Hi Nell, thanks for the reply.
He was living in Milton when his will was proved (as was his wife who died in 1806 but was buried in Hambledon). You are right, that the 1798 burial could be him, but it seems odd that his wife looks like she was buried back in Hambledon where they came from.
The information from the will is very difficult to read and there doesn't appear to be any date, in fact the document looks more like a summary than the actual will - it was found by another member of my family and I unfortunately don't know the source of it. Yesterday I have found the will reference on the Hampshire Records Office site and have sent for it as it appears to be a copy of the original will (which hopefully will be different to what I already have) - that might give me more infomation.
Richard and Mary had quite a few children and all the ones we know about are listed in the will, including excellent provision for a child, Obediah, who, the will states 'has laboured under mental and bolidy infirmities since his birth, not able of earning his own living'. Richard then placed ' implicit confidence' in his wife that she would support him and, if he doesn't predecease her, make ample provision for him after her death. Her will, written in February 1803, does just this. Which is another reason why I think that the 1798 date could be wrong, as Mary makes her Will dealing with the maintenance of Obediah shortly after her husband, Richards, will is proved in August 1802.
Looks like it's a visit to Portsea & Hambledon in the summer to look round the graveyards and see if there's a stone.
Regards
Val
