Post Mortem Inquisition - Elizabeth wife of John Blake Esquire 6 Nov 1459

I may at some point rework the title for this blog but for the moment I found an interesting document in

Somerset and Dorset Notes and Queries, edited by Frederic William Weaver and Charles Herbert Mayo,  volume 10, 1907 and printed by JC and AT Sawtell at Sherborne,  page 189

No. 125 Elizabeth, wife of John Blake, Esquire

Inquisition taken at Shirborne in co. Dorset 6 November, 38 Henry 6 [1459] before John Stanley, esquire, escheator, by the oath of John Fauntleroy, John Ibberd, William Hawkyns, John Frampton, John Coker, Thomas Russell, John Bayly, Thomas Pytte, John Trebell, Robert Verner, William Whytton and John Bridport, who say that Elizabeth Blake was the wife of John Blake, esquire, held on the day that she died the manor of Chaeleton Speytebury in the said clounty in her demesne as of fee: which said manor is held of the King by the service of the 8th part of a knight's fee, and is worth per annum clear, 5 marks.

The said Elizabeth died the last day of September last past; Robert Reugeborne is her son and next heir and is aged 21 years and more.

Chancery Inquisition post mortem 38-39 Henry 6 n 27

I found the reference to Sherborne rather interesting as the Blake family that was at Sherborne in the 1800s was blogged earlier, namely:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-thomas-blake-gentleman.html

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-samuel-blake-yeoman-of.html

These two men were cousins and the father of Samuel Blake was Samuel Blake, Brandy merchant of Christchurch and his will was blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-samuel-blake-brandy-merchant-of.html

I just found it rather interesting that there was a Blake family near Sherborne as early as 1459. It does lend credence to the idea that there were a number of distinct Blake lines very very early in the history of the British Isles. The idea that they are a singleton family is fast disappearing. But that doesn't take away from the significance of the Blake family as their involvement in the history of the British Isles is enormous.

I am wondering if there is a transcription error and it should read manor of Charleton Speytebury. Interesting that there was a Blake there so early. It is 12 miles to Sherborne from Spetisbury.

Will of Elizabeth Blake, widow of Crewkerne - The National Archives PROB 11/1847/396, probated 25 Jun 1835

Elizabeth Blake, the testatrix, was married to the Reverend William Blake of Crewkerne as mentioned in the will below. Elizabeth Jarman was married to William Blake in October 1812 he having been married first to Hannah Jarman May 1808 (Hannah having died in April 1810 leaving one daughter). This from the “Memoir of the late Reverend William Blake of Crewkerne” published in The Monthly Repository of Theology and General Literature, Volume 16 (Google Books; pages 262 - 268 ).

This book further notes that her husband was the great grandson of the Reverend Malachi Blake a noncomformist Minister who lived at Blagdon, a village near Taunton, and he had founded the Dissenting congregation at Wellington.

The will of the Reverend Malachi Blake (son of the Reverend Malachi Blake mentioned above who lived at Blagdon) was blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-reverend-malachi-blake.html

I am still working on these lines in Somerset and will not do a descendant chart for a blog until I complete the Somerset wills.

Children of William and Elizabeth Blake baptized at Hermitage Street Presbyterian, Crewkerne

Malachi baptized 12 Jul 1815 (born 24 Jul 1813)
William baptized 4 Nov 1816 (born 19 Nov 1815)
Elizabeth baptized 17 Sep 1819 (born 14 Apr 1817)
Margaret baptized 17 Sep 1819 (born 9 Apr 1818)

Child of William and Hannah Blake baptized at Hermitage Street Presbyterian, Crewkerne

Hannah baptized 13 Sep 1810 (born 15 Mar 1810)

Malachi has died by the time of the writing of Elizabeth’s will. By the will it is known that by 26 May 1841 that William is 21 years of age as he then probated the will by himself and he was born 19 Nov 1815 so waited until he was 26 years of age to take on that responsibility. Since I find only two daughters born to Elizabeth and one daughter born to Hannah I assume these are the three daughters mentioned as such in the will but not named. I can not find information on the Jarman family so do not know if Hannah and Elizabeth were sisters.

Since my interest does not extend to properties held or entitled to I will not add any information on the land holdings which were to come to this family as a result of the will of Miss Elizabeth Eason. The property passed to John Weston Peters as mentioned and on his death in 1858 the dealings on this property are well recorded in legal works of the day.


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 30 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1847/396
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Crewkerne, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 7 Jul 1832, probated 25 June 1835
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Elizabeth
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 16

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Elizabeth Blake of Crewkerne in the County of Somerset Widow and Relict
3    of The Reverend William Blake late of Crewkerne aforesaid deceased which I
4    make and publish for the disposal of all my Estate and Effects both Real and
5    Personal and of which I have any power of gift limitation or appointment
6    in manner following that is to say First I give to my Brother George Farewell
7    Jarman and Edward Jarman ten pounds apiece to Mary Denison of Nottingham
8    twenty pounds to my good Friends and Relatives Doctor Malachi Blake and
9    Mary his Wife Downing Blake and Mary his Wife and John Collins of Horton
10    and Mary his Wife and to every of them five pounds apiece And I give the
11    Minister of the Dissenting Meetinghouse in Crewkerne where I usually attend and
12    to the support of which I am a subscriber and who shall officiate there at the time
13    of my death the sum of thirty pounds And I give to the Treasurer or Manager
14    of the Infant Friends Society in Crewkerne the sum of ten pounds to be applied
15    and disposed in aid of the Funds of the said Society and for the benefit thereof
16    and I give to each of my Servants living with me at the time of my death
17    provided they shall have been in my service on year but not otherwise five pounds apiece and
18    to my Servant Ann Moore whether living with me or not the further sum of
19    twenty pounds all which Legacies I will shall be paid at the end of one year
20    after my death free of Legacy duty And I give and bequeath to my three
21    daughters all my Watches Jewels Trinkets Ornaments of my person Clothes and
22    wearing Apparel to be divided between them as equally as they can do it
23    themselves And I give all my plate to my Son William and my three daughters
24    equally to be divided between them And I give devise and bequeath limit and
25    appoint all that Messuage or dwellinghouse in which I reside in Crewkerne
26    and the Outhouses and Garden thereto belonging And also the houses
27    Outhouses and premises which I lately purchased adjoining my said Messuage
28    with the Appurtenances and also all my household Goods and Furniture unto
29    my three daughters their heirs Exors Admors and Assignes as tenants in common
30    and not as joint tenants but in case either of them should marry then it is
31    my will that she shall convey and assure her undivided third part or share
32    in the said houses and premises respectively to her other two unmarried Sisters
33    and their heirs Exors Admors and Assigns as tenants in common on
34    receiving and being paid the sum of three hundred pounds as a full
35    consideration for such undivided third part and in case another of my said
36    daughters should also marry Then it is my further will and desire that she
37    shall duly convey and assure her undivided third part of share in the said
38    houses and premises respectively to the duly unmarried Sister her heirs Exors
39    Admors and Assigns on receiving and being paid the like sum of three hundred
40    pounds as a full consideration for such last mentioned undivided third
41    part To the and that the last of my said unmarried daughters may be seized
42    of possess and enjoy the whole and entirety of the said houses and premises
43    Provided also that in case either of my said daughters shall happen to die
44    under the age of twenty one years and without having been married Then
45    I give devise and bequeath limit and appoint the share and part of her so
46    dying in the said Messuages and premises unto the Survivors of my said
47    three daughters their heirs Exors Admors and Assigns as tenants in common
48    and In exercise of the power and authority to me given limited and
49    reserved in and by the last Will and Testament of Miss Elizabeth Eason
50    deceased I hereby give and bequeath limit and appoint from and
51    after my death the sum of one thousand pounds the Interest of which
52    I am entitled to for my life unto and amongst my three daughters
53    equally to be divided between them share and share alike And I give
    [Page 2]
54    and bequeath limit and appoint unto each and every of my said three
55    daughters the sum of three thousand pounds apiece to be a bested Interest in
56    them respectively on attaining their several and respective ages of twenty
57    one years or days or days of marriage which shall first happen and in
58    case any of either of them shall happen to die under the age of twenty one
59    years and without having been married then I give and bequeath direct
60    and appoint the Legacy or sum of three thousand pounds of such of my
61    daughter or daughters so dying unto the Survivors or Survivor of my said
62    daughters and my Son William equally to be divided amongst or between
63    them share and share alike And I will and direct that the Interest
64    dividends and profits of my said daughters Legacies or a sufficient part
65    thereof from my death and during their respective minorities may be
66    paid applied and disposed for and towards their respective maintenance
67    and education and in case my said Son William shall come into
68    possession of and become legally entitled to the Messuages Land Tenements
69    and hereditaments given and devised to him and his Issue Male in
70    and by the last Will and Testament and Codicil or Codicils of the said
71    Elizabeth Eason in the event of Mr John Weston Peters dying without
72    Issue Male Then I give and bequeath limit and appoint unto each of
73    my said three daughters the further sum of two thousand pounds apiece
74    to be paid to them by my said Son William in one year after he shall
75    have come into possession of and become legally entitled to the said
76    Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments by virtue of the said Will
77    and Codicil or Codicils of the said Elizabeth Eason and in exercise of all
78    powers and authorities whatsoever enabling me in this behalf I give
79    devise bequeath limit and appoint unto my said Son William Blake
80    all other my Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments whatsoever
81    and wheresoever and as well Freehold as Leasehold and Copyhold of which
82    I have any disposing power and all my Estate and Interest therein and
83    also all my Monies and Securities for money Goods Chattels personal
84    Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore disposed of
85    to hold to him the said William Blake his heirs Exors Admors and
86    assigns for this and their own use and benefit but subject to and charged
87    and chargeable with the payment of the several Legacies and sums of
88    money by me hereinbefore given And I nominate constitute and
89    appoint my said Son William Blake to be the sole Executor of this my
90    last Will and Testament hereby revoking and making void all former
91    Wills by me made But in case my said Son William shall not have
92    attained the age of twenty one years at my death then I nominate
93    constitute and appoint the said Doctor Malachi Blake and my said
94    Brother Edward Jarman and the Survivor of them to be the Executors
95    or Executor of this my Will during the minority of my said Son In trust
96    for him and for the purposes of my Will and I request them to assist my
97    Son in the management of his Affairs being full indemnified out of my
98    Effects all costs charges and expences whatsoever to be incurred by them in
99    anywise relating to the execution of my Will In Witness whereof I the said
100    Elizabeth Blake the Testatrix have to each sheet of this my last Will and
101    Testament which is written on three sheets of paper set my hand and seal
102    this seventh day of July in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred
103    and thirty two Eliz[abe]th Blake Signed Sealed published
104    and declared by the said Elizabeth Blake the Testatrix as and for her last
105    Will and Testament in the presence of us who have hereunto in her presence
106    and at her request and in the presence of each other subscribed our names as
107    Witnesses Loveday L Sparks Isaac Sparks Geo: Moss
108    Proved at London 25th June 1835 before the Judge by the Oaths of
109    Malachi Blake Esquire and Edward Jarman Esquire the Brother the
110    Executors during the minority of William Blake now a Minor the Son And until
111    he shall attain the age of twenty one years having been first Sworn (to wit) the said
112    Malachi Blake by Commission and the said Edward Jarman before the
113    Worshipful Charles Coote Doctor of Laws and Surrogate duly to Administer
114    Proved at London 26th May 1841 before the Judge by the Oath
115    of William Blake the Son the Executor substituted in the said Will (he
116    having attained the age of Twenty one years) to whom Admon was granted
117    having been first sworn by Comm[issi]on duly to Administer. The Probate of the
118    said Will heretofore granted to Malachi Blake Esquire and Edward Jarman
119    Esquire the Brother the Executors named in the said Will during the Minority
120    of the said William Blake (then a Minor) and until he should attain the age of 21
121    years having come and expired by reason of his having attained that age (and by
122    Act of Court appoint)

Will of Elizabeth Blake, widow, of Over Stowey, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/255/325, probated 16 May 1656

Elizabeth Blake, the testatrix, was the wife of Robert Blake and this Robert probably the son of Robert Blake, yeoman of Halse, who left his will which was probated 15 Jun 1639. Is this family descendant of Thomas Blake of Wedmore since Robert (will probated 1639) mentions John Blake of Kingston as one of his Executors in Trust:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-robert-blake-of-halse-national.html

In this will Robert mentions his sons Robert, Edmond, John, and Richard and daughters Grace, Jane and Edith.

