Amanuensis Monday: 1791 – Marriage Allegation – Michael Read

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

I have been waiting since February to receive from the Buckinghamshire Record Office twenty four Marriage Licences  and finally received them a couple of days ago.

For today’s Amanuensis Monday I am showing part of the Marriage Bond and Allegation for Michael Read (1742 – 1822), one of the sons of my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read, which was one of the twenty four Licences.

Copy of original document held at Buckinghamshire Record Office - copyright 2011

 

This is the Transcript for the above document:

28th Sept 1791

On which day appeared personally Michael Read of the Parish of Lower Winchendon in the Archdeaconry of Bucks, & alledged that he is a batchelor aged Twenty one years and upwards and that he intends to marry with Martha Smith of Ashendon in the County of Bucks Spinster aged Twenty one years & upwards & not knowing or believing any Impediment to hinder the said intended Marriage of the …(?) hereof  he made Oath, & prayed Licence for them to be married in the parish Church of Ashendon aforesaid.

Sworn the said Michael Read to the truth of the promises before me

(The word Witness is crossed out here)

                                                                                                 Michael Read

W. Stockins Snr.

I discovered a long time ago that Michael Read was 49 years old when he married his much younger bride, Martha Smith.  She was 33 years old at their marriage so the wording “twenty one years and upwards” doesn’t give any clue that they are a fair bit older than that!!

But, I always had a nagging doubt that maybe this was not the first marriage for Michael, in view of his more mature years.  Whenever I have been researching my ancestors, I have always kept an eye out for a likely earlier marriage for Michael, but never found one.

This document is wonderful for me as it shows that this marriage to Martha Smith was Michael’s only marriage as he is stated to be a bachelor so I no longer have to search for a marriage that might have been, but never was!!

Michael married Martha on 29th September 1791 at Ashendon, Buckinghamshire which was where Martha was from.  They did not have any children.

Amanuensis Monday: Will of Susana Reade of Steeple Claydon – 1661

 

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

I’m not quite sure exactly how Susana Reade is related but my John Read born 1774 in Lower Winchendon, Buckinghamshire who is a grandson of my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read  married Elizabeth Read born 1789 in Quainton, Buckinghamshire in 1811 at Quainton who is the 3 x great granddaughter of Susana Reade whose Will I am posting about today.

Unfortunately for anyone researching this line, Susana is a widow at the time of writing her Will so all we know is that her husband was ? Reade!!  I haven’t yet found a marriage for any Reade (and variant spellings) who married a Susana at a time with dates that would fit what few dates I have for their children. 

It wasn’t until I was typing the transcript for this Will today, that I realised that Susana was seemingly known more as Anne as that name is written on the Will as her name, but then it is crossed through and replaced with Susana which presumably is her proper name so needed to be used for the Will.

Susana Reade’s Will:

Copy of original Will in my private collection - copyright 2011

 

Although I typed the transcript today, I was amazed at the number of words that I just couldn’t decipher.  Hopefully some eagle-eyed readers might be able to read it better than I can and fill in some of the (?) gaps in my transcript?

Transcript of Susana Reade’s Will:

In the name of God Amen This 12th Day of march in the year of our Lord God one thousand six hundred sixty and one I Susanes (Anne has been crossed out) Reade of Steeple Claydon in the County of Bucks widdow being at this time weake of body but of good and …(?) memory (blessed be God) Doo make and ordain this to be my last will and testament in manner and forme following ffirst I acknowledge my Sinns unto Almighty God my maker and trust through the …(?) and …(?) of Jesus Christ my Saviour to be saved(?) (and I commend my Soule in …(?) ffaith into his blessed hands that gave itt

Item I give unto my Sonne John Snow …(?) …(?) like wise I give unto Anne Hoalton my daughter …(?) …(?) Item I give unto my Sone Richard Reade my house and …(?) land at Rous…(?) which hee is ent …(?) in …(?) in that and to have it when hee turns(?) to one and twenty Item I give unto my Sonne Will: Reade a hoase and lande which was lately hoase of Henry Smith and hee shall have it when hee turns(?) too one and twenty Item I give unto my daughter Alice Reade widdowe pounds(?) of the monny(?) wich John Reade ooth and if it cane be …(?) and …(?) and …(?) and a …(?) and a …(?) yoke and …(?) and a …(?) …(?) and my best …(?) and …(?) …(?) and one …(?)

