Will of Elizabeth Blake - National Archives PROB 11/794/239, probated 12 May 1752

This will is written by the second wife of William Blake Mercer of Christchurch whose will was probated 8 Mar 1745. I have transcribed his will earlier in the year:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-william-blake-mercer-of.html

Primarily this will is about the second family of William Blake married to Elizabeth Hook. Elizabeth Blake identifies her father as William Hook deceased and that he owned a property called Little Kingston, Isle of Wight. Elizabeth has a sister Margaret Williams widow of Christchurch. She has the two daughters mentioned in William's will Hook (baptized 8 Dec 1727 at Christchurch (C14658-1 Family Search) (married to Francis Hackman (24 May 1750 at Christchurch (M14658-1 Family Search)) and Sarah (unmarried).

The executors of this will are Edward Hooper and James Worsley. David Worsley was one of the Executors of William's will but no relationship is known between these two men. However, one of Elizabeth's sisters is married to (unknown) Worsley (and James Worsley is said to be her cousin). Another sister was Grissel Hook mentioned in the will.

Also mentioned is the daughter of William Blake from his first marriage Elizabeth Dorothy Blake (right heir if Sarah and Hook die without heirs) and she is married to her first cousin John Garret Blake. Elizabeth's brother William Hook is also mentioned. Not a lot of new information on this Blake line (but new information on the Hook family for anyone interested) which is known to include siblings for William (husband of Elizabeth Blake testator) of Stephen (children: Stephen, Richard, Mary, Sarah, Dorathe, and perhaps grandchildren: Katherin and Stephen), John (father of John Garrett Blake) and his sister Dorathey married to Nicholas Slade.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Sep 2012
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/794/239
Name of testator: Elizabeth Blake, Widow
Place: Christchurch Twyneham, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated:, 16 Aug 1750, probated 12 May 1752
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: modern English writing, 18th century
[In margin] Elizabeth
[In margin] Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Elizabeth Blake of the Borough of Christchurch Twyneham in the
3    County of Southampton Widow being in good health of Body, and of
4    sound and perfect mind memory and understanding (blessed be God
5    therefore do make and publish this my last Will and Testament in
6    manner and form following (that is to say) Whereas by virtue of the last
7    Will and Testament of my late Father William Hook deceased and
8    otherwise I am Intitled to the principal sum of one hundred and fifty
9    pounds payable out of a certain Estate called Little Kingston in the Isle
10    of Wight and County aforesaid when the same shall be sold and
11    till then to the Interest thereof at the rate of four pounds per
12    centum per annum I do hereby give and bequeath unto my
13    loving Sister Margaret Williams of Christchurch aforesaid Widow
14    the Yearly Sum of five pounds clear of all deductions for taxes
15    or otherwise for and during her natural Life if she shall so
16    long continue for and during her natural Life if she shall so
17    long continue her present Widowhood to be paid her yearly out
18    of the Interest and produce of the said sum of one hundred and
19    fifty pounds by my Executrixes herein after named the first
20    payment thereof to begin and be made three months after my
21    decease and I do hereby charge the said Sum of one hundred and
22    fifty pounds and the Interest and produce thereof with the payment
23    of the said yearly sum of five pounds unto my said Sister Margaret Williams accordingly
    [Page 2]
24    And from and immediately after the decease or determination of the
25    present widowhood of my said sister Margaret Williams I give and
26    bequeath the said sum of one hundred and fifty pounds and the then
27    growing Interest and produce thereof and also the overplus of the Interest
28    and produce there in the mean time as it becomes due unto my
29    two daughters Hook the wife of Francis Hackman gentleman and
30   Sarah Blake and to their Executors and administrators for ever
31    equally share and share alike and I do give and bequeath unto my loving
32    friend Edward Hooper of Hurn Court in the parish of Christchurch
33   aforesaid Esquire and to my loving Cousin James Worsley of the Isle of
34    Wight aforesaid Esquire (my Trustees) the sum of four hundred
35    pounds of lawful money of Great Britain Upon this special Trust and
36    confidence in them reposed and to the end intent and purpose that they
37    the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley and the survivor of them
38    and the Executors and Administrators of such Survivors and shall
39    as soon as conveniently may be after my decease from time to time
40    put out and continue the same at Interest in their own Names
41    or Name upon such Securitys or Security as can be gotten for
42    the same and the Interest and produce thereof as the same from
43    time to time becomes due and payable pay unto my said
44    daughter Sarah Blake into her own hands to be for her sole and
45    separate use and benefit during the term of her natural life whose
46    Receipts alone (whether covert or sole) shall be sufficient discharges
47    for the same and from and after the death of my said daughter
48    Sarah Blake then upon further Trust that they the said Edward Hooper
49    and James Worsley and the Survivor of them and the Executors and
50    Administrators of such Survivors shall pay the said Sum of four hundred
51    pounds and the Interest and produce whereof unto such of the children
52    (if more than one) of the Body of my said daughter Sarah Blake
53    lawfully to be begotten equally share and share alike as shall live
54    to attain the age of twenty one years or be married at
55    their respective ages of twenty one years or days of marriage and
56    if but one such child then to such only child at his or her
57    age of twenty one years or day of marriage and
58    if it shall happen that there shall be no such child or
59    children living at the time of the death of my said daughter
60    Sarah Blake or such child or children shall happen to die
61    unmarried and under the age of twenty one years then upon further
62    trust that they the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley and the
63    Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators shall pay the
64    Interest and produce of the said sum of four hundred pounds as
65    the same shall from time to time become due and payable unto
66    my said daughter Hook (if then living) into her own hands to be
67    for her sole and separate use and benefit exclusive of her husband
68    during the term of her natural life whose receipts alone (not withstanding
69    her coverture) shall from time to time and at all times during the
70    continuance thereof be sufficient discharges for the same  And from
71    and after the decease of my said daughter Hook then Upon further trust
72    that they the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley and the survivor
73    of them his Executors and Administrators shall pay the said sum of
74    four hundred pounds and the Interest and produce thereof unto such of the
75    children (if more than one) of the body of my said daughter Hook lawfully
    [Page 3]
76    begotten or to be begotten equally share and share alike as shall
77    live to attain the age of the twenty one years or be
78    married at their respective ages of twenty one years or days of
79    marriage and if but one such child then to such only child
80    at his or her age of twenty one years or day of marriage
81    And if it shall happen that there shall be no such child or
82    children living at the time of the death of my said daughter
83    Hook or such child and children shall happen to die
84    unmarried and under the age of twenty one years then upon
85    further Trust that they the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley
86    and the Survivor of them his Executors and Administrators shall pay
87    the said sum of four hundred pounds and the Interest and produce
88    thereof unto Dorothy Blake (the daughter of John Garrett Blake) or to
89    her Executors or Administrators to be and remain unto the for her and
90    their own proper use and benefit forever And my will is and I
91    do hereby order and direct the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley
92    their Executors and Administrators to reimburse themselves out of the
93    said sum of four hundred pounds and the growing Interest and
94    produce thereof all such Costs charges and expences as they or either of
95    them shall be as or put unto bear or sustain in or about the
96    execution of all or any of the Trusts aforesaid or for any
97    matter of thing touching concerning or relating to the same and
98    that they shall not be chargeable or answerable for any of the Trust
99    money that shall happen to be lost in lending the same And
100    I do desire the said Edward Hooper and James Worsley to take
101    upon themselves the Trust herein in them reposed and to see
102    that the same be duly and truly performed according to my true Intent
103    and meaning and for their trouble and pains therein I give to
104    each of them (so acting therein) the sum of five pounds of
105    like lawful money I also give and bequeath unto Sarah the Wife
106    of John Waterman of Christchurch aforesaid Butcher the sum of five
107    pounds a year during the term of five years (if she shall so
108    long live) to be paid on the Feast of Saint Michael the
109    Arch Angel yearly by my Executrixes therein after named into her own
110    hands to be for her own proper disposal and for her personal
111    and separate use and benefit (exclusive of her husband) whose Receipts
112    alone notwithstanding her coverture shall be sufficient discharges for the
113    same the first of which payments to begin and be made on the Feast of
114    Saint Michael the Arch Angel next after my decease I also give
115    and bequeath unto the poor widows of the Town of Christchurch aforesaid
116    who shall not receive Alms of the Parish the sum of five
117    pounds of like money to be paid and distributed amongst them
118    by and at the discretion of my Executrixes herein after named one
119    month after my decease I also give to my sister Mary
120    Worsley and her six daughters to my Sister Grissel Hook To my
121    Daughter in Law Elizabeth Dorothy Blake and to my Brother William
122    Hook and to each and every of them a Mourning Ring All the
123    rest residue and remainder of my Goods Chattels Household Stuff Utensils
124    Ready Money Money due upon Book Bills Bonds Judgments Executions
125    Mortgages Plate Rings Jewels and all other my Estate whatsoever and
126    wheresoever (after that my debts charges in sickness funeral expences and
127    the Legacys herein before given and bequeathed shall be fully paid and
    [Page 4]
128    I give and bequeath unto my said daughters Hook the wife of
129    the said Francis Hackman and Sarah Blake equall to be divided
130    between them share and share alike and I do hereby nominate constitute
131    and appoint them my said daughters Hook and Sarah joint Executrixes
132    of this my last Will and Testament And I do hereby revoke and make
133    void all former Wills and Testaments by me heretofore made and do
134    publish and declare this only to be my last Will and Testament
135    And Lastly I desire to be buried at Christchurch aforesaid by my dear
136    husband and as to the order and manner of my Funeral I desire
137    it may be done decently after Night as was my dear Husbands In
138    Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and Testament (being
139    contained in five sheets of paper) set my hand and Seal the sixteenth
140    day of August in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven hundred
141    and fifty Eliza: Blake. Signed sealed published and declared by the said
142    Elizabeth Blake the Testatrix as and for her last Will and Testament
143    in the presence of us who subscribed our Names hereto at her
144    request in her presence and in the presence of each other James
145    Newsam [signed] Ar: Blanchard [signed] Jno Oakes [signed]
146    This Will was proved at London on the twelfth
147    day of May in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
148    hundred and fifty two before the Right Honourable Sir
149    George Lee Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or
150    Commisary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
151    constituted by the Oaths of Hooke Hackman (wife of Francis Hackman)
152    and Sarah Blake Spinster the daughters of the deceased and
153    the Executrixes named in the said Will to whom Administration
154    was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of
155    the said deceased being first sworn by Commission duly to
156    administer

