Anyone good at Latin? - Genealogists' Forum

Lindsay · #1 14-05-14, 19:58

I was thrilled to find the Will of Alexander Jenings (1645) in the PCC Wills on Ancestry - not so thrilled to find it's in Latin!

My Latin is pretty basic, but the only names I can see mentioned are Alexander and Richard (two of his sons) and Margaret (possibly - no idea who she was).

Can anyone see a reference to his wife (probably Ann) or to his daughter Jane? Other children were Thomas, Michael, Frances and Elizabeth.

http://interactive.ancestry.co.uk/51...1_310655-00378

kiterunner · #2 14-05-14, 21:44

Wife Ann would be uxor (+ various endings) Anna but I can't see a mention of her, looking through quickly. And daughter Jane would be filia Jana but again, I don't see her at the moment. Will have a proper look through tomorrow though.

kiterunner · #3 15-05-14, 18:58

I think there is a Nathanael Brent mentioned about 2 thirds of the way down the first page, with his first name split between two lines. He is also mentioned on page 2. Then at the very bottom of page 1 is Margaretam Jenings. Apart from that, the only names I can see are Alexander sr and jr and Richard. Then there are a load of names right at the end of the entry but I think that is just the probate info.

Lindsay · #4 15-05-14, 20:10

Nathaniel Brent appears at the start too, both times followed by what looks like 'militem et legum', something like knight and law - so possibly some sort of legal bod, rather than family?

Thanks for your help. One of the less informative Wills I've looked at!

Michael · #5 15-05-14, 22:53

I know a bit of Latin, but I don't have a current Ancestry membership - if you post the image on here or transcribe it I can have a go.

Janet · #6 16-05-14, 03:13

I don't know Latin but if you Google "militem et legum" you get back results for "militem et legum doctorem " which sounds like (something?) and doctor of laws. Nathaniele Brent comes up in a lot of documents and it looks to me as if he is a judge. EDIT: Upon a second look I find "legum doctorem iudicem" so I'd say definitely doctor of laws.

A number of interesting-looking titles come up if you Google the two names together:
"Nathaniele Brent" "Alexander Jenings".
(Google amends this to "Nathaniel Brent" "Alexander Jennings".)

Janet · #7 16-05-14, 04:35

If you Google "Sir Nathaniel Brent" you find a lot of information. Think this is the same man?

And if you Google "Alexander Jennings" "Charles I" together, do you think this Jennings is perhaps the one in the will?

EDIT: This is a fascinating book, by the way. I've been spellbound all night just trying to take in the Preface!

Calendar of state papers, domestic series, of the reign of Charles I

Calendar of state papers, domestic series, of the reign of Charles I ...
Preserved in the State paper department of Her Majesty's Public record office .. (1858)

From its index:

Jennings, variously spelt;--
..., Alexander, 28, 133.
..., ..., petitions of, 51, 409.

anne fraser · #8 16-05-14, 17:32

I have a bit of very rusty Latin but I can't read the writing!

Lindsay · #9 16-05-14, 19:23

Wow, Janet, brilliant links! Ship Money - that takes me right back to my history A level. Lots for me to look at there.

Michael, part of the problem is that the writing is rather spidery - any transcription would involve quite a lot of guesswork. Combine it with Latin and it's a killer!

I've only just discovered the connection to Alexander (through his daughter Jane, which was why I was hoping he would mention her). It looks like it's going to be interesting.

Phoenix · #10 16-05-14, 21:36

Are you sure it is a will, rather than a sentence?

Wills are often in English at that date, but sentences invariably in Latin. I have only seen sentences where the original will is proved in the PCC, but I imagine a will might be taken to a higher court if there were a humdinger of a dispute.