The Pincombe-Pinkham Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 3, 2017

Pincombe-Pinkham Newsletter, Volume 2, Issue 3, 2017

Table of Contents
1.    Pincombe Charts, original One-Name Study at the Guild of One-Name Studies
2.    Will of John Pincombe of South Molton
3.    Autosomal DNA Study
4.    North Molton Parish Records (Part 3)

1.    Pincombe Charts, original One-Name Study at the Guild of One-Name Studies

These Pincombe Charts were created by the two researchers in the original One-name-study at the Guild of one-name-studies. I reprint them with the thought in mind that others could add to the knowledge of these charts. I have reworked some of them and will publish that information when complete. I am republishing the North and South Molton chart as it is referred to in the Will of John Pincombe of South Molton.

http://www.kipp-blake-families.ca/Chart1-2.jpg

These tables represent many years of work at the record offices and Richard Pinkham was a physician and able to make contact with some of the Pincombe families living in Devon. The names seen on these charts usually in the top corners are individuals who provided information for that particular chart. I do remind other researchers that there are discrepancies in these charts and I would appreciate knowing of any that you may find so that eventually a corrected chart will be published.

2.    Will of John Pincombe of South Molton

Source: Public Record Office, London, UK #622
Place: South Molton, Devon, England
Dated: dated 20 Nov 1593 and probated 22 Apr 1597
[Top]:  Laus Deo 1593
[Margin]: Testament: Johannis Pincombe

1    In the name of God, Amen.  In the twentithe of November in the yeare of
2    our Lord god one thousand five hundreth nynetie three  I John Pincombe of South Molton in
3    countie of Devon Merchante beinge whole of Bodye and in perfect remembrance thancks be to all
4    mightie god make this my last will and testament in manner and forme followinge Firste I bequeth
5    my soule unto almightie god and my Bodie to the earthe where it shall please the almightie god
6    Nextlie I give unto the poore people of Southmolton Tenn pounds to be distributed unto them
7    at my Buriall And alsoe I doe give unto the poore people of South Molton fiftie pounds to
8    bestowed in some grounde for the use and proffitte of sixteene of the poorest persons of Molton this
9    yeare the comoditie and proffitte that is of the fiftie pounds bestowed Alsoe I give unto the
10    poore people of Barnestable eleven pounds And I give unto the poore of Chumley five pounds
11    and unto the poore of Nortmolton five pounds And unto the poore of Tyverton Three pounds
12    and unto the poore of Georgenymett five pounds And unto the poore of Bysshopnymet Three
13    pounds And unto the poore people of Chittinton Three pounds All w[hi]ch gyfts to be distributed to the poorest
14    people of everye parrishe by my Inlaws by there order for the distribution hereof Nextly my will
15    is that my father shal[l ]be payde of the debts that I owe him and all other debts that I doe owe firste
16    of all and Tenn pounds more unto Pentecoste Dodridge And tenn pounds more unto Joane and
17    Dorothie dodridge And unto Lewys Challecom and his sister fiftene pounds And unto Gaminge
18    twente pounds And unto Anthony Hyde Thritie three pounds sixe shillings and eighte pence
19    unto Mathewe Hunte Eighte pounds tenn shillings unto Peter Jesse Twelve pounds Alsoe by
21    this my will I doe forgive John Moille of Byshopnymet and Richard Harris of Exeter the debte
22    that they doe owe me The rest of my goodes not given nor bequeathed I doe give unto my wiefe
23    my sonne John Pincombe equallie to be divided betwixte them bothe Alsoe I doe give my sonne
24    my Lande that lieth in Georgenymett when that he shall come unto the age of one and twentie
25    yeares And all the rest of my Landes and Leasses I doe give unto my wief duringe her lief and
26    afterwards
27    afterwards to my sonne and to his heyres soe that he doe not alienate noe sell awaye none of my Inhe
28    ritance But yf that he doe alienate any of my landes lefte him that then his interest shall cease and
29    the inheritance shal[l ]be in my next bloudde when that he dothe alienate any of the said Landes soe that
30    he shall not have by this my will noe power to sell awaye none of my Lands left him I doe ordaine
31    my father and John Dodridge my Inlaws to see this my will performed And for their paynes
32    they shall have five pounds In wittnes of this to be of a trewthe I have wrytten this w[i]th my owne
33    hande and putte thereunto my sealle the daie and yeare above written one thousand fyve hundred
34    nyntie three provided notw[i]thstandinge that my sonne shall have power by this my will for to
35    alienate any of my Landes soe that he doe procure and purchase soe much valewe in Lande againe
36    and lease soe muche valewe of Landes and tenem[en]ts unto his next blood and claims that are neerest
37    unto him soe that my last will is that he shall have power soe to sell uppon condition that he doe
38    procure to lease soe muche Landes and tenem[en]ts unto his next Blood and Clients that are in
39    blood neerest unto him And this I have wreten w[i]th my owne hand the twoe and twentithe of Aprill
40    and yeare of oure Lord god one thousand five hundred nyntie seaven p[er]me John Pincombe [signed]
41    Decimo nono die Mensis February anno domino
42    iuxta cursum et computacionem Ecclesie Anglicane millesimo sexcentesimo quarto emanavit
43    comissio Amie Pincombe Relicte dcs def ad administrand bona iura et credita eiusdem def
44    inxta tenorom et effectio testamenti ipsimo def eo quod dcis defuntus millim in eodem s_is
45    testamento nominat executorem de bene etc iurat

John Pincombe in this will names his wife as Amie Pincombe, his son as John Pincombe and that his father is still living. He says that he is a merchant at South Molton, Devon.

The North Molton and South Molton chart produced by the original researchers at the Guild of one name study has been published in Pincombe-Pinkham newsletter Volume 1 Issue 4: http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2016/09/pincombe-pinkham-newsletter-volume-1.html
And republished in this issue. The link for this particular chart since it is impossible to actually read the chart from the newsletter: http://www.kipp-blake-families.ca/Chart1-2.jpg

This chart names this particular John Pyncombe as the husband of Amy Dodridge. It gives a year of birth for John Pyncombe of 1575 and that they have a son John Pincombe born circa 1596 and that he was buried circa 1665 and had married Mary Carew. It also names his sister as Helen baptized 29 Mar 1577 at Chittle Hampton and that the father of these children was Richard Pincombe who married circa 1574. He in turned being named as a son of John Pincombe born circa 1526 at South Molton and again being the son of a John Pincombe born circa 1501 at South Molton with a brother Christopher also born at South Molton. Both of these children are named as the sons of John Pyncombe. This John Pyncombe is said to have a brother Thomas Pyncombe born circa 1481 who lived at North Molton and Filleigh and was the father of William Pyncombe born circa 1506 and married to (unknown) Snowe (lived at East Buckland and North Molton). Both of these children named as son of an (unknown) Pyncombe who lived at North Molton. I would only mention that the Thomas Pyncombe who lived at North Molton and Filleigh is presumed to be my ancestor and has been discussed earlier so will leave any discussion on this individual to another time.

Returning to the testator, John Pincombe and I would mention that I have not been able to find his will online at the Record Office. I downloaded it in 2006 and probably have not looked for it online anytime since then.

Do I agree with the line that is given to the testator? If I look at the tax records for Pincombe/Pencombe/Pyncombe in the 1500s I discover the following:

The Tax Rolls for Devon 1544-1545 have 9 Pencombe/Pincombe/Pinkcombe/Pynkeham listings including

Alice (widow of Thomas) Pencombe North Molton Parish £5
Christopher Pyncombe South Molton Parish £10
John Pencombe North Molton Parish £4
John Pyncombe South Molton Parish £13
Philip Pynkeham Tawstock Parish £8
Richard Pencombe Bedeford Parish £5
Richard Pencombe Kings Nympton Parish £1
Thomas Pencomb Estbuclond Parish (East Buckland) £9
William Pencombe North Molton Parish £6

This does not  yield the expected Richard Pincombe as found by the earlier researchers at South Molton with son John Pincombe (grandson John Pincombe) and daughter Helen Pincombe. The only two Richard Pincombes are at Bideford and Kings Nympton. At South Molton there is a John Pyncombe and a Christopher Pyncombe. As I reconstructed the family tree I suggest that John and Christopher are brothers (and more discussion on the other Pincombe families found in the taxes another time.

The Tax Subsidy for 1581 lists 12 Pincombe heads including

Annis Pincombe (widow) Alwington Parish £4
Christopher Pincombe South Molton Parish £4
Edward Pencombe Tawstocke Parish £5
Emma Pyncombe (widow) North Molton Parish £3
John Pincombe South Molton Parish £4
John Pincombe (senior) South Molton Parish £12
John Pincomb (Esquire) Broadwood Kelleigh Parish £9
Richard Pincombe Bideford Parish £6
Richard Pincombe Yearnescombe Parish £3
Richard Pincombe Abbotsham Parish £8
William Pencombe East Buckland Parish £10
___therin Pincombe (widow) Bideford Parish £2

By 1581 (almost fourty years later) one finds at South Molton a Christopher Pincombe, a John Pincombe and a John Pincombe (senior). John Pincombe senior holds three times as much wealth as the other two Pincombes named. At this point I have made the assumption that John Pincombe (senior) was perhaps the John Pincombe found on the 1543-44 subsidy. Are John and Christopher both his sons or are they Christopher’s sons or each of these earlier men has left a son each. The wealth does tend to make one wonder if both are the sons of Christopher perhaps now deceased. But it is interesting that there is not a Richard Pincombe holding land at South Molton in 1543-44 or 1581.