Item I give unto my daughter Betty Snow five pound and the tenn pounds wich Smith ooth me and a …(?) and a …(?)

Item I give unto my daughter Joane Wo…(?) five shilling and my …(?) …(?) …(?) …(?) 2s. 6d.

Item I give unto my grandchild Betty Hoalton 2s. 6d.

Item I make my Sonn Tho. Evens my full Executor of this my last will and testament (two or three words scribbled out) and to see my debts …(?) and all the rest of my goods I give to him in witness I have hereunto …(?) my hands and seale the day and yeare above written

John Triplett(?) Ann Harker(?) Susane Reade X her mark

I am now going to have to check Reade marriages to an Anne at the right time period in the hope that this turns up the name of the Reade that married Susana, as she may well have married as Anne. 

I haven’t had much luck finding the marriages of her daughters in Buckinghamshire so will widen the search to Oxfordshire next.

If you hear a big big cheer then you will know I’ve found Susana’s husband Reade!!  :-)

Amanuensis Monday: Memorandum of an Agreement – Joseph Read and Acton Chaplin – 1815

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

A few years ago I was able to go to the Buckinghamshire (UK) Record Office and take photos of some of the accounts and letters of my ancestor Joseph Read (1779 – 1856) of Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.  Joseph is the grandson of my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read and the son of Robert and Mary (nee Lee) Read, who I am directly descended from.

Today for Amanuensis Monday I show a Memorandum for an Agreement that Joseph signed with Acton Chaplin regarding the purchase of land.

Photograph of original document taken by me at Buckinghamshire Record Office - copyright 2011

 

The original Memorandum carried on to the back of the above page:

Photograph taken by me of original document at the Buckinghamshire Record Office - copyright 2011

 

Transcript of the above document:

Memorandum of an Agreement made this nineteenth day of April one thousand eight hundred and fifteen Between Acton Chaplin of Pitchcott in the County of Bucks Esquire of the one part and Joseph Read of Aylesbury in the same County Yeoman of the other part.

Whereas the said Acton Chaplin hath contracted and agreed with the Trustees and Executors of the last will and testament of Acton Chaplin Esquire his late Father deceased for the purchase of divers freehold and leasehold Messuages Lands and Hereditaments and amongst them of the leasehold close piece or parcel of arable land hereinafter mentioned with the Appurtenances

Now it is hereby agreed between the said Acton Chaplin (party hereto) and Joseph Read as follows

That the same Acton Chaplin and all other necessary parties shall and will on or before the twentieth day of June next convey and assure unto him the said Joseph Read his Executors and Administrators or whom he or they shall direct or appoint All that leasehold close piece or parcel of arable land situate lying and being in the Township of Aylesbury aforesaid called Crown Leys containing by admeasurement Thirteen acres three roods and thirteen perches together with the crop of Beans now growing thereon and all Appurtenances thereto belonging –

That on the execution of such conveyances the said Joseph Read shall pay for the purchase of the same the Sum of seven hundred and eighty pounds with lawful Interest thereon from the said twentieth of June to the completion of the purchase in case the purchase shall by any means be delayed after that day

That the said Joseph Read shall be let into immediate possession of the said premises and pay all Taxes and outgoings therefrom from Lady Day last up to which time all outgoings shall be cleared by the said Acton Chaplin or the said Trustees and Executors

That the Expences of making out the Title shall be paid by the said Acton Chaplin or the said Trustees and Executors and those of the Conveyances by the said Joseph ReadThat in case it shall happen that the contract so entered into by the said Acton Chaplin with the said Trustees and Executors shall not be carried into effect by reason of any defect of Title to any part of the premises so agreed to be purchased by the same Acton Chaplin or otherwise then this present Agreement shall be void as to the said Sale to the said Joseph Read and in that case all just allowances shall be made in respect of the occupation of the said Crown Leys to be settled by Arbitration in the usual way between the parties in case they should differ about the same

As Witness their Hands

Acton Chaplin 

Joseph Read

  

At the time this Agreement was signed, Joseph was 36 years old (one year older than Acton Chaplin).  Joseph was married and five of his ten children were born by the year he signed this document.

