Thursday, October 31, 2013
Will of Robert Blake, Esquire, Ash Prior, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/1097/437, probated 5 Dec 1782
Robert Blake the testator is known. He is the son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake. Robert’s will was probated yesterday:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-robert-blake-gentleman-ash.html
I have written away to see if I can get more information on the Cridland family from the person who runs the Cridland one name study at the Guild. I will wait for that information if any before commenting further on this will. Noticing that this will brings together a lot of property that has been mentioned in earlier wills.
From another researcher who has sent me a copy of the will of Sarah Chappell widow of James Chappell. Sarah Cridland married James Chappell in Milverton by licence 20 Dec 1767 (he was a widower) and Sarah was buried in Milverton 12 Jul 1809 aged 69 years with James having been buried in Milverton in 1794 aged 62 years. Elizabeth/Betty the daughter of Sarah and James Chappell, according to this researcher, married Thomas Tutton Kynfton of Westbury in 1797.
Thank you very much to the researcher for sharing this information with me.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1097/437
Testator: Robert Blake, Esquire
Place: Ash Prior, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 Aug 1782, probated 5 Dec 1782
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esq[uie]r
1 This is the last Will and Testament
2 of me Robert Blake of Ashpriors in the County of Somerset
3 Esquire which I make and publish for the disposal of all my
4 Worldly Substance Estate and Effects whatsoever in manner and form
5 following (that is to say) First I give and devise unto my dear Wife
6 Frances Blake all my Messuages Lands Tenements and heredit[ament]s
7 situate and lying in the several Parishes of Stawley and Ashbrittle
8 in the said County of Somerset To hold the same with their several
9 and respective Rights Members and Appurtenances unto her my
10 said Wife Frances her heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and
11 devise unto my said Wife Frances Blake all my Messuages Lands
12 Tenements and hereditaments situate and lying in the Parish of
13 Milverton in the said County of Somerset To hold the same with their
14 Rights
[Page 2]
15 Rights Members and Appurtenances unto my said Wife Frances
16 her heirs and Assigns for ever Subject unto all and every incumbrance
17 or incumbrances affecting the same Also I give devise and bequeath
18 all and every my Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments
19 situate lying and being in the several Parishes of Ashpriors
20 aforesaid Halse Huish Langport either Stowey Stogursey and
21 elsewhere in the said County of Somerset not herein before devised
22 unto her my said Wife Frances and her Assigns for and during
23 the term of her natural life or with respect to such parts or
24 so much thereof as are held for any long term or terms of
25 years absolute for and during so many years of such term or
26 terms as shall run out and expire in the natural life time of
27 her my said Wife without impeachment of or for any manner
28 of waste and with full power to commit waste She and they
29 paying thereout unto my Brother John Blake of Halse aforesaid
30 Surgeon and his Assigns one Annuity clear yearly Rent or
31 Sum of thirty pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain
32 clear of all deductions whatsoever during the term of his natural
33 life by half yearly payments the first payment to begin and
34 be made at the end of the first six Calendar Months next after
35 my death to whom I do hereby give devise and bequeath the
36 same with a power of distress in him my said Brother in case
37 of non payment as in cases of rack Rent And from and after
38 the death or decease of her my said Wife I give and devise the
39 same Messuages Lands Tenements hereditaments and Premises
40 unto him my said Brother John Blake and his Assigns for
41 and during the term of his natural life or with respect to such
42 parts thereof as are held for any long term or terms of years
43 absolute for and during so many years of such term or terms as
44 shall run out and expire in the natural life time of him my
45 said Brother he and they committing no wilful waste spoil or
46 destitution to or on the said Premises or any part thereof
47 and taking therefrom proper and sufficient Timber and other
48 materials for the necessary repairs only of the Premises and
49 from and after the death or decease of the Survivor of them
50 the said Frances Blake and John Blake I give devise and
51 bequeath all and every the same Messuages Lands Tenements
52 and hereditaments unto my kinsman John Cridland of
53 Milverton aforesaid Gentleman and James Chappell of the same
54 place Gentleman To hold the same with their several and respective
55 Rights Members and Appurtenances unto the said John Cridland
56 and James Chappell their heirs and Assigns with respect to such
57 parts and so much thereof as are Freehold or Fee Simple and unto
58 the said John Cridland and James Chappell their Executors
59 Administrators and Assigns with respect to such parts and so much
60 thereof as are held for any long term or terms of years absolute
61 for and during all such Estate or Estates term or terms and
62 Interest as shall be therein then to come and unexpired Upon
63 Trust that they the said John Cridland and James Chappell
64 and the Survivor of them and the heirs Executors Administrators
65 and Assigns of such Survivor do and shall as soon as conveniently
66 may be after the several deaths or deceases of my said Wife and
[Page 3]
67 Brother either at publick Auction or by private contract and in
68 such manner as they shall think best and most convenient sell and
69 dispose of all and singular the said Premises with their several and
70 respective Appurtenances to the best purchaser or purchasors that
71 can or may be had or gotten for the same and grant release
72 convey and assure the same Premises respectively unto the purchaser
73 or purchasors thereof his her or their heirs Executors Administrators
74 and Assigns accordingly And upon this further Trust and Confidence to
75 pay and divide the Monies arising by such Sale or Sales unto and
76 equally amongst them the said John Cridland my kinswomen Sarah
77 Wife of the said James Chappell Elizabeth Cridland Levinia Cridland
78 and Charlotte Cridland Children of my Uncle Richard Cridland of
79 Milverton aforesaid Gentleman the Children of my kinswoman Frances
80 the late Wife of Robert Pearce of Milverton aforesaid grocer and
81 my kinsman Robert Blake of Cooks Court Carey Street London
82 Gentleman and their respective Executors Administrators and Assigns
83 share and share alike the Children of the said Frances Pearce and
84 their Representatives to be entitled to one seventh part only the same
85 as I intended for their Mother had She been living provided always
86 and it is my express Will that the acquittances and Receipts of my
87 said Trustees and the Survivor of them and the heirs Executors
88 Administrators and Assigns of such Survivor for the Monies arising by
89 such Sale or Sales aforesaid of my several Estates Lands and Premises
90 aforesaid to the several persons who shall become the purchasors
91 thereof respectively by virtue of or under this my Will shall be good
92 and sufficient discharges in the Law for the same to the said several
93 purchasors their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
94 and that such purchasors shall not be liable to look to the
95 application of their purchase Money or be any ways answerable
96 or account[t]able for any loss of misapplication thereof provided
97 and it is my Will and meaning and I do hereby order and
98 direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Trustees
99 their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns in the
100 first place to direct retain reimburse and satisfy themselves
101 respectively out of the said Trust Estate and Premises or any part
102 thereof not only for all Jouries and attendances but also all
103 such Costs Charges and Expences as they or any or either of them
104 shall or may bear pay sustain or be put into for or by reason
105 or means or on account of the several Trusts hereby in them
106 reposed or in the execution thereof and that they my said Trustees
107 their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns shall
108 not be chargeable with or answerable for any more Monies than
109 they shall actually receive or shall come to their respective hands
110 by virtue of this my Will neither they shall be accountable for or
111 chargeable with the Acts of each other but each of them for and
112 with his own respective Acts only Also I give unto my Father in Law
113 Thomas Cridland my Uncle the said Richard Cridland my
114 Brother in Law Thomas Cridland the younger my Aunt Susanna
115 Spurway and my Aunts Sarah and Betty Cridland one Mourning
116 Ring each to be delivered to them as soon as may be after my death
117 by my Executrix hereinafter named Also I give unto all my Servants
118 that shall be living with me at the time of my death one years
[Page 4]
119 Wages to be paid them within one year next after my Interment
120 by my said Executrix And lastly all the rest and residue of my
121 Goods Chattels Rights Credits personal and Testamentary Estate Substance
122 and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever after payment of my just
123 Debts Legacies and Funeral Expences I give will and bequeath unto
124 her my said Wife Frances Blake whom I make and constitute sole
125 Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all
126 former Wills by me at any time heretofore made In Witness whereof
127 I the said Robert Blake the Testator have to this my last Will
128 and Testament comprised in or written on three Sheets of paper set
129 my hand to the first two Sheets and my hand and Seal to this
130 third and last Sheet thereof the twenty second day of August in the
131 year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two
132 Rob[er]t Blake Signed Sealed published and declared by the
133 said Robert Blake the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament
134 in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and also
135 in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses
136 thereto John Southey Joseph Hill Edward Bryant
137 This Will was proved at London the fifty day of
138 December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
139 and eighty two before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor
140 of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court
141 of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Frances Blake
142 Widow the Relict of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the
143 said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular
144 the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased She having
145 been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-robert-blake-gentleman-ash.html
I have written away to see if I can get more information on the Cridland family from the person who runs the Cridland one name study at the Guild. I will wait for that information if any before commenting further on this will. Noticing that this will brings together a lot of property that has been mentioned in earlier wills.
From another researcher who has sent me a copy of the will of Sarah Chappell widow of James Chappell. Sarah Cridland married James Chappell in Milverton by licence 20 Dec 1767 (he was a widower) and Sarah was buried in Milverton 12 Jul 1809 aged 69 years with James having been buried in Milverton in 1794 aged 62 years. Elizabeth/Betty the daughter of Sarah and James Chappell, according to this researcher, married Thomas Tutton Kynfton of Westbury in 1797.
Thank you very much to the researcher for sharing this information with me.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1097/437
Testator: Robert Blake, Esquire
Place: Ash Prior, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 22 Aug 1782, probated 5 Dec 1782
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: Esq[uie]r
1 This is the last Will and Testament
2 of me Robert Blake of Ashpriors in the County of Somerset
3 Esquire which I make and publish for the disposal of all my
4 Worldly Substance Estate and Effects whatsoever in manner and form
5 following (that is to say) First I give and devise unto my dear Wife
6 Frances Blake all my Messuages Lands Tenements and heredit[ament]s
7 situate and lying in the several Parishes of Stawley and Ashbrittle
8 in the said County of Somerset To hold the same with their several
9 and respective Rights Members and Appurtenances unto her my
10 said Wife Frances her heirs and Assigns for ever Also I give and
11 devise unto my said Wife Frances Blake all my Messuages Lands
12 Tenements and hereditaments situate and lying in the Parish of
13 Milverton in the said County of Somerset To hold the same with their
14 Rights
[Page 2]
15 Rights Members and Appurtenances unto my said Wife Frances
16 her heirs and Assigns for ever Subject unto all and every incumbrance
17 or incumbrances affecting the same Also I give devise and bequeath
18 all and every my Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments
19 situate lying and being in the several Parishes of Ashpriors
20 aforesaid Halse Huish Langport either Stowey Stogursey and
21 elsewhere in the said County of Somerset not herein before devised
22 unto her my said Wife Frances and her Assigns for and during
23 the term of her natural life or with respect to such parts or
24 so much thereof as are held for any long term or terms of
25 years absolute for and during so many years of such term or
26 terms as shall run out and expire in the natural life time of
27 her my said Wife without impeachment of or for any manner
28 of waste and with full power to commit waste She and they
29 paying thereout unto my Brother John Blake of Halse aforesaid
30 Surgeon and his Assigns one Annuity clear yearly Rent or
31 Sum of thirty pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain
32 clear of all deductions whatsoever during the term of his natural
33 life by half yearly payments the first payment to begin and
34 be made at the end of the first six Calendar Months next after
35 my death to whom I do hereby give devise and bequeath the
36 same with a power of distress in him my said Brother in case
37 of non payment as in cases of rack Rent And from and after
38 the death or decease of her my said Wife I give and devise the
39 same Messuages Lands Tenements hereditaments and Premises
40 unto him my said Brother John Blake and his Assigns for
41 and during the term of his natural life or with respect to such
42 parts thereof as are held for any long term or terms of years
43 absolute for and during so many years of such term or terms as
44 shall run out and expire in the natural life time of him my
45 said Brother he and they committing no wilful waste spoil or
46 destitution to or on the said Premises or any part thereof
47 and taking therefrom proper and sufficient Timber and other
48 materials for the necessary repairs only of the Premises and
49 from and after the death or decease of the Survivor of them
50 the said Frances Blake and John Blake I give devise and
51 bequeath all and every the same Messuages Lands Tenements
52 and hereditaments unto my kinsman John Cridland of
53 Milverton aforesaid Gentleman and James Chappell of the same
54 place Gentleman To hold the same with their several and respective
55 Rights Members and Appurtenances unto the said John Cridland
56 and James Chappell their heirs and Assigns with respect to such
57 parts and so much thereof as are Freehold or Fee Simple and unto
58 the said John Cridland and James Chappell their Executors
59 Administrators and Assigns with respect to such parts and so much
60 thereof as are held for any long term or terms of years absolute
61 for and during all such Estate or Estates term or terms and
62 Interest as shall be therein then to come and unexpired Upon
63 Trust that they the said John Cridland and James Chappell
64 and the Survivor of them and the heirs Executors Administrators
65 and Assigns of such Survivor do and shall as soon as conveniently
66 may be after the several deaths or deceases of my said Wife and
[Page 3]
67 Brother either at publick Auction or by private contract and in
68 such manner as they shall think best and most convenient sell and
69 dispose of all and singular the said Premises with their several and
70 respective Appurtenances to the best purchaser or purchasors that
71 can or may be had or gotten for the same and grant release
72 convey and assure the same Premises respectively unto the purchaser
73 or purchasors thereof his her or their heirs Executors Administrators
74 and Assigns accordingly And upon this further Trust and Confidence to
75 pay and divide the Monies arising by such Sale or Sales unto and
76 equally amongst them the said John Cridland my kinswomen Sarah
77 Wife of the said James Chappell Elizabeth Cridland Levinia Cridland
78 and Charlotte Cridland Children of my Uncle Richard Cridland of
79 Milverton aforesaid Gentleman the Children of my kinswoman Frances
80 the late Wife of Robert Pearce of Milverton aforesaid grocer and
81 my kinsman Robert Blake of Cooks Court Carey Street London
82 Gentleman and their respective Executors Administrators and Assigns
83 share and share alike the Children of the said Frances Pearce and
84 their Representatives to be entitled to one seventh part only the same
85 as I intended for their Mother had She been living provided always
86 and it is my express Will that the acquittances and Receipts of my
87 said Trustees and the Survivor of them and the heirs Executors
88 Administrators and Assigns of such Survivor for the Monies arising by
89 such Sale or Sales aforesaid of my several Estates Lands and Premises
90 aforesaid to the several persons who shall become the purchasors
91 thereof respectively by virtue of or under this my Will shall be good
92 and sufficient discharges in the Law for the same to the said several
93 purchasors their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
94 and that such purchasors shall not be liable to look to the
95 application of their purchase Money or be any ways answerable
96 or account[t]able for any loss of misapplication thereof provided
97 and it is my Will and meaning and I do hereby order and
98 direct that it shall and may be lawful to and for my said Trustees
99 their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns in the
100 first place to direct retain reimburse and satisfy themselves
101 respectively out of the said Trust Estate and Premises or any part
102 thereof not only for all Jouries and attendances but also all
103 such Costs Charges and Expences as they or any or either of them
104 shall or may bear pay sustain or be put into for or by reason
105 or means or on account of the several Trusts hereby in them
106 reposed or in the execution thereof and that they my said Trustees
107 their respective heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns shall
108 not be chargeable with or answerable for any more Monies than
109 they shall actually receive or shall come to their respective hands
110 by virtue of this my Will neither they shall be accountable for or
111 chargeable with the Acts of each other but each of them for and
112 with his own respective Acts only Also I give unto my Father in Law
113 Thomas Cridland my Uncle the said Richard Cridland my
114 Brother in Law Thomas Cridland the younger my Aunt Susanna
115 Spurway and my Aunts Sarah and Betty Cridland one Mourning
116 Ring each to be delivered to them as soon as may be after my death
117 by my Executrix hereinafter named Also I give unto all my Servants
118 that shall be living with me at the time of my death one years
[Page 4]
119 Wages to be paid them within one year next after my Interment
120 by my said Executrix And lastly all the rest and residue of my
121 Goods Chattels Rights Credits personal and Testamentary Estate Substance
122 and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever after payment of my just
123 Debts Legacies and Funeral Expences I give will and bequeath unto
124 her my said Wife Frances Blake whom I make and constitute sole
125 Executrix of this my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all
126 former Wills by me at any time heretofore made In Witness whereof
127 I the said Robert Blake the Testator have to this my last Will
128 and Testament comprised in or written on three Sheets of paper set
129 my hand to the first two Sheets and my hand and Seal to this
130 third and last Sheet thereof the twenty second day of August in the
131 year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty two
132 Rob[er]t Blake Signed Sealed published and declared by the
133 said Robert Blake the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament
134 in the presence of us who at his request in his presence and also
135 in the presence of each other have subscribed our names as Witnesses
136 thereto John Southey Joseph Hill Edward Bryant
137 This Will was proved at London the fifty day of
138 December in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
139 and eighty two before the Right Worshipful Peter Calvert Doctor
140 of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court
141 of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath of Frances Blake
142 Widow the Relict of the deceased and sole Executrix named in the
143 said Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular
144 the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased She having
145 been first sworn by Commission duly to Administer.
