Showing posts with label Cooper. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cooper. Show all posts

Friday, March 17, 2017

Will of William King, Yeoman, Elvetham, Hampshire - The National Archives PROB 11/612, probated 6 Nov 1726

It is 32 miles from Upper Clatford to Elvetham and 9 miles from Upton Grey to Elvetham.

The testator, William King, is married to Ann and has five children mentioned in the will initially: William, Matthias, Thomas, Sarah and John. He also mentions two married daughters  Mary Garnes and Martha Grey.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 16 Mar 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/612
Name of testator: William King, Yeoman
Place: Elvetham, Hampshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 28 Jan 1719, probated 6 Nov 1726
[In margin] Testamentum Gulielmus King

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I William King of the parish of Elvetham in the County of
3    South[amp]ton Gent being somewhat indisposed as to health but of a
4    sound perfect and disposing Mind and Memory Thanks be to God for
5    the same and considering the certainty of death and the uncertainity
6    of the Time when do make this my last Will and Testament in
q    Manner following and First and principally I recommend my Soul
8    into the hands of Almighty God from whom I received the same
9    and my Body I commit to the Earth to be decently buryed at the
10    discretion of my Executrix here after named And as such worldly
11    Goods and Estate as it hath pleased Almighty God to bestow
12    upon me I give devise and dispose of the same as followeth And
13    First my Will and desire is that all my debts that I shall
14    justly owe to any person or persons at the Time of my decease
15    be satisfied and payd out of my said Estate and also my Funerall
16    Expences Item I give and devise unto my loving Wife Ann King
17    all my personal Estate Stock Goods and Chattles whatsoever so
18    long as she continues a Widow to go on with the Trade on the
19    Road that I now use or any other Business towards the
20    breeding up of my Children and Educating them with Learning
21    provided nevertheless that in Case it shall happen that my
22    said Wife shall marry again to a second husband then and in
23    such Case I do hereby give and devise all my said personal Estate
24    Goods and Chattles whatsoever to be divided amongst my five
25    children viz William Matthias Thomas Sarah and John but my
26    Will is that William and Sarah shall have Ten pounds apiece
27    out of my said Estate more than any other of my said Children
28    And my Will and Meaning is that my said Wife should not
29    lessen my said Stock but goe on with the Business on the Road
30    so long as she continues her State of Widowhood and in Case she
31    happen to dye my Widow then my Will is that she leave the
32    same to be divided amongst my aforesaid Children according as
33    I have done by this my Will Item I give to my daughter
34    Mary Garnes and Martha Grey one Shilling apiece and Whereas
35    there is a debt due and owing to me from Sir Andrew Healey
36    Bar deceased when when payd if ever my Will is that my said
37    daughter Mary shall have Thirty pounds and my daughter
38    Martha Twenty pounds part of the same they allowing their
39    Share or parts towards the Law Charges in Recovering the said
40    debt and the Residue of the said debt when recovered I give
41    and devise unto my said Wife and aforesaid five Children that I
42    had by her to be equally divided between them Share and Share
43    alike Item I give and devise unto my said loving Wife for her
44    own Use my best Bedd and all the Furniture in the Room
45    where the said Bed now stands And doe hereby nominate and
46    appoint my said Wife Ann King full and sole Executrix of this
47    my Will hereby revoaking all former Wills by me heretofore
48    made and this to be taken for my last Will In Witness
49    whereof I the said William King the Testator have here unto
50    set my hand and Seal this twenty eighty day of January in the
51    year of our Lord 1719/20 Will King Signed Sealed published and
52    declared as the last Will and Testament of the said William
53    King the Testator and also attested in the presence of the
54    said Testator by us Eliz Lamport John Cooper Edwd Lamport
55    Probatum fuit hujusimodi Testamentum apud
56    London vicesimo sexton die Mensis Novembris Anno domini
57    Millesimo septingentesimo vicesimo sexton coram Venerabili Viro
58    Johane Andrew Legum doctore Surrogato Venerabilis et
59    Egrigij Viri Johannis Bettesworth Legum Doctoris Curie
60    prerogativae Cantuariensis Magistri Custodis sive Commissarij
61    legitime constitute Juramento Anna King Vidua Relicta dicti
62    defuncti et Executricis in dicto Testamento nominate Cui
63    commissa fuit Administratio omnium et singulorum Bonorum
64    Jurium et Creditorum dicti defuncti de bene et fideliter Ad[minis]trando
65    eadem ad Sancta dei Evangelia jurat Examr

Friday, February 24, 2017

Will of Peter Bodkin otherwise Peter Bodkin Blake, Town of Galway, Ireland - The National Archives PROB 11/1232, probated 4 May 1793

Peter Bodkin Blake’s will is below and the remainder of the files are letters that he wrote (annexed as codicils) and reading through them the only comments that prove to be interesting are the references to Sir Walter Blake (10th Baronet). These references do not add anything to my knowledge of the Blake family at Galway. I have only transcribed the original will, one codicil of six and the probate.

There are a number of Bodkin-Blake marriages in the Blake family at Galway.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 15 Feb 2017
Source:  The National Archives, PROB 11/1232
Name of testator: Peter Bodkin otherwise Peter Bodkin Blake
Place: Town of Galway, Ireland now residing in England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 7 May 1787, probated 4 May 1793

