Peres Bonney will 1787

[Kinsy]

Does anybody know if the actual will of Peres Bonney (1709-1792) or any document written by him has survived ? and, if so, whether they are viewable online ?

We have a collection of old letters and papers written by our Bonney and Sherwood ancestors in America in the 18th and 19th centuries. One of the documents - which starts "I the subscriber Peres Bonney the son of John Bonney of Pembrook ..." - chronicles four generations of his family beginning with his grandfather "Thomas Bonney who came from Dover in England ..." [in 1634]
This document is quoted from or referred to in several publications and genealogies about the Bonney family in America.

It would be wonderful if any document in Peres Bonney's hand survives, so we could compare the handwriting in our document to anything else written by him, and find out whether it is the original or a copy made by one of his descendants.

[ciderdrinker]

Hello
Yes you are in luck,his Will does survive.
It looks like the Will was written by a solicitor but it was signed by Peres and there is a signature of Tobias Bonney the Executor as well.
It 'd on Ancestry under Connection Wills at Hartford for 1792.
It's image 932.
There is the full record of the Admin on there with a signature of Stephen Bonney as well
I know it's not a full document but I hope it helps.
Ciderdrinker

[Kinsy]

Thanks so much, ciderdrinker !!

[Kinsy]

Oh bother !! have just re-read your post and see that it's on Ancestry, to which I don't subscribe - but will see if I can find someone else who does to download it for me.

[Genealiza]

If you are in the U.S. it is also on Heritage Quest.  Many libraries provide home access to this database with just your library card.

[Kinsy]

Thanks, Genealiza. I'm in the UK - but our libraries apparently have the same facility, so I'll be able to view it after all.

[Kinsy]

Here are the two signatures for comparison - from his family tree chronicle 1758 and will 1787.
The r is different, so probably not the same hand - but other opinions would be welcome.