Involvement in Studies - Attitude
I had an interesting email today as it reminded me once again of why I avoid being in charge. I belong to a particular study group for yDNA (at least my brother does but I manage it) and I was chatting back and forth with the administrator because I recently ordered Gen2.0 to provide more information on the deep ancestry of our paternal line. I like getting involved with the project but the administrator asked me to suggest to a member of the Blake yDNA study that they should join the study because they are the same haplogroup. Now for me that is sort of crossing the line. I do not want to make such suggestions to people; I do not want them to feel that perhaps they should because I have been helpful in their studies. Trying to decide how to do that and probably I am just going to let it ride. If they ask me I would tell them about the study but to suggest it to them at this stage might make them think that I wanted them to do it. Sometimes I just need to write things down to sort through them and as my living memory this blog has served me very well.
I have a passive aggressive personality. I prefer never to be in friction with people and in that way I am passive. However, I like to manage what I am doing and because I am like that I am also aggressive. The mixture works well for me and as I look around I wonder if everyone would benefit from being both passive and aggressive. Passive in how they deal with people and aggressive in their work habits.
Well obviously time to quit for the night!
I have a passive aggressive personality. I prefer never to be in friction with people and in that way I am passive. However, I like to manage what I am doing and because I am like that I am also aggressive. The mixture works well for me and as I look around I wonder if everyone would benefit from being both passive and aggressive. Passive in how they deal with people and aggressive in their work habits.
Well obviously time to quit for the night!
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
Will of Robert Blake, Gentleman, Ash Prior, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/804/495, probated 29 Nov 1753
The testator is the Robert Blake baptized 24 May 1710 at Ash Prior the son of John and Sarah Blake. He is also the brother of Joseph Blake whose will was blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-joseph-blake-ash-prior-somerset.html
Their sister Betty married Richard Cridland and the Cridland family is mentioned in the will below. Also Susannah his sister who is 17 years younger than he is and in 1752 when the will is written is only 25 years of age and the need to provide her with the money from his father’s will has resulted in his taking out a mortgage. Robert is then 42 years of age so was 37 when his first son was born. Baptism of Robert Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 21 Jan 1747 at Ash Prior, Somerset. Baptism of John Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 12 Nov 1752 at Ash Prior, Somerset.
The parents of Robert the testator and Joseph his brother along with the other children baptized to this couple Mary 17 Jan 1706; buried 15 Nov 1722, Betty 22 Feb 1714, Anne 12 Jul 1717, Sarah 2 May 1720 and Susannah 11 Feb 1727 were John Blake and Sarah Uppam (of Ash Prior) and they were married 15 Jan 1705 at Bicknoller (5 miles west of Overstowey). Unfortunately nothing is known of this John. Was he related to the family at Overstowey (Bicknoller is just 5 miles from Overstowey).
There is a webpage with the poor law rate for 1659, 1688, 1693, 1705, 1717, 1718, 1771, 1787 and 1819:
http://www.paulhyb.homecall.co.uk/parishes/bickcw.txt
Blake entries include:
1771 Mr John Blake late Dobels
1771 Thos Blake Williamses
1787 Mr Blake for Woolson
1787 Mr Blake for Dobles
1819 Joan Blake at Woolston (for herself)
1819 George Blake (Wm Sully owner) Bottom at ?
Perhaps that answers my question somewhat as there are no entries for Blake at Bicknoller before 1771. Why did John Blake and Sarah Uppam marry at Bicknoller? A mystery.
Another interesting comment that John Blake of Lower Weacombe (near Bicknoller) by will dated 1716 left £100 to provide clothing for the poor. This is a will that would have been most interesting but is not the will of John Blake married to Sarah Uppam. I wonder if this will still exists in some form since it is mentioned in British history online:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=117147
Bicknoller is part of the larger parish of Stogumber. We know that Richard Blake married to Grace Napcot had property at Stogumber and they had two sons John and Richard. Richard left his will which was probated in 1666 and he was married to Ann Jessop; blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-richard-blake-gentleman.html
This John died in 1716 and the last child of John and Sarah Blake was born/baptized in 1727 (Susannah) so not the correct John for this family.
Working through now and going back to the will of Robert Blake yeoman of Halse as this family in the will below also has property at Halse:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-robert-blake-yeoman-of-halse.html
is the John son of Robert in this will the father of this Robert? Once I get all these wills done then I will start to enter all the material into Legacy and see if I can find any linkages back to the Humphrey Blake family at Overstowey.
I am beginning to wonder if my information gathering is getting too huge for me to keep it all straight in my mind. I think I am reaching that point but would like to finish Somerset before I start to bring these wills together in a more rigorous fashion.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/804/495
Testator: Robert Blake, Gentleman
Place: Ash Prior, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Feb 1752, probated 29 Nov 1753
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I Robert Blake of Ash Pryors in the County of Sommerset
3 Gent do this fourth day of February One Thousand Seven
4 hundred fifty and two make this my last Will and Testament
5 as followeth Imprimis I Give devise and bequeath unto my
6 Good Friends John Fraunces of Coombflorey in the County aforesaid
7 Esquire and Tho: Cridland of the same place and county Gentleman
8 and to the survivor of them and to the heirs and Executors
9 of Such Survivor all my Lands Tenements and hereditaments
10 Both real and personal situate lying and being in the parishes
11 of Ash Pryors Halse Storgursey and Stowey and also all that
[Page 2]
12 Estate which I lately purchased of the Bishop of Bath and Wells lying
13 and being in the parish of Huish all which lands and Tenements are in
14 the County aforesaid and all Such as are in any other place whatsoever
15 and all my estate and interest therein Subject however to the Sum of
16 Nine hundred and thirty pounds and to Mr Cridland of Coombflorey Sen[io]r
17 on a Mortgage to him of all my Estates Real and personal in the parish
18 of Halse in the County aforesaid which Sum of Nine hundred and thirty
19 pounds I borrowed of him the said Mr Cridland as well to pay my said
20 Sister Susanna Blake her portion as also to purchase two lives of the
21 Bishop of Bath and Wells on my Estate at Huish and my Will is
22 that my Sister Susannah be paid her portion of Five hundred
23 pounds at the end of Six Months from the date of the notice I Gave
24 her of the payment of it which will be on the 25th of July next there
25 being in the hands of Mr Cridland five hundred pounds part of
26 the Mortgage Moneys for that purpose as will appear by a
27 declaration of his in my custody and also Subject to the payment
28 of all other my just debts and Legacies and I do hereby charge
29 all my Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments with
30 the payment of the same Upon Trust nevertheless that the said
31 John Fraunceis and Tho: Cridland and the Survivor of them do
32 receive the rents and profits thereof and pay out of the same
33 unto my Wife Elizabeth the Sum of Forty pounds per annum
34 by quarterly payments during her natural Life On Condition
35 however that my said Wife doth relinquish her right and title
36 to all dower of Such Lands as She is dowable of which right if
37 she refuses to relinquish then and in such case my Will is that
38 the above charge of Forty pounds per annum payable to my Wife
39 and all other Sums hereinafter mentioned to be payable to her
40 shall be absolutely void nor Shall She have any benefit thereof
41 and also allow my Son Robert Blake for his education and
42 maintenance as much as they my Trustees shall think fit
43 until he arrives to the age of twenty One and when he attains
44 that age then my Trustees to be seized of all my before
45 mentioned Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments
46 to the use of my said Son Robert and the heirs Male of
47 his Body lawfully begotten and for want of heirs Males of
48 his Body so begotten then to the issue Female of his Body
49 lawfully begotten and for want of such issue then to my
50 Trustees and to the Survivor of them and to the heirs and
51 Executors of Such Survivor Upon Trust that they permit my
52 Brother Joseph Blake to receive the rents and profits of all
53 my above mentioned Estates for and during the Term of Ninety and
54 nine years or for Such part of the Term as Shall run out in
55 his life time and from and after the Term aforesaid or Such
56 number of years as Shall expire in his life time then to my
57 Trustees aforesaid the Survivor of them the heirs and Executors
58 of Such Survivor to be Seized to the use of the heirs Males of the
59 Body of my said Brother lawfully begotten and for want of
60 heirs Males to the issue Female of my Said Brother lawfully
61 begotten and if he dies leaving no issue behind him then my Said
62 Trustees and the Survivor of them to be Seized to the use of the said John
63 Cridland and Richard Cridland Sons of Richard Cridland of Milverton
[Page 3]
64 Gent their heirs Executors and Assigns forever not as joint Tenants but
65 as Tenants in Common but my intention and Will is that if my Wife
66 happens to be with Child at the time of my death that Such Child shall if my
67 Son Robert dyes without issue inherit all my before mentioned Lands
68 Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments in the same manner and
69 with the same Limitations as my son Robert Blake is to inherit by this
70 Will and I do hereby give Such Child with which my Wife shall be
71 ensient at the time of my death Five hundred pounds to be paid
72 when Such Child Shall attain the age of Twenty One as also twenty
73 pounds per annum to be paid Quarterly for its maintenance and
74 education which Sum of Five hundred pounds and also Twenty pounds
75 per annum my Said Trustees and the Survivor of them are to raise out
76 of my Estates before mentioned by Sale Mortgage Lease or otherwise
77 but if my Wife is not with Child at the time of my death then my
78 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more to be added to the Forty pounds
79 before directed to be paid to my Wife making in the whole Fifty pounds
80 which sum my Trustees are to pay her Quarterly as long as she lives
81 and if my Said Son Robert Blake shall happen to dye without issue
82 and living his Mother than then and from that period of time my
83 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more be added to the Fifty pounds
84 above mentioned making in all Sixty pounds which Sum my
85 Trustees and the Survivor of them are to pay in manner and form
86 aforesaid and in case the Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof
87 Shall be behind and unpaid by the Space of two Months is Shall
88 be lawful for my said Wife Elizabeth to enter on such part of
89 my Lands and Tenements as I can charge with the payment
90 of the said Sixty pounds and take them into her own possession
91 until the said Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof be
92 satisfied and paid and I do will that my Wife shall have the
93 Great Parlour hall and Little parlour of my house with Chamber
94 over and also the best Garden and Green Courts until my
95 Son Robert comes to the age of Twenty One and I do hereby
96 devise the Guardianship of my Son to my Trustees and the
97 Survivor of them and I do hereby charge all my Real
98 and Personal Estate for the indemnification of my Trustees
99 from all charges they or either of them may be put to in the
100 execution of the Trust hereby reposed in them and I do also will
101 that my Quick and dead Stock be Sold by my Trustees aforesaid
102 whom I make Executors of this my last Will Rob[er]t Blake
103 Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Robert Blake
104 the Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence
105 of us who Subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of
106 the said Robert Blake and at his request Edward Bryant
107 Upton Manning Rob[er]t Coles
108 Whereas my Son John was not born at the time of
109 making my above Will and thereby no provision was made for
110 him now my Will further is and I do hereby order my Trustees
111 above named to raise the Sum of Six hundred pounds out of any
112 or all the Estates above mentioned by Sale Mortgage or Lease
113 and also the farther Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum the
[Page 4]
114 Sum of Six hundred pounds to be paid him when he shall attain
115 the age of Twenty One and the said Sum of twenty pounds to be paid
116 him Yearly for his Maintenance and Education until he shall attain
117 that age and then the Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum to cease and
118 in case my Son Robert dies without issue of his Body lawfully
119 Begotten that then my Son John shall inherit all my Real and
120 personal Estates in the Same manner as his Brother was to inherit
121 Rob[er]t Blake Signed Sealed published and declared to be a Codicil
122 to the above Will in the presence of us who subscribed our Names
123 in the Testators presence and at his request Geo: Farewell Edw[ar]d
124 Bryant Upton Manning
125 This Will was proved at London with a Codicil annexed
126 the Twenty Ninth day of November in the year of Our lord One
127 Thousand Seven hundred and fifty three before the Right honourable
128 Sir George Lee Knight doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary
129 of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the
130 Oath of John Fraunceis Esquire and Thomas Cridland the Executors
131 named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of all and
132 Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first
133 Sworn by Commission duly to administer the same.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-joseph-blake-ash-prior-somerset.html
Their sister Betty married Richard Cridland and the Cridland family is mentioned in the will below. Also Susannah his sister who is 17 years younger than he is and in 1752 when the will is written is only 25 years of age and the need to provide her with the money from his father’s will has resulted in his taking out a mortgage. Robert is then 42 years of age so was 37 when his first son was born. Baptism of Robert Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 21 Jan 1747 at Ash Prior, Somerset. Baptism of John Blake son of Robert and Elizabeth Blake 12 Nov 1752 at Ash Prior, Somerset.
The parents of Robert the testator and Joseph his brother along with the other children baptized to this couple Mary 17 Jan 1706; buried 15 Nov 1722, Betty 22 Feb 1714, Anne 12 Jul 1717, Sarah 2 May 1720 and Susannah 11 Feb 1727 were John Blake and Sarah Uppam (of Ash Prior) and they were married 15 Jan 1705 at Bicknoller (5 miles west of Overstowey). Unfortunately nothing is known of this John. Was he related to the family at Overstowey (Bicknoller is just 5 miles from Overstowey).
There is a webpage with the poor law rate for 1659, 1688, 1693, 1705, 1717, 1718, 1771, 1787 and 1819:
http://www.paulhyb.homecall.co.uk/parishes/bickcw.txt
Blake entries include:
1771 Mr John Blake late Dobels
1771 Thos Blake Williamses
1787 Mr Blake for Woolson
1787 Mr Blake for Dobles
1819 Joan Blake at Woolston (for herself)
1819 George Blake (Wm Sully owner) Bottom at ?
Perhaps that answers my question somewhat as there are no entries for Blake at Bicknoller before 1771. Why did John Blake and Sarah Uppam marry at Bicknoller? A mystery.
Another interesting comment that John Blake of Lower Weacombe (near Bicknoller) by will dated 1716 left £100 to provide clothing for the poor. This is a will that would have been most interesting but is not the will of John Blake married to Sarah Uppam. I wonder if this will still exists in some form since it is mentioned in British history online:
http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=117147
Bicknoller is part of the larger parish of Stogumber. We know that Richard Blake married to Grace Napcot had property at Stogumber and they had two sons John and Richard. Richard left his will which was probated in 1666 and he was married to Ann Jessop; blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-richard-blake-gentleman.html
This John died in 1716 and the last child of John and Sarah Blake was born/baptized in 1727 (Susannah) so not the correct John for this family.
Working through now and going back to the will of Robert Blake yeoman of Halse as this family in the will below also has property at Halse:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-robert-blake-yeoman-of-halse.html
is the John son of Robert in this will the father of this Robert? Once I get all these wills done then I will start to enter all the material into Legacy and see if I can find any linkages back to the Humphrey Blake family at Overstowey.