Who is the testator? He is likely part of the Pincombe family that descends from the earlier Pincombe at North Molton. One can conclude that given the proximity. He has property at George Nympton and that particular parish in 1581 has few entries paying subsidy: Philip Dobbe, Richard Greade, Richard Colman, Philip Beare, Agnes Harrys (widow), Mary Pearce (widow) and Philip Bennet. But this is another 12 years hence so one can  not be positive about such a statement being true in 1593.

From the Devon Visitations of 1620, the following can be gleaned:

An Unknown Pyncombe (living at Northmolton) had come with the Lord Zouch about the beginning of the reign of Henry VII (1485) and that he married and had three sons Thomas (lived at Filleigh and later East Buckland), John and an (unknown) Pyncombe. Looking only at John Pyncombe the chart shows that he had sons John Pyncombe and Christopher Pyncombe both of Southmolton and each of them had a son John. That John Pyncombe (great nephew to Christopher Pyncombe) married Amy daughter of Richard Doddridge. John and Amy had a son John Pyncombe who lived at Southmolton and was a student in the Middle Temple, London and was living in 1620.

The Visitation is generally thought to be accurate and this particular one was signed by William Pyncombe of Southmolton and East Buckland who had married Temperance Pollard. William was a Coroner in the County of Devon.

Given the information from the taxes and the Visitation the present testator would appear to be John Pyncombe son of John Pyncombe. Since the time frame on this chart is completed in 1620 and John the last mentioned Pyncombe in this line was a student in the Middle Temple and by his father’s will alive in 1593 then he was born by 1593 although could be earlier but 27 is a reasonable age to be a student of the Middle Temple. That would give a birth year approximately to his father of 1560 to early 1570s although could be earlier. Then his father John would be born circa 1540s to 1550s and that could also be earlier. That John is known to be the son of John Pyncombe whose father came to Northmolton in 1485. His possible year of birth then 1510 to 1520 but could have been earlier. That giving a year of birth to the son of the unknown Pyncombe arriving 1485 or later of 1490 to 1500 or earlier. This fits into a nice pattern and does match the Visitation and reasonable years of birth. In the 1540s tax subsidy there was a Christopher Pyncombe and a John Pyncombe in South Molton. These men would need to be at least 21 years of age at that time which would have one looking at the grandsons of the unknown Pyncombe arriving in 1485 or later and the sons of the same Pyncombe. I have opted to think that the men on the tax subsidy are the grandsons. Plus Alice (widow of Thomas Pencombe) is living in 1544 and perhaps she points to the name of the founder of the Pencombe family of North Molton as being Thomas. It is known he had a son Thomas who better fits into being the husband of Johane Pencombe whose will was blogged in Volume 1, Issue 1.

The Dodderidge family members mentioned in the will Pentecost, John, Joane and Dorothy were all siblings of his wife Amy Dodderidge Pincombe.

More later on this line of the family but the ancestral line I believe of this John Pincombe, the testator has now been established.

3.    Autosomal DNA Study

The entire Pincombe DNA study at FT DNA includes 19 members of whom 12 have taken the Family Finder Test.

I continue to have matches that have proven to be most interesting in my Pincombe family line but primarily these new matches are in the line of the wife of my 2x great grandfather John Pincombe (emigrated to Canada in 1850/51).

I am still not yet ready to discuss the yDNA Pincombe-Pinkham family study.

4.     North Molton Parish Records (Part 3)

These baptismal records are transcribed from the fiche of the original Parish Records for North Molton, Devon.

