Lookup - Will or Probate - Thomas Burge died 1840

[vswank]

Looking for some help to find the Will or Probate for Thomas Burge of Frome, Somerset who died in 1840.  I found a record on Find My Past to the following: Index To Death Duty Registers with the subcategory of Wills & Probate.  How can I obtain an actual copy of what this index refers to? 

I appreciate any guidance someone could give me on this.

Vicki

[crisane]

Here is The National Archives guide which may help.
https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/help-with-your-research/research-guides/wills-and-probate-before-1858-further-research/

[ShaunJ]

The will may not have survived. Most Somerset wills for the pre-1858 period were destroyed by German bombing in 1942. See http://www1.somerset.gov.uk/archives/Wills.htm

The death duty ledgers at the National Archives should tell you who shared in the estate.

[jonw65]

Can't see them at home, but the LDS have filmed the Estate Duty copy wills for Somerset, which were sent down there to replace some of the losses
https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/346690?availability=Family%20History%20Library

Presuming that it is a will you have found reference to, you would need
Vol. DD/ED Box 168-172 Wills A-M 1840

[jonw65]

But there is an index to them, and Thomas Burge, 1840, Frome, is NOT listed
Somerset Estate Duty Office Wills 1812-1857
https://www.sdnq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/Somerset-Estate-Duty-Wills-1812-1857-Part-2-List.pdf

Perhaps more details of the death duty index entry might be useful?

[ShaunJ]

The will was proved in Wells in 1840. The DD register is 4, folio 875. Not sure about the prefix and annotation: 

[jonw65]

Thanks Shaun.
It's a bit disappointing that his will is not on that list!
John

[Bookbox]

The will was proved in Wells in 1840. The DD register is 4, folio 875. Not sure about the prefix and annotation:

The prefix is C = Consistory Court (of Wells).

The annotation is NE = No Entry, indicating that no duty was payable.

[ShaunJ]

Thanks Bookbox!