Thursday, January 18, 2024

23d Blog Post - The Siderfin Family of West Somerset - Appendices 5 - 8

Appendix 5

I have added this entire section from James Sanders’ as it does make an interesting read and provides a lot of information on the sons of Thomas 4 Siderfin who both filed for bankruptcy (Robert filing for his brother Thomas) then Darch (his nephew-in-law) filed for Robert in order to settle the estate. I have not footnoted these appendices they do not really add that much material to the Siderfin family but are simply interesting.

From MacDermot's Forest of Exmor

James Boevey of London, Merchant. James Boeve or Boevey, the first owner of Exmoor, was of Dutch extraction. His father, one Andrew Boeve of Courtrai in Flanders, was brought to England in 1573 at the age of seven by his parents who being Huguenots fled from the persecution of the Duke of Alva.

However, his appetite for litigation had not decreased with age, and the law officers of the Crown seem to have been ever ready to assist him. A few days before the landing of William of Orange at Tor Bay, we find the Attorney General lodging a bill in the Exchequer against Robert Siderfin, who in 1681 had succeeded his brother Thomas as lord of the Manor of Exton, Hawkridge and Withypool. It is to this bill that the extracts from the Rolls of the Exmoor Forest Court refer. The cause of the trouble was evidently that Siderfin had been impounding some of the forest sheep and cattle found on Hawkridge and Withypool Commons. Boevey having discovered that the foresters in Tudor times had laid claim to these commons as part of the forest, renewed his pretensions, not ony as to Hawkridge and Withypool, but inferentially to all other commons, and further developed his theory of the Royal Manor. The action is ostensibly for the recovery of documents, which are alleged to be in Siderfin's possession, but it includes a claim to the commons, and this was the real object in view. That Siderfin had got hold of any of the forest records seems highly improbable.

After James Bovey's death, January, 1696, his widow, Mrs. Margaret Bovey, succeeded to his interest in Exmoor Forest under provisions of his will. Mrs. Boevey kept the forest for eight years, and on the 26th April, 1704, sold the residue of her term - fifteen years - to her husband's old adversary, Robert Siderfin of Croydon in Carhampton Parish, who had already acquired the reversionary lease for thirty one years granted to Lord Arundell, of Trerice, in December, 1678. How he obtained this lease is not apparent; Lord Arundell had died in October, 1687, and his son John, the second baron, in June, 1698.

Robert Siderfin, who thus became entitled to Exmoor Forest for forty six years, to be exact, for a term ending on the 21st July, 1750, was the representative of a family which had long been settled in Luxborough, in November, 1645, and is described in the register as "ye sonne of Thomas Sidderfin," the latter was a justice of the peace during the time of the Commonwealth. Robert succeeded to the Croydon property and the Manors of Exton, Hawkridge and Withpool as well as South Quarme in 1681, under the will of his elder brother, Thomas Siderfin. He was a barrister by profession and Sheriff of Somerset in 1694. Whether he still owned all the property is a little doubtful in view of a private Act of Parliament which was passed in 1700, entitled "An Act for vesting the Manor of Exton and other lands in the County of Somerset, late the estate of Thomas Siderfin, Esquire, deceased, in trustees to be sold for payment of debts." We do not know what was done in pursuance of this Act. Robert Siderfin certainly held Croydon till his death, and perhaps Hawkridge and Withypool too. If the lord of these manors was once again after an interval of more than four centuries forester of Exmoor, Richard de Plessy, who died in 1289, having been the last to hold them with the forestership.

In 1706 we find the new forester following the example of his predecessor by going to law with some of his neighbours. It seems that the right on the forest claimed by the suitors at large, or borderers, were not generally recognized even at this time; so with a view to settling the question Siderfin filed his bill in the Exchequer in Michaelmas term, 1706, against the following persons: John and Lewis Hatche of South Molton, Nicholas, George and William Shapland, William and George Barrow, John and Daniel Smith and William Kingdon all of North Molton; John Mogeridge of Molland and David Bale of Linton.

In this he shows his title to "a large tract of land heretofore the Forest and Chace of Exmore" under letters patent of the 15th January, 12 Charles II. (1661), whereby the same was leased to James, Marquis of Ormond, and his assigns for 31 years in reversion.