Joseph Read was a farmer or Yeoman as it states here, but he also owned a brickmaking factory in Aylesbury and by the time of the 1851 Census he was employing 90 people (it’s unclear whether this is men, women, or something else) and 6 Labourers.

I researched the other gentleman he signed the Agreement with and was unable to find out very much about him.  Acton Chaplin was born on 7th June 1780 and baptised on 19th June 1780 in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire.  His parents were Acton Chaplin and Ann Sherriff and they married at Aylesbury on 25th August 1776.

I am also trying to discover the land or property known as Crown Leys in Aylesbury, but so far haven’t discovered anything yet.  (But then that maybe only because I have very recently started to look)!!  ;-)

Amanuensis Monday: Extract of Will of James James dated 1808

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

Today I am showing what I thought was the Will of James James dated 1808 which I have had for a few years, but it wasn’t until I was actually transcribing it today that I realised that it is an extract and really concerns the Probate for his Will. 

The reason I am featuring James James is because two or three weeks ago, for Tombstone Tuesday I featured his wife Catharine James (nee Read – the granddaughter of my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read), and the week after her Tombstone Tuesday I showed the stone for James James.

But, since then, only in the last couple of days, I have found another “new” cousin.  Cousin Irvine is descended through the James line and has kindly allowed me to also show here a photograph of Robert Joseph James, but more about that after the transcription!

Extract from the Will of James James

Copy Will extract in my private collection (obtained from the Buckinghamshire Record Office) - copyright 2011

 

Copy Will extract in my private collection (obtained from Buckinghamshire Record Office) - copyright 2011

 

Transcript of Will Extract for James James dated 1808

Extracted from the Registry of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury

In the Will of James James late of Aylesbury in the County of Bucks – Gentleman deceased dated 22nd June 1808 is as follows

And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint them my said Wife Elizabeth James and my said Brother John James and the said William Rickford joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament

Proved at London 6th June 1809 before the Worshipful Charles Cook Dr. of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of John James Esq. the Brother and one of the Executors to whom Admon was granted being first sworn duly to administer power reserved to Elizabeth James Widow the Relict and William Rickford the other Executors

Proved at London 12th May 1826 before the Judge by the Oath of Elizabeth James Widow the Relict one of the surviving Executors to whom Admon was granted being first sworn by …? duly to administer Power reserved to William Rickford Esquire the other surviving Executor.

On the 22nd June 1830 Admon with the Will annexed of the Goods Chattels and Credits of James James late of Aylesbury in the County of Bucks and a Lieutenant on half pay in Her Majestys Service Marine Forces dec’d left unadministered by Elizabeth James Widow the Relict one of the Executors and one of the residuary Legatees In trust and the beneficial residuary Legatee for life and John James Esq the Brother and one other of the Executors and one other of the residuary Legatees In Trust named in the said Will both since deceased was granted to James James the Son and one other of the residuary Legatees substituted in the said Will being first sworn duly to administer William Rickford Esq the other and surviving Executor and surviving residuary Legatee In Trust named in the said Will having first anounced the Probate and execution of the said Will and also the Letters of Admon with the said Will annexed of the Goods of the said deceased

Chas Dyneley )

John …? ) Deputy

W. T(?) Goodling(?) ) …?

(Written to the left of the document and enclosed in a line above and a line below) 463 Loveday (and with initials under) SWL?

I saw my first photo of a James descendant today and “new” cousin Irvine has kindly allowed me to show it here.  The photo is of Robert Joseph James (1841 – 1925) and he is the great grandson of the above James James and his wife Catharine (nee Read), which makes Robert the 3 x great grandson of Cozens Read.

Robert Joseph James (1841 – 1925)

Original photograph from the Bassetlaw Archives taken about 1925 – copyright 2011

 

I’m just so pleased to see this photo and as I told Cousin Irvine, I’m pretty sure Robert Joseph James has some of the Read looks in him!

Amanuensis Monday: Will of Francis Farmbrough dated 1801

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

Francis Farmbrough (1736 – 1810) was married to Rachael Read (1741 – 1818), the daughter of my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read.  As far as I have discovered, they had two children, Elizabeth and William, who are mentioned in Francis’ Will.

