22 ~  [23 September 1692]  Commision to the Commissarys

Maryland.  Lionel Copley, Esq. Comissary Gen’l & Chief Judge for Probatt of Wills & granting letters of Adm’n etc within this Province. To Francis Jenckins & Samuel Hopkins Gent. of Somerset. Greetings   ~~~~~~

Out of the special trust & confidence I have in your fidelity & candour & integrity as well as judgement and discretion in matters testamentary relating to the due Adm’n and disposition of the Estates of persons dec’d according to law, & your ready inclinations to doe equal rights & justice to all persons therein any wayes & concerned, I have ordained constituted deputed & appointed, as by these presents, I doe ordaine constitiute depute & appoint you, the said Francis Jenkins & Samuel Hopkins or either of you to be Deputy Comissary or Agent under me in the said County, for the proving of wills of such persons deceasing in the said County as shall for that end & purpose be brought to you, hereby authorizing & empowering you to take the Probate thereof by the oaths of such persons as shall be wittnesses thereunto, as also to grant letters testamentary thereupon with Coppy of such Wills annexed, also letters of Adm’n of the estates of persons deceasing intestate, to such persons or persons, to whom the same shall or may of right belong according to Law. Also to swear & take the oaths of Ext’rs or Adm’ns together with the Appraisers appointed, & to grant warrants to such appraisers & to all other things to act & doe as to the place & office of Deputy Comissary etc belonging taking & reserving to your self such fees profitts & perquesits for the same as by Act of Assembly of this Province is given, granted & allowed to such Officer or Officers in each respective County of this Province, now or hereafter to be thereunto authorized & appointed. Provided allwayes that you the said Francis Jenckins & Samuel Hopkins shall & doe from time to time & at all times hereafter as occasion shall present & without delay transmit accounts of your proceedings into my office for Probatt of Wills etc at the Citty of St. Maries there to be duely registered & entered upon record according to form. To have and to hold the said place & office of Deputy Comissary etc in the sd County of Somerset, to you the said Francis Jenckins & Samuel Hopkins for & during pleasure. Given under my hand & seal this ninth day of August in the fourth year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lord & Lady King William & Queen Mary etc Ano Domini 1692

 

                                                                                                ¤  sealed      L. Copley