Monday, February 3, 2014

Will of William Blake the elder, Gent, Eastontowne, Hampshire - Hampshire Record Office 1645A-05, probated 21 Nov 1645

The testator is William Blake the Elder of Eastontowne. Looking at the will of Nicholas who was a younger brother of William Blake the Elder of Eastontowne I am trying to decide if I have placed this William in the right family. Nicholas left his will in 1642 where he named his nephew William (son of William Blake the elder of Eastontowne) and his five children. If I am correct and this is William Blake married first to Anne Tutt then the present testator only mentions his children and makes no mention of grand children. Mind you his second wife Dorothy is having a child at the time of the writing of this will so perhaps his thoughts are far from grandchildren to be sure! His date of death is given in the inventory as 21 Oct 1645.

Names mentioned in the will:

William Blake, the elder, Eastontowne, testator
William Blake, eldest son of the testator
Alice Hellier, daughter
Robert Blake, son
Thomas Blake, son
William Blake the younger, son
Dorthy Blake, daughter
Nicholas Blake, son
Jeane Blake, daughter
Dorcas Blake, daughter
Rachel Blake, daughter
Dorothy Blake, wife
Mr. William Gold, overseer, friend
Mr. John Pope, overseer, friend, Andover
M Couche, witness
John Sewell, clerke, witness

Nicholas, brother of the testator, in his will which is blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/05/will-of-nicholas-blake-gentleman-of.html

Perhaps the most important item I learn from this will is that William does not mention a son Richard. Mind you Richard Blake died in 1622 so it would not be odd that he was not mentioned if he was his son but it is the age difference that is intriguing. Richard when he died had grandchildren. If William was his father it is amazing that he is still having children. To be the father of Richard (married circa early 1580s) he would have had to be born by at least the early 1540s which would make him over one hundred years of age. This will does rather cinch the argument and definitely Richard Blake married to Jone Blake and leaving his will in 1622 is not the son of the present testator.

Nicholas in his will above talks about his brother as if he is still living which he is according to this will. William, however, is not helpful. He doesn’t really mention anyone other than his own children thus making it more difficult to place him. But putting his will together with the will of Nicholas does give credence to the thought that this is William who first married Anne Tutt and then later married Dorothy (unknown) and that they had a second family. By reading the will it does appear that William, Alice Hellier, Robert and Thomas are older and have probably already received their portions. William the younger and Dorothy appear to be the oldest of the second marriage and their legacys are dependent on each other or separate depending on whether or not they both survive. Then the four younger children are linked together but if both William and Dorothy die then they will inherit the lot with the unborn child already taken care of if he/she survives.

The Inventory is very extensive and most interesting as is the single item showing how much money is owed to this William. What he is giving the younger children is really a very small inheritance given the amount of money that is owed to William. 

Nicholas in his will refers to his brother at Eastontowne and his nephew at Eastontowne. He refers to his cousin Joseph Hinxman senior, his son Joseph Hinxman junior and William Blake of Andover and Richard Blake his son and he calls them all cousin. They could be his cousins in two different ways 1. Jone Blake (the mother of William Blake of Andover) and wife of Richard Blake would be his maternal aunt (if Richard is a brother of his father William which is my thought). Or 2. William (father of the testator) had a brother Richard in which case Richard would be his uncle with wife Jone Blake. Jone Blake is perhaps a grand daughter of Robert Blake (brother of Nicholas who was the father of William Blake and grandfather of William Blake married to Margaret Hibberd (parents of the testator)).

All in all a good will to have purchased and transcribed. The father of the testator was the largest inheritor from his father’s will and it would be great to find the will for the eldest brother John.

Thomas Blake Junior is a bit of a mystery as one of the appraisers.The inventory is out of order as page 3 precedes page 2. Changing it is a task that I will assign to later!

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 3 Feb 2014
Source: Hampshire Record Office, 1645A-05
Testator: William Blake the Elder, Gent
Place: Eastontowne, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Jul 1644, probated 21 Nov 1645
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: 1645A-05