Original photograph taken by me from the Rose Family Tree Book in 2000 - copyright 2011

 This is a very poor quality photo, my apologies for that, but it is the only photo I have of this Coat of Arms.  It was drawn in the huge Rose Family Tree Book that I have mentioned elsewhere in the blog and how I wish I had a better photo!! 

Copy Will in my private collection (obtained from the Buckinghamshire Record Office) - copyright 2011

 

Two of the witness signatures are signed by family.  Jas. James is James James who was married to my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read’s granddaughter Catherine (and James James was the subject of my last Tombstone Tuesday post).   Joseph Rose is the husband of Cozens Read’s daughter Sarah.

Transcript of Will of Francis Farmbrough

I Francis Farmbrough late of Hartwell in the County of Buckingham but now of Aylesbury in the same County Yeoman Do make publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner and form following (that is to say) First I give and bequeath unto my dear wife Rachael Farmbrough for her life the use of so much of my Household furniture Linen and Household effects of every sort as she may think necessary to furnish her a House which I direct to be delivered to her as soon as convenient may be after my decease Also I give and bequeath unto my said dear wife One Annuity or clear yearly sum of Fifty pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid and payable to her or her Assigns out of my Real and Personal Estates hereinafter given to my Son William by four equal quarterly payments on the twenty fifth day of March the twenty fourth day of June the twenty ninth day of September and the twenty fifth day of December in every year during the term of her natural life without any deduction or abatement whatsoever out of the same or any part thereof for Duties or otherwise the first quarterly payment thereof to begin and be made on such one of the said days as shall first happen after my decease Next I give and bequeath unto my dear daughter Elizabeth the wife of James Cooper the sum of Seven hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain and direct the same to be paid to her by my said Son William out of the said Real and Personal Estate hereinafter given to him within twelve Calendar months next after the decease of my said wife And as to All my Messuages Cottages Lands Tenements Hereditaments and Real Estate whatsoever and wheresoever And all the rest and residue of my Ready monies and Securities for Money Goods Chattels Rights Credits and Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature or kind soever I give devise and bequeath the same and every part thereof respectively unto my dear Son William Farmbrough To hold the same Real Estates unto and to the use of my said Son William Farmbrough his Heirs and Assigns for ever And to hold the said Personal Estate unto him and his Executors Administrators and Assigns absolutely to and for his and their own use and benefit Subject nevertheless and I do hereby expressly charge all the said Real and Personal Estates with the payment as well of all my debts Funeral expences and the Charges of the Probate of this my Will and also of the said Annuity or Yearly sum of Fifty pounds to my said wife or her Assigns during her life in the proportions and on the days aforesaid and of the said Legacy or sum of Seven hundred pounds to my said daughter at the time aforesaid And I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint my said dear Son William Farmbrough sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament In Testimony whereof I the said Francis Farmbrough have hereunto set my Hand and Seal this Tenth day of July in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and one

Signed Sealed Published and declared by the above named Francis Farmbrough the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto

 Jas. James

Joseph Rose

John Brooks

                                                                                                   F. Farmbrough

6th Oct. 1810  The Executor sworn as usual and that the personal Estate of the deceased is under 5000£  Before me

                                                                                                  W. Stockins Senr.

Francis’ son William was not married at the time of the Will being made, but he went on to marry shortly after that and have ten children.

Amanuensis Monday: “I Forbids The Banns”

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

For this Amanuensis Monday I am transcribing a newspaper article.  This article was sent to me by my partner Paul’s “new” cousin Charlene, who found us through this blog last year.  The article concerns Paul’s great grandfather William Moyle.

The article itself is from The West Briton, a newspaper for Cornwall, UK.  They have a regular column called Yesteryear and this item was in their 150 years ago section.  The item refers to a newspaper item originally dated 21st September 1860.

Original newspaper article in The West Briton 2010, my copy of it used here - copyright 2011

 

Transcript of newspaper article:

From the West Briton, September 21, 1860

FORBIDDING BANNS – On Sunday morning, marriage banns were called in Helston church, for the second time, between William Moyle, of Wendron, and Caroline Laity, of Helston. After the Rev. R. Tudor had read the usual form, the congregation were surprised by a person in a loud voice saying, “I forbids the banns”. A half-suppressed titter ran through the church, and all eyes were directed to the quarter whence the challenge came, where stood a stranger who, it appeared, was the father of Moyle. After a moment’s pause, Mr. Tudor requested him to into the vestry at the close of the service, which he did. It is said the principal reason urged was the youth of the expectant bridegroom, who has only seen eighteen summers, and delves with pick and shovel underground for little wages, while the bride elect is of maturer years. Whether the stern parent has shown sufficient cause to prohibit the blessing of the priest, or whether he will yet relent and allow incipient bliss to be consummated, are matters that engage the attention of the gossips of the town.

