Matthew Hemsley (circa 1710s - )

52 Ancestor Challenge - Challenge 19

Blake, King, Coleman, Pearce, Farmer, unknown, Lambden, Sarah (unknown), Knight, Ellis, Knight, Vincent, Butt, Durnford, Arnold, Molton, Cotterel, Bartlett, Alderman, Ann (unknown), Sherwood, unknown, Habberfield, Collings, Rawlings, Tanner, Dove, Morgan, Lywood, Canham, unknown, Peck, Pincombe, Charley, Rowcliffe, Pearse, Rew, Moggridge, Siderfin, Kent, Gray, Hilton, Cobb, Sproxton, Routledge, Tweddle, Routledge, Routledge, (unknown) Buller, unknown, Beard, Hemsley, Welch, Brockhouse, Cheatle, Woodcock, unknown Taylor, unknown, Harborne, Lewis, Roberts, Croxall, Lawley, unknown

Matthew Hemsley is an interesting story. Possibly my 4x great grandfather mostly according to my cousin Robin Beard so I thought I would pursue Matthew this 52 Ancestor Challenge. I do find it interesting that Matthew has a daughter Elizabeth born 16 Oct 1742 in Newington St Mary, Brixton, Surrey. Newington (or Newington St Mary) is a parish in close proximity to Bermondsey St Mary Magdalen. Indeed they are 1.1 miles apart. Elizabeth was the second child of Matthew Hemsley and Mary Coal. But I do note that the only son of Henry Beard and Elizabeth Hemsley was named Henry and in later generations the forename Matthew does not occur. Possibly I shouldn't judge on that because Matthew and Mary named their only son George and he was baptized 20 Jul 1744 at St Mary Newington. The only other children were Mary baptized 23 Aug 1741 (born 22 Aug 1741) and buried by 1750 and a second Mary baptized 14 Feb 1750 and all events at St Mary Newington.

To really place this area in context it is just 1.2 miles from Newington St Mary to Westminster Abbey in London.

Mary, wife of Matthew Hemsley was buried 27 Apr 1753 at St Mary Newington. I have done a little searching of the parish registers but did not find a burial date for Matthew yet.

My cousin found yet another interesting marriage between John Hemsley and Martha Roland 6 Feb 1704 at St Mary le Bow, London. Martha was baptized 20 Dec 1677 at Morden, Surrey but my cousin did not find a baptism for a John Hemsley that was for sure this man. John and Martha baptized three children at St Saviour Brixton:

Martha baptized 28 Jun 1709
John Roland baptized 3 Apr 1711 and buried 18 Aug 1746 at Morden
Susanna baptized 17 Sep 1712

Was there also a Matthew born to this couple before 1709? In retrospect I think this might be a bit too presumptive as there are other Hemsley families at St Mary Newington but since the work was done I have decided to post the following information on the Roland family at Morden. 

Martha Roland is thought to be the daughter of John and Elizabeth Roland and baptized 20 Dec 1677 at Morden, Surrey. This John Roland and his wife Elizabeth had seven children and baptisms were found for the following five:

Rebekah 29 Sep 1676 baptized at St Lawrence Morden
Martha 20 Dec 1677 baptized at St Lawrence Morden
Hannah 4 Apr 1679  and buried 13 Apr 1704 at St Lawrence Morden
Thomas baptized 15 Oct 1680 and buried 17 Oct 1680 at St Lawrence Morden
Jane baptized 23 Jul 1682 at St Lawrence Morden, married William Tyson 3 Jan 1714 at St Ethelburga Bishopsgate, London

The other two being:

Elizabeth born circa  1673, married to Bartholomew Elliot circa 1708 and their children Ann circa 1708 and buried circa 1708 and Elizabeth born circa 1711.

John born circa 1674 and buried 21 Nov 1691 at Morden (mentioned on the Church Plaque below)


There is a Plaque in the Church at St Lawrence Morden:

40. Near this place lyeth interr'd the body of John Roland, Gent., late of this parish who departed this life the 18th day of October Anno Domini 1700, in the 58th year of his age. Also the body of John Roland son of the said John Roland and Elizabeth his wife who departed this life the 14th day of November Anno Domini 1691 in the 17th year of his age. Likewise the body of Thomas Roland son of the said John and Elizabeth Roland who dyed an Infant. Also Rowland Hemsley who died July ye 30th aged 33.

Arms. — Sable, a pile wavy Argent.

