Wills - James Darby (General)
by selbyfamily 
, Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 11:27 (5685 days ago)
Can anyone help. I am researching the Darby family and have a Will from this site of James Darby. I have worked out the family mentioned in it and think he may be the son of Gregory Darby, and twin brother of Peter Darby. There are deaths for two James Darbys in the parish registers - one died in March 1831 and one in March 1939. The 1831 date would be nearest to the age of death of this James Darby who was baptised in 1868.
However, the Will is signed by James on 15 March 1831, a few days before the 1831 burial but at the end is dated 16 July 1831 when the Executor was sworn in. Does this mean he could have died in March and then the Will would have been taken for the Executor to be sworn in at a later date in July after his death? I don't really understand how these things work but this seems the logical conclusion to me.
Any comments would be welcome.
Wills - James Darby
by ChrisW , Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 16:36 (5685 days ago) @ selbyfamily
"one died in March 1831 and one in March 1939. The 1831 date would be nearest to the age of death of this James Darby who was baptised in 1868".
Would you like to edit this please 'cos it doesn't make any sense to me!
It sounds as though the Will was written on his deathbed and, as you say, the Executor was appointed later.
Wills - James Darby
by selbyfamily , Tuesday, July 14, 2009, 17:44 (5685 days ago) @ ChrisW
Sorry, should be 1768! I am having a very trying time with the Darbys so please excuse mistake!!
Wills - James Darby
by gerobertson , Saturday, August 08, 2009, 20:45 (5660 days ago) @ selbyfamily
James Darby is my 4G Grandfather and it was I who transcribed the will. My email address can be found at the foot of the transcript.
Yes James is the son of Gregory and was buried 19 Mar 1831.The other James is a cousin. I have copies of James's christening, marriage, death, will etc if you are interested.
From the look of his mark on the will, James did not have long to live!!!
The executor does not necessarily need to sign the will. In the normal course of events following the death of the testator, the executor(s) would need to have the will "proved" to the authorities responsible for administrating such matters.
Glenn Robertson