This, the will of John Blake, Cleric gives as his location Fairford, Gloucestershire but in the Diocese of Worcester. It isn’t particularly close to any known Blake area. From the Blake Pedigree Chart held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office there is a John Blake Lord Abbot of Cirencester in County Gloucestershire. The time frame would be similar to this John. He does not, however, mention any family although his brother William would be living in Lacock in this time period. Feyreford is nine miles east of Cirencester. This is after the dissolution of the monasteries during the Reign of Henry VIII which continued through the Reign of Edward VI. The fate of the Lord Abbot of Cirencester is unknown and could he have moved on to Feyreford where there was a house that still remained? There was a large church there dedicated to Saint Mary.
I still have about 70 wills from the Gloucestershire Record Office and included in that group are more wills from this early time period.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/37/293
Testator: John Blake, Clerk
Place: Feyreford, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Jan 1552, probated 4 Apr 1555
Condition: 16th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[estament] Joh[an]n Blake clerc
1 In dei nomine Amen seconde die Januarij Anno d[omi]ni Mell[is]imo quinqentisimo quinquagesimo
2 secondo et Anno Regni d[omi]ni uird Edwardi Sexti dei gracia Anglie Franciae et Hibernie Rexs fidei
3 defensores et in terra Ecclesia[e] Anglicane et Hibernice supremum capits Sexto I Joh[an]n Blake of
4 Feyreford in the dioc[ese] of Wurcestor Clerke being sicke in bodye and hole of mynd and in parfict
5 Remembrannce do make and ordeyne this my last will and testament in maner and forme folowinge
6 First I bequeathe my soule to th[e ]handes of Almyghtie god my Savior and Redemer whiche by the power
7 of his most precious blod have delyv[er]ed me from all my synnes and reconciled me unto god the father
8 by the merits of his deathe and my bodye to be buried wher yt shall please myne Executours John Hill and
9 John Dawbeney Jun[jior] my servantes and this to paye all my debts whiche I do owe And also to parforme
10 and paye all my legacies as hereafter folowith Fyrst I bequeathe and give to the poore mens boxe
11 In FeyreFord iijs viij d Item I bequeathe to John Wall my chapelyn Sixe pounds in money and A gowne
12 Item I give to Thomas Liggen gentleman xl s and his lyverie Item I give to Thomas Clarke my s[er]vant
13 Twenty shillings in money and his lyverie Item to Richard Merynge xxxv s iiij d and his lyverye Item
14 to Willyam Carter xxxiiij s and his lyv[er]ye Item to Roger Wyatt xxvj s vij d and his lyv[er]ye Item to
15 Richard Hall xxvj s viij d and his lyverie Item to John Faregose xxxs and his Lyverye Item to
16 Reynold Hooles xxxs and his lyverie Item to Richard Woodward xxs and his Lyverie Item to
17 Margery Levcy xxv s and one petycote Item to Faith Bryger xxiij s and one petycote Item to
18 Katheryn Ewen xxiij s and one peticote All this I give ev[er]y of them in full payment of their wages
19 and lyvereys All the rest of my goodes and cattalls moveable and unmoveable not given nor
20 bequeathed after my debts and Legacies be fully contentyd and paide and my funeral done I give
21 and bequeathe unto John Hill and John Dawbeney Jun[ior] above said my s[er]vantes whom I make and
22 ordeyne my sole Executors And further I make Overseers of this my last Will and testament Sir
23 Anthony Kyngston knight Sir Walter Buckeler knight and John George gent to the intent that they
24 shall see all my debts and Legacies abovesaid paide and fulfilled and myne Executors quyatly to
25 Incyon all the rest of my goodes above bequeathed and geven to them And they and ev[er]y of them myne
26 Overseers abovesaid to have for their Labors and paynes in the premises fower marks apece in money
27 to be paid to them by myne Executors Thes p[er]sons insigng baring wytnes of this my last will
28 Mathew Glame they being Curate Richard Stychall Richard More Thomas Smieth
29 Willyam Grene By me John Blake prest
30 Probatum fuit testum apud London coram et Capitlo Ecclie Metrovo xxi Cant
31 Sei Archie pali ibin Jain Vacan quarto die mensis Aprilis Anno domini Millesimo quingentisimo quinqua
32 gesimo quinto Juramento Johis Dawbeney Executor in humoi testament noiat ac approbatum etc
33 insumatum etc comissa fuit adminstraro omi bonor etc defuncti preset etc de bene et fideler
34 administrand ead Acde pleno Juro etc Exhibend Ao sumta dei Singelia Jurate Johanne Hill
35 Executore etiam in humoi testament moiate demortico
Wednesday, April 30, 2014
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
New yDNA tree and why test your DNA
The revised yDNA tree at FT DNA is still a work in progress especially given that the Big Y results are not yet figured into that tree. The tree is primarily the result of all the testing by the National Genographic Project. Since 20% only of the results of that study are transferred to FT DNA, there will be sections of that tree that might mystify users of it.
Why test though? My grandfather and father might have said that to me I do realize. They would have said we know where we are from; who our relatives are. Why would we bother testing? It has to be because of the deep ancestry although again I must admit my grandfather certainly would have said that his family had always lived in the Andover area; like forever. It is that thought perhaps alone that has most inspired me to test DNA. No one has lived in the Andover, Hampshire, England, UK area for absolutely ever. It is possible that some creatures have lived there but they did not belong to the Homo species to which we all belong. That single item was enough for me to scrape my mouth with the little plastic tool about eight years ago and send a sample off to the Genographic Project. I wanted to be in that big project that was going to find the origin of man if it was possible to do that using DNA. A year later I asked one of my brothers if he too would go into the genographic project for our yDNA and he agreed; he too was finding the idea of our deep ancestry interesting after I showed him the map of our mtDNA coming out of Africa. Then by piecemeal I gradually purchased one test after another as curiosity would impel me forward to learn a little more. It is cheaper to just buy the full genetic scan and the 111 markers and the Gen 2.0 but I was just a little curious but I give better advice than that to people who ask me. Save your money; buy the full test.
But still to this day we do not have any matches of our yDNA and no matches of our Full Genetic Scan of the mitochondria. We were dropped on this planet from somewhere I laughingly say some days. But I know I have cousins who still live in the Andover area and I wonder will they test one day. Will they become interested in their deep ancestry?
Still FT DNA has the best database for comparison and the most surname/geographic projects of any testing agency. They are still the cheapest although I also tested my brother at BritainsDNA and I am very pleased with that result. The chromosome painting still intrigues me although I have now used GedMatch and can do that myself but I saw theirs first and they have lots of prepared charts to look at making it easy for the user to look at their results. No sharing of results there; no databases for comparison but it is all about deep ancestry and that is, primarily, still my main interest.
My grandfather used to mention his furtherest back ancestor known to him by name lived at Old Hall in Enham and there lived Nicholas as he penned his will in 1547. Now that I have pushed that back likely to Robert Blayke who also lived at Enham as he penned his will in 1521, I wonder what my grandfather would think about that. Then I also wonder what the children of his cousins would think of that. Perhaps one day I will find that out. But for the moment I can only say that testing your DNA is a fascinating way to learn about your ancient ancestors. Doing Family Finder has brought me matches but far fewer than my husband with his early colonial American ancestry. No one in my close family other than my siblings has tested.
But I think if you really want your genealogy to be complete then you need to test your DNA to tell you if that ancient male ancestor was a deer-hunter like mine living on the edge of the ice sheets as they retreated or perhaps a Roman soldier or a Celt crossing from France centuries before the Romans or perhaps a Viking or Anglo-Saxon or a Norman or perhaps you came later.
The discovery of Richard le Blak of Rouen requesting to be present at markets in England
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/01/calendar-of-patent-rolls-summary-of.html
His license would have read thus:
"Licence, until Michaelmas, for Richard le Blak, merchant of Rouen, to
come to England to trade and to carry his wools and merchandise to the
usual fairs and markets by the public streets and common ways, provided
he do not carry or cause to be carried his wools or merchandise out of the
kingdom, nor deal with the Flemings or others of the power of the countess
of Flanders in the kingdom, or in any way communicate with them, during
the contention between the king and the said countess."
[30 May 1274 Westminster, 2 Edward I, volume 1, pages 51 - 52, Calendar of Patent Rolls]
1274 is 740 years ago. Imagine finding a record of your ancestor from 740 years ago. Now, personally, I do not think this is my ancestor. My Blake line belongs to the haplogroup named deer-hunters by BritainsDNA. Did he stay in England; I have collected some records for Richard le Blak and I need to get to transcribing them but I am an orderly person and still working on the wills. But those documents are to come and they should tell us an interesting story. Words can tell us part of the story and our dna can tell us another part.
Why test though? My grandfather and father might have said that to me I do realize. They would have said we know where we are from; who our relatives are. Why would we bother testing? It has to be because of the deep ancestry although again I must admit my grandfather certainly would have said that his family had always lived in the Andover area; like forever. It is that thought perhaps alone that has most inspired me to test DNA. No one has lived in the Andover, Hampshire, England, UK area for absolutely ever. It is possible that some creatures have lived there but they did not belong to the Homo species to which we all belong. That single item was enough for me to scrape my mouth with the little plastic tool about eight years ago and send a sample off to the Genographic Project. I wanted to be in that big project that was going to find the origin of man if it was possible to do that using DNA. A year later I asked one of my brothers if he too would go into the genographic project for our yDNA and he agreed; he too was finding the idea of our deep ancestry interesting after I showed him the map of our mtDNA coming out of Africa. Then by piecemeal I gradually purchased one test after another as curiosity would impel me forward to learn a little more. It is cheaper to just buy the full genetic scan and the 111 markers and the Gen 2.0 but I was just a little curious but I give better advice than that to people who ask me. Save your money; buy the full test.
But still to this day we do not have any matches of our yDNA and no matches of our Full Genetic Scan of the mitochondria. We were dropped on this planet from somewhere I laughingly say some days. But I know I have cousins who still live in the Andover area and I wonder will they test one day. Will they become interested in their deep ancestry?
Still FT DNA has the best database for comparison and the most surname/geographic projects of any testing agency. They are still the cheapest although I also tested my brother at BritainsDNA and I am very pleased with that result. The chromosome painting still intrigues me although I have now used GedMatch and can do that myself but I saw theirs first and they have lots of prepared charts to look at making it easy for the user to look at their results. No sharing of results there; no databases for comparison but it is all about deep ancestry and that is, primarily, still my main interest.
My grandfather used to mention his furtherest back ancestor known to him by name lived at Old Hall in Enham and there lived Nicholas as he penned his will in 1547. Now that I have pushed that back likely to Robert Blayke who also lived at Enham as he penned his will in 1521, I wonder what my grandfather would think about that. Then I also wonder what the children of his cousins would think of that. Perhaps one day I will find that out. But for the moment I can only say that testing your DNA is a fascinating way to learn about your ancient ancestors. Doing Family Finder has brought me matches but far fewer than my husband with his early colonial American ancestry. No one in my close family other than my siblings has tested.
But I think if you really want your genealogy to be complete then you need to test your DNA to tell you if that ancient male ancestor was a deer-hunter like mine living on the edge of the ice sheets as they retreated or perhaps a Roman soldier or a Celt crossing from France centuries before the Romans or perhaps a Viking or Anglo-Saxon or a Norman or perhaps you came later.
The discovery of Richard le Blak of Rouen requesting to be present at markets in England
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/01/calendar-of-patent-rolls-summary-of.html
His license would have read thus:
"Licence, until Michaelmas, for Richard le Blak, merchant of Rouen, to
come to England to trade and to carry his wools and merchandise to the
usual fairs and markets by the public streets and common ways, provided
he do not carry or cause to be carried his wools or merchandise out of the
kingdom, nor deal with the Flemings or others of the power of the countess
of Flanders in the kingdom, or in any way communicate with them, during
the contention between the king and the said countess."
[30 May 1274 Westminster, 2 Edward I, volume 1, pages 51 - 52, Calendar of Patent Rolls]
1274 is 740 years ago. Imagine finding a record of your ancestor from 740 years ago. Now, personally, I do not think this is my ancestor. My Blake line belongs to the haplogroup named deer-hunters by BritainsDNA. Did he stay in England; I have collected some records for Richard le Blak and I need to get to transcribing them but I am an orderly person and still working on the wills. But those documents are to come and they should tell us an interesting story. Words can tell us part of the story and our dna can tell us another part.
Sunday, April 27, 2014
A few thoughts on the Blake line(s) at Andover
As I work my way through these transcriptions for the Border Reivers in the West and Middle Marches along the border between England and Scotland, I was thinking about my Blake line at Andover. The spellings of the names for the Border Reivers is not really all that different from the late 1500s to the present. A few changes but minor really.
Finding that my Nicholas Blake was likely the son of Richard Blake who left his will in 1522 and the grandson of Robert Blayke who left his will in 1521 has been a rather fascinating experience over the last couple of months. Along with the results of the BritainsDNA all my ancestry tests, my line is very ancient to the British Isles. They are called the Deer Hunters by BritainsDNA and the latest find in Scotland of a skelton dating back 14,000 years is most exciting. As the ice sheets retreated and formed across the British Isles, I can imagine my people there at the edge hunting and living their hunter gatherer existence. Through thousands of years they just used a single name likely. What prompted them to move to a surname and why did they choose Blake? I find that the question intrigues me more and more. It didn't intrigue me quite so much a year or so ago but the results of the yDNA study at both Gen2.0 and BritainsDNA giving me virtually duplicate results have set my mind racing much further back in time with respect to my yDNA line.
How significant is it that my furtherest back ancestor used the surname Blayke although his son did use Blake? This Robert Blake was likely born in the mid 1400s but I still do not know where? But I know that he lived at Enham in the last years of his life. The Manor Books eventually might provide answers to my queries but gaining those will be a project for a couple of years down the road I expect. First I must get through what I have acquired thus far. When I return to blogging it will be looking at the Gloucestershire Blake family which is descendant of the Wiltshire Blake family. Can I find a relationship between these Blakes and the Blake family in Somerset? The Blake Pedigree chart at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office shows the relationship between the Wiltshire Blake family and the Somerset Blake family to be further back. The traceback from Gloucestershire to Wiltshire is a fairly direct one as far as I can tell thus far occurring in the latter part of the 1600s.
Today was the Zoomer Show in Ottawa and my husband and I volunteered to do a three hour stint from opening at 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A number of people did come by the Genealogy stand (Ontario Genealogy Society, British Isles Family History Society of the Greater Ottawa area, and the City of Ottawa Archives shared this stand) and I had several longish chats with people about DNA results and how they play into genealogy. Really, you can not do your genealogy without doing your DNA. I am fully convinced of that and recommend that to everyone that I meet. The latest tests from Gen 2.0, BritainsDNA and FT DNA looking at autosomal ancestry can give you insights into how your genes have traveled through time. Without that knowledge, unless you are like myself and know exactly all of your ancestor's immigration stories, pinpointing the origin of your family prior to migration can be quite a difficult process. DNA studies can eliminate some of this uncertainity if you do autosomal testing along with the standard yDNA and mtDNA testing. Or you can just do autosomal as it looks at all your genetic makeup given to you by your parents/grandparents/greatgrandparents/etc. Even better persuading your siblings to all test can give you a well rounded look at the genetic compliment especially if you have a number of siblings (I have six). It would be nice to have my parent's DNA but having siblings helps in that regard.
I mostly spoke to people with British Isles Ancestry but also a number with French (French Canadian), German, Norwegian, Portuguese, African and Chinese. A most interesting couple of hours and I wanted to mention as I did to them that I personally think the best way to begin your genealogy is to download the free software program from Legacy Family Tree and enter in your data. If you want the bells and whistles (and I do) you can pay for the advanced program later or there are other programs on the market. You can just extract all your information into a gedcom and move to whatever program you wish. Taking 42 courses at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies has been extremely valuable to me in my research but it was my cousin asking me to write a profile on my mother's family (Pincombe) that actually inspired me to do so. I knew nothing about genealogy in 2003 when he first asked me although had watched my husband work away at his genealogy for over 40 years (so knew about census, parish records but not much more!). But I needed English ancestry and my husband was into American ancestry mostly at that time although he is now back on the continent with French/Dutch/German/English and others. He is a true early American colonial descendant although Canadian for seven generations and more!
Back to transcription of the Border Reivers documents. Still quite a bit to do and they are not really that clean. My cousin knows these places much better than I do so I am giving him a quick transcription and he can make the changes that he needs to make use of them. I might go back one day and revise them but will only blog them if he doesn't publish them in his book.