Crest. — An eagle with a ball.

The Rowland Hemsley who died 30 Jul aged 33 is reminiscent of the John Roland Hemsley above son of John Hemsley and Martha Roland. Are they one and the same? John Rowland Hemsley died at 35 years of age and was buried 18 Aug 1746.

Another tomb in the church (Table Tomb) :

97. Here lyeth interred the body of Mre Hannah Roland daughter of John Roland gent, late of this parish and Elizabeth his wife Who departed this life the 5th day of April Anno Domini 1704 in the 25th year of her age.

Source for Memorial Stones:  http://archive.org/stream/registersofmorde00mord/registersofmorde00mord_djvu.txt


Will of John Roland:

Source: The National Archives PROB 11/467/67
Date of document:  6 Jun 1702, probated 10 Nov 1702
Author: Johannis Roland
Location: Morden, Surrey, England

[In margin] T[esta]m[ent] Johannis Roland
1    This is the Last Will and
2    Testament of me John Roland of Moreden in the County of Surrey
3    Being written off with my own hand Wherein First I commend
4    My soul into the hands of Almighty God in hope of his acceptance
5    Into Glory And my body I commit to the Earth to be privately
6    Yet decently buryed without any manner of pomp or ostentation by
7    My Executors herein after named where about my will is that they
8    Shall not spend above the summe of thirty pounds And I doe desire
9    That my body may be layd as near to the body of my sonn John deceased
10    As may be in the Parish Church of Moredon aforesaid if I shall dye
11    At Moredon or within tenn Miles thereof otherwise where I shall
12    Happen to dye I will that all my debts be justly paid And I doe
13    Give and bequeath unto my cozen Martha Huish the summe of five
14    Pounds and unto my sister Marys daughter the summe of three pounds
15    And tenn shillings and to the poor of the parish of Moredon aforesaid
16    The summe of forty shillings And my desire is that my loveing wife and
17    Such of my daughters as shall be unmarryed at the time of my decease
18    Shall live together in my house at Moredon aforesaid dureing the
19    Life of my said wife or untill such daughters shall be marryed my
20    Said wife maintaining such daughters But notwithstanding their
21    Marriage my desire is that my wife shall live there and have the
    [page 2]
22    Reasonable use of the furniture thereof dureing her life Yet in case
23    Only that she continues herself a widdow soe long not otherwise All
24    My reall and personall Estate what soever and wheresoever whether the
25    Same be in my owne name or in any other persons I give devise and
26    Bequeath unto such of my daughters as shall be unmarryed at the
27    Time of my decease and unto their heires Exec[utor]s Adm[inistrator]s and assignes
28    Paying thereout unto such of my daughters as shall be then marryed
29    By and with my consent soe much moneys as shall amount to make
30    All such daughters portions equall as near as may be And in case
31    All my daughters be marryed I give and devise the same in manner
32    As aforesaid to such daughters only as shall be marryed by and
33    With my consent my expresse meaning being that such of my daughters
34    Who shall be marryed in my life time without my consent shall have no
35    Part of my reall or personall Estate And I doe make my daughters
36    Martha and Hanna Esec[utor]s of this my Will And I doe appoint my
37    Good friend and neighbour Mr. Peter Batt (haveing noe Male
38    Relation whatsoever of my owne family to intrust Overseer of this
39    My last Will desireing him to be assistant to my wife and Exec[utor]s in their
40    Affaires and for this trouble or rather a Token of my respects to him
41    I give him two twenty shilling peices of broad Gold And I doe
42    Revoke all former wills by me heretofore made And in witness
43    Whereof I have hereunto set my hand and seale this sixth day of June
44    In the yeare of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and two John
45    Roland [signed] signed sealed and published as the last Will and Testament of
46    The said John Roland in the presence of us and by me subscribed in
47    His presence the same day and yeare James Braley [signed] Thomas Cope [signed]
48    Elizabeth Braley [signed]

John doesn't mention Elizabeth, Rebekah or Jane as his daughters by name only Martha and Hannah his executrices. By the tombstone he is known to be 56 but his year of burial is mentioned as 1700 and this will is dated 1702. An error in transcription on the tombstone perhaps as it does appear to be the correct John Roland.

The will of Elizabeth Roland was written 1 Nov 1714 also at Morden. Her death is not mentioned on the above tombstone. Elizabeth only mentions her eldest daughter Elizabeth. Is this the wife of John Roland as she doesn't mention her husband's forename.