From these pleadings we see that at this period Exmoor was regarded merely in its aspect of a great sheep pasture, and that the forest and forestal rights were in danger of being forgotten by the forester himself, who speaks of it as "a large tract of land heretofore the Forest or Chace of Exmore." while the defendants do not believe it to be a forest at all and doubt whether it ever was one. It is pretty evident that during the last half century Mr. Boevey had only concerned himself with the revenue-producing possibilities of his property, and had allowed the rights over the deer claimed by his predecessors to lapse. From his statement that the prices for agistment had been usually if not always the same, Siderfin was evidently ignorant of the fact that they had been fixed by Boevey in 1655, and that he could alter them if so minded. This ignorance seems to have been shared by all the succeeding foresters. The defendants pervert the truth very conveniently in their answer by omitting to mention that the right of pasture in the forest, confirmed to the lord and tenants of North Molton by the decree they quote, was limited to the time between sunrise and sunset, and that they had therefore no right to leave their sheep in the forest at night, which fact, of course, made a considerable difference to the value of their right of common. The defendants who lived in Molland and Lynton did not put in any answers to the bill, so we do not hear whether they claimed the same right as the North Molton men, and if so, on what grounds. Siderfin does ot appear to have proceeded with the action. After this time all the borderers with one or two exceptions seem to have been treated alike, paying half the rates which strangers paid; at least this was the case in 1736 and subsequently.

In 1719 Mr. Siderfin had some trouble with one John Dennicombe, a recently evicted tenant of Simonsbath Farm, who brought an action against him in Chancery. From the pleadings we learn that in 1702 Mr. William Smith, "agent to Madam Bovey," had let the farm, then about to become vacant, to Dennicombe at a yearly rent of £9. This seems by the way a very low figure; probably it was difficult to get a tenant at all owing to the loneliness of the place. Later on the rent was generally £35 a year. In May, 1704, Dennicombe had taken the farm from a new forester on a five years' repairing agreement, and had given him a bond for £500 to observe its conditions. "During the term the premises fell into very great decay and became ruinous for want of repair."

Siderfin gave the tenant notice to repair, but the latter said he was too poor to lay out the money and asked his landlord to do the repairs, promising to repay him. So in 1706 the latter spent over £20 and "new covered and tiled a barn at a cost of over £10."

After the five years were up Dennicombe was allowed to remain as a yearly tenant till 1717, when he was given notice to quit. "About Lady-day, 1718, the Plaintiff's wife came to the defendant at his dwelling at Croyden and asked him to let them remain in part of the dwellinghouse till Midsomer, promising to deliver up possession of the other part and also of all the land except the garden forthwith, and of the rest of the house and the garden at Midsomer." To this Siderfin consented, but when 'Midsomer' came Dennicombe refused to go, whereupon the former "caused your Orator to be arrested on the Bond, and for want of special bail carried to Ivelchester Goal where he still remaineth." This was the usual method of treating debtors in those days. ' At the winter assizes in Hillary Term last' (1719) Siderfin brought an action for ejectment, and according to the plaintiff, "taking advantage of your Orator's povery and imprisonment snapt a judgement." Accordingly the bailiffs of the Sheriff of Somerset turned out the rest of the Dennicombe family out upon the moor on the 22nd April 1719, and duly gave possession of Simonsbath House to Mr. Siderfin. Four days later the suit in Chancery was commenced, the plaintiff alleging that he had spent large sums in the last year on improving and manuring the farm, etc., etc., and that Siderfin had promised never to turn him out. The latter made answer on the 14th July denying that he had ever made any improvements or spent five shillings on the farm, which was in a very much worse state than when he took it, and concludes by alleging that "the complainant or his family have broken, burnt or otherwise destroyed the gates, floors, and timbers of the said house to the value of £10 and more." No doubt firewood was scarce on Exmoor.

Whether John Dennicombe got the relief he sought or ended his days in Ilchester Gaol, we know not.

The Marquis of Ormond's lease of January 1661, came to an end on the 21st July, 1719, but this made no practical difference, as Siderfin held Lord Arundell's revisionary lease of December, 1678, which then began to run. Strictly speaking, the term which he had bought from Mrs. Boevey expired a month earlier, as the last month of the thirty-one years had been reserved by the Marquis when he transferred the lease to James Boevey in 1661, but this fact had no doubt been forgotten.

Robert Siderfin died in July, 1720, and was buried at Luxborough on the 14th of that month. He had been married four times; Ann, daughter of Sir John Wittewrong of Rothamstead in Hertford, whose death on May 5th, 1708, is recorded by an inscription on the floor of Luxborough Church, being referred to in his will as his third wife, while he left a widow, Elizabeth by name. One of the two earlier wives was "Katherine Siderfin alias Graves," administration of whose estate was granted to him in November, 1686. By one of the earlier marriages he had two sons, Walter and Robert, but neither is referred to in his will, by which he left all his lands in Somerset and Devon, subject to a charge for the payment of his debts, to his wife Elizabeth, and made her residuary legatee and sole executrix.

The will is dated 14th June, 1715. Like his elder brother Thomas, Robert Siderfin died in debt, and the widow having renounced probate of his will, administration was granted to Robert Darch as principal creditor on the 22nd June, 1721.