I am beginning to wonder if my information gathering is getting too huge for me to keep it all straight in my mind. I think I am reaching that point but would like to finish Somerset before I start to bring these wills together in a more rigorous fashion.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 28 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/804/495
Testator: Robert Blake, Gentleman
Place: Ash Prior, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Feb 1752, probated 29 Nov 1753
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I Robert Blake of Ash Pryors in the County of Sommerset
3 Gent do this fourth day of February One Thousand Seven
4 hundred fifty and two make this my last Will and Testament
5 as followeth Imprimis I Give devise and bequeath unto my
6 Good Friends John Fraunces of Coombflorey in the County aforesaid
7 Esquire and Tho: Cridland of the same place and county Gentleman
8 and to the survivor of them and to the heirs and Executors
9 of Such Survivor all my Lands Tenements and hereditaments
10 Both real and personal situate lying and being in the parishes
11 of Ash Pryors Halse Storgursey and Stowey and also all that
[Page 2]
12 Estate which I lately purchased of the Bishop of Bath and Wells lying
13 and being in the parish of Huish all which lands and Tenements are in
14 the County aforesaid and all Such as are in any other place whatsoever
15 and all my estate and interest therein Subject however to the Sum of
16 Nine hundred and thirty pounds and to Mr Cridland of Coombflorey Sen[io]r
17 on a Mortgage to him of all my Estates Real and personal in the parish
18 of Halse in the County aforesaid which Sum of Nine hundred and thirty
19 pounds I borrowed of him the said Mr Cridland as well to pay my said
20 Sister Susanna Blake her portion as also to purchase two lives of the
21 Bishop of Bath and Wells on my Estate at Huish and my Will is
22 that my Sister Susannah be paid her portion of Five hundred
23 pounds at the end of Six Months from the date of the notice I Gave
24 her of the payment of it which will be on the 25th of July next there
25 being in the hands of Mr Cridland five hundred pounds part of
26 the Mortgage Moneys for that purpose as will appear by a
27 declaration of his in my custody and also Subject to the payment
28 of all other my just debts and Legacies and I do hereby charge
29 all my Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments with
30 the payment of the same Upon Trust nevertheless that the said
31 John Fraunceis and Tho: Cridland and the Survivor of them do
32 receive the rents and profits thereof and pay out of the same
33 unto my Wife Elizabeth the Sum of Forty pounds per annum
34 by quarterly payments during her natural Life On Condition
35 however that my said Wife doth relinquish her right and title
36 to all dower of Such Lands as She is dowable of which right if
37 she refuses to relinquish then and in such case my Will is that
38 the above charge of Forty pounds per annum payable to my Wife
39 and all other Sums hereinafter mentioned to be payable to her
40 shall be absolutely void nor Shall She have any benefit thereof
41 and also allow my Son Robert Blake for his education and
42 maintenance as much as they my Trustees shall think fit
43 until he arrives to the age of twenty One and when he attains
44 that age then my Trustees to be seized of all my before
45 mentioned Lands Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments
46 to the use of my said Son Robert and the heirs Male of
47 his Body lawfully begotten and for want of heirs Males of
48 his Body so begotten then to the issue Female of his Body
49 lawfully begotten and for want of such issue then to my
50 Trustees and to the Survivor of them and to the heirs and
51 Executors of Such Survivor Upon Trust that they permit my
52 Brother Joseph Blake to receive the rents and profits of all
53 my above mentioned Estates for and during the Term of Ninety and
54 nine years or for Such part of the Term as Shall run out in
55 his life time and from and after the Term aforesaid or Such
56 number of years as Shall expire in his life time then to my
57 Trustees aforesaid the Survivor of them the heirs and Executors
58 of Such Survivor to be Seized to the use of the heirs Males of the
59 Body of my said Brother lawfully begotten and for want of
60 heirs Males to the issue Female of my Said Brother lawfully
61 begotten and if he dies leaving no issue behind him then my Said
62 Trustees and the Survivor of them to be Seized to the use of the said John
63 Cridland and Richard Cridland Sons of Richard Cridland of Milverton
[Page 3]
64 Gent their heirs Executors and Assigns forever not as joint Tenants but
65 as Tenants in Common but my intention and Will is that if my Wife
66 happens to be with Child at the time of my death that Such Child shall if my
67 Son Robert dyes without issue inherit all my before mentioned Lands
68 Tenements personal Estate and hereditaments in the same manner and
69 with the same Limitations as my son Robert Blake is to inherit by this
70 Will and I do hereby give Such Child with which my Wife shall be
71 ensient at the time of my death Five hundred pounds to be paid
72 when Such Child Shall attain the age of Twenty One as also twenty
73 pounds per annum to be paid Quarterly for its maintenance and
74 education which Sum of Five hundred pounds and also Twenty pounds
75 per annum my Said Trustees and the Survivor of them are to raise out
76 of my Estates before mentioned by Sale Mortgage Lease or otherwise
77 but if my Wife is not with Child at the time of my death then my
78 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more to be added to the Forty pounds
79 before directed to be paid to my Wife making in the whole Fifty pounds
80 which sum my Trustees are to pay her Quarterly as long as she lives
81 and if my Said Son Robert Blake shall happen to dye without issue
82 and living his Mother than then and from that period of time my
83 Will is that Ten pounds per annum more be added to the Fifty pounds
84 above mentioned making in all Sixty pounds which Sum my
85 Trustees and the Survivor of them are to pay in manner and form
86 aforesaid and in case the Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof
87 Shall be behind and unpaid by the Space of two Months is Shall
88 be lawful for my said Wife Elizabeth to enter on such part of
89 my Lands and Tenements as I can charge with the payment
90 of the said Sixty pounds and take them into her own possession
91 until the said Sum of Sixty pounds or any part thereof be
92 satisfied and paid and I do will that my Wife shall have the
93 Great Parlour hall and Little parlour of my house with Chamber
94 over and also the best Garden and Green Courts until my
95 Son Robert comes to the age of Twenty One and I do hereby
96 devise the Guardianship of my Son to my Trustees and the
97 Survivor of them and I do hereby charge all my Real
98 and Personal Estate for the indemnification of my Trustees
99 from all charges they or either of them may be put to in the
100 execution of the Trust hereby reposed in them and I do also will
101 that my Quick and dead Stock be Sold by my Trustees aforesaid
102 whom I make Executors of this my last Will Rob[er]t Blake
103 Signed Sealed published and declared by the said Robert Blake
104 the Testator to be his last Will and Testament in the presence
105 of us who Subscribed our names as Witnesses in the presence of
106 the said Robert Blake and at his request Edward Bryant
107 Upton Manning Rob[er]t Coles
108 Whereas my Son John was not born at the time of
109 making my above Will and thereby no provision was made for
110 him now my Will further is and I do hereby order my Trustees
111 above named to raise the Sum of Six hundred pounds out of any
112 or all the Estates above mentioned by Sale Mortgage or Lease
113 and also the farther Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum the
[Page 4]
114 Sum of Six hundred pounds to be paid him when he shall attain
115 the age of Twenty One and the said Sum of twenty pounds to be paid
116 him Yearly for his Maintenance and Education until he shall attain
117 that age and then the Sum of Twenty pounds per Annum to cease and
118 in case my Son Robert dies without issue of his Body lawfully
119 Begotten that then my Son John shall inherit all my Real and
120 personal Estates in the Same manner as his Brother was to inherit
121 Rob[er]t Blake Signed Sealed published and declared to be a Codicil
122 to the above Will in the presence of us who subscribed our Names
123 in the Testators presence and at his request Geo: Farewell Edw[ar]d
124 Bryant Upton Manning
125 This Will was proved at London with a Codicil annexed
126 the Twenty Ninth day of November in the year of Our lord One
127 Thousand Seven hundred and fifty three before the Right honourable
128 Sir George Lee Knight doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary
129 of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the
130 Oath of John Fraunceis Esquire and Thomas Cridland the Executors
131 named in the said Will To whom Administration was granted of all and
132 Singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first
133 Sworn by Commission duly to administer the same.
Corrections to Posts
I was entering my will names into the Probate Index Excel file which I submit to the Guild of One Name Studies and discovered a few errors here and there so have gone back in and corrected the various items. Sometimes I just had it wrong in the discussion! Must have been doing this in my sleep and other times my formatting was off a bit.
Busy times with garden cleanup and a couple of personal items.
First covering of light snow this morning. Winter has returned and with it the shorter days that let me transcribe more readily. I do want to get back to the fiche transcription as well.
I am so behind on my emails and wish I could keep up with everything but want to continue forging ahead with the wills. Once they are completed I can look at the Blake family in the various areas with a more skillful eye as I work through the census and BMDs that are available online.
I have decided not to come up past 1950 at the most as that means I am looking at people still living although over 60 years of age. I would not be putting such information online but it lets me connect backwards if I actually do put this material together that can be found in the BMDs in England.
How to look at the Blake family in Ireland? I have had a boost on that with one of the yDNA testers in the Blake project. He descends from the Galway Blake line and already has a research group looking at their genealogy. This is a real bonus to all Irish descendants as they could test their yDNA and see if their research is taking them in the right direction. Thank you to him. Much appreciated.
Busy times with garden cleanup and a couple of personal items.
First covering of light snow this morning. Winter has returned and with it the shorter days that let me transcribe more readily. I do want to get back to the fiche transcription as well.
I am so behind on my emails and wish I could keep up with everything but want to continue forging ahead with the wills. Once they are completed I can look at the Blake family in the various areas with a more skillful eye as I work through the census and BMDs that are available online.
I have decided not to come up past 1950 at the most as that means I am looking at people still living although over 60 years of age. I would not be putting such information online but it lets me connect backwards if I actually do put this material together that can be found in the BMDs in England.
How to look at the Blake family in Ireland? I have had a boost on that with one of the yDNA testers in the Blake project. He descends from the Galway Blake line and already has a research group looking at their genealogy. This is a real bonus to all Irish descendants as they could test their yDNA and see if their research is taking them in the right direction. Thank you to him. Much appreciated.
Tuesday, October 29, 2013
Will of Robert Blake of Bridgwater, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/267/111, probated 20 Aug 1657
This is the will of Admiral Robert Blake. Somehow this great and illustrious Admiral of the British Navy doesn’t really need an introduction. His fame and character have transcended the century in which he lived and he is one of the great heroes of England forever remembered by every school child learning of his great victories protecting the shores of England from any and all comers. I remember asking my Grandfather if we were related to Admiral Blake and he said no he did not think so. That was not a tradition that was handed down in his family. In all likelihood he is very correct as I can not find a link between my line in Andover and the Blake family of Calne other than by collateral marriages. The link between the Blake family of Calne and the Blake family first at Over Stowey and Humphry Blake as the first of the line is also obscured by the veils of time. There is a strong conviction on the part of some that the father of Humphry was a John Blake who was descendant of the Blake family of Calne. However, this John is said to be a descendant of John Blake of Nether Wallop son of Robert Blake and Avis Wallop. In his will John does not name a son of his body so one is left to wonder whose son this John is and how he connects with the Blake family of Calne and the Blake family of Overstowey. Is he the stepping stone between? Time may answer that question but at the moment there isn’t any historical proof for this claim.
The yDNA study might do it one day as more people test with a clear paper trail back to Humphry and to the Blake family at Calne. It is a mystery and an exciting one I do believe.
I continue on with the Robert Blake wills as this is now two of them complete. There remains another four Robert Blake wills from 1753, 1782, 1817 and 1836 still to come. After that Roger Blake 1785, Susanna Blake 1653, Thomas Blake 1826, William Blake 1667, 1773, 1799, 1821, and 1832.
Once Somerset is complete I am considering moving on to Wiltshire and doing the 31 wills there since all of these counties (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire) are side by side and then I would move to Hampshire and complete the ten wills there along with twenty older wills that I have acquired from Family Search. Although going through alphabetically is a nice logical path these wills are working together rather nicely at the moment so I think I will keep on this new path.
Then the wills remaining are from Durham (1), Essex (14), Gloucestershire (should perhaps consider doing this next as this area too lies beside Somerset, 19), Hertfordshire (5), Huntingdonshire (2), Kent (26), Lancashire (4), Lincolnshire (3), London (42), Middlesex (150), Norfolk (14), Northamptonshire (6), Northumberland (4), Nottinghamshire (1), Oxfordshire (this too could come before the others, 13), Rutland (4), Shropshire (1), Suffolk (11), Surrey (61), Sussex (7), Warwickshire (7), Worcestershire (1) and Miscellaneous which includes navy wills, other British Isles, and foreign (82). My path is starting to change in my mind away from alphabetical. I believe I will move from Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to London and then work out from London. The Miscellaneous wills I will work on after all the county wills are done.
A long exercise but probably worth while in the long run. Alphabetical worked very well for the first group that I did as I selected particular items from the counties the first trip to Kew and this second trip I acquired all of them. In total there remains 551 wills for the Blake family plus another 100 plus downloaded from Ancestry but these might be duplicated in the London/Middlesex number so will wait to check that out until I am doing London and Middlesex. The Dorset wills which I downloaded I have not yet compared and this is a good reminder to do that as well. There are eight new wills for Dorset - Annabella Blake 1723, Griffin Blake 1608, Hannah Blake 1780, John Blake 1686, John Blake 1761, Katharine Blake 1760, Mary Blake 1776 and Robert Blake 1705. I believe that I will do these eight wills when I finish Somerset before moving on to Wiltshire.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 27 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/267/111
Testator: Robert Blake
Place: Bridgwater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 13 Mar 1655, probated 20 Aug 1657
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
[Top]: The last Will and Testament of me Robert
[Top]: Blake written w[i]th my owne hand as followeth
1 First I bequeath my Soule into the
2 hands of my most mercifull Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ by him to be presented
3 to the heavenly father pure and spotless through the washing of his blood which
4 he shed for the remission of my sinnes, And after a short separation from
5 the bodie to be againe united with the same by the power of his eternall spirit
6 and so to be for ever with the Lord. Item unto the towne of Bridgwater I give
7 One hundred pounds to be distributed among the poore thereof at the discretion
8 of Humphry Blake my brother and of the Mayor for the time being, Item
9 unto the towne of Taunton I give one hundred pounds To be distributed
10 among the poore of both parishes at the discretion of Samuel Perry once-
11 my Lieutenant Colonell And Mr George Newton Minister of the Gospell
12 there and of the Mayor for the time being Item I give unto Humphry
13 Blake my brother the Mannor of Crandon cum Puriton with all the rights
14 thereto apperteyning To him and to his heires for ever Item I give unto
15 my brother Doctor William Blake three hundred pounds, Item unto my
16 Brother George Blake I give three hundred pounds Also unto my brother
17 Nicholas Blake I give three hundred pounds Item unto my brother Beniamin
18 Blake I give my dwelling house situate in Saint Maries’ Street in Bridgwater
19 with the garden and appurtenances As also my other house thereto adioyning
20 purchased of the widdowe Coxe Likewise I give unto him All the claime I have
21 in Eleaven Acres of Meadowe and pasture (more or lesse) lying in the village
22 of Ham in the parish of Bridgwater lately in the possession of the widdowe
23 Vinecombe deceased Item unto my Sister Bridget Bowdich wife of Henry
24 Bowdich one hundred pounds And to the children of the bodie of Henry
25 Bowdich aforesaid I give the summe of Nine hundred pounds to be disposed
26 among them according to the discretion of Humphry William George
27 Nicholas and Beniamin Blake aforesaid my Brothers or of any three
28 of them Item unto my brother Smythes Goldsmith in Cheapside I give
29 the summe of one hundred pounds Item unto my Nephew Robert Blake
30 sonne to Samuell Blake my brother deceased I give the gold chaine
31 bestowed on me by the late Parliament of England Also all the claime I have
32 in an Annuitie of twentie pounds payable out of the farme of Pawlett Item
33 unto my Nephew Samuell Blake younger sonne to Samuell my brother
34 deceased I give two hundred pounds, I give unto Sarah Quarrell daughter of my
35 late Niece Sarah Quarrell by her husband Peter Quarrell now dwelling in Taunton I
36 give the summe of two hundred pounds To be disposed of for the benefit of the said
37 Sarah Quarrell according to the discretion of Humphry Nicholas and Beniamin Blake
38 my brothers aforesaid Item unto my cosin John Blake sonne unto my brother
39 Nicholas Blake I give one hundred pounds Item unto my Cosin John Avery of
40 Pawlett once a Souldier with me in Taunton Castle I give Fiftie pounds Item
41 unto Thomas Blake sonne of my Cosin William Blake once Commander of the Tresco
42 frigott, Deceased, now abord of the Centurion frigott in the service, I give fiftie
43 pounds Item All my Plate Linen Bedding withal my provisions aboard the
44 Shipp Naseby I give unto my Nephews Robert and Samuell Blake aforesaid
45 and unto my Nephew John Blake aforesaid to be divided betweene them by even and
46 equall por[t]ions, Item unto the Negro called domingo my servant I give the
47 summe of fiftie pounds to be disposed of by my aforesaid Nephew Captaine
48 Robert Blake and captaine Thomas Adams for his better education in the knowledge
49 and feare of God Item unto my Servants James Knowles and Nicholas Bartlett,
50 I give to each of them tenn pounds Item unto the widdowe Owen of Bridg-
51 water the Relict of Mr Owen, Minister, I give tenn pounds Item unto
52 Eleanor Potter, widdowe, I give tenn pounds All the rest of my goods and Chattells
53 I doe give and bequeath unto George Nicholas and Beniamin Blake my brothers
54 aforesaid And also to Alexander Blake my brother to be equally divided among
55 them whome I doe appoint and ordaine to be the executors of this my last will
[Page 2]
56 and testament Robert Blake Signed and sealed aboard the Naseby March the thirteenth one
57 thousand sixe hundred Fiftie five in Ellnis Road in the presence of Roger Outton J Hynd
58 Antho: ______ John Bowne
59 This will was proved at London before the Judges for Probate of wills and granting
60 administra[t]iene lawfully authorized the twentieth day of August in the yeare
61 of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie seaven by the oathe of George
62 Blake Beniamin Blake and Alexander Blake the natural and lawfull brothers of the
63 said deceased and three of the Executors named in his said will To whome was
64 p[er]mitted Administra[t]ion of all and singular the said deceased goods Chattells and
65 debts, They being first in due forme of law sworne well and truly to administer the
66 same Power is nevertheless hereby reserved to make the probate and grant like
67 administra[t]ion to Nicholas Blake his brother also and other executor therein named
68 whensoever he shall come and legally desire the same
69 The same will was againe proved at London before the Judges for
70 probate of wills and granting Administra[t]ene lawfully authorized the second day of
71 September in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred Fiftie
72 seaven by the oath of Nicholas Blake the brother also and other executor therein
73 named To whome likewise Administra[t]ion of the said goods Chattells and debts of the
74 said deceased was granted and committed he being in like manner first sworne
75 well and truly to administer
The yDNA study might do it one day as more people test with a clear paper trail back to Humphry and to the Blake family at Calne. It is a mystery and an exciting one I do believe.
