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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• Kenrick, Translated from the Saxon, by D.B. [Dunhelmus Bristoliensis] : View

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• An Elegy. Haste, haste, ye solemn messengers of night, by Asaphides  :  View.

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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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