Will of Mary Anne Blake, spinster, Clifton, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/1814/66, probated 24 Apr 1833

The testatrix is Mary Anne Blake and she had lived in Jamaica. Her brother William Williams Blake was a Lieutenant Colonel in the 20th Regiment of Light Dragoons.

Mary Ann Burton Phillipson is mentioned in a case argued in the High Court of Chancery versus Richard Burton Phillipson (possibly her brother) in 1849 and it involved an indenture to which her mother Eliza Partridge Burton Phillipson had been a signer. I shall investigate this marriage between Richard Burton Phillipson and Eliza Partridge (unknown) as Mary Ann was a god daughter to the testatrix. I did locate that information and the Reverend Richard Burton Burton-Phillipson, rector of Herringswell married Eliza Partridge only daughter of John Thorp of Chippenham Park (Suffolk).

Found an obituary in the Gentleman’s Magazine for 1863 “At his residence, Brighton, aged 83k, Col. William Williams Blake, C.B., formerly of the 20th and 11th Light Dragoons. A slightly longer write up in The United Service Magazine: Colonel William Williams Blake, C.B., late 11th Light Dragoons, died at Brighton on the 21st of February, aged 83. He served with the 20th Dragoons at the capture of the Cape of Good Hope in 1806; proceeded from thence to South America, and was in the action at Maldonado and siege of Monte Video. Served in Portugal in 1808-9, including the battles of Roleia and Vimiera (gold medal); also at the passge of the Douro. In Sicily in 1810-11; subsequently on the eastern coast of Spain, including the battle of Castalla, and action at Villafranca.

From Family Search, William Williams Blake was buried 27 Feb 1863 at St Andrews, Hove, Sussex, England. On his monument (gravestonephoto.com) legible items include Colonel William Williams Blake, age 84, birth year 1779 and burial year 1863 (first name on monument), Susannah Maria Blake, 42 years, born 1826, died 1868 and daughter of William Williams Blake. Also listed Joyce Susannah Blake, wife of William Williams Blake. Also William John Blake son of , born 1823, died 1847, 24 years of age.

William Williams Blake is on the census at Brighton, Sussex. He was born in the British Colonies and is listed as 71 years of age on the census so giving a year of birth of 1780. He is a Colonel Army Retired. His wife Joyce S Blake, 68 years of age and born in the British Colonies. His daughter Sarah unmarried and 30 years of age born in Ireland. Three servants listed Thomas C Baxter, Mary Ann Litchford and Jane Coombs.

The 1861 census is a little more revealing as he is born in Jamaica, 82 years of age so possible year of birth is 1779. His wife Joyce S also born in Jamaica and 75 years of age. His daughter Susan M 42 years of age born in Ireland. Servants present Elizabeth West, Jane Bickell, Jane Manwaring, and William Savage.

The marriage of William Williams Blake in 12 Sep 1814, West Middlesex Marriage Index to Joyce Susannah Hanson at Hampton.

Death Duty Register for William Williams Blake shows his wife as his executrix (Susannah Blake) 1863.

In 1855 he has a passport application 14 Aug 1855 (no further information).

It would appear that this is a Blake family line that died out with William Williams Blake. Discovering the parents of William Williams Blake and Mary Anne Blake would be quite interesting. That she lived in Clifton, Gloucestershire and he in London/Hampshire and then Sussex does not really give a direction to such a search however.

There was a Hodge family at Lacovia plantation in Jamaica and this family married into a Blake family also at Jamaica – namely William and Elizabeth Blake.

http://www.ebooksread.com/authors-eng/j-h-james-henry-lawrence-archer/monumental-inscriptions-of-the-british-west-indies-from-the-earliest-date-with--hci/page-24-monumental-inscriptions-of-the-british-west-indies-from-the-earliest-date-with--hci.shtml

And Family search is very helpful with a baptism of William Williams Blake 17 June 1779 at Westmoreland, Jamaica son of William Blake and Elizabeth Blake. The baptism of the present testator 13 Apr 1772, Mary Anne Blake at Westmoreland Jamaica daughter of William Blake and Elizabeth Blake. There was an earlier baptism for William Williams Blake 10 May 1775 and he has likely died. I read through the register from 1766 to 1782 but only found these entries for this family. No marriage shown in this register for this couple between those times.

William Blake was a member of the Assembly in Jamaica for Westmoreland in 1790. http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Members/1790al01.htm

In 1796 the Honourable William Blake, Esquire was speaker of the Assembly and an Assistant Judge to the Supreme Court of Judicature. http://www.jamaicanfamilysearch.com/Members/1796al01.htm
Interesting to see that a James Wedderburn Esquire was also one of the representatives from Westmoreland in the Assembly.

The papers of the Tharp family reveal some new information:

http://www.bromfield.us/archives/Tharp_Papers_1.html

19 Jul 1777 to W. Blake and Elizabeth Anne his wife confirmation of a grant and discharge of Sarah Blake’s right of dower.

9 May 1801 William Williams and Mary Ann Blake of Westmoreland, children of William Blake deceased.

Perhaps in 1801 William Williams Blake and Mary Ann Blake returned to England; William to buy an officer’s position in the Light Dragoons and Mary Ann Blake to Clifton, Gloucestershire. Was Sarah Blake the mother of the father of these two?

Perhaps more revealing for this family the Monumental inscriptions of the British West Indies from the Earliest Date … by James Henry Lawrence-Archer.

Page 29: Monument 17: Sacred to the Memory of the Honourable William Blake Esquire Speaker of the Honourable House of Assembly. He died 24th January 1797 aged 56 years.