This Robert Darch, a Presbyterian minister at Bishop's Hull, near Taunton, was the second of four brothers, nephews of Robert Siderfin. His eldest brother, Thomas, lived and owned land in Luxborough, where he died in August, 1734. There is an inscription on the floor of Luxborough Church recording his death and that of his widow, Sarah, who is described as "a father to the poor and eminent for the practice of virtue and true religion." Two other brothers, James and Philip, the latter of whom seems to have been also a Presbyterian minister, are referred to as 'my nephews' in Siderfin's will and given legacies of £100 each. The Darch family had long been resident in Luxborough; in 1598 a James Darch of Luxborough, was joint plaintiff in a lawsuit concerning Exmoor with Thomas Webber, the deputy forester.

After Siderfin's death his interest in Exmoor Forest, probably by some arrangement among the creditors, became divided between two persons, the principal of whom was this Robert Darch. In the rental of the crown lands compiled in 1734 the tenants of Exmoor Forest are named as "Robert Darch and another" and from the fact that Darch purchased the tithes from the Cressets in 1723 we may infer with tolerable certainty that he was then in possession of an interest in the Forest iself. 'Another' was presumably the John Hill who 'passed and allowed' before two witnesses, the accounts of the deputy forester, which were furnished to Darch's widow and son in 1737 and 1743 respectively. Very likely he was a grandson of Boevey's deputy forester who lived at Newland in Withpool in 1678. A third John Hill appears as owner of Newland and Higher Lanacre in 1819. From the terms of Darch's will, combined with the absence from these accounts of any rent for Simonsbath Farm, it seems that this belonged solely to Darch, and that Hill had a half share in the forest only, exclusive of the farm. However this may have been, Darch had the predominant interest as sole owner of the tithes besides his share of the forest.

Darch died on the 31st January, 1737. Among the pamphlets enumerated in Mr. E. Green's Bibliotheca Somersenensis appear the following: "Grove, Henry .... A funeral sermon occasioned by the death of the late reverend Mr. Robert Darch, of Hill Bishops, in the County of Somerset, who departed this life Jan. 31st, 1737, aetat 65." From another entry in the same work we gather that at the funeral of Robert Siderfin's third wife, Darch himself had entertained the mourners with a discourse considered worthy of printing: "Darch, Robert (Hill-bishops). A sermon preach'd at the funeral of Mrs. Anne, the wife of Robert Siderfin, Esq., one of her Majesties justices of the peace for the County of Somerset, at Timberscombe, May 13th, 1708."

