This is a very interesting and informative thread - firstly because of the name Standbynorth - the derivations of it would be fascinating - and secondly about the three very close deaths, which may indicate a typhoid or cholera epidemic at that time. And of course the discussion about ancient wills is also interesting. I hope we get some answers! Cheers, Philippa Cooper in Oz. Message: 5 Date: Fri, 27 Sep 2013 17:11:38 +0100 From: Anne Capewell <alc_goytre@hotmail.com> Subject: Re: [SXP] Witnessing a Will - 16th century To: PMR <cliveden@iinet.net.au>, "sussex-plus@rootsweb.com" <sussex-plus@rootsweb.com> Message-ID: <DUB124-W484306130EDDE7E5647DD5EC290@phx.gbl> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" Hi Pam, You probably have this info already but I was interested to see that there were 3 Standbynorth burials within a couple of weeks of each other: John senior 12/01/1579 Joan 20/01/1579 maid daughter of John Johan 26/01/1579 widow of John senior I'm not an expert on wills either but could the other witness have been his wife? I don't know if women were allowed or expected to witness such documents - was she named in the will? all the best, Anne