Finding that my Nicholas Blake was likely the son of Richard Blake who left his will in 1522 and the grandson of Robert Blayke who left his will in 1521 has been a rather fascinating experience over the last couple of months. Along with the results of the BritainsDNA all my ancestry tests, my line is very ancient to the British Isles. They are called the Deer Hunters by BritainsDNA and the latest find in Scotland of a skelton dating back 14,000 years is most exciting. As the ice sheets retreated and formed across the British Isles, I can imagine my people there at the edge hunting and living their hunter gatherer existence. Through thousands of years they just used a single name likely. What prompted them to move to a surname and why did they choose Blake? I find that the question intrigues me more and more. It didn't intrigue me quite so much a year or so ago but the results of the yDNA study at both Gen2.0 and BritainsDNA giving me virtually duplicate results have set my mind racing much further back in time with respect to my yDNA line.
How significant is it that my furtherest back ancestor used the surname Blayke although his son did use Blake? This Robert Blake was likely born in the mid 1400s but I still do not know where? But I know that he lived at Enham in the last years of his life. The Manor Books eventually might provide answers to my queries but gaining those will be a project for a couple of years down the road I expect. First I must get through what I have acquired thus far. When I return to blogging it will be looking at the Gloucestershire Blake family which is descendant of the Wiltshire Blake family. Can I find a relationship between these Blakes and the Blake family in Somerset? The Blake Pedigree chart at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office shows the relationship between the Wiltshire Blake family and the Somerset Blake family to be further back. The traceback from Gloucestershire to Wiltshire is a fairly direct one as far as I can tell thus far occurring in the latter part of the 1600s.
Today was the Zoomer Show in Ottawa and my husband and I volunteered to do a three hour stint from opening at 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A number of people did come by the Genealogy stand (Ontario Genealogy Society, British Isles Family History Society of the Greater Ottawa area, and the City of Ottawa Archives shared this stand) and I had several longish chats with people about DNA results and how they play into genealogy. Really, you can not do your genealogy without doing your DNA. I am fully convinced of that and recommend that to everyone that I meet. The latest tests from Gen 2.0, BritainsDNA and FT DNA looking at autosomal ancestry can give you insights into how your genes have traveled through time. Without that knowledge, unless you are like myself and know exactly all of your ancestor's immigration stories, pinpointing the origin of your family prior to migration can be quite a difficult process. DNA studies can eliminate some of this uncertainity if you do autosomal testing along with the standard yDNA and mtDNA testing. Or you can just do autosomal as it looks at all your genetic makeup given to you by your parents/grandparents/greatgrandparents/etc. Even better persuading your siblings to all test can give you a well rounded look at the genetic compliment especially if you have a number of siblings (I have six). It would be nice to have my parent's DNA but having siblings helps in that regard.
I mostly spoke to people with British Isles Ancestry but also a number with French (French Canadian), German, Norwegian, Portuguese, African and Chinese. A most interesting couple of hours and I wanted to mention as I did to them that I personally think the best way to begin your genealogy is to download the free software program from Legacy Family Tree and enter in your data. If you want the bells and whistles (and I do) you can pay for the advanced program later or there are other programs on the market. You can just extract all your information into a gedcom and move to whatever program you wish. Taking 42 courses at the National Institute for Genealogical Studies has been extremely valuable to me in my research but it was my cousin asking me to write a profile on my mother's family (Pincombe) that actually inspired me to do so. I knew nothing about genealogy in 2003 when he first asked me although had watched my husband work away at his genealogy for over 40 years (so knew about census, parish records but not much more!). But I needed English ancestry and my husband was into American ancestry mostly at that time although he is now back on the continent with French/Dutch/German/English and others. He is a true early American colonial descendant although Canadian for seven generations and more!
Back to transcription of the Border Reivers documents. Still quite a bit to do and they are not really that clean. My cousin knows these places much better than I do so I am giving him a quick transcription and he can make the changes that he needs to make use of them. I might go back one day and revise them but will only blog them if he doesn't publish them in his book.
Saturday, April 26, 2014
FT DNA Sale and continuing Routledge
There is a sale at FT DNA on the 37 marker yDNA test.
https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx
It is listed in the pink navigation bar across the site just down from the top of the page.
or the Blake yDNA project page:
https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Blake
I will have more to say on the new y haplotree later.
I am still working away on the Routledge documents for my cousin. There are about 30 to do mostly just 30 lines per document but they are from the latter part of the 1500s so a little challenge there! I should begin posting wills again on Wednesday the 30th of April.
These documents I am working on have occasional references to the Routledge family of Bewcastle and of course my interest in this family is doubled and mostly doubled in each generation back from that. Two of my three x great grandparents were surnamed Routledge - Thomas Routledge and Elizabeth Routledge of Bewcastle married at Bewcastle in 1785 and their parents were Henry Routledge (and Margaret Tweddle) and George Routledge and Grace Routledge (Thomas and Elizabeth respectively). The tendency to marry Routledge continues back in time and of 16 great great grandparents for my great great grandmother Mary Routledge daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Routledge 13 are surname Routledge. Thus far they represent the Oakshaw, Hill, Parke, Broderigg and a couple of other locations family. However most are from the Oakshaw Routledge line.
https://www.familytreedna.com/login.aspx
It is listed in the pink navigation bar across the site just down from the top of the page.
or the Blake yDNA project page:
https://www.familytreedna.com/group-join.aspx?Group=Blake
I will have more to say on the new y haplotree later.
I am still working away on the Routledge documents for my cousin. There are about 30 to do mostly just 30 lines per document but they are from the latter part of the 1500s so a little challenge there! I should begin posting wills again on Wednesday the 30th of April.
These documents I am working on have occasional references to the Routledge family of Bewcastle and of course my interest in this family is doubled and mostly doubled in each generation back from that. Two of my three x great grandparents were surnamed Routledge - Thomas Routledge and Elizabeth Routledge of Bewcastle married at Bewcastle in 1785 and their parents were Henry Routledge (and Margaret Tweddle) and George Routledge and Grace Routledge (Thomas and Elizabeth respectively). The tendency to marry Routledge continues back in time and of 16 great great grandparents for my great great grandmother Mary Routledge daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Routledge 13 are surname Routledge. Thus far they represent the Oakshaw, Hill, Parke, Broderigg and a couple of other locations family. However most are from the Oakshaw Routledge line.
Thursday, April 24, 2014
Routledge
A short break as I return to work on the Routledge documents for my cousin Tom Routledge. The documents are quite ancient and tell a great deal about the life of this family in the 1500s and 1600s in Cumberland.
Because Tom is working on the Routledge family (and my line Oakshaw at Bewcastle, Cumberland end up being quite dominant) I have more or less stepped back from doing any research on this family. However, it is handy sometimes for me to transcribe some of the documents.
I shall spend the next week doing that so will not likely post any wills for that period of time.
If I see anything interesting in the documents that Tom is not going to use for his book on the Routledge Clan then I will post it otherwise my site will be somewhat quiet.
Because Tom is working on the Routledge family (and my line Oakshaw at Bewcastle, Cumberland end up being quite dominant) I have more or less stepped back from doing any research on this family. However, it is handy sometimes for me to transcribe some of the documents.
I shall spend the next week doing that so will not likely post any wills for that period of time.
If I see anything interesting in the documents that Tom is not going to use for his book on the Routledge Clan then I will post it otherwise my site will be somewhat quiet.
Wednesday, April 23, 2014
Will of George Blake, mariner, Bristol - The National Archives PROB 11/759/220, probated 19 Jan 1747/48
The Testator is George Blake, Mariner, of the City of Bristol. This will was written in 1720 possibly at the beginning of their marriage and not probated until 27 years later.
I could not find a marriage for George Blake that fitted particularly well. He doesn’t mention children but the probate is 27 years later.
Is this George descendant of the Calne Wiltshire Blake family or is his being in Bristol a result of his being a mariner? There are a number of Blake families in London in the mariner occupation. His will doesn't give anything away in that regard for sure.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/759/220
Testator: George Blake, Mariner
Place: Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 12 Oct 1720, probated 19 Jan 1747/48
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: George Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I George Blake of the City of Bristol Mariner being in perfect
3 health mind memory and understanding (thanks to Almighty
4 God for the same) but knowing the certainty of death and the
5 uncertainty of the time thereof do make and ordain this my
6 last Will and Testament I give unto Mary my well beloved
7 Wife all my Real and personal Estate whatsoever and
8 wheresoever whom I make Sol Executrix of this my Will
9 In Witness whereof I have set my hand and Seal this Twelfth
10 day of October Annoq d[omi]ni 1720 Geo: Blake Sealed Signed
11 published and declared by the Testator to be his last Will and
12 Testament in the presence of us Al: Pittendreigh Jno Becher Jun[io]r
13 This Will was proved at London before the Right
14 Worshipfull John Bettesworth doctor of Laws Master Keeper
15 Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
16 constituted the Nineteenth day of January in the Year of our Lord
17 one Thousand Seven hundred and Forty Seven by the Oath of Mary
18 Blake Widow the Sole Executrix named in the said Will To whom
19 Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
20 of the said deceased was granted being first Sworn by Commission
21 duly to administer
I could not find a marriage for George Blake that fitted particularly well. He doesn’t mention children but the probate is 27 years later.
Is this George descendant of the Calne Wiltshire Blake family or is his being in Bristol a result of his being a mariner? There are a number of Blake families in London in the mariner occupation. His will doesn't give anything away in that regard for sure.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/759/220
Testator: George Blake, Mariner
Place: Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 12 Oct 1720, probated 19 Jan 1747/48
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: George Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I George Blake of the City of Bristol Mariner being in perfect
3 health mind memory and understanding (thanks to Almighty
4 God for the same) but knowing the certainty of death and the
5 uncertainty of the time thereof do make and ordain this my
6 last Will and Testament I give unto Mary my well beloved
7 Wife all my Real and personal Estate whatsoever and
8 wheresoever whom I make Sol Executrix of this my Will
9 In Witness whereof I have set my hand and Seal this Twelfth
10 day of October Annoq d[omi]ni 1720 Geo: Blake Sealed Signed
11 published and declared by the Testator to be his last Will and
12 Testament in the presence of us Al: Pittendreigh Jno Becher Jun[io]r
13 This Will was proved at London before the Right
14 Worshipfull John Bettesworth doctor of Laws Master Keeper
15 Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
16 constituted the Nineteenth day of January in the Year of our Lord
17 one Thousand Seven hundred and Forty Seven by the Oath of Mary
18 Blake Widow the Sole Executrix named in the said Will To whom
19 Administration of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
20 of the said deceased was granted being first Sworn by Commission
21 duly to administer
Tuesday, April 22, 2014
Will of Clementia Blake, spinster, Bristol - The National Archives PROB 11/1574/256, probated 16 Nov 1815
Another Blake family will that mentions Walcot Bath. Clementia is the daughter of William Blake who left his will in 1792 and will be transcribed later.
Clementia Blake was buried 29 Sep 1815 at St Stephen, Bristol. She was 70 years of age giving her an estimated birth year of 1745. This is a transcription by Family Search (digital folder number 004242565, image number 15).
The marriage of Mary Blake to John Marsh took place in 1778 at St James Bristol (Family Search M17286-5).
Rebecca, the sister of the testatrix, could be the Rebecca Blake christened at Bristol 21 Apr 1759 (Family Search) and the daughter of William and Rebecca Blake). More will be learned from William’s will plus is this "possibly" a descendant line of Ambrose Blake of Pinhills?
The last couple of days I am coming to realize that many of these Gloucestershire Wills belong to the Blake family of Calne descendants. When I do the will of William Blake probated in 1792 I will attempt to bring all of these wills together and create a family tree for the descendants of Ambrose as shown by the wills. Finding more information on Ambrose would be interesting but this is a difficult period in England during the Civil War and then the Commonwealth under Cromwell when parish registers were forbidden and many items unrecorded.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 13 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1574/256
Testator: Clementia Blake, Spinster
Place: Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Apr 1814, probated 16 Nov 1815
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Clementia
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 12
1 By the Permission of God
2 I Clementia Blake of the City of Bristol spinster being of sound and
3 disposing mind memory and understanding do this eighteenth day of
4 April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen
5 make publish declare this my last will and Testament in manner
6 following that is to say I give and devise unto Daniel Taylor
7 Haythorne of the parish of Stapleton in the County of Gloucester Esq[uie]r
8 and Mr Richard Jones of the Parish of Saint Paul in the City of Bristol
9 Taylor their heirs all that my freehold messuage or Tenements situate
10 on the East side of Saint James’s Church now in the parish of Saint
11 James in the said City now or late in the occupation of William
12 Hammings patten maker to hold the same unto the said Daniel Taylor
13 Haythorne and the said Richard Jones and their heirs for ever to the
14 use and upon the trust herein after expressed and declared of concerning
15 the same that is to say to the use of my Friend Edward Cartor of the
16 City of Bristol Carpenter with whom I now reside in trust for the said
17 Edward Carter and for his sole use benefit and for the use benefit of
18 his heirs assigns for ever and to for or upon no other use trust
19 intent or purpose whatsoever which said messuage or Tenement I
20 give to the said Edward Carter in manner aforesaid from the great
21 regard I have form for him and for his late Wife Mary Carter for
22 the many kindnesses they hath shown me Whereas the sum of two
23 hundred seventy pounds or thereabout was placed out at interest in
24 the name of Mr Jeremiah Osborne a Trustee on that occasion
25 on security of a messuage being no 17 in Kingsmead street in the
26 parish of Walcot Bath in the County of Somerset now in the occupation
27 of Adam Hevor I give the said messuage or Tenement as far as I have
28 any power or control respecting the same unto the said Daniel Taylor
29 Haythorne and the said Richard Jones upon trust for the use and
30 benefit of the said Edward Carter during his life I also give him all rent
31 that shall at my decease be due to me for the said two messuages
32 or Tenements and from and after his decease I give devise the said
33 messuage or Tenement in Kingsmead street unto and to the use of the
34 three children of my late Brother William Blake equally between
35 them and their respective heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in
36 common also I give bequeath unto the said Edward Carter all and
37 every debt and debts sum sums of money if any that may at the time
38 of my decease be due or owing from him to me on any account
39 whatsoever or it being my will and intention that he shall never be
40 sued disquieted or questioned by any person whomsoever respecting any
41 receipts payments or other transactions relative to me or my concerns
42 now in my life time and whereas my late Father William Blake
43 by his Will gave to trustees therein named the sum of three hundred
44 pounds upon trust to invest the same in an annuity for my life and
45 for my use to be secured as therein mentioned but which annuity
46 hath not been purchased and I have hitherto received only commission
47 interest on the said Sum of three hundred pounds which sum
48 and other monies due belonging to me and now in the hands
49 or power of John Marsh now or late of Bath Esq[uire] as one of the
50 Trustees of my said late Fathers Will now I give the said sum
51 of three hundred pounds unto my nephew Henry Marsh son of
52 the said John March subject nevertheless to the payment thereout
53 of all my just debts funeral Expences and the cost of proving this
54 my will upon condition that lawful interest for the said Sum
55 be duly paid to me up to the time of my decease also I give the
56 sum of one hundred pounds to each of my two sisters Rebecca
57 Mogg and Mary Marsh out of the monies due to me as my share of
58 my late Fathers residuary Estate and now in the hands of said John
60 Marsh and as to all the residue remainder of my monies and Estate no herein
61 before disposed of I give the same to the three daughters of the said Mary
62 Marsh equally between them and I do hereby constitute and appoint my
63 said Friend Edward Carter sole Exor of this my will and revoke all former wills
64 by me made and declare this only to be my last In Witness whereof I
65 have hereunto set my hand and seal the day year first above written
66 Clementia Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testatrix
67 Clementia Blake as and for her last will and Testament in the presence of us
68 who in her presence at her request in the presence of each other have
69 subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto P Penton Jno Brady
70 Rd Jones
71 Proved at London 16 Novr 1815 before the Judge by the oath of
72 Edward Carter the sole Exor to whom admon was granted being sworn by
73 Comon to admr
Clementia Blake was buried 29 Sep 1815 at St Stephen, Bristol. She was 70 years of age giving her an estimated birth year of 1745. This is a transcription by Family Search (digital folder number 004242565, image number 15).
The marriage of Mary Blake to John Marsh took place in 1778 at St James Bristol (Family Search M17286-5).
Rebecca, the sister of the testatrix, could be the Rebecca Blake christened at Bristol 21 Apr 1759 (Family Search) and the daughter of William and Rebecca Blake). More will be learned from William’s will plus is this "possibly" a descendant line of Ambrose Blake of Pinhills?