 

 

This was such a surprise for us to see.  This marriage did not take place at all because only five months later William Moyle married Eliza Leaity the sister of Caroline Laity.

William and Eliza married on 23rd February 1861 at the Register Office in Helston, Cornwall.  He was aged 20 and working as a Tin Miner and Eliza was aged 22 at this time.

I have always wondered why they married in the Register Office when the rest of the family members married in church.   Now I know why, thanks to cousin Charlene sending this newspaper article.

Quite obviously they did not need Banns to be read because of marrying in the Register Office so maybe William’s father James Moyle did not know about the marriage at that time.  This was after all only five months later and not to Caroline, but her sister, who was also older than William, but Eliza was only a year younger than her sister Caroline.

It obviously did not take William Moyle long to get over Caroline.  Maybe his father James somehow knew that a marriage to Caroline would not be right!!

Amanuensis Monday: William Read’s Stolen Shirts

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

Today I am going to transcribe  a document other than a Will.  This document is about statements given when William Read (1679 – 1752), my 7 x great grandfather, had his best shirts stolen from a hedge where they had been drying!!

Original document – dated 1735

Copy of original document in my private collection (obtained from the Oxfordshire Record Office) - copyright 2011

I love the picture this document conjures up of the thief running away but also giving us a little view of how life was in those days.  We hang our laundered clothes on washing lines, it just seems strange to think in those days everyone laid their clothes on hedges to dry.  Must have been quite a picture.

Transcript – William Read’s stolen shirts – 1735

Oxfordshire

to wit

The examination of William Read of ye parish of Wheatfield in the sd County Yeoman taken upon oath before Ric: Carter Esq one of his Majestys Justices of ye peace for ye sd County this 24 of February in ye year of our Lord 1735.

This Examinant saith that upon the three and twentyth of ye instant February this Examinant lost from off a hedge near the dwelling house of ye Examinant in Wheatfield aforsd, two ……..(?) shirts of the value of six shillings or thereabout to the best of the Examinants knowledge or belief,

Oxfordshire

to wit

The examination of John Cox of Wheatfield in ye sd County servant boy, taken upon oath before Ric: Carter Esq one of His Majestys Justices of the peace for ye County aforsd this 24 of February in the year of our Lord 1735.

This Examinant saith that upon the 23^rd of ye instant February his Mistress the wife of ye sd. Wm. Read after a washing hung out several shirts ……(?) & pillow bag upon a hedge near the dwelling house of ye sd Will Read his Master, and between ….(?) & Elavan a clock in the morning of ye sd 23 of f instant and(?) being near the sd house saw John Cornish take off several shirts from off ye hedge, and then run away with them towards Hazely, by the way of Latch ford …(?) …(?) in the parish of Tetsworth(?) in the sd County(My Note here: The following sentence has a line crossed through it: “the Sonne of ye Widow Cornish of Tetsworth in the sd County”).

Oxfordshire

to wit

The examination of Charles Cornish of Latchford the son of ye Widow Cornish of Latchford (My Note here: 2 words are crossed out here) …(?) in the parish of Tetsworth taken upon oath before Ric: Carter Esq one of his Majestys Justices of ye peace this 24 of February 1735.

This examinant saith that he saw John Cox a servant boy to Will Read of Wheatfield in ye sd County about Elevan a clock in the morning of ye 23^rd instant stript(?) in his shirt (running after a (My Note here: the word “John” is crossed out here) man who had stolen his masters Linen(?), as this examinant hath given his ….(?) (My Note here: three words crossed out here – possibly “and that some”(?)) but the sd Jo. Cox (My Note here: The following sentence has been crossed out here: “running a different way from this examinants mothers house …(?)” ) …..(?) of Jo. Cornish, who very soon after came by this Examinants mothers house.