1    In the name of God Amen I William Blake the Elder of Eastontowne w[i]thin the parish of Andever in the County of
2    South[ampto]n gent: being in hea[l]th of body and of p[er]fect memory I thank my god But for the better settling of my Estate and
3    p[re]paring my soll for god doe make this my last Will and Testament the eighteenth day of July in the yeare of
4    o[u]r Lord god one thousand six hundred fowerty and fower hereby revoking all former Wills in manner and forme following
5    First I bequeathe my soule into the hands of my most mercifull god and my body to the earthe And as concerning
6    my temporall estate First I give to the Church of Andever ten shillings It[e]m to the poore of Andever twenty
7    shillings It[e]m to the poore of Knights Enham five shillings both w[hi]ch legacyes to the poore to bee bestowed by the
8    discretion of my Executrix hereafter named It[e]m I give to my eldest son William twelve pence It[e]m to my daughter
9    Alice Hellier twenty shillings It[e]m to my son Robert twelve pence It[e]m to my son Thomas twenty pounds It[e]m
10    to my son William the younger three score pounds to bee payde him when he shall attayne the age of one
11    and twenty years It[e]m to my daughter Dorothy three score pounds to be payde her at one and twenty years of age
12    or w[it]hin sixe moneths after hir marriage such shall first happen It[e]m I give to my son Nicholas and my
13    three daughters Jeane Dorcas and Rachel each of them forty pounds a peece to be payde unto them
14    at theyre respective ages of one and twenty years or w[it]hin six moneths after theyre respective marriages
15    and if any of them dye before the tyme limited for the payment of theyre legacyies then his, her or theyre
16    legacyes to be equally devided amongst the survivors of my fower last named children It[e]m whereas my Wife
17    is nowe greate w[i]th child I give unto that child that shalbe borne sixty pounds And my Will is if my
18    son William dye before the younger dye before his his legacy becom due then his sayde legacy to bee payde
19    to his sister Dorothy and if my daughter Dorothy dye before hir legacy becom due then to he and
20    remayne to hir brother my son William the younger And if they bothe happen to dye then theyre
21    por[t]ions to remayne to bee equally devided amongst theyre yonger brethren and sisters It[e]m my Will
22    is that all the sev[er]all legacyes shalbe payde out of such debts as nowe are or hereafter shalbe owing unto me
23    from my son William the elder and others at the tyme of my decease All the rest of my moveables money
24    plate goods Cattell and Chattells whatsoever I give and bequeath unto my welbeloved wife Dorothy
25    whome I make Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament And I desyre my welbeloved
26    friends Mr William Gold and Mr John Pope of Andever to be overseers of this my last Will
27    and testament desyreing them to give theyre best assistance and advise to my sayde Executrixe
28    to see this my last will p[er]formed fir those paynes as a testimony of my love to them
29    I give to each of them tene shillings six pence to buy them a payre of gloues In witness
30    that this is my last will and testament I have herunto set my hand and seale the day
31    and yeere first above written
32    Will[ia]m Blake
33    Memorand that the above named
34    William Blake did publish and declare
35    that this sheate of pap[er] dothe conteyne
36    his last will and testament in the p[re]sence
37    of us  M Couche
38    John Sewell Clerke
39    _____________ Posi
40    xxi me die mensis Novembris Anno
41    d[om]ini 1645
43    Probatum fuit humoi testa[mentum] in ____ forma Coram venti viro Willmo Trussell
44    Cliro Archi Magro Substitito etc Comssa adne Dorothea Blake vid relict
45    ac unisie Executrici in humoi testam[en]to nominat et constitute de bene etc deg
46    Solvent debita eg legata etc Jurat p Sohr uxta etc Salvo Jcore cinscunqz
47    Oblig ipsa vul et
    [Page 2]
48    An inventory taken the Eight of Novemb[e]r of all the goods and chattles of
49    William Blake the elder of Eastontowne in the p[ar]ishe of Andever
50    deceased this life the 21 of Octob[e]r 1645
51            £         s          d
52    Imprimis     first 11 burr    1         5          0
53    In the Scullery    # 7 kivers    0         10       16
54        # 1 ______    0          2          6
55        # 1 poudringe Tobe    0          2          0
56        # 1 tonbole    0          0          6
57        # 1 Stone silve    0          5          0
58        # 3 Stones    0          3          0
59        # 2 hanging shelfes    0          1          0
60    In the Wourke house    # for a hatchatt some agers and divers
other small thinges    01        0          0
61    In the Lower Chambers    # 1 beadstead w[i]th a cord and matte
# 1 feather bead bolster 2 blancetts
one cover bed:    4          0          0
62    In the L_ne
lennen + chamb[er]    # 1 feather bead w[i]th a bolster coverbead
# 2 blancets 1 beadsteed w[i]th cords    3         10         0
63        # 1 presse one side bead 1 chaire
1 long stoule 1 deaske    1           0         0
64    Over the parler    # 2 Joyne beadsteeds w]i]th cords one
feather bead 2 bolsters 3 cover lides 1 blancett    4           0         0
65        # 1 Truckell beadsteede w[i]th cord    0           5         0
66        # 1 Chisracke side Table 2 paire
of Courtin rods 1 side Cobert 1 box    0          10        0
67    In the Little Parler    # Two Joyne beadsteeds w[i]th mats and cords
1 troucke bead stead w[i]th mat and cord    1            5        0
68        # 4 feather beads and one downe and feather