# Surname Forename status Fathers surname Fathers forename Mothers surname Mothers forename Year Month Day Details
601  Couche Agnes  daughter Couche Thomas 1567 Aug 17
602  Castle Mathewe son Castle Water 1567 Aug 20
603  Crange  Anne   daughter Crange Christopher  1567  Aug  23
604  Burges Robarte son Burges Richard 1567 Sep 17
605  Viccarie Marye  daughter Viccarie Nycholas 1567 Sep 18
606  Burges Emmett daughter Burges John 1567 Oct 6
607  Frenche Johane base daughter Frenche 1567 Oct 6
608  Heywode Elizabeth daughter Heywode John 1567 Oct 7
609  Kyngdon Thomsene daughter Kyngdon Thomas  1567  Oct  8
610  Vyccarie John son Vyccarie John   1567 Oct 10
611  Parker Anne daughter Parker Edmonde   1567 Oct 12 Esquire
612  Drustone Robarte base son   Drustone Johane 1567 Oct 23
613  Gould Mote daughter Gould William   1567 Nov 15
614  Tapp Mathewe son Tapp John   1567 Nov 18
615  Greynewaie William son Greynewaie George   1567 Dec 11
616  Burges Robarte son Burges Richard   1567 Dec 20
617  Mayne Thomas son Mayne Ellis   1567 Dec 21
618  Dyer Peternell daughter Dyer Robart   1567 Jan 25
619  Slader Robarte son Slader William   1567 Feb 1
620  Pytt James son Pytt Roger   1567 Feb 18
621  Locke Marye daughter Locke William   1567 Feb 18
622  Cole Johane daughter Cole John   1567 Feb 23
623  Dru John son Dru William   1567 Feb 22
624  Squire Thomsene daughter Squire John   1567 Mar 2
624  Uprichard John son Uprichard Robart   1567 Feb 28
626  Chapell Thomas son Chapell Robarte   1567 Mar 3
627  Shattick John son Shattick Thomas   1567 Mar 12
628  Greade Johane daughter Greade John   1567 Mar 25
629  Charde Johane daughter Charde Marten   1568 Apr 6
630  Bray Agnes daughter Bray William   1568 Apr 15
631  Hobb Phillip daughter Hobb William   1568 Apr 16
632  Dew Agnes daughter Dew William   1568 Apr 14
633  Greade Richard son Greade Gregorye   1568 May 9
634  Locke William son Locke William   1568 May 9
635  Locke Christopher son Locke Harrye   1568 May 11
636  Blake Anne daughter Blake Mighell   1568 May 16
637  Viccarie Paule son Viccarie Thomas   1568 Jun 29
638  Bray Salwin son Bray Richard   1568 July 6
639  Madford Frauncis son Madford William   1568 July 12
640  Row Richard son Row Robart   1568 July 25
641  Thorne Ellen daughter Thorne William   1568 July 26
642  Balmante Beaten daughter Balmante Roger   1568 Aug 1
643  Squire Beaten daughter Squire John   1568 Aug 24
644  Bennett Catheraygne daughter Bennett Charells   1568 Sep 10
645  Cole John son Cole John   1568 Mar 15
646  Dew Robarte son Dew William   1568 Mar 19
647  Bray Christopher son Bray James   1570 Mar 27
648  Chapell Robarte son Chapell Robarte   1570 Apr 2
649  Viccarie Phillip son Viccarie Philip   1570 May 3
650  Slader Catheragyne daughter Slader William   1570 May 10
651  Gru Henrye base son   Geru Elizabeth 1570 May 19
652  Squire Sammuell son Squire John   1570 May 25
653  Locke John son Locke John   1570 July 2
654  Errshe Thomas son Errshe John   1570 July 21
655  Reede George son Reede Mychaell   1570 Sep 3
656  Bray Dorothye daughter Bray Christopher   1570 Sep 4
657  Hoper Ellen daughter Hoper William   1570 Sep 18
658  Burgis William son Burgis John   1570 Sep 2
659  Trowte Thomas son Trowte Salwin   1570 Sep 21
660  Moll Thomas son Moll William   1570 Oct 22
661  Thorne John son Thorne John   1570 Nov 6
662  Locke Uryth daughter Locke Henrye   1570 Jan 17
663  Dyer Anne daughter Dyer Robert   1570 Feb 7
664  Wodum Marye daughter Wodum John   1570 Feb 17
665  Squire Christian daughter Squire George   1570 Mar 23
666  Locke Margrett daughter Locke William   1571 Mar 27
667  Greynewaie George son Greynewaie George   1571 Mar 27
668  Shattick Margrett daughter Shattick Thomas   1571 Apr 24
669  Shapland Richard son Shapland John   1571 May 10
670  Whitfild Johane daughter Whitfild Dayve   1571 Jun 2
671  Balmante Catheryngne daughter Balmante Roger   1571 Jun 17
672  Muxwerthie Johane daughter Muxwerthie Alexander 1571 Jun 24
673  Clatwerthie Margrett daughter Clatwerthie George   1571 Aug 19
674  Priars John son Priars Harrye   1571 Sep 9
675  Abbott Temperance daughter Abbott Thomas   1571 Sep 13
676  Gru William son Gru Thomas   1571 Sep 20
677  Thorne Marye daughter Thorne Richard   1571 Nov 21
678  Burges Anthonye son Burges Richard   1571 Dec 2
679  Hobb Johane daughter Hobb Bartholomewe   1571 Jan 20
680  Dru William son Dru William   1571 Feb 2
681  Courtneye Peter son Courtneye Thomas   1571 Feb 2 gent
682  Harris Rebecca daughter Harris Robart   1572 Apr 13
683  Tapp Phillip son Tapp John   1572 Apr 24 John Tapp the younger
684  Dee John son Dee John   1572 Apr 25 John Dee the younger
685  Shapland Thomas son Shapland John   1572 May 6
686  Snowe Catheryngne daughter Snow Mathew   1572 Jun 13
687  Upricharde Thomas son Upricharde Robart   1572 Jun 22
688  Davye Emott daughter Davye John   1572 July 30
689  Cole Peter son Cole John   1572 Aug 10
690  Crange Richard son Crange Christopher   1572 Sep 14
691  Millet William son Millet John   1572 Sep 14
692  Bagtor Marye daughter Bagtor John   1572 Sep 14
693  Slader William son Slader William   1572 Sep 23
694  Cowche Thomas son Cowche Thomas   1572 Sep 28
695  Kyngdon Sylby daughter Kyngdon Thomas   1572 Oct 1
696  Thorne Agnes daughter Thorne Peter   1572 Oct 1
697  Hancok Beaten daughter Hancok John   1572 Oct 4
698  Locke Agnes daughter Locke John   1572 Oct 24 of Brinsworthie
699  Burges Marryon daughter Burges William   1572 Oct 19
700  Stocke Anne base daughter Stocke Johane 1572 Oct 19 servant of Paule Bale
701  Ames Emmott daughter Ames William   1572 Nov 1
702  Moll Harrye son Moll Anthonye   1572 Dec 7
703  Pasmore John son Pasmore Myghell   1572 Dec 14
704  Kedwill Johane base daughter   Kedwill Silbye 1572 Dec 14
705  Tompson Thomas son Tompson Edwarde   1572 Dec 16
706  Thorne Johane daughter Thorne John   1572 Dec 24 carpenter
707  Hobb Margarett daughter Hobb William   1572 Jan 11
708  Uprichard Elizabeth base born   Uprichard Agnes 1572 Jan 13
709  Jeffrye Suzan daughter Jeffrye John   1572 Jan 16
710  Vellacott John son Vellacott Mathew   1572 Jan 18
711  Heywode Johane daughter Heywode John   1572 Feb 1
712 Locke de Shapland John son Locke de Shapland William 1572 Feb 4
713  Thorne Johane daughter Thorne John   1572 Feb 15 of Upcott
714  Williams John son Williams James   1572 Feb 15
715  Greade Margarett daughter Greade John   1572 Mar 1
716  Lock Thomas son Lock William   1572 Mar 24 of Lee
717  Bray Richard son Bray James   1573 Mar 27
718  Whitfild Jeffrye son Whitfild John   1573 Apr 1
719  Charde Johane base daughter   Charde Johane 1573 Apr 10
720  Locke Robarte son Locke Harrye   1573 Apr 21 of Hunston
721  Viccarie Catheraygne daughter Viccarie Thomas   1573 Apr 22
722  Ballemye Syblye daughter Ballemye Robarte   1573 Apr  25
723  Vyccarie Inglysh son Vyccarie William   1573 July 15
724  Hoper William son Hoper William   1573 July 16
725  Striblinge Gunnett daughter Striblinge Richard   1573 July 26
726  Bray John son Bray Nicholas   1573 Aug 16
727  Vyccarie Wyllmott daughter Vyccarie John 1573 Aug 23 of Upcott
728  Bray William son Bray William  1573 Sep 3
729  Shapton John son Shapton John 1573 Sep 13
730  Vyccarie or Pulham Helen daughter Vyccarie alias Pulham John 1573 Oct 3
731  Blake Chrystine daughter Blake Richard   1573 Oct 23
732  Lock John son Lock Roger   1573 Nov 20
733  Burges Richard son Burges Richard   1573 Nov 22
734  Squire Trysten daughter Squire John 1573 Dec 5 John Squire in towne
735  Hill William base son Hill John   1573 Dec  26 in the parish of Chittlehampton
736  Abbott John son Abbott John   1573 Jan 26
737  Lock Phillip son Lock Rychard   1573 Feb 14
738  Reymer Syblie daughter Reymer George   1573 Mar 14
739  Dew Allson daughter Dew William   1573 Mar 14
740  Tapp John son Tapp John   1573 Mar 14 John Tapp the younger
741  Rendell John base son   Rendell Thomsen 1573 Mar 23
742  Burges Beaten daughter Burges Mathew   1574 Mar 25
743  Burges Harrye son Burges Richard   1574 Mar 31
744  Courtneye Ambrose son Courtneye Thomas   1574 Apr 5
745  Courtneye Austyne son Courtneye Thomas   1574 Apr 5
746  Bray John son Bray Christopher   1574 Apr 10
747  Shattick Wylmott daughter Shattick Thomas   1574 May 16
748  Burges William son Burges William   1574 Jun 6
749  Thorne James son Thorne William   1574 Jun 20
750  Pyncombe Peternell daughter Pyncombe John 1574 Jun 29 of Flitton
751  Locke Marye daughter Locke John   1574 July 4 of Nadrid
752  Frase Richard son Frase Richard   1574 July 25
753  Thorne Christopher base son   Thorne Johane 1574 Aug 2
754  Williams John son Williams James   1574 Aug 21
755  Dru Sythe daughter Dru Andrew   1574 Sep 12
756  Braylie Johane daughter Braylie John   1574 Sep 17
757  Vellacott Mathewe son Vellacott Mathew   1574 Sep 21
758  Davye William son Davye John   1574 Sep 26 of Flitton
759  Viccarie Roger son Viccarie John   1574 Oct 3 South Radwerthie
760  Shapland Chrystine daughter Shapland John   1574 Oct 24
761  Lock Agnes daughter Lock John   1574 Nov 17 of Brynswerthie
762  Clatwerthie Catheraygne daughter Clatwerthie George 1574 Nov 30
763  Viccarie Jane daughter Viccarie Thomas   1574 Dec 6
764  Lock Thomas son Lock William   1574 Jan 6 coper
765  Dyer Myghell son Dyer Robarte   1574 Jan 13
766  Locke Christopher son Locke Anthonye   1574 Jan 18
767  Locke Johane daughter Locke Roger   1574 Feb 9
768  Slader Agnes daughter Slader William   1574 Mar 2
769  Stocke Johane daughter Stocke Robart   1574 Mar 13
770  Locke Johane daughter Locke John 1574 Mar 18 younger, of Nadrid
771  Vyccarie George son Vyccarie Nycholas   1575 Mar 26
772  Leye William base son   Leye Beaten 1575 Mar 30
773  Hobb Mathewe son Hobb William   1575 Mar 30
774 Dee Chrysten daughter Dee John 1575 Mar 30 the elder, of Leigher
775  Burges Christopher son Burges Mathew   1575 Apr 2
776  Radley Anstice daughter Radley Richard   1575 Apr 4
777  Cowche Elizabeth daughter Cowche Thomas   1575 Apr 5
778  Lapham Catheraygne daughter Lapham William   1575 Apr 10
779  Greade Gregorye son Greade Gregorye   1575 Apr 10
780  Hawkridge William son Hawkridge Jeyles   1575 Apr 12
781  Tapp Thomas son Tapp John   1575 Apr 21 in Towne
782  Thorne Emmott daughter Thorne richard   1575 Apr 23
783  Pasmore Phillip son Pasmore Mighell   1575 May 1
784  Striblinge Phillip  son Striblinge Richard   1575 May 1
785  Whitfild Helen daughter Whitfild John 1575 May 2 of South Radwerthie
786  Heywode John son Heywode John   1575 May 2
787  Snowe Elizabeth daughter Snow Mathew   1575 Apr 8
788  Whitfild Anne daughter Whitfild Davye   1575 May 15
789  Greye Pentecost son Greye John   1575 May 22
790  Balmante Dorothye daughter Balmante Mighell   1575 May 22
791  Bray Pentecoste son Bray Christopher   1575 May 22
792  Vyccarie Phillip son Vyccarie John   1575 Jun 5 of Upcott
793  Thorne Anstyce daughter Thorne John   1575 July 10 of Upcott
794  Abbott William son Abbott John   1575 July 13
795  Vyccarie Marye daughter Vyccarie George   1575 July 25
796  Thorne William son Thorne John   1575 Aug 7 In Towne
797  Eames Inglysh son Eames Thomas   1575 Aug 21
798  Courtneye Richard son Courtneye Mr. Thomas   1575 Sep 4
799  Shapton Margarett daughter Shapton John   1575 Sep 14
800  Cole Alyce daughter Cole John   1575 Sep 29 of North Radworthie
801  Shapland Catheraygne daughter Shapland Christopher 1575 Oct 23 the younger
802  Myllet John son Myllet John   1575 Nov 6
803  Bokingham Bartholomewe son Bokingham Thomas   1575 Nov 13
804  Hobb Emmott daughter Hobb Bartholomewe   1575 Dec 18
805  Squire Thomas son Squire John   1575 Jan 18 the workman
806  Balmente Roger son Balmente William   1575 Feb 11
807  Williams James son Williams James   1575 Feb 22
808  Locke Robarte son Locke William   1575 Mar 7 of Lee
809 Tompson Chrysten daughter Tompson Edwarde   1575 Mar 19
810 Hancok Margrett daughter Hancok John   1576 Mar 25
811  Lapham Danyell son Lapham Symon   1576 Mar 30
812  Lapham Alyce daughter Lapham William   1576 Apr 1
813  Tapp Johane daughter Tapp John   1576 Apr 10 the younger
814  Thorne Agnes daughter Thorne John   1576 Apr 20 in Towne workman
815  Kedwill Margerye base daughter   Kedwill Syblie 1576 Apr 22
816  Wodum Phillip son Wodum John   1576 May 4
817  Cole Christopher son Cole Bernard   1576 May 6
818  Moll William son Moll Anthonye   1576 May 31
819  Lange John son Lange John   1576 Jun 23
820  Vyccarie Richard son Vyccarie Nycholas   1576 July 22
821  Dew Richard son Dew William   1576 Aug 12
822  Slader George son Slader Thomas   1576 Sep 12
823  Burges Johane daughter Burges John   1576 Sep 21 In Towne
824  Priers John son Priers Harrye   1576 Sep 26
825  Moorman Richard son Moorman Thomas   1576 Oct 6
826  Locke Elizabeth daughter Locke John   1576 Oct 6 of Nadrid
827  Locke Johane daughter Locke Harrye   1576 Oct 7
828  Shattick Mathewe daughter Shattick Thomas   1576 Oct 21
829  Burges John son Burges Mathew   1576 Oct 29
830  Vyccarie Drues daughter Vyccarie George   1576 Nov 9
831  Blake Drues daughter Blake Richard   1576 Nov 18
832  Whitfild Rebecca daughter Whitfild John   1576 Dec 21
833  Locke Syblye daughter Locke John 1576 Jan 1 of Brinsworthie
834  Locke Harrye son Locke Roger   1576 Jan 9
835  Abbott Syblye daughter Abbott John   1576 Jan 21
836  Clatwerthie Phillip son Clatwerthie George   1576 Feb 1
837  Lock John son Lock Anthonye   1576 Mar 12
838  Tapp Elizabeth daughter Tapp John   1576 Mar 22 in Towne
839  Hobb Andrew son Hobb Bartholomewe 1576 Mar 23
840  Pasmore Johanedau Pasmore Myghell  1577 Apr 8
841  Bray John son Bray John  Johane 1577 Apr 12
842  Widlake alias Braylie Alyce daughter Widlake alias Braylie John  Johane 1577 Apr 23
843  Davye Elizabeth daughter Davye John  Elizabeth 1577 May 1
844  Locke Chrysten daughter Locke Mighell  Johane 1577 May 8
845  Locke Catherygne daughter Locke Richard  Johane 1577 May 14
846  Frase Edward son Frase Richard  Duines 1577 Jun 2
847  Hobb Phillip son Hobb William  Johane 1577 Aug 4
848  Slader Florence daughter Slader William  Willmott 1577 Aug 14
849  Viccarie John son Viccarie Walter  Mawt 1577 Aug 30
850  Striblinge Jeyls son Striblinge Richard  Elizabeth 1577 Sep 14
851  Radley Uryth daughter Radley Richard  Johane 1577 Sep 15
852  Shaplande John base son Shaplande Phillip Thorne Johane 1577 Sep 23 in Towne
853  Shaplande Johane daughter Shaplande William  Johane 1577 Sep 24 of Flitton
854  Abbott Robarte son Abbott Thomas  Marye 1577 Oct 6
855  Vyccarie Inglysh son Vyccarie John  Emmott 1577 Oct 20 of Upcott
856  Vyccarie Agnes daughter Vyccarie John  Emmott 1577 Oct 20 of Upcott
857  Whitfild Agnes daughter Whitfild John  Helen 1577 Oct 23
858  Viccarie William son Viccarie John  Agnes 1577 Oct 25 Of South radworthie
859  Vellacott William son Vellacott Mathew  Johane 1577 Nov 20
860  Thorne Catherygne daughter Thorne John Gunnett 1577 Jan 2 In Towne
861  Thorne Fayth daughter Thorne John Gunnett 1577 Jan 2 In Towne
862  Shaplande Elizabeth daughter Shaplande Christopher  Grace 1577 Jan 14
863  Lock John son Lock William  Alyce 1577 Jan 19
864  Thorne Agnes daughter Thorne John Willmott 1577 Feb 5 of Upcott
865  Shaplande Helen daughter Shaplande John  Agnes 1577 Feb 6
866  Viccarie Anne daughter Viccarie Nycholas  Johane 1577 Feb 15
867  Bray Marye daughter Bray Thomas  Agnes 1577 Feb 23
868  Thorne Jane daughter Thorne Richard  Custine 1577 Mar 3
869  Thorne Richard son Thorne John  Johane 1577 Mar 3
870  Locke Dorothye daughter Locke Phillip  Richord 1577 Mar 9
871  Hearde Isat daughter Hearde John  Isat 1577 Mar 29
872  Burges John son Burges William  Margaret 1578 Mar 31 of Fyldon
873  Atkins William son Atkins William  Emmott 1578 Apr 12
874  Lange Agnes daughter Lange John  Johane 1578 Apr 20
875  Thorne Allyce daughter Thorne John  Johane 1578 Apr 20
876  Dee Agnes daughter Dee John  Elizabeth 1578 May 1 the younger
877  Harris Allyce daughter Harris Robarte  Johane 1578 May 8
878  Stocke Johane daughter Stocke Robarte  Thomsen 1578 May 8
879  Charde Syble daughter Charde Charlls   1578 May 18
880  Shapton William son Shapton John  Elizabeth 1578 Jun 15
881  Shapland Johane daughter Shapland William Thomsen 1578 Jun 20
882  Chrispin John son Chrispin Robarte  Syblie 1578 Jun 21
883  Cole Richard son Cole John  Marye 1578 July 23
884  Prior Johane daughter Prior Harrye  Johane 1578 Aug 13
885  Bray Water son Bray John  Johane 1578 Aug 20 of south radderie
886  Mathew William son Mathew John  Syth 1578 Sep 5
887  Hancok Emmanuell son Hancok John  Duynes 1578 Sep 17
888  Shapland Johane daughter Shapland Phillip  Marye 1578 Oct 1
889  Whitfild William son Whitfild Davye  Johane 1578 Oct 4
890  Parker Lewes son Parker Mr. Lewes   1578 Oct 4
891  Jope Thomas son Jope Ambrose  Alyce 1578 Nov 1
892  Thorne Charels base son   Thorne Johane 1578 Nov 7
893  Thorne Johane daughter Thorne John Johane 1578 Dec 14 of North Radderie
894  Burges Elizabeth daughter Burges Mathew Margaret 1578 Dec 22
895  Millet  Sythe base daughter Millet  Elizabeth 1578 Dec 22
896  Slader John son Slader Thomas Agnes 1578 Jan 4
897  Hobb Johane  daughter  Hobb  Bartholomewe  Alyce  1578 Feb 20
898  Williams John son Williams James  Elizabeth  1578  Feb  22
899  Squire  John  son Squire John Johane 1578 Mar 8


