
Thomas Chatterton Manuscript Project

Chatterton's Will is clearly modelled on Samuel Derrick's 'Mock Will'.
The Thomas Chatterton Society arranged for scientific tests on the opium stains in Chatterton's notebook. See the results and read more about the death of Chatterton : View
Samuel Derrick's Mock Will
Possible Influence on Chatterton

engraving of Samuel Derrick from NPG

Samuel Derrick, Master of the Ceremonies

Engraving from Town and Country Magazine Samuel Derrick

engraving of Samuel Derrick from NPG
Samuel Derrick
Meyerstein suggests that Chatterton was influenced to write his own 'mock' Will after reading Samuel Derrick's Will, which was printed in the April 1769 issue of the T&CM (Town & Country Magazine). According to Meyerstein, Samuel Derrick's Will derives from the 'Will' of Isaac Bickerstaff, in the Tatler, pp.66-72, which dates to 1709, a space of 60 years, which seems a bit of a stretch:
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My question, based on the fact that Samuel was dead and buried by the 2nd April 1769 (or was he?), is on the genuineness or otherwise of his Will. It seems to me that the character of the man dictates that a vein of humour would even weave its way through his Last Will & Testament - a chance too tempting to pass up, perhaps! Or was it written by the editor of the magazine - after all the dead don't talk!
All in all, a very interesting edition of the T&CM.
This same monthly issue contains two of Chatterton's works : pp. 174/5; 217;
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It also contains an Epilogue...Written by Mr. Walpole, which appears on the very next page (p.218), so close and yet too far to make a difference!
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Catcott's Transcript's
of Chatterton's Will