The phrase was used to describe James Rampley of Harford County, Maryland, in probate documents in 1817. It may seem like using “late” and deceased” in the same sentence is redundant or being excessively legalistic. It’s not.
The word “late” in legal records typically means formerly. “Deceased” normally means dead. So James was technically no longer a resident of Harford County because he was dead. But I have seen numerous references to an individual being “late of” a certain where county where they had moved somewhere else.
So keep in mind that “late” usually means “used to be” or something to that import. “Deceased” usually means dead .
No responses yet