Will of Jone Blake, Hampshire Record Office -1528B-06, probated 1528

This will is not my transcription. It was transcribed by Charlou Dolan a Blake researcher who has been doing genealogy for over thirty years. One of my projects is to purchase this will and others from the Hampshire Record Office. Hopefully next winter will see me do that as I would like to transcribe it myself although Charlou does an excellent  job of transcription.

Jone Blake was the widow of (unknown) Blake although some researchers have given him the forename William and placed him as a son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop. The Pedigree Chart for the Blake family held at the Swindon Wiltshire Registry Office does not list William as a son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop. Rather they list a William Blake married to Avis Ripley as a son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard with the father of Roger Blake being Robert Blake married to Margaret Inglefield. This Robert was a son of Robert Blake and Avice Wallop.  The Visitation for the Blake family at Calne (namely Robert Blake and Avice Wallop). The 1623 Visitation of Wiltshire which has a Visitation for the Blake family does not list a son William for Robert Blake and Avis Wallop: children listed for this couple include Elizabeth, Alice, Joane, John, Gilbert, Alexander and Robert.  It is somewhat of a mystery why the Pedigree Chart which is built from the Visitations does add in a son William which I hope to solve one day.

The Will itself which is found below states that Jone Blake is a widow of Enham and remembers her three children Elizabeth (married to Mr. Mylne), Nicholas and Robert. The Overseer Thomas Jefra (sp) of Foxcott is rather interesting to me.  I wonder how he fits into this family grouping/friend grouping. Other than that there isn't a lot of information in the will that helps one to place Jone into a birth family.  The purpose of publishing this will is to establish that Nicholas was the son of (unknown) Blake and Jone Blake widow. That she died in 1527/1528 by which time her daughter was married so that she is likely over 40 years of age. She does not mention if her sons are married but we do know that both are married because of the wills of Nicholas and Robert. There are grandchildren because Nicholas mentions that his son William has children in his will in 1547 so William is likely born before 1527.

Having laid down the timeline for this Andover family Jone Blake widow to Nicholas Blake to William Blake I will now move on to the next will in order in Hampshire. I will likely transcribe with a few thoughts on each will as I remember it linking to another if it does and with lookups in the parish registers if I have them or the IGI. Once I have transcribed all of the Blake wills in my possession and there are quite a few left then I will return to a more thorough look at them.I have replaced all of the "Ampersand" with "and" because blogger adds in additional information when ampersand is used.

A-****  LDS FHL Film 186,682 will #163

Jone Blake, widow, Enham; will dated 23 Mar 1527 [old style?]

Sir Rychard Mersser, curate

Sir John Whyte, friar

daughter Elsabet Mylne

son Nicholas Blake, executor

son Robert Blake, executor

overseer: Thoms. Jefra of Fosket [Foxcott?]

witnesses:  Sir Richard Mersser  Sir John Batte  Nycolas Blake  Robert Blake

Consistory Court of Winchester, Register D, folio 118:

     In dei no'ie Amen  The yere of o'r lorde gode ml vc xxvii the xxviii day of m'che I Johane Blake, wydow w't a hole mynde and a gudde memory make my last wyll and testament in this man'

     First I com'end my soule to all myghty gode, o'r lady seynt mary and to all the seynts in hevyn and my body to be buryed in the Churche or in the churche litten of seynt Michaell of Enahm[sic]

     It'm I gyve and bequeth unto the mother churche of seynt Swyth' xiid

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the churche of Enah'm vis viiid

     It'm I guve and bequeth xxvis viiid to be distribute unto pore people in peny dole

     It' I gyve and bequeth to my Curate S Ryc Mersser xxd

     It' I gyve and bequeth to S John Batte xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the maynteyning of the morow masse prest in Andov' xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the mayntenyng of Jhus masse in the churche of Andov' xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to the p'ror of Freers Augustines in Wync' xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to s John' whight freer xxd

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to ev'y freer of the seid augustines that ys a prest iiiid and to ev'r noves iid of theseid place

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to my douzter Elsabeth mylne xxli shepe beside those she hath All'redy and one cow th't I bouzt of her and xiiis iiid of money and my gretyst panne and foure platters

     It'm I give and bequeath unto my son Nycholas Blake the tabull in the hall and one clothe called the hallyng and ii Iron rakks

     It'm I gyve and bequeath unto my son Rob't Blake one Iron broche and xviii shepe the wheiche shepe he hath in his kepying

     It'm I gyve and bequeth to Thoms Iesra off foskett one Iron broche

     The residue of my goos moveable & unmoveable above not legate I gyve and bequeth unto my children Nycholas Blake Robt Blake and to Thoms Iesra of Foskett and theseid goods to be devyded amongs them equally evy of them lyke moche

     It'm I make my sones Nycholas Blake and Robt Blake my trewe executors and Thomas Iesa of Foskett my supviso'r that he se my last wyll and testament Implete & fulfilled & theseid execut to dispose for the heithe of my soule as the shall se most expedyent

These witnesse S Ryc Mersser

S John Batte

Nycholas Blake

Robt Blake w't

Will of Nicholas Blake - National Archives, PROB 11/31/549, probated 20 Jun 1547

The will of Nic[h]olas Blake was written 31 May 1547 and probated 20 Jun 1547. I had forgotten that Nicholas mentions Robert Boswell and again this links with the will of William Blake of Speen in 1552 as Robert Boswell is his father in law whom he makes executor of his will. Now is this the same Robert Boswell? Always that question comes first to mind. He would appear to be the tenant of Nicholas and as I read through William's will I am seeing now that William Blake does hold the lease of the tenements that William Blake of Speen occupies but it appears that William also tills that piece of land. A mite confusing as you look at it and again the will of William Blake at Speen in 1552:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-william-blake-yeoman-of-speen.html

I still wonder if they are related but is this perhaps the answer to the mystery? No, the children of William Blake of Speen do not match the children on the Blake Pedigree Chart. William Blake at Speen's siblings however are Richard and John with no mention of a sister in his will (on the chart the children of William Blake married to Avis Ripley are John, William and Peter with a sister Agnes married to Roger Hyde). So this is not that family either. The children of William Blake of Speen are Anthony and others unnamed (perhaps only one other) and his wife was Ellyne. The date of William Blake of Speen's will is 1552 not 1582 as in the Pedigree Chart.