[In margin] Peter Bodkin otherwise Peter Bodkin Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I Peter Bodkin commonly called Peter Bodkin Blake of
3    the Town of Galway in the Kingdom of Ireland but
4    now resident in England Gent do make this my last
5    Will and Testament in my own handwriting in
6    manner following that is to say Declaring that I
7    am a Protestant having duly conformed to that
8    Religion in the said Kingdom of Ireland I order
9    that my Body may be decently buried in the Parish
10    wherever I may die and as to such worldly Substance
11    as God has Pleased to bless me with I hereby dispose
12    of the same in manner following my just debts
13    and Funeral expence being first paid (that is to say) I
14    Give unto my Brother Francis Bodkin one shilling I
15    give unto William Greny Son to Thomas Greny of
16    Greginore in the County of Galway in Ireland deceased
17    my Bed and every thing else of mine which shall be
18    in my apartment in the said Town of Galway I
19    Give unto my Nephew and Niece Nicholas Brown and
20    his Sister Jane Brown one shilling each I Give unto
21    my two Nephews Ambrose Bodkin and Hyacinth Bodkin
22    of Kilbroge in the County of Galway in Ireland one
23    hundred pounds each of English money to be paid to
24    them respectively without Interest by my Executors herein
25    after named at their respective ages of twenty one
26    years but not sooner than two years next after my
27    decease and I direct that in case either of my said
28    two Nephews Ambrose and Hyacinth Bodkin shall
29    die before he shall attain the age
30    of twenty one years or sooner than two years next
31    after my decease the share of him so dying shall go
32    to the survivor of them payable also without Interest
33    at the age of twenty one years but not sooner than
34    two years next after my decease and in case both
35    my said Nephews shall die under the said age of
36    Twenty one years or sooner than two years next
37    after my decease I do give the said two several sums
38    of one hundred  and one hundred pounds unto my
39    worthy friend William Pollard of St Swithins Lane
40    London Merchant to whom I owe infinite obligations for
41    the Singular Services he has rendered to me I Give
42    unto my said Nephew Hyacinth Bodkin his heirs
43    Executors and administrators my two Leasehold houses
44    in the West Sabbt of Galway the one in the occupation of
45    Bartholomew Kelly and the other in the occupation of
46    Thomas Bursee he paying the Rent reserved by and
47    performing the covenants on the Tenant or Lessees part
48    contained in the Lease under which I hold the same
49    I Give unto Mr John Cologan of London Merchant
50    one of the Parties in trade with the said William
51    Pollard One hundred pounds Sterling to be raised and paid
52    to him within two years next after my decease and
53    I direct that the said Legacies to my Nephews Ambrose
54    and Hyacinth Bodkin and John Cologan amounting
55    together to three hundred pounds Sterling shall be
56    raised when payable by Sale of One hundred and
57    forty two pounds of the Capital Stock of the English
58    United East India Company which shall be standing in
59    my Name at my decease and the deficiency that may
60    be to make up or compleat the said sum of three hundred
61    pounds I direct that the same shall be raised out of
62    the Dividends of my said East India Stock which shall
63    become due after my decease and as to the residue of
64    the said East India Stock I direct the same shall continue
65    Standing in my Name so long as the said East India
66    Company shall exist and that the dividends to arise
67    thereby During the life of the said William Pollard
68    shall be received by him for his own use and after his
69    death the said dividends shall belong to such persons
70    as he shall by Will direct and in default of such
71    direction to his Executors or Administrators I direct that
72    the sum of three per cent Consolidated English Bank
73    Annuities which shall be standing in my name at my
74    decease shall continue standing therein during the existence
75    of the said Fund and that the dividends to arise thereby
76    during the life of my good friend Mr James Cooper the
77    other partner in trade with the said William Pollard
78    shall be received by him the said James Cooper for hi
79    own use and after his death the dividends of the said
80    Bank Annuities shall belong to such persons as he
81    shall by Will direct and in default of such direction then
82    to his Executors or Administrators I Give unto my said
83    Nephew Ambrose Bodkin his Executors and Administrators
84    a debt due from Richard Martin of Galway or Kentville
85    in the County of the Town of Galway aforesaid which
86    stand Secured by a Bond and Warrant of Attorney dated
87    respectively the Twenty second of January One thousand
88    Seven hundred and Eighty one to me for One hundred
89    and Twenty three pounds two shillings Sterling with all
90    the Interest that may be due thereon at the time of
91    my decease and as to all the residue of my Estate and
92    Effects whatsoever and wheresoever and of what nature
93    or kind soever as were real or personal I Give devise
94    and Bequeath the same unto the said William
95    Pollard his heirs Executors Administrators and Assigns
96    and to and for his and their own use and benefit
97    and in case the said John Cologan William Pollard
98    and James Cooper or any or either of them shall
99    refuse or decline to accept of any or either of the
100    Legacies and Bequests in this my Will give to
101    them as aforesaid then it is my will and desire and
102    I do hereby Give and Bequeath such of the said
103    Legacies as shall be so refused unto the Treasurer for
104    the time being of Greens Hospital to be applied by
105    him towards the support of the Seaman belonging to
106    the said Hospital and I do hereby constitute and appoint
107    the said William Pollard and James Cooper Executors of
108    this my Will and in case they shall both refuse
109    or decline the Execution of this my Will
110    then I appoint the Treasurer for the time being of
111    the said Hospital Sole Executor of this my Will
112    and revoking all former Wills by me at any time
113    heretofore made I do publish and declare this to
114    be my last Will and Testament in Witness whereof
115    I have hereunto set my hand and Seal this Seventh
116    day of May One thousand Seven hundred and Eighty
117    Seven Peter Bodkin Blake Signed Sealed
118    published and Declared by the said Peter Bodkin Blake
119    the Testator as and for his last Will and Testament in
120    the presence of us who in his presence at his request
121    and in the presence of each other have thereto set
122    our Names as witnesses thereto Iona Thompson
123    J[onathan] Bugg Sarah Grant
124    Messrs Cologan Pollard and Hooper Galway the 30th May 1791
125    Gentleman I received your most esteemed favour of 9th
126    July last you insist I should let you know the
127    charge on the Bill on Curly It was wrote on the
128    protest thereof 6 shillings and 6 pence Irish making 6 [shillings]
129    English money with which I debit account I am
130    heartily sorry for the death of our mutual very good
131    friend Mr John Thompson Tis well he sent you my
132    Will previous to his death I am glad you think any
133    alteration I Will by Letter make in said will is binding
134    according to Law I beg you’l open and read said Will
135    Hyacinth Bodkin ye younger Brother of Ambrose
136    Bodkin mentioned in said will died in Dublin in Sep
137    last aged about 19 years and a half owing to his folly
138    and debauching and his Mother giving him too much
139    money tho he had a very strong constitution and the
140    older Brother Ambrose Bodkin came of age the 12th
141    Feby last who has a weak constitution yet he
142    follows as debauched a life as his said Brother
143    therefore tis thought he will  not live many years
144    unfortunately he take pleasure in boasting he can
145    bear drinking 3 or 4 bottles of wine after dinner
146    which he frequently does Soon after he came of age
147    I wrote him a Letter stating how I had a demand
148    to his and formerly my deceased Fathers Estate of £500
149    pds or by my giving Credit for £200 I received from my
150    Father for my age of 17 years to my age of 21 years in small payments in
151    that there remained at least 800 pds due to me as
152    the remainder of my childs portion this letter was
153    delivered to him by my Sister in Law his Mother who
154    thought my demand just and reasonable he did not give
155    her or to me a satisfactory answer therefore he shall
156    get no Legacy by me I hereby order desire and will that
157    the two hundred pounds sterling and everything else
158    which I willed and ordered for my Nephews Ambrose
159    and Hyacinth Bodkin in my said Will be given to Mr
160    William Pollard one of the Executors to my said Will
161    or to his issue or heirs payable in like manner as I
162    had ordered and willed it to be paid to my said
163    Nephews Ambrose and Hyacinth Bodkin I beg you’l
164    not answer this Letter directed to Galway for fear your
165    Letter should be opened by mistake as I would chuse
166    to keep this affair secret I intend soon to go to
167    Dublin from where I will write in form to Mr
168    William Pollard and to Mr James Cooper Executors to
169    my said Will I now write you this alteration in my
170    said will for fear death or my accedance should
171    happen me in my journey to Dublin I have this
172    day drawn a Bill on you at 21 days sight in
173    favour of the Right honourable David Larouche and Co for
174    £57 pounds which I entreat you’l please to honor
175    being on account of one years dividends due to me
176    last Xmas on my £512 pds etc India Stock and also on
177    my £500 pds Stock in the Bank Consolidated Annuities
178    I hope the dividends continued at 8 per cent on the
179    India Stock notwithstanding the great War at present
180    in the East Indies my next Letter to you or to the
181    Executors of my last Will I hope will be soon from Dublin
182    In the Interim I am most affectionately Gentleman
183    your most obedient humble Servant Peter Bodkin Blake
184    P.S. I say the Bill I have drawn on you this Day is
185    for fifty Seven pounds Sterl: Galway the 30th May
186    1791 Peter Bodkin Blake
187    This Will was proved at London with Six
188    Codicils the Fourth day of May in the year of our Lord
189    One thousand Seven hundred and Ninety three before the
190    Worshipful John Fisher Doctor of Laws Surrogate of the
191    Right honorable Sir Willian Wynne Knight and also Doctor of
192    Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the Prerogative
193    Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the oaths of
194    William Pollard and James Cooper Esquires two of the
195    Executors named in the Fourth Codicil to whom Administration
196    was Granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and
197    Credits of the deceased having been first sworn duly to
198    administer power reserved of making the like Grant to
199    John Cologan Esquire the other Executor named in the
200    fourth Codicil when he shall apply for the same

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Will of Richard Blake, yeoman, Marston Sicca, Gloucestershire - The National Archives PROB 11/188/332, probated 9 Mar 1641/42

Richard Blake, yeoman is the testator. Marston Sicca is also known as Long Marston. It is 68 miles from Bristol. Long Marston is only six miles SSW of Stratford on Avon, Warwickshire.