Continuing on Page 30: During the illness of Samuel Williams Haughton, Member for Hanover, the Speaker of the House, Mr Blake was twice elected pro tempore. He was re-elected for Westmoreland in the Assembly of 23rd March, 1790, and on the death of Mr. Haughton, (by a fall from his horse in August, 1793) Mr Blake was unanimously chosen Speaker, 22nd October 1793. He was again elected for Westmoreland, and again unanimously chosen Speaker on October 28, 1796. …..In 1755 we find the will of Nicholas Blake, of Jamaica, and in it mention made of his brother Benjamin, and his son Nicholas Allen Blake, etc. In 1766 is recorded the will of Samuel Blake, in which occur the names of his sons and daughters namely Joseph, William, Samuel, Bonella, and Margaret. The will of Nicholas Allen Blake, the nephew of Nicholas as above, is dated July 16, 1789 and contains bequests to his son Matthew Gregory Blake, his brother William, and his cousins the Burkes of Loughrea in Ireland. A few years earlier, in the will of Benjamin William Blake (1785) his nieces are named Jane Gregory and Helen Haughton, his brother-in-law Samuel Williams Haughton, and his brothers Will and Nicholas Allen Blake, etc. The first entry of this name in the parish registers of Jamaica is in 1671, and in 1717 is recorded the birth of Benjamin, the son of Benjamin and ….. Blake. In 1743 is recorded the marriage of Alexander Blake and Hagar Williams (probably a daughter of Williams of Carowena); and still later in the Hodges family the baptism of an Alexander Blake Hodges, the nephew of Robert Francklyn Hodges, who married a daughter of the Honourable Hugh Lewis (Chief Justice). Robert Francklyn Hodges, younger, of Maxfield, was so named after a Mr. Francklyn, who married his aunt, Margaret Blake. In so extensive a family as that of Blake, it is natural to suppose that even uncommon surnames will be frequently adopted instead of ordinary Christian names, to distinguish individuals; but when we find a double combination of this description, we attach more importance to the coincidence. A reference to the pedigree of the Allens of Blackwell Grange, and a comparison of the names of Blake and Burke therein, suggests some connection with the family of Blake in Jamaica; and if so, of necessity it appear with that of Barbados, in the seventeenth century, and of another family of the name in Ireland, one of whose members, Nicholas Blake, is described as of Barbados, at the period to which we allude. On referring, however, to the registers of Andover, we find that Nicholas Blake of that town was also of Barbados; while in the will of the wife of Nicholas Blake of Barbados (1663), we disover that her husband was also of Bishops Mead, near Craford, Kent. Leaving, however, such branches of this family out of the question, and turning to the pedigree of Benjamin, Nicholas, and Alexander, three of the younger brothers of the celebrated Admiral Blake, we find very strong presumptive evidence of its being represented in Jamaica ………. It is probable that there were two families of Blake in Jamaics, which became united in one, about the commencement of the eighteenth century. The will of Elizabeth Blake, wife of Nicholas Blake, merchant, of London, entered (Barbados) Oct 26, 1663, states “I bequeath unto my son Nicholas my land called Bishop’s Mead in the parish of Craford, county of Kent and bought of Wm Borman and to his half-brother my son John Wilson my cousins John Blake and Nicholas Prideaux, etc. Witnesses:…. (Vide also the Baronetage; and Pedigrees of Blake at the Heralds’ College and British Museum, “Notes and Queries,” etc Very extensive private collections of Blake records exist.) .....had had various centres of origin, although, so far as we know, its earliest appearance was in Hampshire and Wilts, whence all the other recorded branches are assumed to have been derived (interesting comment)…… In 1651 Government caused a map of this county to be made, and on the third sheet are, amongst others, the Arms of Blake, and also, with other inscriptions the words (Marilandiae, Carolinae, Verginiae, et Jamaicae being on the second sheet with the name Marline) on the third sheet; Bermude, Barbude, Montserrat et Sancti Christophore.
……….
From Pedigree of the Reverend J.H.C. Blake (descendant of Humphrey Blake according to the author of this transcript).
Humphrey Blake (s of Robert and Margaret of Bridgewater) had by his wife Sarah Williams 14 sons and 1 daughter. The sons were in the following order (see Ped Her Coll and Harl MSS 1141)
1.Robert; 2. Humphrey; 3. William; 4. George; 5. George; 6. Nicholas; 7. Samuel; 8. Edward; 9. John; 10. Thomas; 11. …. Ob. Inf.; 12. Benjamin.; 13 ……; 14. Alexander
Robert, the celebrated Admiral, 1st son, died s.p.
Humphrey, 2nd son, left issue and was represented by the late Rev J.H.C. Blake
George, 4th son, ob. Inf.
George, 5th son, had issue male: Benjamin
Nicholas 6th son, had issue male: (Nicholas (viv 1695) and the latter had 1. Alexander, 2. John; 3. William
Samuel 7th son, had issue male: 1. Samuel; 2. Robert
John 9th son, died s.p.
Alexander, 14th son.
Admiral Blake’s uncle, Benjamin Blake m 1614 Elizabeth daughter of Sidrach Blake, Stepney, Middlesex.

An interesting finding for this Blake family. That Mary Anne returned to Somerset is perhaps very interesting as well. The father of William Williams Blake and Mary Anne Blake died in 24 Jan 1797 at the age of 57 giving his a birth year of circa 1740. Linking this family back would be an interesting task. The above text implies he might be the son of Samuel Blake or the son of Nicholas Blake (no positive decision made).

From another site http://negril.com/forum/archive/index.php/t-7841.html

In the 1760s Dean's Valley Water Works Estate passed out of the Williams family, possibly by descent, into the possession of the Hon. William Blake (1741-1797), a young Sugar Planter who was to become an important figure in 18th Century Jamaica. Blake was elected as a Member of Assembly for St. James in the House of Assembly of Jamaica from 1770 to 1787 and later as a Member of Assembly for Westmoreland from 1787 to 1797. He also went on to become Speaker of the House of assembly of Jamaica from 1793 to 1797, a Judge of the Supreme Court of Jamaica, Lt-Colonel of the St. James Regiment of Militia and eventually Provincial Grand Master of the Freemasons of Jamaica in 1796.

However despite his impressive political career, Blake was not very shrewd when it came to business and finance and he became deeply mired in Debt. In 1770 he was forced to mortgage the 1,400 acre Dean's Valley Waterworks Estate, including its Slaves and Cattle, to his brother-in-law, the Hon. Simon Taylor, who owned the Good Hope Estates in Trelawny. When Blake died in 1797, after his horse threw him while he was reviewing the St. James Regiment of Militia at a Military Parade in Montego Bay, it was due to this mortgage that the Dean's Valley Waterworks Estate passed entirely into the possession of the Hon. John Tharp.

From another website: http://www.napoleon-series.org/research/biographies/GreatBritain/Challis/Images51-100/063.pdf

Blake, William Williams
Maj. 20 LD 21 Mar’05, Bt Lt Col. 1 Jan ‘12
Pa. Aug’03 – Sep ’09, Jan – Nov ‘13
Rob., Vinc., Douro, East Coast, Carta, Ordal
Md: Douro
G.M. Rol., Tinc., C.B.,
Also served West Indies ‘97/02, C of Good Hope ’05, S America ’07 ____
Video

Names mentioned in the will:

Mary Anne Blake, testatrix, Clifton, Gloucestershire
Reverend John Hall, Clifton, clerk, trustee
Reverend John Kempthorne, Northleach, curate, trustee
Reverend John Edmund Jones, St Nicholas, curate, trustee
Mary Ann Blake, reputed daughter of William Williams Blake
William Williams Blake, Lieutenant Colonel 20th Dragoons, Grove near Horndean, Hampshire, executor
Emma Louisa Blake, reputed daughter of William Williams Blake
Mary Ann Phillipson, daughter of Robert Burton Phillipson, Bath, god daughter
Richard Burton Phillipson, Bath
Eliza Phillipson, Bath
Cinderilla Jordan, maid servant
Harriet Hamilton, Bristol, witness
Henry Ball, Sol[icito]r Bristol, witness
Charles Gough, clerk to Henry Ball, witness
Robert Traill, witness
A B Clifton, witness
Richard Biggs, Flatwell, witness
Henry H Ball, Barrister, Temple, London, trustee
Andrew Wedderburn Colville, merchant, London, trustee
John Fisher, witness
Susannah Chalfont, witness
R. C. Kirkpatrick, Newport I W, Solicitor, witness
Eliza Read, witness
Henry Sewell, Newport, Isle of Wight, Solicitor, witness

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 17 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1814/66
Testator:  Mary Anne Blake, spinster
Place: Clifton, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 5 Jul 1825, probated 24 Apr 1833
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Mary
[Margin]: Anne
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 33

