by Tim Ridge » Thu Jul 12, 2018 3:40 pm
great episode! an update regarding Harriet “India” Slessor - yesterday the Berkshire Record Office posted on their FB page that they had the will of Harriet’s mother, which was amongst the papers received from the Newbury solicitors Pitman & Bazett (Charles Young Bazett’s nephew was a solicitor in this firm). Her name was Seraphina Donclere, and her will dated 8 Oct 1809 referred to her daughter Harriet Slessor, another daughter named Charlotte Hunter, the fact that she was pregnant at that time, and naming Major William Slessor as her executor. She died shortly before the untimely death of William Slessor (7 Jan 1810) - possibly in childbirth. I have to wonder, as Seraphina was probably carrying his second child when she died, whether his death by “the accidental discharge of his fowling piece” was not an accident after all.
Berkshire Record Office have already passed on this information to the WDYTYA researchers, so there may be more to be revealed. If you have FMP you can find Seraphina Donclere’s will and probate on there.