Richard does not mention any children in this will. He does mention brothers in law, nieces and nephews and a sister Mary Blake.

Names mentioned in the will:

Richard Blake, testator, Marston Sicca
Thomas Rawlins, godson
William Rawlins, brother in law
William Rawlins, son of William Rawlins
Anne Rawlins, daughter of William Rawlins
William Baxter, brother in law
Thomas Cooper, brother in law
Joseph, son of Thomas Cooper
Robert, son of Thomas Cooper
Thomas, son of Thomas Cooper
Jonathan, son of Thomas Cooper
Mary, daughter of Thomas Cooper
Barbara, daughter of Thomas Cooper
Hester, daughter of Thomas Cooper
Benjamin Cooper, godson, son of Thomas Cooper
John Blake, kinsman, executor
Robert Cooper, kinsman, executor
Robert Cooper, witness
Mary Blake, witness
Thomas Robbins, witness

From a record of an Inquisition Postmortem, page 104, Gloucestershire Inquisitiones Post Morten King Charles 1, edited by W.P.W. Phillimore and George S Fry, London: British Record Society Ltd. 1893.

5 Charles I [1 Apr 1629]

Robert Martyn, gentleman
Inquisition taken at Gloucester Castle 18th December, 5 Charles I [1629], before George Raymond, gent., feodary, John Hanbury, esq., and others, after the death of Robert Martyn gent., by the oath of Henry Merry, William Buckle, William Harris, Giles Bishopp, James Greene, John Kittermuster, John Blanch, Tobias Freeman, John Ellis, Thomas Greeninge, Thomas Jennings, Christopher Windowe, William Bullock, and John Lewes alias Gough, who say that

Robert Martyn was seised of one close of pasture called the greate Yellowes lying in Broadmerston in the parish of Pebworth, containing 50 acres of land, and one messuage and 2 virgates of land called Ullington in Pebworth.

So seized, the said Robert Martyn made his will 29th December, 4 Charles I [1628], at Pebworth, whereby he bequeathed to Robert Cooper, son of Thomas Cooper of Pebworth, the said close, to hold to him and his heirs. To Martin Cooper, another son of the said Thomas, he demised the said messuage to hold to him and his heirs. He appointed Thomas Martyn, and Edward Martyn, his kinsmen, to be his executors. One acre of the said close is held of the King in chief by the 100th part of a knight’s fee, and is worth per annum, clear, 4 d. Of whom or by what service the residue of the said close is held the jurors know not; it is worth per annum, clear, 50 s. Of whom or by what service the said messuage and land are held the jurors know not; they are worth per annum, clear, 20 s.

Robert Martyn died at Pebworth 1st April last past ; Richard Blake, son of Richard Blake, and Alice his wife, one of the sisters of the said Robert; John Ward, son of Thomas [sic] Ward, another sister [sic] of the said Robert; Joan, wife of Jervase Yate, another sister of the said Robert; Margaret Gardner, widow, and Mary, wife of Thomas Cooper, sisters of the said Robert, are his coheirs, and at the taking of this inquisition they were aged respectively: Richard Blake, 15 years; John Ward 30 years and more ; Joan Yate, 21 years and more ; Margaret Gardner 21 years and more ; and Mary Cooper 21 years and more.

Inq. p. m. 5 Charles I, part 2, No. 78 [1629]

A most helpful inquisition as it identifies this Richard Blake and Alice Martyn his wife. This Richard identifies Thomas Cooper as his brother in law and Mary the wife of Thomas Cooper is Mary Martyn sister to Richard’s wife Alice. But what has happened to the son Richard Blake who was 15 years of age in 1629 (and would now be 27 years of age if living).

There is a marriage of Richard Blake and Elizabeth Yate 13 Jul 1640 at Preston upon Stour (4 miles from Marston Sicca). Will have to determine which Richard Blake this actually is although it appears to be the father Richard Blake rather than the son who was 15 years of age in 1629.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 19 Apr 2014
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/188/332
Testator:  Richard Blake, yeoman
Place: Marston Sicca, Gloucestershire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 17 Aug 1641, probated 9 Mar 1641/42
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estament] Richardj
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen The seaventeenth
2    day of August in the yeare of our lord god 1641 Richard Blake
3    of Marston Sicca in the County of Gloucester yeoman being sicke and weake
4    in body but of perfect memory thanckes be to almighty god doe make this my
5    last will and testament in manne[r] and forme following that is to saye First I
6    bequeath my soule into the hands of all mighty god trusting by faith and hope in their
7    only merits and passion of Jesus Christ to attaine eternall life and my body
8    to the earth And as for my worldly goods I doe bequeath them as followeth Imprimis
9    I give and bequeath unto the Church of Marston Sicca twenty shillings Item
10    I give and bequeath unto the poore of Marston Sicca the somme of twenty shillings
11    Item I give and bequeath unto my Godson Thomas Rawlins the sonne of my
12    brother in Lawe William Rawlins the sonne of Fyftie pounds Item I give and
13    bequeath unto William Rawlins and Anne Rawlins two other of my brother in
14    lawe William Rawlins his Children the somme of forty pounds a peece
15    Item I give and bequeath unto my brother in lawe William Rawlins and
16    his wife the somme of five pounds a peece Item I give and bequeath
17    unto my brother in lawe William Baxter and his wife the somme of ten pounds
18    a peece Item I give and bequeath unto my sister Mary Blake the somme of
19    two hundred and forty pounds Item I give and bequeath unto Joseph Cooper
20    Robert Cooper Thomas Cooper and Jonathan Cooper foure of the sonnes of
21    my brother in lawe Thomas Cooper the somme of eighteene pounds a peece
22    Item I give and bequeath unto Mary Cooper Barbara Cooper and Hester
23    Cooper daughters of my brother in Lawe Thomas Cooper the somme of eighteene
24    pounds a peece Item I give and bequeath unto my godsonnes six shillings
25    eight pence a peece Item I give and bequeath unto my brother Coopers
26    three servant men and two servant maides five shillings a peece Item my
27    will and desire is that yf either of my brother Rawlins Children shall
28    dye before they accomplish the age of one and twenty yeares or be
29    married that then the legacies bequeathed shalbe equally devided to the
30    other All the residue of my goods Cattles Chattles debts money plate
31    right and tytle whatsoever not given nor bequeathed I give and bequeath
32    unto Beniamine Cooper my godson one other of the sonnes of my brother
33    in lawe Thomas Cooper whome I make and appoint sole executor of this
34    my last will and testament to recreate my debts pay my debts and to
35   fulfill this my will with a charge to be guided in the paying of the sayd
36    legacies before men[t]ioned dureing his nonage by my brother in lawe Thomas
37    Cooper And I doe appoint and request my kinsmen John Blake and
38    Robert Cooper to be overseers of this my last will and testament In
39    Wittnes whereof I have putt to my hand and seale Richard Blake in the
40    p[re]sence of Robert Cooper Mary Blake Thomas Robbins his marke

Wednesday, December 18, 2013

Will of John Blake, Gentleman, New Sarum, Wiltshire - The National Archives PROB 11/1004/155, probated 17 Jan 1775

It just seemed rather untidy not to do the will of John Blake, 1775, at Salisbury so acquired that one yesteday morning from the website instead of going back through my downloads. That was going to be a long process and it would be nice to finish Wiltshire by the end of December. The last will was not too bad for reading and this one looks pretty good thus far although it is five pages.

