The below information relates to a specific grave stone to be found in the old graveyard of St Michael's Church in Bishops Stortford, Hertfordshire. It may be of interest to those with a leaning towards history/local history.
'Trust me, whilst this is another grave post, I am not a ghoul. Since living in both Hadham Road and Apton Road over the last 23 years I have passed this particular headstone close to the pathway through the St Michael's graveyard I suppose thousands of times. It is damaged but the relevant information is still discernible. The occupant of this plot died in December 1726 at the age of 84 (a pretty impressive age for the early 18th Century!).
What this person would have lived through is really something to think about! He or she would have been born on or around 1642 and would therefore have been in their early 20's when news came up from London about such calamitous events as the lague and The Great Fire of London! I find that quite extraordinary'.
The response was very positive and provoked an enthusiastic response. Links to the sections of the Town's history online that relate to St Michael's mention the above headstone and confirm that it is the oldest in the Churchyard. More importantly it revealed the identity of the plots occupant, one Nathaniel Jones, a brasier (a worker in brass) within the town.
Contributors to the site produced a will, that of Nathanial Jones, the eldest son of the chap in the grave. I did a further search and located a probate document that detailed the Last Will and Testament of Nathaniel Jones Senior. I have reproduced my transcription below. However, please go easy on me, this is the first 18th Century will that I have transcribed and let me tell you it is a tad challenging!
Please read the details if so inclined. It is a little repetitive and dry in a way that legal documents have always been but some poignant details shine through from this three hundred year old document.
As a brasier in a thriving market town old man Nathaniel did very well financially. He was able to bequeath very impressive sums of money to his multitudes of Grandchildren (most of it held in trust by his Executors, son Nathaniel Jones and son-in-law, George Read until the children reached the age of 21).
On ploughing through the will first time I have to say that I felt particularly affronted on behalf of his Grandaughter, Mary Jones. Her brother, Francis, was bequeathed a bond (held by one Francis Smith of Hatfield Broadoak, a few miles distant from Bishops Stortford) for £105 to be paid on reaching the age of 21.... a pretty sum in 1726! In contrast I read that Mary was to receive the Chest of Drawers to be found in Nathaniel's bed chamber, ' together with all the linen, plate and other things that shall be in it at the time of my demise'. Lucky girl thought I, an old chest of drawers containing her octagenerian grandfather's undergarments. Let's face it, even with the most vigorous washboard and mangle treatment, your average pair of 18th century men's underpants would not be high on a Grandaughter's list of family heirlooms! However, here I did old Nath something of a disservice as in the following line it seemed that said underpants came wrapped in notes to the sum of £200 (albeit until she too reached 21).
However, joking aside, another characteristic feature of this document is the frequency with which premature death is mentioned. Correct me if I am wrong, but to the best of my knowledge no such caveat is made in modern day wills whereby everyone mentioned regardless of age appears to be within arms length of the Grim Reaper!
I found this to be a fascinating and totally unexpected exercise following on from my initial post. I photographed the grave on impulse on walking back from Pizza Express (and The Half Moon!) on Saturday afternoon. Little did I think that just a few days later I would know more about Nathaniel Jones than I do about the majority of my own family tree! The process of transcribing the words of his will along with the statement that he had read and signed the same document was a thrill. Maybe this is what they mean by bringing history to life. I will no doubt feel a little different each and every time I walk past that fractured stone!
As an aside, reading through Nathaniel Jones's will (son of the above) he too was a man of means, but unfortunately he did not enjoy a life as long as his father as he died at the age of 50 (1680-1730).... more in keeping with the times perhaps. Nathaniel had six sons and seven daughters between 1705 and 1729 and lived at the time of his death in North Street, Bishops Stortford.
What follows is my best effort (in limited time) of transcribing the Last Will and Testament of Nathaniel Jones, Brasier of Bishops Stortford, dated 13th October 1726.
'In the name of God Amen the third day of October one thousand
seven hundred twenty and six and in the thirteenth year of the Reign of our
Sovereign Lord George by the Grace of God of Great Britain France and Ireland Defender of the faith, I,
Nathaniel Jones the Elder of Bishops Stortford in the County of Hartford,
Brazier being aged – but of a sound disposing mind and memory thanks be given
to almighty God for the same do therefore ordain make and declare this my
Testament and Last Will in a manner and form following, that is to say first
and principally with fear and reverence I commit and bequeath my soul into the
merciful hands and protection of almighty God my Creator hoping assuredly to receive
the same (?) with comfort at the great and general day of Judgement through the
alone and merits death and ________ of
my Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and my body I will to the Earth whereof it is
a member to be ______________ buried at the discretion of my Executors hereafter
named and as to those worldly goods and Estate which it hath pleased almighty
God blessd me with all I dispose thereof in manner following imprimio.
I give and bequeath
to my dearly beloved Grandson Ffrancis Jones, son of my eldest son Nath. Jones
one bond from Ffrancis Smith of Hatfield Regis ato Broadoake in the Country of
Essex yeoman bearing date the thirteenth of June last past made for the payment
of one hundred and five pounds as therein(?) mentioned which said bond order
and ________ shall be delivered to him the said Ffrancis Jones, my Grandson at
such time as he shall attain to his full age of one and twenty years to and for
his sole benefit.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto Mary Jones my Grandaughter, daughter of my son Nathaniel Jones by
Elizabeth his first wife the ________ or Chest of Drawers standing in my bed
chamber together with all the linen, plate and other things that shall be in it
at the time of my death/demise(?) to be delivered to her within one month next
after my demise(?).
