John Babb of Berkhamsted, St Peter served as a Surety (guarantor) for Mary Grover in this legal bond from 1712.

Formal Transcription (Early Modern Latin/English)

[Latin] Noverint universi per praesentes: Nos Mariam Grover, Johannem Babb, et Thomam Rooke de Barkhamsted Sancti Petri in comitatu Hertfordiae teneri et firmiter obligari Georgio Nowel, armigero de Bado et Domino Episcopi Londoniensis Diacono in spiritualibus, gentis suae comitatu Hertfordensi, in ducentis libris boni et legalis monetae Magnae Britanniae, solvendis dicto Georgio Nowel, aut suo certo attornato, executoribus, administratoribus, vel assignatis suis. Ad quam quidem solutionem bene et fideliter faciendam, obligamus nos, et quemlibet nostrum per se, pro toto et in solidum, heredes, executores, et administratores nostros, firmiter per praesentes. Sigillis nostris sigillatum. Datum vicesimo nono die mensis Julii, anno regni dominae nostrae Annae, Dei gratia, Magnae Britanniae, Franciae et Hiberniae Reginae, fidei defensatrix, undecimo. Anno Domini 1712.

The Condition of this Obligation is such: That if Mary Grover, widow, relict, and administratrix of all and singular the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased, which have or shall come to the hands, possession, or knowledge of her the said Mary Grover or into the hands and possession of any person or persons for her and the same soe made doe exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of ye Archbishops Deacons Court of Huntington at or before the nine & twentieth day of September next issuing and the same goods chattels and credits and all other the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased at the time of his death which at any time after shall come to the hands or possession of the said Mary Grover or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for her doe well and truly administer according to law

And further do make or cause to be made a true and inst amount of her said Adron at or before ye twenty second day of September next and all the rest and residue of the said goods chattels and that which shall be found remaining upon the said Administrators accompt the same being first examined and allowed of by the Judge or Judges for the time being of the said Court shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons respectively, as the said Judge or Judges, by his or the decree or sentence psuant to the true intent and meaning of a late Act of Parliament made in the two and twentieth and three and twentieth yeares of the raigne of our Late Soveraigne Lord King Charles the second (Intituled An Act for the better settling of Intestates Estates shall limit and appoint And if it shall hereafter appeare that any last will and Testament was made by the said deceased and the Executor or Executors therein named do exhibit the same into the said Court making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly, if the said Mary Grover above boundon being thereunto required to render and deliver the said Lords of Adion approbation of such testament being first had and made in the said court then this obligation to be void and of none effect or else to remain in full force and virtue.

Sealed and delivered in the presence of:
Saml Noyes, D.D.
George Seeling

The mark of Mary Grover (M)
John Babb (Signature)
Thomas Rodd (Signature)

Modern English Translation

Let it be known to all by these presents: We, Mary Grover, John Babb, and Thomas Rooke of Berkhamsted St. Peter in the county of Hertfordshire, are held and firmly bound to George Nowel, Esquire of Bath and Vicar General of the Bishop of London in spiritual matters for his jurisdiction in Hertfordshire, in the sum of two hundred pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain, payable to the said George Nowel, or to his certain attorney, executors, administrators, or assigns. For which payment, well and truly to be made, we bind ourselves, each of us individually and collectively, our heirs, executors, and administrators, firmly by these presents. Sealed with our seals. Dated the twenty-ninth day of July, in the eleventh year of the reign of our lady Anne, by the grace of God, Queen of Great Britain, France, and Ireland, Defender of the Faith, in the year of our Lord 1712.

The condition of this obligation is such: That if Mary Grover, widow, relict, and administratrix of all the goods, chattels, and credits of William Grover, deceased, shall make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory of all the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come into her possession or knowledge; and shall render a true and just account whenever lawfully required; and if it later appears that a last will and testament was made by the deceased and the named executor presents it to the court and requests its approval, then if Mary Grover, upon request, yields and delivers up her letters of administration (after the will is approved), then this obligation shall be void; otherwise, it shall remain in full force and effect.

Glossary of Terms

Relict: Widow; surviving spouse of the deceased.
Administratrix: A female administrator appointed to manage the estate of someone who died without a will.
Chattels: Movable personal property.
Credits: Debts owed to the deceased.
Approbation: Approval, especially of a will by a court.
Letters of Administration: Legal documents authorizing someone to administer the estate of a deceased person.
Obligation: A legal or moral duty to do something.
Testament: A person’s will, especially the part relating to personal property.
Executor: A person appointed to carry out the terms of a will.

Report of People’s Names

Mary Grover: Widow and administratrix of William Grover’s estate.
William Grover: Deceased individual whose estate is being administered.
John Babb: Surety (guarantor) for Mary Grover.
Thomas Rooke: Surety (guarantor) for Mary Grover.
George Nowel: Vicar General of the Bishop of London, recipient of the bond.
Saml Lloyd: Witness to the sealing of the document.
George Ealing: Witness to the sealing of the document.

Report of Place Names

Barkhamsted St. Peter: Likely refers to Berkhamsted St. Peter, a parish in Hertfordshire, England.
Hertfordiae: Latin for Hertfordshire, a county in England.
Bado: Possibly refers to Bath, a city in Somerset, England.
London: City associated with the Bishop of London.

Citation

“Hitchin, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:33SQ-GRQR-ZDD?view=explore: Jun 29, 2025), image 14 of 234; . Image Group Number: 004948015

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