Nicholas names his wife Margaret and as of this date I have no ideas on her surname. He names his children as William Blake eldest, Edmund Blake under 21 years of age, Alice Goodwyn (married daughter) and Elizabeth unmarried. William is married and they have children as the inheritance of his daughters if they die before inheriting is to be divided up amongst the children of William. We can see the property in this will which has passed to William and mentioned in William's will of yesterday. William has added greatly to his holdings and again Lord Sandy is the Lord of the Manor. The holdings are all in Andover, Knights Enham and Kings Enham in Nicholas' will. William Blake is the first to state that he lives at Eastontown.

Working backwards from Peter Blake's will to William Blake's will to Nicholas Blake's will and then tomorrow to Jone Blake's will is an interesting trip through time. I am beginning to wonder about Peter Blake's will and whether I am dealing with these two William Blake lines with his will and then the other three (Jone-Nicholas-William) that fit together. On the other hand Peter Blake in his will does not mention any of the properties that the Jone Blake-Nicholas Blake-William Blake family hold. What he does mention is his kinsmen William Hinxman of Hatherden, Mr. Nicholas Blake of Gavelacre and Mr. Richard Blake his brother and their sister Mrs. Jone Blake. I need to think about these three people and exactly who they are and how they fit into the Blake family at Andover. It could be the clue that I have been struggling to find to solve the mystery of the two William Blakes at Eastontown (or one married twice).

One thing I do know and that is the William Blake who dies in 1642 leaving his will (married to Dorothy Madgwick) is in financial trouble and this trouble becomes even more evident in Dorothy's will. Then we see their now eldest son William (his brother Richard died in 1648) selling off property in particular to Mr. Nicholas Blake of Gavelacre. No relationship is stated in that particular indenture although we know that that William Blake is the grandson of Richard Blake the lynen draper as the indenture states that. Tying that family together from Richard Blake to William Blake to William Blake has been fairly straightforward. The question is, to my mind, is Charlou Dolan right in saying that Richard is the son of William Blake and Anne Tutt? This would then bring them into the Pedigree Chart and definitely William Blake is the son of Nicholas not Roger Blake and Mary Baynard. The marriage between William Blake (Charlou has this William as a son of the son of William Blake) and Anne Tutt is on the Pedigree Chart and does perhaps help to define these two families as being separate William Blake lines at Eastontown. The timing is simply not right for Richard Blake lynen draper who died in 1622 to be a son of William Blake and Anne Tutt as their grandfather on the chart (Roger Blake married Mary Baynard). Plus the will of the son of William (of Eastontown) does list the properties from his father's will that he inherited and he married Margaret Hibberd). It was the son of this William that was to have married Anne Tutt! It is perhaps time to revisit some of these Wiltshire wills that I have not yet transcribed but probably that is going to wait for the alphabetical walk through the wills and I am only at Hampshire.

The will of Jone Blake tomorrow will complete the cycle back and I will move on to the next will in line which is for the Blake family at Christchurch.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 6th May 2009
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/31/549
Name of Testator: Nic[h]olas Blake
Place: Enham (near Andover), Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 31 May 1547, probated 20 Jun 1547
Read: Electronic copy
Condition: scan, old English writing good, contrast excellent

[Left hand corner] Test[at]or Nicho[las] Blake

1    In the name of God amen In the yere of our Lord god a Thousand fyve hundred
2    Fourtie and sevyn and the last day of May I Nicolas Blake of the p[ar]ishe of Enh[a]m in the Dioc[ese] of Wynchest[e]r
3    being sicke of body but of good and p[er]fite remembrance make and ordeyn this my last will and testament
4    in maner and fourme folowing First I Bequith my soule to almightie god to oure Blessed Lady and to all the
5    Blessed company of heaven. And my body to be buried w[i]t[h]in the Church of Saint Michaell Th[e ]archangell Item
6    I geve to the Trinite Church of Wynchester vj d Item I geve to the church of Andever oon quarter of whete
7    It[e]m I give to Enh[a]m Church a quarter of wheat Item I geve and bequeth to Will[ia]m Blake my eldest sonne
8    the halfe of the Farme of Andever of my Lord Sandys holding which Robert Boswell occupyeth Also I geve
9    and bequeth to the said Will[ia]m the Tenement in Kings Enham of my Lord Sandys holding w[i]t[h] all the La[m]mes
10    lande lying in Andever feld that the said William nowe occupieth and holdith Also I geve to the said Will[ia]m
11    Blake my sonne my Leasse of the Tenement of the Lord Sandys called the olde hall w[i]t[h] all the app[ur]ten[an]cs ther unto
12    belonginge or lying in Knyghts Enh[a]m Also I geve to the said William Blake my free holde in Knyights Enh[a]m w[i]t[h] all
13    the appurten[an]cs there unto belonging Item I geve and bequeth to Edmund Blake my sonne the Leasse of the
14    Farme of Andever called Semers Farme w[i]t[h] all the appurten[an]cs ther[e ]unto belonging and walworth of my
15    Lord Sandys holding And a leasse of a Tenement in Kyngs Enh[a]m which is John Catts gentilman holde w[i]t[h]
16    all the appurten[an]cs ther[e ]unto belonging Also I geve to the said Edmund my sonne my freeholde in Andever
17    with seven acres and a half of arable land that Thomas Wescombe now holdeth with all the rest of myn[e]
18    erable lands grains pastures and com[m]ons of pastures of what nature kynde name and degre soever they be
19    which I do holde and kepe of any man[ner] at the making of this my last wille and testament Also I wille that
20    the forsaid Thomas Wescombe shal[l ]have the forsaid house that he dwelleth in for the terms of thurtie yeres
21    next folowing paying yerely therfor and to agree w[i]t[h] Margaret Blake my wife and Edmund Blake my son[ne]
22    Item I geve to Elizabeth Blake my daughter one hundreth of shepe and Twentie poundes of money at the day of
23    her mariage and her apparill. Item I give and bequeth to Alice my daughter twentie shepe and fyve quarters of
24    barley to be delivered at Michelmas next commyng Item I give to Sir Thomas Upton my curate to pray for my soule
25    and all Christ[ai]n soules x s. Also yf that it fortune Edmund Blake my sonne to dye before he be of lawfull age Then I wille
26    that my freholde w[i]t[h] all the other leases geven and bequethed by me to the said Edmond to remayn to William Blake
27    my sonne his heires and assignes And the goods to remayne to Alice Goodwyn and Elizabeth Blake my daughters equally
28    to be devided betwixt them And if it fortune the said Alice and Elizabeth to dye Then I will the said goodes to be devided
29    betwene the children of William Blake my son Provided also I will that Margaret Blake my wife shall have and
30    kepe all my free landes tenements holds leases with all th[e ]appurtenancs to them belonging which I doe holde of any man[ne]r
31    of man[ner] at the making of this my last will and testament during the terme of her life The residue of my goods and
32    c[h]attalls not gevyn or bequethed I geve and bequeth to Margaret Blake my wife and Edmunde Blake my sonne
33    whom I make and ordeyn myn executors of this my last will and testament Also I make and ordeyn William
34    Hopkins and Willi[a]m Aldred my Overseers of this my last will and testament for to se it p[er]formed according to
35    my mynde above specified Witnesse to this Sir Thomas Upton Curate Stevyn Smyth Will[ia]m Blake w[i]t[h] other
36         Probatum fuit test[ament]um suprascripti defuncti h[ab]entis etc xxth die mensis Juinij Anno D[o]m[in]o Mill[es]imo quingen[tesimo]
37    xlvij [1547] Coram d[o]m[in]o apud London aucto[ritate] d[o]m[in]o n[ost]ri Regis etc Iurament[o] Margarete Relicte executoris in h[uius]mo[d]i test[ament]o no[m]i[n]at[i] In persona
38    Stephe[n] Smyth procur[atoris] sui in hac p[ar]te Ac approbatum et insinuatum Com[m]issa fuit admi[ni]stracio o[mn]i[u]m et singulorom bonorum Jurium
39    Et creditorum d[i]c[t]i defuncti prefat[o] executrici In p[er]sona die proc[urato]ris De b[e]n[e] et fidel[ite]r admi[ni]strando Ac de pleno et fideli In[venta]rio secondo die post
40    festum s[an]c[t]e Anne prox[imum] futur[um] exhibend[o] necnon de plano et vero compoto reddend[o] Ad s[an]c[t]a dei Ev[a]ngelia in debit iuris forma jurat
41    Reservata po[tes]tate Edmund Blake executori etiam in h[uius]mo[d]i test[ament]o no[m]i[n]at cum venerit etc

