Reworking Blake yDNA website

Back to reworking the Blake yDNA website. I would like to complete this project before the next Blake Newsletter due 1st of October.

Looking at R-M269 grouping and that includes a number of the sub-groups on the present website. Unfortunately only a few have taken their results beyond this initial subclade of R1b. Thinking through this difficult, some of the sub-groups were set up by an earlier research who placed individuals into particular groups based on email correspondence with them. I do not like to particularly do away with these initial groups unless I can replace them with something more meaningful in terms of SNPs designations to deeper subclades.

Likely I will retain some of this nomenclature but where I have deeper subclades to work with I will group individuals into these deeper subclades. In the next newsletter I will ask that people in those deeper subclades write to me with details on their Blake family line to see if I am able to improve on the divisions by relevant family information.

The goal in all of this is to provide information on the yDNA portion of the Blake study carrying the Blake surname.

Looking at the original Group labeled D English Ancestry (3) - includes Blakes who descend from William Blake and Agnes Band (nee Thorne). There are four members in this group and none of them have done any deep clade testing. This original grouping was done by an earlier Blake researcher. The reference to William Blake and Agnes Band (nee Thorne) will be discussed after looking at the yDNA allele result for these four individuals. On the first 12 markers, these four individuals are a perfect match. On the next nine markers three members continue to be a perfect match. DYS464abcd(ef) is a set of fast moving (i.e. prone to mutation) markers and at this point the three members of the group have for one individual just one difference yielding 2 members as 25/25 and one member as 24/25. Moving on to 37 markers we have 2 members are matching 37/37 and one member has one difference (the same member as had the earlier difference) yielding 35/37. Generally having the same surname and matching this closely indicates a shared ancestor but the number of generations back can not be determined exactly. Two members of the group have tested to 67 markers and just one mismatch and again the earlier member with the mismatches has this third mismatch yielding 64/67 as the shared matches between these two members. Still well within an acceptable degree of difference to be sharing common ancestry but again no ideas on far back this shared ancestor lived. having determined that this group has shared ancestry, I will move on to look at the history attached to this family line. None of the members of this group have completed Family Finder. One member of the group has stated his furtherest back Blake ancestor was Humphrey Blake who died 1515 at Plainfield, Somerset. 

The William Blake referred to above was married to Agnis Band (widow and formerly Thorne). This William Blake first was allotted land in Dorchester, Massachusetts on the 14th of May 1636. A visit to the New England Historic Genealogical Society library in Boston in 2005 yielded a number of Blake genealogies for me to examine (and photograph) at that time. Francis E Blake in 1898 compiled a history: Increase Blake of Boston, His Ancestors and Descendants, with a Full Account of William Blake of Dorchester and his Five Children. In his book he corrected the work of H. G. Somerby which is now regarded as quite fraudulent.

On Page 13 of his book he has a copy of the Agreement to the articles of association at Agawam now Springfield. He states that the signature of this William Blake bears good resemblance to his known signature at later times.

The family of William and Agnis (Band, Thorne) Blake as known in the Colony included: John, Anne, William, James and Edward. There are a number of Blake genealogies that provide information on the descendants of these five children. If an individual matches these four individuals perfectly at 12 markers, 0 to 2 markers off at 37 markers, 0 to 4 markers off at 67 markers (and the more markers the better that is for sure)  and has a paper trail back to William and Agnis Blake, I would appreciate hearing from you. Actually identifying the immigrant William Blake with a set of markers would be a real step forward. The more complicated (although I must admit doing American genealogy is a real challenge having watched my husband pursue his ancestors for nearly 50 years and we have spent many many hours in the many record offices/research facilities in the New England States and New York) aspect of this research is taking this line back to England. I think quite rightly this is an English family; they are in an English Colony and accepted as English so having made that one premise I will move back in my thinking to Somerset which is said by these descendants of this couple to be the original homeland of this couple. 

