Sunday, October 6, 2013

Will of Hannah Blake, widow, late of Blandford Forum, Dorset and now at Bath, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/1235/252, probated 28 Aug 1793

This rather lengthy ten page will (in the copy books!) was written by Hannah Blake, widow of William Blake whose will was blogged earlier:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-william-blake-esquire-of.html

Again, all the nieces and nephews of William and Hannah are remembered in Hannah’s will as well. Although Hannah does not mention relationships at the beginning of the will bringing that in later.

William Blake and Hannah Clench were married by licence 25 Nov 1746 at Blandford. They do not appear to have baptized any children. They were married for 47 years. Although Hannah does not mention any relationship between herself and the Clench family to whom she gives legacies, they are perhaps relatives. Some of the other names not mentioned in the will of William are also perhaps her relatives including the Soper family, the Giles family, the Edmunds family and the Vowell family. Hannah has followed her husband’s will and the legacies which he intended for his various nieces and nephews have been expressed in her will.

This family is a known collateral line of Admiral Robert Blake. William Blake was the son of the Reverend Malachi Blake who was in turn the son of the Reverend Malachi Blake, then John Blake of Pitminster, John Blake of Pitminster, William Blake of Over Stowey and Pitminster, John Blake the elder of Over Stowey and then Humphrey Blake of Bishops Lydeard and Over Stowey. John Blake the elder and Robert Blake being siblings and Robert Blake was the grandfather of Admiral Robert Blake.

Admiral Robert Blake [101] is the 2nd cousin 4 times removed of William Blake (husband of the testatrix) [525]

                                    * Humphrey-21 Blake [1]
                                  (Cir 1499-1558)
                                      * Agnis [2]
                                     (          -1585)
                                                 |
                ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         |                                                              |
                         |                                                              |
     * 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]
                    |                                                                |
                    |                                                                |
         * William-39 Blake [18]                          * Humphry-43 Blake [25]
           (Cir 1559-Cir 1642)                                   (Cir 1563-1625)
                Anne [84]                                    Sarah Swithers Williams [100]
            (          -1644)                                                     (          -1638)
            Married  [21]                                             Married 5 Oct 1597 [26]
                    |                                                               |
                    |                                                               |
          * John-59 Blake [88]                      * Admiral Robert Blake [101]
               (1597-1645)                                         (1598-1657)
             Elizabeth [155]
              Married  [38]
                    |
                    |
          * John-86 Blake [158]
               (1629-1682)
           Mary Wilkins [276]
        Married 20 Jun 1648 [84]
                    |
                    |
   * Reverend Malachi-112 Blake [278]
               (1651-1705)
             Mary Mico [414]
             Married  [140]
                    |
                    |
        * Malachi-139 Blake [416]
               (1687-1760)
             Katherine [524]
            (          -1760)
             Married  [185]
                    |
                    |
          * William Blake [525]
               (1718-1793)


Names mentioned in the will:

Hannah Blake, Bath, Somerset, testatrix
William Blake, Blandford Forum, Dorset, Gentleman, deceased, husband of the testatrix
William Fisher, Blandford Forum, Mercer, nephew
Reverend Henry Field, Blandford Forum
John Tice, Ware, Hertford, Surgeon and Apothecary
Thomas Fisher, Dorchester, Dorset, Grocer
Malachi Tice, Blandford Forum, Surgeon and Apothecary
Henry White, Blandford Forum, Grocer
William Wood White, Walthamstow, Essex, Esquire
Ann White, Walthamstow, Essex, Spinster, sister to William Wood White
John Clench, Bridport, Dorset, Sadler
Grace Soper, Blandford Forum, Widow
Samuel Soper, Blandford Forum, Cordwainer
