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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Vallom on Tuesday 22 October 24 08:57 BST (UK)

Title: 16th & 18th Century wills
Post by: Vallom on Tuesday 22 October 24 08:57 BST (UK)
Would anybody be able to help me decipher the wording in a couple of wills, please ?

Many thanks

Val
Title: Re: 16th & 18th Century wills
Post by: horselydown86 on Tuesday 22 October 24 13:39 BST (UK)
These aren't wills per se.  I think they are entries in an Act Book of the ecclesiastical court.  I've had a go at a transcription.

Eodem die

Probatu(m) fuit Testamentu(m) Juliane Bexsell

nup(er) de heathfield vid' defuncte Coram mag(ist)ro

Thomas Russell Cl(er)ico [Arti? ? ?] Surrogat' &c

Juramento Josi? Bexsell filij n(atu)ralis et l(egi)tim'

d(i)c(t)i defuncti ac Executoris &c  Cui Co(m)missa

fuit administrac(i)o Bonor(um) &c  de bene et fidel(ite)r

administrando &c  ad [sota?] &c  jurato



The sum of the inventory appears to be 34 pounds and 5 shillings.

Notes:

1.  The son's name begins with Jos rather than Joh so not John (IMO).  I'm not sure of the final character.

2.  I've transcribed &c although it looks to be & plus something else.
Title: Re: 16th & 18th Century wills
Post by: horselydown86 on Tuesday 22 October 24 14:05 BST (UK)
A very, very rough summary of the first is that Master John Snow committed the administration of the goods of Thomas Boxall of kyrdford (?) deceased to Joanne of the same place the relict to well etc.  She was sworn.

It may begin with an indication of the date but the first word is not clear enough for me to say more.
Title: Re: 16th & 18th Century wills
Post by: Vallom on Tuesday 22 October 24 17:24 BST (UK)
Many thanks, much appreciated
Title: Re: 16th & 18th Century wills
Post by: horselydown86 on Wednesday 23 October 24 02:51 BST (UK)
I've had a further look at the son's name in the later of your entries.

I think the name is most probably written:  Josiae

This matches the genitive case of the Latin name Iosias.

See:  https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Iosias

In English this is Josiah.

The name should be in the genitive case in this context:

Juramento Josiae Bexsell filij n(atu)ralis et l(egi)tim(i) d(i)c(t)i defuncti ac Executoris... = By the oath of Josiah Bexsell the natural and legitimate son and executor of the said deceased...
Title: Re: 16th & 18th Century wills
Post by: Vallom on Wednesday 23 October 24 09:10 BST (UK)
Thanks once again for looking at this, it's really helpful.
Kind regards

Val