Ancestry have now released the National Probate Calendar (1861-1941) which is almost like an index to wills. A distant relative who has worked with me on my STILING line gave me the heads up and I checked it out:
STILING John 9 October.The Will of John Stiling late of Tiverton in the County of Devon Yeoman deceased who died 3 February 1862 at Tiverton aforesaid was proved at Exeter by the oath of Edward Stiling of the Parish of Tiverton aforesaid Yeoman the Son one of the Executors.Effects under £600.[handwritten underneath] Resworn at the Stamp Office Feb 1865 under £450.
I believe this to be my John STILING for the following reasons:
- he dropped off the census after 1861
- wife declared a widow on the 1871 census
- recorded living at Tiverton since 1811 (son Edward’s birth)
- has son Edward STILING
- farmer (yeoman) since 1841 census
This is the first time I had even come close to a death date for John STILING so I was very pleased indeed to see this entry.
I used ancestry to look further into the son mentioned, Edward STILING and found what appears to be his will too. The entry contained: formerly of Barton but late of Tiverton Farmer died 16 Feb 1873 at Tiverton – Elizabeth Daw, widow, his sister executrix.
Not only do I have a death date but also a daughter of John that I was unaware of until now.
Next Steps:
- Obtain a copy of John & Edward STILING’s wills
