Friday, July 3, 2015

A Blake Family at Bacton, Suffolk and environs

The Suffolk Blake Family caught my interest today and they lived around Bacton. I had received a five page history of this family back into the 1400s earlier from another Guild Member but had not done very much with it. Today was the day to enter all that information into Legacy and see what I could find on Find My Past whilst I was doing that. There was some information on Find My Past but the Suffolk Parish Registers have not yet come up on Find My Past or Family Search.

I do have some wills for Suffolk which I have not yet transcribed but the wills for this particular branch are at the Bury Record Office:

Walter Blake, Exning, Suffolk 28 Apr 1674
Christopher Blake, Langham, Suffolk, 1 Feb 1780
Francis Blake, Stanningfield, Suffolk, 29 Apr 1676
Andrew Blake, Witnessham, Suffolk, 8 Feb 1821
Sir James Henry Blake, Langham, Suffolk, 24 May 1832
Elizabeth Blake, Southwold, Suffolk, 9 Dec 1848
Sir Patrick Blake, Langham, Suffolk, 24 Jul 1784
Edward Blake, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 31 Jan 1770
Sir Patrick Blake, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 16 Jan 1819
Dame Mary Anne Blake, Great Barton, Suffolk, 12 Aug 1841
Dame Maria Charlotte Blake, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, 3 Jun 1823

The researcher who has extracted this information from the records did so at a time prior to computer research but the thoroughness of the research was such that I have not found anything contrary at this moment in time.  Since the material was given to me to share with Blake family members I will insert the information which I extracted into this webpage. I do not know the name of the researcher to give him/her credit but suffice it to say that the only part of this that is my work is the style of display. I did check entries as mentioned where I could find the information.

I also  mention the Calendar of Patent Rolls as there are entires for Suffolk. There is one entry for Suffolk and it is William Blak during the reign of Edward 1 (1272-1307). The Robert mentioned as the first generation would likely have been born around the mid 1300s. Interesting that I do find a member of the Blake family in Suffolk at this early date (29 Aug 1304).


                          Descendants of [Robert or other] Blake

                                First Generation

1.  Blake [50] either this man was Robert Blake or the reference below refers to the son of this man and he was buried after 29 Nov 1414.

General Notes: Manorial records for Bacton manor survive back to 1413, and there are
Blake entries here, earliest mention is in a court dated 29 Nov 1414 when a
Robert Blake appears holding two pieces of land for a term of seven years
paying a yearly rent of 2d to the lord of the manor.

  His children were perhaps (John not mentioned in the Court roll of 1424):

  + 2 M     i. John Blake [48] was buried before 14 Jan 1431.
  3 M    ii. Robert Blake [76].

General Notes: Court roll for the time of Henry VI 1422-1461 (HA 119;
50/3/143). Court held 21 Apr 1424 record the death of a Robert Blake who held
one and a half acres being part of Athelard's tenement; 28 perches and one
cottage being part of Carter's tenement and that Alice Blake the widow of the
said Robert should hold these for her life and that then these should be sold
by John Sparhawke and John Olive and the money thus arising to be used in deeds
of charity to benefit the souls of Robert and Alice Blake.

       Robert married Alice [77] [MRIN: 23].

                          Second Generation (Children)

2.  John Blake [48] was buried before 14 Jan 1431.

General Notes: In a court held of 21 Sep 1436 there is a long and complex entry
dealing with the Blake family. Basically, the Bishop of Norwich had to make a
ruling on inheritance. John Blake had died by 1434 and that he had had two sons
Richard Blake who was of full age at the time of his father's death and
Nicholas Blake who was not of full age at the time of his father's death but by
1436 was of full age. The brothers were obviously in dispute over their
inheritance and the Bishop ruled in favour of Richard Blake as his father's
next heir and so Richard Blake was admitted to one acre and one messuage of
lands in Bacton. This case had obviously been simmering for some time. In a
court held 14 Jan 1431 in the Court Leet section, Nicholas Blake had paid the
lord a fine for a search to be made in the court rolls for the manor concerning
the title to three acres of copyhold land in Bacton held of the lord of the
manor of Bacton and late in the possession of John Blake deceased.

 His children were:

  + 4 M     i. Richard Blake [47] was born By 1411.
  5 M    ii. Nicholas Blake [49] was born by 1415.

                        Third Generation (Grandchildren)

4.  Richard Blake [47] was born By 1411.

   His child was:

  + 6 M     i. John Blake [45].

