Author Topic: Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)  (Read 752 times)

Offline Calpe 1704

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Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« on: Friday 21 May 21 14:20 BST (UK) »
This is to do with the Will & Last Testament of George Rooke (July 1702 - Nov. 1739) and a couple of other documents.

George was the only son to Sir George Rooke, Admiral of the Fleet.

George married The Hon. Frances Ward, Oct. 1723.

This new thread comes from the original thread https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=848450.0

I downloaded free, the Last Will and Testament of George Rooke from the National Archives, and of course i was hoping to find a hint of any illness he might have had, having passed away so young.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/D605023 but the text is difficult to read.
File is too large to attach.

There are other legal documents in connection to George Rooke, but i have no idea what they are about, hoping someone can shred some light for me.
http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/results/r?_dss=range&_sd=1702&_ed=1739&_p=1700&_q=george+rooke+Will

With thanks :)


Ireland:-
Clare/Claire - Dublin / Wexford
Ferrissey - Waterford
Mooney - Waterford
Murphy - Waterford
Phelan - Waterford
Power - Waterford
Veale - Waterford

England:-
Brandon - Liverpool
Beale (Hamblin/Hamblen) - London?
Reed - Bedfordshire
Turner - Luton
Taylor - Bedfordshire

Spain & Italy:-
Beneroso - Cadiz or Malaga, Spain
Risotto - Genoa, Italy
Santos - Cadiz, Spain

Offline horselydown86

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Re: Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #1 on: Friday 21 May 21 15:22 BST (UK) »
I downloaded free, the Last Will and Testament of George Rooke from the National Archives, and of course i was hoping to find a hint of any illness he might have had, having passed away so young.

I have read the will and there's no hint concerning the cause of death.  The will is dated 18 May 1738 and was proved by the widow Frances on 26 November 1739.

The only slightly unusual remark in the will is that following the appointment of Frances as Sole Executrix he says:

...She having deserved more from me than I
have done or can do for her...

Offline Calpe 1704

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Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #2 on: Friday 21 May 21 15:51 BST (UK) »
Horselydown86, thank you kindly for your reply and information.
In my other thread https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=848450.msg7156699#msg7156699 post 1, i mentioned something i had found.

The only thing i have found (very surprising for a son of an Admiral of the Fleet) is a small mention in 'Memoirs of Laetitia Pilkington, Vol.II, 1749'

Quote from page 129 -
'....for the very first news i heard next morning, as, that Mr Rooke, a little while after he rose, fell down in an Apoplectic Fit, and instantly expired.'


Being very unfamiliar with these things, i just find it a little odd, that a man would have written a Will so young.

George's wife was a wealthy Hon. Francis Ward sister of John Ward (1st Viscount Dudley and Ward), also John was the Grand Master of the Premier Grand Lodge.
Ireland:-
Clare/Claire - Dublin / Wexford
Ferrissey - Waterford
Mooney - Waterford
Murphy - Waterford
Phelan - Waterford
Power - Waterford
Veale - Waterford

England:-
Brandon - Liverpool
Beale (Hamblin/Hamblen) - London?
Reed - Bedfordshire
Turner - Luton
Taylor - Bedfordshire

Spain & Italy:-
Beneroso - Cadiz or Malaga, Spain
Risotto - Genoa, Italy
Santos - Cadiz, Spain

Offline philipsearching

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Re: Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #3 on: Sunday 23 May 21 19:54 BST (UK) »
Being very unfamiliar with these things, i just find it a little odd, that a man would have written a Will so young.

Perhaps not so odd.  In addition to the risk of shipwreck or disease, the Navy could find itself involved in any conflict around Europe and the Empire.  The will was written before the War of the Austrian Succession kicked off, but the times were not altogether peaceful.  It would be prudent for a naval officer who could be away at sea for months or years risking his life to make a will "just in case".

Philip
Please help me to help you by citing sources for information.

Census information is Crown Copyright http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk


Offline Calpe 1704

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Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #4 on: Sunday 23 May 21 21:26 BST (UK) »
Being very unfamiliar with these things, i just find it a little odd, that a man would have written a Will so young.

Perhaps not so odd.  In addition to the risk of shipwreck or disease, the Navy could find itself involved in any conflict around Europe and the Empire.  The will was written before the War of the Austrian Succession kicked off, but the times were not altogether peaceful.  It would be prudent for a naval officer who could be away at sea for months or years risking his life to make a will "just in case".