Mary Soper, Blandford Forum, wife of Samuel Soper
William Giles, Blandford Forum, Shopman
Susannah Giles, Blandford Forum, wife of William Giles
Barbara Giles, daughter of William and Susannah Giles
Nancy Giles, daughter of William and Susannah Giles
Robert Clench, Blandford Forum, Barber
Eleanor Clench, Blandford Forum, wife of Robert Clench
Martha Edmunds, Blandford Forum, Widow
Samuel Vowell, Sherborne, Dorset, Grocer
Benjamin Vowell, Sherborne, Dorset, Grocer, brother of Samuel Vowell
Reverend William Blake, Crewkerne, Somerset, Dissenting Minister, good friend
Malachi Blake, son of Reverend William Blake
William Blake, son of Reverend William Blake
Downing Blake, son of Reverend William Blake
Mary Blake, daughter of Reverend William Blake
Joshau Seely Lawton, Bath, Somerset, Gentleman, good friend
Gabriel Tizzard, Servant
Sarah Baker, Blandford Forum, land owner, spinster
Robert Fisher, Blandford Forum, Postmaster
Mrs. James, Chard, Somerset, niece
Mrs. Gillibrand, Edmonton, Middlesex, niece
Mrs. Fields, Blandford Forum, niece
Susannah Budden, wife of Thomas Budden, niece
Thomas Budden the younger, Blandford Forum, Baker
William Budden, son of Susannah Budden, great nephew
William Tice, Blandford Forum, Mercer, nephew, Executor
Robert Fisher, Blandford Forum, Executor
Charles Gunning, Attorney, witness
Robert Norkett, Grocer, witness
Wa: Smith, Clerk to Mr Gunning, Bath, witness

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 4 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1235/252
Testator: Hannah Blake, widow and relict of William Blake late of Blandford Forum, Dorset
Place: Bath, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 10 May 1793, probated 28 Aug 1793
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Hannah
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Hannah Blake of Blandford Forum in the County of
3    Dorset but now residing in the City of Bath in the County of
4    Somerset widow and Relict of William Blake late of Blandford
5    Forum aforesaid Gentleman deceased being weak in body but
6    of sound and disposing mind memory and understanding
7    do make publish and declare this to be my last Will and
8    Testament in manner and form following that is to say
9    after all my just debts and Funeral Expences are paid and
10    satisfied by my Executor hereinafter named I give and
11    bequeath unto William Fisher of Blandford Forum aforesaid
12    Mercer the Sum of One thousand pounds of lawful British
13    money Also I give and bequeath unto the Reverend Henry
14    Field of Blandford Forum aforesaid the Sum of One thousand
15    pounds of like lawful money Also I give and bequeath unto
16    John Tice of Ware in the County of Hertford Surgeon and
17    Apothecary the Sum of Five hundred pounds of like money
18    Also I give and bequeath unto Thomas Fisher of Dorchester
19    in the County of Dorset Grocer the Sum of One thousand
20    pounds of like money Also I give and bequeath unto
21    Malachi Tice of Blandford Forum aforesaid Surgeon and
22    Apothecary the Sum of One thousand pounds of like money
23    Also I give and bequeath unto Henry White of Blandford
24    Forum aforesaid Grocer the Sum of two hundred pounds of like
25    money Also I give and bequeath unto William Wood White of
26    Walthamstow in the County of Essex Esquire the Sum of Two
27    hundred pounds of like money Also I give and bequeath unto
28    Ann White of Walthamstow aforesaid Spinster Sister of the
29    said William Wood White the Sum of Five hundred pounds
30    of like money Also I give and bequeath unto John Clench
31    of Bridport in the County of Dorset Sadler the Sum of One
32    thousand pounds of like money all and every of which
33    Legacies I direct to be paid in Six Months next after my
34    decease Also I give devise and bequeath unto Grace Soper
35    of Blandford Forum aforesaid Widow one annuity or clear
36    yearly Sum of one hundred pounds to be paid to her by
37    my Executors hereinafter named yearly and every year
38    during the term of her natural life by four equal quarterly
39    payments that is to say on the fifth day of April the twenty
40    fourth day of June the twenty ninth day of September and
41    the twenty first day of December by even and equal portions
42    the first payment thereof to begin and be made on the first
43    quarterly day of payment which shall next happen after
44    my decease and I hereby charge all  my Residuary Estate and
45    Effects
    [Page 2]
46    Effects hereinafter given and bequeathed with the
47    payment of the said Annuity Also I give and bequeath
