Gilbert Shakespeare's signature [brother of WS]

On March 5, 1610 Gilbert Shakespeare, one of William Shakespeares younger brothers, witnessed the deed shown here as a Stratford resident.
His signature, in a neat hand, indicates a sound education probably provided at the towns grammar school.
It is the only example of his handwriting currently known.

Little is known about Gilbert Shakespeares life but, after trying out his hand as a haberdasher in London in the 1590s, he appears to have returned to Stratford, ca. 1600, in time to act, in Shakespeares absence, as the man to whom €œseisin€� (a formal procedure for taking possession) was granted of the 107 acres which Shakespeare had purchased from John Combe in May 1602.

As far as is known, he remained in Stratford until his death in February 1612.


http://www.shakespearedocumented.org...sses-stratford

[from shakespearedocumented.org]

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