Again the Testator John Blake is known in that he was the father of John Blake whose will was blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/12/will-of-john-blake-esquire-of-new-sarum.html

Is this the son of James Blake who left his will in 1733/34 which was blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/12/will-of-james-blake-late-grocer-new.html

James does mention property on Castle Street in New Sarum. If James is the father of the present testator then the testator would be 74 years of age. Given that he already has a number of grand children that is entirely possible. Plus one of the marriage records for John’s children show him to be a grocer at Salisbury. In that case then this family is likely from Great Wishford (James baptism), which is only 5 miles northwest of Salisbury. How far back does this family go in this area of Great Wishford?

John, the Testator, has greatly increased his holdings during his lifetime compared to the will of his possible father James.

The marriage of John Blake, bachelor, grocer, 25 years of age, of Salisbury St Thomas and Margaret Westley, spinster, 20 years of age of Salisbury St Thomas was celebrated 15 Jun 1726 at Choulderton. Bondsman John Westley, clothier, St Thomas Salisbury. Cholderton is close to the Hampshire border about ten miles from Salisbury. Why Cholderton? A mystery but one that registers in the back of my mind since it is close to the areas in which my Blake line lived
The Blake family of Andover area was moving away from the Andover area in the mid 1600s. But equally this could also be a Blake family moving away from the Calne area which they certainly did as well in the 1600s.

The marriage of Mary Blake, spinster, 26 years of age, of Salisbury St Thomas married to James Rothwell, bachelor, grocer, 22 years of age of Salisbury St Thomas celebrated 13 Jul 1756 with John Blake, grocer, Salisbury St Thomas as bondsman. This gives Mary a year of birth circa 1730 which is a reasonable date to have a father born in 1701. Plus John was a grocer as James was.

The marriage of Susanna Blake, spinster, 23 years of age of Salisbury St Thomas to William Sterne, bachelor, gentleman, 34 years of age of Salisbury St Edmund celebrated 28 Sep 1761. Susannah would have been born circa 1738. Bondsman James Lewis, clerk, Salisbury St Martin.

Both of these marriages from the Bonds issued by the Bishop of Salisbury (record created by the Wiltshire Family History Society through Find My Past).

Names mentioned in the will:

John Blake, Gentleman, testator, New Sarum
Margaret Blake, wife, executrix, New Sarum
Mr John Blake, son, trustee, New Sarum
Mr William Stern, son in law, trustee, New Sarum
Mary Rothwell, daughter
Margaret Ann Rothwell, grand daughter
Mary Rothwell, grand daughter
John Cartwright Blake, grandson, son of John
Mary Blake, grand daughter, daughter of John
Robert Blake, grandson, son of John
Margaret Blake, grand daughter, daughter of John
William Stern, grandson
Beatrice Stern, grand daughter
Susanna Stern, grand daughter
Susanna Stern, daughter
Peggy Blake, daughter
Mr John Cooper, partner
Letitia Hayter, witness
Robert Lilly, witness
William Slater, witness