Will of William BlakeYeoman of Andover - National Archives, PROB 11/64/474 , probated 14 Nov 1582

As mentioned yesterday, I am today blogging on the will of William Blake of Eastontown, near Andover, Hampshire, England. William died between 27 July 1582 and the 14 November 1582 when his will was probated by his second eldest son William. This was the first long will that I transcribed after I learned to read the early English which appears in this will. It is seven pages in total and with very small handwriting; it is 329 lines in total. I think he was a very precise man as he details absolutely everything that could possibly go wrong in the settling of an estate. He is particularly precise in how his wife Elizabeth is to be treated. I wonder is he so precise because she is a second wife? There is confusion about this William Blake of Eastontown. He writes his will, he is mentioned in several Visitations and he appears on the Blake Pedigree chart held by the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office. I wander between two thoughts with regard to this William Blake. Either he is the same man appearing on all of these documents or there are two William Blake gentlemen living at Eastontowne who died in the same year 1582. What are the odds? I have no idea actually and continue to hunt out references to William Blake to see if I can determine if he was the only William Blake who died at Eastontown and was the father of two sets of children.

Just to place William in the correct spot in the genealogical framework. He mentions his siblings after his opening religious section of his will and he is a devout Catholic holding the opinions of the English Church as we are now into the reigne of Elizabeth I daughter of King Henry VIII. in between Henry and Elizabeth there has been Edward VI and Mary. Edward moved the Church of England even further away from Rome than his father had and Mary returned the Church of England to Rome. Elizabeth wanted to be a fence sitter with regard to Rome but the Pope solved that dilemma for her by excommunicating herself, the entire Church of England and accepting only those who prayed and received the Mass from a priest of Rome (i.e. a Roman Catholic priest).

William then names his brother Edmund who must still be living in 1582 although I have yet to find him. He also mentions his sisters Elizabeth Monday and Ann Godwyn. These are the same children that Nicholas Blake names as his children along with William (and William is named as having children by 1547) in his will and that will be my will to post tomorrow. William is now located in the family that lived at Enham (near Andover prior to 1527 when his grandmother Jone Blake widow left her will naming her sons Robert and Nicholas and her daughter Elizabeth married to Mr. Mylne). Unfortunately the name of her husband is not mentioned in this will and I believe that I will blog on this will next following the will of Nicholas. Then I will return to my orderly list of files to transcribe in Hampshire. This William was also mentioned in the will of William Blake of Speen Berkshire probated 28 Jul 1552:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-william-blake-yeoman-of-speen.html

I am glancing once again at my transcription in May of this will and I note the reference to Benham and there was a claim that a Robert Blake family lived at Benham in the 1400/1500 time period (not yet substantiated by me). I have reviewed  William Blake of Speen's will. Changes made to fill in some missing text and they have not particularly added anything to my knowledge of William Blake of Eastontown.

However I have now placed William into his genealogical time frame from his grandmother Jone Blake leaving her will in 1527 to his father leaving his will in 1547 and now William himself with his will in 1582. William lists his children in the will and if he has been married twice he does not make mention of that:

He mentions his two youngest sons first - Richard and Thomas. He then moves on to his daughters mentioning first Amye and she is married to Drewe Rombold. Next daughter mentioned is Margeret and she is married to (unknown) Jarvis. Third daughter to mention is Agnes married to (unknown Kynton). Elizabeth married to Peter Beale is mentioned next and she is the daughter about whom I have more information. Their eight children are all baptized at Priors Dean with the eldest Eleanor (Helena) married to Anthony Habberley baptized 11 Mar 1579. Perhaps her likely date of marriage is 1578 or 1579 since March is the end of the year rather than the beginning in this time frame. Possibly she was 21 when she married giving her a possible date of birth around 1558 or earlier (or later since young marriages also occurred). Her last child was Elizabeth and I have not yet found her baptism but giving a two year break which is not actually true in this family but close then Elizabeth was likely born around 1593 when Elizabeth would have been around 35 years of ago (or older since women often had children into their 40s). Playing with this timeline lets me look at the marriage of William with regard to time frame and all of his daughters are married by 1582 the date of his will. The last mentioned daughter is Mary and she married Ralfe Rigges and she is the daughter about whom I have the most information. She died before 1 Sep 1612 at Fareham. They had ten children with the first one buried 35 Apr 1580 at Fareham. The fifth child Mary is the first for whom I have a baptism and that was 27 Jun 1585 at Fareham. The Rigges family is in the Visitation and I have extracted their family information from there and collected records where available. It would appear that Mary has married before Elizabeth  leaving one to conjecture that Elizabeth may have been older rather than younger in the estimation of ages. Even randomly placing these children into the family of William with John the eldest there are in total ten children mentioned in the will (sons John, William, Peter, Thomas and Richard). Placing the children on an approximate distance apart scale of two years and knowing that Elizabeth may have been the last daughter to marry in 1578 or 79 at the possible age of 21 with a possible year of birth around 1558 and she was not the youngest then working back to the eldest John five children or more earlier than John may have been born around 1548 or earlier. Which brings us to Nicholas' will which I will put up tomorrow and he mentions that William has children in 1547 so we are coming close and either some have died or John and another were born prior to 1547 when Nicholas wrote his will.

Eldest son is John and no details on John besides his being eldest. John is not named Executor unless William the second eldest son defaults. I am left with two thoughts in that regard. John doesn't live closeby is my first thought and my second is that John is already married and has perhaps a large family responsibility although William takes great pains to protect his inheritance to his children as if there aren't any heirs male of John. Any possible grandchildren are not mentioned by William although he does mention godchildren and are these his grandchildren? Not sure about that.

William second son

Peter third son

Thomas fourth son

Richard fifth son

The Blake Pedigree Chart which I mentioned earlier is held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office. It is a beautiful chart about four feet wide and twelve feet high. It lists William Blake of Eastontown as the son of Roger Blake of Pinhills Wiltshire. I think this is incorrect but have no concrete proof to deny it other than the note on the chart that William Blake died in 1582 at Eastontown Andover Hampshire. The children listed (and the wife) do not appear to be the same children as in William's will. He is said to be married to Avis Ripley and have children Agnes married to Roger Hyde, John married to Margaret Blake daughter of William Blake of Eastontown, William married to Ann Tutt and Peter who never married. William in the will below does have a daughter Agnes but she is married to (unknown Kynton) and he does have the three children mentioned John, William and Peter. Hence one can see my difficulty in resolving these two mentions of William Blake of Eastontown. The will is the difficulty. If one just goes with all the Visitation information the family lines just seem to flow and the Pedigree Chart at Swindon and Wiltshire was built from the Visitations.

One item though William clearly notes that he is in the family of Nicholas and Margaret Blake of Enham and not the son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard as shown on the Blake Pedigree Chart.

