Latin probate & postscripts 1625- 1646

[bermyboy]

Hi all, there are three postscripts added in 1646 to the will of William Stebbing/Stebbyn of 1625, proved 1629. I am struggling with the first two! Plus, can anyone also assist with the highlighted word in the probate and the third postscript. My transcription is included. Any amendments to it are appreciated. Thanks Wayne

[horselydown86]

In the third postscript:

The missing word is:  decree

The first word in the bracket is:  whereof

I'd incline towards:  Turfett

It could well be Chancello(ur), making allowances for a not particularly well-formed a and c.

In the first postscript the highlighted word in the first line is probably:  p(re)fectus

If the problem word in the probate is the last word of the image's third last line, it is:  Com(m)issaq(ue)

[bermyboy]

Thanks Horsly. Decree makes sense. Whereof also; I now see that he forms his f's in two strokes. Now you point it out, I see the capital P in prefectus, and the q in commissaque. Quite the difference in writing in these postscripts!

[horselydown86]

Now you point it out, I see the capital P in prefectus...

No, it's not a capital P.  It's a small p with above it a standard contraction mark to indicate that the letters re are omitted.  Attached is another example of this contraction in which the contraction mark can be more clearly distinguished from the p.  The word is p(re)sentes.

[bermyboy]

Ah, I see. Ta.

[Bookbox]

Essentially, the postscripts show that on 23 May 1646 the son Francis Stebbyng asked the court to let him have the original will back, proving his entitlement to the greater part of the lands and tenements that had been left him in his father's will. The Chancellor, Clement Corbett, issued a decree in favour of this.

An exact copy of the will was then made and cross-checked with the original. The court would keep this copy, and when Francis returned the original into court it would be checked against the copy to ensure that nobody had tried to alter the original. This was standard practice.

The signatures are simply to confirm and witness what had been agreed. (Turfett is the Notary Public.)

[bermyboy]

Thanks Bookbox. Francis inherited a part of his father's estate on his death in 1629. Another part remained with the wife of William Stebbyn (and Francis's mother) for her natural life, or until remarriage. I'd wondered whether she may have died at the time of these postscripts, but I couldn't see any mention of her.

[Watson]

Horselydown86 wrote:

"In the first postscript the highlighted word in the first line is probably:  p(re)fectus"

I should think it is prefatus (aforesaid).