posted 12-02-2008 05:39 AM            

Thomas registered only two marks, both incuse as a bucklemaker, and who died in 1792, was one of the Whitford family of bucklemakers.

The will is fascinating as it tells us far more about Thomas than he would ever have realized.

He was very careful with money
“I give my son Thomas Whitford of Smithfield Barrs One hundred and Fifty Pounds what he may owe me on Account being part thereof.”
(Translation – Just because I’m dead you must still pay what you owe me )
He gave instructions for sums – “not exceeding ” £5 be given to one nephew during his apprenticeship for clothes and “not exceeding “ £6 for another . One can either assume a deliberate slight to one, or perhaps one had five years to remaining of his apprenticeship and the other six. A friend has suggested, jokingly, that perhaps the latter was rather a stout lad. I think he could actually be right – the humour of the 18th century did run to that type of jest.

He left a considerable amount of property and nominated “my worthy friend Peter Dolland ………. of St Pauls church yard , Citizen and Optician”. As he styled himself “spectacle maker “ rather than silver bucklemaker in the will it seems likely that his main pursuit was spectacle frames – which explains the incuse marks .
Peter Dolland is well known for being the founder of the oldest surviving chain of opticians in the UK (if not the world) and the introducer of bi-focals. Peter died in 1820 - almost certainly childless.

Thomas’s will indicates that all Whitfords had only male three names, Samuel, Thomas and William. As he and both his brothers seem all to have sons with the same names we have three new Sams, Thos, and Will in the next generation. Must have made family gathering a bit confusing. Although there was a lonely George .

“my 3 foot astronomical telescope I give my son Thomas”
I hope he liked it .

Rather a sad note is sounded by the last words
“Signed 25th January 1792
A fair copy to be made as soon as I can”

He never did make the fair copy, nor get the will witnessed.

The PCC copy notes
“1sr March 1792 Appeared Personally William ?Dupeecy? of St Martin Le Grand in the liberty of the city of Westminster , Woollen Draper and William Ballantine of the same place Goldsmith and severally made oath that they know and were well acquainted with Thomas Whitford late of the parish of Saint Anne and Agnes in the liberty afresaid, deceased and with his manner and character of his handwriting and subscription ….. “

Both swore that the handwriting and signature were that of Thomas Whitford
William Ballantine was the silver bucklemaker who entered a parnership with Mary Whiford in 1779 and perhaps married her .They had been literally just round the corner in 6, St Martins Le Grand although by 1788 he has entered a sole mark at 1, St Martins Le Grand after I suspect her death.

The will was proved at the Prerogative Court of Canterbury on 3rd March 1792

The principal beneficiary and co-executor , his widowed daughter Mary WALL entered an incuse mark as bucklemaker at his old house at 6, Kings Head Court, St Martin Le Grand on 5th March 1792
I imagine she carried on his spectacle business just to wind it down – doubt she ever made any buckles.

If anyone is interested the site for obtaining copies of the PCC files they are available at Prerogative Court of Canterbury wills (1384 - 1858) and PDF copies cost £3.50 (c$5) and they have a secure credit card facility so you can do it all from home.
Understanding the handwriting and the copy varies from fairly difficult to impossible !