                    Fourth Generation (Great-Grandchildren)

6.  John Blake [45].

General Notes: Court held for the manor of Bacton on 16 Apr 1451 has the
admission of John Blake of Cotton to one acre of Eliot's tenement in Bacton and
that the said John Blake of Cotton owing suit to this court through the right
of his father Richard Blake a copyhold tenant of this  manor is admitted tenant
to the foresaid land.

  John married Agnes [46] [MRIN: 13].

     Children from this marriage were:

  + 7 M     i. Robert Blake [43] was buried on 10 Nov 1560 in Bacton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  + 8 M    ii. John Blake [70].

                  Fifth Generation (Great Great-Grandchildren)

7.  Robert Blake [43] was buried on 10 Nov 1560 in Bacton, Suffolk, England.

General Notes: Robert Blake left a will which is at Bury Record Office, will
made 28 Aug 1557, at which time Andrew his son was still alive. Also alive at
the time of the will was Robert Blake's wife Eleanor.

  Robert married Eleanor [44] [MRIN: 12].

     The child from this marriage was:

  + 9 M     i. Andrew Blake [39] was buried on 11 Oct 1560 in Bacton, Suffolk,
                   England.

8.  John Blake [70].

General Notes: Of Eye, Suffolk

Court Roll 1510 - 1530 (ha 119/t99/114)

Also mention of John Blake, son of John Blake and his wife Agnes, who
surrendered two acres of land being part of Tyrrellys tenement and half an acre
of pasture being part of Elyotts tenement all being copyhold land lying in
Bacton to the use of Robert Blake of Cotton (Court 12 Jul 1520). Further
mention of John Blake son of John Blake and Agnes had died seized of lands in
Tyrrells and Eliotts tenements, and that John Blake is his son and heir and is
of full age and is admitted to these lands.

  His child was:

  + 10 M     i. John Blake [65].

                   Sixth Generation (3rd Great-Grandchildren)

9.  Andrew Blake [39] was buried on 11 Oct 1560 in Bacton, Suffolk, England.

General Notes: Court Roll for the manor of Bacton was held 11 Oct 1560 which
records the entry for Andrew Blake's death and that Elizabeth Blake, widow, was
admitted to certain copyhold lands held by Andrew Blake as their son John Blake
was the heir and only aged seven and so his mother was admitted to the lands
during his minority.

Andrew as a son of Robert is also established in the court rolls for Bacton
manor, in an entry subsequent to the entry already referred to which records
the death of Robert Blake and that John Blake, son of Andrew Blake son of the
said Robert Blake, was his heir and that as the aforesaid John was a minor of
seven years Elizabeth Blake, widow and mother, of the said John was to be
admitted to the copyhold lands held by the said Robert Blake. Manorial Court
Roll for Bacton Manor 1559-1570, HA 119/T99/53; court held 10 Nov 1560

  Andrew married Elizabeth Loft [40] [MRIN: 10] on 15 Nov 1542 in Cotton,
      Suffolk, England.

     Children from this marriage were:

  11 F     i. Agnes Blake [72] was christened on 1 Jul 1543 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England and was buried on 18 Jul 1543 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  12 F    ii. Ann Blake [73] was christened on 1 Mar 1545 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England. Ann married Jeremy Shulward [75] [MRIN: 22] on 3 Feb 1571 in Cotton,
           Suffolk, England.
  13 F   iii. Margaret Blake [74] was christened on 28 Jan 1548 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 23 Apr 1565 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  + 14 M    iv. John Blake [37] was christened on 30 Aug 1553 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 6 Dec 1623 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.

10.  John Blake [65].

General Notes: John Blake senior

  John married Joan Grange [69] [MRIN: 19], daughter of Hugh Grange [71],  on
      23 Sep 1554 in Cotton, Suffolk, England. Joan was buried on 30 May 1564
      in Cotton, Suffolk, England.

     Children from this marriage were:

  15 F     i. Alice Blake [66] was christened on 4 Aug 1555 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  16 F    ii. Margaret Blake [67] was christened on 3 Aug 1560 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  17 F   iii. Agnes Blake [68] was christened on 5 Dec 1563 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.

                  Seventh Generation (4th Great-Grandchildren)

14.  John Blake [37] was christened on 30 Aug 1553 in Cotton, Suffolk, England
       and was buried on 6 Dec 1623 in Cotton, Suffolk, England.