Appendix 6

Date: 29 Sep 2009

Document: Will

Source: The National Archives PROB 11/505/393

Date of document: 19 Jun 1707; probated 30 Dec 1708

Author: Augustine Question

Relationship: 7x great grandfather

Location: Carhampton Somerset England

[In margin] T[esta]m[ent] Augustine Question

1	In the Name of God Amen
2	I Augustine Question the Elder of Rodhuish in the Parish
3	of Carhampton in the County of Somersett Gent being in
4	good and perfect mind and memory praise be given to
5	Almighty God for the same Revoking all former and
6	other Wills by me heretofore made and Legacies by me
7	given do make and ordain this my last Will and Testament
8	In writing in manner and form following that is to say first
9	and principally I commend my Soul into the hands of Almighty
10	God assuredly trusting through the meritts death and passion
11	of Jesus Christ my Saviour to receive free pardon of all my
12	Sins and Life Everlasting in the world to come And my
13	Body to be committed to the Earth from whence it was taken
14	to be decently interred in Christian burial at the discretion
15	of my Executor hereafter named And as for my worldly
16	temporal and personal Estate wherewith God hath blessed
17	me I dispose thereof in manner and form following (that
18	is to say) Imprimis I give and bequeath unto the poor of
19	the parish of Carhampton Twenty shillings and to the
20	poor of Dunsterr Twenty shillings and to the poor of
21	Withycombe Twenty shillings to be distributed to them
22	on the day of my burial. Item I do give and bequeath to my
23	Eldest Son John Question my longest Silver Quoole Item I
24	give devise and bequeath unto my Son Augustine Question
25	and to his heirs Males All those Messuages Lands
26	Tenements hereditaments and Premisses with the appurt[ance]s
27	Hereinafter mentioned (that is to say) All those six Acres
28	of Land called Prislands now in my own possession situate
29	lying and being in the parish of Carhampton in the County
30	of Somersett And all that one Tenement or Cottage Orchard
31	and Garden late in the possession of one John Budd and
32	now in my own Possession lying in the Parish of Carhampton
33	aforesaid And all that one dwelling house and Garden
34	late in the possession of one Rose Whythycombe and now in
	[Page 2]
35	the possession of her Assignee or Assignes scituate in the
36	parish of Carhampton aforesaid and all those two Meadows
37	called Wythymead and Crosemead with the Close of Land
38	called Sinnersland late in the possession of one Rose
39	Whythycombe and now in my own possession lying in the
40	Parish of Carhampton aforesaid And also one other
41	Messuage or Tenement with a Garden and two Closes
42	of Land or Pasture called the Crust and Ruappe late in
43	the possession of one John Grime and now in my owne
44	Possession lying in the parish of Carhampton aforesaid and
45	the Reversion and Remainders thereof with all and singular
46	their Appurtenances and all my deeds and writings touching
47	And concerning the same To have and to hold the same unto
48	my said Son Augustine Question and to his heirs males
49	of his Body And for default of such Issue my Will and
50	meaning is and I do give and devise all the same Messuages
51	Lands and Premisses with the Appurtenances unto my Son
52	John Question and his heirs Males of his Body And for
53	default of such Issue I do give and devise all the same
54	Messuages Lands and Premisses with the Appurtenances
55	unto my own right heirs for Ever Item I do give and
56	devise unto my said Son Augustine Question for and during
57	the term of his natural Life All my Messuages Lands
58	Tenements and hereditaments with the Appurtenances
59	situate lying and being in the parish of Dunsterr in the
60	County of Somersett and after the death or decease of my
61	said son Augustine Question my Will and meaning is and
62	I do give and devise all the same Messuages Lands
63	Tenements and Hereditaments with the Appurtenances
64	situate lying and being in the said parish of Dunster
65	and County of Somersett unto my Grandson Andrew
66	Question the son of my said Son Augustine Question and
67	to the heirs Males of his Body lawfully begotten And
68	for default of such Issue I do give and devise all the same
69	Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments with
70	the Appurtances unto my said son Augustine Question
71	and to the heirs males of his Body And for default of
72	such Issue I do give and devise all the same Messuages
73	Lands Tenements and hereditaments with the Appurtances
74	unto my son John Question and to the heirs Males of his
74	Body And for default of such Issue I do give and devise
76	all the same Messuages Lands Tenements and hereditaments
77	with the Appurtenances lying and being in the parish of
78	Dunsterr in the County of Somersett aforesaid unto my own
79	right heirs for Ever Item I do give and bequeath unto
80	my said Son Augustine Question my Shortest Silver Poole
81	and to his wife Cecilia Question and to their seven
82	Children namely Augustine Andrew George John
83	Thomas Sarah and Susannah Questions Two shillings a
84	Peece Item I do give and bequeath to my daughter in
85	Law Mary Question Wife of my said Son John Question
86	Two shillings Item I give to my Grandson John Question
	[Page 3]
87	Son of my said Son John Question my long Table Board
88	and forme now standing in the Parlour in my now dwelling
89	house Also I give unto Augustine Question Andrew
90	Question Mary Johannah Susannah and Elizabeth Questions
91	Sons and daughters of my said Son John Question Two shillings
92	each Item I give to my Son in Law Robert Siderfin five
93	shillings Also I give to my daughter Elizabeth Siderfine
94	his wife a peece of Gold of Twenty Shillings I give likewise
95	to their seven Children namely Robert John Augustine
96	Thomas Elizabeth Jane and Susannah Siderfin ten shillings
97	a peece Item I give to my daughter in Law Anne Question
98	and to her four Children namely John, Jane, Anne and
99	Susannah Questions Two shillings a peece which said Legacies
100	are to be paid in two Months after my decease by my Executor
101	Item all the Rest and Residue of my Goods and Chattles
102	Rights and Creditts as well moveable as immovable (not
103	herein before given or bequeathed) I do give and bequeath
104	unto my said son Augustine Question whom I do hereby
105	make nominate and ordain my full whole and sole Executor
106	of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I
107	the said Augustine Question the Elder on two part of this
108	my said last Will and Testament Indented the one part
109	thereof to remain with my said Son Augustine Question and
110	his heirs Males for Ever and the other part thereof to
111	remain in the Office where the same shall be proved have
112	sett my hand and Seal this Nineteenth day of June in the
113	year of the Reign of our Sovereign Lady Anne now Queen
114	of Great Britain and the Sixth Anno d[o]mi One Thousand
115	seven hundred and seven 1707 Augustine Question Signed
116	Sealed published and declared this to be my last Will and
117	Testament having two parts or Originals duly Executed in
118	the presence of us Thomas Prowse Mathew Escott Amos
119	Escott
120	Probatum fuit Piujusinodi Testomentis apud
121	London roman venerabili et Egregio Vivo domino Richardo
122	Raines White Legum doctore Curia Prerogative Coutu
123	Ragistro Custode ewe Commiseario legitune constituto
124	Triceimo die Rewsis decembrio Anno domi Willesimo
125	Septingentisimo Ortavo Juramento Augustin Question
126	Executoris in dicto Testamento Nominate Cuirominisea
127	Fuit Administratio ominium et singulerum bonoruni juriu
128	Et creditorium dicti defuncti de bene et fideliter administrander
129	Eadem ad Sta dei Evangelia (Vigore Commissiouis) Jurait
130	Exam
131	Examr per B Rushworth Nolium Pubcum

Appendix 7

The status and location of the Siderfin Family of Luxborough, Somerset as mentioned by James Sanders has been located to an Appendix as it is interesting but does not fit into the generational aspect of the early part of the book. Perhaps it is my being female, but I have little interest in family crests or arms. But feel duty bound to record the crest used thus far by the Thomas 4 (Robert 3, William 2, John 1) line (as far as I can determine although do make query comments in the text) so one is left to assume that this line created it and this line did appear to daughter out.