The will of Robert (husband of Elizabeth the testatrix and will still to be transcribed) mentions his brother Edmund and the same children as below in the will of his widow Elizabeth, John, Robert and Grace.

Perhaps the clue lies in John Selleck one of the overseers in the will below. He is named as brother in the will and brother in law in the probate so probably brother in law. Now is he the husband of one of Elizabeth’s sister(s) or married to one of Robert’s sisters Grace, Jane or Edith?

Agnes Blake was married to Robert whose will was probated in 1639 and her will also blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-agnis-blake-widow-of-halse_17.html

She too mentions Robert, Edmond, John and Richard as sons and Grace, Jane and Edith as daughters. Her will was probated in 1641. She does not mention grandchildren so the marriage of Robert Blake and Elizabeth (unknown) must be in 1641 or after which would mean that none of the three children of Robert and Elizabeth was older than 15 when Elizabeth wrote her will or older than 11 when Robert wrote his will.

Returning again to the Visitations of Somersetshire 1623 and the entry for the Perry family. Elizabeth Perry daughter of John Perry and Joane James married first John Smith and second Robert Blake. Since the visitation was taken in 1623 this Elizabeth is an aunt to the children of her sibling Robert married to Elizabeth Warren. The children of Robert and Elizabeth Perry are married and have children of their own. This is not the Elizabeth Blake who has left the present will as she would be too elderly to be her. The Elizabeth Perry in the visitations would be born circa 1550-1560. That helps to eliminate this family at Halse as being part of the present Blake family being examined although I wonder who Robert Blake married to Elizabeth Perry was.

Perhaps this is the time to look at the articles published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register by Clifford L. Stott. I had found the published accounts for the Blake Family of Andover, Hampshire linking that family to the Somerset Blake family and knew them to be absolutely incorrect since wills existed to disprove the connection first suggested by Horatio Gates Somerby and stated to be erroneous in this article published in the April Register of 2009. Finding this verification of what I had found from the wills is possibly what led me onwards into eventually taking on the Blake-one-name study at the Guild of one name studies.

In this paper Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey and Agnis Blake) is said to have married Ann Castleton but the records in the Blake Museum at Bridgwater list this Thomas as marrying Isobel and that he was buried 8 Dec 1580 at Wedmore. This couple baptized nine children at Wedmore namely:

1.    John baptized 29 Mar 1561; deceased by 1570
2.    Joan baptized 7 Aug 1562; deceased by 1572
3.    Thomas baptized 21 May 1563 (married to Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore) and buried there 16 Apr 1613.
4.    Edward baptized 16 Sep 1565 and buried 23 Mar 1569 at Wedmore
5.    Lucia baptized 28 Jun 1568 married to Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore
6.    John baptized 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
7.    Joan baptized 20 Jan 1572
8.    Edward baptized 13 Mar 1575 and buried 17 Oct 1576 at Wedmore
9.    Elizabeth baptized 18 Oct 1577

Clifford Stott has stated that this is only a possibility as there were other Blake families and deciding that this Thomas was the son of Humphrey was unclear.

The will of Thomas Blake of Wedmore was blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/will-of-thomas-blake-of-wedmore.html

and he has written it 17 Dec 1577. Only four of these children have survived to 1577 namely Thomas, Lucia, John and Elizabeth. His elder brother John (the elder) was buried 10 Dec 1576 at Overstowey which leaves his younger brother John Blake the younger to be the John Blake mentioned in the will of Thomas Blake.

Thomas Blake son of the testatrix married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore as mentioned earlier. Thomas buried 16 April 1613 and Alice buried 23 Jul 1632 both at Wedmore.

The following information from Google books:

Baptisms at Wedmore:

John son of Thomas Blake 29 Mar 1561
Johanna Blake 7 Aug 1562
Thomas Blake 21 May 1563
Issebella daughter of John Blake 14 Feb 1564
Edward son of Thomas Blake 16 Sep 1565
Essebella daughter of John Blake de Cocklade 3 Mar 1567
Lucia daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 28 Jun 1568
Christiana daughter of John Blake 2 Feb 1569
John son of Thomas Blake 6 Dec 1570; buried 9 Dec 1570
John son of Thomas Blake 20 Jan 1571
Maria daughter of John Blake 23 Mar 1571
Grace daughter of John Blake 16 Feb 1574
Edward son of Thomas Blake 13 Mar 1574
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 18 Oct 1577
Edith daughter of John Blake 8 Dec 1578
Margaret daughter of John Blake 1 Oct 1581
Elizabeth daughter of Thomas Blake 3 Jun 1588
Richard son of Thomas Blake 29 Nov 1590
Maria daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackforde 14 Jul 1596
Joanna daughter of Richard Blake 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
Joanna daughter of Thomas Blake de Blackford 4 Jun 1600
John son of Richard Blake 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard son of Richard Blake 5 Aug 1604
John son of Richard Blake 7 Jun 1607
Benjamin Blake son of Josias Blake 19 Feb 1670; buried 25 Feb 1671

Marriages at Wedmore:

William Hourcombe and Julia Blake 26 Sep 1569
Thomas Wall and Alice Blake 1 Jun 1581
Robert Jarvis and Lucia Blake 1 Nov 1586
Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton 2 Oct 1587
William Yeascombe and Johanne Blake 20 April 1588
William Downe and Johanne Blake 24 May 1593
Thomas Rainold de Blagdonn and Isabella Blake de Cocklake 7 Feb 1594
Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) 4 Nov 1598
John Coles and Christiana Blake 19 Apr 1599
Richard Adames and Grace Blake 12 Nov 1601
Richard Vowles and Mariam Blake 1 Jul 1602
Edmund Colborne and Mariam Blake 29 Apr 1619
Robert Pope and Joan Blake 6 Feb 1622
Richard Blake and Margery Quicke 11 Jul 1625
John Smith and Margery Blake (widow) 11 Apr 1627
Richard Blake and Joan Champeny (widow) 29 Oct 1629
William Yescombe and Joane Blake 15 Jan 1634
John Blake and Sibbell Warman 10 May 1653
William Tayler and Joana Blake de Cocklake 26 Sep 1678
Thomas Barns and Elizabeth Blake 5 Dec 1719
James Blake and Sarah Beacham 2 Jul 1749

As can be seen the Blake family has virtually disappeared from Wedmore by the 1630s with just the occasional marriage.

This still does not answer the question about Robert and Elizabeth Blake (the testatrix) and their family. That Elizabeth is remembering the poor of Overstowey where she currently lives and the poor of Halse does give one pause to think that she may have moved back to Overstowey after the death of her husband in 1562.

Presumably Thomas and John baptizing children at Wedmore are the sons of Thomas who left his will at Wedmore dated 1577 and probated 1581. Indeed looking at the burials for Wedmore he must be the Thomas Blake buried at Wedmore 8 Dec 1580. Along with Thomas in the 1560s and he lived at Blackford there is a John Blake baptizing children at Wedmore and he lived at Cocklade. This John Blake is John Blake the younger married to Christian Jugg 18 Aug 1558 at Over Stowey.

Looking at the families having children in the latter part of the 1580s and early 1600s at  Wedmore:

Thomas Blake and Alice Tutton married 2 Oct 1587 (son of Thomas Blake)

Elizabeth 3 Jun 1588
Richard 29 Nov 1590
Maria 14 Jul 1596
Joanna 4 Jun 1600

Richard Blake and Edeth Pytt (widow) married 4 Nov 1598 (son of John Blake the younger)

Joanna 18 Jan 1599; buried 30 Mar 1606
John 29 Sep 1602; buried 1 May 1603
Richard 5 Aug 1604
John 7 Jun 1607

Having worked through that exercise I can see that there isn’t a Robert Blake born at Wedmore in this time period. There remains only Richard son of Thomas carrying the Blake surname as I do not have any children for his younger brother John.

Richard Blake married to Edith Pitt is the only descendant of John Blake the younger carrying the Blake surname and it is known from the registers that Richard was buried at Wedmore 2 Jan 1630. His son Richard married Margery Quicke and they had a son John who married Sibbell Warman and this John was buried 13 Feb 1673 at Wedmore. This John does not appear to have baptized any children at Wedmore.

Working through all of this it does make sense that Thomas Blake (son of Humphrey) and John Blake the younger (son of Humphrey) could be brothers and both living at Wedmore. I feel that the Blake Museum at Bridgwater has probably done extensive research on the children of Humphrey Blake (great grandfather of Admiral Robert Blake) and this meander through the data does agree totally with their chart.

The question remains who is Robert Blake at Halse married to the present testatrix Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey. Is it just coincidence that she moves from Halse to Overstowey? Perhaps his will will be helpful when I reach it in a couple of weeks. Did John the second son of Thomas have a son Robert who later lived at Halse?