48    unto Samuel Soper of Blandford Forum aforesaid
49    Cordwainer and Mary his Wife one Annuity of clear yearly
50    sum of Ten pounds each to be paid to them and each of
51    them during the term of their respective natural lives by
52    four equal quarterly payments that is to say on the fifth day
53    of April the twenty fourth day of June the twenty ninth day
54    of September and the twenty first day of December by even and
55    equal portions the first payment thereof to begin and be made
56    on the first quarterly day of payment which shall next happen
57    after my decease and I hereby charge all my Residuary Estate
58    and effects hereinafter given and bequeathed with the payment
59    of the said annuitys also I give and bequeath unto the
60    Children of the said Samuel Soper and Mary his wife the
61    Sum of thirty pounds each to be paid to them and each of
62    them by my Executors hereinafter named immediately after
63    the decease of the Survivor of them the said Samuel Soper
64    and Mary his Wife and in case of the death of either of such
65    Children before their respective Legacies shall become due and
66    payable the Legacy or Legacies of him her or them so dying
67    shall be paid to the Survivors or Survivor of them equally
68    if more than one And if but one then to that one only his
69    or her Executors or Administrators Also I give and bequeath
70    unto William Giles of Blandford Forum aforesaid Shopman
71    and Susannah his wife one Annuity or clear yearly Sum
72    of ten pounds each to be paid to them and each of them
73    during the term of their respective natural lives by four
74    equal quarterly payments that is to say on the fifth day of
75    April the twenty fourth day of June the twenty ninth day
76    of September and the twenty first day of December by even and
77    equal portions the first payment thereof to begin and be made
78    on the first quarterly day of Payment which shall next
79    happen after my decease and I hereby charge all my
80    Residuary Estate and Effects hereinafter given and bequeathed
81    with the payment of the said Annuities Also I give and
82    bequeath unto Barbara and Nancy two of the Children
83    of them the said William Giles and Susannah his Wife
84    the Sum of thirty pounds each to be paid to them and each
85    of them by my Executors hereinafter named immediately after
86    the decease of the Survivor of them the said William Giles
87    and Susannah his Wife and in case of the death of either
88    of such Children before their respective Legacys shall become
89    payable the share of her so dying shall go and be paid
90    to the Survivor her Executors or Administrators Also I give
91    and bequeath unto Robert Clench of Blandford Forum
92    aforesaid Barber and Eleanor his Wife one Annuity or clear
93    yearly Sum of ten pounds each to be paid to them and each
94    of them during the term of their respective natural lives by
95    four equal quarterly payments that is to say on the fifth
96    day of April the twenty fourth day of June the twenty
97    ninth day of September and the twenty first day of December
    [Page 3]
98    by even and equal portions the first payment thereof to
99    begin and be made on the first quarterly day of payment
100    which shall next happen after my decease and I do hereby
101    charge all my Residuary Estate and Effects herein after given
102    and bequeathed with the payment of the said Annuities Also
103    I give and bequeath unto the Children of them the said
104    Robert Clench and Eleanor his Wife the Sum of thirty pounds
105    each to be paid to them and each of them by my Executors
106    hereinafter named immediately after the decease of the
107    Survivor of them the said Robert Clench and Eleanor his Wife
108    and in case of the death of any or either of such Children
109    before their respective Legacies shall become payable the
110    share or shares of him her of them shall go and be paid to
111    the Survivors or Survivor of them if more than one in
112    equal shares and proportions and if but one then to that one
113    only his or her Executors or Administrators Also I give and
114    bequeath unto Martha Edmunds of Blandford Forum
115    aforesaid Widow one annuity or clear yearly Sum of ten
116    pounds to be paid to her during the term of her natural
117    life by four equal quarterly payments that is to say on the
118    fifth day of April the twenty fourth day of June the twenty
119    ninth day of September and the twenty first day of December
120    by even and equal portions the first payment thereof to