The last couple of days I am coming to realize that many of these Gloucestershire Wills belong to the Blake family of Calne descendants. When I do the will of William Blake probated in 1792 I will attempt to bring all of these wills together and create a family tree for the descendants of Ambrose as shown by the wills. Finding more information on Ambrose would be interesting but this is a difficult period in England during the Civil War and then the Commonwealth under Cromwell when parish registers were forbidden and many items unrecorded.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 13 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1574/256
Testator: Clementia Blake, Spinster
Place: Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Apr 1814, probated 16 Nov 1815
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Clementia
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 12
1 By the Permission of God
2 I Clementia Blake of the City of Bristol spinster being of sound and
3 disposing mind memory and understanding do this eighteenth day of
4 April in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and fourteen
5 make publish declare this my last will and Testament in manner
6 following that is to say I give and devise unto Daniel Taylor
7 Haythorne of the parish of Stapleton in the County of Gloucester Esq[uie]r
8 and Mr Richard Jones of the Parish of Saint Paul in the City of Bristol
9 Taylor their heirs all that my freehold messuage or Tenements situate
10 on the East side of Saint James’s Church now in the parish of Saint
11 James in the said City now or late in the occupation of William
12 Hammings patten maker to hold the same unto the said Daniel Taylor
13 Haythorne and the said Richard Jones and their heirs for ever to the
14 use and upon the trust herein after expressed and declared of concerning
15 the same that is to say to the use of my Friend Edward Cartor of the
16 City of Bristol Carpenter with whom I now reside in trust for the said
17 Edward Carter and for his sole use benefit and for the use benefit of
18 his heirs assigns for ever and to for or upon no other use trust
19 intent or purpose whatsoever which said messuage or Tenement I
20 give to the said Edward Carter in manner aforesaid from the great
21 regard I have form for him and for his late Wife Mary Carter for
22 the many kindnesses they hath shown me Whereas the sum of two
23 hundred seventy pounds or thereabout was placed out at interest in
24 the name of Mr Jeremiah Osborne a Trustee on that occasion
25 on security of a messuage being no 17 in Kingsmead street in the
26 parish of Walcot Bath in the County of Somerset now in the occupation
27 of Adam Hevor I give the said messuage or Tenement as far as I have
28 any power or control respecting the same unto the said Daniel Taylor
29 Haythorne and the said Richard Jones upon trust for the use and
30 benefit of the said Edward Carter during his life I also give him all rent
31 that shall at my decease be due to me for the said two messuages
32 or Tenements and from and after his decease I give devise the said
33 messuage or Tenement in Kingsmead street unto and to the use of the
34 three children of my late Brother William Blake equally between
35 them and their respective heirs and assigns for ever as tenants in
36 common also I give bequeath unto the said Edward Carter all and
37 every debt and debts sum sums of money if any that may at the time
38 of my decease be due or owing from him to me on any account
39 whatsoever or it being my will and intention that he shall never be
40 sued disquieted or questioned by any person whomsoever respecting any
41 receipts payments or other transactions relative to me or my concerns
42 now in my life time and whereas my late Father William Blake
43 by his Will gave to trustees therein named the sum of three hundred
44 pounds upon trust to invest the same in an annuity for my life and
45 for my use to be secured as therein mentioned but which annuity
46 hath not been purchased and I have hitherto received only commission
47 interest on the said Sum of three hundred pounds which sum
48 and other monies due belonging to me and now in the hands
49 or power of John Marsh now or late of Bath Esq[uire] as one of the
50 Trustees of my said late Fathers Will now I give the said sum
51 of three hundred pounds unto my nephew Henry Marsh son of
52 the said John March subject nevertheless to the payment thereout
53 of all my just debts funeral Expences and the cost of proving this
54 my will upon condition that lawful interest for the said Sum
55 be duly paid to me up to the time of my decease also I give the
56 sum of one hundred pounds to each of my two sisters Rebecca
57 Mogg and Mary Marsh out of the monies due to me as my share of
58 my late Fathers residuary Estate and now in the hands of said John
60 Marsh and as to all the residue remainder of my monies and Estate no herein
61 before disposed of I give the same to the three daughters of the said Mary
62 Marsh equally between them and I do hereby constitute and appoint my
63 said Friend Edward Carter sole Exor of this my will and revoke all former wills
64 by me made and declare this only to be my last In Witness whereof I
65 have hereunto set my hand and seal the day year first above written
66 Clementia Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the said Testatrix
67 Clementia Blake as and for her last will and Testament in the presence of us
68 who in her presence at her request in the presence of each other have
69 subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto P Penton Jno Brady
70 Rd Jones
71 Proved at London 16 Novr 1815 before the Judge by the oath of
72 Edward Carter the sole Exor to whom admon was granted being sworn by
73 Comon to admr
Monday, April 21, 2014
Will of Christopher Blake, Yeoman, Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/593/333, probated 12 Oct 1723
The Will of Christopher Blake of Shipton Moyne, present testator, is an absolute gem in terms of family associations. Christopher has either never been married or his wife is deceased. He does not mention a wife or children.
Names mentioned in the will:
Christopher Blake, testator, Shipton Moyne
Richard Blake, cousin, Chipping Sodbury, Innholder
John Blake, cousin, Tetbury
William Blake, cousin, Tetbury, deceased
Joseph Blake, cousin, Tetbury
Hester Humphris, cousin, Horsley
Hannah Hide, cousin, Horsley, deceased
Edward Blake, cousin, London
Henry Blake, cousin, London
Arthur Orchard, husband of cousin (sister of John Blake, deceased), deceased
Hester Orchard, daughter of Arthur
Thomas Lydiard, husband of sister
Susannah Lydiard, sister, deceased
William Pritchard, cousin, Tetbury, carryer
Anthony Sharpe, tenant
William Pritchard the elder
Mary Nicholas, servant
Dorothy Battin, Tetbury
Eliz Phillipps, mother of Dorothy Battin
John Woodward, witness
Harry Witts, witness
Elizabeth Browneing, witness
The Richard Blake at Chipping Sodbury is rather interesting and perhaps pertains to the blog post of the memorials for the Blake family in Gloucestershire:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/1248-blake-family-gloucestershire-notes.html
There is a Richard Blake at Chipping Sodbury with brothers Joseph and Samuel. The memorial refers to the father of Richard Blake lived in Bristol (died there in 1771). In 1723 he would have been about 22 years of age. He would be a cousin to the testator Christopher Blake. Knowing that Richard had uncles Joseph and Samuel then Christopher would be the son of one of these men possibly. The Joseph Blake is still living according to the will and the uncle of Richard Blake, Joseph, was buried at Chipping Sodbury in 1715 at 23 years of age.
The Portbury Hundred pages http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/admiralreport.htm
mention this family and Richard Blake (father of Joseph, Samuel and Richard) married Mary (unknown). The Portbury Hundred website gives Richard who died in Chipping Sodbury 9 Apr 1724 a birth year of 1668 (he was 56 when he died). Neither Joseph nor Samuel are traced down in this site. They both died in 1715 (Joseph 18 May 1715) and Samuel at 23 years of age giving him a year of birth circa 1692. Richard is mentioned as being born in 1700 and died in 1771 and his will is to come).
Richard Blake (1668-1724) was said to be the son of Ambrose Blake and Elizabeth Ruddick. He had brothers Henry (1669 - 1731) and Ambrose. I actually left this part of the website out of the Legacy chart that I produced because I did not agree with the material. However, I did not actually do any research on it so will now see what I can find.
"Margaret Parrott for Wiltshire Buildings Record"
The children of Henry Blake and Abigail Stringer are named on the Portbury site as Henry, Roger, Ambrose, Abigail and Lettice. The Blake Pedigree Chart held by the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office only mentions Henry, Roger and Abigail as children of this couple with Henry being 6 years of age in 1623, Roger 5 years of age in 1623 and Abigail being 1 year of age in 1623. No descendants of these three children are on the chart. This information is taken from the Visitation of Wiltshire 1623. Perhaps Ambrose was born after 1623 and would then have been 20 years or less in age in 1644 when the house was said to be demolished or in 1690 it was simply not advantageous to mention Ambrose.
Another interesting piece of information from the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Volumes 23-24 edited by Edward Hungerford Goddard on page 223 No X mentions a Sundry Memoranda relating to the coronation of King Charles ( 2 Feb 1626; reigned from 27 Mar 1625 to 30 Jan 1649) and his offer of a knighthood to gentlemen of estate; the Blake family did refuse the knighthood and were fined for doing so. Henry Blake, of Pinhills, was fined 10 pounds. In a list of gentry in the Hundred of Calne in Wiltshire on this same page living during the times of Charles I and Charles II can be found the name of Ambrose Blake, Esquire of Pinnels. Interestingly enough Blake and Chivers are the only surnames that appear in both lists and only one Blake in the first list and one in the second list.
I feel this is probably sufficient to show that Ambrose was the heir of Henry Blake and that he was likely his son rather than say a grandson. Henry (son of Henry) is said to have died in 1660 and no date of death is given for Roger on the Portbury website and no children of either of these two men. Ambrose is given a date of birth of 1620 which would have made him three years of age at the time of the Visitation of Wiltshire. His being left off may simply be a political omission (not advantageous at this time to mention the connection of the London family (which requested the College of Arms to create the chart) to the Wiltshire family which had opposed the Stuart line).
Ambrose is said to have married Elizabeth Ruddick and that they had three sons Richard (1668-1724), Henry (1669-1731) and Ambrose. Working down through the chart on the Portbury site Richard married Mary (unknown) and they have three children Joseph, Samuel and Richard (1700-1771). Henry married Catherine Hungerford and they had the following children Robert (married to Joanna Coombs (this information is on the memorial at Chipping Sodbury), Henry, Abigail, Katherine and Frances. Ambrose is said to have married Mary Ivie and they had one child Elizabeth.
In this will Christopher in 1723 talks about his cousins Richard Blake in Chipping Sodbury, John Blake, William Blake (deceased) and Joseph Blake in Tetbury and Edward Blake, Henry Blake his cousins in London. This accounts for Blake cousins but he also mentions a Humphris and a Hide cousin in Horsley, Arthur Orchard who married the sister of John Blake, Susanna Lydiard, Christopher's sister (deceased), and William Pritchard a cousin in Tetbury.
The Richard Blake he mentions is likely the son of Richard (1668-1724) and this Richard was married to Mary Greenway 1723 according to Boyd's Marriage Index of Marriage Licences. No place was recorded in that index. This does match up with the Portbury Hundred accounting of Admiral Blake's collateral lines but only one son is mentioned William and not the two daughters Susanna and Hannah mentioned in their parent's wills. William is traced down however and more about that when I transcribe his will.
This is still not helping me determine who Christopher Blake is. Henry Blake (1669-1731) brother to Richard (1668-1724) is a possibility. Henry married Catherine Hungerford and their son Robert was born in 1708 (he died in 1790 at 82 years of age). He was married to Joanna Coombs. A second son Henry and there are no further details for either of these two sons (there were also three daughters Abigail, Katherine, and Frances) as mentioned earlier. Looking for a John Blake, William Blake (deceased) and Joseph Blake in Tetbury as cousins. One would think that they would be sons of Henry or Ambrose since they are Richard's (1668-1724) brothers. The interesting part about this line is that they are direct descendants of the Blake family at Calne. Whether or not they are collateral to the Admiral Blake line remains to be proven.
I am thus far unable to determine exactly how this family is associated with the Blake family at Bristol but I now know how Richard Blake married to Anne Augusta Harwood fits into a family and more on that with the will of William Blake (1791) since Richard is his son.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/593/333
Testator: Christopher Blake, Yeoman
Place: Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 23 Aug 1723, probated 12 Oct 1723
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[esta]m[ent]
[Margin]: Christopher Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I Christopher Blake of Shipton Moyne in the County of Gloucester
3 yeoman being aged but of Sound Mind and good disposing understanding
4 (praised be God) therefore do make this my last Will and Testament
5 in manner and form following Imprimis I commend my Soul into the
6 hands of Almighty God that gave it and my Body to the Earth to be
7 buried in Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors herein after
8 named And as for my Worldly Estate It hath pleased God to give me
9 I dispose thereof as followeth Item I give and bequeath unto my
10 Cousin Richard Blake of Chipping Sodbury in the County of Gloucester
11 Innholder the Sum[m]e of Forty pounds and unto my Cousin John Blake of
12 Tetbury in the said County of Gloucester the like Sum[m]e of Forty pounds
13 and unto my Cousin William Blakes Children of Tetbury aforesaid the
14 Sum[m]e of Thirty pounds to be equally divided between the said Children
15 Share and Share alike and also unto my Cousin Joseph Blake of
16 Tetbury aforesaid the Sum[m]e of Thirty pounds of lawfull Money of Great
17 Britain to be paid unto them within Six Months next after my decease
18 by my Executors herein after named It[em] I give and bequeath unto
19 my Cousin Hester Humphris of Horsley in the said County of Glouc[este]r
20 Widow and to her Children now living the Sum[m]e of Twenty pounds to be
21 equally divided between them Share and Share alike and to be also paid
22 them by my Executors within Six Months next after my decease Item I
23 give and bequeath unto the Sons and daughters now living of my Cousin
24 Hannah Hide late of Horsley aforesaid deceased the Sum[m]e of Thirty
25 pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain and to be equally divided
26 between them Share and Share alike and to be paid within Six Months
27 next after my decease by my Executors herein after named Item I give
28 and bequeath unto my Cousin Edward Blake of London and to his
29 brother Henry Blake the Sum[m]e of Ten pounds of lawfull Money of Great
30 Britain to be equally divided between them and to be paid them
31 within Six Months next after my decease by my Executors hereinafter
32 men[t]ioned in case either of them shall happen to be dead Then my
33 Will is that his Share Shall goe to the Survivor of them and provided
[Page 2]
34 both of them are dec[eas]ed then the said Legacy of Ten pounds to be
35 equally divided between my said Cousins Richard Blake John
36 Blake William Blake and Joseph Blake or as many of them as Shall
37 be then living Item I give and bequeath unto the Sons and daughters
38 of Arthur Orchard late of Tetbury aforesaid dec[eas]ed which are now
39 living and lawfully begotten by the said Arthur Orchard on the
40 Body of his first Wife who was Sister to the said John Blake the
41 Sum[m]e of Fifteen pounds of Lawfull Money of Great Britain to be
42 equally divided between them and paid them within Six Months
43 next after my decease by my Executors herein after named I likewise
44 give and bequeath unto the said Arthur Orchards daughter Hester
45 begotten as aforesaid one large Brass pan as also one Flock Bed
46 and Bedstead two Sheets Rugg Boulster and Blancketts with the
47 App[ur]tences the rents belonging which said Bed and app[ur]tences is in the
48 Room or Chamber where my Brother John Blake dec[eas]ed used to lay
49 Item I give and bequeath unto the Sons and daughters of Thomas
50 Lydiard lawfully begotten on the Body of my Sister Susannah his Wife
51 dec[eas]ed the Sum[m]e of Fifteen pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain
52 to be equally divided between them (that are now living) Share and
53 Share alike and to be paid unto them by my Executors herein named
54 within Six Months next after my decease But in Case no such Sons or
55 daughters of the said Tho: Lydiards begotten as aforesaid be now living
56 then my Will is that the said Legacy or Sum[m]e of Fifteen pounds shall
57 be equally divided between my said four Cousins Richard John Wm
58 and Joseph Blake or the Survivors of them Item I give and bequeath
60 unto my Cousin William Pritchard of Tetbury aforesaid Carryer and to
61 his assignes all that my Leasehold Messuage or Tenement with the
62 Garden Backside and outhouses Rights Members and app[ur]tences thereonto
63 belonging and adjoining situate lying and being in Tetbury in the said County
64 of Glouc[este]r aforesaid in a certain Street there called the Ginnstoole Street and
65 now in the pos[es]sion of Anthony Sharpe from and imediately after my decease
66 To hold unto the said Wm Pritchard and his assignes for and during all the
67 rest residue and remainder of a certain terme of years or longer determina[t]ion
68 thereof which shall be then to come and unexpired men[t]ioned in a certain
69 Lease by virtue of which I now hold and enjoy the Same I likewise give
70 and bequeath unto the said Wm Pritchard the Elder the Sum[m]e of Forty
71 pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto him within
72 Six Months next after my decease by my Executors herein afternamed
73 Item I give and bequeath unto my Maid Servant Mary Nicholas and
74 her assignes All that my Leasehold Messuage or Tenement Barn Stable
75 outhouses Gardens Orchards Backsides and Closes Lands of Meadow
76 arable or pasture with their and every of their rights Members and
77 app[ur]tences Scituate lying and being in the parish of Shipton Moyne afores[ai]d
78 To hold unto the said Mary Nicholas and her assignes imediately after
79 my decease for and dureing all the rest residue and remainder of a certain
80 term of years or Sooner determina[t]ion thereof which shall be then to come
81 and unexpired men[t]ioned in a certain Lease by virtue of which I now hold
82 and enjoy the same Together with the said Lease and all benefit and
83 advantage thereof I likewise give and bequeath unto the said Mary Nicholas
84 and her assigns all my household Goods both Linnen and Woollen and all
85 other Implements of household of what nature or kind soever and all things
86 to them or any of them belonging which are now or Shall be at the time of
[Page 3]
87 my decease In the Messuage or Tenement and outhouses where I now
88 dwell (Except what Goods is given by me before to Hester Orchard) as also
89 one other brass pan) which said Goods together with the pos[es]sion of the
90 Messuages or Tenements Lands of Meadow arable or pasture lying and
91 being in the parish of Shipton Moyne aforesaid Shall be deliverd within
92 two days after my decease unto the said Mary Nicholas and her assigns
93 by my Executors herein after named according to the true intent and
94 meaning of this my last Will and Testament It[em] I give and bequeath the
95 Brass pan above Excepted into Dorothy Battin of Tetbury aforesaid
96 Spinster as also to her Mother Eliz Phillips Five pounds to be paid her by my
97 Executors within Six Months after my decease Item all the rest residue and
98 remainder of my Goods and Chattells read and personal Estate of what
99 nature and kind soever and not herein before by me given or disposed off
100 and my debts Legacys herein before given first paid and Funerall Expences
101 discharged I give and bequeath unto my said three Cousins Richard Blake
102 John Blake and Joseph Blake whom I make Joint and Sole Executors of
103 this my last Will and Testament and desire them to See the same performed
104 revokeing all former Wills by me made and this to be taken only as my
105 last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will
106 and Testament Sett my hand and Seal this three and twentieth day of Aug[us]t
107 Anno d[omi]ni 1723 Ch: Blake Signed Sealed published and declared
108 by the said Christopher Blake as his last Will and Testament in the
109 presence of us who Sett our Names in the presence of the Testator John
110 Woodward Harry Witts the mark of Elizabeth Browneing
111 Probatum fuit hujusmodi Testamentum apud London
112 coram venerabili et egregio viro Johanne Bettesworth Legum doctore
113 Curie Prerogative Cantuariensis Magistro Custode sive Commissorio
114 legitime constituto duodecimo die Mensis Octobris anno domini
115 Millesimo Septingentesimo Vicesimo tertio Juramentis Richardi Blake
116 Johannis Blake et Josephi Blake Executorum in dicto Testamento nominat
117 Cuibus commissa fuit administration ominium et singulorum bonorum
118 Jurium et creditorium dicti defuncti de bene et fideliter administrando eadem
119 ad Sancta dei Evangelia (vigore Commissionis) Jurat
Names mentioned in the will:
Christopher Blake, testator, Shipton Moyne
Richard Blake, cousin, Chipping Sodbury, Innholder
John Blake, cousin, Tetbury
William Blake, cousin, Tetbury, deceased
Joseph Blake, cousin, Tetbury
Hester Humphris, cousin, Horsley
Hannah Hide, cousin, Horsley, deceased
Edward Blake, cousin, London
Henry Blake, cousin, London
Arthur Orchard, husband of cousin (sister of John Blake, deceased), deceased
Hester Orchard, daughter of Arthur
Thomas Lydiard, husband of sister
Susannah Lydiard, sister, deceased
William Pritchard, cousin, Tetbury, carryer
Anthony Sharpe, tenant
William Pritchard the elder
Mary Nicholas, servant
Dorothy Battin, Tetbury
Eliz Phillipps, mother of Dorothy Battin
John Woodward, witness
Harry Witts, witness
Elizabeth Browneing, witness
The Richard Blake at Chipping Sodbury is rather interesting and perhaps pertains to the blog post of the memorials for the Blake family in Gloucestershire:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/1248-blake-family-gloucestershire-notes.html
There is a Richard Blake at Chipping Sodbury with brothers Joseph and Samuel. The memorial refers to the father of Richard Blake lived in Bristol (died there in 1771). In 1723 he would have been about 22 years of age. He would be a cousin to the testator Christopher Blake. Knowing that Richard had uncles Joseph and Samuel then Christopher would be the son of one of these men possibly. The Joseph Blake is still living according to the will and the uncle of Richard Blake, Joseph, was buried at Chipping Sodbury in 1715 at 23 years of age.
