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Covenant of Marriage

ProfilePosted byOptionsPost Date

Kense

Kense Report 2 May 2014 08:48

I think that in the seventeenth century a wife was entitled to a third of the estate by law. That would not need to be specified in the will.

sue t

sue t Report 1 May 2014 22:46

Really dont know who this Ralph was, I wondered if he may have been her father but i've not been able to find any marriages between Horrocks / / Elison

Karen thanks for explanation

Karen in the desert

Karen in the desert Report 1 May 2014 22:10


Covenant. Legal Term. .... written document in which the signatories either commit themselves to do a certain thing, to not do a certain thing or in which they agree on a certain set of facts.
Ref: 'Understanding Documents for Genealogy and Local History' by Bruce Durie.

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 1 May 2014 21:50

It wouldn't necessarily mean she had had any say in it - whatever it was, it may have been entirely her husband's idea.
Perhaps she had a very enlightened husband!

Who was Ralph Elison? Was he just a witness, or did he have an interest in whatever the covenant was?

I don't suppose you know - how tantalising!

sue t

sue t Report 1 May 2014 20:03

Thats what i was thinking but this was 1680 , i didn't think women had any rights any way in those days.

ArgyllGran

ArgyllGran Report 1 May 2014 19:16

Sounds like some sort of pre-nup arrangement as to what would happen in the event of his death.

sue t

sue t Report 1 May 2014 18:47

Hi , I wondered if any one could help me with the meaning of this in a will......It is my will and mind that my executor do discharge my covenant at marriage made with my wife Ann and Ralph Elison.
Apart from this his wife is not mentioned at all.
Sue