121    begin and be made on the first quarterly day of payment
122    which shall next happen after my decease and I hereby
123    charge all my Residuary Estate and Effects hereinafter given
124    and bequeathed with the payment of the said Annuity Also
125    I give and bequeath to the Children of her the said
126    Martha Edmunds the Sum of thirty pounds each to be paid
127    to them and each of them by my Executors hereinafter
128    named immediately after the decease of her the said Martha
129    Edmunds and in case of the death of any or either of such
130    Children before the respective Legacies shall become due the
131    share or share of him her of them so dying shall go
132    and be paid to the Survivors or Survivor of them if
133    more than one in equal share and proportions and if
134    but one then to that one only his or her Executors or
135    Administrators Also I give and bequeath unto Benjamin
136    Vowell of Sherborne in the County of Dorset Grocer and to
137    Samuel Vowell of the same place Grocer Brother of the said
138    Benjamin Vowell the Sum of Fifty pounds each of lawful
139    British money I also give to my good Friend the
140    Reverend William Blake of Crewkerne in the County of
141    Somerset dissenting Minister the Sum of Fifty pounds of
142    like money as a small token of my esteem and Friendship
143    for him to be paid him in six Months next after my
144    decease and I also give and bequeath to his four Children
145    Malachi William Downing and Mary Blake the Sum
146    of forty pounds each of like lawful money which said
147    several Sums or Legacies to his Children I likewise direct
148    to be paid at the same time as their father’s Legacy is
149    directed to be paid and it is my Will that in case any
150    or
    [Page 4]
151    or either of them shall die before their respective Legacies
152    shall become payable it is my will that the Legacy or Legacies
153    of him her of them so dying shall be paid to the Survivors if
154    more than one in equal Shares and proportions and if but
155    one then to that one only his or her Executors or Administrators
156    I also give to my good Friend Joshua Seely Lawton of the
157    City of Bath Gentleman the Sum of Fifty pounds of like
158    money in token of my esteem and Friendship for him which
159    Legacy I direct to be paid to him in six Months next after
160    my decease and I also give to my Servant Gabriel Tizzard
161    (if living with me at my death) the Sum of one hundred
162    pounds of like money to be paid in six Months next after
163    my death and to such of my Maid Servants who shall have
164    lived with me twelve Months and who shall be living with
165    me at the time of my death the Sum of ten pounds over
166    and above such wages as shall be then respectively due to
167    them to be paid in one month next after my death and
168    whereas it was my late husband’s wish and intention that
169    all those Messuages and Tenements with the Appurtenances
170    by him purchased of Sarah Baker of Blandford Forum
171    aforesaid Spinster situate and being in Blandford Forum
172    aforesaid called or known by the name or sign of the Blue
173    Anchor should be held and enjoyed by the person or persons
174    who for the time being should hold and enjoy the Messuage
175    dwelling house and premises of my said late husband in
176    which I lately lived And whereas my said late husband
177    hath in and by his last Will and Testament given devised
178    and bequeathed the said Messuage dwelling house and
179    premises in which I lately lived unto the said William Tice
181    to hold to him for the term of his natural life and from
182    and after his decease to the said William Fisher his heirs
183    and assigns for ever and whereas the said Messuages
184    Tenements and premises so purchased of the said Sarah
185    Baker were purchased by my said late husband after he
186    had made his Will and the same being held by him for
187    the remainder of a term of Five hundred years became
188    legally vested in me as Residuary Legatee and sole
189    Executrix named in and by the last Will and Testament of
190    my said husband Now I do hereby in order to carry his
191    wish and intention into effect give devise and bequeath
192    all and singular the said Messuages Tenements Lands
193    and premises so purchased of the said Sarah Baker as
194    aforesaid unto the said William Tice to hold to him and
195    his Assigns for and during so many years of the said term
196    of Five hundred years granted in the said premises as