I haven't resolved anything yet but doing all these wills is starting to give me a picture that I hadn't really expected to evolve. I am thinking that the two William Blake mentions could be the same man but two different marriages. Perhaps Agnes has married twice and I must look at that more intently as I work through these wills. When you read the will below you will understand my thoughts that Elizabeth could be his second wife and he is ensuring that the children (namely John and William) clearly understand how he wants their possible step mother to be treated after his death. The older children in several cases as it turns out do not remain at Andover but move towards London. Enjoy the will; I think it is one of those landmark ones that is just fascinating to read and has so much information in it about the times and how people lived.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 20th February 2008 (proofread 27 Sep 2012)
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/64/474
Name of Testator: William Blake, Yeoman of Andover, Hampshire
Place: Eastontowne, Andever, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 27 July 1582, probated 14 November 1582
Read: Electronic copy
Condition: scan, smudges, middle English writing, tiny writing, quite legible

[Margin] T[estator] Willi[a]m Blake

    [Page 1]
1    In the name of God amen; I William Blake
2    of Estontowne, within the parishe of Andever in the countie of Southampton yeoman, beinge in good and
3    perfecte memorye of mynde and healthe of bodye (thancks be geven to allmightye god) wayethinge and pondering
4    withe my self the shortnes of the dayes of manne and the uncertentie of the tyme when hit shall please
5    Th[e ]allmightie to call us to his mercye oute of this transitory lief, And that wee are but Stewardes here
6    of this worldly gooddes and possessions to use accordinge to the rules of christian charitie to Godds honour
7    and glorye and muste at the generall daie of Judgemente render accompte of the obteyninge houldinge and
8    ymployinge thereof to his dyvine maiestie, Doe hereby of my self and by the councell and advise of my
9    good Freindes make and declare this to be my last will and testamente in wrytinge, revokinge by theise
10    presents all form other former willes of myne made, either by worde of or wrytinge at anye tyme before
11    the date hereof, And declaringe this to be my sole and onely last will and testamente in manner and forme
12    foollowinge and none other (viz Firste I yealde my soule and spyrite to the moste highe and blessed Trinitie
13    three personnes and one verye god the Father, the sonne and the holye ghoste, whoe hathe made redemed
14    and sanctified all the electe people of god, of which, nomber I doe hope that I am one; trustinge and belevinge
15    onelye by the meritts of Jesus Christe his bitter passionne, the second personne in the same Trinitie to bee
16    a saved sowle and in him at the daie of dome to have a ioyfull resurrection of this fleshe of myne,
17    willinge my Bodye in the meane tyme after my deceasse to be buried in christian buriall within the church
18    of Andever aforesaide nere the cloke howse doore there and in suche sorte as shal[l ]be thoughte most meete
19    by my executors, protestinge also by this my laste will and testamente that I houlde and beleve all th[a]t
20    whatsoever was promised for me at the tyme of my Baptisme and all the articles of a christian faythe
21    whatsoever which I aught to houlde or beleve and whiche the moste holye visible Churche of Christe
22    here on earthe teachethe and houldeth, acknowledgeinge my self hereby throughe the grace of god to dye
23    therein, wholye prostratinge and submittinge my self to the obedience of the same Churche wheare
24    soever the same is dispersed thereowte oute the worlde, utterlye renouncinge and defyinge all Sectes
25    heresies and dampable opinions whatsoever theye be, and of whomesoever there are houlden contrary
26    to goddes holye worde, the true catholike faithe and the Churche of Jesus Christe our Lorde and
27    savioure for the whiche he shedde his most precious innocente and guiltless[s] bloude. And as
28    concerninge the bestowinge of all my gooddes and chattells, I doe make thereof my laste will and
29    testamente in manner and fourme followinge and no otherwyse, That is to saye, I geve to thee
30    Cathedrall Churche of Win[ches]tor eight pence, And to the parrishe churche of Andever Thirteene
31    shillinges and fower pence, And to the Churche of Knightes Enham Thirtene shillinges & fower
32    pence, And to the poore people of Andever aforesaide Three poundes fyve shillinges and eighte
33    pence, to be amongest theme distributed by the discrecion of my executor and overseers. Item
34    I geve and bequeathe to Edmunde Blake my brother Tenne poundes of currant Englishe money
35    to be delyvered to him within one half yeare after my decease. Item I bequeathe and geve to my
36    sister Elizabeth Monday fyve poundes of the lyke currante englishe monneye, to be paide unto her within
37    one yeare after my deceasse. Item I geve to Alice Godwyn my sister twentie shillings of the
38    like currant Englishe monneye. Item I geve and bequeathe to everye one of my godchildrens
39    whiche shal[l ]be lyvinge at the tyme of my deceasse one good clydde lambe a peece. Item I geve and
40    bequeathe to Richarde Blake my sonne Fyftye poundes of currant englishe monneye, to be paide
41    unto him or his assignes within one yeare after my decease. Item I geve and bequeathe to
42    Thomas Blake my sonne Two hundred and fyftie poundes of lawfull Englishe monneye to be
43    paide unto him and his assignes yearlie after my decease by Fyftie pounds together by the yere,
44    untill the said Somme Two hundred and fyftie poundes shal[l ]be fullye satisfied and paide. Item
45    Item I geve to Amye Rombold my daughter two kyne one bullocke and twentie sheepe to bee
46    delyvered within one yeare after my deceasse, And the said sheepe to be delyvered oute of my flock
47    as theye shall ronne at lease. Item I geve to Magarett Jarvis my daughter Fyve marks of currant
    [Page 2]
48    englishe monneye to be paide her within one yeare after my deceasse. Item I geve to Agnes Kynton my daughter
49    one cowe and a bullocke, And to Elizabeth Beale my daughter fowertie shillings in monney. Item
50    I geve to Marye Rigges my daughter fortie shillings of currante englishe monneye to be delyvered
51    her within one yeare after my deceasse. Item I geve unto my eldeste sonne John one hundred sheepe
52    to be delyvered ymmediatelye uppon my deceasse ronninge at leace And also two horsses or fyve pounds
53    in money at the elections of my saide sonne John by hym to be taken or delyvered upon my deceasse
54    Item I geve and bequeathe unto Elizabethe Blake my wieff two kyne to be delyvered unto her ymmedi
55    ately uppon my deceasse by her owne choice owte of my herde of kyne, And also five sowes to bee
56    delyvered unto her by her owne choice owte of my herde of swyne. Item I doe bequeathe and will
57    unto my saide wieff all that her apparell woolens and lynnens which she shall have for her body
58    at the tyme of my deceasse, And also two feather or downe beddes nexte to my beste bedde and one other
59    flocke bedde for her maide to lye on, and twoe of my coverlettes to be chosen by her, nexte my Two
60    best coverlettes and also twoe paire of my beste blancketts and one paire of my seconde blancketts And
61    also eighte paire of my sheetes to be chosen by her, nexte after my sonne William hathe chosen fower
62    payre, And also twoe of my beste spones, twoe of my beste brasse pottes, twoe of my beste kettells
63    twoe of my best skelletts and two of my beste broches, and two of my beste Andirons, And also one
64    dossens of my best pewter platters, one dossens of pottengers, and one dosens of sawcers, fower
65    candlesticks, and sixe ioyne stooles, one table borde, one cupborde borde and the one half of my
66    poultrye whiche shal[l ]be aboute my howse at my deceasse, by her to be chosen, and also my beste
67    amblinge hackney that I shall have at the tyme of my deceasse and her saddle and furniture
68    belonginge to her for her iourneyinge. Item I geve and bequeathe to my sayde wife (uppon
69    condicion that shee shall clayme no Dowrie of my fee symple Landes, whereof I shall dye seyzed
70    or whiche I have bequeathed by this my laste will  the yearlye Annuytye of Twentye pounds
71    duringe her lieff to be issuinge and payable by my executours. owte of all my leasses and fearmes
72    that I houlde of the righte honnourable the Lord Sandys, at fower feasts of the yeare quart[er]ly
73    to be paide (viz the firste quarter to begynne the nexte Feaste either of Michaelmas, Christmas,
