I have two problems. First the Gloucester Record Office do not have the original will or image of the will of Thomas Drinkwater of Taynton dated 1667. Their catalogue (and Ancestry) state they have it, but they have emailed me to say the will is one of the ones missing when they first acquired the wills proved in the Consistory Court of Gloucester. Do you think there is any chance that a copy exists somewhere else, or do I have to give up all hope?

Secondly the "will" dated 1764 for Thomas Drinkwater of Taynton is in fact a grant of administration to his two surviving daughters to administer his estate because he died intestate. This is very interesting for me as it fills in details about the daughters, but I am puzzled as I believe Thomas the father died in 1739. Does anyone know if it is possible that the daughters were claiming the estate because another relative, who had previously inherited it without any legal process (like a brother, for example), had just died? Or could it really have taken 25 years for administration to be granted? Or could Thomas have lived at least 85 years surviving his wife by 36 years, and died in 1764 without any record of burial?

Any advice would be very gratefully received!

Thanks for looking.

Just to link with previous thread for background etc.

http://forum.forest-of-dean.net/index.php?mode=thread&id=34720

?although Thomas DRINKWATER was of Taynton - may be he died/buried elsewhere i.e. his daughter Elizabeth WINSTONE was living in Ross, Herefordshire etc.

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Although it appears to be listed on Ancestry, when you click on the actual photo-copy it isn't Thomas' Will - it's Thomas ffroveman? Blacksmith, Hartpury

Looking at Fod Records it would appear to be Thomas FREEMAN of Hartpury - 14 February 1667

(pages 285/286 of 376) - the same pages as Thomas DRINKWATER

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Name: Thomas DRINKWATER

Gender: Male

Document Type: Will

Will Date: 1667

Will No: 135

Place: Taynton

Court: Consistory Court of Gloucester

Civil Place: Gloucestershire, England

Reference Code: GDR/Wills/1667 (135)

(pages 285/286 of 376)

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22 January 1764

Two DRINKWATER daughters mentioned are: Elizabeth WINSTONE and Susannah BLEWITT

+ Edward WINSTONE, of Rofs Hereford, Blacksmith

John BLEWITT of Longhope, labourer and

Benjamin BLEWITT of Gloucester, Labourer

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CLDS

Have the marriage of John BLUETT (Ancestry BLEUETT) to Susanna DRINKWATER 17 February 1731, Newent.

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? Not sure if the Huntley DRINKWATER's are another branch

Fod Records

Burial at Taynton: 27 February 1739

Thomas DRINKWATER of Huntley

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Ancestry:

Baptism at Huntley - 29 March 1715 - Thomas DRINKWATER, parents : James & Anne

I am not sure why I have not seen this before. Thank you for posting the information and for linking back.

I apologise if I am repeating myself!

In another part of the country a married woman ancestor of mine died young, and did not leave a will as at that time married women did not leave wills. The husband of the dead woman applied for administration many years after his wife's death. This seemed very strange until I read the will of her maternal grandfather. Just before the husband applied for administration his widowed mother-in-law died. She had inherited land from her father, bequeathed to her and her heirs separately from her husband. So when she died her surviving children and grandchildren shared the land. It seems the husband had to apply for administration to access the share due to his children - or so the Lancashire Record Office suggest.

I am wondering if there also exists some sort of explanation for why the two daughters of Thomas Drinkwater applied for administration of his estate apparently 25 years after his death. I agree I may be wrong in thinking he is the one buried in Taynton 27 Feb 1739 (resident in Huntley) but I do know this one was not one of the Huntley Drinkwaters because I have read wills that link together this different branch. It is possible that my Thomas Drinkwater died in 1763/64, that the application for administration left out the date of death, and that his burial was not recorded. He would have to have been over 80 when he died - not impossible. Perhaps he did die elsewhere as you suggest - though the letter granting the administration is signed by the Rector of Taynton at the time.

I expect I will never know.

It would have been useful to read the will of the earlier Thomas Drinkwater of Taynton, dated 1667, but though this must once have existed (as it is listed in the National Archives) Gloucester Record Office have told me it has always been missing. Ancestry just copied the filmed images and did not check the images against the indexes.

Thanks again for your help.

Re: Lost 'Will of Thomas DRINKWATER of Taynton 1667'

Not sure if this helps???

Looking at Gloucestershire Achives : Online Catalogue and searching for a 'Thomas Drinkwater of Taynton' - who appears to move in 'high circles'

They hold a bundle of papers which mentions the above. Date: 1650-1788

Finding Ref: D3398/1/11/1

Title: Deeds (numbered 1-9) relating to parcel of pasture ground called Drakes Croft in Barton Street, St Mary de Lobe.

Also includes mention to two messuages (formerly one) in Aylesgate/Eastgate Street, two poles of land in meadow called Meanham, messuage in Uppey/Northgate Street.
Included certificate tht William COOKE of Highnam appeared at Court of Quarter Sessions and proved he had received sacrament in Lassington Church, took oathes of surpremacy and allegiance and subscribed to the declaration against transubstaiation, 1673.