There is no mention of any of this family bearing arms, yet Collinson, in History of Somerset[1], mentions “Arms, three cups,” – Siderfin[2]

Figure 23: Crest of the Siderfin Family (from James Sanders’ book)

There is an inscription on one of the floor pieces “Here lyeth the body of Ann the wife of Robert Siderfin, of Croydon, esq; and daughter of Sir John Wittewronge, of Rothamsted in the county of Hertford, bart. Who died May 5, 1708. Arms: three cups, Siderfin; impaling Bendy of fix, on a chief a bar indented, Wittewronge.” [3].

It seemed to be important to the story that James Sanders was writing perhaps to emphasize that the Siderfin family did eventually rise to the status of gentlemen and did bear arms so I have left it with the rest of the text with which it was associated.

Link to the original book of James Sanders held by Internet Archives. Although I have included quite a bit of James Sanders book in this revision there are interesting historical comments and information which he included which did not actually involve the Siderfin Family so I have not always included every page of his book in this revision[4]:

https://archive.org/details/historyofsiderfi00sand

Appendix 9 contains unlinked Siderfin records found during searches of Find My Past.

Appendix 8

Name of Testator: Grace Escott, Dunster, Somerset, widow

Held by: North Devon Record Office

Reference: 3792 M/F2

Date 6 Aug 1784, proved Taunton Archdeaconry Court 4 Sep 1784

Transcription: unknown, sent to me by Mark Siderfin (I have not corrected the obvious mis-transcriptions and do not know who did the transcription; from memory I think that Mark acquired the document from the Devon Record Office and had it transcribed. I did check to see if he sent the images of the original will but have not located it to date.)

The will itself is interesting as it does re-enforce the ancestry of James Sanders back to the Robert 6 line (Robert Siderfin married to Grace Kent).