I have a number of Blake genealogies but Francis Blake has done an interesting work on this family (his own actually). He writes about Increase Blake  who was the son of Increase Blake, grandson of James Blake, great grandson of James Blake and great great grandson of William (the immigrant) Blake. 

As noted above one of the testers in this D - English Ancestry (3) group has given his furtherest back ancestor as Humphrey Blake. Francis Blake in his book was in correspondence with a descendant of one of the brothers of William the immigrant Blake, namely Edward J Blake  and he lived at Crewkerne, Somerset as identified by Francis Blake.  Edward Jarman Blake was born Sep quarter 1853 in Taunton RD (Free BMD, accessed 26 Sep 2018). Included in Taunton is Bishops Hull where Edward Jarman Blake is found on the 1861 census (Find My Past) with his parents William Blake, Fanny F O Blake (actual Fanny Follett Osler (Browne) Blake) and his five siblings. His father was a Justice of Chelsea and a landed proprietor born in 1816 at Crewkerne, Somerset. On the 1901 census, Edward Jarman Blake is located at Crewkerne on the census. He is a solicitor and his children were born at Crewkerne commencing in 1894. This fits in very well with the publication date of the book in 1898. 

William, father of Edward Jarman Blake, was born 19 Nov 1815 and baptized 4 Nov 1816 at Crewkerne in the Presbyterian Church. His father William was a minister in that Church and his mother was named Elizabeth.  William Blake and Elizabeth Jarman married in Bath 21 Oct 1812. There is a Pedigree Chart held by the Blake Museum at Bridgwater which does trace this line back (chart 5):

Where we can see that William Blake of Crewkerne who married Elizabeth Jarman was baptized 31 Mar 1773. Using another portion of the chart his parents are named as (Reverend) William Blake and Hannah (Downing) Blake and they married 1 Sep 1768 at Bishops Hull, Somerset. 

William Blake (married to Hannah Downing) was baptized 29 Apr 1730 son of William Blake and Jane A'Court who married 21 Oct 1712 at Yeovil, Somerset. William was their youngest child according to the Charts published by the Blake Museum and this does fit with the records.

The two last charts do fit together. Rev Malachi Blake in the lower right corner of the last chart can be seen in the second last chart top line and 2nd individual to the right from the left hand edge.

William Blake lived at Taunton at least towards the end of his life as he was buried there 31 Jan 1772. He was the son of the Reverend Malachi Blake and Mary (Mico) Blake.

In the middle of the above image William Blake of Taunton married Jane A'Court and the parents of William in the line above and to the left the Rev Malachi Blake married to Mary Mico. Find my Past has the baptism of Malachi Blake 24 Jun 1651 at Pitminster, Somerset son of John Blake although it is only a transcription of a record. The Rev Malachi Blake is said to be living at Wellington which is within the Taunton Registration district (as is Pitminster).

The Chart at the Blake Museum lists the parents of Malachi Blake as John Blake and Mary Wilkins who married 20 Jun 1648 at Pitminster. The website of Roy Parkhouse with his transcriptions of the Pitminster Parish Registers (http://www.genuki.org.uk/big/eng/SOM/Pitminster/PitBap_Be) lists the following children baptized by John Blake as Malachi baptized 24 Jun 1651, Elizabeth baptized 12 Mar 1652, William baptized 13 Feb 1654, Samuell baptized 16 Dec 1656, and John baptized 16 May 1659 (also an unknown daughter baptized 3 Dec 1661). These records do fit in with the chart above.

Comparing this new chart with the one above William Blake of Taunton married to Jane A'Court is in the middle of the chart on the left. The line above has William Blake of Pitminster which can be seen on the chart above and is just above William Blake and Jane A'Court. Looking to the right the grandfather of William Blake married to Jane A'Court is listed as John Blake of Pitminster and his wife Mary Wilkins.

