses and oxen as well as farm implements. Lodewick also had more than &400.00 owed to him, which seemed high. Along with this he had some household furnishings but also ‘8’ beds! Such seems disproportionally high but not if one was letting rooms out or running a hotel (of sorts). Lodewick’s estate was valued at &1436 which was very good for his era.