1	In the Name of God Amen I Grace Escott of Dunster in the County of
2	Somerset, Widow, being of sound and perfect Mind memory and Intellects ………to
3	Almighty God for the same do make ordain and appoint this to be my last and legal
4	Will and Testement, as followeth (that is to say) first and principally I recommend my
5	Soul into the Hands of the Almighty God who gave it me and my Body to decent and
6	Christian burial. And for such Worldly Goods as it hath pleased Almighty God to
7	give me I give and Bequeath the same as followeth (to wit) Whereas in and by virtue
8	of a certain Deed of Settlement made on my intermarriage with my late husband
9	Thomas Escott of Withycombe in the County of Somerset ……. Deceased twas
10	therein and thereby authorized and impressed by any Deed or Deeds Writing or
11	Writings or by my last Will and Testement to direct limit give or devise all that
12	messuages and Garden with the Appurtenances called the Middle House and the
13	pieces and parcels of lands meadows and pasture ground hereafter particularly
14	mentioned and expressed (that is to say) Great Langland Meadows, one piece called
15	Hurtstone, two rights in the New Marsh, one acre in the Upper Langford and one
16	piece called the Drang all which said …….. with the appurtunances were late parts ad
17	parcels or reputed so to be part of the Manor of Alcombe in the said County of
18	Somerset. And also all that cottage or dwellinghouse, garden and orchard with the
19	appurtunances containing by estimation one yard or thereabouts to the same more or
20	less situate lying in Alcombe aforesaid and late was part and parcel of the said Manor
21	and heretofore were in the possession of Elizabeth Crookford her Assigns or Assigner
22	and now are in the possession of William Edmund and William Clarke as Tenants
23	thereof together with all and singular, the house (part of which has been burnt down),
24	outhouses, edifices, buildings, barns, stables, stalls, gardens, orchards, commons and
25	common of pasture, ways, paths, passages, water, water courses, eavements, profits,
26	commodities, hereditaments, advantages and appurtunances whatsoever to the said
27	premises or any part or parcel thereof belonging or appertaining on therewith used or
28	enjoyed or accepted reputed taken or known as part parcel or (member?) thereof.
29	Now the said Grace Escott do in ……. and full execution of the power arising either
30	from the letter or construction of the said Deed of Settlement or by implication of
31	Law and of all other Powers whatsoever either expressed or implied wherewith
32	……… either in Law or Equity invested by this my last Will and Testement in writing
33	duly executed and credibly attested direct limit give and devise the said messuage and
34	garden with the appurtenances called The Middle House and the said pieces and
35	parcels of land, meadow and pasture ground herein before and herein after
36	particularly mentioned (that is to say) Great Langland Meadows, one piece called
37	Hurtstone, two rights in New Marsh, one acre in the Upper Langford and one piece
38	called the Drang and also the said cottage or dwellinghouse (…….) garden with the
39	appurtenances containing by estimation one yard or thereabouts (be the same more or
40	less) situated lying and being in Alcombe aforesaid and all other land and premises
41	herein before mentioned …… and every part and parcel thereof respectively with
42	their respective rights ………. hereditaments ………. appurtenances unto John
43	Siderfin, son of Robert Siderfin of the Parish of Selworthy in the said County of
44	Somerset, Yeoman and the Heirs of his body lawfully to be gotten subject to the
45	provisos and conditions hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, provided always and it is
46	my true Intent and Meaning and I do hereby declare my Will to be that in case the
47	John Siderfin shall happen to die without heirs of his body lawfully begotten then and
48	in such case I do hereby direct limit give and devise the said messuages and garden
49	called the Middle House and the lands and premises herein before part mentioned and
50	also the said cottage or dwellinghouse (on the soile thereof) garden and orchard and
51	all other hands an premises herein before mentioned and (visited?) and every part and
52	parcel thereof respectively with their respective rights members hereditaments and
53	appurtunances unto Mary Siderfin, Betty Siderfin, Grace Long and Joanna Siderfin
54	(sisters of the said John Siderfin) their heirs and assigns for ever to hold to them the
55	said Mary Siderfin, Betty Siderfin, Grace Long and Joanna Siderfin their heirs and
56	assigns for ever as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants. Also I give and
57	bequeath unto my cousin Jane Clarke the Dwellinghouse at Tivington wherein Francis
58	Edwards now lives with garden and orchard thereunto belonging during the form of
59	her natural life free and clear of all Rates Taxes and Repairs for or in respect of the
60	same which said Rates and Taxes thereby direct my Executor hereinafter named to
61	pay and discharge and also to keep the said House and Orchard in good and sufficient
62	repair during the said form out of the Residum of my Estate and Effects, it being my
63	Will that the said Jane Clark should hold and enjoy the same during her life free and
64	clear of all outgoings whatsoever and from and after the decease of the said Jane
65	Clark, I give and devise the said House Garden and Orchard unto the herein before
66	mentioned John Siderfin his Executor Administration and Assigner for and during all
67	the then Residue and remainder of my Term Estate and Interest therein. Also I give
68	unto the said Jane Clarke a feather bed and bolster which I lent her and which she has
69	now in her keeping and also four ponds yearly and every year of lawful Money of
70	England during her natural life by my Executor herein after named. Also I give and
71	devise all that my reversionary term Estate and Interest to commence on the Death of
72	Joseph Kent and in all that my leasehold messuages or tenement with its
73	appurtenances commonly called or known by the name of Kents situate lying and
74	being in Selworthy of ……. and being part of the Manor of Blackford and now in the
75	possession of Robert Sage, Yeoman and Thomas Giles of Selworthy aforesaid
76	Yeoman his Executors and Administration upon Trust and to and for the Ends intents
77	and Purposes hereinafter mentioned and declared concerning the same (that is to say)
78	upon trust that he the said Thomas Giles his Executor or Administration do and shall
79	yearly and every year from and after the commencement of the said term and during
80	the natural life of Ann Sage Wife of the said Robert Sage (my term and interest
81	therein so long continuing) may apply and dispose of all the clear ……… rents House
82	and Profits of the said messuages or tenement and premises unto such person or
83	persons and in such parts proportions manner and form as she the said Ann Sage shall
84	from time to time (notwithstanding her …….) by any memorandum in writing under
85	her hand alone direct and appoint or otherwise do and shall permit and suffer her the
86	said Ann Sage to receive and take such Rents House and Profits of the said premises
87	to her own sole and separate ……. Benefit and disposal whose receipt alone shall be a
88	sufficient discharge for the same to his intent the same may not be in the power or
89	disposal or subject or liable to the House debts or engagements of the said Robert
90	Sage her husband or any future husband if she should happen to have any, but entirely
91	at her own vote and separate ….. and disposal and from and after the death of the said
92	Ann Sage then upon Trust to permit and suffer the said Robert Sage his Executors,
93	Administration and Assigner peaceably and quietly to have hold occupy possess and
