Manuscript 'Case for Mr. Wheeler', asking 'Whether Mrs. Boulton [Anne, wife of James Watt's partner Matthew Boulton] is or is not dowable of a Moiety of this Estate?' With Francis Wheler's signed autograph legal opinion on the question.

Folio, 1 p. Text clear and complete. Lightly-aged and creased. Remains of red wafer in left margin. Folded into a packet, and docketed on reverse 'Case for Mr. Wheler | 1 G[uine]a. | Martin & Hay for Nevill'. The upper half of the document consists of eighteen lines in the hand of the enquirer (presumably one of a firm of solicitors named 'Martin & Hay", acting for one 'Nevill'), with the last two lines posing the question; the lower half consists of fifteen lines in Wheler's hand, signed by him 'Frans Wheler', and dated by him in the bottom left-hand corner. The 'Case' centres on a 'Habendum in the Release' of Luke Robinson's lease to Boulton and John Barker. 'Mr Boulton (who is married [to Robinson's sister Anne]) hath contracted with one Mr. Sant for the Sale of the whole of this Estate & saith that his Wife is not dowable of any Part thereof it being a jointenancy And that the Estate was convey'd as above to avoid his Wife having Dower therein & to save the Expence of a Fine - On the other Hand Mr. Sant is advised that (tho' ye Estate be look'd upon as a Jointenancy) Mrs. Boulton is dowable of that Moiety whereof the Trust is express'd'. Wheler forcefully explains his position on the question. For more information relating to the circumstances of Boulton's marriage, see Uglow's 'The Lunar Men' (2002).