Pages: [1]

Author Topic: Format of Wills  (Read 869 times)

Offline bristolloggerheads

  • RootsChat Veteran
  • *****
  • Posts: 899
    • View Profile
Format of Wills
« on: Monday 25 May 09 13:57 BST (UK) »
In a will of 1588 I have a list of bequests in the following order (after God)
a) wife
b) sons, eldest first
c) daughters
e) male with the same surname
f) godchildren

Would it be rash to assume that e) was perhaps a brother? The relationship isn't specified which presumably meant it would be understood by everyone. Was there a strict order or a convention?
Syner alias Taylor from Broseley and Benthall

Offline behindthefrogs

  • RootsChat Marquessate
  • *******
  • Posts: 5,756
  • EDLIN
    • View Profile
Re: Format of Wills
« Reply #1 on: Monday 25 May 09 17:02 BST (UK) »
I don't think that you can assume anything.  He might not even be related.

Wills sometimes are listed in the order of the size of the bequests, except that the eldest son who might have a nominal bequest because he has already taken over the family business would then be mentioned early.

David
Living in Berkshire from Northampton & Milton Keynes
DETAILS OF MY NAMES ARE IN SURNAME INTERESTS, LINK AT FOOT OF PAGE
Wilson, Higgs, Buswell, PARCELL, Matthews, TAMKIN, Seckington, Pates, Coupland, Webb, Arthur, MAYNARD, Caves, Norman, Winch, Culverhouse, Drakeley.
Johnson, Routledge, SHIRT, SAICH, Mills, SAUNDERS, EDLIN, Perry, Vickers, Pakeman, Griffiths, Marston, Turner, Child, Sheen, Gray, Woolhouse, Stevens, Batchelor
Census Info is Crown Copyright from www.nationalarchives.gov.uk

Offline bristolloggerheads

  • RootsChat Veteran
  • *****
  • Posts: 899
    • View Profile
Re: Format of Wills
« Reply #2 on: Monday 25 May 09 19:35 BST (UK) »
Surely you can't say I give £10 to Thomas Smith (for example) without defining who he is in some way unless there is no doubt as to who was meant?
Peter
Syner alias Taylor from Broseley and Benthall
Pages: [1]