1    I Mary Ann Blake late of the Island of
2    Jamaica in the West Indies but now of the Hotwells in the Parish of Clifton in
3    the County of Gloucester Spinster being of sound and disposing mind memory and
4    understanding but knowing the uncertainty of life do make this my last will and
5    Testament in manner and form following that is to say First I resign my Soul unto
6    Almighty God and direct my Body to be decently interred in sure and certain hope of
7    its Resurrection to eternal Life and in humble faith and confident of the Mercy of
8    God through the merits of my Blessed Saviour and Redeemer Jesus Christ and
9    as to my Worldly Estate I give and bequeath after payment of my Funeral
10    expences the expence of proving this my Will and all my just debts as hereinafter is
11    mentioned unto my friends the Reverend John Hall of Clifton in the County of
12    Gloucester Clerk Batchelor of Divinity the Reverend John Kempthorne Vicar of
13    Northleach in the diocese of Gloucester Clerk Batchelor of Divinity and the Reverend
14    John Edmund Jones Curate of Saint Nicholas Gloucester Clerk Master of Arts the
15    Principal sum of ten thousand pounds of lawful money of Great Britain to be
16    transferred to them or the survivor of them by my Executor hereinafter named out of
17    any stock of funds standing in my name in the Books of the Governor and Company of
18    the Bank of England at my decease Upon the trusts and to and for the several intents
19    and purposes hereinafter mentioned expressed and declared of and concerning the same
20    that is to say Upon trust as to five thousand pounds being one moiety of the said ten
21    thousand pounds to invest the same in their names or in the names or name of the
22    survivors or survivor of them in the Parliamentary stocks or Public funds of Great
23    Britain or at Interest on Government or real Securities in England such securities to
24    be altered and varied by my said trustees from time to time as they shall think proper
25    and to pay and apply the Interest and dividends thereof or as much as my said trustees
26    shall think proper for the benefit of Mary Ann Blake the reputed daughter of my
27    Brother William Williams Blake of the Grove near Horndean in the County of Hants
28    Esquire late Lieutenant Colonel in his Majestys 20th Regiment of Light Dragoons for
29    the use maintenance and education of the said Mary Ann Blake until the first day of
30    January One thousand eight hundred and thirty three when she will have attained the
31    age of twenty one years or until she shall previously marry with the consent of my
32    trustees and that the Savings and accumulations of the interest and dividends of the said
33    five thousand pounds (if any) shall in the meantime be laid out to accumulate in
34    such securities as aforesaid for the benefit of the said Mary Ann Blake in the way
35    of compound interest and when and as soon as the said Mary Ann Blake shall attain
36    the age of time aforesaid or shall in the meantime marry with such Consent as afore-
37    said Upon trust to pay to or permit and suffer or fully authorize and impower the said
38    Mary Ann Blake to have receive and take all the interest and dividends of the said Five
39    thousand pounds and of the accumulations thereof as and when the same shall become
40    due and payable (but not by way of anticipation) to and for her own sole and separate
41    use esclusively and independently of any husband she may happen to marry and free from
42    his debts control intermeddling and engagements and her receipt alone to be a sufficient
43    discharge for the same and from and after the decease of the said Mary Ann Blake In
44    trust as to the principal and accumulated sum for her Child lawfully begotten and if
45    more than one for all  her children so begotten share and share alike with benefit of
46    survivorship among them and to become an interest vested in and payable to such child
47    or children whether male or female on attaining the age or respective ages of twenty one
48    years or on the day or days of marriage with the consent of my said trustees for the time
49    being which shall first happen But in Case the said Mary Ann shall happen to die
50    without having been married or having married shall not have any Child who shall
51    live to attain the age of twenty one years or be married with such Consent as afores[ai]d
52    then from and after her death and failure of such children as aforesaid Upon trust to assign
53    transfer and pay the said Five thousand pounds and all accumulations if any as afores[ai]d
54    unto my Brother the said William Williams Blake his executors admors and assigns
55    to and for his and their own use And upon further trust as to five thousand pounds being
56    the residue of the said ten thousand pounds In Trust for and for the maintenance and
    [Page 2]
57    benefit of Emma Louisa Blake another reputed daughter of my said Brother whose
58    age of twenty one years shall be accounted on the first day of January one thousand
60    eight hundred and thirty four exclusive of the debts control or engagements of any
61    husband she may happen to marry and of her issue lawfully begotten in such and
62    the same manner and to be vested at such time under the same or the like restrictions
63    as I have before directed concerning the five thousand pounds to her sister the said Mary
64    Ann Blake and her lawfully begotten issue But in case the said Emma Louisa Blake
65    shall happen to die without having been married or having married shall not leave
66    any child lawfully begotten who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years or be
67    married with such consent as aforesaid then from and after the decease of the said Emma
68    Louisa Blake and failure of such Children as aforesaid Upon trust to assign transfer and
69    pay the last mentioned sum of five thousand pounds and all such accumulations (if any)
70    as aforesaid unto my said Brother William Williams Blake his executors admors and
71    assigns to and for his and their own use and benefit I also give and bequeath unto the
72    said Mary Ann Blake and Emma Louisa Blake all my furniture linen wearing
73    Apparel Books Plate Watches Rings Trinkets and Pictures that I may be possessed of
74    to be divided equally between them when either of them shall attain the age before
75    specified or be married with such consent as aforesaid I give and bequeath unto my God
76    child Mary Ann Phillipson daughter of Richard Burton Phillipson of the City of Bath
77    Esquire by Eliza his Wife the sum of five hundred pounds of lawful money of Great
78    Britain I Give and bequeath unto my Maid Servant Cinderilla Jordan the sum of
79    one hundred pounds of like lawful money I Give and bequeath unto each of my afore-
80    said trustees the Reverend John Hall the Reverend John Kempthorne and the Reverend
81    John Edmund Jones the sum of twenty five pounds I give devise and bequeath all
82    my Real Copyhold and Leasehold Estates whatsoever and wheresoever and all the rest
83    and Residue of my money in the Public Stocks of funds together with all other my
84    Personal Estate and Effects of whatsoever nature the same shall or may be unto my
85    said Brother William Williams Blake his heirs executors admors and assigns according
86    to the nature and quality thereof respectively And I hereby nominate constitute and appoint
87    my said Brother sole Executor of this my last Will and Testament and I hereby
88    as far as I lawfully may or can appoint my said Trustees the Guardians and request
89    them to undertake the Care Tuition and Guardianship of the Persons of them the said
90    Mary Ann Blake and Emma Louisa Blake during their said Minorities Provided
91    always that if any of the trustees hereby appointed or to be appointed as hereinafter
92    is mentioned shall depart this life or decline to act in the trusts hereby in them reposed then
93    and in such case it shall and may be lawful to and for the surviving or continuing
94    trustees or trustee to appoint one or more trustee or trustees in the room of the trustee or
95    trustees so dying or declining to act and thereupon the said trust estates monies and premises
96    shall be bested in the same trustee or trustees solely or jointly with the surviving or
97    continuing trustee or trustees as occasion shall require and that such new trustee or trustees
98    shall have the same powers and authorities to all intents and purposes whatsoever
99    as if he or they has been originally nominated a trustee or trustees in this my Will
100    Provided also that the trustees hereby appointed or to be appointed as hereinafter is
101    mentioned shall not be answerable the one for the other or others of them nor for the
102    signing receipts for the sake of Conformity nor for any involuntary loss and that it shall
103    and may be lawful for them and for my said Executor respectively to reimburse
104    themselves all their costs and expences in discharging their trusts and Lastly I do hereby
105    revoke all former Wills Codicils and other Testamentary dispositions made by me at
106    any time or times heretofore and do declare this to be my last Will and Testament In
107    witness whereof I the said Testatrix Mary Ann Blake have to this my last will and
108    Testament contained in six sheets of paper set my hand and seal to wit my hand to the
109    first five sheets my seal to the top of the first sheet where all the said sheets are affixed
110    together and my hand and seal to this sixth and last sheet this fifth day of July in the
111    Year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty five Mary Anne
112    Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the said testatrix Mary Ann
113    Blake as and for her last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in her presence
114    at her request and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed as Witnesses
    [Page 3]
115    Harriet Hamilton Bristol Spinster Henry Ball Sol[icito]r
116    Bristol Charles Gough his Clerk
117    Whereas by my Will dated the fifth day of July One thousand eight
118    hundred and twenty five I have given unto my late Maid Servant Cinderilla
119    Jordan the sum of one hundred pounds Now I do by this Codicil to my last Will and
120    Testament revoke the said bequest and I direct that the said sum of one hundred
121    pounds be considered as part of my Residuary Personal estate and I do ratify and
122    confirm my said Will in all other respects In Witness whereof I have to this Codicil
123    to my last Will and Testament set my hand and seal this twenty ninth day of July
124    one thousand eight hundred and twenty six Mary Anne Blake
125    Signed sealed published and declared by the above named Mary Anne Blake as and
126    for a Codicil to her last Will and Testament in the presence of us Robert Traill
127    A B Clifton Richard Biggs Flatwell Henry Ball
128    Sol[icito]r Bristol
129    This Codicil made by me Mary Anne Blake now residing at
130    Ventnor hotel Undercliff in the Isle of Wight and published this nineteenth day of
131    December one thousand eight hundred and thirty two is part of and to be annexed
132    to my last Will and Testament bearing date the fifth day of July one thousand eight
133    hundred and twenty five Whereas the Reverend John Hall and the Reverend
134    John Edmund Jones two of the trustees named in my said Will are since dead and
135    the Reverend John Kempthorne the other trustee is desirous of giving up the trusteeship
136    now I do hereby revoke the appointment of trustees made in my said Will and in the
137    place of the said trustees I do hereby nominate and appoint my friends Henry Ball
138    of the Temple London Esquire Barrister at Law and Andrew Wedderburn Colville of
139    London Merchant as trustees and Guardians with all the same powers and
140    authorities as by my said Will were vested in the said trustees and Guardians
141    therein named as fully and completely in all respects as if the said Henry Ball and
142    Andrew Wedderburn Colville had been originally named and appointed trustees and
143    Guardians in my said Wills and I give to each of them the sum of twenty
144    Guineas as a token of regard for their kindness in undertaking the Trusteeship
145    and Guardianship and whereas I have in my said Will given to my trustees the
146    sum of ten thousand pounds of lawful money of Great Britain as to five thousand
147    pounds part thereof upon certain trusts in favor of Mary Ann Blake therein
148    named and as to the remaining five thousand pounds upon certain trusts in favor
149    of Emma Louisa Blake therein named Now I do hereby give to the said Henry Ball
150    and Andrew Wedderburn Colville their executors admors and assigns the further sum of two
151    thousand pounds of like lawful money to be placed out and invested by them in like
152    manner as the said sum of ten thousand pounds Upon trust as to one thousand
153    pounds part thereof for the said Mary Ann Blake in like manner in all respects
154    as the said sum of five thousand pounds with the same remainder over and as to the
155    remaining One thousand pounds Upon trust for the said Emma Louisa Blake in the
156    same manner in all respects as the said sum of five thousand pounds with the same
157    remainder over In Witness where I have to this Codicil subscribed my name and set
158    my seal this nineteenth day of December One thousand eight hundred and thirty two
159    Mary Anne Blake Signed sealed published and declared by
160    Mary Ann Blake as and for a Codicil to her last Will and Testament in the presence
161    of us who at her request in her presence and in the presence of each other have hereunto
162    subscribed our names as witnesses John Fisher Susannah
163    Chalfont R. C. Kirkpatrick Newport I W Sol[icito]r
164    This is a third Codicil to the Will of me Mary Ann
165    Blake at present residing at Ventner in the Isle of Wight made the first day of January
166    One thousand eight hundred and thirty three whereas in a Codicil to my Will made on the
167    nineteenth day of December last I have by mistake subscribed the Reverend John Hall
168    as dead now I do nevertheless declare my intention to be to revoke the appointment of
    [Page 4]
169    the said John Hall to be a trustee and Guardian of my Will and to confirm the
170    appointment made by the same Codicil of my friends Henry Ball and Andrew
171    Wedderburn Colville to be the only Trustees and Guardians of my Will and Codicils and
172    Whereas I have by my Will dated the 5th day of July 1825 bequeathed two sums of five
173    thousand pounds each to Trustees upon certain trusts for the benefit of Mary Ann Blake
174    and Emma Louisa Blake therein named and their issue respectively But in Case of their
175    respectively dying without being married or having married without any Child who shall
176    live to attain the age of twenty one years or be married as therein mentioned I have bequeathed
177    the same respective sums of five thousand pounds to my Brother William Williams Blake
178    Now I do hereby direct and declare that in Case either of them the said Mary Ann Blake and
179    Emma Louisa Blake shall die without having been married or having married without
181    having any child lawfully begotten who shall live to attain the age of twenty one years or be
182    married as therein mentioned in that case the sum of money and estate by my said Will
183    given for the benefit of such one so dying shall be held Upon trust for the survivor of them
184    and the children of such survivor for the like interest as the money and estate originally bequeathed
185    for her and their benefit and with a remainder over in the same event to my Brother the said
186    William Williams Blake as is in my Will expressed and declared concerning such original
187    sum of money and estate I ratify and confirm my said Will and also the Codicils thereto
188    of the fifth day of July 1825 and the nineteenth day of December last and direct this to be
189    taken as a Codicil to and as part of my Will In Witness whereof I have hereunto subscribed
190    my name and affixed my seal the day and year first above written Mary Anne
191    Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the said Mary Anne Blake
192    as and for a Codicil to her last Will and Testament in the presence of us together who in her
193    presence at her request and in the presence of each other have hereto subscribed our names as
194    witnesses Henry Sewell of Newport in the Isle of Wight Sol[icito]r
195    the Mark X of Eliza Read
196    Proved at London with three Codicils 24th April 1833 before the Worshipful Jesse
197    Addams doctor of Laws and Surrogate by the Oath of William Williams Blake Esquire the
198    Brother the sole Executor to whom Admon was granted having been first sworn duly to
199    administer