The Portbury Hundred pages http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/admiralreport.htm
mention this family and Richard Blake (father of Joseph, Samuel and Richard) married Mary (unknown). The Portbury Hundred website gives Richard who died in Chipping Sodbury 9 Apr 1724 a birth year of 1668 (he was 56 when he died). Neither Joseph nor Samuel are traced down in this site. They both died in 1715 (Joseph 18 May 1715) and Samuel at 23 years of age giving him a year of birth circa 1692. Richard is mentioned as being born in 1700 and died in 1771 and his will is to come).
Richard Blake (1668-1724) was said to be the son of Ambrose Blake and Elizabeth Ruddick. He had brothers Henry (1669 - 1731) and Ambrose. I actually left this part of the website out of the Legacy chart that I produced because I did not agree with the material. However, I did not actually do any research on it so will now see what I can find.
I came across a
website that was archived with the Wiltshire Council Record Office
namely:
I
will extract a few excerpts from this website to help illustrate the
ancestry of the Richard Blake family at Chipping Sodbury.
The
Blake family at Calne Wiltshire acquired Pinhills and several
generations of the Blake family lived there prior to Henry Blake who
lived there during the Civil War (I will trace the line down to Henry
shortly and from Henry down to Christopher the testator hopefully). Henry was married to Abigail Stringer (daughter of one of the
footmen to Queen Elizabeth I).
"during the
reign of the Stuarts many of the gentry of north Wiltshire became
disaffected with the monarchy, largely because of the high-handed way in
which taxes were collected.
"When
the war finally began between Royalists and Parliamentarians, of the
thirty-four Wiltshire M.P.s, twenty-two sided with Parliament, including
Colonel Edward Bayntun and Sergeant Robert Nicholas for Devizes and Sir
Edward Bayntun and Sir Edward Hungerford for Chippenham. The Blakes,
Ernles, Bayntuns and Hungerfords took up commissions in the North Wilts.
Militia. Ambrose Blake, who succeeded his father Henry at Pinhills
during the war, fortified the family seat against the Royalists by
garrisoning the manor house with a body of musketeers."
"On January 4th
1644, Sir Charles Lloyd wrote to Colonel Bennett that on the orders of
Prince Rupert he would demolish Blagg’s (Blake’s) house, and on Jan.8th
he told Prince Rupert he had ‘made Blake’s house uninhabitable and
drained the moat.’ However, from our study it is evident that the house
was restored and continued in use based on evidence from map 19 in
Bowood archives which apparently shows a large house still standing on
the moated site in 1728. The present L-shaped house is said to have been
built incorporating some of the materials from the dilapidations of the
old manor-house and it is superior to the average farmhouse. Pinhills
remained the seat of the Blakes in the years immediately following the
Civil War and were finally succeeded by the Bull family probably in the
early 18th century. "
"Margaret Parrott for Wiltshire Buildings Record"
The children of Henry Blake and Abigail Stringer are named on the Portbury site as Henry, Roger, Ambrose, Abigail and Lettice. The Blake Pedigree Chart held by the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office only mentions Henry, Roger and Abigail as children of this couple with Henry being 6 years of age in 1623, Roger 5 years of age in 1623 and Abigail being 1 year of age in 1623. No descendants of these three children are on the chart. This information is taken from the Visitation of Wiltshire 1623. Perhaps Ambrose was born after 1623 and would then have been 20 years or less in age in 1644 when the house was said to be demolished or in 1690 it was simply not advantageous to mention Ambrose.
Another interesting piece of information from the Wiltshire Archaeological and Natural History Magazine, Volumes 23-24 edited by Edward Hungerford Goddard on page 223 No X mentions a Sundry Memoranda relating to the coronation of King Charles ( 2 Feb 1626; reigned from 27 Mar 1625 to 30 Jan 1649) and his offer of a knighthood to gentlemen of estate; the Blake family did refuse the knighthood and were fined for doing so. Henry Blake, of Pinhills, was fined 10 pounds. In a list of gentry in the Hundred of Calne in Wiltshire on this same page living during the times of Charles I and Charles II can be found the name of Ambrose Blake, Esquire of Pinnels. Interestingly enough Blake and Chivers are the only surnames that appear in both lists and only one Blake in the first list and one in the second list.
I feel this is probably sufficient to show that Ambrose was the heir of Henry Blake and that he was likely his son rather than say a grandson. Henry (son of Henry) is said to have died in 1660 and no date of death is given for Roger on the Portbury website and no children of either of these two men. Ambrose is given a date of birth of 1620 which would have made him three years of age at the time of the Visitation of Wiltshire. His being left off may simply be a political omission (not advantageous at this time to mention the connection of the London family (which requested the College of Arms to create the chart) to the Wiltshire family which had opposed the Stuart line).
Ambrose is said to have married Elizabeth Ruddick and that they had three sons Richard (1668-1724), Henry (1669-1731) and Ambrose. Working down through the chart on the Portbury site Richard married Mary (unknown) and they have three children Joseph, Samuel and Richard (1700-1771). Henry married Catherine Hungerford and they had the following children Robert (married to Joanna Coombs (this information is on the memorial at Chipping Sodbury), Henry, Abigail, Katherine and Frances. Ambrose is said to have married Mary Ivie and they had one child Elizabeth.
In this will Christopher in 1723 talks about his cousins Richard Blake in Chipping Sodbury, John Blake, William Blake (deceased) and Joseph Blake in Tetbury and Edward Blake, Henry Blake his cousins in London. This accounts for Blake cousins but he also mentions a Humphris and a Hide cousin in Horsley, Arthur Orchard who married the sister of John Blake, Susanna Lydiard, Christopher's sister (deceased), and William Pritchard a cousin in Tetbury.
The Richard Blake he mentions is likely the son of Richard (1668-1724) and this Richard was married to Mary Greenway 1723 according to Boyd's Marriage Index of Marriage Licences. No place was recorded in that index. This does match up with the Portbury Hundred accounting of Admiral Blake's collateral lines but only one son is mentioned William and not the two daughters Susanna and Hannah mentioned in their parent's wills. William is traced down however and more about that when I transcribe his will.
This is still not helping me determine who Christopher Blake is. Henry Blake (1669-1731) brother to Richard (1668-1724) is a possibility. Henry married Catherine Hungerford and their son Robert was born in 1708 (he died in 1790 at 82 years of age). He was married to Joanna Coombs. A second son Henry and there are no further details for either of these two sons (there were also three daughters Abigail, Katherine, and Frances) as mentioned earlier. Looking for a John Blake, William Blake (deceased) and Joseph Blake in Tetbury as cousins. One would think that they would be sons of Henry or Ambrose since they are Richard's (1668-1724) brothers. The interesting part about this line is that they are direct descendants of the Blake family at Calne. Whether or not they are collateral to the Admiral Blake line remains to be proven.
I am thus far unable to determine exactly how this family is associated with the Blake family at Bristol but I now know how Richard Blake married to Anne Augusta Harwood fits into a family and more on that with the will of William Blake (1791) since Richard is his son.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 12 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/593/333
Testator: Christopher Blake, Yeoman
Place: Shipton Moyne, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 23 Aug 1723, probated 12 Oct 1723
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: T[esta]m[ent]
[Margin]: Christopher Blake
1 In the Name of God Amen
2 I Christopher Blake of Shipton Moyne in the County of Gloucester
3 yeoman being aged but of Sound Mind and good disposing understanding
4 (praised be God) therefore do make this my last Will and Testament
5 in manner and form following Imprimis I commend my Soul into the
6 hands of Almighty God that gave it and my Body to the Earth to be
7 buried in Christian Burial at the discretion of my Executors herein after
8 named And as for my Worldly Estate It hath pleased God to give me
9 I dispose thereof as followeth Item I give and bequeath unto my
10 Cousin Richard Blake of Chipping Sodbury in the County of Gloucester
11 Innholder the Sum[m]e of Forty pounds and unto my Cousin John Blake of
12 Tetbury in the said County of Gloucester the like Sum[m]e of Forty pounds
13 and unto my Cousin William Blakes Children of Tetbury aforesaid the
14 Sum[m]e of Thirty pounds to be equally divided between the said Children
15 Share and Share alike and also unto my Cousin Joseph Blake of
16 Tetbury aforesaid the Sum[m]e of Thirty pounds of lawfull Money of Great
17 Britain to be paid unto them within Six Months next after my decease
18 by my Executors herein after named It[em] I give and bequeath unto
19 my Cousin Hester Humphris of Horsley in the said County of Glouc[este]r
20 Widow and to her Children now living the Sum[m]e of Twenty pounds to be
21 equally divided between them Share and Share alike and to be also paid
22 them by my Executors within Six Months next after my decease Item I
23 give and bequeath unto the Sons and daughters now living of my Cousin
24 Hannah Hide late of Horsley aforesaid deceased the Sum[m]e of Thirty
25 pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain and to be equally divided
26 between them Share and Share alike and to be paid within Six Months
27 next after my decease by my Executors herein after named Item I give
28 and bequeath unto my Cousin Edward Blake of London and to his
29 brother Henry Blake the Sum[m]e of Ten pounds of lawfull Money of Great
30 Britain to be equally divided between them and to be paid them
31 within Six Months next after my decease by my Executors hereinafter
32 men[t]ioned in case either of them shall happen to be dead Then my
33 Will is that his Share Shall goe to the Survivor of them and provided
[Page 2]
34 both of them are dec[eas]ed then the said Legacy of Ten pounds to be
35 equally divided between my said Cousins Richard Blake John
36 Blake William Blake and Joseph Blake or as many of them as Shall
37 be then living Item I give and bequeath unto the Sons and daughters
38 of Arthur Orchard late of Tetbury aforesaid dec[eas]ed which are now
39 living and lawfully begotten by the said Arthur Orchard on the
40 Body of his first Wife who was Sister to the said John Blake the
41 Sum[m]e of Fifteen pounds of Lawfull Money of Great Britain to be
42 equally divided between them and paid them within Six Months
43 next after my decease by my Executors herein after named I likewise
44 give and bequeath unto the said Arthur Orchards daughter Hester
45 begotten as aforesaid one large Brass pan as also one Flock Bed
46 and Bedstead two Sheets Rugg Boulster and Blancketts with the
47 App[ur]tences the rents belonging which said Bed and app[ur]tences is in the
48 Room or Chamber where my Brother John Blake dec[eas]ed used to lay
49 Item I give and bequeath unto the Sons and daughters of Thomas
50 Lydiard lawfully begotten on the Body of my Sister Susannah his Wife
51 dec[eas]ed the Sum[m]e of Fifteen pounds of lawfull Money of Great Britain
52 to be equally divided between them (that are now living) Share and
53 Share alike and to be paid unto them by my Executors herein named
54 within Six Months next after my decease But in Case no such Sons or
55 daughters of the said Tho: Lydiards begotten as aforesaid be now living
56 then my Will is that the said Legacy or Sum[m]e of Fifteen pounds shall
57 be equally divided between my said four Cousins Richard John Wm
58 and Joseph Blake or the Survivors of them Item I give and bequeath
60 unto my Cousin William Pritchard of Tetbury aforesaid Carryer and to
61 his assignes all that my Leasehold Messuage or Tenement with the
62 Garden Backside and outhouses Rights Members and app[ur]tences thereonto
63 belonging and adjoining situate lying and being in Tetbury in the said County
64 of Glouc[este]r aforesaid in a certain Street there called the Ginnstoole Street and
65 now in the pos[es]sion of Anthony Sharpe from and imediately after my decease
66 To hold unto the said Wm Pritchard and his assignes for and during all the
67 rest residue and remainder of a certain terme of years or longer determina[t]ion
68 thereof which shall be then to come and unexpired men[t]ioned in a certain
69 Lease by virtue of which I now hold and enjoy the Same I likewise give
70 and bequeath unto the said Wm Pritchard the Elder the Sum[m]e of Forty
71 pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be paid unto him within
72 Six Months next after my decease by my Executors herein afternamed
73 Item I give and bequeath unto my Maid Servant Mary Nicholas and
74 her assignes All that my Leasehold Messuage or Tenement Barn Stable
75 outhouses Gardens Orchards Backsides and Closes Lands of Meadow
76 arable or pasture with their and every of their rights Members and
77 app[ur]tences Scituate lying and being in the parish of Shipton Moyne afores[ai]d
78 To hold unto the said Mary Nicholas and her assignes imediately after
79 my decease for and dureing all the rest residue and remainder of a certain
80 term of years or Sooner determina[t]ion thereof which shall be then to come
81 and unexpired men[t]ioned in a certain Lease by virtue of which I now hold
82 and enjoy the same Together with the said Lease and all benefit and
83 advantage thereof I likewise give and bequeath unto the said Mary Nicholas
84 and her assigns all my household Goods both Linnen and Woollen and all
85 other Implements of household of what nature or kind soever and all things
86 to them or any of them belonging which are now or Shall be at the time of
[Page 3]
87 my decease In the Messuage or Tenement and outhouses where I now
88 dwell (Except what Goods is given by me before to Hester Orchard) as also
89 one other brass pan) which said Goods together with the pos[es]sion of the
90 Messuages or Tenements Lands of Meadow arable or pasture lying and
91 being in the parish of Shipton Moyne aforesaid Shall be deliverd within
92 two days after my decease unto the said Mary Nicholas and her assigns
93 by my Executors herein after named according to the true intent and
94 meaning of this my last Will and Testament It[em] I give and bequeath the
95 Brass pan above Excepted into Dorothy Battin of Tetbury aforesaid
96 Spinster as also to her Mother Eliz Phillips Five pounds to be paid her by my
97 Executors within Six Months after my decease Item all the rest residue and
98 remainder of my Goods and Chattells read and personal Estate of what
99 nature and kind soever and not herein before by me given or disposed off
100 and my debts Legacys herein before given first paid and Funerall Expences
101 discharged I give and bequeath unto my said three Cousins Richard Blake
102 John Blake and Joseph Blake whom I make Joint and Sole Executors of
103 this my last Will and Testament and desire them to See the same performed
104 revokeing all former Wills by me made and this to be taken only as my
105 last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I have to this my last Will
106 and Testament Sett my hand and Seal this three and twentieth day of Aug[us]t
107 Anno d[omi]ni 1723 Ch: Blake Signed Sealed published and declared
108 by the said Christopher Blake as his last Will and Testament in the
109 presence of us who Sett our Names in the presence of the Testator John
110 Woodward Harry Witts the mark of Elizabeth Browneing
111 Probatum fuit hujusmodi Testamentum apud London
112 coram venerabili et egregio viro Johanne Bettesworth Legum doctore
113 Curie Prerogative Cantuariensis Magistro Custode sive Commissorio
114 legitime constituto duodecimo die Mensis Octobris anno domini
115 Millesimo Septingentesimo Vicesimo tertio Juramentis Richardi Blake
116 Johannis Blake et Josephi Blake Executorum in dicto Testamento nominat
117 Cuibus commissa fuit administration ominium et singulorum bonorum
118 Jurium et creditorium dicti defuncti de bene et fideliter administrando eadem
119 ad Sancta dei Evangelia (vigore Commissionis) Jurat
Saturday, April 19, 2014
#1248 The Blake Family - Gloucestershire Notes and Queries Volume 3
1248. The Blake Family (Discussion inserted)
1. In St. Stephen's Church, Bristol, there is a marble tablet with the following inscription: "Near this place, in the same vault with his father and mother, William and Rebecca Blake, lie the remains of Richard Blake, Esquire, who died August 6th, 1829, aged 69." And above, on a small tablet, is an inscription to his widow, Anne Augusta, described as the daughter of the Very Reverend Charles Harward, of Hayne, County Devon, Dean of Chichester, etc. She died November 4th, 1847, aged 84. Arms - Ar. a chev. between 3 garbs sa. empaling gu. a crosse crosslet or. Creet - On a cap of maintenance gu. turned up erm. a martlet sa.
