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Old Photographs, Recognition, Handwriting Deciphering => Handwriting Deciphering & Recognition => Topic started by: Mamspice on Friday 02 January 26 22:17 GMT (UK)
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Hi everyone,
I'm hoping there is someone here who could read this will for me from 1668 as I am stumped! It is the will of Barbara Spencer.
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This is just the probate clause, in Latin, written on the back of the will, showing that the will was proved on 26 May 1668 at Cirencester.
The will itself is on the previous page (image 31 of 441). Say if you need help with that.
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This is just the probate clause, in Latin, written on the back of the will, showing that the will was proved on 26 May 1668 at Cirencester.
The will itself is on the previous page (image 31 of 441). Say if you need help with that.
Thanks. I'm attaching what I hope is the will ;D
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I have transcribed the bulk of the significant parts of the will. I've skipped the first two paragraphs of formalities: you can have a go at those yourself. However note that the date appears to be 5 March 1661.
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Inprimis I give and bequeath to my sonn Thomas halfe
my Liveing or Chattle lease duering his naturall life
Item I give and bequeath to my sonn William the other
halfe of my Liveing or Chattle lease duering my terme
and in Case my sonn Thomas shall marry with the
assent or Consent of my overseers of this my ^last^ will
then my will is he should have halfe my liveing dureing
my whole terme & soe will(ia)m my sonn on the same
condision haveing the consent of my overseers:
Item I give & bequeath to my daughter Sara my best
bedd & bedsteed with the best sheets boulster & pellows
blankets & coverlet thereto belonging: It(em) I give
unto my daughter Sara fower score pounds in money
to be paid her within twelve monethes after my decease
by my Executors: All the rest of my good(es) both
moveable & unmoveable my debts paid & funerall
Exspences and will p(er)formed I give & bequeath to my
two sonns Thomas and William whom I appoint &
Constitute my full & sole Executors of this my last
Will & testament And I doe desire my brother law [sic]
Broad and my brother law Goddard to be the overseers: to
see this ^my^ will La [sic] fully p(er)formed & keept: in witnes
wherof I have sett my hand & seale
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My best attempt at the witnesses:
Sealed in the presents
of [?] Goddard
X Tho: Masons marke
William ffox his marke
Goddard's first name is a puzzle. The last part could be len: but that's far from certain.
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Thank you so much!! You're a star
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Note also that 5 March 1661 is an Old Style date. In modern dating this would be 5 March 1662.
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Ah ok. Very complicated back then
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The Old Style (Julian) calendar, year ended on 24 March instead of the 31st December
And the first day of the new year started on the 25 March instead of the 1st January.
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The Old Style (Julian) calendar, year ended on 24 March instead of the 31st December
And the first day of the new year started on the 25 March instead of the 1st January.
Oh, now that's interesting! Seems a strange time to start a new year
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Could the witness be Hen: Goddard?
Although the H does look more like Ff, so not sure.