The father of this John Blake is named as John Blake of Pitminster married to Elizabeth. His probate was administered 1 May 1647 but no record could be located for this particular administration. John was baptized 19 Jun 1597 but these records are not available to the author. This particular individual is important to the story as the chart shows that it was his brother William Blake of Pitminster baptized 10 Jul 1594 was the William Blake who went to Dorchester in the Massachusetts Bay Colony with his wife Agnes (Bond, Thorne) Blake and their children.

The parents of John and William are named as William Blake of Pitminster and Anne (unknown). This William is listed as buried in 1642.

The individual who created this large chart held by the Blake Museum is unknown. It is in the same handwriting so was created after the last entry in the 1920s.

Horatio Gates Somerby did create a set of information which has now been declared fraudulent where he referred to the progenitor of the Blake family of Wiltshire as a Robert Blake (having dropped the de from his name i.e. Robert de Blake). He named his son as Robert and then Henry son of that Robert married to Elizabeth daughter of Edward Durant. One can thus assume that the author did not actually use his work.

Looking at the timeline we have Robert Blake married to Avice (Malwyn, Wallop?) and that she died 29 Oct: 13 Edward IV (regnal year translates to 1473), with an Inquisition Post Mortem 29 Oct: 14 Edward IV. The regnal year 29 Oct 14 translates to 1474.  The National Archives UK has this particular document dated as between 4 March 1474 and the 3rd of March 1475 (C 140/48/6) listed under Blake, Amice Wilts and I did send in a correction to Blake, Avice [Wilts]. Working backwards and a transcription of this document states that her son John was 40 years of age making Avice around 60 in 1473 giving her a year of birth approximately 1413. Her husband Robert would have been born around this time and he is stated to be the son of Henry Blake and even if we attribute just 20 years to each generation this would take us back to 1393. Henry's father is said to be William and twenty years back would mean a year of birth of 1373. This William a son of Henry and twenty more years back to 1353. This Henry the son of Richard Blaque and hence born circa 1333. This Richard the son of Robert and hence born in 1313 at the earliest. The record of Robert being a juror in 1336 is hence possible.

There isn't any information on the creator of this particular document. No information on the source of all the material or whether an earlier document was copied. As can be seen in the trace back above many of the records are backed up by other researchers' transcriptions through the years. On the early part of the chart shown above I have absolutely no ideas on whether it is fully correct. I have not yet found the record from 1336 for Robert Blake. The National Archives UK holds a number of juror lists. But I did find one interesting records of a Grant (at Echelhampton) by Robert le Blake to John Malewayn of all his lands and tenements in Echelhamptone which he by feoffment of his brother Adam Blake and which were lately Robert de Echelhamptone's. This record is held by the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and was dated 1358 with reference 1720/154. At the archives search for the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre I located a few documents for Robert le Blake:

Reference 1720/120, Grant (at Calne): By John de Fynemore to William Rolf of Blakelonde and Agnes his wife for their lives, or a piece of arable land in the field of Blakelonde (Blackland). Witnessed: John le Chamberleyn, Thomas de Takelberwe, Robert le Blake, William Asser, LAdam le Schetere, William de Taseworthe. Date: 1334

Reference 1720/137, Grant (at Stockeleghe): By Adam le Chamberleyn of Stokkelegh to John le Glasyere and Isabella his wife, of all his lands and tenements in the hundred of Calne, for the life of the grantor, with reversion of lands in Stokkelegh. Witnessed: Geoffrey of Castreton, Robert Cauntelou, John Blount, Robert le Blake, Thomas of Roude, Adam le Sheoter, William of Taseworth. Date: 1347

Reference 1720/139, Re-Conveyance (at Stokkeleye): By John Glasiere and Isabella his wife to Adam le Chamberleyn of the property at Stockley conveyed to them in 1720/137 and 1720/138, excepting 1/2 acre in the field called Nywelond. Witnessed: Geoffrey of Castreton, Robert of Cantelupe, John Blound, Robert Blake, Thomas of Roude, Adam Schetere, William of Taseworth. Date: 1347