Source: The National Archives PROB 11/547/86
Date of document: 1 Nov 1714
Author: Elizabeth Roland
Location: Morden, Surrey, England

[In margin] T[esta]m[ent] Eliza Roland
1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Elizabeth Roland of Moredon in the County of Surrey widow
3    Being aged and infirm in Body but of sound and perfect
4    Mind and memory do make this my last Will and Testament
5    In manner following Imprimis I commend my soul into the
6    Hands of allmighty God that gave it being hoping assuredly
7    Through his mercys and the precious merits of my blessed
8    Saviour and Redemer Christ Jesus hereafter to be made
9    Partaker of Everlasting Life my Body I committ to the
10    Earth from whence it came to be buried in Moredon Church
11    As near my late husband as possible And as touching my
12    Worldly Estate I give devise and dispose thereof in manner
13    Following That is to say I give and devise to my loving
14    Freinds Peter Batt of Moredon aforesaid Yeoman and John
15    Mason Citizen and Mercer of London and the survivor of
16    Them the summe of four hundred and fifty pounds of
17    Lawfull Money of Great Britain which is out at Interest
18    Upon diverse Securities nevertheless upon this speciall Trust and
19    Confidence that they the said Peter Batt and John Mason and
20    The Survivor of them do so soon after my decease as conveniently
21    They can lay out the said summe of four hundred and fifty
22    Pounds in the purchase of Lands and Tenements to that value
23    Within Thirty miles of London and to settle the same Lands to
24    The use of my Grandaughter Elizabeth Elliott daughter of my
25    Son in law Bartholomew Elliott of Wallington Yeoman and
26    The heirs of her body lawfully begotten or to be begotten and
27    my Will and meaning is that the Rents and profits of the said
28    ERstate to be purchased as aforesaid during the Minority of
29    my said Grandaughter Shall go and be paid to my daughter
30    Elizabeth Elliott her Mother towards the Maintenance and
31    Education of my said Grandaughter And in case my said
32    Grandaughter Elizabeth shall happen to dye under Age and
33    without issue then I give and devise the said intended purchased
34    Lands and Tenements to the next Child or Children of my said
35    daughter Elizabeth and the heires of their Bodys lawfully begotten
36    in equall Succession as they are in priority of Birth and Seniority
37    of Age And in case of their deaths then I will and devise the
38    Said Lands to my Said Son in Law Bartholomew Elliott and
39    Elizabeth his Wife for the Term of their Lives and the Life of the
40    longer liver of them And after their decease then to the right
41    heires of my said daughter Elizabeth for Ever and to no other
42    use intent or purpose whatsoever And my further will and
43    Meaning is that what charges and expences my said Trustees
44    or the Survivor of them shall be put unto in purchasing of the
45    said Lands and in the Execution of this their Trust they shall
46    deduct and detain to their own use out of such Moneys as shall
47    come to their hands Item I give to the poor of Morden Forty
48    Shillings to be paid at my Funerall by my Executrix hereafter
49    named Lastly All the rest and residue of my Goods Chattles
50    ready Moneys Plate and household stuff and personal Estate
51    whatsoever that are in my disposal and not herein before by
52    me disposed of I give and bequeath to my said daughter
53    Elizabeth Elliott desiring her to pay and defray thereout all my
54    just debts and Funeral charges And I do hereby nominate and
55    appoint my said daughter Elizabeth Sole Executrix of this my
56    Last Will and Testament Revoking all other Wills by me formerly
57    made and declare this my last Will In Witness whereof I have
58    to this my last Will and Testament contained in these severall
59    sheets of paper put my hand and Seal to each Sheet of paper
60    this First day of November in the year of our Lord Christ
61    One thousand Seven hundred and Fourteen I Elizabeth Roland
62    her mark Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said
63    Elizabeth Roland to be her last Will and Testament and
64    attested and subscribed in her presence by us Geo: Knapp Wm
65    Batts Stephen Savery


However they both mention their neighbour Mr Peter Batt as being their good friend. I am left to think that these are the wills of the husband John and the wife Elizabeth and she has outlived him by more than a decade.

This is added to the story of Matthew Hemsley mostly to remind me of my cousin's thoughts and the small amount of work that I did do at the time when we were writing back and forth looking at this Hemsley line.

