Deciphering Episcopal Visitation Returns

[Les de B]

This request is not so much as deciphering the original handwriting , but deciphering the abbreviations of the answer.

Here is the final question and answer of Episcopal Visitation Return of 1744 for the Parish of Cotleigh - Reverend Maximillian Wolcot.

Q.   It would be, at this Time, a further Satisfaction to me, if you would write down for me upon this Paper, the Dates of your Institution (or Collation) and Priest's Orders, after the Manner of the Specimen hereunto added.

A. Cotleigh R: Maximilian Wolcot A:B.
inst: Aug: 16: 1720 Lanc: Exon
Presb: Sept: 20: 1723: Offsp: Exon

Would somebody be able to tell me what the abbreviations mean?

Les

[Little Nell]

A:B = Artium Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Arts)
Exon = Exeter or of Exeter
presb: = presbyter (priest)
R = reverend
inst: = installed

not sure about Lanc or Offsp, sorry.

Nell

[JenB]

A Bishop's Christian name usually precedes the name of his Bishopric, so
Lanc. Exon = Lancelot Exon =  Lancelot Blackburne, Bishop of Exeter, 1717 - 1724.

Judging by this specimen, inst. means 'institution' (i.e. institution as a Priest). http://www.foda.org.uk/visitations/intro/images/f4.htm

Not sure what offsp represents, but I think it must be someone's name, since it is followed by Exon.

Jennifer

[jorose]

Offspring/Ofspring Blackall, who was Lancelot's predecessor, possibly? But doesn't quite make sense as he was deceased by 1723.  (Maybe another member of the same family?)

[JenB]

Presb: Sept: 20: 1723: Offsp: Exon

Not sure what offsp represents, but I think it must be someone's name, since it is followed by Exon.

Strangely, the name of the Bishop of Exeter who preceded Lancelot Blackburne was named Offspring Blackall, so his name would have been represented thus:
 Offsp(ring) Exon.

The only problem with this is that Offspring Blackall died in 1716  

[JenB]

Sorry jorose, we must have been posting at the same time - I didn't get the red warning message.

Jennifer

[JenB]

Perhaps Maximilian Walcot, who would have made these entries, simply got his names muddled up 

[Les de B]

That All for those replies - I would have never worked it out.

Basically, does it mean Wolcot started his religious training 16 Aug 1720 under Bishop Lancelot Blackburne, Exeter, and became a minister 20 Sept 1723 under Bishop Offspring Blackall, Exeter - his qualification being Artium Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Arts)?


Les

[JenB]

Basically, does it mean Wolcot started his religious training 16 Aug 1720 under Bishop Lancelot Blackburne, Exeter, and became a minister 20 Sept 1723 under Bishop Offspring Blackall, Exeter - his qualification being Artium Baccalaureus (Bachelor of Arts)?

I think it means he was installed as Priest at Cotleigh in 1720 when Lancelot Blackburne was Bishop.

However, looking at the link I gave you earlier, I think that presb. means when he took Holy Orders, i.e. became a priest, which would have been before he was installed at Cotleigh. This would tie up with the name of the Bishop, Offspring Blackall, who died in 1716. That is, I think the second date is incorrect. Are you positive it says 1723?

And, yes he was a Bachelor of Arts.

Hope this helps (and makes sense).

Jennifer