I continue on with the Robert Blake wills as this is now two of them complete. There remains another four Robert Blake wills from 1753, 1782, 1817 and 1836 still to come. After that Roger Blake 1785, Susanna Blake 1653, Thomas Blake 1826, William Blake 1667, 1773, 1799, 1821, and 1832.
Once Somerset is complete I am considering moving on to Wiltshire and doing the 31 wills there since all of these counties (Cornwall, Devon, Dorset, Somerset and Wiltshire) are side by side and then I would move to Hampshire and complete the ten wills there along with twenty older wills that I have acquired from Family Search. Although going through alphabetically is a nice logical path these wills are working together rather nicely at the moment so I think I will keep on this new path.
Then the wills remaining are from Durham (1), Essex (14), Gloucestershire (should perhaps consider doing this next as this area too lies beside Somerset, 19), Hertfordshire (5), Huntingdonshire (2), Kent (26), Lancashire (4), Lincolnshire (3), London (42), Middlesex (150), Norfolk (14), Northamptonshire (6), Northumberland (4), Nottinghamshire (1), Oxfordshire (this too could come before the others, 13), Rutland (4), Shropshire (1), Suffolk (11), Surrey (61), Sussex (7), Warwickshire (7), Worcestershire (1) and Miscellaneous which includes navy wills, other British Isles, and foreign (82). My path is starting to change in my mind away from alphabetical. I believe I will move from Gloucestershire and Oxfordshire to London and then work out from London. The Miscellaneous wills I will work on after all the county wills are done.
A long exercise but probably worth while in the long run. Alphabetical worked very well for the first group that I did as I selected particular items from the counties the first trip to Kew and this second trip I acquired all of them. In total there remains 551 wills for the Blake family plus another 100 plus downloaded from Ancestry but these might be duplicated in the London/Middlesex number so will wait to check that out until I am doing London and Middlesex. The Dorset wills which I downloaded I have not yet compared and this is a good reminder to do that as well. There are eight new wills for Dorset - Annabella Blake 1723, Griffin Blake 1608, Hannah Blake 1780, John Blake 1686, John Blake 1761, Katharine Blake 1760, Mary Blake 1776 and Robert Blake 1705. I believe that I will do these eight wills when I finish Somerset before moving on to Wiltshire.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 27 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/267/111
Testator: Robert Blake
Place: Bridgwater, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 13 Mar 1655, probated 20 Aug 1657
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Robert
[Margin]: Blake
[Top]: The last Will and Testament of me Robert
[Top]: Blake written w[i]th my owne hand as followeth
1 First I bequeath my Soule into the
2 hands of my most mercifull Redeemer the Lord Jesus Christ by him to be presented
3 to the heavenly father pure and spotless through the washing of his blood which
4 he shed for the remission of my sinnes, And after a short separation from
5 the bodie to be againe united with the same by the power of his eternall spirit
6 and so to be for ever with the Lord. Item unto the towne of Bridgwater I give
7 One hundred pounds to be distributed among the poore thereof at the discretion
8 of Humphry Blake my brother and of the Mayor for the time being, Item
9 unto the towne of Taunton I give one hundred pounds To be distributed
10 among the poore of both parishes at the discretion of Samuel Perry once-
11 my Lieutenant Colonell And Mr George Newton Minister of the Gospell
12 there and of the Mayor for the time being Item I give unto Humphry
13 Blake my brother the Mannor of Crandon cum Puriton with all the rights
14 thereto apperteyning To him and to his heires for ever Item I give unto
15 my brother Doctor William Blake three hundred pounds, Item unto my
16 Brother George Blake I give three hundred pounds Also unto my brother
17 Nicholas Blake I give three hundred pounds Item unto my brother Beniamin
18 Blake I give my dwelling house situate in Saint Maries’ Street in Bridgwater
19 with the garden and appurtenances As also my other house thereto adioyning
20 purchased of the widdowe Coxe Likewise I give unto him All the claime I have
21 in Eleaven Acres of Meadowe and pasture (more or lesse) lying in the village
22 of Ham in the parish of Bridgwater lately in the possession of the widdowe
23 Vinecombe deceased Item unto my Sister Bridget Bowdich wife of Henry
24 Bowdich one hundred pounds And to the children of the bodie of Henry
25 Bowdich aforesaid I give the summe of Nine hundred pounds to be disposed
26 among them according to the discretion of Humphry William George
27 Nicholas and Beniamin Blake aforesaid my Brothers or of any three
28 of them Item unto my brother Smythes Goldsmith in Cheapside I give
29 the summe of one hundred pounds Item unto my Nephew Robert Blake
30 sonne to Samuell Blake my brother deceased I give the gold chaine
31 bestowed on me by the late Parliament of England Also all the claime I have
32 in an Annuitie of twentie pounds payable out of the farme of Pawlett Item
33 unto my Nephew Samuell Blake younger sonne to Samuell my brother
34 deceased I give two hundred pounds, I give unto Sarah Quarrell daughter of my
35 late Niece Sarah Quarrell by her husband Peter Quarrell now dwelling in Taunton I
36 give the summe of two hundred pounds To be disposed of for the benefit of the said
37 Sarah Quarrell according to the discretion of Humphry Nicholas and Beniamin Blake
38 my brothers aforesaid Item unto my cosin John Blake sonne unto my brother
39 Nicholas Blake I give one hundred pounds Item unto my Cosin John Avery of
40 Pawlett once a Souldier with me in Taunton Castle I give Fiftie pounds Item
41 unto Thomas Blake sonne of my Cosin William Blake once Commander of the Tresco
42 frigott, Deceased, now abord of the Centurion frigott in the service, I give fiftie
43 pounds Item All my Plate Linen Bedding withal my provisions aboard the
44 Shipp Naseby I give unto my Nephews Robert and Samuell Blake aforesaid
45 and unto my Nephew John Blake aforesaid to be divided betweene them by even and
46 equall por[t]ions, Item unto the Negro called domingo my servant I give the
47 summe of fiftie pounds to be disposed of by my aforesaid Nephew Captaine
48 Robert Blake and captaine Thomas Adams for his better education in the knowledge
49 and feare of God Item unto my Servants James Knowles and Nicholas Bartlett,
50 I give to each of them tenn pounds Item unto the widdowe Owen of Bridg-
51 water the Relict of Mr Owen, Minister, I give tenn pounds Item unto
52 Eleanor Potter, widdowe, I give tenn pounds All the rest of my goods and Chattells
53 I doe give and bequeath unto George Nicholas and Beniamin Blake my brothers
54 aforesaid And also to Alexander Blake my brother to be equally divided among
55 them whome I doe appoint and ordaine to be the executors of this my last will
[Page 2]
56 and testament Robert Blake Signed and sealed aboard the Naseby March the thirteenth one
57 thousand sixe hundred Fiftie five in Ellnis Road in the presence of Roger Outton J Hynd
58 Antho: ______ John Bowne
59 This will was proved at London before the Judges for Probate of wills and granting
60 administra[t]iene lawfully authorized the twentieth day of August in the yeare
61 of our Lord God one thousand six hundred fiftie seaven by the oathe of George
62 Blake Beniamin Blake and Alexander Blake the natural and lawfull brothers of the
63 said deceased and three of the Executors named in his said will To whome was
64 p[er]mitted Administra[t]ion of all and singular the said deceased goods Chattells and
65 debts, They being first in due forme of law sworne well and truly to administer the
66 same Power is nevertheless hereby reserved to make the probate and grant like
67 administra[t]ion to Nicholas Blake his brother also and other executor therein named
68 whensoever he shall come and legally desire the same
69 The same will was againe proved at London before the Judges for
70 probate of wills and granting Administra[t]ene lawfully authorized the second day of
71 September in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand sixe hundred Fiftie
72 seaven by the oath of Nicholas Blake the brother also and other executor therein
73 named To whome likewise Administra[t]ion of the said goods Chattells and debts of the
74 said deceased was granted and committed he being in like manner first sworne
75 well and truly to administer
Monday, October 28, 2013
Will of Robert Blake, yeoman of Halse, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/224/141, probated 9 Jul 1652
The testator is likely the Robert Blake married to Elizabeth Blake, widow, of Over Stowey who left her will which was probated 16 May 1656. She mentions her children Robert, John and Grace as does he. Still wondering if this is the descendant of John Blake of Kingston who was a son of Thomas Blake of Wedmore and hence of the Blake Over Stowey line.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-elizabeth-blake-widow-of-over.html
This would mean that this line is also collateral to the line of Admiral Robert Blake. However, the land referred to in this will at Wemdon clearly connects to the Blake family at Halse.
I still have not yet determined if the Blake family at Halse is descendant of Thomas Blake of Wedmore. There are five Blake wills at Halse: Elizabeth the relict of Robert Blake (current testator), John who was a brother to Robert Blake (possibly the Robert Blake who left his will in 1639 and the father of the present testator), William Blake who only names a son John in his will of 1594 but mentions his property at Wembdon, the will of Robert Blake 1639 where he mentions John Blake of Kingston and the will of Agnis Blake 1641 (wife of Robert Blake who left his will in 1639).
What we do know thus far about Thomas Blake at Wedmore was that he was buried there 8 Dec 1580 and that he and his wife Isobel had nine children but only four survived to be mentioned in his will: Thomas , Lucia, John and Elizabeth. Thomas married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore and they had four children but only one son Richard and I have not yet been able to trace him down. Lucia married Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore, John was baptized 230 Jan 1571 and I am suspicious that this is the John who left his will in 1620 who identified his brother as Robert and his children Anne and Anstice (he is married to Katherine).
William Blake in his will of 1594 identifies his father as Robert and a son William. It is possible that his wife had a posthumous child which would account for the Robert brother of John. But this negates this family as being connected to Thomas Blake of Wedmore which is fine but we continue to be left with the mystery of the Blake family at Halse and the ancestor of Robert Blake father of William leaving his will in 1594.
The mention of property at Stogursey is also interesting. Robert also mentions his sister Edith. The mother of Robert’s father Robert was Edith. Still more thinking to do on this family.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/224/141
Testator: Robert Blake, yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 6 Nov 1651, probated 9 Jul 1652
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: The Will of Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen I Robert
2 Blake of halse in the County of Somersett yeoman beinge of perfect health of
3 body and mynd (praised be God) doe make and ordaine this my last will and
4 Testament in manner following First I give unto the poore of halse Tenn Shillings
5 to be distributed unto them by my Executrix or Administrators Item I give and
6 bequeath unto Robert my Sonne Fortie pounds And unto John my Sonne Fourescore
7 pounds and unto Grace my daughter Fourscore pounds to be paid unto them
8 eespectively when they shall attaine unto their severall ages of one and Twenty yearesor
9 qithin three moneths after the death or next marriage of Elizabeth my wife w[hi]ch
10 ahall First happen Alsoe I give and bequeath unto Robert my Sonne his Executors
11 administrators or Assignes after the death of my said Wife my Grounds lyeinge
12 in halse aforesaid called Finses (which I purchased of Mr Jones) for and dureinge
13 the Residue of my Terme which shall be then to come therein And my will is That
14 if
[Page 2]
15 if my wife shall not in the Judgment of my Overseers Sufficiently maintaine all my said
16 children then the portions of money hereby given unto them Shalbe paid into the hands of my
17 overseers for maintenance of my Said Children within Six Moneths after notice thereof
18 given unto her in that purpose Alsoe I give and devise unto my said Sonne John and his
19 heires for ever after the death of my wife all my lands in Stogursey Marsh in the said County of
20 Somersett And if he shall dye before he shall attaine to the age of one and Twenty yeares Then
21 I give and devise the same Lands after my said wife’s death unto my sonne Robert and his heires for
22 ever And my will is that such person or persons as by virtue of this my will Shall jnioy the said
23 lands in Storgursey Marsh Shall pay unto Grace my daughter One hundred pounds of
24 lawfull English money within one yeare next after such tyme as my said sonne John Shall
25 or Should have Accomplished the age of one and Twenty yeares provided allwayes and
26 the same meaning of this my will is That if Elizabeth my wife shall be living at the tyme
27 when the said One hundred pounds Shalle come payable to my Said daughter Grace as is
28 is above limited Then neither of my said Sonnes or other person Shalbe charged with the
29 payment thereof until one yeare after the decease of my said wife And then I will that
30 the said One hundred pounds shall be paid unto my said daughter by such person or
31 persons as shall jnioy the said Lands And my will is further that if my said wife Shall
32 happen to dye before the said one hundred pounds become due then such person or persons
33 as shall jnioy the said Lands shall from and after the death of my said wife paye unto my
34 said daughter Grace Eight pounds yearly portion and every yeare until her said portion shalbecome
35 payable in Such manner and at Such tyme as I have herein before declared And
36 if default shall be made in payment of the said One hundred pounds at the before limited
37 tyme Then I give the said land in Stogursey Marsh unto my said daughter Grace and
38 her heires for ever And my will is that if my said daughter Grace shall happen to dye
39 before She shall accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares without yssue of her body
40 lawfully begotten That then this last legacie of one hundred pounds payable out of
41 Stogurseye Marsh as aforesaid shall be void to all intents and purposes But the legacies
42 of Fowescore pounds First bequeathed unto her I wholie give unto my Sonne Robert
43 and whereas I am to pay unto my Sister Edith One hundred and Fortie pounds when
44 she shall Accomplish her age of one and Twenty yeares which was given unto her by the
45 will of my Father And Twenty pounds more which I have received for her My will
46 is that if my Executrix or Administrators shall quietly Jnioy the halfenddast of A
47 Tenement in Wemdon in the said County of Somersett called Perry wood until my
48 said Sister shall attaine unto the age aforesaid and shall not in the meane tyme be
49 charged with more than Eight pounds apeace towards the maintenance of my said
50 Sister Then my Executrix or Administrator shall pay unto her Two hundred pounds And
51 assigne over unto her all the Jnterest which I have in the said Tenement in Wembdon
52 soe as my said Sister shall at the same tyme Seale and deliver unto my Executrix or
53 Administrators A sufficient general release of all Accomptes debts and demands
54 whatsoever All the rest of my goods and Chattells whatsoever not formerly bequeathed
55 my debts paid and legacies discharged I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my wife
56 whome I make Executrix of this my will. But if my said wife shall happen to dye before
57 probate hereof shalbe made Then I make my said sonne John and my daughter Grace
58 Executors hereof And in Case they dye they dye before probate made Then I make my
59 said Sonne Robert Executor And I desire my Overseers hereafter named to take letters
60 of Administration dureinge my said Childrens minorities Lastly I desire my brother in
61 law John Sellocke and my brother Edmund Blake to be Overseers of this my will And
62 doe give them for there Care and paines to be taken in and about the Execution thereof
63 twenty shillings apiece and their necessary Expences In Witnesse whereof I have to
64 every sheete thereof beings three in number Sett my hand and Seale the Sixth day of
65 November in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred Fiftie and one
66 Robert Blake Seased published and declared to be the last will and Testament of
67 the said Robert Blake in the presence of us Henry Haddridge J Sellacke
68 Edmund Blake Wat: Peirce An Addi[t]ion to my will Alsoe I give unto
69 my daughter Grace Fortie pounds to be paid unto her when the legacie of
70 fowrescore
[Page 3]
71 fowrescore pounds given her by this my will Shall become due and payable And my
72 will is that if my said daughter shall dye before the Said legacie of Fortie pounds Shalbe
73 com due unto her then the some shall remaine unto my sonne John if he be lievinge if not
74 unto my sonne Robert And whereas my father by his will gave unto my
75 and bedstead performed and my mother gave the same unto my Sister Edith my will
76 is that Tenne pounds shalbe paid unto my said Sister in consideration thereof
77 when she shall Accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares She then Seallinge
78 a personal release unto my Executor In Witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my
79 hand Robert Blake Witnesses Ja Sellacke Wal: Pearse Corye Comer
80 This will was proved at London before the Right Worshipfull Nathaniell Grey
81 Knight doctor of Lawes and Master or Keeper of the prerogative Court lawfully
82 constituted the ninth day of July in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand Six
83 hundred Fiftie two by the Oath of Elizabeth Blake the Relict of the said deceased
84 and Sole Executrix named in the said Will To whome was Committed Administration
85 of all and Singular the goods Chattell and debts of the said deceased She beinge
86 first legallie Sworne (by Commission) well and truly to Administer the same.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-elizabeth-blake-widow-of-over.html
This would mean that this line is also collateral to the line of Admiral Robert Blake. However, the land referred to in this will at Wemdon clearly connects to the Blake family at Halse.