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 17 Dec 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/1004/155
Testator: John Blake, Gentleman
Place: New Sarum (Salisbury), Wiltshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 1 Feb 1771, probated 17 Jan 1775
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: John
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the Name of God Amen
2    I John Blake of the City of New Sarum in the County of
3    Wilts Gentleman considering the uncertainty of this Life do make
4    publish and declare this to be my last Will and Testament for
5    the disposing of my Worldly Estate and Effects with which it hath
6    pleased Almighty God to bless me in manner following that is
7    to say First I will and direct that all my debts and Funeral
8    Expences be paid and discharged and also all that my Freehold
9    Messuage or Tenement Lands hereditaments and Premises with
10    their Appurtenances situate in West Grimsteed in the said County
    [Page 2]
11    of Wilts and also all that my Freehold Messuage or Tenement
12    Garden and Premises with their appurtenances situate in Brown
13    Street in New Sarum aforesaid And also all that my Freehold
14    Messuage or Tenement and Inn called the White horse with the
15    Garden hereditaments and Premises with their Appurtenances
16    situate in Castle Street in New Sarum aforesaid and also all those
17    my two Freehold Messuages or Tenements Gardens and Premises
18    with their Appurtenances situate in Scots Lane in New Sarum
19    aforesaid and adjoining to the said Inn I do give devise and
20    bequeath unto my beloved Wife Margaret for and during her
21    natural life only also all those my Leasehold Messuages or
22    Tenements Lands hereditaments and Premises with their Appurt[enance]s
23    situate in West Grimsteed aforesaid and called or known by the
24    name of Dennis’s I do give devise and bequeath unto my said Wife
25    Margaret for and during her natural life only Also I do give
26    devise and bequeath unto my Son Mr John Blake and my Son
27    in Law Mr William Stern the Sum of Eight hundred pounds to
28    be paid unto them in one year after my death Upon Trust that
29    my said Son John Blake and the said William Stern and the
30    Survivor of them his Executors or Administrators shall immediately
31    vest the same in some of the Publick Funds and from time to
32    time pay the dividend and the Interest thereof unto my
33    daughter Mary Rothwell for and during her natural life by
34    half yearly payments and equal portions to and for her own
35    sole and separate use and her receipt along notwithstanding her
36    Coverture from time to time to be a sufficient discharge for the
37    same and from and after the death of my said daughter Mary
38    Rothwell Upon Trust that the Stock to be purchased with the
39    said Sum of Eight hundred pounds and the Dividend or Interest
40    as shall be then due for the same and not paid to my said
41    Daughter Rothwell shall be to and for the use and behoof of
42    all the Children of my said Daughter Rothwell as she shall
43    leave at her death in such manner and by such proportions
44    as my said Daughter Mary Rothwell shall by any deed or deeds
45    or by her last Will and Testament to be by her duly Executed
46    in the presence of two or more Credible Witnesses notwithstanding
47    her Coverture give devise direct or appoint the same and for want
48    of such Gift devise direction or appointment then to the use
49    and behoof of all the Children of my said Daughter Rothwell as
50    shall Survive her equally between them and in case she shall
51    leave but one Child then to such Child Also I do give and bequeath
52    unto my beloved Grandchildren Margaret Ann and Mary
53    Rothwell the Sum of Fifty pounds each to be paid unto them at
54    their several attainments to the age of one and twenty years
55    And I do will and direct that Interest after the rate of three
56    Per Cent shall be paid to my said Daughter Mary Rothwell
57    for the use of my said Grandaughters Margaret Ann and
58    Mary Rothwell to be computed from the end of three months
59    after my death until they severally attain their ages of one
60    and twenty years Also I do give and bequeath unto my beloved
61    Grandchildren John Cartwright Blake Mary Blake Robert
62    Blake and Margaret Blake the Sum of fifty pounds each to
    [Page 3]
63    be paid unto them at their several attainments to the Age of
64    one and twenty years and I do will and direct that Interest
65    after the rate of three Per Cent shall be paid to my said
66    Son John Blake for the use of my said Grandchildren John
67    Cartwright Blake Mary Blake Robert Blake and Margaret
68    Blake to be computed also from the end of three months
69    after my death until they severally attain their ages of one
70    and twenty years Also I do give and bequeath unto my
71    beloved Grandchildren William Stern Beatrice Stern and
72    Susanna Stern the Sum of fifty pounds each to be paid unto
73    them at their several attainments to the age of one and
74    twenty years and I do will and direct that Interest after
75    the rate of three Per Cent shall be paid to my said Son in
76    Law William Stern or my Daughter Susanna Stern for the
77    use of my said Grandchildren William Beatrice and Susanna
78    Stern to be computed also from the end of three months next
79    after my death until they severally attain their ages of one and
80    twenty years Also I do give and bequeath unto my beloved daughter
81    Peggy Blake the Sum of fifteen hundred pounds to be paid
82    unto her in six months next after she shall marry with
83    her Mothers Consent if her Mother shall be then living And
84    I do will and direct that Interest shall be paid unto my said
85    daughter Peggy Blake for the said Legacy of fifteen hundred
86    pounds to be computed from the end of three months next after
87    my death by my Executrix hereinafter named until the same
88    shall be paid her at and after such rates of Interest as my
89    moneys in general shall bring in and in case my said
90    daughter Peggy shall die unmarried then I will and direct that
91    she shall have the disposal of the said Sum of fifteen hundred
92    pounds Also I give and bequeath unto my said daughter
93    Peggy Blake All that my said Freehold Messuage or Tenement
94    Garden and Premises with their Appurtenances situate in
95    Brown Street in New Sarum aforesaid To hold from and after
96    my said loving Wifes death unto my said Daughter Peggy
97    Blake her heirs and Assigns for ever But if my said Daughter
98    Peggy shall not live in Sarum or in the said last mentioned
99    house in which case I do will and direct that my said
100    Daughter Peggy shall sell my said last mentioned Messuage
101    Garden and Premises unto my said Son John Blake or either
102    of my said Daughters for the Sum of three hundred pounds in
103    case either of them shall choose to buy the same my said
104    Son John Blake to have the first joyce whereas I did on the
105    Marriage of my Daughter Susanna Stern give her the Sum
106    of five hundred pounds and did by Articles bind my heirs
107    Executors or Administrators to pay within Six months next
108    after my death unto her husband the said William Stern or to
109    Trustees named in the same Articles the further Sum of
110    one thousand pounds in full of her Marriage fortune I
111    do therefore by this my Will ratify and confirm the said
112    Articles and do will and direct that the said Sum of one
113    thousand pounds shall be paid in pursuance of and in full
114    discharge of the same Articles and of my said Daughter
115    Susanna
    [Page 4]
116    Susanna Marriage Fortune Also all that the Moiety or half
117    part of all that Leasehold Messuage or Tenement Farm Lands
118    hereditaments and Premises with their Appurtenances situate in
119    West Grimsteed aforesaid commonly called Matons and which I
120    purchased jointly with Mr John Cooper I do give and bequeath
121    unto my said Son John Blake his Executors Administrators
122    and Assigns for and during all my Term Estate and Interest
123    therein Also all those my said Leasehold Messuages or tenements
124    Lands hereditaments and Premises with their appurtenances
125    situate in West Grimsteed aforesaid and commonly called or known
126    by the name of Dennis I do give devise and bequeath unto my
127    said Son John Blake To hold from and after my said loving Wifes
128    death unto my said Son John Blake his Executors Administrators
129    and Assigns for and during all my Term Estate and Interest
130    therein Also all that my said Freehold Messuage or Tenement
131    Lands hereditaments and Premises with their Appurtenances
132    situate in West Grimsteed aforesaid And also all that my said
133    Freehold Messuage or Tenement and Inn called the White horse
134    and the Garden hereditaments and Premises with their Appurt[enance]s
135    situate in Castle Street in New Sarum aforesaid and also all
136    those my said two Freehold Messuages or Tenements Gardens and
137    Premises with their Appurtenances situate in Scots Lane in
138    New Sarum aforesaid and adjoining to the said Inn I do give
139    devise and bequeath unto my said Son John Blake To hold from
140    and after the decease of my said loving Wife unto my said
141    Son John Blake his heirs and Assigns for ever Also I do beg
142    and request my said Son John Blake that he will be good
143    and Serviceable to his Mother and Sisters and I do also beg
144    and request all my said Children that if any or either of them
145    shall die without leaving any Child or Children that in such
146    case they will give the Legacys and Lane I have here given
147    them unto their Brother or Sisters or their Child or Children
148    and in case my Personal Effects at the time of my decease
149    after payment of my debts and Funeral Expences shall not be
150    sufficient fully to answer and pay all my Legacies herein
151    before given by this my Will Then and in such case I do
152    hereby will and direct that all and every of the Legatees
153    named in this my Will shall abate a proportionable part
154    of his her or their Legacy or Legacies according to the value
155    thereof And that they or any or either of them By no
156    means enter into any Suit at Law or in Equity touching
157    the same and in case any differences or disputes shall happen
158    to arise between my said Children any or either of them
159    then I do earnestly recommend and request them to refer such
160    differences and disputes to two honest Men and if such two
161    Men cannot determine the same then such two persons
162    to nominate and choose a third person whose determination I
163    request and desire may be final and prevent any Suit either
164    in Law or Equity between my said Children touching the
165    Contents of this my Will or anything relating thereunto
166    Also all the rest and residue of my Goods and Chattels Rights
167    and Credits of what nature kind or quality soever or wheresoever
    [Page 5]
168    after my just debts Legacies and Funeral Expences are paid and
169    discharged I do give devise and bequeath unto my said beloved
170    Wife Margaret Blake whom I do hereby nominate and appoint
171    full and sole Executrix of this my Will hereby revoking all
172    former Wills by me made In Witness whereof I have to this
173    my last Will and Testament contained in four Sheets of paper
174    set my hand to the first three sheets and my hand and Seal
175    to this last Sheet the first day of February in the year of our
176    Lord one thousand seven hundred and seventy one Jno Blake
177    Signed Sealed Published and declared by the said John Blake the
178    Testator to be his last Will and Testament in presence of us who
179    have Subscribed our names as Witnesses hereunto in presence
180    of the said Testator and of each other the words Wife
181    notwithstanding her Coverture in the first side the word said in
182    the second side the words therein said Freehold Son in the third
183    side being first interlined Letitia Hayter Rob[er]t Lilly Will[iam] Slater
184    This Will was proved at London the seventeenth day
185    of January in the year of Our Lord one thousand seven hundred
186    and seventy five before the Right Worshipful Sir George Hay
187    Knight doctor of Laws Master Keeper or Commissary of the
188    Prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully constituted by the Oath
189    of Margaret Blake Widow the Relict of the deceased and Sole
190    Executrix named in the said Will to whom Administration
191    was granted of all and singular the Goods Chattels and Credits
192    of the said deceased having been first Sworn by Commission
193    duly to Administer.

Monday, April 15, 2013

Will of William Blake, Shopkeeper, Cookham Berkshire - The National Archives PROB 11/2025/17, probated 6 Oct 1845

Always nice to have wills fit together and this is the will of William Blake father of Lydia Blake who left her will in 1853 and this will was blogged 8 Apr 2013.

I am somewhat curious if this family is descendant of the Blake family found at Reading in the 1600s.