Looking again at the first paper on the Humphrey Blake family by Clifford Stott the children of John Blake the younger (married to Christian Jugg) I have all the children he has listed plus another 6 daughters baptized at Wedmore. Gradually as all this is pulled together I hope to be able to see the Blake family in Somerset more clearly. I also would like further proof that Thomas Blake of Wedmore and John Blake of Wedmore were siblings.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/255/325
Testator: Elizabeth Blake, widow
Place: Over Stowey, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 Dec 1655, probated 16 May 1656
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estament]
[Margin]: Elizabeth
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the name of God Amen It
2    Elizabeth Blake of Overstowey in the county of Somersett widowe doe
3    make and ordayne this my last will and Testament in manner and forme
4    following First I commend my Soule into the hands of Almightie God
5    my maker hopeing assuredly through the merritts of Jesus Christ my
6    saviour to bee made partaker of life ever lasting And I commit my body
7    to the earth from whence it was taken; Alsoe I give to the poore of Overstowey
8    Five shillings And to the poore of Halse Five shillings To be distributed by my
9    Overseers Alsoe I give to my sonne John Blake Fower score pounds To be disposed
10    of by my Overseers hereafter named according to their discretion for the good and
11    benifitt of my said sonne Alsoe I give to my daughter Grace Blake Fower score
12    pounds To be paid unto her within sixe monthes after her marriage or other age of
13    One and Twentie yeares which shall first happen And my Will is that my said daughter
14    shall have the profit to be raised by her said legacy yearely towards her maintenance
15    in the meanetyme And if she dye before the said Fower score pounds become payable to
16    her I give the same to my said sonne John; And if my sonne John dye before his said
17    legacie shall be disposed of as aforesaid; My will is That soe much as shall remayne
18    thereof at his death shall accrues and redowne to my sonne Robert Blake Alsoe I give
19    to my sonne John Fower silver spoones And to my daughter Grace Five silver spoones
20    my silver salt cellar and gilted Cupp, my gold ring my weareing apparel, my Holland
21    sheetes and Holland drawers for pillows and my lesser silver bowle which was given by
22    my sister Joane her Godmother All the rest of my goods and chattels I give and be-
23    queath to my said sonne Robert Whom I make and ordayne Executor of this my last Will
24    and Testament but in case my sonne Robert dye before hee shall accomplish the age of
25    One and Twentie yeares I doe make my sonne John Executor of this my last Will and
26    Testament And I desire my brother John Selleck and my brother in law William
27    Hawkins and my cozen George Comer to bee Overseers hereof and to manage
28    my two sonnes Estates for the good and benifitt of my said sonnes until they shall
29    respectively attaine to the age of seventeen yeares; And to put my daughters
30    portion to the best profit they can for her; And I further desire my brother John
31    Selleck to take letters of Administration with my will annexed dureing the minority
32    of my Executor And if he dye I desire my said brother in lawe to doe it And to bring
33    upp my Children in the feare of the Lord; And I hope my Children will be loveinge
34    one towards another and very thankefull to there supervisors for theire love and
35    And paines towards and for them In witness whereof I have hereunto sett my
36    hand and seale the two and twentieth day of December in the yeare of our lord one
37    thousand and sixe hundred Fiftie five I give to the said Overseers Twenty shillings
    [Page 2]
38    shillings a peece; And I desire the said George Comer (In case the other Overseers before
39    named dye whilst any one of my children is under the age of seventeen years to be an
40    administrator for them If neede be Elizabeth Blake Signed sealed and declared by
41    the Testatrix to bee her last will and Testament in the presence of Robert Blinman Joane
42    Blinman the marke of Joane Morris
43    The sixteenth day of May in the yeare of our Lord God One thousand six hundred
44    fiftie and sixe issued forth Letters of Administration (with the will annexed) to John
45    Sellecke the brother in lawe and Testamentary Guardian of Robert Blake the natural
46    and lawfull sonne and sole Executor of Elizabeth Blake late of Overstowey in the county
47    of Somersett widowe deceased To administer all and singular the goods Chattells and debts
48    of the said deceased according to the tenor and effect of the said will dureing the minoritie and
49    for the onely and proper use and behoofe of the said Robert Blake hee the said John Seillicke
50    being first by Commission sworne truly to administer the same

Will of Edmund Blake, Yeoman, Nether Stowey, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/1905/481, probated 5 Jan 1839

Edmund Blake at Nether Stowey is the Testator.

There was an Edmund Blake married to Fearnot Shaw 4 May 1727 at Taunton who was buried in 1747 at Nether Stowey. However they had four daughters so not a direct line back. His grandfather Edmund Blake married Christian Street 11 Jun 1663 at Nether Stowey and they had three sons – one died young (John) but Edmund and Arthur appear to have survived to adulthood.

The burial of Edmund Blake (testator) is online: Edmund Blake 24 Dec 1838, 77 y, Nether Stowey. Since he was 77 his year of birth would be circa 1761 and there is a baptism for Edmund Blake son of Edmund and Avise 1 Jan 1762. His marriage to Jane Cole 31 Mar 1785 states that Edmund lived at Kingston. No children are shown as baptized to this couple. His ancestry can perhaps be traced back through the Blake family to Humphrey. Notably there was an Edmund Blake baptized 19 Jan 1666 at Nether Stowey and buried 10 Oct 1726 at Nether Stowey (and he was also from Kingston). However, this is the father of Edmund Blake who was buried in 1747  (his only son) and hence this is not the direct line for this Edmund Blake the current testator. Finding the correct line would be an interesting fact. It would be exciting if there are still descendants of this family in Somerset who would test their yDNA.

The marriage of Edmund Blake and Avise Govier took place 30 Mar 1755 at Nether Stowey. There was an Edmund Blake buried 8 Nov 1811 at Nether Stowey.

There was an Edmund Blake son of Mr. Edmund and Dorothy baptized 3 Feb 1730/31 but no extra details to centre in on the correct individual. They do not appear to have married at Nether Stowey.


The records for Nether Stowey are online:

Nether Stowey Parish Registers (http://www.wsom.org.uk/Registers/) 1 miles NE of Overstowey)
Baptisms 1690 - 1840
Elizabeth Blake daughter of Edmund and Elizabeth 19 Dec 1720
Mary blake daughter of Mr. Edmund and Dorothy 2 Nov 1728
Joan blake daughter of Edmund and Dorothy 8 Oct 1729
Edmund Blake son of Mr. Edmund and Dorothy 3 Feb 1730/31
Katy Blake daughter of Mr. Edmund and Dorothy 2 Jan 1733/34
John Blake son of Roger and Jane 14 Nov 1748
Robert Blake son of Roger and Jane 26 Sep 1750
Edmund Blake son of Edmund and Avise 20 Dec 1755
Robert Blake son of Edmund and Avise 4 Apr 1757
Molly blake daughter of Edmund and Avise 21 Apr 1759
Edmund Blake son of Edmund and Avise 1 Jan 1762
Betty Blake daughter of Edmund and Avise 9 Mar 1764
Mary Blake daughter of Edmund and Avise 29 Jan 1766
Katy Blake daughter of Edmund and Avise 29 Jan 1766
John Blake son of Edmund and Avise 16 Jul 1768
Robert Blake son of Robert and Frances 27 Dec 1787
Frances St Albyn daughter of Robert and Frances 12 Feb 1789
Jane Blake daughter of Robert and Frances 20 Aug 1790
Elizabeth Blake daughter of Robert and Frances 26 Oct 1791
Avis Blake daughter of John and Mary 29 Aug 1808, born 28 Aug 1804
Thomas Blake son of John and Sarah 1 Dec 1809, born 27 Oct 1809
Edmund Blake son of John and Sarah 19 Jun 1811 born 20 Apr 1811
Mary Blake daughter of John and Sarah 20 Aug 1813, Nether Stowey, Publican
Christiana Blake  daughter of John and Sarah 9 Mar 1815, Nether Stowey, Publican
Christiana Blake daughter of John and Sarah 16 May 1817, Nether Stowey, Publican
John Blake son of John and Sarah 16 May 1817, Nether Stowey, Publican

Marriages 1645 - 1843
Volume 1
Edward Blake and Christian Street 11 Jun 1663
Volume 2
William Lawrence and Joane Blake 30 Nov 1689
Volume 3
Laurence Pool and Anne Blake 27 Dec 1726
John Pool and Elizabeth Blake 22 May 1727
Mr. Roger Blake and Mrs. Jane St Albyn 21 Oct 1747
Edmund Blake and Avise Govier 30 Mar 1755
Thomas Goodwin and Katy Blake 11 Dec 1760
James May, of Cannington and Avice Blake 15 Sep 1773
Edmund Blake of Kingston and Jane Cole 31 Mar 1785
Robert Blake and Frances Poole 23 Nov 1786
William Baker and Avis Blake 21 Nov 1831
Thomas Govier and Mary blake 21 Dec 1837

Burials 1672 - 1850
Edmond Blake 29 Jul 1672
Emot Blake daughter of Richard and Joane 21 Nov 1685
Richard Blake 7 Apr 1689
Edmund Blake 12 Aug 1692
Edmund Blake 10 Oct 1726
Mary Blake 16 Oct 1742
Mr. Edmund Blake 27 Feb 1748
Mrs. Jane blake 4 Apr 1751
Mrs. Elizabeth blake 23 Oct 1756
Edmund Blake 16 Apr 1757
Molly Blake 25 Jun 1759
Sarah Blake 26 Mar 1762
Mrs. Dorothy Blake 3 Dec 1764
Edmund Blake 26 Dec 1767
Katy Blake 26 Mar 1768
Betty Blake 3 Dec 1770
James Blake 4 Dec 1773
Roger Blake 23 Jul 1785
Ann Blake daughter of Robert 11 Oct 1794
Mary Blake 4 May 1807
Elizabeth Blake 22 Jun 1808
Edmund Blake 8 Nov 1811
Thomas Blake 14 May 1813, age 3, Nether Stowey
Rev. Robert Blake 19 Jun 1820, 32 y, Churchill
Mary Ann blake 24 Dec 1824, 26 y, B. Lydeard
Rev. John Blake 16 Mar 1832, 34 y, B. Lydeard
Robert Blake 11 Mar 1836, 85 y, Churchill
Edmund Blake 24 Dec 1838, 77 y, Nether Stowey
Jane Blake 30 Dec 1840, 80 y, Nether Stowey
Sarah Blake 6 May 1843, 57 y, Nether Stowey
John Blake 8 Nov 1845, 77 y, Nether Stowey
Frances Blake 8 Nov 1848, 88 y, Churchill

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 27 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1905/481
Testator: Edmund Blake, Yeoman
Place: Nether Stowey, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 6 Sepd 1838, probated 5 Jan 1839
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Edmund
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 10