Reference 1720/148, Grant (at Chippenham): By Richard le Scrivayn of Chippe(n)ham of licence to his tenant Juliana atte Slow, to exchange two acres of arable land at  Kemerford (Quemerford in Calne) with Robert le Blake. Witnessed: Roger le Tay...(?), John le Gode, John Waleys, John Bacon, William Cripce. Date: 1351

Reference 1720/152,  Bond (at Hungerford)(: From Thomas Hungerford and Robert le Blake for payment of £50 to John Malewayn of Echelmaptone. Date: 1358

Reference 1720/154, Grant (at Echelmapton): By Robert le Blake to John Malewayn  etc. as mentioned above.

Reference 1720/164, Grant (at Bromham): By John de la Roche, knight, to John atte Halle of Whetham, of all his "standing" which he had from Ralph Scut of Sende (Seend) in the lands and tenements which were formerly John Fynamour's in socage, and which came to Ralph as next of kin to William, son and heir of the said John Fynamour, in wardship of the minority of the said William. Witnessed: Robert le Blake, Robert de Cauntulo, John de Stodlegh, Robert Asser, William Howes. Date: 1363

Reference 1720/213, Lease (at Whetham): By William Fynamour of Whetham and Agnes his wife to John Waryn of Hedington, for six years, of two crofts as le Brodes. Witnessed: John Blake, Robert Salman, John Houwes, John Taseward, William Averay. Date: 1395

An interesting set of documents in that a Robert Blake would marry Avice Malewyn (widow) in the early 1400s. One is left to wonder who the John Blake is in the 1395 document. Robert appears to be alive at least until 1363 if it is the same Robert throughout the 1300s.

In 1351 Robert le Blake acquires land at Quemberford which is an interesting find.

Searching on Robert Blake instead of Robert le Blake yields 84 results of which 7 are in the 1300s and 1400s and not yet added.

Reference 1300/33, Quitclaim: Sir William Esturmy, to Robert Erleghe his kinsman, of all rights in lands, called Ringlonde, Welyngtones and Saff[es][? Gyffardes] in Burbage. Witnessed: Welter Beauchamp and Robert Shotesbroke, kts., William Darell, Robert Blake, Robert Selman, Richard Stopwelle, William Coventre. Very fine armorial seal. Date: 1404

Reference 1720/115, Undated petition (in French), Reign of Edward III: To Mons. de la Souche and de Hayngworthe, from William Fynamous, a tenant of the manor of Kalstone. Gynamour holds of the manor a tenement and land at Stokkeleye, a portion of which is in the hands of Robert Blake. He has been distrained on for the whole and prays therefore for relief. Date: 1327-1377

Reference 1720/138, Quitclaim (at Stockelegy): By Adam Chamberleyn to John Glasyere and Isabella his wife for the lands etc. granted by him to them in Stockelegh. Small red seal with hunting horn. Witnessed: Geoffrey of Castreton, Robert of Cauntelou, Robert Blake, John Blount, Thomas of Roude, Adam Sheoter, William of Taseworth. Date: 1347

Reference 1720/140, Conveyance (at Coumbe): By Adam Chamberlayn to John Fynamour and Alice his wife of a messuage and lands in Coumbe, with reversions of lands etc. in Stokkelegh (Stockley, Calne) and the tenement and land which John Avenel formerly held in Tazeworthe (Tasworth, Calne) all of which the grantor had by feoffment of the said John Fynamor. Witnessed: Geoffrey Castretton, Robert Cauntelo, Robert Blake, John Glasiare, Thomas Cockelbergh, John Atte Halle. Date: 1349

Reference 1720/163, Acknowledgement (at Calstone): By William la Zouche, lord of Haryngworthe and Adam Darderne, rector of the church of Berughby of the receipt from John atte Hale of Whetham, Robert Blake, William de Wychamptone, Robert Felawe, Robert atte Slade and Robert Asser, of £10, in part payment of £40. Date: 1363