Wheatfield Church (I don’t have other pics of Wheatfield)

Original photograph taken by me at Wheatfield - copyright 2011

This church is in the middle of fields and the day we went, there were cows in the same field.  Barbed wire surrounds the church so that the animals don’t get into the churchyard!!  Somewhere around about the church would be the hedges that William Read’s shirts were drying on and stolen from!!  Wish I had a photo of THE hedge!!  ;-)

As yet, I have still to find out what happened about this case!!

Amanuensis Monday: The Will and Inventory of Katharine Read – 1713

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

The Will I am transcribing today is that of my 8 x great grandmother Katharine Read (nee Lovjoy).  She was born in Caversham, Oxfordshire in 1649, married John Read in Caversham in 1669 and they had 8 children.  Katharine was buried in January 1713 also at Caversham, so she spent all her 64 years in the one place!

The Will of Katharine Read

 

Copy of Will (obtained from the Oxfordshire Record Office) in my private collection - copyright 2011

 

 

and the

Inventory of the Goods and Chattells of Katherine Read – 1715

Copy of Inventory (obtained from the Oxfordshire Record Office) in my private collection - copyright 2011

 

 Transcript of the Will of Katharine Read  –  1713

In ye name of God Amen I Catherine Read of the parish of Caversham in the County of Oxon widdow being weake of body but of sound and perfect memory praised be God And to avoid all difficulty that may happen to Arise amongst my Children after my decease concerning my Goods and Chattels which I shall leave be-hind me do make this my last Will and Testament in writing forsaking all other Wills whether written or nuncupative heretofore by me made And this is my last Will as followed. ffirst I comend my Soul to Almighty God who gave it Trusting and hopeing for Everlasting salvation Through the merits of Jesus Christ my Redeemer and my Body to be Buryed by my Executors herein-after mentioned ffirst my will is that my Executor herein-named shall pay the several Legacies following within Two Years after my decease; ffirst, I give and bequeath to my son John Read the sum of  Ten Pounds of Lawfull money of Great Brittain. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Katherine Glover wife of Will: Glover the sum of Ten Pounds Ittem I give and bequeath to my daughter Rachel Butts wife of John Butts the sum of one shilling Item I give and bequeath to my son Will: Read the sum of one shilling. Item I give and bequeath to my daughter Mary White wife of William White the sum of one shilling Ittem I give and bequeath to my daughter Ann Read the sum of Ten Pounds of like Lawfull money And I doe make my son Edward Read ffull and Sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament And I doe give and bequeath unto my said son Edward Read all my Goods and Chattles of which nature and kind soever besides what is as above disposed of In Witness whereof I ye said Katherine Read have hereunto set my hand and seal the 16 day of December 1713 and in the Thirteenth year of Queen Ann of Great Brittain.

Signed sealed published and declared by the sd  Katherine Read to be her last Will and Testament in ye presence of All ye Blanks first filled up

Tho. Brigham

…… (?) Brigham

Catherine Read

 

her mark

Probat  21 May 1715 …

and the transcript of the Inventory for Katharine Read – 1715

An Inventory of the Goods and Chattells

of Katherine Read widdow lately deceast

of the Parish of Cavarsham alias Casum

in the County of Oxon Taken & apraised

by us whose names are hereunto subscribed

as followeth

Imprims Her Apparrell          05 – 00 – 00

Item in money                            00 – 07 – 00

                                                           05 – 07 – 00

John Bishop

John Norman

His mark

Exhibiter 21 May 1715

p Edwardum Read filium Tr.

Amanuensis Monday: Apprehension of Richard Read re Bastard child & his brother John paying the Bastardy Bond for him!!

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

This week as a change from the Wills I have been showing, there are two items I am adding for Amanuensis Monday.

One is for the Apprehension of Richard Read of Quainton in 1773 who is the said father of a soon to be born illegitimate child!  The other is for 1777 in which Richard’s brother John agrees to pay a set amount every week until Richard’s illegitimate child reaches the age of fourteen years!

Warrant for Apprehension of Richard Read

Document (copy obtained from Bucks Record Office) in my private collection - copyright 2010

 Transcript for Richard Read’s Apprehension!

