Administration with will attached

[Phoenix]

Joseph Alder Cheshire appears to have been an unsuccessful businessman. His wife's aunt forgave him a debt of £600, and when he died, over twenty years later, he left under £100.


https://www.ancestry.co.uk/imageview...39?pId=3181179


But why is he described as a widower? Does this mean his will left everything to his wife, but didn't say what would happen if she died? Suggestions, please.

[kiterunner]

I don't think it necessarily means that. The previous entry is also for a widower but just administration.

It could be that he named his wife as sole executrix and that is why it had to be administration with the will attached.

I'm sure one of my OH's ancestors calls himself a widower in his will or is called a widower in the probate info although his wife outlived him, but I can't think who it was to check.