Will of John Blake, Ironmonger of Langport Estover, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/354/149, probated 30 May 1677

The testator John Blake lived at Langport which is about 10 miles south east of Bridgwater so also in the same area as the collateral families of Admiral Robert Blake.

Edith, daughter of the testator, left her will in 1728 as Dame Edith Phelipps, widow of Montacute, Somerset. At some point I may purchase that one as it may show me how this John Blake is related to/or not to the Blake family at Ash Priors which is near to Bishops Lydeard, Halse, Aisholt where the Blake families collateral to Admiral Robert Blake lived.

From the webpage (my latin translation can not come near to doing as well as this of a caption in the margin of the will below) :  http://www.portbury-hundred.co.uk/wills.htm

Proved at London, 30th May, 1677, by Elizabeth Blake, relict and executrix, and on 16th October, 1699, administration de bonis non granted to Edith Phelipps, widow, daughter and only child of said John Blake.
[Edward Phelipps of Montacute in co. Somerset, Knight, this 22nd  day of March, 1698.
I will that Mr. Robert Blake of Aishpriors, Mr. John Browne of Chilthorne Domer and
Mr. Thomas Smith of Ilminster, all in co. Somerset be my trustees, and I give to them £5 each.
Proved 25th Oct 1699.
Edith Blake became the second wife of Edward Phelipps of Montacute, Somerset.]

