Copy of the Will of Captain Samuel Howes

Abstract

This is a copy of the will of Capt. Samuel Howes, whose death is recorded as 10 Jan 1722/3. There are two dates on this copy – one states that this will was made 7 June 1722; and later it states there is a codicil dated 4 Dec 1722. There is not evidence of the date of the copy itself, but the paleography indicates that it is older than 19th century. The handwriting is more fluid than would appear in 1700 or so, but it does not appear to be newer than about 1750, based on spelling, the use of “u” rather than “v”, the formation of the letter “d”, the form of the ampersand, the shape of the letter “p” appearing like the Greek “ρ”, rho, and the heavy and persistent use of the “thorn”:]