Any material which you may wish to submit for the next issue of the newsletter (1st of September 2017) concerning the Pincombe/Pinkham family needs to be submitted by the 20th of August and can be sent to:
Elizabeth Kipp (Editor)
kippeeb@rogers.com

Gardening!

The perennial event in my life has begun now that the back yard has dried up. I am busy digging the vegetable garden which will shrink at the end of this summer. Right now it is about 10 feet by 20 feet and for this older woman nearly 72 that is a lot of digging although I do not mind doing it. I remember my grandmother's garden and helping her dig that when I was in my teens. My brother used to do it but when he went to work he didn't have time to dig so I took it on although initially my grandmother said I was too small too dig. But I did prove her wrong on that and was good at digging. It is fun remembering all that good time with my grandmother all those years ago. My maternal grandmother was 59 when I was born and so just about my age now when I was in my early teens. She was still bright and quick and quite strong.

I wouldn't trust me too far in a flower garden though; If the plant is big enough and I recognize it I wont dig it up but I am a little clumsy amongst the flowers and really prefer to work with a small hand spade where I do much better. Ed though is feeling up to slowly working his way through the flower gardens although I did help him with the larger one out front. The back ones run along the back of the house and the sides of the yard and he can work away slowly at them although I think he has been quite speedy. It takes me ages to work them up!

The flowers will be nice and the vegetables but the genealogy will suffer for the next few months. Plus working away on the Conference takes some time and the net result is no wills probably for a week or so. 