(before Birth)

 Bucks)   To the Constable of Quainton in the said County

 Whereas Ann Burgess of Quainton in the said County single Woman, hath by her voluntary Examination, taken in Writing upon Oath, before me  E  Millward  Clerk one of his Majesty’s Justices of the Peace in and for the said County this present Day declared herself to be with Child, and that the said Child is likely to be born a Bastard, and to be chargeable to the Parish of Quainton in the said County and that Richard Read of Quainton in the said County did beget the said Child on the Body of her the said Ann Burgess  And whereas  Wm. Eeles(?) one of the Overseers of the Poor of the Parish of Quainton aforesaid, in order to indemnify the said Parish in the Premises, hath applied to me to issue my Warrant for the apprehending the said Richard Read   I therefore hereby command you immediately to apprehend the said Richard Read and to bring him before me, or some other of his said Majesty’s Justices of the Peace for the said County to find Security to indemnify the said Parish of Quainton or else to find sufficient Surety for his Appearance at the next General Qtr. Sessions of the Peace to be holden for the said County then and there to abide and perform such Order or Orders as shall be made, in pursuance of an Act passed in the Eighteenth Year of the Reign of her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth, concerning Bastards begotten and born out of lawful Matrimony.  Given under my Hand and Seal the 20th Day of August in the Year of his said Majesty’s Reign and in the Year of our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and 73

 

                                                        E. Millward

 

 

In 1777 it seems that for some reason Richard Read’s brother John Read signs a statement agreeing to pay the parish a fixed sum every week instead of Richard paying this.

Document (copy obtained from Bucks Record Office) in my private collection - copyright 2010

Transcript of John Read’s Statement

I John Read of Quainton in the County of Bucks, Blacksmith do hereby promise to pay unto Peter Hughes, John Frank..n, Charles King and William Twynam, Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor of the parish of Quainton aforesaid Or to any or either of them Or to their, any, or either of their successors for the Use of the parish of Quainton aforesaid, the Sum of one Shilling and Sixpence, Weekly, and every Week untill Richard the Base born Child of my Brother Richard Read shall attain his Age of fourteen Years providing he shall so long live.  In Witness whereof I have set my Hand the third day of May 1777

 

                                                                 John Read

 

Witness hereto

George Simms

Jno. Wheeler

 

I am wondering why John Read would agree to pay the parish for the illegitimate child of his brother rather than Richard Read paying it.  If the child was born 1773/1774 then he would be about four years old at this time, meaning that John Read was going to have to pay for him for another ten years.

I am still researching this family, so when I discover why Richard Read does not pay for his child and if I can discover also what become of the illegitimate child I will add an update on this blog!

Amanuensis Monday: The Will of Stephen Read

Amanuensis Monday is a blog theme started by John Newmark on his blog Transylvanian Dutch, in which he is transcribing letters, newspaper articles, audio tapes, and a war diary etc., concerning his family.

John explains Amanuensis as “a person employed to write what another dictates or to copy what has been written by another”.

This week I am showing the Will of Stephen Read who is the 20th (and youngest) child of my 6 x great grandfather Cozens Read.  Stephen died in 1842 and is the only one of Cozens Read’s children to appear in the Censuses (well one at least in 1841)!!  It is not such a lengthy Will as some and he does not mention too many people by name, but I am very intrigued about a couple of things to do with the Will and the reasons can be seen in my Notes added at the end of the Transcription.

Stephen Read’s Will

My copy of this Will (obtained from the National Archives) is in my private collection - copyright 2010

My copy of this Will (obtained from the National Archives) is in my private collection - copyright 2010

