Court of the Peculiar of Withington

England Gloucestershire  Gloucestershire Probate Records

Jurisdiction
This court had jurisdiction solely over the parish of Withington and the chapelry of Dowdeswell. It was under the superior authority of the Court of the Bishop of Worcester until 1541 when the Diocese of Gloucester was formed and it was transfered to the authority of the Court of the Bishop of Gloucester.

The jurisdiction of the peculiar was a source of constant friction between bishops and rectors. Wills of some residents in the peculiars were proved at Gloucester even while the peculiar registries were active. Between 1622 and 1776, 97 wills were proven in the Peculiar court while 126 wills were proven at Gloucester.

Records
The original records are deposited at the Gloucestershire Record Office. A survey of Withington wills taken in They include:


 * Original wills, 1624-1752
 * Registered wills, 1715-1748
 * Registered acts and administrations, 1622-1776

The records have been microfilmed and are available at the Family History Library in Salt Lake City and through family history centers. They include:


 * Original wills and administrations, 1622-1776