I still have not yet determined if the Blake family at Halse is descendant of Thomas Blake of Wedmore. There are five Blake wills at Halse: Elizabeth the relict of Robert Blake (current testator), John who was a brother to Robert Blake (possibly the Robert Blake who left his will in 1639 and the father of the present testator), William Blake who only names a son John in his will of 1594 but mentions his property at Wembdon, the will of Robert Blake 1639 where he mentions John Blake of Kingston and the will of Agnis Blake 1641 (wife of Robert Blake who left his will in 1639).
What we do know thus far about Thomas Blake at Wedmore was that he was buried there 8 Dec 1580 and that he and his wife Isobel had nine children but only four survived to be mentioned in his will: Thomas , Lucia, John and Elizabeth. Thomas married Alice Tutton 10 Feb 1587 at Wedmore and they had four children but only one son Richard and I have not yet been able to trace him down. Lucia married Robert Jarvis 11 Jan 1586 at Wedmore, John was baptized 230 Jan 1571 and I am suspicious that this is the John who left his will in 1620 who identified his brother as Robert and his children Anne and Anstice (he is married to Katherine).
William Blake in his will of 1594 identifies his father as Robert and a son William. It is possible that his wife had a posthumous child which would account for the Robert brother of John. But this negates this family as being connected to Thomas Blake of Wedmore which is fine but we continue to be left with the mystery of the Blake family at Halse and the ancestor of Robert Blake father of William leaving his will in 1594.
The mention of property at Stogursey is also interesting. Robert also mentions his sister Edith. The mother of Robert’s father Robert was Edith. Still more thinking to do on this family.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/224/141
Testator: Robert Blake, yeoman
Place: Halse, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 6 Nov 1651, probated 9 Jul 1652
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: The Will of Robert
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen I Robert
2 Blake of halse in the County of Somersett yeoman beinge of perfect health of
3 body and mynd (praised be God) doe make and ordaine this my last will and
4 Testament in manner following First I give unto the poore of halse Tenn Shillings
5 to be distributed unto them by my Executrix or Administrators Item I give and
6 bequeath unto Robert my Sonne Fortie pounds And unto John my Sonne Fourescore
7 pounds and unto Grace my daughter Fourscore pounds to be paid unto them
8 eespectively when they shall attaine unto their severall ages of one and Twenty yearesor
9 qithin three moneths after the death or next marriage of Elizabeth my wife w[hi]ch
10 ahall First happen Alsoe I give and bequeath unto Robert my Sonne his Executors
11 administrators or Assignes after the death of my said Wife my Grounds lyeinge
12 in halse aforesaid called Finses (which I purchased of Mr Jones) for and dureinge
13 the Residue of my Terme which shall be then to come therein And my will is That
14 if
[Page 2]
15 if my wife shall not in the Judgment of my Overseers Sufficiently maintaine all my said
16 children then the portions of money hereby given unto them Shalbe paid into the hands of my
17 overseers for maintenance of my Said Children within Six Moneths after notice thereof
18 given unto her in that purpose Alsoe I give and devise unto my said Sonne John and his
19 heires for ever after the death of my wife all my lands in Stogursey Marsh in the said County of
20 Somersett And if he shall dye before he shall attaine to the age of one and Twenty yeares Then
21 I give and devise the same Lands after my said wife’s death unto my sonne Robert and his heires for
22 ever And my will is that such person or persons as by virtue of this my will Shall jnioy the said
23 lands in Storgursey Marsh Shall pay unto Grace my daughter One hundred pounds of
24 lawfull English money within one yeare next after such tyme as my said sonne John Shall
25 or Should have Accomplished the age of one and Twenty yeares provided allwayes and
26 the same meaning of this my will is That if Elizabeth my wife shall be living at the tyme
27 when the said One hundred pounds Shalle come payable to my Said daughter Grace as is
28 is above limited Then neither of my said Sonnes or other person Shalbe charged with the
29 payment thereof until one yeare after the decease of my said wife And then I will that
30 the said One hundred pounds shall be paid unto my said daughter by such person or
31 persons as shall jnioy the said Lands And my will is further that if my said wife Shall
32 happen to dye before the said one hundred pounds become due then such person or persons
33 as shall jnioy the said Lands shall from and after the death of my said wife paye unto my
34 said daughter Grace Eight pounds yearly portion and every yeare until her said portion shalbecome
35 payable in Such manner and at Such tyme as I have herein before declared And
36 if default shall be made in payment of the said One hundred pounds at the before limited
37 tyme Then I give the said land in Stogursey Marsh unto my said daughter Grace and
38 her heires for ever And my will is that if my said daughter Grace shall happen to dye
39 before She shall accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares without yssue of her body
40 lawfully begotten That then this last legacie of one hundred pounds payable out of
41 Stogurseye Marsh as aforesaid shall be void to all intents and purposes But the legacies
42 of Fowescore pounds First bequeathed unto her I wholie give unto my Sonne Robert
43 and whereas I am to pay unto my Sister Edith One hundred and Fortie pounds when
44 she shall Accomplish her age of one and Twenty yeares which was given unto her by the
45 will of my Father And Twenty pounds more which I have received for her My will
46 is that if my Executrix or Administrators shall quietly Jnioy the halfenddast of A
47 Tenement in Wemdon in the said County of Somersett called Perry wood until my
48 said Sister shall attaine unto the age aforesaid and shall not in the meane tyme be
49 charged with more than Eight pounds apeace towards the maintenance of my said
50 Sister Then my Executrix or Administrator shall pay unto her Two hundred pounds And
51 assigne over unto her all the Jnterest which I have in the said Tenement in Wembdon
52 soe as my said Sister shall at the same tyme Seale and deliver unto my Executrix or
53 Administrators A sufficient general release of all Accomptes debts and demands
54 whatsoever All the rest of my goods and Chattells whatsoever not formerly bequeathed
55 my debts paid and legacies discharged I give and bequeath unto Elizabeth my wife
56 whome I make Executrix of this my will. But if my said wife shall happen to dye before
57 probate hereof shalbe made Then I make my said sonne John and my daughter Grace
58 Executors hereof And in Case they dye they dye before probate made Then I make my
59 said Sonne Robert Executor And I desire my Overseers hereafter named to take letters
60 of Administration dureinge my said Childrens minorities Lastly I desire my brother in
61 law John Sellocke and my brother Edmund Blake to be Overseers of this my will And
62 doe give them for there Care and paines to be taken in and about the Execution thereof
63 twenty shillings apiece and their necessary Expences In Witnesse whereof I have to
64 every sheete thereof beings three in number Sett my hand and Seale the Sixth day of
65 November in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand six hundred Fiftie and one
66 Robert Blake Seased published and declared to be the last will and Testament of
67 the said Robert Blake in the presence of us Henry Haddridge J Sellacke
68 Edmund Blake Wat: Peirce An Addi[t]ion to my will Alsoe I give unto
69 my daughter Grace Fortie pounds to be paid unto her when the legacie of
70 fowrescore
[Page 3]
71 fowrescore pounds given her by this my will Shall become due and payable And my
72 will is that if my said daughter shall dye before the Said legacie of Fortie pounds Shalbe
73 com due unto her then the some shall remaine unto my sonne John if he be lievinge if not
74 unto my sonne Robert And whereas my father by his will gave unto my
75 and bedstead performed and my mother gave the same unto my Sister Edith my will
76 is that Tenne pounds shalbe paid unto my said Sister in consideration thereof
77 when she shall Accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares She then Seallinge
78 a personal release unto my Executor In Witnesse whereof I have hereunto sett my
79 hand Robert Blake Witnesses Ja Sellacke Wal: Pearse Corye Comer
80 This will was proved at London before the Right Worshipfull Nathaniell Grey
81 Knight doctor of Lawes and Master or Keeper of the prerogative Court lawfully
82 constituted the ninth day of July in the yeare of our Lord God One Thousand Six
83 hundred Fiftie two by the Oath of Elizabeth Blake the Relict of the said deceased
84 and Sole Executrix named in the said Will To whome was Committed Administration
85 of all and Singular the goods Chattell and debts of the said deceased She beinge
86 first legallie Sworne (by Commission) well and truly to Administer the same.
Abstract of the will of Robert Blake, Yeoman of St Minver - CRO Ref AP/B/3686, probated 10 May 1742
Interesting query concerning the Blake family in Cornwall brought up this abstract of a will for Robert Blake at St Minver:
Robert Blake, Yeoman of St Minver d 1742 CRO Ref AP/B/3686
Will written 10 March 1742
Proved 10 May 1742
Son John Blake
Daughter Elisabeth Mably
John and Robert Mably her sons
Daughter Ann Blake
Godson John Rundall and his sister Elizabeth living with RB
Daughter Rebecca Blake sole executor
Witnesses Michaell Rickard, Thomas Barry
Source: http://www.stminveropc.fsworld.co.uk/Wills_1700_to_1799.htm
Another will which mentions a Robert Blake on this same OPC site for St Minver
Susanna Rounsevall CRO Ref AP/R1807/1
Written 22 January 1716 (Old Calendar)
Brother William Kent
Sister Jane Hodge
Uncle Nicholas Kent
Alice Guy, dtr of Charles Guy
William Kent, son of brother John Kent
Three children of Robert Blake
Brother George Kent
Brother Phillip Kent
Sister Mary Kent and
Brother John Kent
Witnesses Mary Rounsevall, John Kent, Robert Blake
Robert Blake, Yeoman of St Minver d 1742 CRO Ref AP/B/3686
Will written 10 March 1742
Proved 10 May 1742
Son John Blake
Daughter Elisabeth Mably
John and Robert Mably her sons
Daughter Ann Blake
Godson John Rundall and his sister Elizabeth living with RB
Daughter Rebecca Blake sole executor
Witnesses Michaell Rickard, Thomas Barry
Source: http://www.stminveropc.fsworld.co.uk/Wills_1700_to_1799.htm
Another will which mentions a Robert Blake on this same OPC site for St Minver
Susanna Rounsevall CRO Ref AP/R1807/1
Written 22 January 1716 (Old Calendar)
Brother William Kent
Sister Jane Hodge
Uncle Nicholas Kent
Alice Guy, dtr of Charles Guy
William Kent, son of brother John Kent
Three children of Robert Blake
Brother George Kent
Brother Phillip Kent
Sister Mary Kent and
Brother John Kent
Witnesses Mary Rounsevall, John Kent, Robert Blake
Sunday, October 27, 2013
Blake one name study website back up
The good news is that the Blake one name study website is back up and running. The bad news is that everything that was up there is gone from the site. A lesson learned that I should have properly exported the material. But again the good news is that I still possess the material that was up there and will be restoring it.
Website:
http://blog.kipp-blake-families.ca/
Website:
http://blog.kipp-blake-families.ca/
Will of Richard Blake, Gentleman, Stogumber, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/322/491, probated 15 Dec 1666
Another known collateral line to Admiral Robert Blake, Richard Blake the testator is the grandson of John Blake the elder of Over Stowey (brother to Humphrey Blake of Overstowey). There is a Richard Blake son of Richard Blake of Weacombe baptized 11 Oct 1612 at Bicknoller. A son John Blake is baptized 28 Sep 1617 and a son William both of Richard baptized 5 Sep 1619. This is likely Richard the testator of this will. That would make him 31 years of age when he married and if he died in 1666 when the will was probated he would have been 54 years of age. . Richard married Ann Jessop daughter of Robert Jessop, rector of Kilve, 30 Nov 1643 at Kilve, Somerset. The Portbury Admiral Blake website gives the parents of this Richard as Richard Blake and Grace Napcot who married 29 May 1589 at Over Stowey. However the dates of the baptism are so much later 1612, 1617, and 1619. I do wonder if there is a missing generation. The baptism of Richard married to Grace Napcot is available in the Over Stowey parish records but not available on line as far as I can see. The website mentioned has his baptism as 29 Jan 1562 and his marriage to Grace Napcot as 29 May 1589 at Over Stowey. That would make him 27 at marriage but 50 when his son Richard was born. Now is it possible for there to be a generation in there? If Richard and Grace had a baby in 1589 then that child would be 23 in 1612. So it is not an unreasonable thought.
Relationship Chart
Admiral Robert Blake [101] is the 2nd Cousin of Richard-60 Blake [94]
* Humphrey-21 Blake [1]
(Cir 1499-1558)
* Agnis [2]
( -1585)
Married [1]
|
----------------------------------------------------------
| |
| |
* John-27 (the elder) Blake [3] * Robert-28 Blake [4]
(Cir 1521-After 1576) (Cir 1523-Cir 1592)
Johan [12] Margaret Symonds [22]
( -1595) ( -1600)
Married Cir 1541 [4] Married [5]
| |
| |
* Richard-40 Blake [19] * Humphry-43 Blake [25]
(Cir 1562- ) (Cir 1563-1625)
Grace Napcot [92] Sarah Swithers formerly Williams [100]
Married 29 May 1589 [23] ( -1638)
Married 5 Oct 1597 [26]
| |
| |
* Richard-60 Blake [94] * Admiral Robert Blake [101]
( -Cir 1666) (1598-1657)
From the Bicknoller parish registers (http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/parish-records-in-overstowey-somerset.html) John Blake son of Richard and Ann baptized 26 Dec 1645 and Richard son of Richard and Anne baptized 7 Sep 1648 (of Weacombe, born 23 Aug 1648). Richard was not buried at Bicknoller.
National Archives (UK)
STOGUMBER deeds DD\BR\py/112 1626-1764
9 docts.
Contents:
Leases, conveyances, mortgages of various properties, incl. houses and land in Nether Weacombe, belonging originally to the Stallenge family of Laverstock, Wilts., later to the Blakes of Nether Weacombe, 1634-1734, and the Green Dragon Inn, belonging to George Gore, innholder, of Stogumber, 1739-1755. Other families involved: Rowl, Conibere of Stogumber, Wood of Exeter, Gatchell of Monksilver, Graham of Williton, Cridland and Sibley of Combe Florey.
There is a marriage of Richard Blake, gent and Sarah Sealy 19 Aug 1672 at Kilton and this is likely the son of Richard and Anne Blake at Neather Weacombe.