Transcription of the Will of Stephen Read

Will of Stephen Read 

 
This is the last Will and Testament of me Stephen Read of Cuddington in the County of Bucks Yeoman I give and bequeath all my ready money which shall be in my dwelling house or in my possession at my decease and all my household goods and furniture linen and wearing apparel to my dear Wife Ann Read for her own use and benefit And as to all my other Monies and securities for money and all other my personal Estate whatsoever and whosesoever and of what nature or kind soever not hereinbefore disposed of I give and bequeath the same and every part thereof respectively unto my Nephews William Read and Richard Read the Sons of my dear brother Robert Read deceased their Executors Administrators and Assigns respectively nevertheless upon trust as soon as conveniently may be after my decease or at such other time or times as they shall think proper to collect get in and receive all my said personal estate so bequeathed to them and after payment thereout of all my debts funeral testamentary and Executorship(?) expenses to invest the clear residue thereof in coal or Government securities in England or otherwise to continue(?) the same at Interest on the securities in which the same shall be invested at my decease with full power and authority to call in the same and to vary alter and transpose all or any of such securities when and as often as they shall think proper And upon trust to pay unto or permit and suffer my said dear Wife to receive all the interest dividends and annual …..(?) thereof for and during the term of her natural life for her own use and benefit and from and immediately after her decease upon Trust to call in and collect the whole residue of my said personal estate into money and divide the same into nine equal parts or shareout which shall be paid to each of my eight dear Sons and daughters for his or her own use and benefit and the remaining ninth share unto and between all the children of my late dear Son Stephen Read deceased equally share and share alike when and as they shall severally attain the age of twenty one years or be married and in case of the death of either of the children of my said Son Stephen under the age of twenty one years and unmarried I direct that the share of such one so dying shall go and be paid to the survivors of them if more than one or to the survivor if only one and I direct that the share of each of my said children shall be a vested interest immediately on my decease and be transferable(?) to his or her personal representatives accordingly and in case of the death of any or either of my said children in my lifetime leaving lawful issue then I direct that such issue who shall be living at my decease shall be entitled to the share or shares of his or her parent or parents respectively to be equally divided between them share and share alike if more than one and if only one then to be paid to such only one and I do hereby declare and order that it shall and may be lawful for them the said William Read and Richard Read their Executors and Administrators and each of them by and out of the trust monies property or effects hereinbefore bequeathed or the interest and produce(?) thereof or any part thereof to secure retain to and reimburse themselves himself and each other respectively all such loss …..(?) charges damages and expenses as they or either of them shall or may bear pay sustain expend or be put into in or about or by reason or means or on account of the performance and execution of all and every or any of the Trusts hereby in them …..(?) in any respect whatsoever and also that they or either of them shall not be charged or chargeable with or answerable or accountable for any more of the said trust monies and property than shall actually come to their hands or custody respectively by virtue of this my Will nor with or for any loss or damage …..(?) which may happen to the same or any part thereof so as it happen not through their own wilful default or neglect respectively nor shall the one of them be answerable or accountable for the other but each for himself and his own acts deeds receipts defaults and neglects only  And I nominate and appoint the said William Read and Richard Read joint Executors of this my last Will and Testament on Testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seal this sixteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty seven  –   Stephen Read   –   Signed Sealed published and declared by the above named Stephen Read the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names as Witnesses   Joseph Rose  John Parrott

On the 9th March 1842 Admon/with the Will annexed of the goods chattels and credits of Stephen Read formerly of Cuddington in the County of Buckingham but late of Thame in the County of Oxford deceased was granted to Thomas Read and Michael Read two of the natural and lawful children of the said deceased and as such two of the Residuary Legatees substituted in the said Will they having been first sworn by common duty to administer.  William Read and Richard Read the Nephews of the said deceased the Executors and Residuary Legatees in Trust named in the said Will having died in his lifetime, and Ann Read widow the Relict of the said deceased the Residuary Legatee for life named in the said Will having renounced the Letters of Administration with the said Will annexed of the …..(?) of the said deceased  (as by Arts …..(?) Court appears).

NOTES:   It intrigues me very much that at the time of Probate, Stephen’s wife Ann has “renounced the Letters of Administration with the said Will …”.   I have not come across this before and wonder what it actually means and I also wonder why Ann would renounce this aspect of her late husband’s Will?

What intrigues me more is that in the Will, Stephen makes his nephews William Read and Richard Read (both sons of his late brother Robert Read) his Executors.  But at the time of Probate we learn that both William and Richard died in Stephen’s lifetime and instead two of Stephen’s sons are acting as the Executors.

The reason this intrigues me so much is that while Richard Read died in 1830 (certainly within Stephen’s lifetime), William Read actually died in 1845 which was three years after Stephen died!!!

I have researched this family thoroughly and have both Stephen Read and William Read’s Death Certificates.  Stephen dies of Decay of Nature aged 76 and his nephew William dies of Old Age aged 74 on the 9th November 1845.

So why did Stephen’s family inform the Probate people that William had died before 1842?