The will of Richard Stainterford or Stanterford

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As was customary, the will below is unpunctuated from beginning to end. The original writer was careful to fill up the end of each line with a little symbol of his own devising so that the finished copy was what, today, we would describe as "justified" - no mean feat in a hand-written document and a wise precaution which left no spaces for the insertion of extra words after the will had been drawn up. The will was made on 15 April 1778.

 

In the name of God Amen.

Richard Stainterford otherwise Stanterford Seaman belonging to His Majesty's ship Salisbury George Robinson Qualtors* Esquire Commander being in Bodily health and of a sound and disposing mind and memory and considering the perils and dangers of the seas and other immortalities of the transitory life (so for avoiding controversies after my decease) make  publish and declare this my last Will and Testament in manner following, (that is to say) first I commend my soul to God who gave it and my body I commit to the earth or sea as it shall please God to order and as for and concerning all my worldly estate I give bequeath and dispose thereof as follows, that is to say all such wages Sum and Sums of money lands and tenements goods chattels and estate whatsoever as shall be anyways and owing or belonging unto me at the time of my decease I do give and bequeath the same unto my friend John Richard Carthy Seaman belonging to the said ship and I do hereby nominate and appoint my said friend John Richard Carthy as sole executor of this my last wills and testaments and deed of gifts by me at any time heretofore made and I do ordain and ratify those presents to stand and go before and as my only last will and testament in witness whereof to this my said will I have set my hand and seal this fifteenth day of April in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy eight and in this eighteenth year of the reign of His Majesty King George the third over Great Britain

Signed: 

Richard Stainterford, his mark (cypher) signed sealed published and delivered in the presence of  

Benjamin Avery, Robert Dennis.

 
Probate was granted on 29th January 1779:

 

ŠThe Public Record Office

 

"On this twenty ninth day of January in this year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy nine administration with  the will annexed of all and singular the the goods, chattels and credits  of Richard Stainterford otherwise Stanterford late belonging to His Majesty's ship Salisbury deceased was granted to Richard Robert Carthy the lawful attorney of John Richard Carthy otherwise Richard Carthy the sole executor named in the said will for the use and benefit of the said executor now at sea he having first been sworn by commission duly to administrator it."

 

*Qualtors is an unusual name which has associations with the Isle of Man

 

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  Last modified: 30/09/2005