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 Oct 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/354/149
Testator: John Blake, Ironmonger
Place: Langport Estover, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 8 Feb 1676, probated 30 May 1677
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[esta]m[ent]
[Margin]: Johannis Blake

1    The Eight Day of February one Thousand Six hundred Seaventy and
2    six In the name of God Amen I John Blake of Langport Estover in the
3    county of Somersett Ironmonger though sick of body yet of perfect Mind
4    and memory Thanks be to Almighty God doe make my last Will and Testam[en]t
5    in manner and forme following viz[ a vi]t First I give and bequeath my Soule
6    to my maker in and through Christ my Saviour I trust in the Resurrection
7    at the last day I desire my Body to be buryed in the Churchyard of Langport
a    Aforesaid Item I give and bequeath unto my daughter Edith Blake Twenty
9    hundred Pounds To be paid or secured by my Executrix in Three moneths
10    after my decease And my Will is that if my daughter Edith doth not lyve until
11    she accomplish the age of Eighteene yeares or not married Then to remaine
12    to my Executrix during her natural life And after her death to be equally
13    divided between my brothers and sisters child or children that shall be
14    then lyving that or that part which shall be remaining Item I give unto my
15    servant Ann Blissett Fyve Pounds To be paid in Twelve Monethes after my decease
16    Item I give Twenty shillings to the use of the Church and Twenty shillings to the
17    use of the poore of Langport To be paid in Twelve Monethes after my decease My
18    will is that after all my debts and Legacies are paid and discharged I make my wife Elizabeth
19    Blake my whole and sole Executrix of all my Goods Chattells and Lands that I
20    have My Will is that after my wife Elizabeth Blake’s natural life that what
21    shee dyes possessed of may remaine to the use of my daughter Edith Blake or to
22    her child or children My Will is that Robert Blake of Ash Priers Gent
23    and William Ball of Langport yeoman and Ambrose Budd of Langport mercer
24    be Assistants to my Executrix for the use of her and my daughter In Witnes
25    whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and Seale the day and yeare abovesaid
26    Jo: Blake Sealed Signed in the presence of us Ambrose Budd The mark of
27    Barbar Crossman

Will of Margery Blake of Rattery, Devon - The National Archives PROB 11/1902/280, probated 22 Nov 1838

Hatchlands is a large manor house which is still occupied and in the 1700s was the property of the Earle family. Joseph Earle married Mary Blake sister of Margery Blake the testator. They had the following children mentioned in the will: William, Margery, Rachel and Sarah Ann. Children born to the couple and found on Family Search: Rachel (baptized 18 Oct 1807), Nicholas (baptized 19 Jun 1810), Sarah Ann (baptized 4 Apr 1813), and Nathaniel (baptized 29 Oct 1815). The marriage of their daughter Margery Earle to Edward Whesthorp was 14 May 1828 at East Stonehouse, Devon (Find My Past). No luck at finding the marriage between Joseph Hodge Earle and Mary Blake but there is a World Connect record which seems to somewhat match the details.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=a-french&id=I8141

The surname of Mary is unknown in this particular entry and the children listed are William, Samuel, Grace, Nicholas and Sarah Ann. William and Grace born at Diptford and Samuel, Nicholas and Sarah Ann born at Rattery. The parents of Joseph were William Earle and Elizabeth Hodge and they married 24 Sep 1763 at Ugborough, Devon. Possibly the same family but unsure.

Her brother in law Daniel Freeman and his daughter Grace Marks and Joseph Freeman are also mentioned. Daniel Freeman and Grace Blake were married 17 Jan 1806 at Rattery, Devon, England. Children born to this couple: Grace (baptized 1 Feb 1807), Daniel (baptized 5 Mar 1809), Mary Ann (baptized 22 Mar 1812), Joseph (baptized 18 Sep 1814), George (baptized 17 Nov 1816), and Elizabeth (baptized 19 Aug 1821). Grace Freeman married John Marks 30 Oct 1834 at Rattery (Find My Past).

There was an Ezekiel Blake baptized 11 Nov 1810 at Plympton St Mary and the son of Ezekiel and Alice Blake. The marriage of Ezekiel Blake and Allice Lethbridge was celebrated 15 Mar 1798 at Plympton St Mary. Peter Lethbridge and John Sullock were witnesses to the marriage. Children listed in the will include: Elizabeth Hilson, James, Grace Sanders, Peter Lethbridge and Ezekiel. Betty Blake married Henry Hilson 5 Apr 1822 at Plympton St Mary. Grace Blake married George Sanders 6 Mar 1829 at Plympton St Mary.

An earlier marriage for an Ezekiel Blake to Thomasin Ash is recorded 18 Jul 1760 at Cornwood Devon (Cornwood is 4.5 miles ENE of Plympton St Mary).

Ezekiel Blake is found on the 1861 census at the home of his son Peter at Plympton St Mary. Also living there is Alice the daughter of Peter (18 years of age). Ezekiel was a widower born circa 1770 at Sidford Devon. His son Peter was born circa 1807.

Ann Ball may be the mother found on the census in 1881 with son in law Francis Shute and daughter Margaret Shute with their child Sarah Shute. They lived at Diptford and Ann was born 1797 at East Allington, Devon. On the 1851 Census there is a James Ball married to Ann with daughter Margaret 15. Ann is said to be 50 years of age and born at East Allington. Margaret is said to be born at Rattery.

The siblings of Margery named in the will: [Grace] Freeman (deceased and not mentioned but assumed), Mary Earle, Ezekiel and the mother of Ann [Ball]. An interesting will and the forename Ezekiel is found in other Blake families in Devon.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 29 Jul 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1902/280
Testator: Margery Blake
Place: Rattery, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 10 Jun 1837, probated 22 Nov 1838
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: Margery
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 6