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Edmund Blake of Nether Stowey in the County of Somerset Yeoman written
3    with my own hand and dictated myself and contained on one sheet of paper Whereas
4    among many other Mortgages I have two hundred and fifty pounds out on a Mortgage to James Cole late
5    of London Clockmaker but now lately deceased dated the seventh April one thousand eight
6    hundred and twenty eight and also another one hundred pounds lent on a surcharge of
7    the same premises from his Wife Catherine Cole and their three Children James, Thomas
8    and Elizabeth (but now Elizabeth Bishop) dated first December one thousand eight hundred
9    and twenty nine and secured on the same four acres of meadow and three acres of Orchard
10    and on two Cottages and Garden situate at Stringston aforesaid And I have also a transfer
11    of a Mortgage on Lands in the neighbourhood of Cross near Bristol from a William
12    Rich (who is gone to America) for one thousand six hundred pounds the original mortgage
13    was from Henry Parker now dead and further secured to me by a deed of Covenants of
14    same date as the said Surcharge and Bond entered into by the deceased Parker’s four
15    Children And likewise a Mortgage for one thousand pounds dated fifth September one thou-
16    sand eight hundred and thirty three from Robert Govett of Stringston on fifty five and half
17    acres of Land called Ditch Farm and a surcharge of four hundred pounds on the same
18    lands called Ditch Farm dated twenty third July one thousand eight hundred and thirty four
19    made by the said Robert Govett to the said Edmund Blake and likewise Mortgage for one
20    thousand pounds dated seventh May one thousand eight hundred and thirty three from
21    Richard Parsley of West Super Mare secured on about twenty seven acres of Lands and
22    Capital Buildings built thereon and seven hundred pounds on a transfer of a Mortgage from
23    the proper parties as appears thereby the lands are now in the possession of the widow
24    Coates the like Mortgager’s Widow who lives at North Petherton and who pays the Interest half
25    yearly at four and half per cent if not so paid she is to pay lawful Interest And also
26    about four hundred pounds in cash and about two hundred and seventy seven pounds in the
27    Savings Bank of this Town And also five hundred pounds Stock in the three per cent Consols
    [Page 2]
28    standing in my own name and bought by me three hundred and fifty pounds of it
29    At 56 on 16th May 1804 and the other one hundred and fifty pounds the remainder on
30    1st March 1805 at 58 ¼ all in the Consols in my own name at No 27 Primrose
31    Street Bishops Gate Street London Now then this is my Will that in case my death shall
32    happen to take place before my Wife Jane Blake that then I give and bequeath to her my
33    said Wife for her life an annuity of one hundred and fifty pounds clear of all deductions
34    outgoings and expences whatsoever and to be paid to her quarterly by my Executor here
35    inafter named the first payment to begin and be made at the end of the first three Calendar
36    months next after my decease and so to continue to be so paid to her during the remainder
37    of her life and I do by this my Will hereby appoint and declare John Knight of Cannington
38    one of the Sons of the late James Knight deceased of the same place my sole Executor
39    to whom I give and bequeath after the decease of my said Wife all and singular my
40    Goods Chattels monies of every sort kind and description whatsoever and wheresoever they
41    may be found together with all and singular Mortgages and Bonds of every description
42    sort of kind already made or to be made at any time hereafter In Witness whereof I
43    the said Edmund Blake the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament set my
44    hand and Seal this sixth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
45    hundred and thirty eight Edmund Blake Signed Sealed published and
46    declared by the said Edmund Blake the Testator as and for and to be his last Will and
47    Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at his request and in the presence
48    of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses the words dated “twenty” in the seven
49    teenth line having been first obliterated William Brewer George Brewer
50    Charles Sellick
51    Proved at London 5th January 1839 before the Judge by the Oath of John
52    Knight Esquire the Sole Executor to whom adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first sworn
53    (by Comm[issi]on duly to administer

Will of Durell Blake, Gentleman, Whitelackington, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/2095/353, probated 12 Jul 1849

The testator is Durell Blake and his marriage to Mary Stewart took place March quarter 1847 in Axbridge Registration District, Somerset. West-super-Mare is in this Registration District and given the forename one might suspect he is somewhat related to Michael Anthony Blake and Anne Sophia Durell (will blogged yesterday).

However, Durell only mentions his sister Jane Poole (married to George) so somewhat of a mystery plus the daughter of Anne Sophia and Michael Anthony Blake was Anne Jane Harwood at the time of her mother’s will. Interestingly a George Poole died September quarter 1848 listed in Axbridge Registration District. However, Poole is not an uncommon name.

An interesting article in “The Nautical Magazine and Naval Chronicle for 1840. A Journal of Papers on subjects connected with Maritime Affairs. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co., Stationers’ Hall court.

At Sidmouth, on the 14th June [1840], James Blair, Esq., son of the late Capt. David Blair, RN., to Miss Julia Caroline Blake, third daughter of the late Captain John Blake, of the county of Galway, and grand-daughter of the late Captain Durrell,. RN.

A search online revealed the following webpage on Captain Thomas Philip Durell and some of the content is in the earlier blog on Anne Sophia Blake.

http://www.cichw1.net/pmdurelltp.html

It can be seen that Anne Sophia Durell and Eliza Durell were sisters. The children of John Blake and Eliza Durell are not listed but I suspect they are Durell Blake and Jane Blake (married to George Poole) amongst others including Julia Caroline Blake above. They remained in England and so are lost to the charting which is provided by an American descendant of this family Francis C Harwood. What does link him to this family is his mention of his great Uncle John Powell Powell. I would judge by the will that Durell Blake is a young man perhaps only in his mid twenties.

A note about John Powell Powell (nee Roberts) with respect to his uncle John Powell Powell to add to the information on this family:

http://www.quexringers.org/pages/john-powell.htm

This family remains on their property and have diversified their holdings in order to maintain their properties into the future.

Obituary for Durell Blake, youngest son of the late Captain John Blake, Belmont, Ireland is a good find (The Taunton Courier, Wednesday, March 15, 1848):

March 1, at Whitelackington, near Ilminster, aged 26, John Durell Blake, Esq., youngest son of the late Captain John Blake, of Belmont, Ireland

Also in the Taunton Chronicle 31 March 1841: At Sidmouth on the 23rd inst. In the 23rd year of her age, after a few months exemplary endurance of ruthless consumption, Eliza Sarah, the beloved daughter of the late Captain John Blake, County Galway, and grand daughter of the late Captain Durell, RN, for many years a highly respected inhabitant of this town.

Solving the question of whose descendant Captain John Blake was would be helpful and checking Find my past for military records might be helpful. But it would appear that he too belongs to the Galway Blake family. Another note online has Durell Blake named John Durell Blake born 21 Apr 1822 with a brother Daniel born in 1821. The webpage for this particular entry is part of ancestry but down at the moment. There is another will for this individual under John Durell Blake to come later.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2095/353
Testator: Durell Blake, Gentleman
Place: Whitelackington, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 14 Sep 1847, probated 12 Jul 1849
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Durell
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esquire
[Margin]: 39

