Note:- The Obligation (the first part of the document) as usual is written in Latin and my Latin is not good enough to provide an exact transcription. Whilst some words varied from document to document Letters of Administration followed the same basic format so I have placed the variable (and from our point of view the important) details such as peoples names , places trades etc into a standard worded document as below so that the document can be understood.

Know All Men by these presents that Joseph PURCHASE Distiller of (name of town unclear and partly torn away!) : Mary PURCHASE widow, and Jacob⁽²⁾ MANUEL Maltster of Dorchester in the County of Dorset

Are held and firmly bound unto Henry JONES Doctor of Law and official Principal of Randolph Ironside the Archdeacon of the Archdeaconry of Dorset fully constituted in the sum of one hundred pounds of goods and lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto the said Henry JONES his certain attorney his executors Administrators or Assigns To which payment well and truly to be made We oblige ourselves and each and every of us by himself for the whole our and each and every of our heirs executors and Administrators firmly by these presents sealed with our seals

Dated the third day in the month of December in the reign of Charles II by the grace of God of England, Scotland, France and Ireland King Defender of the Faith and so forth

The Condition of this obligation is such that if the above bounden Joseph PURCHASE the natural sone and Administrator of all and singular the goods chattels and credits of Nicholas PURCHASE late of Dorchester aforesaid deceased, do make or cause to be made a true and perfect Inventory of all singular the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased which have or shall come to the hands possession or knowledge of him the said Joseph PURCHASE or into the hands and possession of any person or persons for him and the same so made do exhibit or cause to be exhibited into the Registry of the Archdeacons Court of Dorset when he shall thereunto lawfully required

And the same goods chattels and credits and all other the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased at the time of his death which at any time after shall come to the hands or possession of the said Joseph PURCHASE or into the hands and possession of any other person or persons for him, and the same do well and truly administer according to law,

And further do make or cause to be made a true and just accompt of her said Administration at or before the 30th day of March next ensuing

And all the rest and residue of the said goods chattels and credits which shall be found remaining upon the said Administration accompt the same being first examined and allowed of by the Judge or Judges for the time being of the said Court shall deliver and pay or cause to be paid unto such person or persons respectively as the said Judge or Judges by his or their decree or sentence shall limit and appoint according to the true intent and meaning of the late Act of Parliament in this behalf made and provided;

And if it shall hereafter appear that any last will and Testament was made by the said deceased and the Executor or Executors therein named do exhibit the same into the said Court making request to have it allowed and approved accordingly if the said Joseph PURCHASE above bounden being thereunto required do render or deliver the said Letters of Administration (approbation of such Testament being first had and made) into the said Court Then this Obligation to be void and of non effect or else to remain in full force and virtue.

Signed

Joseph PURCHASE with his seal

Marie (her marke M) PURCHASE with her seal

James MANUELL with his seal

Signed Sealed and delivered in the presence of Richard FITTZHERBERT and Samuel PERREN