Ancestry of Matthew Hemsley

1. Elizabeth BLAKE
2. Helen Louise PINCOMBE (b 18 Oct 1916) - Westminster Township, Middlesex County, Ontario, Canada
3. Ellen Rosina BULLER (b 20 May 1886) - Birmingham Warwickshire England
4. Edwin Denner BULLER (b 8 Apr 1850) - Birmingham Warwickshire England
5. Henry Christopher BULLER (b 30 Jan 1805)- St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Surrey England
6. Mary BEARD (b 15 Decd 1767) - St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey Surrey England
7. Elizabeth HEMSLEY (b possibly 16 Oct 1742) - St Mary Newington Surrey England
possibly
8. Matthew HEMSLEY


It was interesting looking at Matthew once again and I now have in my mind a clearer picture of my cousin's thoughts with regard to Matthew and possibly John as being the father and grandfather of Elizabeth. There was a John Hemsley buried at St Mary Magdalen Bermondsey who had been living at Grange Road that I found earlier so will have another look at the Burial Register. I found a burial for John Hemsley 28 Nov 1781 again Grange Roade. He was 58 years of age. Since Elizabeth was only 38 I do not think that they are related as Matthew is more likely to be the father of Elizabeth and John not old enough to be her grandfather. I did not find a John Hemsley as a brother to Elizabeth but rather a George. Plus at 58 years his likely year of birth would be 1723

I found a James Beard 16 months old buried 12 Aug 1781 so am left to wonder if this was another son for Henry Beard and Elizabeth Hemsley. Elizabeth was buried 22 Jul 1781 and the last child I have for this couple was Sarah born 23 Feb 1777 and baptized 2 Mar 1777. His birth would have been February 1780 so will have another look at the baptismal register another time.

It does rather seem like I am undoing some of the research but I think I am seeing it more clearly five years later and can see where I need to do some work now that more records are online. I can perhaps solve the mystery of the Beard/Hemsley families back another generation from Henry Beard and Elizabeth Hemsley.

Will of George Blake, Gentleman, Plymstock - The National Archives PROB 11/244/607, probated 16 Aug 1655

Will of George Blake and this is the third of 25 Devon wills that I will be transcribing over the next month or so. I know of three Blake lines in Devon; I do not know if they are related although it is possible that one is descendant of the Somerset Blake family and one of the Hampshire Blake family. Were they related? That is one of the many reasons for the yDNA study of the Blake family and as it slowly grows we are on a voyage of discovery trying to learn more about the deep ancestry of this very interesting British Isles family. 

As mentioned in the will of Ferdinando Blake, George is the first cousin once removed of the testator Ferdinand Blake whose will was probated last:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/06/will-of-ferdinando-blake-elder.html

From the Visitation of Devon 1620 and signed by John Blake the father of this George the testator, John Blake father of George married Dorithie Wood and they had four sons and three daughters namely: John (bc 1608), George, Nicholas and Edward and Suzan, Elizabeth and Jane. George is born before 1620 and probably closer to 1608 so is probably in his 40s when he died. George’s father and Ferdinand were half brothers in that Ferdinand was the son of John Blake and Mary Fortescue and John was the son of John Blake and Elizabeth Slannig (John was actually married a third time to Grace Cock). John the father of John (eldest) and Ferdinand 2nd son was himself the son of John Blake and Stivolla Weeke and in turn this John was the son of John Blake also of Comb and Elizabeth Lugar. Using a somewhat arbitrary scale of 25 years to a generation and knowing that George’s brother was 12 at the taking of the Visitation then his father John was born circa 1583, his father John was born circa 1558 and his father John would be born circa 1533. Investigating the Parish Registers for Combe may be a good next step to look at this particular Blake family. They married primarily into Devon families.

Always nice to link families together and indeed as mentioned in the will of Ferdinand his son Ferdinand sold the property at Combe in 1663/64. The Blake family in Devon can be found at Combe and at North Molton but also in the Plymouth area as likely founding families (although they could have migrated to Devon from elsewhere).

The marriage of William Coram and Jana Blake was celebrated 28 Oct 1639 at Buckland Monachorum, Devon. There was a William Coram son of William baptized 7 Mar 1644 at Ottery St Mary. This Jana Blake is a sister to George the testator and is presumably Jane.



