Abbreviations in Index to Prerogative Grant Books

[AlanWatson]

Hi,

I have what I hope is a simple question about abbreviations used in the Index to Prerogative Grant Books.

The page that I am interested in is here http://census.nationalarchives.ie/reels/dw/IRE_DIOC_007246589_00472.pdf

It shows (among other things)

Whiteside, William, Charlemont, Grange, 1695, com, 143
...
Whiteside, William, Ballydonaghy, Antrim, Gent, 1695, W, 158

Since this is an index, I assume that these are references to two different books, a book of wills (W) and a book of something else, com.

I can see a Betham's abstract for the will of the gent of Ballydonaghy, which mentions sons John and William. I think that these two were Quakers who lived in Grange, near Charlemont, Tyrone.

Would the 'com' entry relate to the administration of the 'W' entry? And if so, would the name (William Whiteside) be that of the testator or of the administrator? If it doesn't relate to the administration of the will, what is it?

I can see on the same page that other entries appear to be duplicated in a similar way, for example John Warren has the same pair of a W and a com and John Williams has an l (letters of admin?) and a com.

So what is 'com' and is the name there the testator or what?

Many thanks,

Alan

[gaffy]

I'm just wondering if the books included all associated documentation, including the commissions to  swear executors (or administrators in cases of intestacy), ie. is 'com' commission?

I don't know, hopefully someone will.

[Wexflyer]

Somewhat speculative, but back then wasn't there sometimes an extra step compared with later practice? I have this vague recollection that they had a group of worthies investigate the properties/assets of the deceased. If true, they would probably need to have been "commissioned" to undertake the inquiry?

[AlanWatson]

Many thanks for your replies.

This article https://www.historyireland.com/early-modern-history-1500-1700/inquisitionspost-mortem-inquisitions-post-attainder-lesser-used-sources-irish-genealogy/ says that inquisitions post mortem continued in Ireland, in some cases at least, up until the 1690s and that the papers of these inquisitions were held by the commissioners on public records in Ireland.

The FamilySearch catalogue has the volume here https://www.familysearch.org/search/catalog/567359?availability=Family%20History%20Library

I wonder whether that is it.

Alan