Will of Nathaniel Blake, Carpenters Second Mate on board the Ship of Vessell called the Osterley in the service of the honourable the East India Company - The National Archives PROB 11/900, probated 3 Jul 1764

Mary Blake married John Booker 13 Sep 1750 at St Mary Magdalene Old Fish Street, London, England. Nathaniel mentions in his will that his mother was married to John Booker and that they lived in Croydon, Surrey and John Booker was a carpenter.

Nathanel Blake was baptized 23 May 1733 at Croydon St John, Surrey, England and born 6 May 1733 at Croydon son of Thomas and Mary Blake. Thomas Blake married Mary Lane 2 May 1732 at Saint John the Baptist Croydon, Surrey.

A Thomas Blake was baptized 13 Mar 1714 at Bletchingley St Mary, Surrey and born 6 Mar 1714 son of John and Elizabeth Blake. There are a number of possible marriages for a John Blake to Elizabeth.

A website discussing the voyages of the Osterley, originally a merchant ship which was commissioned by the Navy in 1761.

http://blogs.ucl.ac.uk/eicah/osterley-park-middlesex/osterley-case-study-winds-of-trade/

Osterley I[3]

Owner: Francis Child III

Launched 1758

Principal Managing Owner: Charles Raymond

Voyages:

1)      1757/8 China

2)      1760/1 Benkulen, Madras and Bengal

3)      1765/6 Bombay and China

4)      1768/9 Madras and China

Like his father Samuel, Francis Child III invested in an EIC ship, the Osterley, in 1757/8 whose managing owner was Charles Raymond. [4] This ship, Osterley I, sailed four voyages around to Sumatra, around the Indian coast, St Helena and China between1758-1770.

Its Captain received permission to seize pirates and attack the French in 1757 and the ship seems to have taken on board a French prisoner of war whose death was reported a few years later. In 1761 under Captain Frederick Vincent the ship was commissioned by the Navy to assist a beleaguered Fort in Indonesia.[5] He seems to have stayed on to govern the Company Fort at Benkulen on the Sumatran coast for a while before returning to Gravesend in the following February where the Court Minutes record payment of £2000, £9000, and £3000 to the owners of the Osterley between April and December 1760 for freight and demurrage. After its first voyage before returning to Gravesend in February 1760 it was  ‘…met by many boats, such as the Providence which were loaded with the Hon Company’s goods, tea, Chinaware, Iron and some Chinawares.’[6]After this voyage in that December it was ordered that the Committee of Treasury be desired to ship 5 chests of foreign silver for China to the ship Osterley (and other similar ships) for Bencoolan (Benkulen).[7] At Benkulen the Osterley, like other Company ships, was engaged in buying large quantities of pepper.[8]
Fort St George on the Coromandel Coast. Belonging to the East India Company of England

Figure 9: Fort St George on the Coromandel Coast. Belonging to the East India Company of England. 1754, Ryne, Jan Van, Sayer, 255 x 398 mm. Robert, National Maritime Museum, PAD1845.

Osterley I’s final voyage from Madras to China provides a good example of the East India Company’s dealings in Asia. Harbour logs from the Captain Francis Fortescue’s journal for Osterley I indicate that like most East Indiamen, it sailed along with other companion ships (Pigott, Thames, Ankerwick, Lincoln, Triton, Nottingham, Havannah, Hector, Ashburnham) as well as country vessels. Osterley I sailed for Madras on 31 January 1769. (See Figure 10: Fort St. George on the Coromandel Coast) In June while on its journey from the Goan port of Cabo de Rama (Cape Rama) in northwest India to Cape Comorin in the southernmost tip of India, the ship picked up an important consignment of elephant bone (ivory). On 12 July 1769 while docked close to Madras, the ship received redwood and cotton on behalf of the East India Company. These goods were usually brought to the main ship on smaller country ships, which did the rounds from ports and factories. The ship then sailed towards Bengal and stowed additional loads of five hundred bales of cotton and thirty tons of redwood. It was only in October that the ship reached Whampoa, through the Malacca Straits.

Once near Canton, much of the cotton and redwood as well as the ship’s cargo of lead was unloaded and the ship ‘…received on board 90 chests of china of the hon’ble comps [Honorable Company’s], and 62 Private trade.’ It is remarkable that the number of chests containing porcelain was nearly two-thirds of those bought on behalf of the Company. This also suggests that Fortescue was acting on behalf of several private clients one of whom may have been Samuel Child’s son Robert Child (since Francis III had died in 1763) under whom many restorations and refurbishments occurred at Osterley Park. Between November and December Osterley I stacked up hundreds of chests of different varieties of tea such as bohea, souchong, congo and nanheen. Osterley’s journey back in January 1770 was its last as in its next incarnation, the ship changed owners.

Notes

[3] This information is summarized from British Library, LMAR 400 series A through E.

[4] According to a Letter of Marque traced by Georgina Green, the owners of Osterley I in 1757/58 were Sir Richard Lyttleton, Francis Child, Jonathan Ewer and Charles Raymond. For further information on Charles Raymond, see the Valentine Mansion Case Study.

[5] National Archives  DD/N/223c/26 & 27  6 Sept. 1762 & 12 Oct. 1762.

[6] BL IOR L/Mar/B400A-E

[7] Court Minutes of the EIC 1760-61 B 76.

[8] BL IOR L/MAR/B/400B-C, Journal 23 Nov 1760-2. The Journal entry for 30 May 1762 records 595 bags of pepper; on 31 May and 1 June, 719 bags of pepper and 612 bags of pepper from the ship Deligence on account of the EIC.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/900
Name of testator: Nathaniel Blake, Carpenters Second Mate
Place:  on board the Ship or Vessell called the Osterley in the service of the honourable the East India Company
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 16 Dec 1760, probated 3 Jul 1764

[In margin]: Nathl Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Nathaniel Blake Carpenters Second Mate on board the Ship or
3    Vessell called the Osterley in the Service of the honourable the East
4    India Company whereof Captain Vincent is Commander now Outward
5    Board to Bencoolen and China and not knowing how it may
6    please God to deal with me But Considering the uncertainty of
7    this present Transitory life do make and declare these presents to
8    contain my last Will and Testament in manner and Form
9    following (that is to say) First and principally I commend my
10    Soul into the hands of Almighty God hoping to be saved through
11    the Merit death Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ my
12    only Saviour and my body to the Sea and as for my Estate
13    Real and personal I dispose thereof in manner following (that is
11    to say) all such Wages Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements
15    Goods Chattles and Estate whatsoever wherewith at the time of my
16    decease I shall be possessed or invested or which shall then belong or
17    of right appertain unto me I do give devise and bequeath unto
18    my dear Mother Mary the Wife of John Booker of Croydon in
19    the County of Surry Carpenter whom I do hereby Nominate and
20    appoint Sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament and I
21    do revoke all former Wills and deeds of Gift be me at any time
22    heretofore made and do ordain these presents to stand and be for
23    and as my last Will and Testament for ever Witness my hand and
24    Seal this Nineteenth day of December in the year of our Lord
25    One thousand seven hundred and sixty Nathaniel Blake Signed
26    sealed published and declared by the said Testator Nathaniel
27    Blake as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence
28    of us who at his request and in his presence have hereunto
29    Subscribed our Names as Witnesses thereto Elizth Lewen Elizth
30    Haydon Jas Lewen
31    This Will was proved at London before the Worshipfull
32    William Compton doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right
33    Worshipfull George Hay doctor of Laws Master
34    Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative Court of Canterbury
35    Lawfully Constituted on the third day of July in the Year of Our
36    Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty four by the Oath of
37    Mary Booker (Wife of John Booker) the Mother and Sole
38    Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration was
39    granted of all and Singualr the Goods Chattels and Credits of
40    the deceased she having been first Sworn duly to Administer

Will of Miles Blake, Cooper on the ship called the Margarett and Jno of London - The National Archives PROB 11/108, probated 30 Jul 1606

There was a baptism of Myles Blake 10 Feb 1577 at Betchworth St Michael, Surrey son of Christopher Blake.