There are references at the beginning and the end of the will in the margin possibly referring to land dealings with respect to Combe in 1666 noting that the eventual inheritor of the land was to be the son of Ferdinand - Ferdinand and that in 1663/64 Ferdinand and his wife Ruth sold the property. There were apparently court cases involving this particular piece of property for a number of years following the sale of the property to the Fortescue family (noting that the grandmother of the seller (mother of Ferdinand the testator in the will published earlier) was Mary Fortescue.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 24 Jun 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/244/607
Testator: George Blake, Gentleman
Place: Plymstock, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 20 May 1654, probated 16 Aug 1655
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estament] Georij
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: ______________________ 1666

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I George Blake of Combe within the parishe of
3    of Plymstock in the Countie of Devon gent beinge sicke of
4    bodie but perfect of minde and sound of memorie Thanks
5    be unto God and knowinge it is appointed that all men
6    might dye and nothinge more certaine then death but
7    The tyme when where and howe most uncertaine
8    therefore whiles God hath given me time and life I
9    doe make and ordaine this my last Will and Testamewnt
10    in manner and forme following First I commend my
11    Sowle into the hands of the Everliving God my Creator And my
12    Bodie to the Earth the mother of all mankind Trusting assuredly
13    that through the merits and bloudy passion of Jesus Christ
14    myne onely Saviour and Redeemer both Sowle and bodye shall
15    at the general day of resurrection be againe reunited and enioy
16    everlasting blessedness in his heavenly kingdome for evermore
17    And touching my reall and personal estate which God in his
18    great mercie hath blessed me withal I doe thereof dispose and
19    bequeath the same as followeth First I give unto the poore
20    people of Plymstocke aforesaid Twenty shillings to be distributed
21    amongst them by myne Executrix hereafter named in suich
22    manner as she shall thincke fit And whereas my beloved wife
23    Johan Blake
    [Page 2]
24    Johan Blake is to have an enioye one annuitye or yearelie rent
25    charge of Fiftie poundes to be issuing and payeable unto her
26    after my death dureing her life out of all that my Capitall messuage
27    Barton Farme lands and Tenements commonly called or knowne by the
28    name of Combe otherwise Combe Pryors and Lower Combe situate
29    lyinge within the said parishe of Plymstock and nowe in the tenure
30    possession or occupant[i]on of me the said George Blake mine Under-
31    tenants or assignes I doe nowe in recompence of her love and
32    faithfulness towards me and for her better preferment and livelihood
33    give devise and bequeath unto the said Johane my loveinge wife
34    All the said Capitall messuage Barton Farme Tenements
35    and all houses edifices buildinges courtledges gardens
36    orchards lands meadowes leasows pasture woods underwoodes
37    wasts ways pathes waters watercourses easements priviledges
38    profits commodityes and hereditaments with thappurtenancs to
39    the said Capitall messuage Barton and farme or to any or
40    either of them incident belonging or in any wise apperteyninge
41    To have and to hould the same unto my said loveinge wife
42    ymmediately from and after my death for and dureing the tearms
43    of her life Provided it shalbe lawfull for the said Johane to get
44    the same premises or any yt thereof to any person or persons for the terme of twentie years lease
45    or under at her pleasure And after her death my Will and meaning
46    is and I doe hereby give and devise all the said Capitall messuage
47    Barton and Farme of Combe otherwise called Combe Pryors
48    and Lower Combe and all other thaforesaid premises and every
49    part and parcel thereof with thappurtenancs to my nephew
50    William Corham sonne of my sister Joane late the wife of
51    William Corham deceased To have and to hould the same
52    unto my said nephew William Corham his Executors
53    administrators and Assignes ymediatelie from and after the death
54    of the said Johane my wife for and duringe the tenure of
55    fower score and nyneteene yeares then next ensueinge fullie
56    to be complete and ended if the said William Corham my
57    nephew and such women as shalbe his wife at the time of his
58    death and his eldest child w[hi]ch shalbe liveinge at the time of
59    his death or any or either of them soe longe shall happen to live
60    they yeildinge and paying then therefore yearelie unto such as
61    shalbe myne heires and assignes thereof the annuall rent of
62    fower poundes lawfull money of England at fower the most
63    usuall Feastes in the yeare (that is to saie) The feasts of the
64    Nativitie of St John the Baptist St Michaell Tharkangell
65    the birth of our Lord God and thann[un]cia[t]ion of the blessed Virgin
66    Mary by even and equall por[t]tions to be paid dureing the saide
67    terme The first payment thereof to commence and begin at such
