Analysis

This document is a legal bond and obligation from the early 18th century, involving Elizabeth Vane, widow of Josiah Vane of Berkhamsted St Peters, Hertfordshire. It is a probate-related document, binding her to faithfully administer her late husband’s estate. The Latin portion formalizes the bond, while the English portion outlines the conditions under which the bond is valid or void. Witnesses include Thomas Babb, suggesting a possible familial or legal connection. The entry from the outside cover of the bond explains that it is for the estate of Josiah Vane of Berkhamsted. The monetary value listed is £33.0.0 (thirty-three pounds sterling). The record of which Thomas was present to witness this document is murky. But it appears to be Thomas Babb (abt 1684 – Unknown) who was born in the nearby parish of St Albans. For the time being I have placed the record there as an educated guess. If new information comes to light, we can revisit the connection.

Formal Transcription (Latin & Early Modern English)

Latin:

Noverint universi per penter nob Elizabetham Vane Johanneni Lowder & Johannen Vane de Berkhamsted St Petri inComitatus Hertfordiensis agricolas Noverint universi per praesentes nos teneri et firmiter obligari Johanni Bettesworth Legum Doctori, Decano, et Johanni Andrew, clerico, in decem libris bonae et legalis monetae Magnae Britanniae solvendis eisdem Johanni Bettesworth et Johanni Andrew, vel eorum executoribus, administratoribus sive assignatis. Ad quam quidem solutionem bene et fideliter faciendam obligamus nos, heredes, executores et administratores Firmiter por pressontb sigillio urib sigillate Dat duadocemo dio monsi octobris Anno Dmi Willimo septingommo dedima nano

Early Modern English:

The Condition of this obligation is such that if ye above bounden Elizabeth Vane Administratrix of all & singular ye goods & chattels of Josiah Vane of Barkhamsted St Peters in the county of Hertford (Bricklayer) her deceased husband doe make or cause to be made a true and perfect inventory 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 Elizabeth Vane or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for her and the same too made doe exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registery of ye ArchDeacons Court of Huntington at or before the last day of November next ensuing 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 possession of any other person or persons doe well truly Administer and according to law and further doe make or cause to be made a true and perfect accompt and all the rest and residue of the said goods chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the said Administratrix accompt the same being first examined and allowed by the judge or judges for the time of the said Court shall deliver and pay unto such person or persons (pursuant to the true intent and meaning of an act of Parliament Intituled an Act for the better settling of Intestates Estates) shall limit and appoint and if it shall hereafter appeare that any Last Will & Testament was made by the said deceased and the Executor or Executrix therein named doe exhibit the same into the said court making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly if the said Elizabeth Vane above bounden being thereunto required render and deliver the said Hros of Adron (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.

The Mark of Elizabeth Vane
The Mark of John Lowdon

Signed sealed and delivered in the presence of
Samuel Noyes
Thomas Babb
John Vaux

Modern English Translation

Let all know by these presents that we, Elizabeth Vane, John Lowder, and John Vane of Berkhamsted St Peter in the County of Hertfordshire, farmers, are held and firmly bound to John Bettesworth, Doctor of Laws and Dean, and John Andrew, clerk, in the sum of ten pounds of good and lawful money of Great Britain, to be paid to the said John Bettesworth and John Andrew, or their executors, administrators, or assigns. To which payment well and faithfully to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs, executors, and administrators. Firmly by these presents sealed with our seals. Given on the twelfth day of the month of October, in the year of our Lord 1719.

The condition of this obligation is that if the above-named Elizabeth Vane, administratrix of all the goods and chattels of her deceased husband Josiah Vane of Barkhamsted St Peters, Hertfordshire (a bricklayer), makes or causes to be made a true and complete inventory of all the goods, chattels, and credits of the said deceased that have or shall come into her possession or knowledge, or into the possession of any other person on her behalf, and exhibits the same into the Registry of the Archdeacon’s Court of Huntington on or before the last day of November next, and if she faithfully administers the estate according to law, and makes a true and complete account, and pays the remaining goods and credits to those legally entitled under the Act for the Better Settling of Intestates’ Estates, and if it later appears that a will was made and the executor or executrix presents it to the court for approval, and if Elizabeth Vane delivers the letters of administration when required, then this obligation shall be void; otherwise, it shall remain in full force.

Glossary of Terms

Administratrix – A female appointed to manage the estate of someone who died without a will.
Archdeaconry – A division of a diocese under the jurisdiction of an archdeacon.
Chattels – Movable personal property.
Executor/Executrix – A person named in a will to carry out the deceased’s wishes.
Intestate – A person who dies without a valid will.
Letters of Administration – Legal documents allowing someone to administer an estate.
Obligation – A formal legal bond.
Probate – The legal process of administering a deceased person’s estate.

Report of People’s Names

Elizabeth Vane – Administratrix; widow of Josiah Vane
Josiah Vane – Deceased; husband of Elizabeth Vane
John Butterworth – Commissioner of the Archdeacon
John Andrin – Reverend; Archdeacon
John [Van] – Bound party; of Berkhamsted St John
Agnes [surname unknown] – Bound party
Samuel Noyes – Witness
Thomas Babb – Witness
John Vaux – Witness
John Lowdon – Witness

Report of Place Names

Barkhamsted St Peters – Modern: Berkhamsted St Peter, Hertfordshire
Berkhamsted Sancti Johannis – Modern: Berkhamsted St John, Hertfordshire
Huntingdoniae – Modern: Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire (formerly Huntingdonshire)

Citation

Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom records,” images, FamilySearch (https://www.familysearch.org/ark:/61903/3:1:3Q9M-CSNK-NYLJ?view=fullText: Jul 1, 2025), image 550 of 582; Church of England. Archdeaconry of Huntingdon. Hitchin Division. Court.

Image Group Number: 008083177

Original Text

1749
Vane, Jossice de Barkhamsted Lri Peh
Obligo Imp. ejus Admod.
NO: 33.0.0

Interpretation

This entry from the outside cover of the bond related to the estate of Josiah Vane of Berkhamsted. The monetary value listed is £33.0.0 (thirty-three pounds sterling).

Modern English Translation

In the year 1749, a bond was recorded for Josiah Vane of Berkhamsted. The entry indicates a formal legal obligation, related to probate and estate administration. The value of the bond was thirty-three pounds sterling.