Most of It Would Stay
Posted by Cassia on September 22, 1997 at 17:33:32:
In response to Inheritance, written by Patricia on September 22, 1997 at 12:00:06
] What would Mr. Collins inherit when Mr. Bennet dies? The land, the house AND all the furnishings, and crockery?
] Do the dishes and furniture belong to him or Lady Catherine?
] Would not Mrs. Bennet have anything to take with her to the hedgerows?
The widow was usually allowed to take personal property and household items could be part of these. Think of SS, the Mr John Dashwoods complain because Mrs Dashwood take the best silver and crockery. A lot would depend on how the will, entail, or strict settlement was worded: "house and contents" then everything except peronal property and personal gifts from husband to wife would stay. If limited to "house" household goods could all go.
Why? Because in a non-throw-away socitey all of these things would be expensive and well worth preserving for another generation.
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