Reference 1720/165, Grant (at Wynterbourne Basset): By William Hereberd of Budestone to William de Byde, clerk, of his lands and tenements in Wynterbourne Basset. Round green seal of William Hereberd, with a coat of arms. Witnessed: William Worston, Peter Besiles, Thomas Hungerford, Michael Skyllynges, Robert Blake, William Arnald, John Aunsel, John Russel. Date: 1363

Reference 1720/199, Grant (at Calne): By Geoffrey Symple of Wynterbourne Whitcherch (Dorset) to John Blake of Quemerford, of an acre of land in the field called Westyntone. Witnessed: William Wychamptone, Richard Roude, Robert Formage, Roger Carpenter, Richard Chamberlayn. Date: 1386

Reference 1720/206, Quitclaim (at Calne): By Walter Hertlaund of Carswell in the parish of Newent to William Fynamour of Whetham, of all his right in the lands etc., which were formerly Sewales in Ryddelawe and Vegham (Rudloe and Fogham, Box) or elsewhere in the parish of Box. Witnessed: John Blake, John Stodlegh, John atte Hall, Robert Felawe, William Wychampton. Date: 1390

Having all these documents at hand might prove interesting looking at the Blake family in this time period in Wiltshire. 

A few thoughts I am left with: Who is John Blake  of Quemerford in 1386? That Robert le Blake was never referred to as Robert de Blake always Robert Blake or Robert le Blake. One is left to wonder if he is a descendant of Richard le Blake who asked to set up a market in 1274 as a merchant from Rouen, France. All the references to Calne are rather interesting. Could it be that a researcher in the past like Horatio Gates Somerby read through these documents and not being able to read the early Latin and understand it or perhaps having difficulty with reading the actual text simply picked up on the surname Blake and the various places and assumed that they referred in some way to Robert Blake as a property in which he was involved? 

Comparing this chart to the published works of the notes of Horatio Gates Somerby (produced by W.H.W. at Boston, December, 1881 private printing). This printing was considered by Mr Stanton Blake and his brothers and they have consented to have this book printed for the use of the family. 

Stanton Blake was the eldest son of George Baty Blake (his two older brothers died as infants) and he was born 8 May 1837. He had four brothers. George Baty Blake married Ann Hull Blake (daughter of Joshua Blake) 6 May 1833. 

George Baty Blake was the son of John Welland Blake and Abigail Jones. John Welland Blake was the son of Joseph Blake of Boston and Hingham and he married Deborah Smith. Joseph was the eldest son of Joseph Blake of Boston and Mary Welland (married 18 May 1738). Joseph was the son of Solomon Blake of Boston and he had married Abigail Arnold 24 August 1704. Solomon was the son of Edward Blake of Milton and he married Patience Pope. Edward Blake was the son of William Blake (the immigrant) and his wife Agnes (Band, Thorne). 

This is the first time that I have looked at the book often referred to as Horatio Gates Somerby's  genealogical research. I have not done the research on this line but would say that his details on the family of William Blake (the immigrant) would appear to be as it was known in the 1800s and I have not actually seen anything to indicate that he was in error in this part of his notes. 

This has been an interesting look at the information that is available in the Record Offices of Wiltshire/Somerset on the Blake family that can be reviewed online. Although I continue to say that Horatio Gates Somerby was incorrect some of the fault can be attributed to incorrect copying from this original book. Nonetheless he is incorrect to name my ancient ancestor Nicholas Blake of Enham as a grandson of Robert Blake of Calne, there isn't anything to prove that nor was Nicholas' mother named Mary. Clearly in the will of Jone Blake dated 23 Mar 1527 she names her children Nycholas, Robt and Elsabeth [Blake) Mylne. She indicates that she is living at Enham.