Bond by Elizabeth Christopher of Shapwick Dorset - 1675
Donated by Colin Wildman transcribed by Michael Russell April 2005
NOTE:- Bond A binding agreement with a penalty for non performance. A bond deed is in two parts, the Obligation and the Condition. Before 1733 the Obligation, which records the penalty, was written in Latin. The Condition describes what the bonded person has undertaken to do, or otherwise committed himself to (e.g. the truth of a statement), and was always in English.
This is clearly what we have here. My Latin is not good enough to do a proper translation of the first paragraph so I have confined myself to a summary of key facts. I am the OPC for the Parish of Fordington and can be contacted in the usual way through the OPC site.
This would appear to be like our Letters of Administration issued where someone dies without leaving a will and giving authority to distribute the estate. They are backed here however by a Bond and I think someone of wealth has to stand as surety so it's a joint obligation with a Yeoman. This is presumably security to the Court to ensure correct distribution of the estate.
Latin Summary:
Know all men by this Presents that we Elizabetham [Elizabeth] Christopher of Shapwick in the County of Dorset widow, and Johannes [John] ROBERTS of Shapwick Yeoman are held and firmly bound unto Henrico [Henry] JONES ----official of Radolphi [Ralph] IRONSIDE divine? Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Dorset [in the sum of?] Quadraginta [Forty pounds?] of lagalis [legal] money of Great Britain -----sealed with our seals on 6th day of June in the 27th year of the reign of our Sovereign Lord Charles II by the Grace of God of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland King defender of the faith and in the year in the year of our Lord 1675
The Condition of this obligation is such that if the above bound Elizabeth CHRISTOPHER the relict [i.e. widow] and Administratrix of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of Thomas CHRISTOPHER late of Shapwick aforesaid, deceased, do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased to have or shall come to the hands, possession or knowledge of her the said Elizabeth CHRISTOPHER or into the hands and possession of any person or persons for her and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of the Archdeacons Court of Dorset at such time as she shall be required xxxx And ye same Goods, Chattels and Credits and all other the Goods, Chattels and Credits of the said deceased at the time of his death to at any time after shall come to the hands or possession of the said Elizabeth xxxx Or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for her to well and truly administer according to Law and further do make or cause to be made a true and just account of her said administration at such time and as soon as she shall be required And all the rest residue of the said Goods Chattels and Credits which shall be found remaining on the said administration account ye same being first examined and allowed of by the judge or judges for the time being of the said Court shall direct and pay or arrange to be paid unto such person or persons respectively as the said judge or judges in his behalf shall limit and appoint according to the true intent and meaning of an Act of Parliament in this behalf made and provided : And if it shall hereafter appear that any last Will and Testament was made by the said deceased and the Executor or executors therein named do exhibit the same into the said Court making requests to have it allowed and approved accordingly if the said Elizabeth CHRISTOPHER above bound being do render and deliver the said Letters of Administration Approbation or such Testament being first had and made in the said Court: That then this persons obligation to be void and of none effect, or else to stand remain and be in full force and virtue.
Signed Sealed and Done in the presence of Richard FITZHERBERT
Signed Elizabeth CHRISTOPHER and John ROBERTS