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me Durell Blake lately residing at White Lackington Court Farm
3    near Ilminster in the County of Somerset Gentleman In the first place I
4    direct all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences to be paid as
5    soon as conveniently may be after my decease and I charge all my
6    personal estate and effects with the payment thereof And I give and
7    bequeath all my ready money at the time of my decease and all
8    household goods and furniture plate linen glass china books prints
9    pictures wines spirits beer and other liquors and all other articles chattels
10    and effects of a household or domestic nature of which I may happen to
11    be possessed at the time of my decease unto my dear wife Mary Blake
12    absolutely And I give and bequeath all my real estate whatsoever and
13    wheresoever at the time of my decease and all the rest and residue of my
14    personal estate and effects whatsoever and wheresoever which are not
15    hereinbefore otherwise bequeathed or disposed of unto and to the use of
16    Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes Austen both of Ely Place in the
17    County of Middlesex Gentlemen and John Clements of Stepney and the
18    West India Docks in the County of Middlesex Gentleman their heirs
19    executors administrators and assigns respectively according to the several
20    natures tenures and qualities of the premises but nevertheless dispose
21    and for the trusts intents and purposes hereinafter declared and expressed
22    of and concerning the same (videlicet) Upon Trust that they the said
23    Daniel Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements or the survivors
24    or survivor of them or the heirs and executors or administrators respectively of
25    such survivor or other the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my
26    Will do and shall collect receive and get in all such parts of my
27    personal estate as shall not be in their nature saleable and do and shall
28    at such time or times as they or he shall in their or his sole and
29    uncontrolled discretion think fit make sale and absolutely dispose of or other-
30    wise convert into money all the rest and residue of my personal estate
31    and effects and also all my real estate whatsoever and wheresoever and
32    of what nature tenure or quality soever whether and although the same
33    may be held for life only or for any other defeasible or determinable estate
34    or interest and whether and although the same may be contingent or
35    reversionary either by public auction or private contract or partly in one
36    way and partly in the other and either altogether or in parcels and
37    generally in such way and manner in all respects and under and
38    subject to such special conditions or stipulations as to title or otherwise
39    as they or he shall in their or his sole and uncontrolled discretion think
40    fit and as they or he might or could do or have done in case they or
41    he were the sole and absolute owners or owner thereof (with full liberty
42    for them or him to buy in the premises or any of them at any public
43    auction and wholly to rescind or partially to alter and vary the terms of
44    any contract for the sale thereof or of any of them and again to sell the
45    same in manner aforesaid without being answerable for any loss or
46    diminition of price or expences to be sustained or incurred thereby and
47    as to the net monies to be so collected received and got in as aforesaid and to
48    arise and be produced from or by such sales dispositions and conversion
49    respectively as aforesaid and which shall remain after answering and
50    satisfying all my just debts and funeral and testamentary expences
51    Upon Trust that the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will
52    do and shall lay out and invest the same in their or his own names or
53    name in or upon some or one of the parliamentary stocks or public funds
54    or at interest upon real or government securities of or in Great
55    Britain (all which stocks funds and securities it shall and may be lawful
56    for them or him from time to time to alter vary and transpose for or
    [Page 2]
57    into others of the like nature at their or his sole and uncontrolled
58    discretion and as often as they or he shall think fit) and do and shall stand
59    and be possessed of and interested in all the said residuary trust monies stocks
60    funds and securities upon and for the trusts intents and purposes hereinaf-
61    ter declared and expressed of and concerning the same (videlicet) In case
62    I shall have any child living at my decease or born in due time
63    afterwards Then Upon Trust to pay unto or otherwise to permit and
64    suffer and sufficiently authorize and empower my said Wife or her
65    assigns during her life to receive and take all the interest dividends
66    and annual proceeds of the said residuary trust monies stocks funds and
67    securities to and for her or their own absolute use and benefit and from
68    and after her decease Then as to the capital or principal of the said
69    residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities In Trust for all and
70    every my children or child living at my decease who being a son or
71    sons shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter or
72    daughters shall attain that age or be married which ever shall first
73    happen to be equally divided between or amongst them (if more than one
74    share and share alike as tenants in common and not as joint tenants
75    and if I shall leave only one child living at my decease who being a son
76    shall attain the age of twenty one years or being a daughter shall
77    attain that age or be married Then as to the whole of the said
78    Residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities In Trust for such one
79    or only child absolutely But in case I shall have any child living at
80    my decease but all of them being sons shall depart this life under the
81    age of twenty one years and being daughters shall depart this life
82    under that age and without having been married Then as to all the
83    said residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities from and after the
84    decease  of my said wife In Trust for my Sister Mrs. Jane Poole wife
85    of Mr. George Poole of White Lackington Farm aforesaid absolutely
86    and the same to be for her sole and separate use and benefit and free
87    disposal Provided always that after the decease of my said Wife it shall
88    be lawful for the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will to
89    apply the whole or any part of the income of the presumptive share for
90    the time being under this my Will of each of my children in or towards
91    his or her maintenance and education and to accumulate the residue
92    (if any) of such income at compound interest for the benefit of the
93    person who shall eventually become entitled under this my Will
94    yhe capital or principal of such share and also after my said wifes
95    fecease or during her life with her consent to levy and raise and apply any part
96    not exceeding a moiety of the presumptive share for the time being of
97    rach of my children being as on in and for or towards his preferment
98    or advancement in the world or otherwise for his benefit or advantage
99    at the discretion of my said trustees or trustee for the time being But in
100    case I shall have no child living at my decease Then Upon Trust if
101    and whilst and so long as the interest dividends and annual proceeds from time to time of
102    the said residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities shall not
103    exceed the clear yearly sum of five hundred pounds sterling
104    inclusively of the income tax if any to pay the whole of such interest
105    dividends and annual proceeds to my said wife or her assigns during
106    her natural life to and for her or their own absolute use and benefit
107    but if and whilst and so long as the said interest dividends and annual
108    proceeds for the time being shall exceed the said clear yearly sum of five
109    hundred pounds sterling inclusively (as aforesaid) That Upon Trust and
110    during the life of my said wife to pay and divide the yearly surplus or
111    excess for the time being thereof over and beyond the said clear
112    yearly sum of five hundred pounds sterling (inclusively as aforesaid
113    in manner following (videlicet) two equal third parts thereof to her
    [Page 3]
114    my said Wife or her assigns for her or their own absolute use and benefit and the
115    other and remaining equal third part thereof to my said Sister
116    Jane Poole or her assigns for her or their own absolute use and
117    benefit (as the case may require) to her executors or administrators as
118    as part of her personal estate And as to all the said residuary trust
119    monies stocks funds and securities from and after the decease of my
120    said wife In Trust for and for the sole and separate benefit of my said
121    Sister Jane Poole her executors administrators and assigns absolutely
122    and I do hereby declare that the income of such part of my real and
123    residuary personal estate respectively as for the time being shall
124    remain unsold and unconverted or outstanding shall go and be
125    applied in the same or the like manner as the same would go and
126    be applied if the same forms a part of the income of the said
127    residuary trust monies stocks funds and securities And I also declare
128    that if and when and so often as the net income of my residuary
129    estate for the time being recall after the decease of my great Uncle
130    John Powell Powell Esquire fall short of and not amount to a clear yearly
131    sum of four hundred pounds sterling (inclusively of the income tax
132    (if any)) the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will shall
133    on sale or mortgage or other disposition of the Corpus or Capital of such
134    residuary estate for the time being or of a competent part thereof levy
135    and raise and pay to my said wife or her assigns during her life such
136    a yearly sum as together with the income for the time being of such
137    residuary estate for the time being will make up to her for the time being
138    a full and clear annuity of four hundred pounds sterling free from all
139    charges and deductions whatsoever (except the income tax if any)
140    Provided always and I do hereby expressly declare that it shall be lawful
141    for the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will at their or his
142    sole and uncontrolled discretion to adjust and finally settle and determine
143    in such manner and upon such terms and conditions as they or he
144    shall in their or his judgement think fit and expedient all questions
145    disputed and suits if any such there shall be of and concerned or with
146    respect to my real and personal estate and effects or any part thereof
147    respectively or any charges or incumbrances or aligned charges or encumbrances upon or affecting the same
148    respectively or any part thereof respectively and to make such arrange-
149    ments relative to the division or partition of such estate and effects or any
150    part thereof respectively with the owner or owners of any other
151    ahare estate or interest of or in the same respectively or of the purchase
152    money to arise from the sale of the entirety thereof and to do and execute
153    and cause to be done and executed all such acts deeds conveyances
154    assurances matters and things as shall or may be deemed necessary or
155    convenient in that behalf as fully and effectually in all respects and to all
156    effects constructions and purposes whatsoever as they or he might or
157    could do or have done if they or he were the sole and absolute owners
158    or owner thereof and if they or he shall deem such course preferable or
159    necessary or expedient to act under the direction of a Court of Equity
160    or the sanction of a private Act of Parliament some part of my property
161    and the nature and extent of my rights and interests to and in it being
162    as painfully aware of a complicated and intricate and uncertain nature
163    Provided always and I do hereby declare my Will to be that the receipt or
164    receipts in writing of the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my
165    Will shall be a good and effectual release and discharge for all and
166    singular the monies which shall come to their or his hands by virtue
167    of or under this my Will or any of the trusts powers or authorities herein
168    declared or contained or for such much of such monies as in such receipt or
169    receipts respectively shall be acknowledged to be received and that the
170    person and persons paying such monies and taking such receipt or
    [Page 4]
171    receipts for the same as aforesaid shall not afterwards be obliged to see to the
172    application or be in anywise answerable or accountable for the loss
173    Misapplication or nonapplication thereof or of any part thereof Provided
174    also and I do hereby declare it to be my Will that in case the said Daniel
175    Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements or any or either of them or
176    any future trustee or trustees to be appointed as hereinafter is mentioned
177    shall die or desire to be discharged of or from or shall neglect or refuse or
178    become incapable to act in the execution of the trusts and powers hereby in
179    them respectively reposed or in pursuance hereof to be reposed or shall go to
181    reside in parts beyond the Seas before the said trusts and powers shall have
182    been fully executed and performed or discharged then and in every such
183    case it shall and may be lawful to and for the said Daniel Boys Frederick
184    Lewes Austen and John Clements or the survivors or survivor of them or
185    other the trustees or trustee for the time being of this my Will other than and
186    except the trustees or trustee who shall have neglected or refused or become
187    incapable to act or shall have gone to reside beyond the Seas as aforesaid or
188    for the executors or administrators of the last surviving trustee or as the
189    case may require of the last acting and competent trustee by any writing
190    or writings under their or his hands and seals or hand and seal to
191    nominate substitute and appoint any other person or persons to be
192    trustee or trustees in the place or stead of the trustee or trustees so expiring or
193    desiring to be discharged or neglecting or refusing or becoming incapable
194    to act or going to reside beyond the Seas as aforesaid and that thereupon
195    all proper acts conveyances transfers assignments and assurances in the
196    law whatsoever shall be done made and executed so as legally and
197    effectually to vest all and singular the said several trust Estates monies
198    stocks funds securities and premises in such now or other trustee or trustees
199    jointly with such surviving or continuing trustee or trustees (if any or in
200    case there shall be no such surviving or continuing trustee therein)
201    such now trustee only as the case shall require Upon the same trusts
202    and for the same purposes as are hereinbefore declared of and continuing
203    the same several trust estates monies stocks funds securities and
204    premises respectively and which shall be then subsisting and undetermin-
205    ed or capable of taking effect and then and in such case all and every such
206    new trustees or trustee shall and may in all things act and assist in the
207    management carrying on and executing of the same trusts to all intents
208    effects constructions and purposes whatsoever and shall have and be
209    considered as vested with such and the same powers and authorities and
210    discretion in all respects as if he or they had been originally hereby
211    nominated and appointed a trustee or trustees for those purposes And I
212    will that the said Daniel Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John
213    Clements and such new trustees as aforesaid respectively and that respective
214    their executors and administrations shall be charged and chargeable only
215    for such monies as they respectively shall actually receive by virtue of this
216    my Will or of any of the trusts powers or authorities aforesaid notwith-
217    standing his that or any of their signing or joining in any receipt or
218    receipts for the sake of conformity and that each of them shall be answerable
219    for himself and his own acts and wilful defaults only and that they or any
220    of them shall not be answerable for any Bank Banker or Broker or any
221    other person in which or in whose hands all or any of the said trust
222    monies shall or may be deposited nor for the insufficiency or deficiency of
223    any fund or security in or upon which the said trust monies or any sum
224    aforesaid nor for any other misfortune loss or damage which shall or
225    may happen in or about the execution or the exercise of the aforesaid trusts
226    or powers of any of them or in relation thereto except the same shall
227    happen by or through their own gross wilful default respectively And that
    [Page 5]
228    it shall and may be lawful to and for the trustees aforesaid respectively
229    and their respective heirs executors and administrators to retain to and
230    reimburse themselves respectively and to allow to their respective cotrustee
231    and cotrustees all costs charges damages and expences whatsoever which
232    they respectively shall or may sustain suffer expend or disburse in or about
233    the execution or exercise of the aforesaid trusts or powers or any of them
234    or in relation thereto and especially that the said Daniel Boys and
235    Frederick Lewes Austen respectively and any future Trustee of this my Will
236    who shall or may be an Attorney or Solicitor shall be entitled to make the
237    same professional charges and to receive the same fees and allowances for
238    any business transacted for or relating to my estate and effects as they
239    respectively would be entitled to make and receive if they respectively were
240    not such Trustees any rule or maxim of Courts of Equity to the contrary
241    notwithstanding And I make and appoint the said Daniel Boys
242    Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements and my said Wife and the
243    survivors and survivor of them Guardians and Guardian of the persons
244    and properties of my children (if any) during their respective minorities
245    and Lastly I hereby nominate constitute and appoint the said Daniel
246    Boys Frederick Lewes Austen and John Clements Executors of this
247    my Will and hereby revoking all former and other Wills by me at any time
248    heretofore made I declare this to be my last Will and Testament In
249    Witness whereof I the said Durell Blake the Testator have to this my last
250    Will and Testament contained in ten sheets of paper set my hand this
251    fourteenth day of September in the year of our Lord one thousand eight
252    hundred and forty seven Durell Blake Signed and
253    declared by the above named Durell Blake the Testator as and for his
254    last Will and Testament in the presence of us (both of us being present
255    together at the same time) who in his presence at his request and in the
256    presence of each other hereunto subscribe our names as witnesses
257    thereto Will[ia]m John Martin Jos[ia]h Jam[e]s Joyner
258    Clerks to Mess[ieu]rs Hale Boys and Austen Ely Pleece Holborne
259    Proved at London 12th July 1849 before The Worshipful Alfred
260    Waddilove doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oath of John Clements
261    one of the Executors to whom Adm[inistrati]on was granted having been first
262    sworn duly to administer. Power reserved of making the like grant to
263    Daniel Boys and Frederick Lewes Austen the other Executors when they
264    shall apply for the same

Will of Arthur Blake, Gentleman of Wiveliscombe, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/231/323, probated 16 Jun 1653

Arthur Blake, the testator, is part of the Humphrey Blake family at Overstowey. He identifies his brother as Humphrey and his Uncle as Edward Blake. His mother in law is Martha Tomms. His wife is Joane and two daughters Mary and Elizabeth. Neither daughter is 21 years of age.

Just to place him into the tree for this family, Arthur is the son of Humphrey Blake and Elizabeth Giles and the grandson of Humphrey Blake and Agnus/Ann James. That takes him back to his great grandfather John Blake the elder married to Johan who was a son of Humphrey Blake and Agnis and they are the beginning of this line (thus far) with Humphrey buried at Over Stowey 28 Dec 1558.

Arthur is likely the third son with John the eldest, Humphrey next and then Arthur. His younger brothers appear to be much younger with Richard baptized 6 Dec 1629 at Over Stowey (nearly ten years after Arthur’s approximate date of birth in Nov 1619) and John (I have not yet located a baptism date for him). Arthur’s wife is Jane or Johane Tomms as noted in the will and her mother was Martha Tomms.

