(Vol. vi., p. 596.; Vol. vii., pp. 12. 134. 200. 375.)
It may be worth recording, that among the MS. papers of the late James
Boswell, which were I believe sold by auction by Messrs. Sotheby and Co.,
there was the office copy and probate of the will of Milton's widow. She
was described as Elizabeth Milton of Namptwich, widow; and it was dated the
27th of August, 1727. In the will she bequeathed all her effects, after the
payment of her debts, to be divided between her nieces and nephews in
Namptwich; and named as her executors, Samuel Acton and John Allcock, Esqs.
Probate was granted to John Allcock, October 10, 1727.
Beside this, there was a bond or acquittance, dated 1680 from Richard
Mynshull, described of Wistaston in Cheshire, frame-work knitter, for
100_l_. received of Mrs. Elizabeth Milton in consideration of a transfer to
her of a lease for lives, or ninety-nine years, of a messuage at Brindley
in Cheshire, held under Sir Thomas Wilbraham.
There were also receipts or releases from Milton's three daughters, Anne
Milton, Mary Milton, and Deborah Clarke (to the last of which Abraham
Clarke was a party): the first two dated Feb. 22, 1674; the last, March 27
in the same year; for 100l. each, received of Elizabeth Milton their
step-mother in consideration of their shares of their father's estate. The
sums were, with the consent of Christopher Milton and Richard Powell, both
described of the Inner Temple, to be disposed of in the purchase of
rent-charges or annuities for the benefit of the said daughters.
Two of these documents appear to be now in the possession of your
correspondents MR. MARSH and MR. HUGHES; but I have met with no mention
hitherto of the destination of the others.
These may seem trifling minutiae to notice, but nothing can fairly be
considered unimportant which may lead to the elucidation of the domestic
history of Milton.