68    of the said feasts as shall first happen next after the death of
69    the said Johane my wife and alsoe repayringe and mainteyninge
70    the said premises and every part thereof in all needful and
71    necessarie reparactions when and as often as neede shalbe And
72    towards the reparations thereof it shall and may be lawfull
73    to and for my said nephew his Executors and Assignes to have
74    and take sufficient and necessarie houseboote and great timber
75    plougheboote, fireboote, hayboote, hedgeboote Frith and stukey
76    of the Trees woodes and underwoodes in and upon the premises
77    growing or hereafter to be growing when and as often as
78    neede shalbe without delivery doeing noe voluntarie wast Alsoe
    [Page 3]
79    I give and bequeath unto my neece Joane Corham sister of the said
80    William Corham Fiftie poundes lawfull money of England To be
81    paid unto her out of the profits and issues of the said Brixton
82    Farme and lands of Combe by the said William Corham her
83    brother his Executors or Assignes within twoe yeares next after
84    the Comencement of the estate and terme to him hereby devised of
85    and in the said Capitall messuage Barton and Farme called Combe
86    otherwise Combe Pryors as above said And lastlie I give and devise
87    unto my Cosen Ferdinando Blake of Brixton sonne and heire of
88    Ferdinando Blake deceased this heritance and rever[s]ion of all the
89    Said Capitall messuage Barton and Farme called Combe otherwise
90    Combe Pryor and Lower Combe and all houses edifices buildings
91    courtledges gardens orchards lands Tenements meadowes leasues pastures woods
92    underwoods rents wasts commons ways pathes waters waterroutes
93    easements profits comodityes and hereditaments with thappurten[an]cs
94    to the said Capitall messuage Barton and Farme in any wise
95    incident belonginge to apperteyninge To have and to hould the
96    Same unto the said Ferdinando Blake his heires and Assignes
97    for ever Provided always and upon Condicion nevertheless That if
98    the said Ferdinando Blake his heires and Assignes or any of them
99    doe or shall at any time hereafter question or make any entrie
100    clayme title or demand whatsoever in or to any messuages lands or
101    tenements wherefor or wherein John Blake grandfather of me the
102    Said George nowe deceased had any estate at the time of his deathe
103    or Concerne or presente or consent to the comencinge or p[er]secutings
104    of any action or suite either in lawe or equitie of or touching the
105    Same messuages lands or Tenements or any part thereof That
106    then and from thenceforth this my gifte and devise of the said
107    Capitall messuage Barton and Farme called Combe otherwise
108    Combe Pryor and Lower Combe and of all other the premises thereunto
109    belonging unto the said Ferdinando Blake and his heires and
110    assignes by this my last Will and Testament shalbe voyd and
111    of nowe effect to allow any intention purpose And that then and
112    from thenceforth thinheritance and reversion in Force of the said
113    Capitall messuage Barton and Farme called Combe and of all other the said
114    landes and premises thereunto belonging shall remaine come and
115    be to my right heires for ever and that is shalbe lawfull for of them into
116    they owne to enter and do possesse and enioye the same to them and them having
117    forever allowing thestates hereby devised unto my said wife and
118    nephew William Corham dureing the continuances thereof All
119    the residue of my goodes and chattels not hereby formerly given
120    or bequeathed (my debtes beinge paid) I give and bequeath unto
121    the said Johane Blake my beloved wife whome I make and
122    ordaine my whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and
123    Testament desireing her to give and allowe unto her and my
124    kinswoman Pricilla Pearse meate drincke and lodging in house
125    with her untill she the said Pricilla bee marryed if my said wife
126    live soe longe And I doe nominate and desire my goode friends
127    Mr Thomas Riche Mr Thomas Gale James Mynge and John
128    Candishe to be myne Overseers of this  my last Will and to be
129    aydinge and assisting unto her in the performance thereof
130    In wittnes whereof I have putt my hand and seale hereunto
131    and have published the same to be my last Will and Testament
132    upon the twentieth day of May in the yeare of our Lord
133    according to the Computation of the Church of England one
    [Page 4]
134    thousand sixe hundred fiftie and fower in the presence of us after
135    counterlyinge above writing between the sixteenth seaventeenth
136    lynes Geo: Blake Tho Riche Thomas Prynn Silvester Prynn
137    This will was proved at London
138    before the Judges for probate of Wills and granting administra[t]ions
139    the sixteenth day of August in the yeare of our Lord God one thousand
140    sixe hundred fiftie five by the oathe of Joane Blake the Relict
141    and sole Executrix named in the last Will and Testament of the
142    said deceased To whome administra[t]ion was permitted She
143    beinge sworne by Commission truly and faithfullie to administer
144    10 July 1666 _______________________ Geo: Gaell