197    shall run out and expire in the life time of him the said
198    William Tice I give devise and bequeath the said Messuages
199    Tenements Lands and premises unto the said William Fisher
200    his Executors Administrators and Assigns for all the Rest
201    Residue and Remainder of the said term of Five hundred
202    years then to come and unexpired and whereas under and
    [Page 5]
203    by virtue of the said last Will and Testament of my said
204    late husband I am entitled as Residuary Legatee to all my
205    late husband’s Plate China and household Goods and Chattles
206    of every sort and kind nevertheless it appearing to me by certain
207    Memorandums in the hand writing of my said late husband
208    that it was his wish and intention that certain Articles of
209    Plate China and household Goods in such Memorandum
210    contained should go and be given by me after my decease
211    unto the several persons in such memorandums mentioned
212    Now I do hereby in compliance therewith give and bequeath
213    unto the said Malachi Tice my three large Silver Castors
214    that were my late husband’s fathers four Silver Salts and
215    Salt Spoons Silver Fish Slice long Silver Spoon and my
216    late husbands fathers picture Also I give to the said William
217    Tice my Silver Tea Cadee Also I give to Robert Fisher of
218    Blandford Forum aforesaid Postmaster one pair of my best
219    Silver candlesticks and the Case of large Silver handles
220    knives and forks and six Table Spoon thereto belonging
221    and also his late Uncle Clenchs picture and also my own
222    picture and my own and my late husbands Coat of Arms
223    Also I give to the said William Fisher the other pair of my
224    best Silver Candlesticks my Case of small Silver handled knives
225    and Forks and desert Spoons thereto belonging And also my
226    late husbands picture in Gilt Frame Also I give to the said
227    Thomas Fisher my large Silver Butter Cruets and my small
228    Silver Candlesticks Also I give to the said John Tice my
229    large Silver Tankard and I give to my Niece Mrs James of
230    Chard in the County of Somerset my large Silver Cup Also I
231    give to my Niece Mrs Gillibrand of Edmonton in the County
232    of Middlesex my Silver pint two long handled Silver Spoons
233    and four Table Spoons marked on the back with a Dove Also
234    I give to my Niece Mrs Field of Blandford Forum aforesaid
235    my large Silver Salver and my set of Silver Casters Also I
236    give to my Niece Susannah Budden wife of Thomas Budden
237    the younger of Blandford Forum aforesaid Baker my Silver
238    Coffee pot and Stand also my best set of Tea Spoons and Tea
239    Tongs and my Wedding Ring and my Gold Watch And also
240    all such of my household Goods Furniture Utensils and
241    Implements of household as is or are not by me hereinafter
242    given and bequeathed that shall be in my house at
243    Blandford Forum aforesaid or that shall not by me
244    otherwise disposed of in my life time or by any Memorandum
245    Ticket or other means shewing my intention to whom I
246    would wish the same to go to or be given I give to William
247    Budden Son of my said Niece Susannah Budden a
248    Silver Watch that was my late Fathers Also I give and
249    bequeath unto the said William Tice the use of all the
250    Furniture in the best Fore Parlour of my house at Blandford
251    Forum aforesaid during his natural life and after his decease
252    then I give the said Furniture in the said Fore parlour unto
253    the said William Fisher his Executors Administrators and
254    Assigns all the Rest Residue and Remainder of my Monies
255    in
    [Page 6]
256    in the Funds Ready Monies and securities for moneys
257    Goods Chattles Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever
258    both Real and personal not herein already disposed of I
259    give devise and bequeath the same charged and chargeable
260    nevertheless with the payment of my just debts Legacies Funeral
261    expences the several Annuities hereinbefore given and
262    bequeathed and the charges of proving this my Will and the
263    expences attending the execution of the Trusts thereof unto
264    William Tice of Blandford forum aforesaid Mercer and the
265    aforesaid Robert Fisher their heirs Executors Administrators
266    and Assigns equally to be divided between them share and
267    share alike as tenants in common and not as joint tenants
268    and I do hereby nominate constitute and appoint them the
269    Said William Tice and Robert Fisher joint Executors of this my