This will further clarifies the children of William Blake and Lydia Thompson who were married 24 Jan 1795 at Cookham Berkshire as John, Lydia, Fanny, Mary and Martha. Only John has married it would appear as it showed in Lydia's will which was blogged:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/04/will-of-lydia-blake-spinster-cookham.html

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 10 Apr 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/2025/17
Testator:  William Blake, Shopkeeper
Place: Cookham, Berkshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 6 May 1843, probated 6 Oct 1845
Read: Electronic copy images
Condition: 19th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: William
[Margin]: Blake
[Margin]: 30

1    This is the last Will and Testament
2    of me William Blake of the parish of Cookham in the County of
3    Berks Shopkeeper First I direct all my just debts funeral and testa-
4    mentary charges and expences shall be fully paid and satisfied as
5    soon as conveniently may be after my decease I give and bequeath unto my Son John Blake the  legacy or sum of money five pounds I give and bequeath 
6    unto my Grandson John William Blake and my Granddaughter
7    Sarah Blake children of my said Son John Blake the legacy or sum
8    of one hundred pounds each to be vested in and payable to them
9    respectively as and when they respectively shall attain the age of
10    twenty one years And I direct each of such legacies to be if vested and
11    payable paid or if not retained and set apart at the end of three
12    calendar months next after my decease and if retained and set apart
13    to be invested in the names of my trustees in or upon the public
14    Stocks or Funds or other Government Securities of the United
15    Kingdom or real securities in the United Kingdom with power to
16    vary the investment from time to time for any other or others of
17    the like nature and to apply the yearly produce thereof in the
18    purchase of clothes and other necessaries for the said John William
19    Blake and Sarah Blake respectively or otherwise for their benefit
20    during their respective minority and the unapplied yearly produce
21    if any shall be accumulated and the accumulations be added to the
22    capital of the legacy whence the same shall have arisen and
23    follow the destination of the same legacy And I declare that if the
24    said John William Blake and Sarah Blake or either of them shall
25    die under the age of twenty one years that the legacy of such of
26    them as shall so die and the unapplied yearly produce and
    [Page 2]
27    accumulations if any shall sink into the residue of my personal
28    estate I give and bequeath unto the Treasurer for the time being
30    of the London Missionary Society the legacy or sum of nineteen
31    pounds to be applied towards the purposes of the said Institution I
32    give and bequeath unto the Treasurer for the time being of the
33    Religious Tract Society the legacy or sum of ten pounds to be applied
34    towards the purposes of the said Institution And I direct that the
35    receipts of the persons who shall happen to be such Treasurers as
36    aforesaid at the time when the above legacies are respectively paid
37    shall be sufficient discharges for the same I give and bequeath
38    unto each of my Trustees and Executors hereinafter named the legacy
39    or sum of ten pounds as a compensation for their trouble in
40    executing the trusts and duties of this my will And I direct that
41    the several legacies hereinbefore given and bequeathed shall be
42    severally paid within six months next after my decease I give
43    and devise all and singular my messuages or tenements lands
44    hereditaments and premises situate and being in the parish of
45    Cookham aforesaid and all other the real estate whatsoever or
46    wheresoever to which I shall be entitled at the time of my decease
47    (except estates vested in me as a trustee or mortgagee) with their
48    and every of their appurtenances unto and to the use of Charles
49    Cooper of Maidenhead in the said County of Berks Builder and
50    James Poulton of Maidenhead aforesaid Timber Merchant their
51    heirs and assigns for ever upon the trusts following (that is to say) upon
52    Trust that they the said Charles Cooper and James Poulton or the
53    survivor of them or the heirs or assigns of such survivor do and
54    shall with all convenient speed after my decease absolutely sell
55    the said hereditaments and premises either by public auction or
56    private contract and either together or in parcels and at one or
57    more time or times as my said trustees or trustee for the time being
58    shall think most advantageous and also do and shall make
59    execute and perfect all necessary and proper deeds conveyances and
60    assurances in the Law for the purpose of vesting the same in any
61    purchaser or purchasers thereof or as he she or they shall direct
62    or appoint And do and shall stand and be possessed of and interested
63    in the money to arise by such sale or sales upon such and the
64    same trusts and for the like intents and purposes as are hereinafter
65    declared of and concerning my residuary personal estate And as
66    to all and singular my goods chattels money securities for money Stock
67    in the public Funds rights credits and all other the Personal Estate
68    whatsoever and wheresoever not hereinbefore bequeathed to which
69    I shall be entitled at the time of my decease I give and bequeath
70    the same unto the said Charles Cooper and James Poulton their
71    executors administrators and assigns upon the trusts following (that
72    is to say) Upon Trust as soon as conveniently may be after my
73    decease in the discretion and of the sole authority of my said trustees
74    or the survivor of them his executors administrators or assigns
75    to sell dispose of or convert in money so much and such parts of
76    the same residuary personal estate as shall not consist of money
77    or securities for money and to collect get in and receive the
78    remaining parts of my said residuary personal estate and stand
79    and be possessed of the proceeds thereof upon the trusts hereinafter
80    declared of and concerning the same And I hereby empower my
81    said trustees or trustee in the execution of the aforesaid trusts to
82    compound or allow such time or accept such security real or personal
83    for the payment of any sum or sums of money which shall be
84    owing to me at the time of my decease as by them or him shall
    [Page 3]
85    be deemed expedient and also to refer to arbitration or otherwise
86    adjust any question or dispute that may arise in relation thereto or
87    in relation to any debt that may be owing or be claimed to be
88    owing by me to any person or persons whomsoever And it is my
89    will and I declare that the said Charles Cooper and James Poulton
90    and the survivor of them his executors administrators and
91    assigns shall stand possessed or as well the monies to arise from
92    my said residuary personal estate as the monies to be produced by
93    the sale or sales to be made under or by virtue of the trusts herein
94    before declared concerning my said real estate hereinbefore devised
95    upon Trust in the first place by with or out of the same monies
96    to pay or satisfy and retain all expences incidental to the trusts
97    hereby created And in the next place to pay the pecuniary legacies
98    hereinbefore bequeathed as and when the same shall become due
99    and payable and subject thereto In Trust for my following children
100    namely Lydia, Fanny, Mary and Martha to be equally divided
101    between and among them and their respective executors administrators and
102    assigns and the respective shares of such children to be received
103    enjoyed and disposed of by them respectively as their respective
104    separate estate without the control or interferance of any husband
105    or husbands whom they respectively may marry and the receipts
106    of each of my said daughters to be notwithstanding coverture an
107    effectual discharge for the same I devise and bequeath all the
108    Real and personal Estate vested in me as a trustee or mortgagee
109    unto my said trustees their heirs executors administrators and assigns
110    subject to the trusts and equities affecting the same respectively I
111    declare that the receipt or receipts of the trustees or trustee for the time
112    being of my Will shall be good and effectual discharges for any sum
113    or sums of money payable to them or him under or by virtue of this
114    my Will and that any purchaser or other persons paying them
115    or him any such sum or sums of money and taking their or his
116    receipts or receipt for the same respectively shall not afterwards be
117    answerable or accountable for the loss misapplication or nonappli-
118    cation or in anywise bound or concerned to see to the application of the
119    money in the said receipts mentioned or acknowledged to be received
120    provided always and it is my will that in case the said Charles
121    Cooper and James Poulton or either of them or any trustee or
122    trustees to be appointed under this present provision in their or
123    either of their place of stead shall depart this life or be desirous of
124    being discharged of and from the aforesaid trusts or shall go to
125    reside beyond the seas or shall neglect or refuse to become incapa-
126    ble to act in the said trusts before the same shall be fully executed and
127    performed then and in that case and when and as often as the same
128    shall happen it shall and may be lawful to and for the surviving
129    or continuing trustee or trustees for the time being or the last acting
130    trustee of this my Will or the executors or administrators of the
131    last acting trustee to nominate any fit person or persons to supply
132    the place of the trustee or trustees respectively so dying desiring
133    to be discharged going to reside beyond seas or refusing neglecting or
134    becoming incapable to act as aforesaid And that immediately as
135    after every such appointment the trust estate monies and effects
136    then vested by virtue of this my Will in the trustee or trustees so
137    dying desiring to be discharged or going to reside beyond the seas
138    or refusing neglecting or becoming incapable to act as aforesaid
139    shall be conveyed assigned and assured to and in such manner
140    that the same may vest in such new trustee or trustees jointly
141    with the surviving or continuing trustee or in such new trustee
    [Page 4]
142    or trustees solely as the case may require upon the trusts herein
143    before expressed and declared of an concerning the same or such
144    of them as shall then be subsisting or capable of taking effect And
145    that every such new trustee shall and may exercise the same powers
146    privileges and authorities as if he she or they has been appointed
147    a trustee or trustees by this my Will and as if his her or their name
148    or names had been inserted herein instead of the name or names
149    of the trustee or trustees hereby appointed in or to whose place
150    such new trustee or trustees shall come or succeed provided lastly
151    and I do hereby declare my will to be that the trustees and execu-
152    tors of this my Will or either of them their or either of their
153    executors or administrators shall not be charged or chargeable with
154    nor accountable for any more of the aforesaid trust monies estates
155    and premises than he she or they respectively shall actually
156    receive or shall come to him her or their respective hands by
157    virtue of this my will nor for any loss or misfortune which may
158    happen to the same estates monies and premises or any part
159    thereof so as such loss or misfortune happen without their respec-
160    tive wilful default or anyone or more of them for the other or
161    others of them or for the acts deeds receipts disbursements or default
162    of the other of others of them but each of them only for his own
163    acts deeds receipts disbursaments and wilful defaults And also that
164    it shall and may be lawful for the Trustees and Executors of my
165    Will and each of them and their respective heirs executors and
166    administrators by and out of the aforesaid respective trust estates
167    monies and premises to deduct retain and reimburse themselves
168    respectively and to pay and allow to each other all such loss costs
169    charges and expences as they shall respectively sustain expend
170    disburse be at or be put unto by reason of the said several trusts
171    hereby in them reposed in relation to the same estates monies
172    and premises respectively or to the management or execution
173    thereof of any other thing in anywise relating thereto I appoint
174    the said Charles Cooper and James Poulton to be Trustees and
175    Executors of my Will Lastly I revoke all Wills Codicils and other
176    testamentary dispositions made by me at any time or times
177    heretofore and do declare this to be my last will and Testament
178    In witness whereof I have hereunder set my hand this twenty
179    sixth day of May one thousand eight hundred and forty three
181    William Blake signed by the said testator as and for his last
182    Will and Testament in the presence of us present at the same
183    time who at his request in his presence and in the presence of
184    each other have hereunto set our names as witnesses thereto
185    Chas Brown  William Wright } Clerks to Mr James Smith Solicitor
186    Maidenhead
187    Codicil to my Will Wm Blake My Son John Blake having
188    this day the 6th of August 1844 informed me of the death of his
189    daughter Sarah to whom I have bequeathed in my present
190    will the sum of one hundred pounds and which sum I now trans
191    fer to his daughter Lydia and hereby authorize my Executors to
192    apply the same money for her benefit Witness my hand this
193    sixth day of August 1844 William Blake witness Mary Blake
194    Martha Blake 6th Augt 1844
195    In consideration of the various sums of money
196    that I have from time to time advanced to my daughter Fanny
197    I do hereby desire and direct my Executors to pay her one
198    hundred
    [Page 4]
199    hundred pounds less than to each of my other daughters out of
200    my property William Blake 4th July 1845 Witness Lydia Blake
201    Mary Blake
202    Cookham August 9, 1845
203    To the Executors of me William Blake of
204    Cookham I hereby authorize you to sell all my Property and
205    when so done to abate one hundred pounds of the residue to my
206    daughter Fanny in conveyance of sums previously paid to her
207    at various times before this day Witness my hand William Blake
208    Edward Cooper Witness Lydia Blake  Mary Blake  Martha Blake
209    Witnesses
210    Appeared Personally Mary Blake of Cookham in
211    the County of Berks Spinster and referring to the three codicils to
212    the last Will and Testament of William Blake late of the parish
213    of Cookham in the county of Berks Grocer and Shopkeeper
214    deceased the first of the said Codicils bearing date the sixth day
215    of August one thousand eight hundred and forty four and the
216    second and third of the said Codicils bearing date respectively the
217    fourth day of July and the ninth day of August one thousand eight
218    hundred and forty five now hereunto annexed made Oath that
219    the said deceased duly executed the said three codicils to his said
220    Will on the days or the respective dates thereof by signing his
221    name at the foot of and thereof respectively to wit the first of the
222    said Codicils on the aforesaid sixth day of August in the presence
223    of this deponent and of Martha Blake the other subscribed
224    witness thereto who was also present as the same time the
225    second of the said Codicils on the aforesaid fourth day of July in
226    the presence of this deponent and of Lydia Blake the other
227    subscribed witness thereto who was also present at the same
228    time and the third of the said Codicils (written on a half sheet
229    of paper as the same now appears on the aforesaid ninth day
230    of August in the presence of this deponent and of Edward Cooper
231    Lydia Blake and Martha Blake the other subscribed witnesses
232    thereto who were also present at the same time and that this
233    deponent and the said Martha Blake attested and subscribed the
234    said first Codicil and that this deponent
235    and the said Lydia Blake attested and subscribed the said second
236    Codicil and that this deponent and the said Edward Cooper Lydia
237    Blake and Martha Blake attested and subscribed the said third
238    Codicil on the occasions of the said execution thereof respectively in
239    the presence of the said deceased Mary Blake On the 16th
240    day of September 1845 the said Mary Blake was duly sworn to
241    the trust of this Affidavit Before me F.F. Pratt S PST Geo Heales
242    Proved at London with three Codicils 3rd Oct 1845 before the
243    worshipful James Parker Deane Doctor of Laws and Surrogate by
244    the Oaths of Charles Cooper and James Poulton the Executors
245    to whom admon was granted having been first sworn duly to
246    administer