94	, enjoy and to receive take and apply all the Rents House and Profits of the said
95	messuage or tenement called ……… for and during all the then residue and remainder
96	of my Term Estate and Interest therein he she or they keeping the said premises in
97	good and sufficient repair and discharging all Rates Tax and Imposition in respect
98	hereof and observing doing and performing all the covenants in the leave of said
99	premises. Also I give and bequeath unto Mary the daughter of the said Robert and
100	Ann Sage six silver team spoons marked with letters GE, my silver tea tongs, best set
101	of china, my china milk jug, my stand tea table and one of my Hand Waiters made of
102	Oak. Also I give and bequeath unto Ann the wife of Giles Bryant of Dunster
103	aforesaid Butcher the sum of fifty pounds of lawful Money of England also my silver
104	butter dish marked with TT and 1753 also one elbow mahogany chair and two single
105	mahogany chairs with Horsehair bottoms. Also I give and bequeath unto my cousin
106	Grace Bishop (widow) of the Parish of (Stogurney?) ten pounds of lawful Money of
107	England. Also I give unto my cousin Mary Harris wife of John Harris of Lyddard
108	Ten Pounds of lawful Money of England. Also I give unto my cousin John Trill
109	Servant to Alexander Fowles Luttrell, Clerk Ten Pounds of lawful Money of England.
110	Also I give unto Ann the daughter of Robert Siderfin herein before mentioned or unto
111	Samuel Lovelace of the Parish of Minehead in the said County of Somerset, Yeoman,
112	in Trust to and for the only proper use benefit and behalf of her the said Ann Siderfin
113	her Executors, Administration and Assigns during her natural life all that Meadows
114	situate called or known by the name of Witch Meadows situate lying and being in the
115	Parish of Selworthy aforesaid and the part or parcel of the said Manor of Blackford.
116	That he the said Samuel Lovelace his Executor Administration and Assigns shall
117	permit and suffer the said Ann Siderfin her Executor Administration and Assigns to
118	receive and take all the rents and the profits of the said Meadows called Witch
119	Meadows during her and their natural lives if my Estate and Interest therein shall so
120	long continue and her and their receipts shall be proper and lawful discharged for the
121	same she and they paying and discharging all Rates Taxes and Impositions which
122	shall or may be laid charged or imposed on the said Meadows or Premises during all
123	the said term of the lease belonging to the (tear in paper) or Premises. Also I give and
124	bequeath unto the said Ann Siderfin my blue bed with the curtains and valence and
125	pillow thereun belonging one quilt, a pair of sheets, a pair of blankets and damask
126	tablecloth marked with the letter T, six blue and white china plates, my large common
127	prayer book and one other book entitled the Christian Defence by Charles
128	Drelincourt, one little bible with a gilt ……., one small trunk covered with flowered
129	silk, and one green bed rug and two silver tablespoons, one marked with the letter T
130	and the other with the letter TT and GT and 1724 and one silver hilt case knife and
131	fork. Also I give and bequeath unto Mary the daughter of the aforesaid Robert
132	Siderfin all those my several leasehold messuages or tenements with their
133	apportunances commonly called or known by the names of Ham Mead, Pound
134	Meadows and Oxenlears situate and being in Selworthy aforesaid and part and parcel
135	of the Manor of Blackford aforesaid for and during her natural life her Executor
136	Administration and Assigns if my Estate and Interest shall therein so long continue
137	she and they paying and discharging all high rents rates taxes and impositions which
138	shall be laid or charged on the said premises during the Term provided always and my
139	true Intent and Meaning is and I do hereby declare my Will to be that in case the said
140	Mary Siderfin shall happen to die having no child or children of her body lawfully
141	begotten living at her death that then and in such case immediately from and after the
142	death of the said Mary Siderfin I give and devise the said several messuages and
143	tenements with their appurtenances called Pound Meadows, Oxenlears and Ham
144	Mead unto Thomas Siderfin the youngest son of Robert Siderfin aforesaid (or unto the
145	said Robert Siderfin in Trust to and for the only use benefit and ……… of his said
146	son Thomas his Executive Administration and Assigns during all the then residue and
147	remainder of several Term Estates and Interests therein respectively). Also I give
148	unto the said Mary Siderfin my silver pint cup marked with TT and 1753 and all the
149	rest of my silver spoons not herein before given and all the rest of my books not
150	herein before given. Also I give Ann the wife of Giles Bryant of Dunster aforesaid
151	Butcher my flowered silk damask pint coloured gown and one yellow with quilted
152	petticoat. Also I give unto Mary the wife of John Staddon of Dunster aforesaid
153	Yeoman my most fashionable green silk gown which has been tuned and one black
154	with quilted petticoat. Also I give unto Ann the wife of Robert Sage of Selworthy
155	aforesaid Yeoman my grey second mourning silk gown and one blue with quilted
156	petticoat and also two pairs of stays. Also I give unto the above Mary Siderfin my
157	other green silk gown and one shaded silk quilted petticoat. Also I give unto
158	Elizabeth the daughter of Giles Bryant aforesaid one silver brooch marked with TTG
159	1684 and one spruce chest and my light coloured silk gown and two silver hilt case
160	knives and forks and my striped silk quilted petticoat and my silver buckles. Also I
161	give unto Izoll Wybourn and Joan Wybourn of the Parish of Selworthy, Spinsters, the
162	sum of Twenty Shillings each. Also I give unto the said Mary Siderfin fifty pounds of
163	lawful money of England and all the rest of my household goods and furniture and
164	clothing now in Dunster not herein before given (except one silver tankard marked
165	with the letters TTT and 1746 and one long tablecloth marked with the letters GT
166	which I hereby give and bequeath unto my said Brother John Siderfin). All the rest
167	and residue of my Goods Chattels Lands and temporal Estate and Effects ready
168	money and securities for money Rights and Credits whatsoever and wheresoever my
169	Debts legacies and funeral expenses being first duly paid and discharged and
170	wherewith those charges and ……… the same accordingly. I give and bequeath unto
171	the aforesaid John Siderfin his Executor Administration and Assigner and I do hereby
172	make constitute and appoint the said John Siderfin to be the whole and sole and
173	residuary legatee and Executor of this my last and legal Will and Testement and I do
174	revoke all other and former Wills by me made and make and appoint this only to be
175	my last Will and Testement and I do hereby order and direct all the legacies herein
176	mentioned to be paid on one year next after my decease. In witness thereof I the said
177	Grace Escott to this my last Will and Testement contained in four sheets of paper to
178	the first four sheets only subscribing my name and to the last sheet subscribing my
179	name and affixing my seal on the sixth day of August in the Twenty Fourth year of
180	the reign of King George the Third and in the year of our Lord Christ One Thousand
181	Seven Hundred and Eighty Four.
182	Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Grace Escott the
183	Testatrix to be her last and legal Will and Testement in the presence of
184	us and by us subscribed as Witness as thereto in her presence and at
185	her request and in the presence of each other all the interlinings and erasures
186	therein being first made.
187	Thos Escott
188	Hugh Matthews
189	Thos Markham