The will verifies the family links as he also identifies his uncle as Edward and going back to the siblings of his father Humphrey Blake (born circa 1580 and married to Elizabeth Giles) they were:

John baptized 25 Apr 1583 at Over Stowey
Mary
Richard baptized 17 Sep 1585 (married to Alice Martyn)
Jone baptized 23 Sep 1587
Edmund
Robert baptized 8 Jun 1589
Arthur baptized 22 Jun 1592; buried 25 Jun 1592

The parents of these children were Humphrey Blake married to Agnus/Ann James 23 Oct 1578 at Over Stowey.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 25 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/231/323
Testator: Arthur Blake, Gentleman
Place: Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 3 Nov 1652, probated 16 Jun 1653
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: The Will of
[Margin]: Arthur Blake
[Margin]: 13

1    In the name of God Amen
2    the Third day of November in the yeare of our Lord God
3    One Thousande six hundred fifty and two I Arthur
4    Blake of Wivelscombe in the Countye of Somersett Gent
5    being at this Instant tyme of sounde and perfect memory thankes
6    therefore be given to God doe make and ordaine this my last
7    Will and Testament in manner and forme following That is to
8    say First I give and bequeath my Soule to Almighty God my
9    only Maker and Redeemer and my Body to the Earth by a decent
10    and Christian burial with a full Assurance after my departure
11    out of this miserable World of a ioyfull resurrection into the Kingdom
12    of heaven by the death and passion of Jesus Christ my only Saviour
13    and Redeemer First I give and devise unto Tenne of the most
14    impotent old people within the parishe of Wivelscombe which
15    live out of the Almehouse Tenn shillings equally to be divided
16    and againe I give unto the most impotent poore people of Over-
17    Stowey Tenn shillings, Againe I give and devise unto Arthur Blake
18    my Nephew and Godsonne my best Ewe sheepe Againe I give and
    [Page 2]
19    devise unto my Two youngest Bretheren as a Toaken of my love
20    five shillings a peece Againe I give and devise unto Mary
21    Blake my youngest daughter all my estate in loste and whole
22    Terme of yeares determinable upon lives which shall be to come
23    and endureing after my decease in a certaine Tenement and Over
24    Land called Fursey Moore late conveyed and sett unto Robert
25    Slone and John Charles to be accountable for the yearely rente
26    thereof after my decease for there terme unto my overseers to ye use of the said Mary my daughter paying yearely out of the p[re]misses to come unto Joane
27    Blake my now Wife the full summe of six pounde Towards her
28    subsistence and lively hood and for so long time as Martha Tomms
29    Widdow Mother of the saide Johan shall live and no longer And if it
30    shall so happen that both my saide daughters to dye and my Wife
31    survive That then by this my Will I doe give and devise the saide Tenem[en]t
32    and Overlande unto the said Joane for all the Terme then therein to
33    come and unexpired as shall appeare by the Originall deeds of purchase
34    Againe I doe give and devise unto Mary my daughter the summe of
35    Twenty poundes And againe I give and devise unto Joane my
36    Wife the summe of Thirty pounds And againe I doe further give and
37    devise unto my saide Wife All that one Mewe or Slagg of Wheate or Corne
38    standing in a Close called the Legre next to the house alloweing out
39    of the same to Martha Tomms Twenty and five bushels towards
40    her house And againe I doe further devise and give unto Joane my
41    Wife one gray Mdare and one great goldes hogge pigg And againe I doe
42    give and devise unto Martha Tomms my Mother in Law Fowre
43    Milch kine six Lambs eight Ewe Sheepe Three calves Two great
44    Hoggs Two Shootes And againe all other my goods chattels not formerly
45    given and bequeathed my debts Legacies and funeral expences payde
46    and performed I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth Blake my daughter
47    who I make and ordaine my whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will
48    and Testament And my expressed Will and meaning further is and
49    hereby doe declare my Intent and purpose That if my Executrix shall
50    happen to dye in the tyme of her Infancye having no fulnes of Capacity
51    by p[er]fection of yeares to dispose of her Estate Than then all such goods
52    Chattells and personal Estate by me formerly devised shall be and
53    remaine unto Joane my Wife Mary my daughter and my Two youngest
54    brothers equally to be divided by my Overseers or the Survivour or
55    Survivours of them and I doe hartily desire my Uncle Edward Blake
56    my Brother Humphrey Blake and John Michell of Wivelescombe to be Overseers
57    of this my last Will and Testament to be aiding and Assisting unto
58    my Executrix touching the probate and due execution thereof unto
59    whome I give a payre of gloves of five shillings a peece And also
    [Page 3]
60    desireing theire fathfull Love and Care to my Wife and Tuition of
61    my Children In Witnesse where of I the saide Arthur Blake To this
62    My last Will and Testament in writing have sett my hand and seale
63    the day and yeare above written revoaking and annihilating all former
64    Wills as Frustrate and voide The marke of Arthur Blake Signed
65    sealed confessed and acknowledged to be the last Will and Testament
66    of the within named Arthur Blake in the presence of Robert Wynter
67    the marke of Richard Burdy
68    The sixteenth day of June one Thousand six hundred fifty
69    and Three Administration issued forth to Edward Blake Humphrey
70    Blake and John Michell Overseers and Trustees named in the
71    Will of Arthur Blake late of Wivlescombe in the County of Sommerset
72    Gent dec[ease]d having goods etc to administer the goods Chattells and
73    debts of the said dec[ease]d according to the Tenor and effect of the Will
74    to the use and benefit and during the minority of Elizabeth
75    Blake daughter and Executrix To whome Administration was
76    committed They being sworne by Commission truly to administer

Will of Anne Sophia Blake, widow of Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/2112/390, probated 25 May 1850

Anne Jane Blake (married to Lieutenant Colonel Edward Harwood) was the daughter of Michael Anthony Blake (Esquire of Belmont House, County Galway Ireland) and Anne Sophia Durrell (testator).

A little more about the family from The Bath Chronicle, Thursday, December 17, 1868:

Dec 7, at The Elms, Ringmer, Sussex, Anne Jane, the beloved wife of Edward Harwood, Esquire., Major in the 2nd Somerset Regiment of Militia, and daughter of the late Michael Anthony Blake, Esquire, of Belmont House, County Galway, Ireland, Captain in the 13th Foot, nephew of James Cuffe, Lord Tyrawley by Anne Sophia Durell, co-heiress of Thomas Philip Durell through whose maternal descent from the Welds, she inherited the illustrious lineage of Edrick Silvatius, alias Weld, a Saxon of great renown in the days of King Harold and William the Conqueror, whose father Alfrick was brother of Eldrick of Stratton, Duke of Mercia. On Monday her remains were conveyed from her residence in Sussex to Burnham, Somerset, for interment in the family vault.

This from The Bath Chronicle, Thursday, May 9 1850:

May 3, at Verandah House, Weston-super-Mare, in the 65th year of her age, deeply regretted by her family and friends, Mrs. Anne Sophia Blake relict of the late Michael Anthony Blake Captain 13th Light Infantry, and nephew of James Cuffe Lord Tyrawley of the County of Galway, Ireland.

My first will that links to the Blake family of Galway.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 24 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2112/390
Testator: Anne Sophia or Ann Blake, widow
Place: Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 May 1850, probated 25 May 1850
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Ann
[Margin]: Sophia
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 4

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    or testamentary disposition and appointment of me Anne
3    Sophia Blake of Weston Super Mare in the County of Somerset
4    Widow I give devise and bequeath and also direct limit and appoint
5    all my messuages lands tenements and hereditaments and all other
6    my real and chattel real estate and all my monies and securities for
7    money goods chattels and Personal Estate and all other my Real
8    and Personal Estate of what nature sort or description soever and
9    wheresoever situate and whether in possession reversion remainder or
10    expectancy over which I have any power of disposition or appointment
11    unto my daughter Anne Jane Harwood the wife of Edward Harwood
12    Esquire to hold unto her the said Anne Jane Harwood her heirs executors
13    administrators and assigns according to the nature of such property
14    respectively absolutely and I appoint the said Edward Harwood and
15    Anne Jane Harwood Executor and Executrix of this my will I
16    authorize my executors to compound and compromise any debt or debts
17    owing to or from me or my estate at the time of my decease and to
18    prosecute and carry on and continue or discontinue any suit or other
19    proceeding either at law or in equity in which either myself or my estate
20    may be involved at the time of my decease and to manage and arrange
21    such suit or suits in any way they may think proper In witness where
22    of I have at the foot or end of this my last will and testament or testa-
23    mentary disposition and appointment at my hand this second day of
24    May one thousand eight hundred and fifty Ann S Blake
25    Signed and declared by the said Testatrix Anne Sophia Blake as and
26    for her last will and testament or testamentary disposition and appoint
27    ment in the presence of us present at the same time who in the pres-
28    ence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereunto
29    Subscribed our names as witnesses Joseph Stringfield Surgeon Weston
30    Super Mare  Patty Penrose Welles Guernsey Lucy Addams
31    Burslem
32    Proved at London 25 May 1850 before the Worshipful Thomas
33    Blake doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the oaths Edward Harwood
34    Esquire and Anne Jane Harwood (wife of the said Edward Harwood)
35    the daughter the executors to whom admon was granted having been
36    first sworn duly to administer

Will of Andrew Blake, Merchant at Minehead, Somerset - The National Archives 11/802/173, probated 2 Jun 1753

Always nice when wills tie together and this Andrew is descendant of the Alice Blake (widow) family so one of her two sons Andrew or William is his ancestor. Andrew (son of Alice) has mentioned a son Robert in his will blogged yesterday (and this Robert is perhaps the Robert mentioned later in this discussion who married Ann Teague in 1680). I might now be able to figure out the names of the property on the Andrew Blake will yesterday. They are difficult to read.

Mr. Andrew Blake (testator) was buried 27 Mar 1753 as I have the fiche for the parish church at Minehead.

There is a marriage at Culbone of Andrew Blake and Ann Sealy 12 Jun 1735. There is another interesting marriage 11 Sep 1740 of Andrew Blake and Ann Bastone (of Minehead) at Porlock.