The Chart for the Blake Family held at the Admiral Robert Blake Museum in Bridgwater does not list the descendants of John Blake the elder of Over Stowey.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 25 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/322/491
Testator: Richard Blake, Gentleman
Place: Stogumber, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 17 Sep 1657, probated 15 Dec 1666
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament] Richardj
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The
2 The seaventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one Thousand
3 six hundred fiftie and seaven I Richard Blake of Nether Weacombe
4 in the parish of Stogumber and County of Somersett gent being
5 weake in body But of good and perfect memory praised be god doe
6 make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and
7 forme following First I commend my soule into the hands of
8 god my maker hopeing assuredly through the only merritts
9 of Jesus Christ my Saviour to be made partaker of life everlasting
10 And alsoe whereas I have by law and good conveyance in the lawe
11 setled and conveyed upon Anne my wife an estate for termes of her
12 life of and in one Capitall messuage dwelling house and outhouses
13 orchards gardens lands meadowes pastures com[m]ons woodes with and
14 all singular the appurtenances in Nether Weacombe aforesaid to the
15 sev[er]al messuage belonging unto my wife appertaining to commence
16 after my decease, now therefore if the said Anne my said wife
17 shall happen to dye before John Blake my eldest sonne and heire
18 shall attayne and accomplish the age of one and twenty yeares my
19 will is and I doe hereby give grant and bequeath unto John
20 Byneham of Stogumber aforenamed Clerke Nicholas Hawkins
21 of the same parish and County yeoman And Nathaniell Jessepp
22 of East Quantoxhead in the County afore named gentleman and unto
23 the survivor of them and unto the executors administrators and assignes
24 of the survivor of them full power and authority for them to receave and
25 Take all the rents issues and proffitts of the foresaid Capitall messuage
26 and all other the premises with the appurtenances until my said sonne shall
27 attayne and accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares And therewith
28 all shall pay such debts as I doe owe and such Legacies as hereafter in
29 this my last will and Testament shalbee conteyned and Issue forth as
30 the proffitts thereof will extend and after my such debts and Lega-
31 cies shalbe payd my will is That the said rents issues and proffetts there-
32 of shalbe paid unto the said John Blake my said sonne when hee
33 shall accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares And alsoe I give and
34 bequeath unto Richard Blake my second sonne The somme of five hundred
35 pounds of lawfull money of England to bee paid unto him by the said
36 Anne my wife And by the aforenamed John Bineham Nicholas Haw-
37 kins and Nathaniell Jesope or the survivor of them or the executors
38 administrators or assignes of the survivor of them when hee shall
39 attayne and accomplish the age of three and twenty yeares or before
40 if they shall contracte the somme to be convenient profitable and
41 needfull for him and not otherwise And for the more certaintie and
42 Better inabling of my said wife and of my said Misters John Bineham
43 Nicholas Hawkins Nathaniell Jessop and for the survivor of them and
44 for the executors administrators and assignes of the survivor of them to
45 doe and performe the same And for the arising a convenient somme
46 of money yearely for the educa[t]ion maintenance and Breeding of my
47 said Two sonnes of mee shall require and not otherwise And alsoe
48 for
[Page 2]
49 for the better and more certayne grounds for the payment and satisfaction
50 of such and true debts and I doe owe unto all persons whatsoever I have by
51 deed of Indenture bearing date with this my last will and Testament un-
52 der my hand and seale given granted and devised unto the said Nicholas
53 Hawkins John Bineham and Nathaniell Jessoppe and to the survivor of
54 them, and to the executors administrators and assignes of the survivor of them
55 Certayne messuages lands and Tenements lying and being within the
56 Parish of Burneham and County aforenamed herein men[t]ioned for the
57 Terme of one hundred yeares as in and by the same rela[t]ion being land
58 nowe at large doth and may appeare And alsoe my will is that the
59 Said Anne Blake my said wife, John Bineham Nicholas Hawkins and
60 Nathaniell Jeesoppe and the survivor of them and the executors adminis-
61 trators and assignes of the survivor of them shall ymmediatly after my decease
62 have hold convey possessed and enioye all other my rents lands and tenements
63 whatsoever and wheresoever not before herein men[t]ioned for and until
64 the said John Blake my said sonne and heire shall attaine unto the age
65 of one and Twenty yeares and the proffitts benefits somme and sommes
66 of money thereof made they shall employ and bestowe in dischargeing of my
67 aforenamed iust and lawe debts and in raising and paying of the aforesaid
68 legacie of five hundred pounds before herein given to Richard Blake
69 aforenamed my second sonne shalbe And that the residue thereof which
70 shall remayne if any shall bee to by them paid unto the said Richard
71 Blake my sonne for the increase of his foresaid por[t]ion or Legacy of five
72 hundred pounds when he shall accomplishe the age of three and twenty
73 yeares And alsoe I doe hereby give and bequeath unto the foresaid Anne
74 Blake my wife the use and occupa[t]ion of all my goods and household stuffe for
75 the Terme of her life And after her decease I give and bequeath the
76 same unto the forenamed John Blake my said sonne And lastly I doe
77 hereby appoint and nominate my deare and loving wife Anne Blake
78 before herein named my executrix of this my last will and Testament
79 And I doe alsoe appoynt and entreate the aforenamed John Bineham
80 Nicholas Hawkins and Nathaniell Jessuppe To be the overseers and Super-
81 visors of this my last will and Testament and for their paynes herein I doe
82 give and bestowe unto each one of them one gold ring with my name
83 Therein engraven or Colt of such a price and value as my executors
84 before herein named in her discre[t]ion shall thinke fit In Testimony
85 whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale The day and yeare be-
86 fore herein men[t]ioned Richard Blake Signed Sealed published and de-
87 clared in the presence of us The marke of Henry Burd Robert Conibeare
Relationship Chart
Admiral Robert Blake [101] is the 2nd Cousin of Richard-60 Blake [94]
* Humphrey-21 Blake [1]
(Cir 1499-1558)
* Agnis [2]
( -1585)
Married [1]
|
----------------------------------------------------------
| |
| |
* John-27 (the elder) Blake [3] * Robert-28 Blake [4]
(Cir 1521-After 1576) (Cir 1523-Cir 1592)
Johan [12] Margaret Symonds [22]
( -1595) ( -1600)
Married Cir 1541 [4] Married [5]
| |
| |
* Richard-40 Blake [19] * Humphry-43 Blake [25]
(Cir 1562- ) (Cir 1563-1625)
Grace Napcot [92] Sarah Swithers formerly Williams [100]
Married 29 May 1589 [23] ( -1638)
Married 5 Oct 1597 [26]
| |
| |
* Richard-60 Blake [94] * Admiral Robert Blake [101]
( -Cir 1666) (1598-1657)
From the Bicknoller parish registers (http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/04/parish-records-in-overstowey-somerset.html) John Blake son of Richard and Ann baptized 26 Dec 1645 and Richard son of Richard and Anne baptized 7 Sep 1648 (of Weacombe, born 23 Aug 1648). Richard was not buried at Bicknoller.
National Archives (UK)
STOGUMBER deeds DD\BR\py/112 1626-1764
9 docts.
Contents:
Leases, conveyances, mortgages of various properties, incl. houses and land in Nether Weacombe, belonging originally to the Stallenge family of Laverstock, Wilts., later to the Blakes of Nether Weacombe, 1634-1734, and the Green Dragon Inn, belonging to George Gore, innholder, of Stogumber, 1739-1755. Other families involved: Rowl, Conibere of Stogumber, Wood of Exeter, Gatchell of Monksilver, Graham of Williton, Cridland and Sibley of Combe Florey.
There is a marriage of Richard Blake, gent and Sarah Sealy 19 Aug 1672 at Kilton and this is likely the son of Richard and Anne Blake at Neather Weacombe.
The Chart for the Blake Family held at the Admiral Robert Blake Museum in Bridgwater does not list the descendants of John Blake the elder of Over Stowey.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 25 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/322/491
Testator: Richard Blake, Gentleman
Place: Stogumber, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 17 Sep 1657, probated 15 Dec 1666
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament] Richardj
[Margin]: Blake
1 In the name of God Amen The
2 The seaventeenth day of September in the year of our Lord one Thousand
3 six hundred fiftie and seaven I Richard Blake of Nether Weacombe
4 in the parish of Stogumber and County of Somersett gent being
5 weake in body But of good and perfect memory praised be god doe
6 make and ordayne this my last will and testament in manner and
7 forme following First I commend my soule into the hands of
8 god my maker hopeing assuredly through the only merritts
9 of Jesus Christ my Saviour to be made partaker of life everlasting
10 And alsoe whereas I have by law and good conveyance in the lawe
11 setled and conveyed upon Anne my wife an estate for termes of her
12 life of and in one Capitall messuage dwelling house and outhouses
13 orchards gardens lands meadowes pastures com[m]ons woodes with and
14 all singular the appurtenances in Nether Weacombe aforesaid to the
15 sev[er]al messuage belonging unto my wife appertaining to commence
16 after my decease, now therefore if the said Anne my said wife
17 shall happen to dye before John Blake my eldest sonne and heire
18 shall attayne and accomplish the age of one and twenty yeares my
19 will is and I doe hereby give grant and bequeath unto John
20 Byneham of Stogumber aforenamed Clerke Nicholas Hawkins
21 of the same parish and County yeoman And Nathaniell Jessepp
22 of East Quantoxhead in the County afore named gentleman and unto
23 the survivor of them and unto the executors administrators and assignes
24 of the survivor of them full power and authority for them to receave and
25 Take all the rents issues and proffitts of the foresaid Capitall messuage
26 and all other the premises with the appurtenances until my said sonne shall
27 attayne and accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares And therewith
28 all shall pay such debts as I doe owe and such Legacies as hereafter in
29 this my last will and Testament shalbee conteyned and Issue forth as
30 the proffitts thereof will extend and after my such debts and Lega-
31 cies shalbe payd my will is That the said rents issues and proffetts there-
32 of shalbe paid unto the said John Blake my said sonne when hee
33 shall accomplish the age of one and Twenty yeares And alsoe I give and
34 bequeath unto Richard Blake my second sonne The somme of five hundred
35 pounds of lawfull money of England to bee paid unto him by the said
36 Anne my wife And by the aforenamed John Bineham Nicholas Haw-
37 kins and Nathaniell Jesope or the survivor of them or the executors
38 administrators or assignes of the survivor of them when hee shall
39 attayne and accomplish the age of three and twenty yeares or before
40 if they shall contracte the somme to be convenient profitable and
41 needfull for him and not otherwise And for the more certaintie and
42 Better inabling of my said wife and of my said Misters John Bineham
43 Nicholas Hawkins Nathaniell Jessop and for the survivor of them and
44 for the executors administrators and assignes of the survivor of them to
45 doe and performe the same And for the arising a convenient somme
46 of money yearely for the educa[t]ion maintenance and Breeding of my
47 said Two sonnes of mee shall require and not otherwise And alsoe
48 for
[Page 2]
49 for the better and more certayne grounds for the payment and satisfaction
50 of such and true debts and I doe owe unto all persons whatsoever I have by
51 deed of Indenture bearing date with this my last will and Testament un-
52 der my hand and seale given granted and devised unto the said Nicholas
53 Hawkins John Bineham and Nathaniell Jessoppe and to the survivor of
54 them, and to the executors administrators and assignes of the survivor of them
55 Certayne messuages lands and Tenements lying and being within the
56 Parish of Burneham and County aforenamed herein men[t]ioned for the
57 Terme of one hundred yeares as in and by the same rela[t]ion being land
58 nowe at large doth and may appeare And alsoe my will is that the
59 Said Anne Blake my said wife, John Bineham Nicholas Hawkins and
60 Nathaniell Jeesoppe and the survivor of them and the executors adminis-
61 trators and assignes of the survivor of them shall ymmediatly after my decease
62 have hold convey possessed and enioye all other my rents lands and tenements
63 whatsoever and wheresoever not before herein men[t]ioned for and until
64 the said John Blake my said sonne and heire shall attaine unto the age
65 of one and Twenty yeares and the proffitts benefits somme and sommes
66 of money thereof made they shall employ and bestowe in dischargeing of my
67 aforenamed iust and lawe debts and in raising and paying of the aforesaid
68 legacie of five hundred pounds before herein given to Richard Blake
69 aforenamed my second sonne shalbe And that the residue thereof which
70 shall remayne if any shall bee to by them paid unto the said Richard
71 Blake my sonne for the increase of his foresaid por[t]ion or Legacy of five
72 hundred pounds when he shall accomplishe the age of three and twenty
73 yeares And alsoe I doe hereby give and bequeath unto the foresaid Anne
74 Blake my wife the use and occupa[t]ion of all my goods and household stuffe for
75 the Terme of her life And after her decease I give and bequeath the
76 same unto the forenamed John Blake my said sonne And lastly I doe
77 hereby appoint and nominate my deare and loving wife Anne Blake
78 before herein named my executrix of this my last will and Testament
79 And I doe alsoe appoynt and entreate the aforenamed John Bineham
80 Nicholas Hawkins and Nathaniell Jessuppe To be the overseers and Super-
81 visors of this my last will and Testament and for their paynes herein I doe
82 give and bestowe unto each one of them one gold ring with my name
83 Therein engraven or Colt of such a price and value as my executors
84 before herein named in her discre[t]ion shall thinke fit In Testimony
85 whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale The day and yeare be-
86 fore herein men[t]ioned Richard Blake Signed Sealed published and de-
87 clared in the presence of us The marke of Henry Burd Robert Conibeare
Saturday, October 26, 2013
Will of Richard Blake, Enmore, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/296/522, probated 21 Dec 1659
Now begins the Richard Blake of Somerset wills and there are two of them. This first is for Richard Blake of Enmore Somerset and is a nuncupative will.
This Richard is the son of Humphry Blake and Elizabeth Giles and hence a collateral line to Admiral Robert Blake. Richard’s brother Humphry is referred to as Humphry the elder and he was married to Elizabeth Upton (this family lived at Aisholt) and they had nine children according to the Portbury website for Blake. Richard is leaving his property to two of these sons who are named in the Lease for lives (Humphrey (eldest) and Arthur. I need to investigate the records for this particular family now as I have not yet done so. To verify the online table and perhaps push the records down a little further towards the present.
I do mention Richard in the writeup of his brother Humphry’s will blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-humfrey-blake-gentleman-over.html
Note in this will the Humphry has changed his brother’s will and given the property from Richard that was at Charlinch to his son Roger. Instead Arthur will receive an annuity until the age of 25 and then 200 pounds British money. Roger had a large family so perhaps that is the reason for the change. Humphry (his son) has already died.
Enmor is just five miles from Overstowey.
