Robin/Anne - Would it have something to do with women's right under common law to a dower (i.e., 1/3 of the property at her husband's death). If John Sr. had left the property in his name at the time of the marriage, when he died 2/3 of the property would go to his children and 1/3 to his widow. But, since he and his son put the property in her name, she had access to all of the property until the time of her death, after which the property would revert in full to John Jr. In this way, John Jr. loses none of the property in case the widow remarried. This is just a guess. Lynne in Tucson -----Original Message----- From: Anne Capewell Sent: Saturday, June 22, 2013 6:49 AM To: sussex-plus@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [SXP] 1690. Many gives estate to fiancee. Why? Hi Robin, I would assume that there would have been costs involved in going to court so maybe it was cheaper to combine the two requests. They were getting married the next day so would have had to come back to court as soon as they could anyway. As far as why she should get the estate - perhaps he had children that he didn't want to leave the estate to on his death? When did John Moon snr die? May be he was close to death and wanted to make sure his money was distributed as he wished. Was Sarah's family connected in any way to the Moons? hth, Anne > Date: Fri, 21 Jun 2013 17:03:40 +0100 > From: robin.coates1@btinternet.com > To: SUSSEX-PLUS@rootsweb.com > Subject: [SXP] 1690. Many gives estate to fiancee. Why? > > Hello, > > In Court held on Feb 23rd 1690/91 John Moon snr > surrendered much of his estate to use of his son > John Moon jnr who immediately surrendered it to > use of Sarah Ward "whom the said John Moone > intends to take as his wife for and during the term > of her life for Jointure, and after her decease to the > use of the said John Moone junior for ever". > > John and Sarah married the following day, Feb 24th > 1690/91. > > Any thought for the reason for this rather complicated > arrangement?. Might it have been a condition set by > Sarah to marry John.?. > > Many thanks, > > Robin > > ------------------------------- > To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to > SUSSEX-PLUS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the > quotes in the subject and the body of the message ------------------------------- To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to SUSSEX-PLUS-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message