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Will of William Blake of Coggs, Oxfordshire, National Archives PROB 11/429, Image Reference 572/686 and 572/687, probated 4 Dec 1695

This William Blake I can fill in his line back to the Wiltshire Blake family from the chart at Swindon and Wiltshire Record Office. He names his siblings making it easy to locate him and the extra information he includes provides a well rounded picture of this Blake line. A real treat for the Blake study would be someone testing yDNA from this line. Because my father was born in England and I can trace his line back a long way I can perhaps better understand why people in England (or even Europe perhaps) feel less inclined to test their DNA than people in Canada and the United States. Americans are particularly into testing their DNA. But for those of us who know our ancestry the incentive to test comes from a desire to know your deep ancestry. How did my line get to Britain following the last ice age? How large a group are they now? Those are the questions that drove my testing my brother and myself to look at the deep ancestry of both our maternal and paternal lines and lately I have tested both of us for Family Finder. I have an amazing number of matches that are American and in many cases have been able to say to people who write that they could be looking at their Ellis family being from Dorset and other such neat items!

However this particular will is about William Blake whose charities left in 1695 funded three schools and helped children in his area to attain a better life. What a marvelous thing he did in leaving such a protected charity to endow these schools forever. In particular he set aside the following estate to be used to fund the schools and even in 1909 when the estate was sold it was still charged with the Blake charity annuities.


Shield Farm Estate (Alvescote)
 (http://www.british-history.ac.uk/report.aspx?compid=2067)
An inclosed estate of some 136 a., chiefly former demesne north of Alvescot village, was sold by Charles Trinder in 1653 to Thomas Hales and his wife Katherine (Ashcombe), evidently reserving 8s. 6d. quitrent. Hales sold the estate in 1658 to John Wheeler of Minster Lovell, who before 1664 built for it a 'fair mansion house', later called Shield or Shill Farm. (fn. 79) In 1671 Wheeler settled both house and estate on his son John, who in 1673 sold them to William Blake of Cogges; Daniel Blake sold them in 1725, charged with charitable annuities, to Simon Harcourt, Viscount Harcourt, whose descendant the Revd William Vernon Harcourt sold them in 1867 to John Nalder of Alvescot. Nalder's executors sold the estate, still charged with the Blake charity annuities, in 1909.