74    Th[e ]annunciations of oure Blessed Ladye, or sainte John Baptiste, whiche shall first happens
75    after my deceasse, And so at the same Feasts quarterlye fyve pounds a quarter yerelye to her
76    to be paide duringe her lieff, And if it happens the saide Annunytye of Twentie poundes or any
77    parte threreof to be behinde and unpaide at anye tyme duringe the naturall lieff of my saide
78    wieff, by the space of eighte daies after annye of the saide Feastes aforesaide as whiche the
79    same oughte to be paide unto the saide Elizabethe my wieff, That then and from thenceforth
80    it shal[l ]be lawfull for the saide Elizabethe my wieff and her assignees to enter into the sayde
81    Fearmes and other the permisses oute, whereof the saide Annuytie is goinge, yssueable or payable
82    whiche I houlde of the saide Lord Sandys, and thereuppon to distreyne, and the distresse to
83    dryve carrye awaye and with[ h]oulde untill the saide Annuitie and there everye thereof (yf anny
84    shall happens to be behinde be to her and her assignees fullye contented and paide). Item I
85    will and bequeathe unto the saide Elizabethe my wieff duringe her lieff, the fyndinge and
86    keepinge of two kyne to be found and kepte for her and to her use and proffitte uppon the
87    sayde Fearme groundes of the fearme of Andever, bothe in wynter tyme and in Sommer tyme
88    And to have aswell pasture for theme, as also fodder of sweete strawe to susteyne theme, in
89    good plighte, allwaies to be foddered, pastured, watered, and used at the paynes and provision
90    of my executor and by theire Servauntes and at their charge and industrye. And also I
91    bequeathe unto her my sayde wieff the fyndinge of two sowe hoggs for her and to her owne use
92    and proffitte to be kepte uppon the sayde Fearme of Andever, and to be sounde and well harboured
93    and well used and served within my saide Fearme of Andever in suche sorte as is meete and as
94    shall well contente my saide wieff ordered at the provisicion coste and charge of my executors
95    and the industrye of theire servauntes duringe her life. Item I bequeathe unto her fower dossen
96    of my poultrye of all sortes viz of Capons, hennes and chickens suche and best shall fansye and
97    like my saide wieff, and also the fyndinge so manye of poultrie duringe her life to be founde
98    fedde, harboured and well used and lyved, within my saide Fearme of Andever in suche sorte
99    as is meete and as shall well contente my saide wieff at the coste and charges of my saide
100    executor. Item I geve and bequeathe my saide wief yerelie duringe her life, for her necessary use one
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101    waight of woll to be paide yearlye by my executor out of my Fearme of Andever the same yearlye to be deliv[er]ed
102    at the shere tyme, and that she choose yearlye the same waighte of wooll of the firste weighte of wooll
103    that shal[l ]be weighed of the ferme sheepe yearlye at shepesheare. Item I bequeathe and will that my
104    wieff shall have howse rome, duringe her naturall lieff for the abode within my house of Estontowne
105    that I nowe dwell in for her self and her maide, and that she shall have to her owne onely use, duringe
106    her lief, the bedchamber that I and she doe nowe lye in, and that she shall have free concoursse and
107    accesse into the hall, the kitchine, and the reste of my howses of office, aswell within doores as without
108    there allwaies to doe her necessarie busynes withall to her reasonable contemente, so as my executors
109    maye have with all, accesse quietlye into annye romes, within the howsses of office to serve his turne
110    reasonablye, not disquietinge nor excludinge my saide wieff oute thereof at annye tyme to do her
111    necessarye busynes therein. Item I will that my executors shall at his coste and charges provide
116    and fynde unto my saide wieff sufficiente necessarye and as muche woodde and fyreboote as she shall
117    spende in her saide chamber, or aboute the necessarye usage of dressinge her meate and drinck, w[i]thin
118    my saide howsse of Estontowne, And further more that if my saide wieff shal[l ]be mynded to remove
119    from my saide howsse of Estontowne to dwell at her pleasure and better lykinge and contentement
120    within the Towne of Andever, Then I will that neverthelesse, my saide executore shall at his
121    and theire costes and charges provide and fynde unto her sufficient woode and fyrebote for her
122    chamber, bakinge, dressinge and brewinge of her necessarie meate and drincke in suche sorte, as
123    before is lymyted to her for her inhabitinge within my said howse of Estontowne even in such manner
124    as thoughe she weare or shoulde be continuallye rescant there in all respecte, And shall further
125    yearlie paye unto my saide wieff for and towardes her howse rente, so longe as she shall contynue
126    there or else wheare, oute of my howse at Estontowne the yearlie somme of Twentie shillinges,
127    by the yeare to be paide quarterlye unto her at suche Feasts and daies and in suche manner and
129    sorte as her Annuitie of Twentye poundes before mencioned is appointed to be paide. And
129    furthermore if it shall lyke my said wieff to inhabite in anye other place besydes the Towne of
130    Andever owte of the same parrisshe, That then so longe tyme as she shall so enhabite owte of the
131    same parrisshe, I doe will that my executoure shall yealde and paie unto her for and in lewe of
132    suche kyne, hoggs, wooll, and poultrie as she shoulde otherwise have had goinge and founde
133    by my executor uppon my saide Fearme of Andever the somme of fowertie shillings of currante
134    Englishe monneye yearlye to be paide her at the Feastes, daies and tymes, and in suche sorte as her
135    Annuytye of Twentie poundes before recyted is and ought to be paide, And that so longe tyme
136    as she shall so abide, and dwell owte of the saide parrishe of Andever, she shal[l ]be excludedd to
137    demande of my executor annye other duetye before to her limited bequeathed or appointed owte of
138    my sayde Fearme, besydes the saide Twentie poundes to her limited and bequeathed w[hi]ch nevertheles
139    shal[l ]be paide her, in manner and fourme aforesaid. Provided also and my will and entente is
140    and so I doe declare it to be my mynde, That if my saide wieff shall happen to marrye, and
141    not to lyve sole and in her widowhedd, That then she shall have the saide yearlie Annuytye of
142    Twentie poundes, in manner and fourme as before is to her appointed onelye and shal[l ]be excluded
143    and barred for ever by this my laste will of all other benefitte whatsoever, if she should otherwise
144    have owte of my saide Fearme of Andever (annye thinge mencioned in this my will to the co[n]trary
145    notwithstandinge. And soe that my whole mynde and will is that my Fee symple landes w[hi]ch
146    I have to me and myne heyres by purchase or discente or otherwise, shall remayne contynue and
147    be forever hereafter in my name and bloude, withoute anye alteracion, discontynuance or devise
148    thereof to be made or suffered to the contrarye by those or annye of those or theire or anye of
149    theire heires, or heire males or annye of theme to whome I shall by this my laste will and
150    Testamente geve and bequeathe the same or annye parte thereof unto, I doe by this my will
151    And Testament geve and bequeathe all my Landes and Tenementes with all and singler thee
152    Appurtenauncs in manner and fourme followinge, That is to saye, Firste I geve and
153    bequeathe unto John Blake, my eldest Sonne, All that my two Tenements called Brownes
154    and Cambers with all and singuler the appurtenauncs situate in Knights Enham and Kinges
155    Enham within the saide Countie of Southampton, and all Landes arrables, meadowes feedings
156    pastures, commons, commodities, and advanntags whatsoever to the same Tenements or to anye
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157    of theme belonginge or in annye wise apperteyinnge or as annye parte or parcell of themee or any of theme
158    used or occupied withall and singuler th[e ]appurtenauncs, whatsoever, And also all that my Landes Teneme[n]ts
159    and hereditaments called Brayes, and all landes arrables meadowes belonginge to the same withe th[e ]appur
160    tenancs, To have and to houlde the saide two Tenements called Brownes and Chambers withall and
161    singuler th[e ]appurtanauncs and also the said Tenemente called Brayes, and all other the Landes and p[re]misses
162    last bequeathed and recited unto the saide John Blake my sonne for terme of his naturall lieff, And after
163    his deceasse to the heires males of his bodye lawfully begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue to Will[ia]m