270    said Will hereby revoking all former and other Wills and
271    Testaments by me at any time heretofore made and I do hereby
272    declare this to be and contain my last Will and Testament
273    only In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will and
274    Testament contained in four sheets of paper set my hand
275    at the bottom of the first three Sheets and my hand and
276    Seal to this fourth and last Sheet the tenth day of May in
277    the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and ninety
278    three Hannah Blake Signed Sealed published
279    and declared by the said Testatrix Hannah Blake as and for
280    her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who at her
281    request in her presence and in the presence of each other
282    subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto the words one
283    thousand in the Legacy to Miss White being first wrote on
284    an erasure Cha[rle]s Gunning Att[orne]y Robert Norkett
285    Grocer Wa: Smith Clerk to Mr Gunning Bath
286    This is a Codicil to the last Will and Testament of
287    me Hannah Blake of Blandford Forum in the County
288    of Dorset but now residing in the City of Bath in the County
289    of Somerset Widow and which I desire may be taken as
290    part thereof whereas I have by my said last Will and
291    Testament bearing date the tenth day of May last given to
292    William Fisher of Blandford Forum aforesaid Mercer the Sum
293    of one thousand pounds of lawful British money to the
294    Reverend Henry Field of the same place the Sum of one
295    yhousand pounds To Malachi Tice of the same place
296    Surgeon and Apothecary the Sum of one thousand pounds
297    of like money To John Tice of Ware in the County of Hertford
298    Surgeon and Apothecary the Sum of Five hundred pounds
299    of like money and also to Thomas Fisher of Dorchester in the
300    daid County of Dorset the like Sum of one thousand pounds
301    of like money To Henry White of Blandford Forum aforesaid
302    yhe sum of two hundred pounds of like money To William
303    Wood White of Walthamstow in the County of Essex Esquire
304    yhe like Sum of Two hundred pounds of like money and
305    yo John Clench of Bridport in the County of Dorset Sadler the
    [Page 7]
306    Sum of two hundred pounds of like money Now I do by
307    this my Codicil give to the said William Fisher the further
308    Sum of Five hundred pounds and to the said Thomas Fisher
309    the further Sum of Five hundred pounds and to the said
310    Malachi Tice the further Sum of Five hundred pounds over
311    and above their respective Legacies of one thousand pounds
312    each To the said Henry White William Wood White and John
313    Clench the further Sum of one hundred pounds each of lawful
314    money of Great Britain over and above their respective Legacys
315    of Two hundred pounds I also give to my Niece Susannah
316    Budden Wife of Thomas Budden the younger of Blandford Forum
317    aforesaid Baker the Sum of one thousand and five hundred
318    Pounds over and above any Legacy Gift or bequest I may
319    have given her by my said Will and I also give to my good
320    Friend Mrs Lawton the Wife of Mr Joshua Seely Lawton of
321    Bath the Sum of Fifty pounds of lawful British money all
322    which Legacies I direct to be paid in six Months next after my
323    decease but it is nevertheless my express direction and I do
324    hereby declare that the several and respective Legacies so as
325    aforesaid given to the said William Fisher Henry Field
326    Malachi Tice John Tice Thomas Fisher and Susannah Budden
327    either in my said Will or this my Codicil shall not be
328    considered as so much lawful money of Great Britain but
329    only as so much Stock and to be paid to them and each and
330    every of them my aforesaid Legatees either out of the three
331    per Cent Consols or the three per Cent Rank Annuities at the
332    option of my Executors Item I do hereby give to my Nephew
333    William Tice my yellow damask Bedstead Bed Bolster pillows
334    Tiebands etc thereto belonging as also the Window Curtains
335    in the same Room or belonging to the same Bed absolutely
336    for his own use I likewise give to my said Nephew William
337    Tice the free use of my Mohagany Book Case in the Best
338    Bedchamber the Iron Chest the Clock in the passage and all
339    the Fixtures of every kind and denomination now in my
340    house at Blandford Forum aforesaid for and during the
341    term of his natural life and from and after his decease to
342    my said Nephew William Fisher together with the said house
