18th Century Probate Documents.

[Steve Hartley]

I'm relatively new to this family history mullarkey, but I've made quite a bit of headway.

However a couple of documents came into my posession recently following the death of my Grandfather. They are both essentially the same, though written at different periods and appear to be something relating to probate.

Being such they are full of legal speak and hence I am having difficulty following what they mean. I'm hoping that somebody might have seen something similar and can therefore explain the significance and meaning.

Copies of the documents can be seen here.

http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/dieseldrinker/GraceHartley.jpg
http://i57.photobucket.com/albums/g221/dieseldrinker/PrudenceHartley.jpg

In terms of their links to me, Grace Hartley was the wife of my GGGGG Grandfather, David Hartley, who was the leader of the Yorkshire Coiners. He was executed in York on the 28th April 1770, and the date of this document is the 16th May 1770.

Prudence Hartley was the wife of one of their sons, David Hartley again. I am descended from his brother Isaac.

From what I can tell these men died without making wills and these documents appear to be something to do with that, but I do not fully understand their meaning.

All help gratefully recieved.

[Peter Goodey]

"From what I can tell these men died without making wills and these documents appear to be something to do with that, but I do not fully understand their meaning."

Yup. They died intestate. What you have there are two administrator's bonds, each committing the administrator to prepare an inventory of the deceased person's personal estate or pay a penalty. The other bondsmen were to make sure it happened or cough up the money!

[Steve Hartley]

Thanks for the prompt response Peter. I guess that makes sense.

Is it likely there would be any way of tracing the inventory, i.e. would it have to be recorded officially somewhere?

Given the History of David Hartley Snr it would be very interesting to see such a thing.

[Peter Goodey]

I don't think I read your original message very carefully. It does look interesting, doesn't it? ;)

It seems to have been the Exchequer Court so, as far as I know, the probate records would be at the Borthwick Institute. If the inventory survived, they should have it.

http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/bihr/

[Steve Hartley]

Thanks again Peter. I'll give them a try.

I'm almost sure that there is a stamp on the back of one of the copies that says it came originally from the Borthwick Institute (can't check as I'm at work and it's at home).

It looks rather like I may be spending a day in York in the near future!

[Peter Goodey]

I think they offer a postal service. But it's good to have an excuse to visit York.