1    The last Will and Testament
2    of me Margery Blake now residing at Hatchland in the parish of Rattery in
3    the County of Devon being of a sound mind and Memory do this tenth day of June One
4    thousand Eight hundred and thirty seven and in the eighth year of the Reign of his
5    Majesty King William the fourth make this my Will as follows viz [a vi]t First I will and
6    direct that all my just debts and funeral Expences which is to be at Diptford be paid and
7    discharged by my Executors hereinafter named as well as the legacies herein
8    after named I give and bequeath to my
9    Sister Mary Earle ten pounds of lawful money I give and bequeath unto my brother
10    Ezekiel Blake of the parish of Plympton St Mary fifty pounds of lawful money I
11    give and bequeath unto the five children of the aforesaid Ezekiel Blake namely Elizabeth
12    Hilson James Blake Grace Sanders Peter Lethbridge Blake and Ezekiel Blake ten pounds
13    each of lawful Money I give and bequeath unto Grace Marks and Joseph the children
14    of David Freeman of the parish of Rattery fifty poun each of lawful money I give and
15    bequeath unto my Nephew William Earle Son of Joseph Earle of the parish of Rattery
16    ten pounds of lawful money I give and bequeath unto my brother in law Joseph Earle
o    Of the parish of Rattery aforesaid One hundred pounds of lawful money Upon trust to
18    be applied to the use and disposal of his daughter Margery Westhorp now residing
19    at Sheerness in the County of Kent Free from the power control debts and encumbrances
20    of her husband or any other purpose whatever I give and bequeath unto my Niece
21    Ann Ball of the parish of Rattery aforesaid Thirty pounds of lawful money Free from
22    the power and control of her husband and her Receit alone to be a discharge for the
23    same I give and bequeath unto Margarett the daughter of the aforesaid Ann Ball
24    my six silver tea spoons All the aforesaid legacies heretofore given and bequeathed
    [Page 2]
25    are to be paid by my Executors hereinafter named within one calendar months
26    after my decease I give and bequeath unto Rachel and Sarah Ann the daughters
27    of the aforesaid Joseph Earle All my household Furniture of every description
28    consisting of Bed Bedding chest drawers and Sundrys of other articles Silver Tea
29    spoons already bequeathed excepted I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid Margery
30    Westhorp all my Wearing apparel of every description All the Rest and Residue
31    of my property of every description in the funds money securities for money Goods Chattels
32    not hereinbefore given or bequeathed I give to my two brothers in law Joseph Earle and
33    Daniel Freeman both of the parish of Rattery aforesaid with power to one for all debts Either
34    at Law or in Equity and I also Nominate and appoint the aforesaid Joseph Earle and
35    Daniel Freeman whole and sole Executors of this my last Will and Testament
36    hereby revoking all other Will or Wills by me made In Witness whereof I have here set
37    my hand and seal the day and year above written Margery Blake
38    Signed Sealed published and declared by the testator as and for her last Will and
39    Testament in the presence of us who have hereinto subscribed our names as Witnesses
40    in her presence and in the presence of each other Jno Kingston Elizabeth
41    Kingston
42    Proved at London 22nd November 1838 before the Judge by the Oaths
43    of Joseph Earle and Daniel Freeman the Ex[ecut]ors to whom admon was granted
44    having been first sworn by Commission duly to administer

Will of John Blake, Yeoman, Bucklebury, Berkshire - The National Archives PROB 11/1341/276, probated 27 May 1800

A rather interesting will for John Blake of Bucklebury, Berkshire. I could not find any evidence that there was a Blake family at Bucklebury other than this John. His one brother Nathaniel lives at Hursborne Hampshire and the other brother Richard lives at Aldbourn Wiltshire.

Richard Blake has left his will at Aldbourne P1/1814/84 in the Wiltshire Archives and it is three pages. Eventually I will acquire some of these Blake wills from Wiltshire and Swindon Record Office. His will may help to locate this Blake family as there was a Blake family at Ogbourne St George in Wiltshire and Aldbourne is just four miles ENE of Ogbourne St George. The Blake family at Ogbourne St George did use the forename Nathaniel although the Blake family being so large this could just be a coincidence.

The family consists of John, Nathaniel, Richard and their sister Mary Wyes. Nathaniel is married to Mary and they have a number of children mentioned including: Martha Winkworth, Mary Guy, and Elizabeth Worman.

The other recipients of legacies do not appear to be related at least John doesn't mention any relationship but include some people at Bucklebury but not all have a location stated: Sarah Hodges daughter of Nathaniel Hodges, Daniel Always son of Thomas Alway, Rebecca Ball daughter of William Ball, William Law, Walter Law and younger and his wife Isabella.

Martha Blake married William Winkworth 12 Jul 1786 ( no details other than Hampshire and this from Family Search I03915-4) and she was 21 years of age so born circa 1765.

Mary Blake married Lazarus Guy (of Buttermere, Wiltshire) 9 May 1785 at Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hampshire (Family Search M14667-1).

Elizabeth Blake married Robert Worman 20 Jul 1795 at Hurstbourne Tarrant, Hampshire (Family Search M14667-1). The Hampshire Marriage Licences, Bishop of Winchester provides further information: Worman, Robert, of Speen, co. Berks, farmer, 18, bachelor with consent of his parents Richard Worman and Prudence and Elizabeth Blake of Hurstbourne, 21, spinster daughter of Nathaniel Blake with licence issued 19 Jul 1795 and bondsman William Worman, Speen, maltster.

The two marriages at Hurstbourne Tarrant may lead one to suspect that it is Hurstbourne Tarrant where Nathaniel Blake lives. However, searching online does not give anything interesting for this Blake family there.

The Hampshire Record Office Catalogue lists a will for Nathaniel Blake of Hurstbourne Tarrant, husbandman dated 1802 (1802A/008). As always I do know that Hampshire Record Office holds 341  Blake wills that I shall one day have a look at but that is in the future.

At a quick glance extracting the Blake wills at Hurstbourne

John Blake Hurstbourne Tarrant, 1559
John Blake Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, yeoman, 1605*
John Blake, senior, Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, yeoman, 1674
Joan Blake Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, widow, 1696
John Blake Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, yeoman, 1712
Richard Blake (Blacke) Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, yeoman, 1758
Thomas Blake, junior, Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, 1764
Ann Blake Upton, Hurstbourne Tarrant, widow, 1791
Nathaniel Blake Hurstbourne Tarrant, husbandman, 1802
Thomas Blake Hurstbourne Tarrant, labourer, 1823

The John Blake who left his will in 1605 is known to me and he was the grandson of Robert Blake brother to Nicholas Blake (my ancestor). He did have a son John Blake but to date I do not have any further information. I do not know the John Blake who left his will in 1559 as his father was John Blake the Elder who died circa 1572 and again this John Blake the Elder was the son of Robert Blake.

I earlier blogged on the will of James Blake, Laborer, Upton Hampshire: http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2012/10/will-of-james-blake-laborer-upton.html

and I note that there is a reference to the granddaughter of this James being married to a James Ball. There was a legacy to a Rebecca Ball in this will surprisingly. But then the name is not uncommon so may not mean a thing. There are many many Blake lines in this area of Hampshire in the 1800s.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 6 Apr 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1341/276
Testator:  John Blake, Yeoman
Place: Buckleberry, Berkshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document:  19 Feb 1796, probated 27 May 1800
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: John
[Margin]: Blake

1    This is the last Will
2    and Testament of me John Blake of Bucklebury
3    in the County of Berks yeoman by which I dispose
4    of my Estate and Effects as follows that is to say
5    I give and bequeath unto my Brother Nathaniel Blake of Hursborne
6    in the County of hants that Sum of Sixty pounds
7    which he now is indebted to me on a Note of
8    hand I give and bequeath unto my Brother
9    Richard Blake of Aldbourn in the County of
10    Wilts that Sum of Ten pounds which he now is
11    indebted to me on a Note of hand I give and
12    bequeath unto my sister Mary Wyes of Hursbone
13    the sum of Ten pounds I give and bequeath
14    unto Mary Blake wife of my Brother Nathaniel
15    Blake the sum of Ten pounds I give and
16    bequeath unto Martha Winkworth daughter of
17    my Brother Nathaniel Blake the sum of Ten
18    pounds I give and bequeath unto Mary Guy
19    daughter of my Brother Nathaniel Blake the
20    Sum of Ten pounds I give and bequeath unto
21    Elizabeth
    [Page 2]
22    Elizabeth Worman daughter of my Brother Nathaniel
23    Blake the Sum of Ten pounds I give and bequeath
24    unto Sarah Hodges daughter of Nathaniel Hodges the younger
25    of Bucklebury the Sum of Ten pounds I give and bequeath
26    unto Daniel Alway Son of Thomas Alway the Sum of
27    Five pounds I give and bequeath unto Rebecca Ball
28    daughter of William Ball the sum of five pounds
30    I give and bequeath unto William Law of Bucklebury
31    the Sum of five pounds I give and bequeath unto
32    Isabella Law wife of Walter Law the younger of Bucklebury
33    the Sum of five pounds I give and bequeath unto
34    Walter Law the younger of Bucklebury the Sum of Twenty
35    pounds and all the Rest residue and remainder of my
36    worldly Goods and Effects whatsoever and wheresoever
37    if any shall remain after paying my Just debts
38    Funeral and Testamentary Expences I give devise and
39    bequeath unto the said Nathaniel Blake Richard
40    Blake Mary Wyes and Walter Law the younger to be
41    parted equally amongst them Share and Share
42    alike and I do hereby Nominate and appoint the said
43    Walter Law the younger to be Sole Executor of this
44    my last Will and Testament hereby revoking all
45    other Wills by me heretofore made In witness whereof
46    I the said John Blake have hereunto set my
47    hand and seal this nineteenth day of February
48    in the year of our Lord one thousand seven
49    hundred and ninety six John Blake
50    Signed Sealed published and declared by the
51    Testator as and for his last Will and Testament
52    in the presence of us who in his presence and
53    in the presence of each other have hereunto
54    set our hands as witnesses hereto The Mark X of
55    John Louch  Robert Wyatt
56    This Will was proved at London
57    the twenty seventh day of May in the year of
58    our Lord one thousand Eight hundred before the
59    worshipful Alexander Crote doctor of Laws Surrogate
60    of the Right honorable Sir William Wynne Knight
61    also doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary
62    of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
63    constituted by the oath of Walter Law the
64    younger the Sole Executor named in the said
65    Will to whom administration was granted
66    of all and singular the Goods Chattels and
67    Credits of the deceased having been first sworn
68    duly to administer