Other baptisms for Christopher Blake’s children:

Anthony Blake baptized 29 Jul 1582
Richard Blake baptized 23 Jul 1576
Sara Blake baptized 14 Jun 1584

The Sara is interesting as it was a Sara Blake who applied for probate. He does however mention two sisters in his will and I only located one.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 14 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/108
Name of testator: Miles Blake, Cooper
Place:  on the ship called the Margarett and Jno of London
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 16 Dec 1605, probated 30 Jul 1606

[In margin]: Testament Miloms Blake

1    Wee whose names are here under
2    written doe testifie and approve that Miles Blake whoe was Cooper in the Ship called the Margarett
3    and Jno of London and lyinge in the saide shippe the sixteenth day of December one thousand
4    six hundred and five beinge of the age of twentie twoe yeares or there aboute made his will
5    and laste testament in manner as followeth Item I give my tooles clothes and all other my
6    perticuler necessaries of apparel and other things whatsoever unto Thomas Massey one of the
7    ships companie Item I give oute of my Wages onto the said Thomas Massey five poundes
8    Item I give unto William Strette one of the Shipps Companie to be paid oute of my
9    Wages fortie shillings Item I give the residue of my wages unto my twoe sisters Item I
10    give to Harrye meynard five shillings Item I owe to the gatterly three shillings p me Richard
11    Basfich John mucom Thomas Marton Thomas Rowe Phillip Holles
12    Tricesimo die mensis Julij Anno domini millesimo
13    sexcentesimo sexto eman___ comissio Sara Blake sorori dicti defuncti Ad Administrand
11    bonum jura et credita dicti defuncti inxta tenorem testament Suprascript eo quod ______
15    nominant Executorem etc de bene et fideliter Administrand etc Ad sacta dei Evangelia
16    Jurat

Will of Michael Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Vanguard - The National Archives PROB 11/896, probated 1 Mar 1764

Michael Blake does not have any indication in his will of his Blake family.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 10 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/896
Name of testator: Michael Blake
Place: now belonging to his Majestys Ship Vanguard
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 13 Dec 1763, probated 1 Mar 1764

[In margin]: Michael Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Michael Blake Seaman belonging to his Majestys Ship Vanguard
3    being sick and weak in Body but of perfect mind and memory thanks
4    be to God calling into mind the Mortality of my Body and
5    knowing that tis appointed for all Men sure to die do make constitute
6    and ordain and publish this to stand and be for and as my last
7    Will and Testament that is to say principally and first of all I
8    recommend my Soul to the Great God that gave it and my Body
9    I recommend to either Earth or Sea as it shall please God to
10    order and as for and concerning all my Worldly Estate I do
11    give bequeath and dispose thereof in manner following first I
12    do give unto my beloved Friend Michael Sullivan all my wages
13    and pay bounty Money Smart Money prize Money and all other
11    Sum or Sums of Money whatsoever as now are and which
15    hereafter shall or may be due or payable unto me also such
16    pensions Salary Wages or all other Money and Things
17    whatsoever which now are or at any time hereafter shall or
18    may be due to me for my Service or otherwise in any one
19    of his Majestys Ship or Ships Frigates or vessels giving and
20    hereby granting unto the aforesaid Michael Syllivan my only
21    lawful Executor all my other Effects and Moveables as to me
22    belongeth and I do hereby constitute and appoint him the
23    sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I do
24    hereby utterly disallow revoke and disannul all and every other
25    Testaments Wills Legacies Bequests and Executors by me in any
26    ways before named willed or bequeathed ratifying and confirming this to
27    stand and be for and as my last Will and Testament In Witness
28    whereof I have hereunto set my Hand and Seal the thirteenth day
29    of December in the Year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred
30    and Sixty three and in the fourth year of his Majestys Reign
31    King George the Third over Great Britain France and Ireland
32    defender of the Faith and so forth Michael Blake X his Mark
33    Signed sealed and published where no Stamps paper could be
34    had in the presence of us John Veysey snd Lieut Michl Burke
35    William Nicholson
36    This Will was proved at London before the Right
37    Worshipful Sir Edward Simpson Knight doctor of Laws Master
38    Keeper or Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury
39    lawfully constituted on the first day of March in the Year of Our
40    Lord one thousand seven hundred and sixty four by the Oath
41    of Michael Sullivan the sole Executor named in the said
42    Will to whom Administration was granted of all and singular
43    the Goods Chattels and Credits of the deceased he having been
44    first sworn by Commission duly to administer

Will of Mathew Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Elizabeth - The National Archives PROB 11/578, probated 2 Jan 1721

Mathew Blake, the testator, is married to Mary and their usual place of residence is Deptford, Kent. I find a Mathew Blake baptized 16 Dec 1688 at Saint Mary the Virgin Dover, Kent son of William and Elizabeth Blake.

Mathew Blake married Mary Brown 26 Feb 1719 and located in the Clandestine Marriage Register. Both bride and groom were of Deptford.  Given that this is old style dating, Mathew then prepared his will just six weeks after he was married. I did not find any children baptized to this couple.

Two marriages for William and Elizabeth:

William Blake married Elizabeth Hills 4 Aug 1683 at Hawkinge, Kent, England
William Blake married Elizabeth Horndell 29 Dec 1686 at St James, Duke’s Place, London, England

Hawkinge Kent to Dover Kent is eight miles.

There was a baptism for a William Blake 21 Jul 1659 at St Nicholas Deptford son of John Blake Another baptism 18 May 1665 at Graveney Kent for William Kent son of William and Elizabeth Blake and a third 24 Feb 1661 at Chilham, Kent son of William Blake.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 9 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/578
Name of testator: Mathew Blake
Place: now belonging to his Majestys Ship Elizabeth
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 18 Apr 1720, probated 2 Jan 1721

[In margin]: Testament: Mathei Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Mathew Blake Marriner belonging to his Majestys Ship Elizabeth
3    and lately to the Success Storeship being in bodily health and of sound and
4    disposing mind and memory and considering the perils and dangers of the
5    Seas and other Uncertainties of this Transitory life doe (for avoiding
6    Controversies after my decease) make publish and declare this my last
7    Will and Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I recommend
8    my Soul to God that gave it and my Body I commit to the Earth or Sea as it
9    shall please God to order and as for and concerning all my Worldly Estates I
10    give bequeath and dispose thereof as followeth that is to say as for all such
11    Wages Sum and Sums of money Lands Tenements Goods Chattles and estate
12    whatsoever as shall be any ways due owing or belonging unto me at the
13    time of my decease I doe give devise and bequeath the same unto my
11    Loving Wife Mary Blake of Deptford in the County of Kent And I doe
15    hereby nominate and appoint her to be sole Executrix of this my last Will
16    and Testament hereby Revoking all former and other Wills Testaments
17    and deeds of Gift by me at any time heretofore made and I doe ordaine
18    and ratifie these presents to stand and be for and as my only last Will
19    and Testament In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have sett my
20    hand and seal the second day of April Anno domini 1720 And in the sixth
21    year of the Reigne of his Majesty King George over Great Britain etc the
22    mark of Matthew Blake Signed Sealed and published in the presence of us
23    Richard Lloyd Jno Milner Capt
24    Decimo octavo die Mensis Januarij Anno domini
25    Millesimo Septingentesimo vicesimo ____vit Commissio Mathes
26    Blissett Creditori principali Mathei Blake nuper parochia de Deptford
27    in Comitatu Centij sed in Nave Regia le Elizabeth defuncti habentis etc
28    administrandi bonorum jurer et credite dicti defuncti juxta bonorum et effectum
29    Testamenti ipeins defuncti Eo quod Maria Blake Relicta dicti defuncti et
30    Executrix in dicto Testamento nominat oneri Executorius dicti Testamenti
31    expresse renn__averit) de bene et fideliter administrando eadem ad
32    Sancta dei Evangelia Jurat

Will of Joseph Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Torbay - The National Archives PROB 11/891, probated 5 Sep 1763

There is a marriage of a Joseph Blake of Bishopstrow, Wiltshire 12 Aug 1756 at Warminster St Denis to Sarah Sheppard by license with Benjamin Pearce as witness. There are other Blake families in Bishopstrow baptizing children in this time period.

Benjamin Blake baptized 28 Jan 1759 son of William and Alice Blake
John Blake baptized 13 Feb 1763 son of John and Ann Blake
Mary Blake baptized 21 Oct 1764 daughter of John and Ann Blake
Sarah Blake baptized 18 Mar 1764 daughter of William and Alice Blake

Earlier baptisms at Bishopstrow:

Mary Blake baptized 9 Dec 1716 daughter of Isaac and Jane Blake
William Blake baptized 28 Jun 1719 son of Isaac and Jane Blake
Isaac Blake baptized 26 Feb 1720 son of Isaac and Jane Blake

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 May 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/891
Name of testator: Joseph Blake
Place: now belonging to his Majestys Ship Torbay
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 8 May 1759, probated 5 Sep 1763

[In margin]: Testament: Joseph Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Joseph Blake now belonging to his Majestys Ship Torbay
3    the honourable Augustus Keppel Commander being in bodily
4    health and of Sound and disposing Mind and Memory and considering
5    the perils and dangers of the Seas and other uncertainities
6    of this Transistory life (do for avoiding controversies after my
7    decease) make publish and declare this my last Will and
8    Testament in manner following (that is to say) First I recommend
9    my Soul to God that Gave it and my Body I commit to the
10    Earth or Sea as it shall please God to Order and as for and
11    concerning all my Worldly Estate I Give bequeath and
12    dispose thereof as followeth that is to say all my Smart Money
13    Pension Money Short Allowance etc Likewise all my Wages
11    Sum and Sums of Money Lands Tenements Goods Chattels and
15    Estate whatsoever as shall be any ways due owing or belonging
16    unto me at the time of my decease I do give devise and
17    bequeath the same unto my beloved Wife Sarah Blake of
18    the parish of Bishop Strow in the County of Wilts And I
19    do hereby nominate and appoint my beloved Wife Sarah
20    Blake as above mentioned Sole Executor of this my last
21    Will and Testament hereby revoking all former and other
22    Wills Testaments and Deeds of Gift by me at any time
23    heretofore made And I do ordain and Ratify these presents
24    to stand and be for and as my only last Will and Testament
25    In Witness whereof to this my said Will I have set my had
26    and Seal the Eighth day of May in the Year of our Lord One
27    thousand Seven hundred and Fifty nine and in the Thirty
28    Second year of the Reign of his Majesty King George the
29    Second over Great Britain etc The sign of Jos Blake
30    Signed Sealed published and declared in the presence of
31    A Keppel W Bailey
32    On the fifth day of September in the year of our Lord
33    One thousand Seven hundred and Sixty three the administration
34    (with the Will annexed) of the Goods Chattels and Credits of
35    Joseph Blake late of Warminster in the County of Wilts and
36    a Marine belonging to his Majestys Ship Valiant in the pay of
37    his Majestys Navy deceased was Granted to Richard Morris
38    Esquire the lawful Attorney of Sarah Blake Widow the
39    Relict of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the said
40    Will for the use and benefit of the said Sarah Blake now
41    residing at Warminster aforesaid he having been first Sworn
42    duly to administer