164    Blake my seconde sonne, for terme of his naturall lieff, and after the deceasse of the same William, to the
165    heyres males of his body lawfullye begotten the bodye of the saide William lawfully begotten And
166    for defaulte of suche issue to the heires males of the bodye of Peter Blake my Thirde sonne lawfully
167    begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue to the heires males of the bodye of Thomas Blake, my
168    fourthe sonne lawfully begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue, to the heires males of the body of
169    Richarde Blake my fyfte sonne lawfully begotten, And for defaulte of suche issue to the righte heires
170    of my saide Ist sonne John Blake for ever. And furthermore I doe by this my laste will and
171    Testamente geve and bequeathe unto the saide William Blake my second sonne one Tenement
172    with Th[e ]appurtenauncs commonlye called Roses lyinge within Kings Enham aforesaide, And all
173    Landes tenementes, meadowes, pastures, feedings, proffitts and commodities and advauntages whatso
174    ever to the same Tenement belonginge or in any wise apperteyninge whiche I late purchased of Mr
175    Cauley, And also one meadowe, with th[e ]appurtenaunces lyinge in Kings Enham aforesaide, which I
176    late bought of _ne Hayse, commonly called Dichie meade. And also the Crofte withe Th[e ]appurtenauncs
177    called Whiteyeres crofte and all the landes with th[e ]appurtenauncs which I late purchased of John James
178    of Charleton lyinge in Kings Enham aforesaid, To have and houlde the saide Tenement called Roses
179    with th[e ]appurtenauncs and the saide meadowe called Dichie meade with th[e ]appurtauncs and the saide Lande
180    called Whiteyeres Crofte and the saide Landes late purchased of the saide John James with th[e ]appurte[n]auncs
181    and all other the laste recited premisses unto the saide William Blake bequeathed withe all and
182    singuler their appurtenaunces unto the saide William Blake my sonne second Sonne for terme of his
183    naturall life, And after his deceasse to the heires males of his bodye lawfullie begotten, And for
184    defaulte of suche issue, to the saide John Blake my eldest sonne for terme of his naturall life, And
185    after the deceasse of the same John to th[e h]eirs males of his bodye lawfully begotten with the lyke
186    Lymytacions in their respecte and degree as before is lymitted to the saide Peter Blake and the
187    others followinge him, And furthermore I doe by this my laste will and Testamente geve and
188    bequeathe unto the saide Peter Blake, my thirde sonne all that my Eleaven Tenements and one
189    Cottage withe all and singuler their appurtenauncs scituate and beinge in Andever, aforesaide,
190    nowe at the daie of the date of this my will in the severall tenure or occupacions of William
191    Northe, Hughe Tydder, William Hussie, Christopher Broughe and Goodman Wilson, William
192    Bathe, Robert Carde, George Masonn, John Presser, Robert Newell, Katherine Hide
193    and [blank] Wiggs widdowe, And also all that my three meadowes with th[e ]appurtenauncs
194    lyinge within Charletonn within the saide Countie of Southampton, nowe at the date of this
195    my will in the severall tenures and occupacions of John Purham, John James and John West.
196    To have and to houlde all the saide eleven Tenements and cottage and three meadowes laste
197    recyted withe all and singuler theire appurtena[u]ncs unto the saide Peter my Thirde Sonne
198    to him and to his heires for ever. And to th[e ]entente that suche Fearmes, Landes, Tenem[en]ts,
199    withe all and singuler th[e ]appurtena[u]ncs whiche I houlde by Lease or Leasses, and of the graunte
200    of the saide Lorde Sandys, or of annye of his Lo[rd] Ancestors shoulde, contynue, remayne and be
201    to my bloudde and name withe my saide fee symple Landes in suche sorte and to somme of those
202    personnes to whome I have gevenn and bequeathed my sayde Fee symple Landes unto therefore
203    I doe by this my last will and Testamente geve and bequeathe the same landes in manner and
204    fourme followinge, That is to saie, I geve and bequeathe to my saide John Blake one Tene[ment]
205    withe th[e ]appurtenauncs, commonlie called th[e ]olde haule lyinge in Knights Enham aforesayde,
206    And all Landes and meadowes whatsoever in Leasies, pastures, feadinges, com[m]ons, proffitts,
207    commodities and advauntags whatsoever to the same Tenemente belonginge or in anye wise
208    app[er]teyninge, And also one severall close withe th[e ]appurtuance commonly called Walworte
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209    And also twoe meadowes in Andever beinge Lammas Lande houlden by Tenne shillings rente by the yeare
210    And also all my Lammas Lande and meadowe, whatsoever with th[e ]appurtenauncs lyinge in Andever,
211    or Andever feilde aforesaide, And all other my Landes and tenements, whatsoever conteyned and
212    mentioned uppon the grande Lease to me made of the last recited premisses (excepte the Tenement
213    called Smythes and the parcell of grounde called Evatts Okes al[ia]s Glosshanger and suche Lammas
214    Landes as the saide William Blake my sonne nowe houldethe whiche saide Tenement called Oulde
215    hall and closes called Walwort, meadowe and lamas lande and other the laste recited premisse I
216    doe houlde of the saide Lorde Sandys for terme of yeares not yet expired, To have and to hold
217    the saide Tenemente called oulde hall, the saide close called Walwortt and the meadowes and Lammas
218    lands aforesaide and all other the premisses with all and singuler, th[e ]appurtena[u]nces laste recited (except
219    before last excepted) unto the saide John Blake for terme of his naturall lieffe, yf my terme of yeres
220    thereof so longe shall endure, And after his deceasse the saide Tenemente called old hall the said close
221    called Walwort and the meadowes and Lammas Lande and all the laste recited premisses withe th[e ]appurtena[u]ncs
222    (excepte before excepted) to remayne contynue and be to the heires males of the bodye of my saide sonne
223    John lawfullye begotten and so to contynue in my bloude and name from one to an other in lyke manner
224    and sorte and in everye respecte and degree accordinge to my sayde lymytacion made of my sayde fee simple
225    landes called Brownes, Cambers and Brayes so longe as the terme of yeares which I have in the granted
226    leasses of the same or of annye parte thereof shall contynue The saide John Blake and the heyres males of
227    his bodye bodye lawfullye begotten, and all other the persons before lymyted to enioye the saide Tenemente
228    called oulde haule & the saide close called Walworte and the said two meadowes and Lammas lande and other the premisses laste recited (excepte
229    before excepted) yealdinge payinge doinge and performinge all suche rentes dueties and covenants whiche
230    shal[l ]be after my deceasse at annye tyme due, paieable or to be donne to the saide Lorde Sandys his heires or
231    assignes or annye other personne or personnes whatsoever by reason of the graunde Leasse or Leasses made
232    thereof or of annye other parte or parcell thereof, other than suche rente and dutyes as shall growe due
233    by reason of the saide Tenemente called called Smythes and the saide groundes called Evatts okes alias
234    Glosshanger and other then for the said Lammas lande in the tenure of the saide William Blake my sonne
235    viz for the sayde Tenemente called Smythes fowertene shillinges by the yeare for the saide grounde called
236    Glosshanger fyve shillinges by the yeare and for the saide Lammas Lande Twelve shillinges by the Yeare
237    And furthermore to th[e ]intente that my sonne William Blake and th[e ]other personnes hereafter lymyted to have
238    my Fearme of Andever shall contynwe hospitalitie with the same accordinge to the proportions thereof
239    within the parrishes of Andever and Knightes Enham or one of theme duringe the terme of yeares w[hi]ch
240    shal[l ]be therein to comme after the tyme of my deceasse, I doe by this my last will and testamente geve and
241    bequeathe unto the same William Blake my saide seconde sonne my Tenemente and howse with th[e ]app[u]rtena[u]ncs
242    whiche I nowe dwell in commonlie called Smythes and all landes, meadowes, leasues, pastures, feadings,
243    commons, proffittes, commodities and advauntages, whatsoever to the same tenemente belonginge or in anye
244    wise apperteyninge, And also my Ferme of Andever, withe all landes, meadowes, leasues, pastures, feedings,
245    proffittes, commodities, and advauntages, whatsoever to the same ferme belonginge, or in annye wise appertey