I have the Fiche for the Parish Register of Minehead and extracted the following from them:

Baptisms:

1560 Blake Jone
1560 Blake John
1605 Mar 11 Blake George son of John
1609 Jan 27 Blake Thomas son of John
1632 Jan 16 Blak Johane daughter of John
1635 Jan 21 Blake John son of John and Margarett Blake
1679 May 17 Blake Mary daughter of John and Ann
1679 Jul 31 Blake James son of Elias and Joan
1680 Oct 30 Blake John son of John and Ann
1680 Dec 14 Blake Andrew son of Robert and Ann
1681 Oct 23 Blake Elias son of Elias and Joan
1682 May 16 Blake William son of William and Ann
1682 Sep 16 Blake Henry son of John and Ann
1683 May 25 Blake Thomas son of William and Ann
1683 Jun 23 Blake Andrew son of Robert and Ann
1683 Jul 29 Blake Francis son of John and Ann
1685 Sep 2 Samuell son of William (gent) and Ann
1685 Sep 7 Blake Michael son of John and Ann
1685 Mar 23 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Robertt and Ann
1686 Mar 12 Blake Ann daughter of John and Ann
1687 Jun 2 Blake Thomas son of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1688 Nov 8 Blake Sarah daughter of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1688 Mar 2 Blake Elizabeth daughter of John and Ann
1688 Mar 21 Blake Robartt son of Robartt and Ann
1690 May 26 Blake William son of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1690 Jun 26 Blake Mary daughter of Robartt and Ann
1691 May 8 Blake Michaell son of John and Ann
1691 Nov 2 Blake Susana daughter of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1693 Nov 7 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1695 Mar 25 Blake Elizabeth daughter of William (gent) and Ann
1696 May 28 Blake Mary daughter of William (gent) and Ann
1697 Nov 20 Blake William son of William (gent) and Ann
1700 Aug 22 Blake Sarah daughter of Robert and Ann
1711 Jul 10 Blake Christopher son of Andrew and Susanna
1713 Dec 26 Blake Andrew son of Andrew and Susannah
1716 Mar 23 Blake Susanna daughter of Andrew and Susanna
1717 Jan 17 Blake Ann daughter of Henry and Ann
1718 Feb 2 Blake Robert son of Andrew and Susanna
1719 Aug 22 Blake Issabella daughter of Henry and Ann
1720 Jun 7 Blake William son of Robert and Margarett
1720 Jan 1 Blake Joana daughter of Sarah (baseborn)
1720 Oct 5 Blake John son of Henry and Ann
1720 Nov 10 Blake Sarah daughter of Mychael and Mary
1722 Oct 6 Blake Ann daughter of Robert and Margarett
1722 Nov 24 Blake Robert son of Andrew and Susanna
1724 Apr 16 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Mychaell and Mary
1726 Apr 26 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Henry and Ann
1727 Jul 20 Blake Robert son of Mychaell and Mary
1732 May 6 Blake Robert son of Michael
1735 Oct 2 Blake Thomas son of Andrew
1736 Jan 30 Blake John son of Michael and Mary
1738 Oct 18 Blake Ann daughter of Mr. Thomas
1740 Jul 22 Blake Sarah daughter of Mr. Thomas
1741 Jul 17 Blake Francis son of Mr. Andrew (junior)
1742 Mar 22 Blake Susannah daughter of Mr. Andrew (junior)
1744 May 29 Blake Susannah daughter of Andrew and Ann (Andrew junior)
1745 Apr 19 Blake Robert son of Andrew (junior)
1747 Jun 26 Blake John son of Andrew (junior)
1748 Jul 10 Blake William son of Thomas (esquire)
1749 Nov 25 Blake Ann daughter of Andrew
1749 Dec 3 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Thomas (esquire)
1752 May 16 Blake Sarah daughter of Andrew
1752 Aug 5 Blake Ann daughter of William (mariner)
1754 Apr 30 Blake Andrew son of Andrew
1754 Nov 19 Blake William son of William (mariner)
1756 Jul 1 Blake George son of William
1756 Nov 9 Blake Robert son of Andrew
1758 Feb 18 Blake George son of William and Mary
1758 Mar 29 Blake Ann daughter of Andrew and Ann
1760 Mar 12 Blake James son of William and Mary
1760 May 27 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Andrew and Nancy
1761 Mar 7 Blake Robert son of William and Mary
1762 Jul 8 Blake Sarah daughter of William and Mary
1765 Mar 31 Blake Thomas Adams son of William and Mary
1768 Jun 27 Blake Thomas Warrin son of Francis and Ann
1769 Oct 8 Blake Elizabeth Bastone daughter of Francis
1774 Nov 13 Blake Francis son of Francis and Elizabeth
1791 Jan 20 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Austain and Mary

Marriages:

1563 May 6 William Blake and Jone Headon
1566 Sep 22 William Blake and Margaret Whitfild
1583 Oct 24 George Blake and Margaret Willms
1595 Apr 29 George Blake and Tamsine Gould
1602 May 9 John Blake and Jone Tailor
1680 Apr 12 Robert Blake and Ann Teague
1710 Nov 14 David Dehaurgues and Elizabeth Blake
1714 Feb 12 John Connebeer and Elizabeth Blake
1716 Feb 26 Henry Blake and Ann Paine
1719 Aug 15 Robert Blake and Margarett Bowden
1720 Dec 27 Mychaell Blake and Mary Blake
1727 Mar 3 William Griffith and Margaret Blake
1740 Mar 24 David Preist and Susannah Blake
1751 Sep 24 William Blake (mariner) and Mary Adams
1754 Jul 11 John Deake (of Mynhead butcher) and Ann Blake of Mynhead by licence (witnesses: William Stoate, Robert Jons)
1774 May 11 Francis Blake (of Minehead, widower) and Elizabeth Bradley (of Minehead widow) licence with witnesses Thomas Squire and Susanna Blake
1777 May 23 Warren Samuel Hayman (of Minehead) and Ann Blake (of Minehead)( by licence) with witnesses Elizabeth Blake, Philip Bale, and Sarah Ann Cox.
1795 Dec 11 John Emra (Clerk of Holberton Devon) and Elizabeth Bastone Blake (of Minehead) by licence with witnesses Martha Brice and Worthington
1796 Dec 1 Joseph Rawle (of Minehead) and Elizabeth Blake (of Minehead) by licence with witnesses W Blake and C Rawle.
1810 Dec 1 Robert Blake (of Minehead) and Elizabeth Birchinsh (of Minehead) by licence with witnesses Murdoch Mackensie and Hannah Bastone.

Burials:

1562 Dec 18 John Blake
1562 Dec 29 Katherine Blake
1568 Sep 5 Alice Blake
1582 Mar 16 Agnes Blake
1596 Dec 23 Tamsyn Blacke
1596 Feb 16 George Blake
1598 Dec 21 John Blake
1604 Aug 2 John Blake son of John
1609 Mar 31 George Blake son of John
1611 Mar 29 John Blake
1611 Apr 4 Johane Blake
1611 Apr 4 John Blake
1681 Feb 2 Andrew Blake son of Robert
1682 Jun 8 William Blake son of William
1683 Apr 5 Elias Blake
1685 Jan 10 Michael Blake son of John
1686 Jul 12 Thomas Blake son of William
1687 Mar 6 George Blake (Captain)
1688 May 17 Mary Blake (widow)
1689 Mar 27 Robart Blake son of Robartt
1690 Jul 14 William Blake son of William (gent)
1690 Feb 22 Mary Blake daughter of John
1694 Jul 31 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Mr William
1695 Apr 7 John Blake
1697 May 11 Mary Blake daughter of William (gent)
1697 Aug 12 Susannah Blake daughter of William (gent)
1697 Feb 8 Elizabeth Blake daughter of William (gent)
1703 Dec 18 Sarah Blake daughter of Robert
1705 May 5 Francies Blake
1706 May 18 John Blake
1707 Feb 7 Arthur Blake (stranger)
1707 Feb 29 Ann Blake (widow)
1709 Apr 19 Frances Blake (widow)
1715 Dec 12 Christopher Blake son of Andrew
1719 Jul 9 William Blake son of William (esquire)
1721 Jul 16 Robert Blake son of Andrew
1722 Nov 27 Ann Blake wife of William (esquire)
1724 Jun 14 Ann Blake daughter of Margarett
1726 Apr 17 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Mychaell
1727 Jul 23 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Henry
1727 Aug 16 Ann Blake
1728 Sep 14 Robert Blake son of Andrew
1730 Sep 26 Robert Blake son of Mychael
1730 Dec 12 Susannah Blake wife of Andrew
1735 Nov 20 Ann Blake wife of Henry
1736 Jul 24 Alice Blake wife of Andrew
1737 Jan 7 John Blake son of Michael
1738 May 6 Ann Blake daughter of Henry
1739 May 19 Ann Blake
1739 May 20 Ann Blake (widow)
1740 Jul 26 Mrs. Sarah Blake
1742 Aug 21 Sarah Blake daughter of Thomas (esquire)
1742 Oct 16 Ann Blake daughter of Thomas (esquire)
1742 Jan 15 Henry Blake
1743Apr 8 Susannah Blake daughter of Andrew (junior)
1743 Dec 19 William Blake (esquire)
1746 Aug 26 Robert Blake son of Andrew (junior)
1749 Oct 26 Sarah Blake daughter of William (barberron)
1749 Nov 2 (no name) Blake daughter of William (barberron)
1749 Nov 19 Francis Blake son of William (barb)
1749 Mar 11 Ann Blake daughter of Andrew
1750 Sep 8 Thomas Blake (esquire)
1753 Mar 27 Mr Andrew Blake
1753 Jul 10 Mrs Mary Blake
1757 Jan 11 George Blake son of William
1759 Feb 19 William Blake son of William and Mary
1759 Mar 10 George Blake son of William
1760 Mar 18 William Blake son of William
1761 Jan 13 William Blake son of William
1761 Jun 13 Robert Blake son of William
1761 Jul 7 Frances Blake daughter of Andrew
1763 Feb 4 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Andrew and Ann
1765 Jan 8 Michael Blake
1765 Jun 8 Mary Blake daughter of Robert
1766 Aug 9 Mary Blake daughter of Robert
1766 Nov 27 Robert Blake
1768 Jun 27 Thomas Warrin Blake son of Francis
1771 Feb 26 Ann Blake
1772 Apr 16 Mr William Blake
1774 Dec 12 Francis Blake (infant)
1776 Dec 7 Isabella Blake
1783 Nov 1 Betty Blake
1785 Jul 2 Sarah Blake
1786 Feb 17 Mr. Andrew Blake
1790 May 25 Elizabeth Blake
1795 Jul 3 Ann Blake
1799 Jan 7 Anne Blake widow of Andrew
1799 Mar 7 Susannah Blake daughter of Andrew and Anne
1803 Apr 21 Francis Blake (widower)
1804 Jun 30 Robert Blake son of Andrew and Mary
1808 Jul 30 Thomas Blake (72 years old)
1809 Mar 27 Mary Blake (80 year old widow of William)
1814 Jan 25 Mary Blake widow of Robert (clothier) 80 years of age (burnt accidentally)
1814 Mar 26 Susanna Blake widow of Thomas, 86 years of age
1814 Mar 29 Robert Blake, surveyor of the Customs, 57 years of age
1825 Jun 4 Sarah Blake, 72 years of age
1827 Jul 31 Ann Blake 69 years of age

Putting families together would be rather interesting for Minehead. There are distinct lines of Blake there and I do not know if they are all related.

