I have found reference to a William Tilsed of Nevis Island in "Caribbeana: Being Miscellaneous Papers Relating to the History, Genealogy, Topography, and Antiquities of the British West Indies, Volume 6, under the heading of Admons (PCC) relating to West Indians."
The entry is
"1669 : November: "Wm Tilsed, 1, to Egidia T the M. of W.T. I.of Nevis, ba". (folio 145)
I take this to mean that responsibility for the Will or Administration of William Tilsed, a bachelor resident in the Island of Nevis, was awarded on 1st November 1669 to his mother, Egidia Tilsed.
My query is - how do I go about finding whatever papers might exist on this matter? I have tried reading the National Archives' leaflets but I keep getting confused! I have also searched their website and that of Dorset Archives, and done a bit of general googling.
I have read that "Egidius/Egidia" is the Latin for Giles, and I actually do have a "Tilsed, Giles, widow" in Wimborne, Dorset (home of many Tilseds at the time) paying church rates in 1663. She would seem to be a good candidate for William's mother, given that the probate statement would have been written in Latin.
This individual may also be the William Tilsed who was mentioned in the will of one Henry Gillingham, signed 15th November 1662:
"I give and bequeath unto Francis Carlile and William Tilsed one Thousand pounds of sugar apeece And to each of them one whole yeare of the tyme of servitude as per their Indentures."