Will of William Blake Esquire of the Inner Temple, London - National Archives PROB 11/193/426, probated 5 Jul 1645

Reading through this will it is possible to determine that William is the son of William Blake of Hales House in the county of Middlesex, Justice of the Peace and Mary who was the daughter of Henery Beverley of London (she was born in Yorkshire). William Blake of Hales House (father of the testator) is a son of John Blake and Margarett Blake of Eastontowne and brother to Sara married to William Rolfe. The particular visitation that I am looking at for Middlesex is unsigned. It lists two children for William Blake and Mary Beverley namely William and John (John died young without issue). On the Pedigree Chart for the Blake family held at the Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office, William is shown as married to Mary Beverley but their children are not entered. Sir William Blake of Kensington (his full title) lived at Hales House and his inventory was prepared dated 2 Feb 1630/31 so we know that he died before that date. According to Boyd's Inhabitants of London William Blake and Mary Beverley were married 26 Nov 1602 and they were living in St Dunstan West parish and it was by License of the Bishop of London

The testator has been married twice with the first marriage in 1623 to Margaret Newsam and the second marriage in 1627 to Anne Bay. Mary is his daughter from the first marriage and Christopher and Ann are his children from the second marriage.

It does seem from the will that there is a rather sad story attached to this will. William would still be a relatively young man in 1645 just 40 years old. He was an alumuni of Broadgates Hall, Oxford entitled to arms as the son of William of Kensington. He was master of the Fine Office and buried at the Temple Church 27 June 1645. He was aged 15 years when he matriculated 15 Mar 1620/21 and a student of the Inner Temple 1624. He appears to have married very young in 1623 (only 18 years of age). Christopher named as his son and heir apparent which is interesting in itself but did not follow his father to Oxford or the Inner Temple.

I have just updated the Blake-Andover file on World Connect to include quite a few of the wills and this is a five generation chart beginning with (unknown) Blake married to Jone Blake who left her will in 1527 at Enham and looks at their descendants for four generations.

http://wc.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?db=blake-andover

It is always nice to place people into their genealogical niche although it would be lovely to know more about this line other than that he is a grandson of John Blake and Margarett Blake of Eastontown. It is through his brother Thomas' line that the future King of England descends as Diana, Princess of Wales through her father Lord Spencer traces back to the Blake family of Eastontown.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26th October 2010
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/193/426
Testator: William Blake Esquire of the Inner Temple
Place: London, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 1 May 1645, probated 5 Jul 1645
Read: Electronic copy
Condition: scan, smudges, old English writing good, contrast medium

[Margin]: T[estat]m[ent] William
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the name of God Amen, The
2    First day of May Anno D[o]m[ini] 1645 and in the one and twentieth yeare
3    of the raigne of our Soveraigne Lord Charles by the grace of god king
4    of England Scotland France and Ireland defender of the faith etc I
5    Wm Blake of the Inner Temple London Esquire being in health of body and
6    of good and perfect minde and memorie thankes be given to allmighty god
7    and calling to remembrance the mortalitie of my flesh doe make and declare
8    this my last will and testament in manner and forme following that is to
9    say First and principally I com[m]itt and com[m]end my soule into the hands of
10    allmighty god whoe gave it w[i]th assured hope and confidence of ye remission
11    of my sinnes by the merrits death and passion of my lord and Saviour
12    Jesus Christ. My bodie being of the masse and substance of the earth to the
13    earth I com[m]itt and to be interred in the Temple Church And as touching
14    such worldly goods and substance as god in mercie hath blessed me withall
15    in this life I doe give and bequeath the same in manner and form following
16    that is to say Imprimis my will is that my office com[m]only called the Fine Office
17    be forthwith sould or otherwise ordered by my executors hereafter men[t]ioned
18    whose best care I earnestly desire may be used in the same; that the
19    Proffite thereof may be disposed in manner following That is to say I give
20    and bequeath to my daughter Mary Blake the somme of five hundred pounds
21    of lawfull money of England for her por[t]ion and preferment And to
22    my daughter Ann Blake for her undutifull and direspective carriage to
23    me renounceng me and my care over her adhering to her mother to be
24    bred up in all lewdnes and dissolutenesse of life I give and bequeath fiftie
25    pounds of like lawfull money Provided that yf either the same Anne or Marie
26    or any for them shall at any tyme hereafter sue or raise any suite to be
27    com[m]enced by them or by any other in their names against my executors for any
28    arrears of annuitie payable or pretended to be heretofore lyable to be
29    payed out of the proffits of my said office to my mother Dame Mary Blake
30    deceased her executor or assignes Then my will is that her por[t]ion that
31    shall sue or cause any suite as aforesaid be reduced to five pounds and
32    noe more to be allowed then by my executors for their intire por[t]ions Item
33    I give and bequeath to Ann Badger of Westminster widdow and relict of
34    Wm Badger gent the sum of twentie pounds of lawful money of England
35    Item my will is that my wife Anne Blake shall not meddle or have any
36    Thinge to doe with my office or proffits of the same or any thinge thereto
37    belonging her ioyncture being made good unto her and enioy it soe longe
38    as it pleases god - lasciuiosa et miatiata uxor nee ofsa mia quidom haves -
39    But that my executors shall have the sole ordering and dispossing of my children
40    and of my said office to the uses here expressed or for my other use toucheing
41    the settling of the said ioynture Item I give and bequeath all the rest and
42    residue of my estate reall and p[er]sonall (my funerall discharged with mourning
    [Page 2]
43    only for my legatees and for Mrs Dorothie Tokfeild daughter of the aforenamed
44    Anne Badger and my executors here expressed, one obligation of four hundred
45    pounds principall debt to th[e ]aforesaid Anne Badger and one other obligation of one
46    hundred pounds principall debt to Silvester Boston Taylor wholy excepted)
47    To Christopher Blake my sonne and heire apparant excepting alsoe five pounds
48    a peece to my executors besides their necessary expenses in the prosecu[t]ion of
49    this my will Lastly I doe make nominate and ordaine my loveing freinds Wm
50    Rolfe John Goodwyne and Wm Methalde Esquires Executors of this my
51    Last will and testament In witness whereof I the said Wm Blake heretofore-
51    unto set my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written Wm Blake
52    Sealed published and pronounced in the p[re]sence of Willi: Beverley Richard
53    Ball M[y] [w]ill the interlynenge in this will were entirely mad and altered
54    before the sealing hereof.