Appendix 9

Unlinked Siderfin Records (BMB/BMD)

1	Eleanor Siderfin baptized 17 Oct 1610, Luxborough, Somerset, England
2	Elizabeth Siderfin married James Nurcombe 30 Sep 1616, Luxborough, Somerset, England (I think this is the daughter of Robert 3 but have left it out of the text)
3	Joan Siderfin was christened on 10 Dec 1700 in Selworthy, Somerset, England, and died in 1761, aged 61. Joan married John Pasmore on 4 Apr 1738 in Minehead, Somerset, England.
4	Parents: John and Joan Siderfin (son William Siderfin baptized 23 Sep 1719 and buried 13 Nov 1748 both at Wootton Courtney; son Robert baptized 16 Jun 1726 at Minehead) This could be John 8 Siderfin (John 7, John 6, Robert 5, William 4, Robert 3, William 2, John 1) but his step-mother only mentioned a grand-daughter Joane in her will (John 8 married Maria Winter) so I have omitted these two baptisms from the text
5	John Siderfin married Mary Ann Parsons Jun quarter 1891, Barton R., Gloucestershire
6	Mary June Siderfin married James Lancaster 7 Mar 1796 at Bristol, Gloucestershire, England
7	Robert Siderfin buried 7 Mar 1762 at Wootton Courtney, Somerset (possibly the Robert #4 above)
8	Thomas Siderfin married Mary Seyers Deverall 18 Jul 1786 at St Thomas, Bristol, Gloucestershire (children baptized: Ann Siderfin baptized 1 Apr 1787, Temple Bristol, Gloucestershire), Sarah Siderfin born 11 Nov 1791 and baptized 25 Dec 1791, Temple Bristol, Gloucestershire (married John Tutt 3 Oct 1810 St Pauls Bristol, Gloucestershire, Robert baptized 17 May 1807 St Pauls Bristol, Gloucestershire)

[1] The History and Antiquities of the County of Somerset, collected from Authentick Records, and an actual Survey made by the late Mr. Edmund Rack. Adorned with a map of the County and engravings of Roman and other Reliques, Town-Seals, Baths, Churches, and Gentlemen’s Seats by the Reverend John Collinson, F.A.S. Vicar of Long-Ashton, Curate of Filton alias Whitchurch, in the County of Somerset and Vicar of Clanfield, in the County of Oxford. 3 Volumes; Printed at Bath: Printed by R. Cruttwell, 1791

[2] James Sanders, History of the Siderfin Family of West Somerset, 1912, page 18

[3] Ibid, Volume 2, page 26

[4] Comment by the author, Elizabeth (Blake) Kipp, 18 Dec 2023

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