Widow the relict

[brigidmac]

Can someone confirm if widow means the wife and relict of George SMITH or if it means she was previously a widow
No punctuation but

The sentence is

The will of Joseph Smith (. ) was proved by Harriett Smith of Great Broughton widow the relict John Platt of Cupin- street Chester carter

Harriett's maiden name was Platt but does this mean he is a widow too ?

[Jebber]

Yes, standard wording for the deceased’s widow.

[brigidmac]

The death of Joseph Smith market gardener of great Broughton was 4 may 1891
Probate was June 12
The other executor was Edward Hayes

[brigidmac]

Thanks jebber . I wanted to double check because there was no comma before John platt.s name

[ThrelfallYorky]

Yes, I read it as it ought to have been "Harriet Smith of Great Broughton, widow, the relict , John Platt, of Cupin Street, Carter...". Commas are very useful things, perhaps they charged for each? They do help the sense.
I'd guess John was a relative, if there's the name connection, but couldn't go further. Often a male relative seems to have been named alongside a widow or unmarried daughter ... sometimes I've found the husband of a daughter named, rather than her, in such issues.

[brigidmac]

Her father John Platt was still alive
but it was more likely to be a brother or cousin.ive not trace d her family because not direct relatives .

Interesting theory about having to pay for punctuation .

Just realised that my great grandmother was given probate of her husband's uncles will .named as widow so we thought she was his widow rather than just a widowed woman  so if "the relict "is added it is to clarify that the survvin spouse of deceased