March .22. 1652 An Act for continuance of the Customs until the 26. of March 1654. vide voll. 10th. fol. 86. single sheets.  
 blazon of the Commonwealth  
AN ACT FOR Probate of Wills, And granting ADMINISTRATIONS.  
FOr the Administration of justice in the cases of Probates of Wills, and granting of Administrations in the late Provinces of Canterbury & York, Be it Enacted by this present Parliament, and the Authority thereof, That Sir Anthony Ashley Cooper Baronet, Sir Henry Blunt, Matthew Hales, William Steel, John Sadler, Charls-George Cock, Thomas Manby, Thomas Blunt, Josias berner's, John Desborow, Samuel Moyer, Matthew Thomlinson, John Fountain, John Fowk, William Packer, Esqs Mr. Hugh Peter, Sir William Roberts, John Mansel, John Rushworth, John Sparrow junior, Esqs or any five or more of them, shall be, and are hereby constituted and appointed judges for the Probate of Wills and granting of Administrations in all and every the counties & cities of England and Wales; And shall and may use, exercise and put in execution, all such further Powers and Authorities touching the Probate of Wills and granting of Administrations, with the Incidencies and Dependencies thereupon in the late Provinces of Canterbury and York, that Sir Nathaniel Brent lawfully did or might have done in the late Province of Canterbury: And shall and may, if they see cause, divide themselves into several places for the executing of the power given them by this Act, so as there be five of them present there; and that they, or any five or more of them, shall and may issue out Commissions, Process and Proceed, to Hear, Sentence and Decree all matters touching Wills, Administrations and Inventories; and also the Incidencies, Emergencies and Dependencies thereupon in all places in England and Wales, as the said Sir Nathaniel Brent lawfully might have done in the late Province of Canterbury: And that they do and execute all other things necessary and incident to the execution of the premises; and that they or any five or more of them, shall and may hear, sentence and decree all matters and things touching Wills, Administrations and Inventories, that were depending before the said Sir Nathaniel Brent the day of his decease, Saving unto every person & persons, Body Politic and Corporate, All such Right, Title and Interest, that they or any of them have for the execution of any of the Authorities concerning the Premises, given by this Act.  
And be it further Enacted, That the Profits which shall arise during the continuance of this Act, by lawful Fees for the Probate of Wills, and granting Administrations; And likewise all Fees to be taken by the Registers, shall be employed for the use of the Navy, and the satisfying such Clerks, and such other Ministerial Officers as shall be necessary for to be employed in the said service: & that Dennis Bond, Cornelius Holland, Francis Allein and John Downs, Esqs Commissioners for inspecting the Treasury, or any three of them do and shall direct and appoint, the Fees and Salaries that shall be allowed and paid unto such Clerks and such Ministerial Officers as shall be employed as aforesaid; which said Fees and Salaries shall be paid out of the said growing Profits, by Warrant from the said Commissioners or any three of them: And the remainder of the said Profits shall be paid according to the Warrant of the said Commissioners, for the use of the Navy.  
And be it further Enacted, That the said Commissioners shall and may call all such persons to an Account that shall receive any of the said Profits: And in case such person shall refuse to Account, or pay the moneys so received, That then they or any three of them may secure the person of such Offender, until he shall Account or pay in the moneys.  
Provided always, That this Act shall be in force until the First day of October, which shall be in the year One thousand six hundred fifty and three, and no longer.   

Friday the Eighth of April, 1653.  
ORdered by the Parliament, That this Act be forthwith Printed and Published.  
Hen: Scobell, Cleric. Parliamenti.   

London, Printed by John Field, Printer to the Parliament of England. 1653.