Will help, please - "took by execution"

[scuda]

I have a copy of a will dated 1739, part of which reads:
“…... also I give unto my Nephew & Niece Bartlett and Ann Son and Daughter of my Nephew Lawrance Pitman all the Goods that I took by Execution from my Nephew Lawrance Pitman to be equally divided betwixt them”

I've not come across this before: I can only think this means that Lawrance died previously, and the testator in this case was Lawrance's executor. Am I right, or does it mean something else?

scuda

[Little Nell]

Not sure scuda. He might have been executing some other thing - maybe Lawrance shouldn't have had the goods in the first place?

[Uncle John]

Or, less likely, there was a court case and a warrant was executed to recover the money.

[Uncle John]

Snap!

[Just Barbara]

Yes, a writ of execution...........

[scuda]

Thanks Nell, UJ and Barbara. I'm not sure that I understand exactly what you're suggesting, but for the moment I'm fairly happy because I was certain I had found Lawrance's death in 1756, and the thought that he died before 1739 was worrying. If you're all correct I can stick with the 1756 death, even if I still don't really understand "took by execution".

scuda

[Just Barbara]

If I understand it correctly, he went to court to legally claim something to settle a debt...

[scuda]

Now

If I understand it correctly, he went to court to legally claim something to settle a debt...

Now I understand (I think!). Thanks Barbara.

scuda