General Notes: John junior at baptism of Robert

A will of John Blake of Cotton in 1623 proves to be the will of the John Blake
married to Margaret and father of Andrew, Francis, etc.

His will is in the Bury branch of the Record Office. It is a long will with
much information contained therein proving that the family  held land of Cotton
Hempnalls manor, and also lands in Bacton. John Blake's wife Margaret was still
alive at the time of John's will but the only burial for a Margaret Blake in
Cotton is in 1675 (too late for this Margaret).

  John married Margaret Dunch [38] [MRIN: 9], daughter of Andrew Dunch [41] and
      Joane [42],  on 10 Jul 1580 in Cotton, Suffolk, England. Margaret died
      after 6 Dec 1623.

     Children from this marriage were:

  18 M     i. Robert Blake [61] was christened on 26 Nov 1581 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  19 F    ii. Jane Blake [62] was christened on 26 Dec 1583 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  20 M   iii. John Blake [63] was christened on 20 Oct 1588 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England and was buried on 23 Jan 1588 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  21 M    iv. John Blake [64] was christened on 8 Feb 1589 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  + 22 M     v. Andrew Blake [30] was christened on 10 Jun 1596 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 14 Mar 1660 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  + 23 M    vi. Francis Blake [52] was christened on 3 Jun 1599 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 2 May 1660 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  + 24 M   vii. Thomas Blake [51] was christened on 13 Jan 1602 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.

                  Eighth Generation (5th Great-Grandchildren)

22.  Andrew Blake [30] was christened on 10 Jun 1596 in Cotton, Suffolk,
       England and was buried on 14 Mar 1660 in Cotton, Suffolk, England.

  Andrew married Frances Walker [31] [MRIN: 7], daughter of Thomas Walker [35]
      and Elizabeth Baldine [36],  on 22 May 1624 in Bacton, Suffolk, England.
      Frances was christened in 1599.

     Children from this marriage were:

  25 M     i. John Blake [32] was christened on 17 Mar 1627 in Bacton, Suffolk,
                   England and was buried in 1687.
  + 26 M    ii. Andrew Blake [11] was christened on 26 Dec 1630 in Wickham
                   Skeith, Suffolk, England and was buried on 22 Jan 1682 in
                   Cotton, Suffolk, England.
  27 F   iii. Elizabeth Blake [34] was christened on 9 Apr 1635 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried in 1657.
  28 M    iv. William Blake [33] was christened on 3 Nov 1639 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.

23.  Francis Blake [52] was christened on 3 Jun 1599 in Cotton, Suffolk,
       England and was buried on 2 May 1660 in Cotton, Suffolk, England.

General Notes: Admon and Inventory at Bury Record Office

  Francis married Joan Marriot or Marret [54] [MRIN: 17] on 24 Jun 1624 in
      Cotton, Suffolk, England.

     The child from this marriage was:

  29 M     i. Francis Blake [53] was christened on 21 Sep 1625 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.

24.  Thomas Blake [51] was christened on 13 Jan 1602 in Cotton, Suffolk,
       England.

  Thomas married Elizabeth [55] [MRIN: 18].

     Children from this marriage were:

  30 F     i. Elizabeth Blake [56] was christened on 23 Nov 1633 in Wickham
                   Skeith, Suffolk, England.
  31 F    ii. Jane Blake [57] was christened on 24 Feb 1634 in Wickham Skeith,
                   Suffolk, England.
  32 F   iii. Margaret Blake [58] was christened on 19 May 1639 in Wickham
                   Skeith, Suffolk, England.
  33 M    iv. John Blake [59] was christened in 1642 in Wickham Skeith,
                   Suffolk, England.
  34 F     v. Mary Blake [60] was christened on 1 Nov 1646 in Wickham Skeith,
                   Suffolk, England.

                   Ninth Generation (6th Great-Grandchildren)

26.  Andrew Blake [11] was christened on 26 Dec 1630 in Wickham Skeith,
       Suffolk, England and was buried on 22 Jan 1682 in Cotton, Suffolk,
       England.

General Notes: Assessed in the 1674 Hearth Tax on two hearths in Cotton

  Andrew married Mary Rodwell [12] [MRIN: 3] in 1660 in Badwell Ash, Suffolk,
      England.

