The Document Chest

1848 will of Mary Eaton

Spinster of Middle Street

 

Very little is known of Mary Eaton, other than she was a spinster of Middle Street. She was born around 1780 but, according to the 1841 census, not in Somerset.

At the time of the 1841 census she was listed living with bootmaker Nathaniel Sydenham and his family in the small shop-cum-house next door to the George Hotel (see Gallery). Mary gave her occupation as being of independent means and her age as 60 (bearing in mind that ages of adults were rounded down to the nearest multiple of five years in this census).

 

gallery

 

At left, next to the George Inn, is Nathaniel Sydenham's shop, workshop and home in Middle Street. Mary Eaton lived here during the 1840s. This photograph dates to between 1885 and 1891.

 

1847 Will of Mary Eaton

 

In the Name of God Amen I Mary Eaton of Yeovil in the County of Somerset being of sound and disposing mind memory understanding praised be God for the same do make and publish my last Will and Testament in manner following and I appoint Mr Thomas Parton to be my Executor and I bequeath to the same Mr Parton ten pounds I bequeath ten pounds to Edward Clark a nephew ten pounds to Joseph Clark a nephew ten pounds to Charles Clark a nephew ten pounds to Sarah Clark a niece ten pounds to Charles Pottle a nephew ten pounds to Sarah Pottle a niece ten pounds to Ann White Niece five pounds to Emily White five pounds to Ann Pottle ten pounds to Sarah Pottle and the remainder of my money and [word illegible] I am in possession of at my decease I bequeath to my sister Sarah Clark her husband is not to have any part in it she is to receive it herself my just debts and funeral expences and expences of proving this my Will to be paid all former Wills by me made I declare this only to be my last Will and Testament In witness whereof I the said Mary Eaton the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament set my hand and affixed my seal this the fifteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight.

Signed sealed published and declared by the said Mary Eaton in the presence of her
Mary Eaton
Nathan Sydenham      William King

In the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
In the Goods of Mary Eaton Spinster deceased



Appeared Personally Nathan Sydenham of Middle Street in the parish of New Hendford Yeovil in the County of Somerset Boot Maker and made oath that he is one of the subscribed witnesses to the last Will and Testament hereunto annexed of Mary Eaton formerly of Bruton but late of Yeovil respectively in the County of Somerset Spinster deceased bearing date this the fifteenth day of June in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and forty eight and he further made oath that on the fifteenth day of June aforesaid the said Testatrix duly exercised her said Will by signing her name at the foot or end thereof in the presence of this appearer and of William King the other subscribed witness thereto both of whom were present at the same time and this appearer and the said William King thereupon attested and subscribed the said Will in the presence of the said Testatrix and of each other

Nathan Sydenham

On the eighteenth day of December 1848 the said Nathan Sydenham was duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit by virtue of the annexed Commission - Before me John Williams Commissioner



Proved at London 23rd Dec[embe]r 1848 before The Worshipful John Haggard Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of Thomas Parton the sole Executor to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.

 



Transcribed by Bob Osborn