246    ninge, whiche saide Fearme and Tenemente and other the last recyted premisses I doe lykewise houlde
247    for terme of yeares not expired of the saide Lo: Sandis (except and allwayes res[er]ved oute of this my last
248    gifte and bequeaste all suche percell of lande as bene before by me geven unto John my sayde eldeste
249    sonne, To have and to houlde the saide Tenemente Ferme and all other the premisses withe all and singuler
250    their appurtenauncs last recited and bequeathed (excepte last before excepted) unto the saide William my
251    sonne for terme of his naturall lief, yf my terme of yeares thereof to me made shall so longe endure
252    And after his deceasse the saide ferme and Tenemente and all other the premisses laste bequeathed and
253    recyted (excepte before laste excepted) to remayne contyneue and be to the heyres males of the bodye of the
254    sayde William my sonne lawfullye begotten and so from one to an other in like manner and sorte and in
255    everye respecte and degree accordinge to my saide Lymytacions made of my Fee symple landes called Roses
256    Dichie meade and whiteyeares crofte, so longe as my terme of yeares, which I have in the graund leasse
257    to mee made of the same or of annye parte thereof shall contynewe, The saide William Blake and ye
258    heires males of his bodye lawfullye begotten and all other the personnes before lymyted to enioye ye
259    sayde Ferme or Tenemente and other the premisess laste to him bequeathed yealdinge payinge doinge and
260    performinge all suche rentes dueties and covenannts, whiche shal[l ]be after my deceasse at annye tyme
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261    due paiable or to be donne to the saide Lo: Sandys his heires or assignees or annye other personne or p[er]sonnes
262    whatsoever by reason of the saide graunde Leasse or leasses, made thereof or of annye parte or parcell thereof
263    or of annye the premisses laste recited and to the saide William bequeathed. The residue of my goods
264    (before not bequeathed nor disposed, my debtes and legacies beinge paide and this my laste will and testament
265    in all respectes iustlie performed and accomplished) I geve and bequeath to my sonne William aforesaide
266    to th[e ]intente that he and th[e ]other personnes before lymyted to have, my said Fearme of Andever shall
267    contynewe hospitalitie within the parrishe of Andever Knights Enham or one of theme during thee
268    terme of yeares of my said Fearme of Andever. Provided allwayes and my will and whole entent
269    is, That if it shall fortune after my deceasse anny of my said sonnes, or anny others to whome I have
270    limited to have and enioye annye parte of my landes or gooddes aforesaid, not to contente himself or
271    theme selves withe suche porcions of Landes or gooddes and in suche manner and sorte as I have before
272    gevenn and bequeathed the same unto him or theme, and unto everie or annye of theme, Or that theie or
273    annye of theme shall shewe themselves or annye of theme shall shewe himselfe or herself to have mislike
274    withe the same or of this my last will or of annye parte of the contente of this my testament, Or
275    shall endewe themselves or annye of theme shall endewe him or herself to devise doe practise attempte
276    or putte in use, or cause to be devised donne prassised attempted or putte in use or assente, consent agree unto
277    or suffer annye acte, thinge or thinges whatsoever or by what meanes soever whiche shalbe disturbe alter
278    violate, frustrate, breake or make voide, or shall or maie be by annye meanes intended, construed or
279    ymagined to disturbe, alter, chaunge, violate, frustrate, breake or make voide, in annye respecte or pointe
280    this my last will and testament, and the contents and limitacions of the same, or of annye parte,
281    pointe, limitacion, legacie, bequeaste, gift or contents thereof, or of annye parte thereof, or shall
282    not stande to and obeye the order and iudgemente of my overseers and the longest lyver of theme
283    duringe their lyves in suche ambiguities, doubts, questions, and controversies as shall happen to
284    aryse hereafter uppon or by reasonn of this my last will and testament to all entents and purpos[e]s
285    That then in all and everie the cases laste recyted, my said sonnes and everye other person and
286    personnes shall and everie of theme to whome I have geven graunted or lymyted to have or enioye
287    annye parte of my landes gooddes or chattells aforesaide and everie of theme in so doeinge and
288    offendinge this my mynde in my last will and testament shall for ever lose the benefitt of this my
289    laste will, and Testamente, to all entents and purposes and the Legacies and devises to theme and
290    everie of theme or annye of theme by the same gevens devised or bequeathed, and whiche otherwise
291    theye or annye of them, in not so doinge or offendinge mighte have had and enioyed. As thoughe
292    no mencions at all hadd beene made in this my laste Testamente of annye suche gifte devise or
293    Legacie And that then in everie suche case as aforesayd I doe geve and bequeathe by this my last
294    will and Testament the same porcion of my sayde goods and Landes to the resydue of my sayde
295    sonnes not so offendinge and to suche others aforesaide not so offendinge to whome I have made
296    the Lymytacions of the contynuaunce and enioyinge the reside of my sayde Landes, goods and
297    chattells to be equallye and indifferentlie devided and apporcioned amongeste theme. And
298    I doe make my sayde sonne William Blake my executor of this my last will and testament
299    Provided nevertheless and this my last will is, That if the saide William shall not or doe
300    not take uppon him the execucion and executorshipp of this my last will and Testament, or that
301    he and his issue male aforesaide shall not trewlye and iustlie paye all, the Legacies of this my
302    last will and also shall not doe accomplishe and performe the same thorowlye accordinge to my
303    entente and meaninge expressed in this my last will and testamenete, in all respectes whatsoever, or
304    shall not within one monneth after my deceasse become in sufficient bond unto my overseers or
305    suche of theme as shal[l ]be lyvinge at the tyme of my decease, or if theye shall happen to be deceased
306    to the Bisshopp of the dioces for the tyme beinge to obeye and performe this my laste will and
307    Testament, That then I will my said legacie and gifte before to him and his heires males bequethed
308    and geven as well of my Landes as of my goods utterlye to surceasse and to be voyde and of none
309    effecte, And then I doe make my saide sonne John my executor of this my last will and testament
310    to see the same well and trulye performed Annye thinge before mencioned to the contrarie notw[i]th
311    standinge. And I doe by this my last will and testament appointe my verye trustie and welbeloved
312    freindes Richard Sotwell, Doctor of the Civill Lawe, and Andrewe Reade gent to be my ov[er]seers.
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313    givinge willinge and grauntinge theme and the longest lyver of theme full power and Authoritie by this my last will
314    and testamente yf theye shall so please to determyn decide and ende all ambiguities, doubtes, questions or debate
315    whatsoever whiche hereafter duringe their lyves or the longest lyver of theme shall happen to fall owte
316    amongest my saide children, or annye other to whome I have geven annye of my Landes or gooddes unto
317    by this my will conc[e]rninge this my last will and Testamente or anny matter conteyned therein
318    And I doe bequeathe to eche of my saide overseers in token of my good will towardes theme for theire
319    paynes Fowrtie shillings a peece to be delyvered within one monneth uppon my deceasse. In witnes
320    whereof I have to everie paper leaffe of this my will sette my signe and marke, Geven the Seaven
321    and twentithe daie of Julye one Thousande fyve hundred eightie two. Anno Regni Regine [domine ]n[ost]re Elizabethe
322    vicesimo Quarto. And further have to theise presentes putte my mark and sette my seale. witness
323    the same those whose names are under writtenn William Stotwell, Richarde Stotwell, John
324    Sotwell, An: Reade, John Deane
325    Probatum fuit suprascriptum testamentum apud London. Coram venerabili viro
326    mag[ist]ro Willi[el]mi Drurye legum doctore curie prerogative Cantuarien[sis] commissario etc Decimo
327    Quarto die mensis Novembris Anno Domini mill[es]imo quingentesimo octagesimo secundo. Juramento Petri
328    Johnson notarij publici procuratoris Willi[a]m Blake filij et executoris etc Cui commissa fuit administrac[io]
329    bonorum etc De bene etc Jurat[e]