Thomas DRINKWATER of Taynton, husbandman
Edward MOURSE and family
Edward COOKE of Highnam (on Glos Archives, appears to be Colonel - of Highnam Court)
William SMITH,
HOSKINS family
Elijah PITT (on Glos Archives, Gent, son on Rowland Pitt)
William LANE Esq, of Apperley ***
Capel PAYNE Esq, of Apperley ***
Ralph FLETCHER of Gloucester, Baker
Thomas PRICE
Rev George HAYWARD of Frocester
John SELWYN PYTT

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*** A William LANE died and Capel LANE was his Heir. Capel also died in 1764 - his Will is on Ancestry, Proved in London

from British History on Line for Deerhurst

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66382

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Trying to work out who the above people were - might give you more insight into Thomas Drinkwater. Just by searching the above names on the Gloucestershire Archives Catalogue.

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Men in Armour for Gloucestershire 1608 - shows where the male DRINKWATER's were residing (including a Henry & Samuell DRINCKWATER of City of Gloucester A40 (age approx 40).

Looking at the FoD records, DRINCKWATER early connections to Ashleworth and Deerhurst

http://www.coaley.net/glos1608/index.php

The MP (one of two) for Gloucester in 1679 was William COOKE (1620-1703)of Highnam Court. There were others of the same name and place, both before and after him, who occupied the same position. Something of a family business it appears.

Re: Lost 'Will of Thomas DRINKWATER of Taynton 1667'

Not sure if this helps???

Looking at Gloucestershire Achives : Online Catalogue and searching for a 'Thomas Drinkwater of Taynton' - who appears to move in 'high circles'

They hold a bundle of papers which mentions the above. Date: 1650-1788

Finding Ref: D3398/1/11/1

Title: Deeds (numbered 1-9) relating to parcel of pasture ground called Drakes Croft in Barton Street, St Mary de Lobe.

Also includes mention to two messuages (formerly one) in Aylesgate/Eastgate Street, two poles of land in meadow called Meanham, messuage in Uppey/Northgate Street.
Included certificate tht William COOKE of Highnam appeared at Court of Quarter Sessions and proved he had received sacrament in Lassington Church, took oathes of surpremacy and allegiance and subscribed to the declaration against transubstaiation, 1673.

Thomas DRINKWATER of Taynton, husbandman
Edward MOURSE and family
Edward COOKE of Highnam (on Glos Archives, appears to be Colonel - of Highnam Court)
William SMITH,
HOSKINS family
Elijah PITT (on Glos Archives, Gent, son on Rowland Pitt)
William LANE Esq, of Apperley ***
Capel PAYNE Esq, of Apperley ***
Ralph FLETCHER of Gloucester, Baker
Thomas PRICE
Rev George HAYWARD of Frocester
John SELWYN PYTT

---

*** A William LANE died and Capel LANE was his Heir. Capel also died in 1764 - his Will is on Ancestry, Proved in London

from British History on Line for Deerhurst

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66382

---

Trying to work out who the above people were - might give you more insight into Thomas Drinkwater. Just by searching the above names on the Gloucestershire Archives Catalogue.

---

Men in Armour for Gloucestershire 1608 - shows where the male DRINKWATER's were residing (including a Henry & Samuell DRINCKWATER of City of Gloucester A40 (age approx 40).

Looking at the FoD records, DRINCKWATER early connections to Ashleworth and Deerhurst

http://www.coaley.net/glos1608/index.php

Re: Lost 'Will of Thomas DRINKWATER of Taynton 1667'

Not sure if this helps???

Looking at Gloucestershire Achives : Online Catalogue and searching for a 'Thomas Drinkwater of Taynton' - who appears to move in 'high circles'

They hold a bundle of papers which mentions the above. Date: 1650-1788

Finding Ref: D3398/1/11/1

Title: Deeds (numbered 1-9) relating to parcel of pasture ground called Drakes Croft in Barton Street, St Mary de Lobe.

Also includes mention to two messuages (formerly one) in Aylesgate/Eastgate Street, two poles of land in meadow called Meanham, messuage in Uppey/Northgate Street.
Included certificate tht William COOKE of Highnam appeared at Court of Quarter Sessions and proved he had received sacrament in Lassington Church, took oathes of surpremacy and allegiance and subscribed to the declaration against transubstaiation, 1673.

Thomas DRINKWATER of Taynton, husbandman
Edward MOURSE and family
Edward COOKE of Highnam (on Glos Archives, appears to be Colonel - of Highnam Court)
William SMITH,
HOSKINS family
Elijah PITT (on Glos Archives, Gent, son on Rowland Pitt)
William LANE Esq, of Apperley ***
Capel PAYNE Esq, of Apperley ***
Ralph FLETCHER of Gloucester, Baker
Thomas PRICE
Rev George HAYWARD of Frocester
John SELWYN PYTT

---

*** A William LANE died and Capel LANE was his Heir. Capel also died in 1764 - his Will is on Ancestry, Proved in London

from British History on Line for Deerhurst

http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=66382

---

Trying to work out who the above people were - might give you more insight into Thomas Drinkwater. Just by searching the above names on the Gloucestershire Archives Catalogue.

---

Men in Armour for Gloucestershire 1608 - shows where the male DRINKWATER's were residing (including a Henry & Samuell DRINCKWATER of City of Gloucester A40 (age approx 40).

Looking at the FoD records, DRINCKWATER early connections to Ashleworth and Deerhurst

http://www.coaley.net/glos1608/index.php

Many thanks again. I have made a note of the reference number and added it to a list of records I hope to peruse at the Gloucester Record Office eventually. It is a good idea to find out more about the names mentioned, as you suggest. I'll let you know if I ever achieve illumination re the missing will and the possibly very late administration request.

Best wishes

Interesting - thanks!