Will of John Blake on board his Majestys Ship Emerald - The National Archives PROB 11/1409, probated 12 Jun 1804

John Blake, the testator, names his father as Robert Blake of Kingston in Dorsetshire. There was a baptism of a John Blake son of Robert and Mary Blake 29 Jan 1775 at Milton Abbas, Dorset. It is about 20 miles from Milton Abbas to Kingston. I find this somewhat interesting as the testator mentions a Thomas Knight, seaman, as one of his executors. There were a number of Knight families at Milton Abbas, Dorset including my own Knight lines of whom I have several (two of my 3x great grandparents were Knight – Ellis Knight married Eleanor Knight 29 May 1804 at Spetisbury and they were 2nd cousins. 

I was unable to find a marriage of a Robert Blake and Mary other than at Tisbury, Wiltshire 23 Sep 1771 (Robert Blake and Mary Ford). This is a distance of 26 miles.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1409
Name of testator: John Blake
Place: on board his Majestys Ship Emerald
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 1 Dec 1802, probated 12 Jun 1804

[In margin]: Testament: John Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake Seaman on Board his Majestys
3    Ship Emerald being in Bodily health and of
4    sound and disposing mind and memory and
5    considering the perils and dangers of the Seas
6    and other uncertainties of this transitory Life do
7    for avoiding Controversies after my decease
8    make publish and declare this my last
9    Will and Testament in manner following
10    that is to say First I recommend my Soul to
11    God that gave it and my Body I commit
12    to the Earth or Sea as it shall please
13    God to order and as for and concerning all
11    my Worldly Estate I give bequeath and
15    dipose thereof as followeth (that is to say)
16    all Wages Sum and Sums of money Lands
17    Tenements Goods Chattels and Estate whatsoever
18    as shall in any ways due owing or belonging
19    unto me at the time of my decease I do give
20    devise and bequeath the same unto my Dear
21    and Beloved Father Robert Blake of
22    Kingston in Dorsetshire in the Kingdom of
23    Great Britain and I do hereby nominate and
24    appoint the aforesaid Robert Blake Thomas
25    Knight Invalid at present in his Majestys
26    Naval hospital Antigua and John Ashfield
27    Seaman of Board his Majestys Ship Emerald
28    Executors of this my last Will and Testament
29    hereby revoking all former and other Wills
30    and Deeds of Gifts by me at any time heretofore
31    made and I do ordain and ratify these presents
32    to stand and be for and as my only last
33    Will and Testament In Witness whereof to this
34    my said Will I have set my hand and Seal the
35    first day of December in the year of our Lord
36    one thousand Eight hundred and two and in
37    the Forty second year of the Reign of his Majesty
38    King George the third over Great Britain
39    John Blake his Mark Signed Sealed
40    published and declared in the presence of Wm
41    Brown Seaman John Ashfield Seaman patients
42    in the Hospital attested John Cole appointed to take care
43    of sick and wounded Seaman Antigua
44    This Will was proved at London the
45    twelfth day of June in the year of our Lord One
46    thousand Eight hundred and Four before the Right
47    Honorable Sir William Wynne Knight doctor of
48    Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
49    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted
50    by the Oathes of Robert Blake the Father and
51    one of the Executors named in the said Will to
52    whom administration was granted of all and
53    Singular the Goods Chattles and Credits of the
54    said deceased having been first Sworn by
55    Commission duly to administer power reserved of
56    making the like grant to Thomas Knight and
57    John Ashfield the other Executors named in
58    the said Will when they or either of them
59    shall apply for the same

Will of John Blake late of his Majestys Ship Canada and now belonging to his Majestys Sloop Discovery - The National Archives PROB 11/1312, probated 6 Sep 1798

A very interesting will as John Blake was serving on the Discovery. Captain Vancouver retired on half pay in November 1795 and he died in 1797.

A short history of the voyage of the Discovery follows and it is taken from the biography of George Vancouver:

 W. Kaye Lamb, “VANCOUVER, GEORGE,” in Dictionary of Canadian Biography, vol. 4, University of Toronto/Université Laval, 2003–, accessed May 7, 2017, http://www.biographi.ca/en/bio/vancouver_george_4E.html.

“The work of outfitting the Discovery was well advanced when details of the famous Nootka Sound affair reached London. The seizure of several British ships there in time of peace, by the Spanish commander Esteban José Martínez, was denounced as an insult to the nation’s honour, and Spain’s claim to have the right to exclude foreign traders from the area was hotly denied. A powerful naval squadron was mobilized and Britain prepared energetically for war. Spain was in no position to fight and was forced to agree to the Nootka Sound Convention, signed on 28 Oct. 1790 in Madrid. Under its terms Spain was to make restitution to British subjects whose property had been seized, and, more important, to abandon her claim to exclusive ownership and occupation of the coast.

Mobilization had halted the outfitting of the Discovery; in May her officers and crew had been assigned to fighting ships. Roberts had gone to the West Indies and Vancouver had joined the Courageux, commanded by Gardner. When news of the signing of the convention was received early in November, preparations for the expedition to the Pacific were resumed immediately. On the 17th Vancouver was recalled to London, and on 15 December, no doubt on Gardner’s recommendation, he was appointed to command the Discovery.

His instructions, dated 8 March 1791, dealt with two matters in addition to the survey of the coast. First, he was to receive from Spanish officers at Nootka “such lands or buildings as are to be restored to the British subjects”; secondly, he was to winter in the Sandwich Islands and while there complete a survey of them. As for the main purpose of the voyage, he was to examine the coast between 30° and 60°N and to acquire “accurate information with respect to the nature and extent of any water-communication” which might “in any considerable degree” serve as a northwest passage “for the purposes of commerce.” The Discovery, accompanied by the small armed tender Chatham (131 tons), sailed from Falmouth, their last port of call in England, on I April 1791. The voyage to the northwest coast was to last over a year and was made by way of Tenerife (Canary Islands), the Cape of Good Hope, New Holland, New Zealand, Tahiti, and the Sandwich Islands. Vancouver had expected to meet a supply ship, the Daedalus, in the Sandwich Islands, but she failed to appear. He sailed on to his main objective, the coast of North America, which was sighted on 17 April 1792. The landfall was in latitude 39°27’N, about 110 miles north of San Francisco.

Sailing north, he began the survey that he was to continue through all the complexities of the coastline to a point beyond 60°. Juan de Fuca Strait, to which he had been directed to give particular attention, was reached on 29 April. Vancouver has been much criticized for his failure to enter the Columbia River, the mouth of which he passed as he sailed northward; it is evident, however, that he suspected its existence but decided to leave it for later examination. Indeed, he paid little attention to rivers, since the mountains visible in the distance made it highly unlikely that they would be navigable for any considerable distance inland. Moreover, he had been directed, in order to save time, “not to pursue any inlet or river further than it shall appear to be navigable by vessels of such burthen as might safely navigate the pacific ocean.”

His plan for the survey was simple: he would trace every foot of the continental shore, so that no passage could escape him. The featureless coasts of what are now Oregon and Washington were easily surveyed, but the shore north of Juan de Fuca Strait was another matter. Vancouver first realized the difficulties of his task when he explored the maze of inlets branching off Puget Sound (Wash.). The Admiralty had sent the Chatham with the Discovery in the expectation that the smaller ship could survey narrow waters into which it would be imprudent for the Discovery to venture; but Vancouver quickly learned that tidal and wind conditions, and often sheer depth of water that placed the bottom beyond the reach of an anchor, created hazards even for the Chatham, and he was compelled after a month’s experience to fall back on the ships’ pinnaces, cutters, and launches, however laborious and dangerous service in open boats might be. Once the Discovery and Chatham had found a suitable anchorage the boats would set out to explore the adjacent coastline. Every inlet was traced to its head, lest it form part of the long sought northwest passage. The boats were usually provisioned for a week or ten days, but officers and men alike made every effort to extend the period if by so doing they could advance the survey. A great effort was made to treat the natives fairly and establish friendly relations with them. The boats, however, being no larger than many Indian canoes, were temptations because of their arms and provisions, and late in the survey a number of attacks had to be beaten off.

