In a message dated 29/07/2012 09:15:35 GMT Daylight Time, m.oshea1@ntlworld.com writes: Since returning from Yorksgen and some successful trips to the Borthwick I am trying to further my direct paternal line by transcribing the wills of various family members in the late 1600s and early 1700s in an attempt to unravel the relationships. Unusually I have one will that specifically refers to the Church of England by saying - I dye a sound and zealous Member of the Church of England, the best and purest part of the Catholick Church. The will was written in 1724 - has anyone else come across this type of direct statement? Margaret O'Shea Oxford Hi Margaret, Most wills claim a religious start in this manner. I have several dozen wills such as:- Will of Richard Elkinton (1553-1624) of Mollington revised In the name of god Amen The Tenth daye of December in the yeare of o god 1621 I Richard Elkinton of Mollington in the countye of Oxfod husbandman being sick in body but in pfect memory thanks be given to Almightie god doe Ordayne & make this my laste will & Testament in manner and forme followeing: ffirste I bequeathe my soule unto almightie god my Maker and I doe verily truste my soule shalbe saved by the death and Passion of Christe Jesus my Redeemer, And my body after this lyfe to be buryed in the Churchyarde in Mollington nere to the grave of Alice Elkintone my mother All will start in this manner for several centuries. The wording may be slightly different but they all place their soulsd in the hands of God first and then later in the will there is often a legacy to a church or village, JUDY ELKINGTON [North Derbyshire] www.elkingtonfamily.com Elkington@rootsweb.com www.one-name.org/profiles/elkington.html

Hello Judy Thanks for the response. I realise that unless someone was a Quaker all these old wills start out with sometimes as much as half an A3 page talking about their soul, God and where they want to be buried etc - I have quite a lot as well. The difference with this one was the specific reference to the Church of England (rather than just the Church) being the best and purest part of the Catholick (meaning universal I suppose) Church. This was the first time I had come across this - obviously separating himself away from the Catholic Church and other denominations. Kind regards Margaret (in Oxford) -----Original Message----- From: JJupar@aol.com [mailto:JJupar@aol.com] Sent: 29 July 2012 10:51 To: m.oshea1@ntlworld.com; YORKSGEN@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [YORKSGEN] Religious statement in a will In a message dated 29/07/2012 09:15:35 GMT Daylight Time, m.oshea1@ntlworld.com writes: Since returning from Yorksgen and some successful trips to the Borthwick I am trying to further my direct paternal line by transcribing the wills of various family members in the late 1600s and early 1700s in an attempt to unravel the relationships. Unusually I have one will that specifically refers to the Church of England by saying - I dye a sound and zealous Member of the Church of England, the best and purest part of the Catholick Church. The will was written in 1724 - has anyone else come across this type of direct statement? Margaret O'Shea Oxford Hi Margaret, Most wills claim a religious start in this manner. I have several dozen wills such as:- Will of Richard Elkinton (1553-1624) of Mollington revised In the name of god Amen The Tenth daye of December in the yeare of o god 1621 I Richard Elkinton of Mollington in the countye of Oxfod husbandman being sick in body but in pfect memory thanks be given to Almightie god doe Ordayne & make this my laste will & Testament in manner and forme followeing: ffirste I bequeathe my soule unto almightie god my Maker and I doe verily truste my soule shalbe saved by the death and Passion of Christe Jesus my Redeemer, And my body after this lyfe to be buryed in the Churchyarde in Mollington nere to the grave of Alice Elkintone my mother All will start in this manner for several centuries. The wording may be slightly different but they all place their soulsd in the hands of God first and then later in the will there is often a legacy to a church or village, JUDY ELKINGTON [North Derbyshire] www.elkingtonfamily.com Elkington@rootsweb.com www.one-name.org/profiles/elkington.html