on 15.4.1766 pending the episcopal visitation etc issued forth a commission to Wm Peartree the natural and lawful son and one of the surviving residuary legatees named in the last will and testament of Wm Peartree late of the parish of Witham in the county of Essex deceased to administer the goods chattels and credits of the said deceased together with his said last will and testament annexed and according to the tenor and effect thereof left unadministered by Jn Onion also deceased when living the sole executor named in his said will the said Jn Onion having first also duly made and executed his last will and testament in writing and therein named Jn May sole executor who having been duly cited declared he would not take upon himself the execution of the last mentioned will as by the act of the prerogative court of Canterbury reference being thereunto had may more fully and at large appear he the said Wm being sworn duly to administer the goods chattels and credits of the said Wm Peartree deceased so left unadministered as aforesaid