As long as his health permitted, Vancouver often took part in the boat expeditions. On 22 June 1792, when returning to the ships after exploring Howe Sound, Jervis Inlet, and what is now Vancouver harbour, he found the Spanish survey ships Sútil and Mexicana, under the command of Dionisio Alcalâ-Galiano*, at anchor off Point Grey. From Alcalâ-Galiano he learned that Spanish explorers had preceded him in Juan de Fuca Strait and the Strait of Georgia, though not in Puget Sound. Relations were cordial and some cooperation was decided upon, but it was limited by Vancouver’s contention that his instructions prevented him from accepting any but his own survey of the continental shore.

By August Vancouver had worked his way up the full length of what is now Vancouver Island, establishing its insularity when his ships emerged in Queen Charlotte Sound on 9 August. He pushed on to Burke Channel, in 52°N, and then sailed south to Nootka Sound where he knew his supply ship and the Spanish commander, Juan Francisco de la Bodega y Quadra, were awaiting him.

A warm friendship sprang up between Vancouver and Bodega, but they were unable to agree on the details of the property transfer provided for in the Nootka Convention. Vancouver had expected to receive an extensive area, perhaps the entire sound; inquiry had convinced Bodega that John Meares*, part owner of several of the ships seized in 1789, had occupied no more than a small plot on Friendly Cove. Both undertook to refer the matter to their respective governments and await instructions. The supply ship brought Vancouver some additional instructions dated 20 Aug. 1791, but he received no further communication from the Admiralty during the last three years of his voyage.

From Nootka Vancouver sailed south to San Francisco and Monterey, in Alta (present-day) California, and then to the Sandwich Islands where he wintered. In May 1793 he was back on the coast and by September had traced the continental shore as far north as 56°. Vancouver explored Dean Channel in June; a few weeks later he would have met Alexander Mackenzie*, who completed his overland journey to the Pacific there late in July.

At the end of the 1793 season Vancouver again visited Alta California en route to winter quarters in the Sandwich Islands. After calling at Monterey he went on to San Diego and then, fulfilling his instructions, sailed southward along the Mexican coast to extend his survey to the appointed limit of 30°. In two seasons he had thus traced the coast from 30°N to 56°N and had proved that Juan de Fuca Strait was not the entrance to a great inland sea, as Fuca* had alleged, and that the extensive waterways Bartholomew de Fonte* claimed to have entered in latitude 53° did not exist.

In the course of his third and last visit to the Sandwich Islands Vancouver completed their survey and also intervened actively in their internal affairs. With a view to ending civil strife he encouraged their political unification under King Kamehameha. He also persuaded Kamehameha to cede the island of Hawaii to Great Britain in the expectation that a small military force would be stationed there to provide protection for the islands, now that ships of many nations were frequenting them. The cession was signed on 25 Feb. 1794, but no confirming action was taken in London.

For the 1794 season Vancouver decided to sail directly to Cook Inlet (Alas.), the northern limit of his survey, and to work southward to the point reached the previous year. The last anchorage of the Discovery and Chatham was in a bay on the southeast coast of Baranof Island to which Vancouver gave the appropriate name Port Conclusion. The boats returned from the last exploring expedition on 19 August, and the completion of the survey was celebrated by “such an additional allowance of grog as was fully sufficient to answer every purpose of festivity on the occasion.” Later Vancouver was to write in his Voyage of discovery to the north Pacific ocean: “I trust the precision with which the survey . . . has been carried into effect, will remove every doubt, and set aside every opinion of a north-west passage, or any water communication navigable for shipping, existing between the north pacific, and the interior of the American continent, within the limits of our researches.”

The survey had been carried out with remarkable accuracy. Vancouver’s latitudes vary little from modern values; the more difficult calculations for longitude show an error that varies from about one-third to one degree. It was an accomplishment worthy of comparison with the surveys of Cook, and the frequent references to Cook in the published Voyage show that he was ever the ideal Vancouver had in mind. John Cawte Beaglehole, the authority on Cook, remarks that of all the men who trained under him Vancouver was “the only one whose work as a marine surveyor was to put him in the class of his commander.”

The long homeward voyage was made by Cape Horn, with calls at Monterey, Valparaiso (Chile), and St Helena. As Britain was at war, the Discovery travelled from St Helena in convoy and arrived in the estuary of the Shannon River, Ireland, on 13 Sept. 1795. Vancouver left her immediately and proceeded to London but rejoined her when she arrived in the Thames on 20 October. Thus ended the longest surveying expedition in history – over four and a half years. The distance sailed was approximately 65,000 miles, to which the boat excursions are estimated to have added 10,000 miles. The care Vancouver devoted to the health of his crews was noteworthy; only one man died of disease. Another died of poisoning and four were drowned.

Vancouver’s achievement received little recognition at the time, largely because of charges that he had been overly harsh as a commander. As early as January 1793 Thomas Manby, master’s mate of the Chatham, wrote privately that Vancouver had “grown Haughty Proud Mean and Insolent, which has kept himself and Officers in a continual state of wrangling during the whole of the Voyage.” His difficulties with Archibald Menzies*, botanist and surgeon, had serious consequences because Menzies was a protégé of Sir Joseph Banks*, the influential president of the Royal Society of London. More serious was the case of Thomas Pitt, heir of Lord Camelford, one of the midshipmen-in-training in the Discovery. He was a difficult and unbalanced young man whose conduct so infuriated Vancouver that he discharged him in Hawaii in 1794. Pitt was closely related to the prime minister and to the first lord of the Admiralty, John Pitt, and a brother of Lady Grenville, wife of the foreign secretary, and their combined displeasure weighed heavily on Vancouver. It is evident that illness (probably some hyperthyroid condition) had made Vancouver irritable and subject to outbursts of temper, but he was not a brutal commander. He ran a taut ship, as was essential in a vessel far removed from any supporting authority, and if his officers did not like him, they respected him and admired his capability.

Vancouver retired on half pay in November 1795. He settled at Petersham, near Richmond Park, and was soon busy revising his journal for publication. He died, at the early age of 40, when the narrative, half a million words in length, was within a hundred pages of completion. His brother John finished the revision and the Voyage was published in 1798 in a handsome edition consisting of three quarto volumes and a folio atlas.

Almost all of the several hundred place names bestowed by Vancouver on physical features have been retained. Most notable of them is Vancouver Island, originally named Quadra and Vancouver’s Island in honour of his friend the Spanish commander. Vancouver’s work and memory have received more attention in recent years, and his grave in St Peter’s churchyard in Petersham is the scene of an annual commemorative ceremony sponsored by the province of British Columbia.”

Credit given to W. Kaye Lamb for the biography of George Vancouver.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Apr 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1312
Name of testator: John Blake
Place: late of his Majestys Ship Canada and now belonging to his Majesty’s Sloop Discovery
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 11 Mar 1791, probated 6 Sep 1798

[In margin]: Testament: John Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake Seaman late of his Majestys Ship
3    Canada and now belonging to his Majestys Sloop
4    Discovery Geo Vancouver Esquire Commander Number
5    on the Ships Books 44 being of sound and disposing
6    mind and memory do hereby make this my last
7    Will and Testament First and principally I
8    commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty
9    God hoping for remission of all my Sins through
10    the merits of Jesus Christ my Blessed Saviour and
11    Redeemer and my body to the Earth or Sea as it
12    shall please God and as for such Worldly Estate
13    and Effects which shall be possessed of or intitled
11    unto at the time of my decease I give and bequeath
15    the same as followeth (that is to say)
16    I give and bequeath unto my Mother Mary
17    Sunden now residing at No 12 Rosamond Row
18    Clerkenwell London All such wages Sum and Sums
19    of money as now is or here after shall be due to me
20    for my Service or otherwise on Board the said Ship
21    or any other Ship or Vessel and I do hereby nominate
22    and appoint the said Mary Sunden Executrix of this
23    my last Will and Testament and I do give and
24    bequeath unto my said Executrix All the rest and
25    residue of my Estate whatsoever both real and
26    personal hereby revoking and making void all other
27    and former Wills by me heretofore made and do
28    declare this to be my last Will and Testament In
29    Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand  and
30    seal this eleventh day of March in the year of our
31    Lord One thousand seven hundred and ninety one
32    and in the thirty first year of the Reign of our
33    Sovereign Lord George the third by the Grace of God
34    of Great Britain France and Ireland King defender of
35    the Faith John Blake Signed Sealed
36    published and declared by the said John Blake as
37    and for his last Will and Testament in the presence
38    of us who have hereunto subscribed and named as
39    witnesses in the presence of the said Testator Geo:
40    Vancouver Capt J Whidbey Master
41    This Will was proved at London the sixth
42    day of September in the year of our Lord One thousand
43    seven hundred and ninety eight before the worshipful
44    John Sewell doctor of Laws Surrogate of the Right
45    honorable Sir William Wynne Knight also doctor of
46    Laws Master keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative
47    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath
48    of Mary Sunden (wife of John Sunden) the Mother
49    of the deceased and Sole Executrix named in the
50    Will to whom administration was granted of all
51    and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits of the
52    said deceased having been first Sworn duly to administer