Susannah Dumaresq's guardianship of her children

Susannah Dumaresq's
guardianship of her children

From the Registry of Probate

1774, 31 January, Elizabeth Dumaresq, aged 14 years and upwards, daughter of Philip Dumaresq, late of Boston, mariner deceased; chose her mother, Susannah, to be her Guardian, and to receive all that portion of estate belonging to her, in right of her grandfather, Elias Dumaresq, Lord des Augrés, late of the Island of Jersey, deceased, and Madam Frances de Carteret, his wife, also deceased.

Anne DUmaresq, aged about 8 years, daughter of Philip Dumaresq, deceased, had her mother, Susannah, appointed her guardian to receive her portion of same estate.

Philip Dumaresq, aged about seven years, son of Philip Dumaresq, deceased, had his mother appointed guardian, etc. The document is given in full as follows:

Josiah Willard, Esq, commissioned by His Excellency, William Shirley, Esq, Captain General and Governor in Chief, in and over His Majestie's Province of the Massachusetts Bay, in New England, by and with the consent of the Council, to be Judge of the Probate of Wills, etc, for and within the County of Suffolk, in the Province aforesaid. To Susannah Dumaresq, of Boston, in the County aforesaid, Widow. Greeting. Trusting in your care and fidelity, I do by these presents, pursuant to the powers and authority to me granted in and by the act of the General Assembly of the said Province, nominate and appoint you to be guardian unto your son, Philip Dumaresq, a minor, aged about seven years, son of Philip Dumaresq, late of Boston, aforesaid, Marriner, deceased, with full power and authority to ask, demand, sue for, recover, receive and take into your possession, all and singular such parts and portion of estate accruing to him in right of his grandfather, Elias, Lord des Augrés, late of the Island of Jersey, deceased, and Madam Frances de Carteret, his wife, also deceased, or which by any other means whatsoever doth of right appertain or belong to him, and manage, employ and improve the same for his best profit and advantage, and to render a plain and true account of your guardianship upon oath, so far as the law will charge you therewith. Also, you shall be lawfully required to pay and deliver such, and so much of the said estate, as shall be remaining when your account (the same being first examined and allowed by the Judge or Judges for the time being of Probate etc) unto the said minor, when he shall arrive at full age or otherwise as the said Judge or Judges by his or their desire on sentence pursuant to law shall direct, and appoint.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and seal, of the Court of Probate of Boston, this 30th day of January, Anno Domini 1744

J Willard