The will of Anne Augusta Blake was blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/will-of-anne-augusta-blake-widow.html
Richard Blake, husband of Anne Augusta Blake, was the son of William and Rebecca Blake according to the memorial in St Stephen's Church, Bristol. Now, the question is, can I discover the parents of William Blake. Richard would have been born circa 1760. The coat of arms mentioned on the memorial tablet do not appear to be the registered arm of the Harward family. The first mentioned coat of arms does belong to the Blake family. An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families ....., volume 2 has "Gu. on a cross croslet arg. betw. four gouttes d'eau five annulets az. Harward, Hayne, Co. Devon; a heiress m. Blake." I have little knowledge of heraldry although I am starting to look at a little because of the Blake coats of arms. I did find on Family Search the baptism of Richard Blake 1 Dec 1760 at Bristol with parents William and Rebecca Blake. They also baptized a son William 3 Dec 1757 and a daughter Rebecca 21 Apr 1759 both at Bristol. Interestingly there is a marriage of a William Blake to Rebecca Milles 12 Jun 1754 at Duloe, Cornwall. Since this is a known Blake area it is possible that this line is from Cornwall. There is a will for William Blake (1792) at Bristol to come.
2. In St. Werburgh's Church, Bristol, there was this inscription: "To the memory of Mr Richard Blake, many years an inhabitant of this parish, who died the 3rd day of January, 1771, aged 70. In the same vault where his remains are deposited, also are interred Mary Blake, his mother, Samuel and Mary Greenway, whose ony daughter he married, and five of his children, who died in their infancy. Likewise the remains of Mary, his wife, who died the 21st October, 1781, aged 82."
I found this reference most interesting as I am in the midst of transcribing the will of Mary, the widow of this Richard Blake who was the father of Susanna Woodward and Hannah Deverell. The mother of this Richard was Mary Greenway and in the will of Mary there is mention of a Joseph Greenway. Put together with the reference at Chipping Sodbury, is this the same family? That Richard would have been born circa 1646, died 1724 (aged 78). Chipping Sodbury is nine miles ENE of Bristol. Still to come is the will of Richard Blake who died in 1771 and another Richard Blake will from 1642 which may help to fill this family line in.
3. In Chipping Sodbury Church there are (or were) the following inscriptions: " To the memory of his father, Richard Blake, late of this town, and of his brothers Joseph and Samuel, whose remains are interred near this place. This monument is erected by Richard Blake, of the city of Bristol." "In memory of Richard Blake, Senior, who was buried April 19th, A.D. 1724, aged 78." "In memory of Joseph Blake, son of Richard and Mary Blake, of this borough, who deceased the 18th day of May, A.D. 1715, in the 23rd year of his age." "Thomas Coombe died September 26th, 1724, aged 42. Joanna Coombe, his wife, died February 27, 1748/49, aged 63. Joanna Blake, relict of Robert Blake, and daughter of Thomas and Joanna Coombe, died April 20th, 1790, aged 82."
From Aubrey's Collections for North Wilts I find that Robert Hungerford, of Studley, near Calne, by his will (1754) bequeated his parsonage of Avon (between Chippenham and Christian Malford) to his nephew George, after of Studley, for his life - in tail to Robert Blake, of Sodbury, who had married one of his nieces.
4. In St. John's Church, Glastonbury, there was an inscription to Elizabeth, the wife of Francis Blake, of Clifton, Gent.; she died January 1st, 1736, aged 50. This Francis Blake died at Glastonbury in 1768, having been ten times mayor of that borough, from 1717 to 1768. He had a son William, who predeceased him, having resided in the parish of Clifton.
For Francis Blake buried at Glastonbury this is a known Blake line which is collateral to the Admiral Robert Blake line according to the Potbury Blake website: http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/admiralreport.htm . This Francis Blake who was married to Elizabeth Porch 14 Feb 1708 at Wells. He was the son of Roger Blake and Susannah Taylor with Roger's father being Humphry the elder who married Elizabeth Upton. This Humphry was the son of Humphry Blake who married Elizabeth Giles. Continuing back this Humphrey was the son of Humphrey Blake and Agnus/Ann James. Then John Blake the elder and his wife Johan were the parents of Humphrey and this John Blake was a brother to Admiral Robert Blake. I have blogged on this line several times and I am confident that indeed this Francis Blake is related to Admiral Robert Blake.
I shall be glad to be supplied with any information relative to any of these Blakes, and particularly as to the parentage of Francis and Elizabeth Blake, and whether they were connected with the Bristol and Gloucestershire family. Francis was, I know, related to the Blakes of Spaxton, Somerset, and bore for arms, Ar. a chev. between 3 garbs, sa.
Edward Fry Wade, Axbridge, Somerset.
1. In St. Stephen's Church, Bristol, there is a marble tablet with the following inscription: "Near this place, in the same vault with his father and mother, William and Rebecca Blake, lie the remains of Richard Blake, Esquire, who died August 6th, 1829, aged 69." And above, on a small tablet, is an inscription to his widow, Anne Augusta, described as the daughter of the Very Reverend Charles Harward, of Hayne, County Devon, Dean of Chichester, etc. She died November 4th, 1847, aged 84. Arms - Ar. a chev. between 3 garbs sa. empaling gu. a crosse crosslet or. Creet - On a cap of maintenance gu. turned up erm. a martlet sa.
The will of Anne Augusta Blake was blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/will-of-anne-augusta-blake-widow.html
Richard Blake, husband of Anne Augusta Blake, was the son of William and Rebecca Blake according to the memorial in St Stephen's Church, Bristol. Now, the question is, can I discover the parents of William Blake. Richard would have been born circa 1760. The coat of arms mentioned on the memorial tablet do not appear to be the registered arm of the Harward family. The first mentioned coat of arms does belong to the Blake family. An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families ....., volume 2 has "Gu. on a cross croslet arg. betw. four gouttes d'eau five annulets az. Harward, Hayne, Co. Devon; a heiress m. Blake." I have little knowledge of heraldry although I am starting to look at a little because of the Blake coats of arms. I did find on Family Search the baptism of Richard Blake 1 Dec 1760 at Bristol with parents William and Rebecca Blake. They also baptized a son William 3 Dec 1757 and a daughter Rebecca 21 Apr 1759 both at Bristol. Interestingly there is a marriage of a William Blake to Rebecca Milles 12 Jun 1754 at Duloe, Cornwall. Since this is a known Blake area it is possible that this line is from Cornwall. There is a will for William Blake (1792) at Bristol to come.
2. In St. Werburgh's Church, Bristol, there was this inscription: "To the memory of Mr Richard Blake, many years an inhabitant of this parish, who died the 3rd day of January, 1771, aged 70. In the same vault where his remains are deposited, also are interred Mary Blake, his mother, Samuel and Mary Greenway, whose ony daughter he married, and five of his children, who died in their infancy. Likewise the remains of Mary, his wife, who died the 21st October, 1781, aged 82."
I found this reference most interesting as I am in the midst of transcribing the will of Mary, the widow of this Richard Blake who was the father of Susanna Woodward and Hannah Deverell. The mother of this Richard was Mary Greenway and in the will of Mary there is mention of a Joseph Greenway. Put together with the reference at Chipping Sodbury, is this the same family? That Richard would have been born circa 1646, died 1724 (aged 78). Chipping Sodbury is nine miles ENE of Bristol. Still to come is the will of Richard Blake who died in 1771 and another Richard Blake will from 1642 which may help to fill this family line in.
3. In Chipping Sodbury Church there are (or were) the following inscriptions: " To the memory of his father, Richard Blake, late of this town, and of his brothers Joseph and Samuel, whose remains are interred near this place. This monument is erected by Richard Blake, of the city of Bristol." "In memory of Richard Blake, Senior, who was buried April 19th, A.D. 1724, aged 78." "In memory of Joseph Blake, son of Richard and Mary Blake, of this borough, who deceased the 18th day of May, A.D. 1715, in the 23rd year of his age." "Thomas Coombe died September 26th, 1724, aged 42. Joanna Coombe, his wife, died February 27, 1748/49, aged 63. Joanna Blake, relict of Robert Blake, and daughter of Thomas and Joanna Coombe, died April 20th, 1790, aged 82."
From Aubrey's Collections for North Wilts I find that Robert Hungerford, of Studley, near Calne, by his will (1754) bequeated his parsonage of Avon (between Chippenham and Christian Malford) to his nephew George, after of Studley, for his life - in tail to Robert Blake, of Sodbury, who had married one of his nieces.
4. In St. John's Church, Glastonbury, there was an inscription to Elizabeth, the wife of Francis Blake, of Clifton, Gent.; she died January 1st, 1736, aged 50. This Francis Blake died at Glastonbury in 1768, having been ten times mayor of that borough, from 1717 to 1768. He had a son William, who predeceased him, having resided in the parish of Clifton.
For Francis Blake buried at Glastonbury this is a known Blake line which is collateral to the Admiral Robert Blake line according to the Potbury Blake website: http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/admiralreport.htm . This Francis Blake who was married to Elizabeth Porch 14 Feb 1708 at Wells. He was the son of Roger Blake and Susannah Taylor with Roger's father being Humphry the elder who married Elizabeth Upton. This Humphry was the son of Humphry Blake who married Elizabeth Giles. Continuing back this Humphrey was the son of Humphrey Blake and Agnus/Ann James. Then John Blake the elder and his wife Johan were the parents of Humphrey and this John Blake was a brother to Admiral Robert Blake. I have blogged on this line several times and I am confident that indeed this Francis Blake is related to Admiral Robert Blake.
I shall be glad to be supplied with any information relative to any of these Blakes, and particularly as to the parentage of Francis and Elizabeth Blake, and whether they were connected with the Bristol and Gloucestershire family. Francis was, I know, related to the Blakes of Spaxton, Somerset, and bore for arms, Ar. a chev. between 3 garbs, sa.
Edward Fry Wade, Axbridge, Somerset.
Will of Anne Augusta Blake, widow, Bristol - The National Archives PROB 11/2065/303, probated 8 Dec 1847
Anne Augusta Blake is the testatrix and a writeup can be found in The Gentleman’s Magazine, Volume 182 page 667:
4 Nov 1847, Aged 84. Anne Augusta Blake, relict of Richard Blake, esquire and daughter of the late Very Reverend Charles Harward, formerly Dean of Exeter. Anne Augusta Harward would have been born circa 1763.
There is a monument in St Stephen’s Parish Church, Bristol erected by Anne Augusta Blake to commemorate her husband Richard Blake who died in 1829. http://www.speel.me.uk/sculptplaces/bristolststephen.htm
The Gentleman’s Magazine (London, England), Volume 146 page 188 notes that Richard Blake, esquire, a member of the Corporation died 6Aug 1829.
In an earlier will that I transcribed I picked up the following item:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-sarah-blake-spinster-cotleigh.html
In the Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Review, Volume 61, Part 2 under Marriages and Deaths of Eminent Persons I found on page 680 for July 14, 1791:
At Plymtree, Devon, Richard Blake, esquire. Merchant, of Bristol, to Miss Harward, daughter of the Dean of Exeter. Later in the Harward family the name “Blake” was used as a middle name (namely the monumental inscriptions at Plymtree as noted in the following website:
http://www.plymtree.org.uk/st-john-the-baptist/churchyard-and-monument-inscriptions
I do not know how Richard fits into the Plymtree Blake family as he is not mentioned in William Blake’s will of 1812:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-william-blake-esquire-of.html
The introduction to the will of Thomas Blake at Plymtree 1777 does mention a Richard Blake but I have not been able to locate him in the family or trace him down.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-william-blake-esquire-of.html
More information found on this Blake line in Gloucestershire Notes and Queries Volume 3 blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/1248-blake-family-gloucestershire-notes.html
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2065/303
Testator: Anne Augusta Blake, Widow
Place: Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 1 Apr 1843, probated 8 Dec 1847
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Anne
[Margin]: Augusta
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the last Will and Testament
2 of me Anne Augusta Blake of the City of Bristol widow and Relict
3 and Universal devisee and Legatee of Richard Blake of the same City Esquire
4 deceased I appoint the Reverend John Noble Shipton of Othery near Bridg-
5 water in the County of Somerset Cleric Sole Executor of this my Will and I
6 bequeath to him the sum of fifty pounds sterling as a token of my esteem
7 and in acknowledgement of his kindness in undertaking the execution of this my
8 Will I give and devise all that my Freehold Estate called Holl situate in the
9 Parish of Saint Veepe in the County of Cornwall with all appurtenances thereto
10 belonging unto my Nephew the Reverend Charles Harward his heirs and
11 assigns for ever I give and bequeath unto my Nephew Henry Marsh the
12 Sum of one hundred pounds sterling and I give and bequeath unto my Niece
13 Charlotte Catherine Gordon the Sum of fifty pounds sterling and I give and bequeath
14 all my Books and plate unto and equally between my Great Nieces Anne Augusta
15 Archer and Elizabeth Archer and I give and bequeath unto my faithful and at-
16 tentative servant Elizabeth Moorman in case she shall be living with me at the
17 time of my decease the Sum of eighty pounds sterling and all my wearing
18 apparel of every description and my bed and Table Linen and all the Furniture
19 of my own Bed Room and all my kitchen Furniture and Culinary utensils the
20 same to be paid free from Legacy duty which I want to be paid out of my residuary personal Estate and I direct all the said
21 Legacies to be paid and delivered within three months after my decease and I
22 give devise and bequeath all other my real Estate (if any) and all the residue and
23 remainder of my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever
24 unto my Great Nephew Samuel Harward Archer and the said Anne Augusta
25 Archer and Elizabeth Archer and their respective heirs executors administrators
26 and assigns according to the nature and quality thereof respectively in equal
27 shares as tenants in common Witness my hand the first day of April one
28 thousand eight hundred and forty three Anne Augusta Blake Signed
29 by the said Testatrix in the presence of us who in her presence simultane-
30 ously subscribe our names as Witnesses George H Tomlett Bookseller
31 Cottage Green Bristol Brooke Smith Sol[icito]r Bristol
32 Proved at London 8th Dec[embe]r 1847 before the Judge by the Oath of the
33 Reverend John Noble Shipton Clerk doctor in divinity the sole Executor to
34 whom admon was granted having been first sworn by commission duly to
35 administer
4 Nov 1847, Aged 84. Anne Augusta Blake, relict of Richard Blake, esquire and daughter of the late Very Reverend Charles Harward, formerly Dean of Exeter. Anne Augusta Harward would have been born circa 1763.
