Hi Bill If I understand it correctly the widow and other next of kin declined to be executors and the administration of the will was granted to Thomas SPENCER to whom Edward SHIRLEY owed money (and presumably why the others declined to be executors) Nivard Ovington in Cornwall (UK) >I have obtained a will for one Edward Shirely, written March 31, 1761 > and proven in 1764 and wonder about what I have found in the last part > of the document related to the proving of the will. > > It states in full: "On the Seventeenth day of November in the Year of > our Lord One Thousand Seven Hundred and Sixty Four Administration with > the will annexed of the Goods Chattels and Credits of Edward Shirley > late of the Parish of Staines in the County of Middlesex deceased was > granted to Thomas Spencer a creditor he having been first Sworn Duly to > Administer Mary Shirley Widow ....... Relict of the said Deceased and > Sole Executrix in the said Will having been first duly cited to accept > or refuse the execution of the said Will and in no wise? appearing Ann > Bath Widow Sarah Shirley Spinster Elizabeth Taylor (Wife of John Taylor) > John Shirley the natural and Lawful Brother and Sisters and only next of > kin of the said Deceased having been first likewise Duly Cited with the > usual In----ation to accept or refuse Letters of Administration with the > said Will annexed of the Goods of the said Deceased in no wise appearing > and no residuary? signatee? is named therein" > > What I am wondering about is what are the siblings of the deceased > involved in this for? The wife was appointed the sole executrix and the > Thomas Spencer a trustee. And, if Mary was the Executrix, what is > Thomas Spencer likely doing in the position of Trustee or administrator? > > Bill Dalton