343    as specified in my late husbands will and I direct the Sum
344    of ten pounds to be distributed in bread amongst the poor of
345    Blandford Forum aforesaid on the first Christmas day that
346    shall next happen after my decease under the direction of
347    Mr Thomas Budden the younger of Blandford Forum aforesaid 
348    Baker In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and
349    Seal the sixth day of June one thousand seven hundred and
350    Ninety three H Blake Signed Sealed published and
351    declared by the said Testatrix as and for a Codicil to her last
352    Will and Testament in the presence of us Cha[rle]s Gunning
353    Att[orne]y Bath Wa Smith his Clerk
354    On the twenty seventh day of August 1793 appeared
355    personally Charles Gunning of the City of Bath Attorney at Law
356    and
    [Page 8]
357    and Walter Smith of the same City recorder and by
358    virtue of their several Corporal Oaths deposed as follows
359    and first the said Charles Gunning deposed that he was
360    employed by Hannah Blake Testator of Bath widow lately now
361    deceased in ordering and preparing for the said deceased her
362    last Will and Testament hereunto annexed bearing date the
363    tenth day of May one thousand seven hundred and ninety
364    three that the deponent Charles Gunning attended the said
365    deceased on the said tenth day of May one thousand seven
366    Hundred and ninety three with the said will fairly expressed
367    which amongst other things then contained a Legacy or
368    bequest of five hundred pounds to Ann White of Walthamstow
369    in the County of Essex Spinster Sister of William Wood White of
370    the same place and also a Legacy or bequest of two hundred
371    pounds to John Clench of Bridport in the County of Dorset
372    Sadler which two Legacies or bequests were inserted in this
373    said Will agreeably to Instructions previously given by the
374    said deceased to Charles Gunning That the deponent Charles
375    Gunning on the same day read over the said Will to the said
376    deceased audibly and distinctly and she expressed herself
377    perfectly satisfied therewith in every respect there as to the said
378    Legacy to Ann White which she directed the deponent Charles
379    Gunning to alter from five hundred pounds to one thousand
380    pounds in consideration of the great attention which the said
381    Ann White had long paid to her and particularly in her
382    illness of which the said deceased then expressed a sense of
383    high obligation that in consequence of such direction from
384    the said deceased that this deponent Charles Gunning set about
385    making the desired alteration in the said Ann Whites
386    Legacy and made an erasure in the seventeenth line from the
387    top of the first sheet of the said Will upon which erasure he
388    then wrote the words one thousand meaning and apprehending
389    that he had thereby increased the said Legacy to the said Ann
390    White after which the deponent Charles Gunning wrote the
391    following words in the Clause of Attestation for the Witnesses
392    on the last Sheet of the said Will to wit the words one thousand
393    in the Legacy to Miss White being first wrote on an Erazure
394    and then the said deceased duly executed the said will in the
395    presence of the deponent Charles Gunning and the other
396    subscribing Witnesses whose names appear thereto namely
397    Robert Norkett and the said deponent Walter Smith and at
398    the time of executing the same the deponent Charles Gunning
399    is certain from the circumstances hereinbefore deposed that
400    the said deceased believed as he himself did that the said
401    Legacy of Five hundred pounds originally inserted therein
402    to the aforesaid Ann White had been erased and altered
403    into a Legacy of one thousand pounds and the said depon[en]t
404    Walter Smith deposed that he believed the same for that the
405    said deponent Charles Gunning showed to him the said
406    Deponent Walter Smith the said Erazure and alteration prior
407    to the deceased executing the said Will and bid him the said
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408    eeponent Walter Smith and the said Robert Norkett the other
409    subscribing witness take notice thereof and the said deponent
410    Charles Gunning deposed that the said deceased then believed
411    that the Legacy of two hundred pounds to the aforesaid John
412    Clench originally inserted in the said Will remained unaltered
413    She having expressed no wish or intention to increase or alter
