Daily AncestorBequeath
To bequeath means to give personal property, such as money, goods or animals, to someone by your will.
Bequeath is the will-writer's verb for leaving movable property: money, furniture, livestock, tools and clothing. The gift itself is a bequest.
Traditionally, land was devised and personal property bequeathed, which is why so many wills say I give, devise and bequeath. Courts have accepted bequeath for land too when the intent is clear.
As seen in a recordWill recorded in a county will book, 1800s
Item. I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary my bay mare and my best bed.
How to cite this page
Daily Ancestor. "Bequeath." Dictionary of Old Record Words. https://dailyancestor.com/dictionary/legal-land/bequeath. Last checked 2026-10-01.