Will of Ferdinando Blake the elder, Gentleman of Yealmpton, Devon - The National Archives PROB 11/196/196, probated 21 May 1646

Ferdinando Blake is the testator and his marriage to Martha Berrie is recorded 21 Feb 1613 at Plympton Saint Mary in Devon (Family Search M05197-1). The marriage of his son Ferdinando to Ruth Bartlett 28 Dec 1648 at Yealmpton in Devon (Family Search M05197-1).

This Ferdinand is descendant of the Blake family at Coombe as I discovered glancing at the next will and at the Visitation for Devon 1620 where Ferdinand was the second son of John Blake of Coombe married to Grace Cock. He is listed as married to Martha Berry but no children are listed for this couple. More with the next will which is George Blake of Coombe. 

Children baptized at Yealmpton with parents Ferdinando and Martha Blake (Family Search C05222-1 and there are some missing since he mentions daughters Grace and Ann and son Ferdinando in  his will however Honor and John must have died:

Samuel baptized 24 Jul 1619
Honor baptized 3 Feb 1622
John baptized 24 Jul 1640
Martha baptized 21 Feb 1642

Mentioned in the will the children of Ferdinando: Samuel, Grace, Ann, Martha and Ferdinando. The gap between the baptisms is rather large and could it be that he had a second wife Martha?

http://archaeologydataservice.ac.uk/catalogue/adsdata/arch-721-1/dissemination/pdf/southwes1-81288_1.pdf

Ferdinando Blake and Ruth, his wife: Combe and Lower Combe, Plymstock. 1663/4 (National Archives 74/96/9).

According to an Archaeological Dig in this area of Combe, Coombe Farm was held by the Augustinian Priory at Plympton since the 13th century. From before the Dissolution it was the home of the Blake family, who lived there from 1511 to circa 1724. The Blakes sold the farm in 1663 to Edmund Pollexfen of Kitley House in Yealmpton. Further in the document “When John Blake went from leaseholder to landowner in 1544, he assumed the responsibility for running and maintaining a house and buildings that were never intended to be supported on the profits of a single farm.” The house was enormous as judged by the Hearth Tax of 1674.

An interesting entry in the Alumni Oxoniensis for Ferdinando son of Ferdinando of Brixton, Devon, pleb. New Inn Hall, matriculation 21 May 1669 aged 18 years. This would give him a date of birth of 1641 and lead one to think that perhaps the testator Ferdinando did marry twice.

Perhaps one of the other Devon wills will shed more light on this Blake line.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 21 Jun 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/196/196
Testator: Ferdinando Blake, the elder, Gentleman
Place: Yealmpton, Devon, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 17 Aug 1643, probated 21 May 1646
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