There is a monument in St Stephen’s Parish Church, Bristol erected by Anne Augusta Blake to commemorate her husband Richard Blake who died in 1829. http://www.speel.me.uk/sculptplaces/bristolststephen.htm
The Gentleman’s Magazine (London, England), Volume 146 page 188 notes that Richard Blake, esquire, a member of the Corporation died 6Aug 1829.
In an earlier will that I transcribed I picked up the following item:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-sarah-blake-spinster-cotleigh.html
In the Gentleman’s Magazine and Historical Review, Volume 61, Part 2 under Marriages and Deaths of Eminent Persons I found on page 680 for July 14, 1791:
At Plymtree, Devon, Richard Blake, esquire. Merchant, of Bristol, to Miss Harward, daughter of the Dean of Exeter. Later in the Harward family the name “Blake” was used as a middle name (namely the monumental inscriptions at Plymtree as noted in the following website:
http://www.plymtree.org.uk/st-john-the-baptist/churchyard-and-monument-inscriptions
I do not know how Richard fits into the Plymtree Blake family as he is not mentioned in William Blake’s will of 1812:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-william-blake-esquire-of.html
The introduction to the will of Thomas Blake at Plymtree 1777 does mention a Richard Blake but I have not been able to locate him in the family or trace him down.
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/08/will-of-william-blake-esquire-of.html
More information found on this Blake line in Gloucestershire Notes and Queries Volume 3 blogged:
http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2014/04/1248-blake-family-gloucestershire-notes.html
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2065/303
Testator: Anne Augusta Blake, Widow
Place: Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 1 Apr 1843, probated 8 Dec 1847
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Anne
[Margin]: Augusta
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the last Will and Testament
2 of me Anne Augusta Blake of the City of Bristol widow and Relict
3 and Universal devisee and Legatee of Richard Blake of the same City Esquire
4 deceased I appoint the Reverend John Noble Shipton of Othery near Bridg-
5 water in the County of Somerset Cleric Sole Executor of this my Will and I
6 bequeath to him the sum of fifty pounds sterling as a token of my esteem
7 and in acknowledgement of his kindness in undertaking the execution of this my
8 Will I give and devise all that my Freehold Estate called Holl situate in the
9 Parish of Saint Veepe in the County of Cornwall with all appurtenances thereto
10 belonging unto my Nephew the Reverend Charles Harward his heirs and
11 assigns for ever I give and bequeath unto my Nephew Henry Marsh the
12 Sum of one hundred pounds sterling and I give and bequeath unto my Niece
13 Charlotte Catherine Gordon the Sum of fifty pounds sterling and I give and bequeath
14 all my Books and plate unto and equally between my Great Nieces Anne Augusta
15 Archer and Elizabeth Archer and I give and bequeath unto my faithful and at-
16 tentative servant Elizabeth Moorman in case she shall be living with me at the
17 time of my decease the Sum of eighty pounds sterling and all my wearing
18 apparel of every description and my bed and Table Linen and all the Furniture
19 of my own Bed Room and all my kitchen Furniture and Culinary utensils the
20 same to be paid free from Legacy duty which I want to be paid out of my residuary personal Estate and I direct all the said
21 Legacies to be paid and delivered within three months after my decease and I
22 give devise and bequeath all other my real Estate (if any) and all the residue and
23 remainder of my Personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever
24 unto my Great Nephew Samuel Harward Archer and the said Anne Augusta
25 Archer and Elizabeth Archer and their respective heirs executors administrators
26 and assigns according to the nature and quality thereof respectively in equal
27 shares as tenants in common Witness my hand the first day of April one
28 thousand eight hundred and forty three Anne Augusta Blake Signed
29 by the said Testatrix in the presence of us who in her presence simultane-
30 ously subscribe our names as Witnesses George H Tomlett Bookseller
31 Cottage Green Bristol Brooke Smith Sol[icito]r Bristol
32 Proved at London 8th Dec[embe]r 1847 before the Judge by the Oath of the
33 Reverend John Noble Shipton Clerk doctor in divinity the sole Executor to
34 whom admon was granted having been first sworn by commission duly to
35 administer
Friday, April 18, 2014
Will of Ann Blake, Spinster, Saint James Place, Bristol - The National Archives PROB 11/2068/349, probated 5 Feb 1848
Ann Blake is the testatrix and the bulk of her estate is left to her adopted daughter Eliza Bawdon (the names of Eliza’s parents are also given namely John and Mary Bawdon of Little Bovey, Devon).
On Find My Past Census of Shaldon 1841 there is a Joseph Blake, 44, merchant, born in Devon with wife Elizabeth, 40, born in Devon.
The 1830 Pigot’s Directory of Gloucester shows a John Blake, Gent, living at St James’ Place, Kingsdown Bristol. There is also a John Blake, Surgeon, Colston Parade, Bristol.
There are too many Thomas Willcocks marrying Eliza(beth) to separate out this line.
Further searching for a John Blake, surgeon, Bristol did not help to link this Ann Blake with any particular family.
Elizabeth Blake is living with John and Mary Metherell on the 1841 Census at North Bovey in District 7. She is independent and John is a Miller. All three are born in Devon. Elizabeth is 55, John is 55 and Mary is 60. The 1851 Census Elizabeth Blake is living at North Bovey at Aller Farm where William Shears (born at North Bovey, 44 years)) and Susan Blake Shears (40 Years) are the head and his wife. There is a large group living there which includes their son George 19, daughter Susan 15, daughter Elizabeth Blake 12, Mary Grace 11, son John 9, Richard Metherel 7 and Edward 4 and daughter Eliza Metherel 1 (all surname Shears). Susan Blake Shears was born at Combeinteignhead. Also living there George Shears (Father of William, widower and 70 years and he is an annuitant). Elizabeth Blake the Aunt, unmarried and 65 years is an Annuitant and she was born at Bishops Teignton. There are several servants: William Mortimer, John Hill, Eliza Langworthy and William Bond.
Perhaps a breakthrough. William Shears married Susanna Blake Metherell 27 Jul 1830 at North Bovey (Find my Past). Is Susan the daughter of John and Mary Metherell? Are Mary Metherell and Elizabeth Blake sisters? Impossible to tell if the testatrix is a sister to Mary and Elizabeth; she doesn’t state any relationship. Tracing this Blake family has not been very successful but will set aside in case another will is helpful although I have done all the Devon wills at the PCC and the rest were lost in WWII bombing. However I could check my indexes for Metherell.
An interesting record mentioned in the National Archives and held at the Devon Record Office:
Joseph Collings 3419 A/PO9/73 1832
These documents are held at Devon Record Office
Contents:
Now residing in Combeinteignhead. Born in Bishopsteignton. When aged about 12 yrs, he hired himself and served Thomas Blake of the parish, as a yearly servant about 3 yrs. He returned with Thomas Blake, served him by the week about 12 months. Then went to Combeinteignhead, hired himself to serve William Frost under a written agreement for 3 yrs for meat, drink and clothes, to go as a sailor in the William and Nancy sloop out of the port of Teignmouth, which he served out 3 yrs. Remained in the sloop about 16 yrs afterwards. Then he returned to Combeinteignhead where he has resided ever since, about 30 yrs. Further says that about 9 yrs since, he had given to him under the will of the late Elizabeth Brimblecombe, a cellar (worth about 5s per year) during his lifetime. He occupied the cellar in Combeinteignhead about 7 yrs, when it fell down. Then he agreed with Joseph Morgan to give him all the right the examinant had to the cellar if Morgan would rebuild the same, and allow him to lodge in it for his lifetime, which he has done ever since
Another interesting site: http://www.gramstedt.com/familygroup.php?familyID=F6956&tree=England
A John Blake Metherell was born 1815 at Combeinteignhead, Devon but no parents are given. Could he be a brother to Susan Blake Metherell? I was not successful in learning anything further about this Blake line.
Names mentioned in the will:
Ann Blake, testatrix, Bristol
Eliza Bawdon, adopted daughter
John Bawdon, natural father of Eliza, Little Bovey, Devon
Mary Bawdon, natural mother of Eliza, Little Bovey, Devon
Catherine Stockham, widow
William Stockham, husband of Catherine, deceased
Elizabeth Blake, North Bovey, Devon
Mary Russell, cook to the testatrix
Joseph Blake, Shaldon, Devon now of Liverpool, shipowner
Ann Saterley, Devonport, Devon, spinster
Joseph Blake West
John Blake West
Thomas West
Susannah West, wife to Thomas
William Satterley Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Mary Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Emma Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Thomas Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Thomas Willcocks, Devonport, Devon, deceased
Eliza Willcocks, wife to Thomas, Devonport, Devon, deceased
Elizabeth Grindon (Grindson), friend
Elizabeth Wood, servant
Ann Weaver, housemaid
Henry Woodford, Executor and Trustee, Clevedon, Somerset
William Henry Honnywill, Executor and Trustee, Atherington, Gloucestershire
Mary Metherell, North Bovey
John Metherell, husband to Mary, North Bovey
Mary Langdon, Clifton, Gloucestershire
Lucy Grey Earle, Westbury on Trym, Gloucestershire
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2068/349
Testator: Ann Blake, Spinster
Place: Saint James Place, Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Dec 1847, probated 5 Feb 1848
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Ann
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 23
1 I Ann Blake of No 18 Saint James’s Place in the
2 out parish of Saint James in the Borough of the City of Bristol and
3 county of the same City spinster do make my last Will and Testament in
4 manner and form following (that is to say) First I direct my Executors
5 hereinafter named to pay and satisfy all my just debts and funeral
6 and testamentary expenses and the expenses of proving this my will I
7 give and devise unto my dear adopted daughter Eliza Bawdon the
8 daughter of John and Mary Bawdon of Little Bovey in the County of
9 Devon All that my messuage or dwelling house and premises wherein
10 I now reside situate in Saint James’s Place aforesaid And also the
11 plot piece or parcel of garden ground lately purchased by me lying be-
12 hind the said dwelling house To hold the same with the appurtenances
13 unto and to the use of the said Eliza Bawdon her heirs and assigns
14 for ever Also I give and bequeath unto the said Eliza Bawdon All
15 my household goods and furniture wine and other liquors plate
[Page 2]
16 linen china glass books paintings and wearing apparel of which
17 I now am or shall or may be possessed at the time of my decease
18 Also I give and bequeath unto the said Eliza Bawdon the sum of
19 four thousand pounds and also all my notes and shares in the
20 Bristol dock Company and the monies secured thereby Also I give
21 and bequeath unto Catherine Stockeham the widow of William
22 Stockham an annuity or clear yearly sum of twenty pounds for and
23 during the term of her natural life Also I give and bequeath unto
24 Elizabeth Blake of North Bovey in the County of Devon spinster a like annu-
25 ity of clear yearly sum of twenty pounds for and during the term of her natu-
26 ral life Also I give and bequeath unto my Cook Mary Russell in considera-
27 tion of her great infirmity of body an annuity or clear yearly sum of thirty
28 pounds for and during the term of her natural life And for the purpose
29 of providing a fund for securing payment of the said several annuities
30 it is my Will and I hereby direct my trustees and Executors as soon as
31 convenient after my decease to set apart and transfer into their monies so
32 much of my stock in the three pounds and five shillings per cent Bank
33 Annuities or otherwise lay out and invest such a sum of money in the
34 purchase of like or other Government securities as shall be necessary to pro-
35 duce such annuities And I direct my trustees and executors to apply the
36 dividends of the said stock funds and securities when and as the same
37 shall be received and receivable in and towards payment of the said
38 annuities by two equal half yearly payments the first payment to be made
39 on such one of the half yearly days for the payment of dividends arising
40 from the said stock funds and securities as shall next happen after my decease
41 And until such transfer or investment shall be made the said annuities
42 shall be paid in like manner out of my personal estate And I declare
43 that the said Catherine Stockham Elizabeth Blake and Mary Russell
44 shall be entitled to a proportionate part of the same respective annui-
45 ties for the fractional period (if any) of the half year which shall or may
46 be pending or acruant at the time of their respective deceases to be paid
47 immediately on such decease And it is my Will and I hereby direct
48 that at the respective deceases of the said Catherine Stockham Elizabeth
49 Blake and Mary Russell the stocks funds and securities constituting the
50 fund for the payment of the said several annuities shall sink into and
51 form part of my residuary personal estate Also I give and bequeath
52 unto Joseph Blake late of Shaldon in the County of Devon Shipowner
53 but now of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster the sum of one thousand
54 pounds but in case he shall happen to die in my life time Then I give
55 and bequeath the same unto between and amongst all and every the
56 child and children of the said Joseph Blake in equal shares and pro-
57 portions as tenants in common Also I give and bequeath unto Ann
58 Satterley of Devonport in the County of Devon spinster the sum of
60 one thousand pounds Also I give and bequeath unto Joseph Blake
61 West and John Blake West (sons of Thomas and Susanna West) the
62 sum of five hundred pounds apiece Also I give and bequeath unto
63 William Satterley Willcocks Mary Willcocks Emma Willcocks and
64 Thomas Willcocks (the children of the late Thomas and Eliza Will-
65 cocks of Devonport aforesaid) the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds
66 apiece Also I give and bequeath unto my friend Elizabeth Grindon
67 the sum of two hundred pounds Also I give and bequeath unto my
68 servant Elizabeth Wood in consequence of her having lived with me
69 upwards of fourteen years the sum of one hundred pounds and in
70 addition thereto the amount of one years wages and also the sum
71 of ten pounds for mourning Also I give and bequeath unto my
72 housemaid Ann Weaver the amount of one years wages and also
73 the sum of ten pounds for mourning Also I give and bequeath
[Page 3]
74 unto Henry Woodford and William Henry Honnywill my Executors here-
75 inafter named the sum of Two hundred pounds apiece as a compensate-
76 on for the trouble they will have in the execution of the trusts of this my
77 Will And it is my Will and I hereby direct my said Executors to pay the
78 said several annuities bequeathed to the said Catherine Stockham Elizabeth
79 Blake and Mary Russell and the legacies to the said Elizabeth Grindson
80 Elizabeth Wood and Ann Weaver free of legacy duty Also I give and bequeath
81 unto the said Henry Woodforde and William Henry Honnywill the sum
82 of three thousand pounds Upon trust nevertheless that they do and shall
83 pay the sum of one thousand pounds part thereof unto such person or
84 persons upon such trusts and for such intents and purposes as Mary Meth-
85 erell wife of John Metherell of North Bovey aforesaid shall notwithstand-
86 ing coverture by deed or will to be by her legally executed direct or appoint-
87 And in default of such direction or appointment into her own hands for
88 her own sole separate and peculiar use and benefit apart from her pre-
89 sent or any future husband and so as the same shall not be liable to
90 his control debts or engagements and so as the receipt of the said Mary
91 Metherell shall only and alone be a sufficient discharge for the same
92 But in case the said Mary Metherell shall die during my life time Then
93 upon trust to pay the said legacy or sum of one thousand pounds unto be-
94 tween and amongst all and every her child and children in equal shares and
95 proportions as tenants in common And as to for and concerning the sum of
96 two thousand pounds (residue of the said sum of three thousand pounds)
97 Upon trust that my said trustees do and shall pay the same unto such
98 person or persons upon such trusts and for such intents and purposes as the
99 said Susanna West shall notwithstanding coverture by deed or will to be
100 by her legally executed direct or appoint And in default of such direction or
101 appointment into her own hands for her own use separate and peculiar use
102 and benefit apart from her present or any future husband And so as the
103 same shall not be subject or liable to his control debts or engagements and so
104 as the receipt of the said Susanna West shall only and alone be a sufficient
105 discharge for the same But in case the said Susanna West shall die during
106 my life time Then upon trust that my said trustees do and shall pay the
107 said legacy or sum of two thousand pounds unto between and amongst all
108 and every her child and children in equal shares and proportions as tenants
109 in common All the rest residue and remainder of my real and
110 personal estate whatsoever of which I shall be seized or possessed at the time
111 of my decease I give devise and bequeath unto and to the use of the said
112 Eliza Bawdon her heirs executors administrators and assigns for her and their
113 own absolute use and benefit I direct my executors to pay all legacies by me
114 hereby bequeathed within three calendar months next after my decease
115 except to such legatees who shall at that time happen to be minors in
116 which case payment shall be postponed until they respectively attain the
117 age of twenty one years but in the mean time I direct my Executors to in-
118 vest the same in Government securities and to pay the dividends interest
119 and annual produce of their respective legacies unto them during their respect-
120 ive minorities for and towards their maintenance and education Provided
121 always and I hereby declare that in case my said trustees or either of them
122 shall die renounce be desirous of being discharged or neglect or refuse or
123 become incapable to act in the execution of the trusts of this my Will it
124 shall be lawful for the acting surviving or continuing trustee or if
125 there shall be no such trustee than for the renouncing or retiring trustee
126 or trustees and if there shall be no such trustee as last aforesaid or he or
127 they shall decline to exercise this present power then for the executors or
128 administrators of the last acting trustee to nominate and appoint any
129 person or persons to supply the place of the trustee or trustees so dying re-
130 nouncing desiring to be discharged or refusing or neglecting or becoming
[Page 4]
131 incapable to act as aforesaid And that after such appoint the trust
132 estate then vested in the trustee or trustees respectively so dying renounce-
133 ing desiring to be discharged or refusing or neglecting or becoming inca-
134 pable to act as aforesaid shall be assigned and transferred so that the
135 same may vest in such new trustee or trustees jointly with the surviv-
136 ing or continuing trustee or solely as the case may require and in his or
137 their executors administrators or assigns upon such of the said trusts as
138 shall then be subsisting And I hereby declare that no trustee shall be
139 chargeable for more money than he shall actually receive notwith-
140 standing his signing or joining in any receipts for the sake of conform-
141 mity nor be answerable or accountable for the other or others of them
142 nor for any involuntary losses And that it shall be lawful for every
143 trustee to retain and allow to his Co trustee all costs and expenses
144 which he or they shall incur in the execution of the aforesaid trusts or
145 in relation thereto Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint the said
146 Henry Woodforde of Clevedon Somerset Gentleman and William
147 Henry Honnywill of Atherington in the County of Gloucester Gentle-
148 man Joint Executors in trust of this my Will hereby revoking all
149 former Wills and declaring this to be my last Will and Testament
150 In witness whereof I the said Ann Blake the testatrix have to this
151 my last Will and Testament contained in this and four preceding
152 sheets of paper set and subscribed my hand and name at the foot
153 of this and each of the four preceding sheets this second day of decem-
154 ber one thousand eight hundred and forty seven Ann Blake
155 The Writing contained in this and the four preceding sheets of paper was
156 signed by the said Ann Blake the testatrix and by her acknowledged
157 and declared to be and contain her last Will and Testament in the
158 presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
159 hereto in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other
160 the word “fifty” in the second sheet having been first struck out and the
161 words “one hundred” in the same sheet having been first interlined
162 Mary Langdon of the District Parish of St John the Evangelist Clit
163 son Spinster Lucy Grey Earle of Westbury on Trym of Gloucestershire
164 Spinster
165 Proved at London 5th February 1848 before the Judge by the
166 Oaths of Henry Woodforde and William Henry Honnywill the Exe-
167 cutors to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn by
168 Commission duly to administer
On Find My Past Census of Shaldon 1841 there is a Joseph Blake, 44, merchant, born in Devon with wife Elizabeth, 40, born in Devon.