     Children from this marriage were:

  35 F     i. Mary Blake [13] was christened on 7 Apr 1661 in Westhorpe,
                   Suffolk, England.
  36 F    ii. Ann Blake [14] was christened on 4 Jan 1662 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  37 M   iii. William Blake [15] was christened on 9 Sep 1665 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  + 38 M    iv. Andrew Blake [3] was christened on 23 Feb 1667 in Westhorpe,
                   Suffolk, England.
  39 F     v. Elizabeth Blake [16] was christened on 10 Apr 1670 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  40 F    vi. Frances Blake [17] was christened on 7 Sep 1673 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  + 41 M   vii. Richard Blake [18] was christened on 7 Apr 1678 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  42 M  viii. Thomas Blake [19] was christened on 5 Nov 1682 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 12 Feb 1684 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.

                   Tenth Generation (7th Great-Grandchildren)

38.  Andrew Blake [3] was christened on 23 Feb 1667 in Westhorpe, Suffolk,
       England.

General Notes: Farmer at baptism of Elizabeth

  Andrew married Elizabeth Hunt [4] [MRIN: 2] on 6 Oct 1696 in Cotton, Suffolk,
      England.

     Children from this marriage were:

  43 M     i. John Blake [7] was christened on 15 Jan 1698 in Wickham Skeith,
                   Suffolk, England.
  44 F    ii. Elizabeth Blake [5] was christened on 14 Mar 1700 in Wickham
                   Skeith, Suffolk, England and was buried on 8 Apr 1701 in
                   Cotton, Suffolk, England.
  45 F   iii. Elizabeth Blake [6] was christened on 21 May 1702 in Wickham
                   Skeith, Suffolk, England.
  46 M    iv. Andrew Blake [8] was christened on 1 May 1704 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  47 F     v. Mary Blake [9] was christened on 22 Mar 1705 in Cotton, Suffolk,
                   England.
  + 48 M    vi. Robert Blake [1] was christened on 30 Dec 1707 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 19 Jun 1777 in Bacton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  49 M   vii. Thomas Blake [10] was christened on 18 Jan 1709 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 23 Jan 1709 in Cotton,
                   Suffolk, England.

41.  Richard Blake [18] was christened on 7 Apr 1678 in Cotton, Suffolk,
       England.

General Notes: Of Westhorpe at marriage to Anne Rose

Labourer at Children's baptisms

  Richard married Anne Rose [20] [MRIN: 4] on 12 Oct 1702 in Wyverstone,
      Suffolk, England.

     Children from this marriage were:

  50 F     i. Sarah Blake [21] was christened on 19 May 1704 in Westhorpe,
                   Suffolk, England.
  51 F    ii. Ann Blake [22] was christened on 20 Dec 1705 in Westhorpe,
                   Suffolk, England.
  52 M   iii. Richard Blake [23] was christened on 26 Mar 1710 in Westhorpe,
                   Suffolk, England.
  53 F    iv. Mary Blake [24] was christened on 31 Jan 1713 in Westhorpe,
                   Suffolk, England.

                    11th Generation (8th Great-Grandchildren)

48.  Robert Blake [1] was christened on 30 Dec 1707 in Cotton, Suffolk, England
       and was buried on 19 Jun 1777 in Bacton, Suffolk, England.

General Notes: Of Bacton at Marriage to Susan Crosby

  Robert married Susan Crosby [2] [MRIN: 1] on 10 Nov 1725 in Beccles, Suffolk,
      England. Susan was born in Bacton, Suffolk, England and was buried on 26
      Aug 1767 in Bacton, Suffolk, England.

     Children from this marriage were:

  54 M     i. Robert Blake [80] was christened on 8 Dec 1727 in Bacton,
                   Suffolk, England.

       Robert married Diana [82] [MRIN: 24].
  55 M    ii. John Blake [81] was born in 1729.

       John married Sarah [88] [MRIN: 26].
  56 F   iii. Susannah Blake [78] was christened in Jan 1730 in Bacton,
                   Suffolk, England.
  57 M    iv. William Blake [79] was christened on 14 Jun 1734 in Bacton,
                   Suffolk, England and was buried on 15 Dec 1822 in Bacton,
                   Suffolk, England.

       William married Mary Roper [97] [MRIN: 28] in 1762 in Wyverstone,
           Suffolk, England.

       William next married Mary Lummis [101] [MRIN: 29] on 10 Jun 1771.

I did continue following this family but really need access to Bacton/Cotton parish registers and that is not going to happen any too soon likely! There is also a matter of time to do that.

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