Relationship Chart
Admiral Robert Blake [101] is the 2nd cousin once removed of Richard Blake [133]
Common Ancestor
* Humphrey-21 Blake [1]
(Cir 1499-1558)
* Agnis [2]
( -1585)
Married [1]
|
--------------------------------------------------------- | |
| |
* John-27 (the elder) Blake [3] * Robert-28 Blake [4]
(Cir 1521-After 1576) (Cir 1523-Cir 1592)
Johan [12] Margaret Symonds [22]
( -1595) ( -1600)
Married Cir 1541 [4] Married [5]
| |
| |
* Humphrey-38 Blake [16] * Humphry-43 Blake [25]
(Cir 1556-Cir 1619) (Cir 1563-1625)
Agnus/Ann James [73] Sarah Swithers formerly Williams [100]
( -1645) ( -1638)
Married 23 Oct 1578 [19] Married 5 Oct 1597 [26]
| |
| |
* Humphry-54 Blake [74] * Admiral Robert Blake [101]
(Cir 1580- ) (1598-1657)
Elizabeth Giles [129]
Married [33]
|
|
* Richard Blake [133]
(1629-1657)
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 24 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/296/522
Testator: Richard Blake
Place: Enmor, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 1 Sep 1657, probated 21 Dec 1659
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament] Richard Blake
1 The last Will and Testament
2 Nuncupative of Richard Blake Late of Enmore in the Countye of Somersett dec[ease]d
3 Published and declared the First day of September In the yeare of our Lord One
4 Thousand Sixe hundred Fifty Seaven in words as followeth (viz[ a vi]t) The said deceased
5 being the day and yeare aforesaid sicke of Body But of sound and perfect mynde and Memory
6 did give and bequeath unto Humphrey Blake and Arthur Blake Sonnes of Humphrey
7 Blake his brother All that his Tenement lyeing at Charlinch in the said words (via[ avi]t)
8 I doe give and bestowe All my right Title and interest in my Tenement att Charlinch
9 To my cousin Humphrey Blake and Arthur Blake being the Two lives nominated and
10 Expressed on my Lease thereof They paying All my debts And as for all the rest of his goods
11 and chattels hee gave and bequeathed unto his brother John Blake in these words (viz[ a vi]t)
12 And for all the rest of my goods As corne Sheepe horses debts oweing and All other
13 things whatsoever I give and bestowe to my Brother John Blake of Overstowey or words
14 to the same or like Effect, Spoken in the p[re]sence and heareing of Daniell Spark, John Hall
15 The Nine and Twentith day of December In the yeare of our Lord One Thousand
16 Sixe hundred Fifty and Nyne att London before the Judge for p[ro]bate of Wills and granting Administratione
17 lawfully authorized Administration with the Will annexed of Richard Blake deceased issued forth
18 to Humphrey Blake the Father and executor lawfully assigned to Humphrey Blake and Arthur
19 Blake Minors The Kinsmen and principall Legataees named in the said Will To Administer all
20 and singular the goods ch[at]ells and debts of the said dece[ase]d according to the Tenor and Effect of the said
21 Nuncupative Will And to and for the sole use benefit and behoofe and dureing the Minoritye
22 of the said Minors hee being by Comission sworne truly to Administer the same There being a
23 Sentence definitive read and promulgated for the validity and confirma[t]ion of the said Will
This Richard is the son of Humphry Blake and Elizabeth Giles and hence a collateral line to Admiral Robert Blake. Richard’s brother Humphry is referred to as Humphry the elder and he was married to Elizabeth Upton (this family lived at Aisholt) and they had nine children according to the Portbury website for Blake. Richard is leaving his property to two of these sons who are named in the Lease for lives (Humphrey (eldest) and Arthur. I need to investigate the records for this particular family now as I have not yet done so. To verify the online table and perhaps push the records down a little further towards the present.
I do mention Richard in the writeup of his brother Humphry’s will blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/10/will-of-humfrey-blake-gentleman-over.html
Note in this will the Humphry has changed his brother’s will and given the property from Richard that was at Charlinch to his son Roger. Instead Arthur will receive an annuity until the age of 25 and then 200 pounds British money. Roger had a large family so perhaps that is the reason for the change. Humphry (his son) has already died.
Enmor is just five miles from Overstowey.
Relationship Chart
Admiral Robert Blake [101] is the 2nd cousin once removed of Richard Blake [133]
Common Ancestor
* Humphrey-21 Blake [1]
(Cir 1499-1558)
* Agnis [2]
( -1585)
Married [1]
|
--------------------------------------------------------- | |
| |
* John-27 (the elder) Blake [3] * Robert-28 Blake [4]
(Cir 1521-After 1576) (Cir 1523-Cir 1592)
Johan [12] Margaret Symonds [22]
( -1595) ( -1600)
Married Cir 1541 [4] Married [5]
| |
| |
* Humphrey-38 Blake [16] * Humphry-43 Blake [25]
(Cir 1556-Cir 1619) (Cir 1563-1625)
Agnus/Ann James [73] Sarah Swithers formerly Williams [100]
( -1645) ( -1638)
Married 23 Oct 1578 [19] Married 5 Oct 1597 [26]
| |
| |
* Humphry-54 Blake [74] * Admiral Robert Blake [101]
(Cir 1580- ) (1598-1657)
Elizabeth Giles [129]
Married [33]
|
|
* Richard Blake [133]
(1629-1657)
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 24 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/296/522
Testator: Richard Blake
Place: Enmor, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 1 Sep 1657, probated 21 Dec 1659
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament] Richard Blake
1 The last Will and Testament
2 Nuncupative of Richard Blake Late of Enmore in the Countye of Somersett dec[ease]d
3 Published and declared the First day of September In the yeare of our Lord One
4 Thousand Sixe hundred Fifty Seaven in words as followeth (viz[ a vi]t) The said deceased
5 being the day and yeare aforesaid sicke of Body But of sound and perfect mynde and Memory
6 did give and bequeath unto Humphrey Blake and Arthur Blake Sonnes of Humphrey
7 Blake his brother All that his Tenement lyeing at Charlinch in the said words (via[ avi]t)
8 I doe give and bestowe All my right Title and interest in my Tenement att Charlinch
9 To my cousin Humphrey Blake and Arthur Blake being the Two lives nominated and
10 Expressed on my Lease thereof They paying All my debts And as for all the rest of his goods
11 and chattels hee gave and bequeathed unto his brother John Blake in these words (viz[ a vi]t)
12 And for all the rest of my goods As corne Sheepe horses debts oweing and All other
13 things whatsoever I give and bestowe to my Brother John Blake of Overstowey or words
14 to the same or like Effect, Spoken in the p[re]sence and heareing of Daniell Spark, John Hall
15 The Nine and Twentith day of December In the yeare of our Lord One Thousand
16 Sixe hundred Fifty and Nyne att London before the Judge for p[ro]bate of Wills and granting Administratione
17 lawfully authorized Administration with the Will annexed of Richard Blake deceased issued forth
18 to Humphrey Blake the Father and executor lawfully assigned to Humphrey Blake and Arthur
19 Blake Minors The Kinsmen and principall Legataees named in the said Will To Administer all
20 and singular the goods ch[at]ells and debts of the said dece[ase]d according to the Tenor and Effect of the said
21 Nuncupative Will And to and for the sole use benefit and behoofe and dureing the Minoritye
22 of the said Minors hee being by Comission sworne truly to Administer the same There being a
23 Sentence definitive read and promulgated for the validity and confirma[t]ion of the said Will
Friday, October 25, 2013
Will of Rice Blake, Linen Draper, Taunton, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/2238/299, probated 13 Sep 1856
Rice Blake (of Falmouth, Cornwall according to his marriage lines) is the testator and he married Elizabeth Newberry 22 Aug 1822 at Saint Mary, Taunton, Somerset.
Rice mentions three children in his will will: Rice, Catharine Alice wife of Thomas Fiske and Ellen Elizabeth Blake.
Children born to this couple (Family Search):
Elizabeth born 6 Jul 1827, Silver Street Baptist, Taunton
Catharine Alice born 8 Sep 1829, living at High Street, Taunton
Rice born 5 Oct 1835, Silver Street Baptist, Taunton
Mary Ann born 17 Jun 1833, Silver Street Baptist, Taunton
Ellen Elizabeth is missing from this list and she would have been born around 1841 according to the census below.
The 1851 census Rice Blake lives at 14 High Street in St Mary Magdalen parish, Borough of Taunton. He is listed as head, married 50 years of age a Linen and woolen draper and he was born at St Mawes Cornwall. His wife Elizabeth is 53 years of age and was born at Holborn Camden, Middlesex. With them, all born in Taunton Somerset, is 21 year old Catherine their daughter, Maryann 13 years of age, Ellen their daughter 10 years of age, and one of their assistants Thomas Jago Blake age 19 from St Just Cornwall.
Living next door at 15 High Street is Demas Hatcher, draper, 27 years of age born at Marnhull, Dorset. Demas’ wife is from St Mawes Cornwall interestingly enough. The marriage of Demas Hatcher and Catherine Mary Blake was celebrated 20 Jul 1848 at St Just in Roseland. He was a draper of Taunton Somerset son of Thomas Hatcher a farmer. Catherine Mary Blake was resident at St Mawes and the daughter of Robert Blake a merchant with witnesses Mary Symons Blake and H Blake. Catharine Mary was baptized 18 Jul 1822 at St Just in Roseland daughter of Robert and Ursula Blake. Robert Blake and Ursula Symons were married 23 Mar 1820 at St Just in Roseland with witnesses William Blake, Sarah Blake, Catharine Symons, George Davey.
He has a sister Sarah Rice Jago of Mevagissey, Cornwall.
He is Rice Blake baptized 7 Aug 1800 at St Just in Roseland son of William and Catherine Blake.
St Mawes is close to St Just in Roseland
Other children baptized by this couple at St Just in Roseland (OPC Cornwall site)
Hannah baptized 15 Sep 1791; buried 22 Apr 1830 (residence Mevagissey), 38 years
Sarah baptized 18 Apr 1794; buried 1 Aug 1794
Thomas Jago baptized 28 Oct 1796; buried 8 Aug 1797
Thomas Jago baptized 22 Apr 1798
Sarah Rice baptized 29 May 1799
James baptized 30 Jul 1803, born 21 Nov 1802 and received into church 5 Aug 1804
Burials at St Just in Roseland
William Blake, residence St Mawes, 54 years of age 24 Jan 1816
Catherine Blake, residence St Mawes, 74 years of age 9 Mar 1840
Marriages
William Blake married Catherine Jago at Mevagissey 22 Sep 1790, his residence was St Mawes and he was a merchant with witnesses Ann Jago and Thomas Jago.
There is a William Blake baptized 24 Jan 1762 at St Just in Roseland son of Robert Blake and Hannah James who were themselves married there 17 Jul 1759 with witnesses William James and Mark Tiddy.
Children baptized to Robert and Hannah at St Just in Roseland
James baptized 1 Jun 1760
William baptized 24 Jan 1762
Robert baptized 24 Jun 1764
Robert Blake was perhaps baptized 11 Aug 1729 at St Just in Roseland son of Robert Blake and Thomasin. There was a second child baptized to this couple John 17 Feb 1737 same place.
This Robert Blake was perhaps the Robert baptized 16 Aug 1702 at Saint Just in Roseland son of Robert Blake and Elizabeth.
How does Catharine Mary Hatcher relate to the testator? The will names her as his niece. Somewhat of a mystery perhaps there. Her father Robert Blake and mother Ursula Symons married 23 Mar 1820 at St Just in Roseland. Robert was perhaps the Robert baptized son of John and Hannah Blake 26 Oct 1788 at Saint Endellion, Cornwall. Also baptized by this couple at Saint Endellion were Robert 12 Mar 1786, William 12 Feb 1792, and Samuel Brown 13 Apr 1794. There was a William who was a witness to the marriage of Robert and Ursula. But does this family relate to the Blake family at St Mawes? John Blake married Hannah Brown 1 Mar 1780 at St Endellion. But I did not find a baptism yet for John. Possibly he was born between 1740 and 1760 and Robert and Thomasin Blake did baptize a son John at Saint Just in Roseland 17 Feb 1737. Along with Robert mentioned above baptized 11 Aug 1729 Elizabeth was baptized 12 Mar 1731 by Robert Blake and Thomasin at Saint Just in Roseland. This would be a fairly distant cousinship since Rice and Catharine Mary would have in common his great grandfather was a brother to her grandfather. John married fairly late at 43 whereas Robert married at 30 and was eight years older than John.
Now is it possible to work this Blake line into any of the Blake wills in Cornwall. The answer to that is no wills for this family line in Cornwall.
There is an abstract of administration for Robert Blake of St Just in Roseland in the Internal Revenue records 1 Jun 1799 which could be rather interesting. I do not happen to have that document but is downloadable from The National Archives website (UK). There appears to be an article in one of the British Newspapers so will check that out on Find my Past.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 22 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2238/299
Testator: Rice Blake, Linen Draper
Place: Taunton, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Apr 1856, probated 13 Sep 1856
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Rice
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 20
1 I Rice Blake of Taunton in the County of Somer-
2 set Linen Draper hereby revoke all wills codicils and other testamen-
3 tary dispositions heretofore made by me and declare this to be my last
4 will and testament I bequeath unto my dear wife Elizabeth Blake all
5 the household goods and furniture plate china wine and other liquors
6 brewing utensils books trinkets and household stores which shall be in
7 or about my dwelling house at the time of my decease I bequeath
8 unto my niece Catherine Hatcher the wife of Mr. Demas Hatcher of
9 Taunton aforesaid the sum of fifty pounds I bequeath unto my sister
10 Sarah Rice Jago of Mevagissey in the County of Cornwall the sum of
11 fifty pounds as a mark of my remembrance All the rest residue and
12 remainder of my Estate and Effects as well real as personal I give devise
13 and bequeath unto my said wife her heirs executors and administrators
14 according to the natures and tenures thereof respectively upon trust
15 that she my said wife do and shall during my present term and inter-
16 est in the messuage and premises which I now occupy for the purpose
17 of my business as a Linen and Woollen Draper in Taunton aforesaid
18 carry on the aforesaid business for her own absolute benefit if she
19 shall so long live and for that purpose to employ therein all of any
20 part of my said Estate and Effects And upon trust after the expiration of
21 the said term either to convert into money the capital employed in the
22 said business or otherwise to employ the same or any part thereof
23 in carrying on the said business either in the aforesaid premises or
24 elsewhere and either alone or in partnership with any other person
[Page 2]
25 or persons for such period and in such manner in all respects as she shall
26 think fit for her own benefit during her life And I direct that from and after
27 the decease of my said wife all of my said residuary real and personal estate
28 shall be held upon the trusts following (that is to say) Upon trust in the
29 first place to pay to my son Rice Blake the sum of one thousand pounds
30 and after payment thereof to pay and divide the clear residue thereof
31 amongst my three Children the said Rice Blake Catharine Alice the wife
32 of Thomas Fiske and Ellen Elizabeth Blake in equal shares and proporti-
33 ons But I direct that in case the said Ellen Elizabeth Blake she die under
34 the age of twenty one years and unmarried her said share shall go and
35 belong to my said two other Children in equal shares Provided always
36 and I hereby direct that for the purpose of ascertaining my capital employ-
37 ed in my said business and the amount of that part of my trust estate for the
38 purpose of the division as aforesaid after the decease of my said wife a
39 general stock taking Inventory and account of my stock in trade debts and receipts
40 shall be taken and made at the usual period (namely in the month of
41 August) after my decease and in the manner and form and with the deducti-
42 ons usually adopted by me by the said Demas Hatcher with the assistance
43 and inspection of my brother in law and late partner Mr Robert Newberry
44 and I direct that the clear balance of such stock taking and account (after
45 allowing for all debts and liabilities then due) shall be treated and consider-
46 ed as my capital employed in the said business at the time of my decease and
47 such account shall be signed bv my said wife admitting the amount thereof
48 to be correct and that that part of my said trust estate amounts to such sum
49 Provided always and I hereby direct that it shall be lawful for my said
50 wife at any time during the term of my occupation of my present shop
51 and premises but at her sole discretion to take my said son into my said
52 business as a partner with her on such terms as to the profits of the said
53 business and otherwise as to her shall seem fit and also at any time after
54 the expiration of such term to employ my said business capital or
55 part thereof in business either alone or in partnership with my son or
56 with my son and any other person or persons or (if she shall so think fit
57 wholly to relinquish the aforesaid business in favor of my said son do
58 that the same may be carried on by him either alone or in partner-
59 ship with any other person or persons But I direct that in case of any
60 such partnership or in case of such relinquishment of the said business my
61 said son shall give to my said wife a bond for securing such part of my
62 said trust capital with interest as may be advanced to him either for
63 entering into any such partnership as aforesaid with my said wife or for
64 carrying on the said business alone or in partnership with any other
65 person or persons other than my said wife and I authorize my said
66 wife to lend and advance any part of my said trust estate for any such
67 purpose or purposes to my said son if she in the absolute discretion
68 should so think fit without prejudice nevertheless to any absolute advance-
69 ment which may be made to my said son by virtue of the power herein-
70 after contained Provided also and I recommend my said wife to retain
71 Mr Demas Hatcher as her assistant during the term hereinbefore mention-
72 ed and so long thereafter as she shall carry on my said business alone at
73 a salary of not less than three hundred pounds per annum from the August
74 preceding my decease And also that the said Demas Hatcher should be
75 allowed in addition to such salary from such month of August out of
76 the profits of the said business the sum of ten shillings and six pence
77 for every funeral which he shall personally attend and superintend
78 but I direct that such recommendation shall not be construed or consider-
79 ed as an absolute direction or trust for his benefit And I particularly ask
80 and request that my brother in law and late partner Mr Robert Newberry
81 will as circumstances may arise advise my said wife with reference to
[Page 3]
82 my said business and the accounts and affairs thereof Provided also and I hereby de-
83 clare that it shall be lawful for my said wife at any time during her life but at
84 her absolute discretion to advance to either of my said children all or any part
85 of his or her expectant share of my said trust property for or towards his or her
86 advancement or preferment in life or marriage or otherwise for his or her bene-
87 fit Provided also and I hereby direct that the residue of my said trust estate and
88 property not employed by my said wife in my said business or such part
89 thereof as shall from time to time be in her hands and not required therein
90 shall be converted into money and invested by her in her own name in or
91 upon any of the public stocks or funds of Great Britain or at interest upon govern-
92 ment or real securities and be varied altered and transposed from time to time
93 as she may think fit and that the same and the interest thereof shall be held
94 as she may think fit and that the same and the interest thereof shall be held
95 upon the trusts of this my will hereinbefore declared or on trusts correspond-
96 ing hereto And I further direct and declare that it shall be lawful for my said
97 wife during her life to appropriate and set apart by such investments as last
98 aforesaid any specific fund or funds to answer the share or shares of either of
99 my said Children in the aforesaid trust fund payable after the decease of my
100 wife during her life to appropriate and set apart by such investments as last
101 aforesaid any specific fund or funds to answer the share or shares of either of
102 my said Children in the aforesaid trust fund payable after the decease of my
103 said wife so as to relieve my general trust estate from all trusts attaching in
104 favor of the child or children for whom such investment shall be made
105 but I direct that such investments as last aforesaid shall be made in the name
106 of my said wife and some other person or persons to be chosen by her and not
107 in her own name alone and that the trusts of any such investment shall be
108 relayed by some deed or writing And I appoint my said wife Elizabeth Blake
109 Executrix of this my will and I declare that the receipts of my said wife her
110 executors and administrators for all monies due to me or to my estate shall be
111 effectual discharges for the same and from all liability to see to the application
112 thereof I empower my said wife her executors and administrators to com-
113 pound or allow time or accept security real or personal for the payment of
114 any debts due to my estate and to adjust by arbitration or otherwise dis-
115 perce in relation thereto or in relation to debts or demands against my
116 ____ and in the content and management of my said business to give such
117 receipt as she shall think fit I devise to my said wife Elizabeth Blake and her
118 heirs all the estates which may happen at my decease to be vested in me
119 as trustee or mortgagee subject to the equities and upon the trusts affecting
120 the same respectively but so that the monies secured by such mortgages
121 be considered part of my trust estate I declare that my said wife shall be
122 answerable only for such monies as shall come to her actual hands and
123 not for involuntary losses and I appoint my said wife Guardian of my
124 children during their respective minorities In witness whereof I have here-
125 under set my hand this fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one
126 thousand eight hundred and fifty six Rice Blake Signed by the
127 said Testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us present at
128 the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of
129 each other have subscribed our names as witnesses Richard Easton
130 Solicitor Taunton Arthur Adams of Taunton
131 Proved at London 13th Sept[embe]r 1856 before the Judge by the oath of Elizabeth
132 Blake widow the relict the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted
133 having been first sworn by Com[miss]ion duly to administer.