Item. I give and
bequeath unto Mary Jones my Grandaughter the sum of two hundred pounds of good
and lawful money of Great Britain by my Executors ____________ at such a time
that she shall attain to her full age of one and twenty years but if it shall
happen that my said Grandaughter Mary Jones shall dye and depart this life
before she shall attain to the said age of one and twenty years that turn my
mind and will and I do hereby give the said sum of two hundred pounds unto such
and amongst all other my Grandchildren that shall then be living to be equally
divided amongst them share and share alike.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto the said Nathaniel Jones, my eldest son for an during the term of
his natural life all and every my Ffreeholds and Copyholds, lands, houses, tenements
and harditamonta (? Accessories/attachments) with all and every of their appurtenances
belonging or anywise appertaining to have and to hold all and every my said
lands, houses, tenements, harditamonta and their appurtenances unto the said
Nathaniel Jones, my son for and during the term of his natural life and from
and after his demise(?) I give will and devise all and every my said lands,
houses, tenements and harditamonta and premises with all and every of their appurtenances
unto my Grandson, Nathaniel Jones, son of my said son Nathaniel Jones and the
said Elizabeth his said first wife and to the ffirst(?) of his body lawfully to
be begotten forever.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto Hannah Read, my daughter, the sum of one hundred pounds due to me
from George Read, her husband as appraro by bond from him given unto me bearing
the date April twelfth one thousand seven hundred and ten.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto my Grandaughter Hannah Read, daughter of my said son-in-law
George Read, the sum of two hundred pounds like lawful money of Great Britain
when she will come to and attain her full age of one and twenty years by my
Executor hereby named, but if it shall so happen that the said Hannah Read, my
Grandaughter, shall depart this life before her said Legacy shall become due
and payable that then my mind, will and meaning is and I do from thenceforth give
and bequeath unto the said Hannah Read, my daughter, for and during the term of
her natural life, the interest of the said two hundred pounds and payable at
four of the most usual ffeasts or days of payment in the year viz St St Michael
the Archangel, the nativity of our Lord Christ, the annunciation of the blessed
Lady Mary the Virgin and St John the Baptist and from and after the demise of
the said Hannah Read, my Daughter, I give and bequeath the principal sum of two
hundred pounds unto amongst such other of my Grandchildren that shall then be
living equally to be divided amongst them share and share alike.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto my Grandson, Richard Jones, son of late son John Jones the sum of
one hundred pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to him by my
Executor hereafter named when he shall attain his full age of one and twenty
years and my mind, will and meaning and I do order and direct and appoint my
Executors to pay or cause to be paid unto the said Richard Jones, my Grandson,
interest for the same at and after the rate of five pounds per Cent per annum(?)
until the said sum of one hundred shall become due by the said four equal
payments for and towards his education and maintenance, the first payment to
commence at any of the feast days aforementioned next coming after my demise
provided always my mind will and meaning so that if the said Richard Jones, my
Grandson should happen to dye and depart this life before the said Legacy shall
become due and payable that my mind and will is and I do hereby give and
bequeath said amount of one hundred pounds unto and amongst all and every such
other of my Grandchildren as shall be living share and share alike.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto my five Grandchildren, namely Anne Jones, Sarah Jones, Anna Maria
Jones, Jemima Jones or Hannah Jones or any other of them shall dye and depart
this life before the same become due and payable that then I bequeath the part
and share of _____ or them so dying unto the survivor or survivors of them
share and share alike.
Item. I give and
bequeath onto my Grandsons, George Jones, Abraham Jones and Benjamin Jones the sum
of forty pounds apiece of good and lawful money of Great Britain to be paid
severally and several and respective ages of one and twenty years by my Executor
hereby named but if any or either of them shall happen to dye and depart this
life before his or their Legacy or Legacies shall become due and payable that
then I give and bequeath the Legacy or Legacies of him or them so dying onto the
survivor or survivors of them, share and share alike.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto the Reverend Mr George __iggot of Bishops Stortford aforesaid the
sum of five pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to him by my
Executors within three months next of my demise.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto the Reverend Richard Rawling of Bishops Stortford the like sum of
five pounds of like lawful money to be paid to him by my Executors within three
months next of my demise.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto my two sisters, Mary Barlow and Sarah Piggot the sum of three
pounds apiece of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid to them severally
within one month next after my demise by my Executors.
Item. I give an
bequeath unto the poor people of the Parish of Bishops Stortford aforesaid the
sum of three pounds of lawful British money to be distributed unto and amongst
them the said poor people at the discretion of my Executors within one month
next of my demise.
Item. I give and
bequeath unto the said Nathaniel Jones, my son, all and every of my books of
what ffaculty kind or nature so ever all the rest and residue of my personal
estate viz mortgages, surrendered bonds, bills or _______ or ________ to me for money, money by me or
anyway owing unto me from and after my debts L________ and ffuneral charges are
paid satisfied and contented, I wholly give and bequeath unto the said
Nathaniel Jones, my son, and the said George Read, my son-in-law, to be equally
divided between them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate, constitute
and appoint the said Nathaniel Jones, my son, and the said George Read, my
son-in-law the only Executors of this my Last Will and Testament and I desire
them to faithfully perform the same in _______
_________ I have caused this will to be written, contained in three sheets
of paper and I have read the same and do declare the same to be according to my
mind and to every sheet have set my hand and seal the day and year first above written.
Nathaniel Jones, Son, signed, sealed, delivered, published and __________ by the said Nathaniel Jones the Elder for and
as his Last Will and Testament in the presence of us and signed by us as
witnessed in the presence of the Testator, ____
Joseph _______ Thomas Barnard.'
Your comments/thoughts/criticisms are more than welcome.
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