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

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    the Seventeenth day of Auguste Anno d[omi]ni one Thousand six hundred forty
3    and three I Ferdinando Blake th[e ]elder of Cofflute w[i]thin the parish of
4    Yealmpton in the County of Devon gent beinge sycke in body but of sound and perfect
5    memory thankes be unto Allmighty God doe make and ordaine this my last will
6    and Testament in manner and forms forme following First I commend my Sowle
7    into the hands and tuition of Allmighty God my only Saviour and Redeemer
8    through whose infinite mercy and goodnesse onley I hope to bee saved and my body I
9    commend unto the Christian burial Item I give devise and bequeath unto Martha
10    my now wife All my whole estate right title interest and terme of yeares which I
11    the sayd Ferdinando Blake now have or cleyme to have in or unto all that Messuage
12    or Tennement w[i]th Th[e ]appurttenncs in exculled Cofflute al[ia]s North Cofflute w[i]thin
13    the Parish of Yealmpton sometime in the possession of Mr Michaell Steerts deceased
14    and now in the tenure Possession occupatioin of mee the sayd Ferdinando Blake
15    To have and to hold the sayd messuage or Tennement w[i]th Th[e ]appurttences
16    and every parte and parcel thereof unto the sayd Martha my now wyffe and her
17    Executors and Assignes ymediately from and after the death and decease of mee the
18    sayd Fardinando Blake for and during all the residue yf the estate and terme of
19    Yeares of mee the sayd Fardinando Blake that shal[l ]bee then to come and unexpired
20    of and in the same Item I give devise and bequeath unto Martha my sayd wife
21    all that one Messuage or Tennement lyinge in Yealmpton aforesaid now in the possession
22    of mee the sayd Firdinando Blake together with all Howses Orchardes gardens
23    lands woodcuts Pastures and all other the Premisses with Th[e ]appurttencs which
24    I the sayd Firdinando now have or cleyme to have by for and vertue of a
25    certainne Lease or grant thereto unto mee made from one George Keynshame of
26    St Kevern in the County of Cornwall gent for Terme of Fowerscore and nyne-
27    teene yeares yf I the sayd Firdinando Blake Samuell Blake and Grace Blake
28    my sonne and daughter or either of do happen soe long to live To have and to hold
29    the sayd Messuage or Tennement and all and singuler other the Premisses w[i]th
30    Th[e ]appurttencs unto the sayd Martha my now wife ymmediatly from and after my
31    decease for and during the terme of Forty yeares yf shee the sayd Martha doe shall happen soe
32    long too live and after her decease my will and intent is and I doe hereby give devise and
33    bequeath all the residue in my estate right interest and Termes of Yeares that shal[l ]bee
34    then to come and unexpired of and in the Messuage or Tennement w[i]th Th[e ]appurttencs
35    last before mencioned unto Samuell Blake my Sonne ymmediatly from and after
36    The death and decease of mee the sayd Furdinando Blake and yf Martha my now wife
37    for and during all the Residue of the sayd estate and terme of yeares of mee the
38    sayd Ferdinando that shal[l ]bee therein then to come and unexpired (and not before) Item I give therein
39    and bequeath unto the sayd Martha my now wife All those two Closes of land w[i]th
40    Th[e ]appurttencs whereof the one called great Hallwill downe and Th[e ]other is called
41    Georges Parke parcel of the b[ar]ton of Halliwell lying and beinge w[i]thin the Parish
42    of Brixton in the sayd County of Devon To have and to hold the sayd two Closes
43    of Land w[i]th their Appurttencs from and after my decease in manner and forme following
44    (that is to say) unto the sayd Martha my now wyfe for and during the terme of
45    Forty Yeares yf she the sayd Martha doe or shall happen soe long to live and yf
46    my estate then for soe long continue and after her decease unto Grace Blake
47    Ann Blake and Martha Blake my daughters for and during all the Resydue of
48    the estate and terme of yeares of mee the sayd Fardinando Blake that shal[l ]bee
49    then to come and unexpired of and in the same Item I give and bequeath unto
50    Fardinando Blake my Sonne the Sum[m]e of six poundes therteene shillinges and
51    Fower pense in lawfull English money to bee payd unto the sayd Furdinando Blake
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52    my Sonne yearly and every Yeare during the natural lyfe of my sayd wyfe and of
53    mye sayd Sonne Ferdinando by my Executrix heare after named att the fowre most
54    usuall Feastes or Termes of payment in the yeare that is to say att the Feast of
55    St Michaell Th[e ]archangell the birth of our Lord God Th[e ]annunciation of
56    Wel[l ]blessed Lady Mary the Virgin and the Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
57    by even and equall portions during the sayd Terme the first payment thereof to
58    begin att the next Feast of the Feasts aforesayd that shall first happen after the
59    death of mee the sayd Ferdinando Blake the Father Item my will intent and
60    meaning is that my Executrix hereinafter named shall att her owne costes and
61    chardges find and provide sufficient meate drinke Education and apparel unto and
62    for Samuell Blake my Sonne Grace Blake Anne Blake and Martha
63    Blake my daughters to have as well in sicknesse and in health during the lyfe of my
64    Executrix or until they shall marrey The residue of all my goodes cattells
65    and Chattells not before given nor bequeathed I doe hereby give devise and
66    bequeath unto the sayd Martha my now wyfe whom I doe heareby make and
67    ordaine to bee my whole and sole Executrix of this my last Will and Testament
68    and doe desire my good freindes Richard Avent and John Avent of Brixton
69    Yeoman to bee Overseers of this my last Will and Testament and to see this my
70    will performed In wittnesse whereof I the sayd Ferdinando Blake have here
71    unto sett my hand and Seale the daie and yeare above wrytten By mee Ferdinando
72    Blake Wittnesses heare unto me  mee John Frent the signe of Anne Koope
73    widdowe the signe Henry Cornishe