The 1830 Pigot’s Directory of Gloucester shows a John Blake, Gent, living at St James’ Place, Kingsdown Bristol. There is also a John Blake, Surgeon, Colston Parade, Bristol.
There are too many Thomas Willcocks marrying Eliza(beth) to separate out this line.
Further searching for a John Blake, surgeon, Bristol did not help to link this Ann Blake with any particular family.
Elizabeth Blake is living with John and Mary Metherell on the 1841 Census at North Bovey in District 7. She is independent and John is a Miller. All three are born in Devon. Elizabeth is 55, John is 55 and Mary is 60. The 1851 Census Elizabeth Blake is living at North Bovey at Aller Farm where William Shears (born at North Bovey, 44 years)) and Susan Blake Shears (40 Years) are the head and his wife. There is a large group living there which includes their son George 19, daughter Susan 15, daughter Elizabeth Blake 12, Mary Grace 11, son John 9, Richard Metherel 7 and Edward 4 and daughter Eliza Metherel 1 (all surname Shears). Susan Blake Shears was born at Combeinteignhead. Also living there George Shears (Father of William, widower and 70 years and he is an annuitant). Elizabeth Blake the Aunt, unmarried and 65 years is an Annuitant and she was born at Bishops Teignton. There are several servants: William Mortimer, John Hill, Eliza Langworthy and William Bond.
Perhaps a breakthrough. William Shears married Susanna Blake Metherell 27 Jul 1830 at North Bovey (Find my Past). Is Susan the daughter of John and Mary Metherell? Are Mary Metherell and Elizabeth Blake sisters? Impossible to tell if the testatrix is a sister to Mary and Elizabeth; she doesn’t state any relationship. Tracing this Blake family has not been very successful but will set aside in case another will is helpful although I have done all the Devon wills at the PCC and the rest were lost in WWII bombing. However I could check my indexes for Metherell.
An interesting record mentioned in the National Archives and held at the Devon Record Office:
Joseph Collings 3419 A/PO9/73 1832
These documents are held at Devon Record Office
Contents:
Now residing in Combeinteignhead. Born in Bishopsteignton. When aged about 12 yrs, he hired himself and served Thomas Blake of the parish, as a yearly servant about 3 yrs. He returned with Thomas Blake, served him by the week about 12 months. Then went to Combeinteignhead, hired himself to serve William Frost under a written agreement for 3 yrs for meat, drink and clothes, to go as a sailor in the William and Nancy sloop out of the port of Teignmouth, which he served out 3 yrs. Remained in the sloop about 16 yrs afterwards. Then he returned to Combeinteignhead where he has resided ever since, about 30 yrs. Further says that about 9 yrs since, he had given to him under the will of the late Elizabeth Brimblecombe, a cellar (worth about 5s per year) during his lifetime. He occupied the cellar in Combeinteignhead about 7 yrs, when it fell down. Then he agreed with Joseph Morgan to give him all the right the examinant had to the cellar if Morgan would rebuild the same, and allow him to lodge in it for his lifetime, which he has done ever since
Another interesting site: http://www.gramstedt.com/familygroup.php?familyID=F6956&tree=England
A John Blake Metherell was born 1815 at Combeinteignhead, Devon but no parents are given. Could he be a brother to Susan Blake Metherell? I was not successful in learning anything further about this Blake line.
Names mentioned in the will:
Ann Blake, testatrix, Bristol
Eliza Bawdon, adopted daughter
John Bawdon, natural father of Eliza, Little Bovey, Devon
Mary Bawdon, natural mother of Eliza, Little Bovey, Devon
Catherine Stockham, widow
William Stockham, husband of Catherine, deceased
Elizabeth Blake, North Bovey, Devon
Mary Russell, cook to the testatrix
Joseph Blake, Shaldon, Devon now of Liverpool, shipowner
Ann Saterley, Devonport, Devon, spinster
Joseph Blake West
John Blake West
Thomas West
Susannah West, wife to Thomas
William Satterley Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Mary Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Emma Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Thomas Willcocks, Devonport, Devon
Thomas Willcocks, Devonport, Devon, deceased
Eliza Willcocks, wife to Thomas, Devonport, Devon, deceased
Elizabeth Grindon (Grindson), friend
Elizabeth Wood, servant
Ann Weaver, housemaid
Henry Woodford, Executor and Trustee, Clevedon, Somerset
William Henry Honnywill, Executor and Trustee, Atherington, Gloucestershire
Mary Metherell, North Bovey
John Metherell, husband to Mary, North Bovey
Mary Langdon, Clifton, Gloucestershire
Lucy Grey Earle, Westbury on Trym, Gloucestershire
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 11 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2068/349
Testator: Ann Blake, Spinster
Place: Saint James Place, Bristol, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 2 Dec 1847, probated 5 Feb 1848
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Ann
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 23
1 I Ann Blake of No 18 Saint James’s Place in the
2 out parish of Saint James in the Borough of the City of Bristol and
3 county of the same City spinster do make my last Will and Testament in
4 manner and form following (that is to say) First I direct my Executors
5 hereinafter named to pay and satisfy all my just debts and funeral
6 and testamentary expenses and the expenses of proving this my will I
7 give and devise unto my dear adopted daughter Eliza Bawdon the
8 daughter of John and Mary Bawdon of Little Bovey in the County of
9 Devon All that my messuage or dwelling house and premises wherein
10 I now reside situate in Saint James’s Place aforesaid And also the
11 plot piece or parcel of garden ground lately purchased by me lying be-
12 hind the said dwelling house To hold the same with the appurtenances
13 unto and to the use of the said Eliza Bawdon her heirs and assigns
14 for ever Also I give and bequeath unto the said Eliza Bawdon All
15 my household goods and furniture wine and other liquors plate
[Page 2]
16 linen china glass books paintings and wearing apparel of which
17 I now am or shall or may be possessed at the time of my decease
18 Also I give and bequeath unto the said Eliza Bawdon the sum of
19 four thousand pounds and also all my notes and shares in the
20 Bristol dock Company and the monies secured thereby Also I give
21 and bequeath unto Catherine Stockeham the widow of William
22 Stockham an annuity or clear yearly sum of twenty pounds for and
23 during the term of her natural life Also I give and bequeath unto
24 Elizabeth Blake of North Bovey in the County of Devon spinster a like annu-
25 ity of clear yearly sum of twenty pounds for and during the term of her natu-
26 ral life Also I give and bequeath unto my Cook Mary Russell in considera-
27 tion of her great infirmity of body an annuity or clear yearly sum of thirty
28 pounds for and during the term of her natural life And for the purpose
29 of providing a fund for securing payment of the said several annuities
30 it is my Will and I hereby direct my trustees and Executors as soon as
31 convenient after my decease to set apart and transfer into their monies so
32 much of my stock in the three pounds and five shillings per cent Bank
33 Annuities or otherwise lay out and invest such a sum of money in the
34 purchase of like or other Government securities as shall be necessary to pro-
35 duce such annuities And I direct my trustees and executors to apply the
36 dividends of the said stock funds and securities when and as the same
37 shall be received and receivable in and towards payment of the said
38 annuities by two equal half yearly payments the first payment to be made
39 on such one of the half yearly days for the payment of dividends arising
40 from the said stock funds and securities as shall next happen after my decease
41 And until such transfer or investment shall be made the said annuities
42 shall be paid in like manner out of my personal estate And I declare
43 that the said Catherine Stockham Elizabeth Blake and Mary Russell
44 shall be entitled to a proportionate part of the same respective annui-
45 ties for the fractional period (if any) of the half year which shall or may
46 be pending or acruant at the time of their respective deceases to be paid
47 immediately on such decease And it is my Will and I hereby direct
48 that at the respective deceases of the said Catherine Stockham Elizabeth
49 Blake and Mary Russell the stocks funds and securities constituting the
50 fund for the payment of the said several annuities shall sink into and
51 form part of my residuary personal estate Also I give and bequeath
52 unto Joseph Blake late of Shaldon in the County of Devon Shipowner
53 but now of Liverpool in the County of Lancaster the sum of one thousand
54 pounds but in case he shall happen to die in my life time Then I give
55 and bequeath the same unto between and amongst all and every the
56 child and children of the said Joseph Blake in equal shares and pro-
57 portions as tenants in common Also I give and bequeath unto Ann
58 Satterley of Devonport in the County of Devon spinster the sum of
60 one thousand pounds Also I give and bequeath unto Joseph Blake
61 West and John Blake West (sons of Thomas and Susanna West) the
62 sum of five hundred pounds apiece Also I give and bequeath unto
63 William Satterley Willcocks Mary Willcocks Emma Willcocks and
64 Thomas Willcocks (the children of the late Thomas and Eliza Will-
65 cocks of Devonport aforesaid) the sum of two hundred and fifty pounds
66 apiece Also I give and bequeath unto my friend Elizabeth Grindon
67 the sum of two hundred pounds Also I give and bequeath unto my
68 servant Elizabeth Wood in consequence of her having lived with me
69 upwards of fourteen years the sum of one hundred pounds and in
70 addition thereto the amount of one years wages and also the sum
71 of ten pounds for mourning Also I give and bequeath unto my
72 housemaid Ann Weaver the amount of one years wages and also
73 the sum of ten pounds for mourning Also I give and bequeath
[Page 3]
74 unto Henry Woodford and William Henry Honnywill my Executors here-
75 inafter named the sum of Two hundred pounds apiece as a compensate-
76 on for the trouble they will have in the execution of the trusts of this my
77 Will And it is my Will and I hereby direct my said Executors to pay the
78 said several annuities bequeathed to the said Catherine Stockham Elizabeth
79 Blake and Mary Russell and the legacies to the said Elizabeth Grindson
80 Elizabeth Wood and Ann Weaver free of legacy duty Also I give and bequeath
81 unto the said Henry Woodforde and William Henry Honnywill the sum
82 of three thousand pounds Upon trust nevertheless that they do and shall
83 pay the sum of one thousand pounds part thereof unto such person or
84 persons upon such trusts and for such intents and purposes as Mary Meth-
85 erell wife of John Metherell of North Bovey aforesaid shall notwithstand-
86 ing coverture by deed or will to be by her legally executed direct or appoint-
87 And in default of such direction or appointment into her own hands for
88 her own sole separate and peculiar use and benefit apart from her pre-
89 sent or any future husband and so as the same shall not be liable to
90 his control debts or engagements and so as the receipt of the said Mary
91 Metherell shall only and alone be a sufficient discharge for the same
92 But in case the said Mary Metherell shall die during my life time Then
93 upon trust to pay the said legacy or sum of one thousand pounds unto be-
94 tween and amongst all and every her child and children in equal shares and
95 proportions as tenants in common And as to for and concerning the sum of
96 two thousand pounds (residue of the said sum of three thousand pounds)
97 Upon trust that my said trustees do and shall pay the same unto such
98 person or persons upon such trusts and for such intents and purposes as the
99 said Susanna West shall notwithstanding coverture by deed or will to be
100 by her legally executed direct or appoint And in default of such direction or
101 appointment into her own hands for her own use separate and peculiar use
102 and benefit apart from her present or any future husband And so as the
103 same shall not be subject or liable to his control debts or engagements and so
104 as the receipt of the said Susanna West shall only and alone be a sufficient
105 discharge for the same But in case the said Susanna West shall die during
106 my life time Then upon trust that my said trustees do and shall pay the
107 said legacy or sum of two thousand pounds unto between and amongst all
108 and every her child and children in equal shares and proportions as tenants
109 in common All the rest residue and remainder of my real and
110 personal estate whatsoever of which I shall be seized or possessed at the time
111 of my decease I give devise and bequeath unto and to the use of the said
112 Eliza Bawdon her heirs executors administrators and assigns for her and their
113 own absolute use and benefit I direct my executors to pay all legacies by me
114 hereby bequeathed within three calendar months next after my decease
115 except to such legatees who shall at that time happen to be minors in
116 which case payment shall be postponed until they respectively attain the
117 age of twenty one years but in the mean time I direct my Executors to in-
118 vest the same in Government securities and to pay the dividends interest
119 and annual produce of their respective legacies unto them during their respect-
120 ive minorities for and towards their maintenance and education Provided
121 always and I hereby declare that in case my said trustees or either of them
122 shall die renounce be desirous of being discharged or neglect or refuse or
123 become incapable to act in the execution of the trusts of this my Will it
124 shall be lawful for the acting surviving or continuing trustee or if
125 there shall be no such trustee than for the renouncing or retiring trustee
126 or trustees and if there shall be no such trustee as last aforesaid or he or
127 they shall decline to exercise this present power then for the executors or
128 administrators of the last acting trustee to nominate and appoint any
129 person or persons to supply the place of the trustee or trustees so dying re-
130 nouncing desiring to be discharged or refusing or neglecting or becoming
[Page 4]
131 incapable to act as aforesaid And that after such appoint the trust
132 estate then vested in the trustee or trustees respectively so dying renounce-
133 ing desiring to be discharged or refusing or neglecting or becoming inca-
134 pable to act as aforesaid shall be assigned and transferred so that the
135 same may vest in such new trustee or trustees jointly with the surviv-
136 ing or continuing trustee or solely as the case may require and in his or
137 their executors administrators or assigns upon such of the said trusts as
138 shall then be subsisting And I hereby declare that no trustee shall be
139 chargeable for more money than he shall actually receive notwith-
140 standing his signing or joining in any receipts for the sake of conform-
141 mity nor be answerable or accountable for the other or others of them
142 nor for any involuntary losses And that it shall be lawful for every
143 trustee to retain and allow to his Co trustee all costs and expenses
144 which he or they shall incur in the execution of the aforesaid trusts or
145 in relation thereto Lastly I do hereby nominate and appoint the said
146 Henry Woodforde of Clevedon Somerset Gentleman and William
147 Henry Honnywill of Atherington in the County of Gloucester Gentle-
148 man Joint Executors in trust of this my Will hereby revoking all
149 former Wills and declaring this to be my last Will and Testament
150 In witness whereof I the said Ann Blake the testatrix have to this
151 my last Will and Testament contained in this and four preceding
152 sheets of paper set and subscribed my hand and name at the foot
153 of this and each of the four preceding sheets this second day of decem-
154 ber one thousand eight hundred and forty seven Ann Blake
155 The Writing contained in this and the four preceding sheets of paper was
156 signed by the said Ann Blake the testatrix and by her acknowledged
157 and declared to be and contain her last Will and Testament in the
158 presence of us who have hereunto subscribed our names as witnesses
159 hereto in her presence at her request and in the presence of each other
160 the word “fifty” in the second sheet having been first struck out and the
161 words “one hundred” in the same sheet having been first interlined
162 Mary Langdon of the District Parish of St John the Evangelist Clit
163 son Spinster Lucy Grey Earle of Westbury on Trym of Gloucestershire
164 Spinster
165 Proved at London 5th February 1848 before the Judge by the
166 Oaths of Henry Woodforde and William Henry Honnywill the Exe-
167 cutors to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn by
168 Commission duly to administer
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Will of Ann Blake, Spinster, Cheescombe, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/1832/171, probated 5 Jun 1834
Cheescombe appears to be the name of the estate where the Townsend family lives. The testator is Ann Blake who works for the Townsend family at Cheescombe. A marriage settlement at the National Archives Names Alexander Townsend of Cheescombe parish Minchimhampton esquire and Mary Clayfield of Bristol as the two people intended to marry.