John Blake (and Margarett)
1605 Mar 11 George; buried 31 Mar 1609
1609 Jan 27 Thomas
1632 Jan 16 Johane
1635 Jan 21 John

John Blake (?buried 7 Apr 1695) and Ann (buried 29 Feb 1707)
1679 May 17 Mary; buried 22 Feb 1690
1680 Oct 30 John
1682 Sep 16 Henry
1683 Jul 29 Francis
1685 Sep 7 Michael; buried 10 Jan 1685
1686 Mar 12 Ann
1688 Mar 2 Elizabeth
1691 May 8 Michaell

Elias Blake (died 5 Apr 1683) and Joan

1679 Jul 31 James
1681 Oct 23 Elias

Robert Blake and Ann Teague married 12 Apr 1680

1680 Dec 14 Andrew; buried 2 Feb 1681
1683 Jun 23 Andrew
1685 Mar 23 Elizabeth
1688 Mar 21 Robartt; buried 27 Mar 1689
1690 Jun 26 Mary
1700 Aug 22 Sarah; buried 18 Dec 1703

Mr. William Blake (gent) (buried 19 Dec 1743) and Ann (buried 27 Nov 1722)

1682 May 16 William; buried 8 Jun 1682
1683 May 25 Thomas; buried 12 Jul 1686
1685 Sep 2 Samuell
1687 Jun 2 Thomas
1688 Nov 8 Sarah; buried 26 Jul 1740
1690 May 26 William; buried 14 Jul 1690
1691 Nov 2 Susana; buried 12 Aug 1697
1693 Nov 7 Elizabeth; buried 31 Jul 1694
1695 Mar 25 Elizabeth ; buried 8 Feb 1697
1696 May 28 Mary; buried 11 May 1697
1697 Nov 20 William; buried 9 Jul 1719

Mr. Andrew Blake (buried 27 Mar 1753) and Susanna (buried 12 Dec 1730)

1711 Jul 10 Christopher; buried 12 Dec 1715
1713 Dec 26 Andrew
1716 Mar 23 Susanna
1718 Feb 2 Robert; buried 16 Jul 1721
1722 Nov 24 Robert; buried 14 Sep 1728

Andrew Blake (widower) (buried 27 Mar 1753)

1735 Oct 2 Thomas; buried 30 Jul 1808

Henry Blake (buried 15 Jan 1742) and Ann Paine (buried 20 Nov 1735) married 26 Feb 1716

1717 Jan 17 Ann; buried 6 May 1738
1719 Aug 22 Issabella; buried 7 Dec 1776
1720 Oct 5 John
1726 Apr 26 Elizabeth; buried 23 Jul 1727

Robert Blake and Margarett Bowden married 15 Aug 1719

1720 Jun 7 William
1722 Oct 6 Ann

Mychaell Blake (buried 8 Jan 1765) and Mary Blake (buried 10 Jul 1753?) married 27 Dec 1720
1720 Nov 10 Sarah
1724 Apr 16 Elizabeth; buried 17 Apr 1726
1727 Jul 20 Robert; buried 26 Sep 1730
1732 May 6 Robert
1736 Jan 30 John; buried 7 Jan 1737

Mr. Thomas Blake (buried 8 Sep 1750)

1738 Oct 18 Ann; buried 16 Oct 1742
1740 Jul 22 Sarah; buried 21 Aug 1742
1748 Jul 10 William; buried 16 Apr 1772
1749 Dec 3 Elizabeth

Mr. Andrew Blake (junior) (buried 17 Feb 1786) and Ann (buried 7 Jan 1799)
1741 Jul 17 Francis; buried 21 Apr 1803
1742 Mar 22 Susannah; buried 8 Apr 1743
1744 May 29 Susanna; buried 7 Mar 1799
1745 Apr 19 Robert; buried 26 Aug 1746
1747 Jun 26 John
1749 Nov 25 Ann; buried 11 Mar 1749
1752 May 16 Sarah
1754 Apr 30 Andrew
1756 Nov 9 Robert; buried 29 Mar 1814 (surveyor of the customs)
1758 Mar 29 Ann
1760 May 27 Elizabeth; buried 4 Feb 1763
1761 Jul 7 Frances buried
William Blake (mariner) and Mary Adams (buried 27 Mar 1809) married 24 Sep 1751

1752 Aug 5 Ann
1754 Nov 19 William; buried 19 Feb 1759
1756 Jul 1 George; buried 11 Jan 1757
1758 Feb 18 George; buried 10 Mar 1759
1760 Mar 12 James
1761 Mar 7 Robert; buried 13 Jun 1761
1762 Jul 8 Sarah
1765 Mar 31 Thomas Adams

Francis Blake (buried 21 Apr 1803) and Ann Warrin?

1768 Jun 27 Thomas Warrin; buried 27 Jun 1768
1769 Oct 8 Elizabeth Bastone

Francis Blake (widower) (buried 21 Apr 1803) and Elizabeth Bradley married 11 May 1774
1774 Nov 13 Francis; buried 12 Dec 1774

Austain Blake and Mary

1791 Jan 20 Elizabeth

Looking at the station in life it would appear that Mr. William Blake (married to Ann) is the father of Mr. Thomas Blake linking those two generations.

John Blake (second from the top) is the father of Michael (with brothers Henry and Francis) and perhaps Mary Blake daughter of Robert is Michael’s wife. That Mary is a sister to Mr. Andrew linking those families if that is correct.

The two Andrew Blakes are likely father and son. Andrew, testator of this will, mentions his sons Andrew and Thomas and his daughter Susanna.

Is it possible that John (top of the list) is the grandfather of John, William and Robert (their father perhaps John) and then the children that follow belong to these three men. Dunster is very very close to Minehead and baptizing their children at Minehead could have simply been easier for whatever reason. The marriages are missing though and I must have a look at Dunster parish registers one of these days.

It is possible that the testator has been married three times with the mother of Thomas being his second wife (unnamed).

William Blake (mariner) does not appear to fit into these family lines. The link back from the later Francis is unknown. Matching these records with Dunster might answer some of those questions including the husband of Alice Blake at Dunster. Alice mentions her sons Andrew and William. Andrew Blake, butcher at Dunster, mentions his brother William and his son Robert and an unborn child at the time of his death in 1656. Robert married in 1680 to Ann Teague is the likely son of that Andrew and hence a grandson of Alice.

The land holding at Marsh (near Dunster) is mentioned in these three wills.

For all this discussion I do not know this Blake line prior to Alice Blake widow of Dunster whose will was probated in 1654. Finding the name of her husband would be extremely helpful.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 23 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/802/173
Testator: Andrew Blake, Merchant
Place: Minehead, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Nov 1752, probated 2 Jun 1753
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

 [Margin]: Andrew Blake

1    In the name of God Amen
2    I Andrew Blake of Minehead in the County of Somerset
3    Merchant being weak of Body but of a sound mind
4    memory and understanding (praised be Almighty God for
5    the same) do make and ordain this my last Will and
6    Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)
7    First I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty
8    God who gave it me and my body I commit to the Earth
9    in hopes of a joyful Resurrection to life Eternal and as for
10    such worldly substance as God hath been pleased to
11    bestow upon me I give devise and bequeath the same
12    as follows First I give and bequeath unto my son
13    Thomas Blake all those Closes or pieces of Ground
14    commonly called or known by the names of the Hay
15    Marshes Staunton Fields and the Hawkes situate lying
16    and being within the parish of Dunster for and during
17    all my Right Title and Interest therein or thereto he
18    paying unto the Lord in Fee thereof all such High Rent
19    and herriots as shall become due for the same Also I
20    give devise and bequeath unto my son Thomas Blake
21    and to his heirs forever the fee simple and inheritance
22    of two Closes or pieces of Ground lying by Landshear
23    within the said parish of Dunster and now rented of me
24    by one Robert Escott of the same place Innholder also
25    I give and bequeath unto my said son Thomas Blake
26    all my right and interest in such Ships part and shares
27    in Ships together with the Stocks Riging Implements
28    and Utensils belonging to such Ships parts and shares of Ships
    [Page 2]
29    which I shall be possessed off concerned or interested in or any
30    wise intitled unto at the time of my decease by whatsoever name
31    or names such Ships part and shares of ships shall be then called
32    or known by Also I give and bequeath unto my said son
33    Thomas Blake all the silver Plate which were his mothers or
34    that did belong unto her in her life time (one silver porringer
35    and two silver spoons hereinafter mentioned and particularly
36    described only excepted) also I give unto my said son Thomas
37    Blake the moiety or half part of all my household Goods
38    furniture and implements and utensils of household which I
39    shall be any ways possessed of interested in or intitled unto
40    at the time of my death provid always nevertheless that if
41    my said son Thomas Blake shall happen to depart this
42    life before he shall arrive or attain to his said age of twenty
43    two years that then and in such case I give devise and
44    bequeath (from the time of his death) all the aforesaid Closes
45    or pieces of Ground called by the names of the Hay Marshes
46    Staunton Fields and the Hawkes The said two Closes or pieces
47    of Ground lying by LandShare within the said parish of
48    Dunster together with all my right and interest in ships
49    and shares in Ships with the Stock and Riging to the same
50    belonging and also all the silver plate which was my said
51    son Thomases mothers and also the said moiety or half part
52    of all my household Goods and Furniture unto my beloved
53    wife Ann Blake her heirs Executors Administrators or
54    assigns forever and I do hereby order and direct that the
55    two Trustees herein after named do receive and take all
56    the rents and profits of my said Estates and all sum and
57    sums of money that shall or may become due from any
58    of the Ships of share in Ships so by me before given unto
59    my said son Thomas Blake until he shall attain the said
60    age of twenty two years as aforesaid and that they do
61    put and place out all such moneys by them received at
62    Interest to and for the use of my said son Thomas Blake
63    allowing him a competent maintenance as they in their
64    discretion shall see convenient Also I give and bequeath
65    unto my said wife Ann Blake all that my Messuage
66    Tenement or Estate called or known by the name of Silli_am
67    situate lying and being within the said parish of Minehead
68    for and during all my Right Title and Interest therein or
69    thereto Also I give unto her my said wife one silver porringer
70    and two silver spoons marked A:B:P:P:20:Ls:W:S: and
71    I also give unto my said wife the other moiety or half part
72    of all my said household Goods Furniture Implements
73    and Utensils of household all which said household goods
74    furniture implements and utensils my Will is and I do
75    hereby order and direct to be equally divided by and
76    between them my said son Thomas and my said Wife
77    share and share alike at such time as he shall attain his
78    said age of twenty two years and my Will further is
79    and I do hereby order and direct that my said wife shall
80    have the use of all and singular my said household Goods
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81    silver plate furniture Implements and utensils of household
82    from the time of my decease until my said son Thomas
83    shall attain the age of twenty two years as aforesaid any
84    ghing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding Also
85    I give devise and bequeath unto my son Andrew Blake
86    and to his heirs forever all my messuages or dwelling
87    houses in Dunster aforesaid Also I give unto my daughter
88    Susannah Price one Guinea to buy her a mourning Ring
89    in Remembrance of me and I do hereby nominate and
90    appoint request and desire authorize and impower my
91    Friend Mr Thomas Leigh of Dunster and my dearly beloved
92    wife Ann Blake to be Trustees and Guardians for my said
93    son Thomas Blake until he shall attain his said age of
94    twenty two years and Lastly all the rest residue and
95    femainder of my Goods Chattels Lands Tenements personal
96    and Testamentary Estate and Effects whatsoever not herein
97    before by me given devised or bequeath I give devise
98    and bequeath unto my said dearly beloved wife Ann
99    Blake who I do hereby make constitute nominate ordain
100    and appoint whole and sole Executrix and Residuary Legatee
101    of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I
102    the said Andrew Blake the testator have to this my last
103    Will and Testament set my hand and Seal the fourth day
104    of November one Thousand seven hundred and fifty two
105    And[re]w Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the
106    said Testator Andrew Blake for and as his last Will and
107    Testament in the presence of us who at his request have
108    subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto in his presence
109    and in the presence of each other Thomas Eames Tristram
110    Trewly Arthur Matthews
111    This Will was proved at London on the second
112    day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven
113    hundred and fifty three before the Right honourable Sir
114    George Lee Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or
115    Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
116    constituted by the Oath of Ann Blake widow the Relict of
117    the deceased and the sole Executrix named in the said Will
118    to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the
119    Goods chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn
120    by Commission duly to administer