The Second Oldest Armenian Will from London

May 9, 2015

Before I start the task of back-breaking photography for about five hours straight (I have been doing this since 1998 and especially since spring of 2003 right here a the PRO), let me post this quirky last will and testament I (re)photographed yesterday. It is the second oldest will of an Armenian merchant residing in London known to me. Owen John de Mardiros (Մարտիրոս որդի Յովանջեանի՞) passed away in London in circa 1724. I discovered his will in May of 2003. The transcription below indicates several things about the tiny Armenian community of London. At a low ebb at this point (1720s), the community must have numbered about 10 souls that included Owen John, our dear Coji Baba, and the person

to whom the testator below leaves all his wealth, Avedick de Avack and possibly his children, assuming he or they were residing in London. In the 1680s and 1690s there was similarly a sprinkling of Armenians in London, and in 1748-1751 (the period I am more familiar with) the number was zero after which several Armenians settled down here, including a Jeweler from Madras named Peter Paul, the famous “adventurer” Joseph Emin (from Calcutta and Hamadan), and my man Stephan di Cogigian (from Julfa via Manila and Amsterdam). The document below also indicates that the few Armenian merchants here had a social network of associations that extended mostly to Cadiz (Spain), Amsterdam, and Leghorn or Livorno. This in turn suggests that the London hub of the Armenian network was part of a circuit that included the cities mentioned above and that it was in many ways a peripheral node to this circuit.

My transcription follows:

In the Name of God Amen I Owen John de Marderos Armenian of the parish of S[ain]t Austin London merchant being of sound and disposing mind and memory praised be God therefore doe make these presents for and as my last Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) imprimis I give and bequeath unto my loving friend Avedick de Avack Armenian of Watling Street in the parish of S[ain]t Antholin London merchant and his Heirs and assignees for ever All such Sume or Sumes of money whatsoever that are or shall be due owing or belonging unto me at the time of my Decease from any person or persons whatsoever either in Smyrna Leghorn Cadiz London or any other place whatsoever or wheresoever upon account of merchandize or otherwise any Account whatsoever or howsoever. And I doe hereby further bequeath and Devise unto the said Avedick de Avack and his sons and assignees for ever all my estate whatsoever either Reall or personal that I shall be Interested in or instituted unto at the time of my Decease And I doe hereby nominate ordain and appoint the said Avedick de Avack Sole Executor of this my last Will and testament hereby reworking all other and former Wills by the heretofore made and I Doe hereby Declare this to be my only last Will and Testament in Witness thereof to this my last Will & Testament. I the s[ai]d Owen John de Marderos have hereunto Sett my Hand and Sealed this Second Day of January Anno Deus 1724 And in the Eleventh year of the Reigne of King George over Great Britain &
On the right bottom of document:

The Hand Writing of Owen
Մարտիրոսի որդի յովանջան

Owen John de Marderos in Armenian characters

On the left bottom:

Signed Sealed Published and Declared by the testator for and as his Last Will & Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto Subscribeed our names as Witnesses thereto in the presence and at the request of the said Testator

Edmund Farmer
Richard Farmer
Ben Wile [?] Attorney in Barnaby Street Southwark
Illegible Arabic script signature