VI.
That in order to prevent Abuses, no Widow shall be admitted to the Benefit of the Charity, who has not been married for the Space of Twelve Months to the Officer by whose Right she claims the same, unless the said Officer was killed or drowned in the Sea Service. And if any Officer marries after the Age of Seventy Years, his Widow shall be deemed unqualified to receive the Charity.
VII.
That if the Widow of an Officer lives in the Neighbourhood of any of His Majesty’s Dock-Yards, the Commissioner of the Navy residing there, and some of the Principal Officers of the Yard, or the said Officers of the Yard, where there is no Commissioner, shall inform themselves thoroughly of the Circumstances of the Deceased; and being satisfied that the Widow comes within the Rules of the Charity, shall sign and give her the following Certificate gratis, viz.
These are to certify the Court of Assistants for managing the Charity for Relief of Poor Widows of Commission and Warrant Officers of the Royal Navy, That A. B. died on the _________ and has left the Bearer C. B. a Widow; and according to the best Information we can get from others, and do really believe ourselves, is not possessed of a clear annual Income to the Value of ___________ and therefore she appears to us to be entituled to the Benefit of the said Charity under their Direction.
Besides which, the Widow is to make Affidavit, that her Annual Income is not better than is expressed in the said Certificate, and that she was legally married (naming the Time when, and the Place where) to the Officer, in whose Right she claims the Benefit of the Charity.
VIII.
That if the Widow resides in any other Part of his Majesty’s Dominions, a Certificate of the like Nature is to be signed by the Minister of the Parish, a Justice of the Peace, and two or more Officers of the Navy, who are best acquainted with her Circumstances; and she is to make such Affidavit as is before mentioned.
IX.