414    the Legacy to him and that it was with a firm belief and
415    persuasion of the Will being altered by an increase of the
416    said Ann Whites Legacy and not otherwise that she was
417    satisfied therewith And the deponent Charles Gunning further
418    saith that immediately after the will was executed it was
419    Sealed up by the deponent Charles Gunning and remained
420    Sealed up until after the said deceaseds death at which time
421    and not before it was discovered by the deponent Charles Gunning
422    that he had inadvertently made the Erazure and alteration
423    in the Clause respecting the said John Clench’s Legacy instead
424    of that to the said Ann White which the deceased designed and
425    ordered to be altered for it doth now appear that the words
426    two hundred have been erased in the seventeenth line instead
427    of the words Five hundred in the next preceding line and
428    that the words one thousand have been inserted on such
429    Erazure instead of being inserted in the sixteenth line in the
430    stead of the said words of five hundred which should have
431    been there erased and in confirmation and illustration of
432    what he so deposed relative to the state of the Legacies to the
433    said Ann White and John Clench as originally inserted in the
434    said Will before any erasure or alteration took place the
435    deponent Charles Gunning doth annex hereunto a form or
436    cancelled will of the said deceased in which prior to the
437    making her last Will the deponent Charles Gunning made
438    such alterations and additions as she wished to be made
439    converting the said cancelled Will in a draught for her
440    Will and the said deponents Charles Gunning and Walter
441    Smith further depose solemnly that the said last Will of the
442    said deceased dated the tenth day of May one thousand
443    seven hundred and ninety three was transcribed and fairly
444    copied from the said cancelled Will not hereunto annexed
445    and that the Legacy inserted in the aforesaid seventeenth line
446    of the first sheet of the said Will as a bequest to the said John
447    Clench was originally a Bequest of Two hundred pounds the
448    same as that in the twenty fourth line from the top of the
449    first Sheet of the annexed cancelled Will and the same deponent
450    Charles Gunning further deposes that the Codicil to the Will
451    of the said deceased executed by her on the sixth day of
452    June last was drawn and prepared by him this deponent
453    and in the Instructions for the same received by him from
454    the said deceased she directed him amongst other things to
455    make a bequest of one hundred pounds to the said John
456    Clench in addition to the Legacy of Two hundred pounds
457    which she had bequeathed to him by the Will and the said
458    Deponent Charles Gunning further deposes that the said
459    Codicil was read over to the said deceased prior to the
460    execution
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461    execution thereof audibly whereby she well knew and
462    understood what was therein expressed of and concerning
463    the Legacy bequeathed to the said John Clench in and by
464    her Will and all other the contents of the said Codicil and
465    she declared her satisfaction with and approbation thereof
466    and the said deponent Charles Gunning lastly saith that
467    in drawing the said Codicil he made reference to the
468    aforesaid cancelled will for the Recitals mentioned in the
469    Codicil and not to the original Will itself which remained
470    Sealed up in the said deceaseds possession Char[le]s Gunning
471    Wa: Smith The said Charles Gunning and Walter
472    Smith were duly sworn to the truth of this Affidavit in
473    virtue of the Commission thereunto annexed Before me Thomas
474    Head Dowson
475    This Will with a Codicil was proved at London
476    the twenty eighth day of August in the year of our Lord
477    one thousand seven hundred and ninety three before the
478    Worshipful Maurice Swabey doctor of Laws Surrogate of
479    the Right honorable Sir William Wynne Knight also
480    doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
481    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by
482    the Oaths of William Tice and Robert Fisher the Executors
483    named in the said Will of the deceased to whom
484    administration was granted of all and singular the Goods
485    Chattles and Credits of the said deceased having been first
486    sworn duly to administer.

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