boulsters and 1 Downe boulster 2 blancots
3 coverlides and feather pillows 5 courtines
w[i]th roads    14         10       0
69        # one windoe courtin a ir[on] rode    0            2        0
70        # one feather bead 1 bolster 2 blancots 1 coverlide
one paire of courtines and vallines worked
1 orringe Carpitt w[i]th brousheinge 2 Cobert coushinges    5      0      0
71        # one orridge coverlide    2            0        0
72        # one paire of greene courtines worked    1           0         0
73    [Total 127         1           61 [Total page 2] 40         1         6
    [Page 4]
74        # one troukell beadsteed one floucke bead one
feather boulster one blancott one coverlide    1         0          0
75        # one chaifeing dishe 1 chaire two tobes
one iron racke 2 heateinge vates one wine
sheet 2 sive dogges one trivitt one barre    2          0          0
76        # one stand one corne line one whilbarrow
one hand barrowe hoopes ten    0          10        0
77        # one butt[e]r cheirne 2 milke pannes and 3 chisvats    0  6  6
78        # 300 faggotts and a sartane stacke of ledgwoode  1  0    0
79        # 11 small trees    1           0         0
80        # hogges 9 and 3 shuts    5          10        0
81        # Ludders 3 kyo stocke 2 pronges 2    0          6          0
82        # wheate 28 busheles
                # barley 24 busheles
                # hay 30 lod
                # Strawe 1 loade    7          15        0
83        # 2 Cowe raucke one wall bocett chaire and tumbler  0    7   7
84        # one horse w[i]th harnis fitting to worke    01     0     0
85        # 24 sheepe    6           0         0
86        # kine 5    12         0         0
87        # younge heafer    4          0          0
88        # half a 100 of bares    0          5          0
89        # one charrett    0          5          0
90        # one paire of billose    0          0          6
91        # 4 b[ushell] of pease    0         10         0
92        # harrows ________    0          5          0
93    In the halle    # one longe table bord one round table board
6 Joyne Stooles one courtin and courtin rod    1          0          0
94        In the buttry 2 Coberts    0         5          0
95        In the sculler 2 Sifters and 3 Stands    0        10         0
96              In the best chamber one Standing beadsteed
w[i]th a teaster over, w[i]th matt cord and cortine
roads one trouckell beadstead 2 winder
courtines and courtin roads one side cobert
one little table w[i]th cupbert under one
great shealt in the chamber over
the kitchinge one Standinge beadsteed w[i]th
a matt and cords and teaster over, in the maids
chamb[e]r 2 standing bead steeds one Chest of
armor one malte querne    4         10         0
97    [Total page 4]        50       5          0
98 [Total all pages]            127       1         6
    [Page 3]
99        # 1 paire of shire courtines ande vallines    1      0      0
100        # 1 p[aire] of vallines    0           5         0
101        # my cosen William Blake cloathes of all sorts    4      0      0
102    L[i]nnon    # one diep Cobert Cloath 1 locram cobert
cloath 1 Lennen Table Cloath w[i]th 12 napkines    1          10        0
103        # one fine paire of hollon Sheets one paire
more of hollon sheets one dozen of drop
napkins one drop table cloath w[i]th 12 nap-
kines one fine longe towel 3 paire of fine
hollon sheets 7 paire of canvas sheets    5          0          0
104        two paire of ordinary pillowbees 12 ordinary
napkins 3 canvis table cloathes    0         14        0
105        # one paire of gold seales    0          3          0
106        # 3 great cheasts 3 greate coffers
4 troncks and one deaske    1         0           0
107        # 47 peaces of Pauter of all Sorts    2          0          0
108        # 4 pawter chamber pots 2 flaggones 2 pawt[er]
candlesticks and one band pott of pawt[er]    1          0          0
109        # 13 brasse panes 5 brasse kittles 1 little furniss
5 brasse pots 1 posnett and 2 skillets    8          0          0
110        # 1 limbitt w[i]th a great brasse pott    1         0           0
111        # 4 great Spitts 1 little Spitt 2 greate
driping pannes 1 lattin driging panne    1         0           0
112        # one cleaver one minsinge knife 1 beife
pricers 1 basting ladle 1 skimmer two pott
heuckes 3 cottrelles one feander 2 paire of Anyornes    1          0          0
113        # 3 croft bees 2 gaisslles one gome    1         5         0
114        # one fire pane and tonges and toasting ir[on]    0     5      0
115    In the greate Parler    # one table bord 2 Chaires 7 Joynt Stooles
one sid cobert    01       10        0
116        # one bible and one book of common prayer    0      5     0
117        # one courtine road w[i]th courtine and one seuttle    0  8    0
118    Intre    # 5 stalles of bees    1          5          0
119    Buttry    # one safe frieing panne and slicr 2 gridders    0     10      0
120        # one warmeing panne and one morter and pestell    0     10      0
121        # 2 poudring tobes one ringer and searche one
lantorne one peacke one boushell 4 trayes    0          15        0
122        # 2 pasti peiles 1 paire of reaters
2 paire of scales w[i]th waites one cheese racke
7 sheleves one fire forke 4 tobes 1 still
3 louckes 2 seives and one rudder and forme and 20 trenchers    1     10     0
123    [Total page 2]        30         15       0

124    Item    debts owed to the sayd deceased upon specialtyse otherwise    1049     10       0

[Appraisers]
Thomas Blake Jn
John Tomkins
       ttt
    his marke   

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