Not enough information to determine any Blake family lines here.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 10 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1832/171
Testator: Ann otherwise Anne Blake, Spinster
Place: Cheescombe, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Sep 1832, probated 5 Jun 1834
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Ann otherwise Anne
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the last Will and Testament of
2 Ann Blake of Cheescombe in the County of Gloucester Spinster I give and
3 bequeath unto my Nephew William Lusty the sum of Ten pounds Also to my
4 Nephew Joseph Lusty the sum of Ten pounds I also give unto my Nephew
5 George Lusty the sum of Five pounds to my half Brother Joseph Blake I give
6 and bequeath the sum of Five pounds Also to my Great Neice Mary Ann
7 daughter of my late Nephew Benjamin Lusty I give the sum of Five pounds
8 I give unto Ann Browning daughter of Thomas Cave of Stanley in the
9 County of Gloucester the sum of Five pounds Also to Richard Nuote Gardener to
10 A Townsend Esq[uie]r the sum of Five pounds I direct that all the above required
11 Legacies be paid within six months after my decease Also all the rest Residue
12 and Remainder of my Goods Chattels Monies and securities for money Clothes
13 Estates or Effects whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore given or disposed
14 of subject nevertheless to the payment of my just debts Legacies and Funeral
15 expences I hereby give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto
16 Elizabeth Neeuis my dear Friend and fellow Servant and I appoint the said
17 Elizabeth Neeuis sole Executrix of this Will revoking all former Wills and
18 declaring this writing to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof
19 I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the thirtieth day of April in the year
20 of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty four Ann Blake
21 Signed Sealed and published by the said Ann Blake as her Will in the
22 presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other
23 have hereunto set our hand as witness Ann Coffin Sarah Hookway
24 This is a Codicil to my Will of the Legacy of Ten
25 pounds left me by my late Mistress Mrs Townsend I leave to John Hodge the sum
26 of Five pounds Also to Joseph Blake my Brother I leave the other remaining five
27 pounds to be paid him in the sum of two shillings per week as he shall require
28 it by my Executrix Elizabeth Neeuis and at her discretion I also leave my watch to
29 the wife of my Nephew Joseph Lusty Anne Blake Mark Witnessed by us
30 Louisa Godde Clayfield X Sarah Chambers marke May 8 1834
31 Proved at London with a Codicil 5th Jun 1834 before a Judge by the Oath
32 of Elizabeth Neeuis Spinster the sole Executrix to whom was granted having been
33 first sworn by Com[missi]on duly to administer
Not enough information to determine any Blake family lines here.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 10 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1832/171
Testator: Ann otherwise Anne Blake, Spinster
Place: Cheescombe, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Sep 1832, probated 5 Jun 1834
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: Ann otherwise Anne
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 5
1 This is the last Will and Testament of
2 Ann Blake of Cheescombe in the County of Gloucester Spinster I give and
3 bequeath unto my Nephew William Lusty the sum of Ten pounds Also to my
4 Nephew Joseph Lusty the sum of Ten pounds I also give unto my Nephew
5 George Lusty the sum of Five pounds to my half Brother Joseph Blake I give
6 and bequeath the sum of Five pounds Also to my Great Neice Mary Ann
7 daughter of my late Nephew Benjamin Lusty I give the sum of Five pounds
8 I give unto Ann Browning daughter of Thomas Cave of Stanley in the
9 County of Gloucester the sum of Five pounds Also to Richard Nuote Gardener to
10 A Townsend Esq[uie]r the sum of Five pounds I direct that all the above required
11 Legacies be paid within six months after my decease Also all the rest Residue
12 and Remainder of my Goods Chattels Monies and securities for money Clothes
13 Estates or Effects whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore given or disposed
14 of subject nevertheless to the payment of my just debts Legacies and Funeral
15 expences I hereby give and bequeath the same and every part thereof unto
16 Elizabeth Neeuis my dear Friend and fellow Servant and I appoint the said
17 Elizabeth Neeuis sole Executrix of this Will revoking all former Wills and
18 declaring this writing to be my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof
19 I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the thirtieth day of April in the year
20 of our Lord one thousand Eight hundred and thirty four Ann Blake
21 Signed Sealed and published by the said Ann Blake as her Will in the
22 presence of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other
23 have hereunto set our hand as witness Ann Coffin Sarah Hookway
24 This is a Codicil to my Will of the Legacy of Ten
25 pounds left me by my late Mistress Mrs Townsend I leave to John Hodge the sum
26 of Five pounds Also to Joseph Blake my Brother I leave the other remaining five
27 pounds to be paid him in the sum of two shillings per week as he shall require
28 it by my Executrix Elizabeth Neeuis and at her discretion I also leave my watch to
29 the wife of my Nephew Joseph Lusty Anne Blake Mark Witnessed by us
30 Louisa Godde Clayfield X Sarah Chambers marke May 8 1834
31 Proved at London with a Codicil 5th Jun 1834 before a Judge by the Oath
32 of Elizabeth Neeuis Spinster the sole Executrix to whom was granted having been
33 first sworn by Com[missi]on duly to administer
BritainsDNA anonymized results for 2000 people
The table showing the anonymized results for 2000 people at BritainsDNA has been taken down for the moment whilst they do some updating. When that is available I will look at with regard to the yDNA results for Blake. I did test my brother there so am able to extract the results that are most similar to him and to do the same for other groupings I would need to know other people who have tested there with the Blake surname.
Once the revised table is available I will publish a blog on that.
Once the revised table is available I will publish a blog on that.
Wednesday, April 16, 2014
Will of William Blake, Baker and Factor, Stratford, Westham, Essex - The National Archives PROB 11/1806/179, probated 20 Oct 1832
William Blake, Baker and Factor, Stratford, Westham, Essex is the testator and, unfortunately, he does not quite make it to the 1841 census. There is a death for Sarah Blake September quarter 1842 at West Ham.
William names his children as Sarah, Mary Ann and John Morris Blake. Was unable to discover more on this family at this time.
The last of the Essex Wills for the moment.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 10 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1806/179
Testator: William Blake, Baker and Factor
Place: Stratford, Westham, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Sep 1832, probated 20 Oct 1832
Condition: 10th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 11
1 This is the last Will and Testament of me William
2 Blake of Stratford in the Parish of Westham in the County of Essex Baker and
3 Factor First I direct all my just debts and Funeral and Testamentary expences to be
4 paid with all convenient speed after my decease I give and bequeath unto my Wife
5 Sarah Blake all my household Furniture plate Linen and China in and about my
6 dwellinghouse at Stratford aforesaid for her own absolute use and benefit I give
7 devise and bequeath unto Robert Martlin of Stratford aforesaid Victualler all my
8 Freehold Leasehold Copyhold and personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever
9 situate and of what nature or description soever the same may be To hold to him and
10 his heirs Upon Trust to pay to my said Wife the yearly rents issues and profits of the
11 same Premises respectively for and during the term of her natural life by half
12 yearly payments or as and when the same shall respectively become due and
13 payable provided my said Wife shall so long remain and continue my Widow
14 And I do hereby direct the said Robert Martlin to sell and dispose of the Good Will
15 and Business of a Baker and Factor as carried on by me at Stratford aforesaid
16 as soon as conveniently can be after my decease either by public or private Sale
17 and the proceeds thereof after deducting all necessary expences thereout to place
18 out at Interest on Mortgage or in the Funds and also to collect get in and receive
19 all debts due and owing to me at the time of my decease and place out the same
20 at Interest as aforesaid and do and shall pay and apply the Interest and
21 dividends of the produce of such Sale and of such debts unto my said Wife during
22 her life as aforesaid provided she shall so long remain my Widow as aforesaid
23 And I do hereby declare my Will to be that my said Wife shall maintain educate
24 and bring up all and every my said Children until they shall respectively attain
25 the age of twenty one years or shall respectively marry And I do hereby direct the
26 said Robert Martin his executors administrators and assigns to pay and apply to
27 each of my Children as they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years
28 out of my Personal Estate the sum of one hundred pounds Sterling money to and
29 for their his and her own respective use and from and immediately after the decease
30 of my said Wife or day of Marriage whichever shall first happen I give devise
31 and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Blake all those my two Freehold houses
32 with the Appurtenances situate at Stratford aforesaid being Nos 1 and 2 in Water Works
33 Row To hold the same to the said Sarah Blake and her heirs for ever And from and
34 immediately after the decease of my said Wife as aforesaid or day of marriage I
35 do give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Ann Blake all those my two
36 freehold houses at Stratford aforesaid being Nos 20 and 21 in Water Works Row To
37 hold the same unto the said Mary Ann Blake and her heirs And from and
38 immediately after the decease of my said Wife or day of Marriage as aforesaid
39 I do give devise and bequeath unto my Son John Morris Blake all those my two
40 freehold houses at Stratford aforesaid being Nos 9 and 10 in Turnpike Row To hold
41 the same unto the said John Morris Blake and his heirs and from and immediately
42 after the decease of my said Wife or day of Marriage I give and bequeath
43 unto and equally all and every my said Children all and every my personal Estate
44 (except the household Furniture) for their own respective absolute use and benefit
45 and it is my Will that the devises and bequests to my aforesaid Children shall be
46 secured and taken to be vested Interests in them respectively at their respective ages
47 of twenty one years and in case of the decease of any or either of them under that
48 age the part of share of such Child or Children shall go to and be divided equally
49 among the survivors of them And I do hereby nominate and appoint the said
50 Robert Martlin Executor of this my Will and do declare that it shall be lawful
51 for him to reimburse himself all costs charges and expences which he may be put
52 unto in the execution of the Trusts of this my Will In Witness whereof I the said
53 William Blake the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament set my
54 hand and seal this eighteenth day of September 1832 William Blake
55 Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Blake the Testator as
56 and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at
57 his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names
58 as Witnesses the same having been first fully explained to him R G A
60 Hilleary Sol[icito]r Stratford Essex Jno Otway Stratford John Andrew Wallace
61 surgeon 8 Harley Place Bow Midd[lese]x
62 Proved at London 20th October 1832 before the Worshipful Jesse Addams
63 doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of Robert Martlin the sole Executor to
64 whom Admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.
William names his children as Sarah, Mary Ann and John Morris Blake. Was unable to discover more on this family at this time.
The last of the Essex Wills for the moment.
Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 10 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1806/179
Testator: William Blake, Baker and Factor
Place: Stratford, Westham, Essex, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 18 Sep 1832, probated 20 Oct 1832
Condition: 10th century English, legible copy
[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 11
1 This is the last Will and Testament of me William
2 Blake of Stratford in the Parish of Westham in the County of Essex Baker and
3 Factor First I direct all my just debts and Funeral and Testamentary expences to be
4 paid with all convenient speed after my decease I give and bequeath unto my Wife
5 Sarah Blake all my household Furniture plate Linen and China in and about my
6 dwellinghouse at Stratford aforesaid for her own absolute use and benefit I give
7 devise and bequeath unto Robert Martlin of Stratford aforesaid Victualler all my
8 Freehold Leasehold Copyhold and personal Estate and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever
9 situate and of what nature or description soever the same may be To hold to him and
10 his heirs Upon Trust to pay to my said Wife the yearly rents issues and profits of the
11 same Premises respectively for and during the term of her natural life by half
12 yearly payments or as and when the same shall respectively become due and
13 payable provided my said Wife shall so long remain and continue my Widow
14 And I do hereby direct the said Robert Martlin to sell and dispose of the Good Will
15 and Business of a Baker and Factor as carried on by me at Stratford aforesaid
16 as soon as conveniently can be after my decease either by public or private Sale
17 and the proceeds thereof after deducting all necessary expences thereout to place
18 out at Interest on Mortgage or in the Funds and also to collect get in and receive
19 all debts due and owing to me at the time of my decease and place out the same
20 at Interest as aforesaid and do and shall pay and apply the Interest and
21 dividends of the produce of such Sale and of such debts unto my said Wife during
22 her life as aforesaid provided she shall so long remain my Widow as aforesaid
23 And I do hereby declare my Will to be that my said Wife shall maintain educate
24 and bring up all and every my said Children until they shall respectively attain
25 the age of twenty one years or shall respectively marry And I do hereby direct the
26 said Robert Martin his executors administrators and assigns to pay and apply to
27 each of my Children as they shall respectively attain the age of twenty one years
28 out of my Personal Estate the sum of one hundred pounds Sterling money to and
29 for their his and her own respective use and from and immediately after the decease
30 of my said Wife or day of Marriage whichever shall first happen I give devise
31 and bequeath unto my daughter Sarah Blake all those my two Freehold houses
32 with the Appurtenances situate at Stratford aforesaid being Nos 1 and 2 in Water Works
33 Row To hold the same to the said Sarah Blake and her heirs for ever And from and
34 immediately after the decease of my said Wife as aforesaid or day of marriage I
35 do give devise and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Ann Blake all those my two
36 freehold houses at Stratford aforesaid being Nos 20 and 21 in Water Works Row To
37 hold the same unto the said Mary Ann Blake and her heirs And from and
38 immediately after the decease of my said Wife or day of Marriage as aforesaid
39 I do give devise and bequeath unto my Son John Morris Blake all those my two
40 freehold houses at Stratford aforesaid being Nos 9 and 10 in Turnpike Row To hold
41 the same unto the said John Morris Blake and his heirs and from and immediately
42 after the decease of my said Wife or day of Marriage I give and bequeath
43 unto and equally all and every my said Children all and every my personal Estate
44 (except the household Furniture) for their own respective absolute use and benefit
45 and it is my Will that the devises and bequests to my aforesaid Children shall be
46 secured and taken to be vested Interests in them respectively at their respective ages
47 of twenty one years and in case of the decease of any or either of them under that
48 age the part of share of such Child or Children shall go to and be divided equally
49 among the survivors of them And I do hereby nominate and appoint the said
50 Robert Martlin Executor of this my Will and do declare that it shall be lawful
51 for him to reimburse himself all costs charges and expences which he may be put
52 unto in the execution of the Trusts of this my Will In Witness whereof I the said
53 William Blake the Testator have to this my last Will and Testament set my
54 hand and seal this eighteenth day of September 1832 William Blake
55 Signed sealed published and declared by the said William Blake the Testator as
56 and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his presence at
57 his request and in the presence of each other have hereunto subscribed our names
58 as Witnesses the same having been first fully explained to him R G A
60 Hilleary Sol[icito]r Stratford Essex Jno Otway Stratford John Andrew Wallace
61 surgeon 8 Harley Place Bow Midd[lese]x
62 Proved at London 20th October 1832 before the Worshipful Jesse Addams
63 doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of Robert Martlin the sole Executor to
64 whom Admon was granted having been first sworn duly to administer.
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