Will of James Blake, Laborer, Upton Hampshire - PROB11/2090/398, probated 13 Apr 1849

James Blake is not known to me. I could not find a marriage that would fit in with the likely dates nor could I isolate him using the three children's baptisms. He is likely the James Blake who died in Mar quarter 1849 in Andover Registration District  (Free BMD) where his grand daughter is living with her husband James Ball. The will indicates that James Ball is of Upton. Upton is only 2 miles north west of Hurstborne Tarrant not to be confused with Upton Grey in Hampshire.

On the 1841 census (District 4) there is a John Blake family at Hurstborne Tarrant: John Blake 30, Charlotte Blake 30, Edward Blake 8, Sarah Blake 6 and Thomas Blake 4.    There is also a John Blake 60, Mary Blake 50 and Elizabeth Blake 15. There were a number of Ball families but did not find James and Elizabeth in District 4 but there is a James Ball 30 and Elizabeth Ball 20 (actually she would have been 24 or 25 so they have rounded her age down) with James 5 years in District 5 Hurstborne Tarrant (Brickleton Upton). I expected to find James Blake in Upton but could not locate him there. James did have two sons John and James and perhaps the Johns at Hurstborne Tarrant are his son and grandson. No sign of the younger James Blake either.At Vernham's Dean there is a William Blake shoemaker 50, Harriett Blake 45 (not born in Hampshire), William 9, Goerge 7. There is a Parker family there: William Parker 20, Lucy Parker 20, Charles Parker 7, Jane Parker 5, Charlotte Parker 2, James Parker 6 mo. Also a William Parker 25, Jane Parker 20, Alfred Parker 8 mo.

James' daughter Mary Blake married William Parker 29 Apr 1811 at Hurstbourne Tarrant.

Children of William Parker and Mary Blake:

James Parker born 16 Dec 1813 and baptized 26 Dec 1813 at Hurstbourne Tarrant (C02265-3 Family Search)

Elizabeth Parker born 15 May 1816 and baptized 26 May 1816 at Hurstbourne Tarrant (C02265-3 Family Search)

John Parker born 3 Apr 1819 and baptized 16 May 1819 at Hurstbourne Tarrant (C02265-3 Family Search)

Did not find a Thomas Parker that I could definitely place with these parents in a place that fitted with the rest. There was one in Warwickshire but does seem quite far removed from Hurstborne Tarrant where the rest were born. Only Thomas Parker and Elizabeth (Parker) Ball were mentioned in the will below.

Elizabeth Parker married James Ball 15 Oct 1835 at Vernham's Dean which is 2 miles north west of Upton (M13672-2 Family Search).

Looking at my own Blake family as this is very close to Andover where my family lived, James's daughter Mary married in 1811 so she was likely born around 1790 and he names her last in the will which may mean that she is the youngest but not necessarily. However, James would have been born likely before 1770. I have a singleton 4x great grandfather in Joseph Blake born in 1730, married in 1757 and he left only two sons William who lived at Andover (and does not appear to have left children) and Thomas who lived at Upper Clatford. These two are in the right time frame but I do not have a James in my line. Joseph's father was also an only child so that I go back to his father Thomas (b 1685) and he had four brothers - John baptized 23 Nov 1690 at Andover (buried 27 Nov 1729 at Andover), Richard (b 23 Nov 1691 and buried 25 May 1694 at Andover), William (b 9 Jan 1698 at Andover and no further information) and Joseph (b 24 Feb 1702 at Andover) married to Mary Holdway 11 Feb 1730 at Penton Mewsey with son Joseph who was buried 1746 at Andover (I have the will of Joseph and he did not have a son James). Once I return to working on Andover Parish Registers (I stopped at 1757) then I may be able to trace the Blake lines down there that I do not yet have. I do not have the parish registers for Hurstbourne Tarrant or Vernham's Dean but will acquire them one of these days.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 8 Oct 2012
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/2090/398
Name of testator: James Blake, Laborer
Place: Upton, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated:, 16 Jan 1847, Codicil 5 Oct 1848, probated 13 Apr 1849
Read: Electronic file images
Condition: 19th century, smudged tiny print
[In margin] James
[In margin] Blake
[In margin] 6

1    I James Blake of Upton Hants Laborer do by this my
2    last Will and Testament give and bequeath unto and equally between
3    my three children John Blake James Blake and Mary Parker all my mo-
4    nies security for money funded property household goods and all other
5    Estate and Effects  of which I may die possessed or entitled to and whether in
6    possession or otherwise To hold the same unto these my said three children
7    in equal shares for their own use and benefit And in case of any or
8    either of them dying in my lifetime then it is my will and I do hereof
9    give and bequeath unto and equally between the Children of such of these
10    my said children the share or shares of him her or them so dying and
11    which he she or they would have taken and been entitled to under this my
12    will if alive at my death And I hereby constitute and appoint my Son
13    James Blake the Executor of this my will In witness whereof I have here
14    with set my hand this sixteenth day of January 1847 James Blake X
15    his mark Signed and published by the said James Blake the Testator
16    as and for his last Will and Testament in the presence of us who in his pre-
17    sence at his request and in the presence of each other have hereto set our
18    names as witnesses and declare that the said James Blake made his mark
19    hereto in our presence and that we signed our names in his presence and in
20    the presence of each other Henry Earle [signed] William Henry Earle [signed]
21    This is a Codicil to the within will of me James Blake
22    of Upton hants Laborer I hereby revoke and make void the appointment of
23    my Son James Blake as Executor of my Will and in lieu and instead there-
24    of I hereby nominate and appoint James Ball of Upton aforesaid Laborer
25    the husband of my Granddaughter Sole Executor of my said Will and this
26    Codicil and my daughter Mary Parker in my will named being dead I give
27    and bequeath unto and equally between her two children Thomas Parker
28    and Elizabeth Ball, the wife of my Executor; the one third part or share of my
29    monies and personal estate which she the said Mary Parker would have
30    been entitled to under my will if alive at my death And I revoke the bequest
31    of my household goods and furniture and other household Effects as included
32    under the general bequest in my will and do hereby give and bequeath
33    my said household goods furniture china and other articles of household
34    Goods unto my said grand daughter Elizabeth Ball for her own use and
35    benefit and I confirm my will in other respects In witness whereof I have
36    hereto set my hand this fifth day of October 1848 James Blake X his mark
37    Signed by the said James Blake as a Codicil to his will in the presence of us
38    who in his presence  at his request and in the presence of each other have
39    hereto set our names as witnesses and we declare that the said James Blake
40    made his mark in our presence the above Codicil having been first read over
41    to him and we signed in the presence of each other and all present at the same
42    time Henry Earle [signed] Lloyd Joorey [signed]
43    Proved at London with a Codicil 13th April 1848 before the Judge by the
44    Oath of James Ball the Executor named in the said Codicil to whom admon
45    was granted having been first sworn by Commission to administer.