Rice mentions three children in his will will: Rice, Catharine Alice wife of Thomas Fiske and Ellen Elizabeth Blake.
Children born to this couple (Family Search):
Elizabeth born 6 Jul 1827, Silver Street Baptist, Taunton
Catharine Alice born 8 Sep 1829, living at High Street, Taunton
Rice born 5 Oct 1835, Silver Street Baptist, Taunton
Mary Ann born 17 Jun 1833, Silver Street Baptist, Taunton
Ellen Elizabeth is missing from this list and she would have been born around 1841 according to the census below.
The 1851 census Rice Blake lives at 14 High Street in St Mary Magdalen parish, Borough of Taunton. He is listed as head, married 50 years of age a Linen and woolen draper and he was born at St Mawes Cornwall. His wife Elizabeth is 53 years of age and was born at Holborn Camden, Middlesex. With them, all born in Taunton Somerset, is 21 year old Catherine their daughter, Maryann 13 years of age, Ellen their daughter 10 years of age, and one of their assistants Thomas Jago Blake age 19 from St Just Cornwall.
Living next door at 15 High Street is Demas Hatcher, draper, 27 years of age born at Marnhull, Dorset. Demas’ wife is from St Mawes Cornwall interestingly enough. The marriage of Demas Hatcher and Catherine Mary Blake was celebrated 20 Jul 1848 at St Just in Roseland. He was a draper of Taunton Somerset son of Thomas Hatcher a farmer. Catherine Mary Blake was resident at St Mawes and the daughter of Robert Blake a merchant with witnesses Mary Symons Blake and H Blake. Catharine Mary was baptized 18 Jul 1822 at St Just in Roseland daughter of Robert and Ursula Blake. Robert Blake and Ursula Symons were married 23 Mar 1820 at St Just in Roseland with witnesses William Blake, Sarah Blake, Catharine Symons, George Davey.
He has a sister Sarah Rice Jago of Mevagissey, Cornwall.
He is Rice Blake baptized 7 Aug 1800 at St Just in Roseland son of William and Catherine Blake.
St Mawes is close to St Just in Roseland
Other children baptized by this couple at St Just in Roseland (OPC Cornwall site)
Hannah baptized 15 Sep 1791; buried 22 Apr 1830 (residence Mevagissey), 38 years
Sarah baptized 18 Apr 1794; buried 1 Aug 1794
Thomas Jago baptized 28 Oct 1796; buried 8 Aug 1797
Thomas Jago baptized 22 Apr 1798
Sarah Rice baptized 29 May 1799
James baptized 30 Jul 1803, born 21 Nov 1802 and received into church 5 Aug 1804
Burials at St Just in Roseland
William Blake, residence St Mawes, 54 years of age 24 Jan 1816
Catherine Blake, residence St Mawes, 74 years of age 9 Mar 1840
Marriages
William Blake married Catherine Jago at Mevagissey 22 Sep 1790, his residence was St Mawes and he was a merchant with witnesses Ann Jago and Thomas Jago.
There is a William Blake baptized 24 Jan 1762 at St Just in Roseland son of Robert Blake and Hannah James who were themselves married there 17 Jul 1759 with witnesses William James and Mark Tiddy.
Children baptized to Robert and Hannah at St Just in Roseland
James baptized 1 Jun 1760
William baptized 24 Jan 1762
Robert baptized 24 Jun 1764
Robert Blake was perhaps baptized 11 Aug 1729 at St Just in Roseland son of Robert Blake and Thomasin. There was a second child baptized to this couple John 17 Feb 1737 same place.
This Robert Blake was perhaps the Robert baptized 16 Aug 1702 at Saint Just in Roseland son of Robert Blake and Elizabeth.
How does Catharine Mary Hatcher relate to the testator? The will names her as his niece. Somewhat of a mystery perhaps there. Her father Robert Blake and mother Ursula Symons married 23 Mar 1820 at St Just in Roseland. Robert was perhaps the Robert baptized son of John and Hannah Blake 26 Oct 1788 at Saint Endellion, Cornwall. Also baptized by this couple at Saint Endellion were Robert 12 Mar 1786, William 12 Feb 1792, and Samuel Brown 13 Apr 1794. There was a William who was a witness to the marriage of Robert and Ursula. But does this family relate to the Blake family at St Mawes? John Blake married Hannah Brown 1 Mar 1780 at St Endellion. But I did not find a baptism yet for John. Possibly he was born between 1740 and 1760 and Robert and Thomasin Blake did baptize a son John at Saint Just in Roseland 17 Feb 1737. Along with Robert mentioned above baptized 11 Aug 1729 Elizabeth was baptized 12 Mar 1731 by Robert Blake and Thomasin at Saint Just in Roseland. This would be a fairly distant cousinship since Rice and Catharine Mary would have in common his great grandfather was a brother to her grandfather. John married fairly late at 43 whereas Robert married at 30 and was eight years older than John.
Now is it possible to work this Blake line into any of the Blake wills in Cornwall. The answer to that is no wills for this family line in Cornwall.
There is an abstract of administration for Robert Blake of St Just in Roseland in the Internal Revenue records 1 Jun 1799 which could be rather interesting. I do not happen to have that document but is downloadable from The National Archives website (UK). There appears to be an article in one of the British Newspapers so will check that out on Find my Past.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 22 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2238/299
Testator: Rice Blake, Linen Draper
Place: Taunton, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Apr 1856, probated 13 Sep 1856
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Rice
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 20
1 I Rice Blake of Taunton in the County of Somer-
2 set Linen Draper hereby revoke all wills codicils and other testamen-
3 tary dispositions heretofore made by me and declare this to be my last
4 will and testament I bequeath unto my dear wife Elizabeth Blake all
5 the household goods and furniture plate china wine and other liquors
6 brewing utensils books trinkets and household stores which shall be in
7 or about my dwelling house at the time of my decease I bequeath
8 unto my niece Catherine Hatcher the wife of Mr. Demas Hatcher of
9 Taunton aforesaid the sum of fifty pounds I bequeath unto my sister
10 Sarah Rice Jago of Mevagissey in the County of Cornwall the sum of
11 fifty pounds as a mark of my remembrance All the rest residue and
12 remainder of my Estate and Effects as well real as personal I give devise
13 and bequeath unto my said wife her heirs executors and administrators
14 according to the natures and tenures thereof respectively upon trust
15 that she my said wife do and shall during my present term and inter-
16 est in the messuage and premises which I now occupy for the purpose
17 of my business as a Linen and Woollen Draper in Taunton aforesaid
18 carry on the aforesaid business for her own absolute benefit if she
19 shall so long live and for that purpose to employ therein all of any
20 part of my said Estate and Effects And upon trust after the expiration of
21 the said term either to convert into money the capital employed in the
22 said business or otherwise to employ the same or any part thereof
23 in carrying on the said business either in the aforesaid premises or
24 elsewhere and either alone or in partnership with any other person
[Page 2]
25 or persons for such period and in such manner in all respects as she shall
26 think fit for her own benefit during her life And I direct that from and after
27 the decease of my said wife all of my said residuary real and personal estate
28 shall be held upon the trusts following (that is to say) Upon trust in the
29 first place to pay to my son Rice Blake the sum of one thousand pounds
30 and after payment thereof to pay and divide the clear residue thereof
31 amongst my three Children the said Rice Blake Catharine Alice the wife
32 of Thomas Fiske and Ellen Elizabeth Blake in equal shares and proporti-
33 ons But I direct that in case the said Ellen Elizabeth Blake she die under
34 the age of twenty one years and unmarried her said share shall go and
35 belong to my said two other Children in equal shares Provided always
36 and I hereby direct that for the purpose of ascertaining my capital employ-
37 ed in my said business and the amount of that part of my trust estate for the
38 purpose of the division as aforesaid after the decease of my said wife a
39 general stock taking Inventory and account of my stock in trade debts and receipts
40 shall be taken and made at the usual period (namely in the month of
41 August) after my decease and in the manner and form and with the deducti-
42 ons usually adopted by me by the said Demas Hatcher with the assistance
43 and inspection of my brother in law and late partner Mr Robert Newberry
44 and I direct that the clear balance of such stock taking and account (after
45 allowing for all debts and liabilities then due) shall be treated and consider-
46 ed as my capital employed in the said business at the time of my decease and
47 such account shall be signed bv my said wife admitting the amount thereof
48 to be correct and that that part of my said trust estate amounts to such sum
49 Provided always and I hereby direct that it shall be lawful for my said
50 wife at any time during the term of my occupation of my present shop
51 and premises but at her sole discretion to take my said son into my said
52 business as a partner with her on such terms as to the profits of the said
53 business and otherwise as to her shall seem fit and also at any time after
54 the expiration of such term to employ my said business capital or
55 part thereof in business either alone or in partnership with my son or
56 with my son and any other person or persons or (if she shall so think fit
57 wholly to relinquish the aforesaid business in favor of my said son do
58 that the same may be carried on by him either alone or in partner-
59 ship with any other person or persons But I direct that in case of any
60 such partnership or in case of such relinquishment of the said business my
61 said son shall give to my said wife a bond for securing such part of my
62 said trust capital with interest as may be advanced to him either for
63 entering into any such partnership as aforesaid with my said wife or for
64 carrying on the said business alone or in partnership with any other
65 person or persons other than my said wife and I authorize my said
66 wife to lend and advance any part of my said trust estate for any such
67 purpose or purposes to my said son if she in the absolute discretion
68 should so think fit without prejudice nevertheless to any absolute advance-
69 ment which may be made to my said son by virtue of the power herein-
70 after contained Provided also and I recommend my said wife to retain
71 Mr Demas Hatcher as her assistant during the term hereinbefore mention-
72 ed and so long thereafter as she shall carry on my said business alone at
73 a salary of not less than three hundred pounds per annum from the August
74 preceding my decease And also that the said Demas Hatcher should be
75 allowed in addition to such salary from such month of August out of
76 the profits of the said business the sum of ten shillings and six pence
77 for every funeral which he shall personally attend and superintend
78 but I direct that such recommendation shall not be construed or consider-
79 ed as an absolute direction or trust for his benefit And I particularly ask
80 and request that my brother in law and late partner Mr Robert Newberry
81 will as circumstances may arise advise my said wife with reference to
[Page 3]
82 my said business and the accounts and affairs thereof Provided also and I hereby de-
83 clare that it shall be lawful for my said wife at any time during her life but at
84 her absolute discretion to advance to either of my said children all or any part
85 of his or her expectant share of my said trust property for or towards his or her
86 advancement or preferment in life or marriage or otherwise for his or her bene-
87 fit Provided also and I hereby direct that the residue of my said trust estate and
88 property not employed by my said wife in my said business or such part
89 thereof as shall from time to time be in her hands and not required therein
90 shall be converted into money and invested by her in her own name in or
91 upon any of the public stocks or funds of Great Britain or at interest upon govern-
92 ment or real securities and be varied altered and transposed from time to time
93 as she may think fit and that the same and the interest thereof shall be held
94 as she may think fit and that the same and the interest thereof shall be held
95 upon the trusts of this my will hereinbefore declared or on trusts correspond-
96 ing hereto And I further direct and declare that it shall be lawful for my said
97 wife during her life to appropriate and set apart by such investments as last
98 aforesaid any specific fund or funds to answer the share or shares of either of
99 my said Children in the aforesaid trust fund payable after the decease of my
100 wife during her life to appropriate and set apart by such investments as last
101 aforesaid any specific fund or funds to answer the share or shares of either of
102 my said Children in the aforesaid trust fund payable after the decease of my
103 said wife so as to relieve my general trust estate from all trusts attaching in
104 favor of the child or children for whom such investment shall be made
105 but I direct that such investments as last aforesaid shall be made in the name
106 of my said wife and some other person or persons to be chosen by her and not
107 in her own name alone and that the trusts of any such investment shall be
108 relayed by some deed or writing And I appoint my said wife Elizabeth Blake
109 Executrix of this my will and I declare that the receipts of my said wife her
110 executors and administrators for all monies due to me or to my estate shall be
111 effectual discharges for the same and from all liability to see to the application
112 thereof I empower my said wife her executors and administrators to com-
113 pound or allow time or accept security real or personal for the payment of
114 any debts due to my estate and to adjust by arbitration or otherwise dis-
115 perce in relation thereto or in relation to debts or demands against my
116 ____ and in the content and management of my said business to give such
117 receipt as she shall think fit I devise to my said wife Elizabeth Blake and her
118 heirs all the estates which may happen at my decease to be vested in me
119 as trustee or mortgagee subject to the equities and upon the trusts affecting
120 the same respectively but so that the monies secured by such mortgages
121 be considered part of my trust estate I declare that my said wife shall be
122 answerable only for such monies as shall come to her actual hands and
123 not for involuntary losses and I appoint my said wife Guardian of my
124 children during their respective minorities In witness whereof I have here-
125 under set my hand this fourth day of April in the year of our Lord one
126 thousand eight hundred and fifty six Rice Blake Signed by the
127 said Testator as his last will and testament in the presence of us present at
128 the same time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of
129 each other have subscribed our names as witnesses Richard Easton
130 Solicitor Taunton Arthur Adams of Taunton
131 Proved at London 13th Sept[embe]r 1856 before the Judge by the oath of Elizabeth
132 Blake widow the relict the sole Executrix to whom Admon was granted
133 having been first sworn by Com[miss]ion duly to administer.
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