Philip

Thank you for your reply.
The Will and person concerned are of George Rooke (1702-1739).
He was the only son of Sir George Rooke, the Admiral of the Fleet.
Ireland:-
Clare/Claire - Dublin / Wexford
Ferrissey - Waterford
Mooney - Waterford
Murphy - Waterford
Phelan - Waterford
Power - Waterford
Veale - Waterford

England:-
Brandon - Liverpool
Beale (Hamblin/Hamblen) - London?
Reed - Bedfordshire
Turner - Luton
Taylor - Bedfordshire

Spain & Italy:-
Beneroso - Cadiz or Malaga, Spain
Risotto - Genoa, Italy
Santos - Cadiz, Spain

Offline Calpe 1704

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Re: Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #5 on: Sunday 23 May 21 21:55 BST (UK) »
From the other thread https://www.rootschat.com/forum/index.php?topic=848450.18 is of the Son of George Rooke - George Rooke (1702-1739)

In post 25 of that thread i placed these items below and i really don't understand what they are about, if anyone can help: -

1. Catalogue description.
    George con Rooke et al
    Reference: PROB 28/26
    Description: George con Rooke et al, Date: 1718
    http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C3301547

2. Catalogue description
    Short title: Rooke v Rooke. Document type: Bill only. Plaintiffs: George Rooke, esq
    of...
    Reference: C 11/1890/45, Description: Short title: Rooke v Rooke, Document type:
    Bill only.
    Plaintiffs: George Rooke, esq of Canterbury, Kent.
    Defendants: Frances Rooke (wife of said George Rooke), John Ward and Robert Pigott.
    Date of bill (or first document): 1734
    Note: The naming of a party does not imply that he or she will appear in all the
    documents in this cause (after the bill)
    Date: 1734
    http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C10486579

3. Catalogue description.
    Will of George Rooke of Saint Lawrence Canterbury, Kent.
    Prerogative Court of Canterbury and related Probate Jurisdictions: Will Registers.
    Name of Register: Henchman Quire Numbers: 225-274. Will of George Rooke of Saint
    Lawrence Canterbury, Kent.
    Reference: PROB 11/699/199, Description: Will of George Rooke of Saint Lawrence
    Canterbury, Kent.
    Date: 26 November 1739
Ireland:-
Clare/Claire - Dublin / Wexford
Ferrissey - Waterford
Mooney - Waterford
Murphy - Waterford
Phelan - Waterford
Power - Waterford
Veale - Waterford

England:-
Brandon - Liverpool
Beale (Hamblin/Hamblen) - London?
Reed - Bedfordshire
Turner - Luton
Taylor - Bedfordshire

Spain & Italy:-
Beneroso - Cadiz or Malaga, Spain
Risotto - Genoa, Italy
Santos - Cadiz, Spain

Offline Calpe 1704

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Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #6 on: Friday 28 May 21 15:38 BST (UK) »
In my post/reply 5, i queried some of the documents that can be found in the National Archives.

Can someone kindly advise me what do these documents refer to?

Ireland:-
Clare/Claire - Dublin / Wexford
Ferrissey - Waterford
Mooney - Waterford
Murphy - Waterford
Phelan - Waterford
Power - Waterford
Veale - Waterford

England:-
Brandon - Liverpool
Beale (Hamblin/Hamblen) - London?
Reed - Bedfordshire
Turner - Luton
Taylor - Bedfordshire

Spain & Italy:-
Beneroso - Cadiz or Malaga, Spain
Risotto - Genoa, Italy
Santos - Cadiz, Spain

Offline Bookbox

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Re: Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #7 on: Saturday 29 May 21 00:08 BST (UK) »
In my post/reply 5, i queried some of the documents that can be found in the National Archives.

Can someone kindly advise me what do these documents refer to?

1. George con(tra) Rooke.
This a case of disputed probate. The complainant bringing the case has the surname GEORGE. The defendant has the surname ROOKE. The case doesn’t necessarily relate to anyone named George Rooke.

2. Rooke v Rooke.
This is an equity suit, heard in the Court of Chancery between the named parties. The plaintiff George Rooke entered the first document (the bill) into court in 1734. His case was directed against 3 defendants -- Frances Rooke (wife of George Rooke), John Ward and Robert Pigott.

To find out what the case was about you will need to see the document. You can either ask TNA for a quote for sending you a copy, or engage an independent researcher to access it for you. The document will be written in court-hand on parchment, not necessarily easy to read.

ADDED
The 3rd item in your list -- Will of George Rooke of Saint Lawrence Canterbury, Kent -- is the same item that has already been discussed in reply #1 above.

Offline Calpe 1704

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Will of George Rooke (1702-1739)
« Reply #8 on: Tuesday 01 June 21 15:56 BST (UK) »
Bookbox, thank you for your reply.

Indeed horselydown86, did read the Will, finding nothing about any illness.
Ireland:-
Clare/Claire - Dublin / Wexford
Ferrissey - Waterford
Mooney - Waterford
Murphy - Waterford
Phelan - Waterford
Power - Waterford
Veale - Waterford

England:-
Brandon - Liverpool
Beale (Hamblin/Hamblen) - London?
Reed - Bedfordshire
Turner - Luton
Taylor - Bedfordshire

Spain & Italy:-
Beneroso - Cadiz or Malaga, Spain
Risotto - Genoa, Italy
Santos - Cadiz, Spain