William Blake, by will proved 1695, left a £12 rent-charge on his estates at Alvescot, to pay two schoolmistresses to teach in the schools which he had built at High Cogges and Newland. There was a rent-free house and garden for each mistress, who was to be a protestant and who was to teach reading, the catechism, sewing, and knitting. Each school was to have 12 boys and 12 girls aged 6-9 years. Blake also left £1 10s. a year for the upkeep of the schools, and £5 a year for boys leaving school to be taught writing by a master at Witney; £20 a year was left for buying books and clothing for the schoolchildren. If there were not enough poor children in Cogges and Newland, places could be given to children from neighbouring parishes.


In 1857 the Blake schools trust, which also included a school at Witney, was reorganized. The Witney school was sold and the proceeds devoted to enlarging and improving the school at Newland, which became the main school in the parish, although the High Cogges school continued. In 1860 the Blake schools were vested in the official trustee of charity lands, but the former trustees remained governors; the Newland school received its first government grant in 1862. The salaries of the Witney schoolmistress and of the master who taught the older boys writing were added to the Newland school endowment. There were no more free pupils; children of labourers paid 4s. a year and those of farmers and tradesmen 8s. Clothing was henceforth given only as a reward for good work and conduct. The school was taught by one certificated teacher and had an average attendance of 40.


In 1933 Blake's school at Cogges was reorganized as a junior school with 63 pupils; senior children went to Witney. In 1955 there were 80 children, divided into three classes by screens in the one large room; there was only one other small room and bucket sanitation. A new school was built on the new housing estate south of Cogges village in 1983, when there were 175 children on the register.

Looking at the ancestry of William Blake and he mentions that he was the son of Sir Francis Blake also of Coggs. The chart names him as Francis Blake of Highgate in County Middlesex Esquire 4th son living in 1690 aged 80 years and married to Catherine daughter of Sir Valentine Brown of Crofte in Lincoln County Knight. His second wife was Mary the daughter of Sir Anthony Cope of Hanwell in Oxford County Baronet. The three children mentioned in the will were all children of Catherine (Eleanor Briscoe his sister (married to Elisha Briscoe of London), William (testator) and Sir Francis his brother).
Sir Francis (father of the testator) was fourth son of Thomas Blake and Eleanor Hall whose children included Thomas (eldest son) who married Dorothy Maio, Eleanor who married John Stacy, Robert Blake who married Joane Pyle, Arthur Blake (wife unknown), Francis (4th son above), William married to Margaret Fountain, and Richard married to Elizabeth Bathurst.

Thomas Blake (married to Eleanor Hall) was the son of John Blake and Margaret Blake. At this point I have a problem with the chart which has been produced from the Visitations and other information. I believe that Margaret is the daughter of William Blake and Avice Ripley and John is the son of William Blake and Elizabeth (unknown) and both Williams lived at Eastontown, near Andover Hampshire.
William Blake married to Avice Ripley is said to be a son of Roger Blake and Mary Baynard (Roger does not list him in  his will but then he only mentions his eldest son and youngest daughter) and this couple had seven children.

William Blake married to Elizabeth (unknown) is a son of Nicholas Blake and Margaret (unknown) who lived at Enham. Nicholas left his will in 1547 and William in 1582 naming their children.
Emanuel Blake is a bit of a mystery. Although I do find his marriage to Amey Bellinger 18 Apr 1682 at Saint Olave, Old Jewry, London England and the baptism of their daughter Sarah 4 Mar 1688 Saint Paul Covent Garden, Westminster, London, England. 


Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 26 Apr 2012
Source:  The National Archives PROB 11/429, Image Reference 572/686 and 572/687  (images by me)
Name of testator: William Blake Esquire of Coggs, Oxfordshire
Place: Coggs, Oxfordshire, England
Type of Record: Will
Dated: 6 Apr 1693, probated 4 Dec 1695
Read: Electronic file
Condition: well formed letters, 17th century, light copy

[In margin] Tm Willimi
[In margin] Blake

1    In the name of God Amen
2    I William Blake of Coggs in the County of Oxon Esq[ui]re being of good
3    health blessed be God yet upon the account and considera[t]io[n] of my
4    mortallity doe this sixth day of Aprill in the first yeare of the Reigne of
5    William and Mary by the grace of God of England Scotland France and
6    Ireland King and Queen defenders of the Faith e[t]c Anno D[omin]i one thousand six
7    hundred ninety three make this my last Will and Testament in manner and
8    forme following that is to say Imprimis I give and bequeath my Soul unto
9    Almighty God hopeing throughe alone merrits of my blessed Saviour and
10    Redeemer Jesus Christ to obtaine everlasting life and my body to be
11    buryed with all convenient privacy near my sonn in the Church of Coggs
12    aforesaid in the Isle by me paved and repaired and now for the setling of the
13    estate which it hath pleased God farr above my deserts to bestow upon me
14    I doe order give and dispose of the same in manner and forme following that
15    is to say First I will that all those debts and duties which I shall owe in
16    Law right or conscience to any person or persons whatsoever at the time
17    of my decease and my Funeral charges and expences shall be paid within
18    convenient time after my decease by my Executors in trust hereafter in these
19    presents named and appointed. Item I give and bequeath the summe of twenty
20    five pounds to be laid out in gold mourning rings each of them of tenn
21    shillings vallue by my said Executors and by them to be distributed to gentleman
22    of my acquaintance in the neighbourhood of Coggs aforesaid to Rela[t]ions
23    and friends of my acquaintance in the county and in the citty of London and
24    West[minste]r within convenient time after my decease and to such persons as are
25    here in after named to each of them a ring to the vallue men[t]ioned over and
26    above the said five and twenty pounds. Item I will and bequeath the sev[er]all
27    summes next herein alsoe men[t]ioned to the persons hereinafter named to buy
28    them mourning viz [a vi]t to my brother Sir Francis Blake the summe of tenn
29    pounds and to Elizabeth his wife the summe of tenn pounds To my Uncle
30    Mr. William Blake the summe of eight pounds to my cozen Daniell Blake
31    sonn of the said William Blake a ring of twenty shillings vallue to Mr.
32    Emanuell Blake late Woollen Draper the summe of eight pounds and to
33    Amy his wife the summe of eight pounds And I further give and bequeath
34    unto the said Sir Francis Blake for ever the debt oweing me by the Late King
35    Charles the second in the Exchequer being two hundred pounds with the
36    Interest and arreares thereof which shall be due at the time of my decease
37    alsoe the writings of assignes and securitys concerning the said debt now in the
38    hands of my nephew John Biscoe Item I will and bequeath unto my
39    beloved wife Sarah over and above her Jointure or Dower of three hundred
40    and fifty pounds per ann[um] already setled and hereby confirmed by me upon
41    her
    [Page 2]
42    her out of Coggs and the moiety of the Mansion house of Coggs afores[ai]d
43    for and during her naturall life the summe of one hundred pounds to buy
44    her mourning her maid coachman footboy and butler and to other my
45    servants if she thinks fitting and the hangings chaires stooles tables bedds
46    bedding bedstead and screane and other the furniture of the Lodging Chamber
47    over the hall in my said Mansion house at Coggs which shall be as usually
48    there alsoe my small Iapan Cabinet and my Sandall Cabinet and my dressing
49    box my looking glasse and my sonns picture usually being in the said chamber
50    alsoe the bedd bedding beddstead chaire table and Andirons which shall
51    be at the time of decease in the garret chamber over my lodgeing chamber
52    alsoe her wedding ring set with a diamond and one pair of gold brassletts
53    filled with perfume and one gold chain necklace and my small gold watch
54    with a gold studded case and the small gold chain belonging to it together
55    with all her owne and my weareing apparrell whatever and the Trunks and
56    Chists in which they are commonly kept I further give and bequeath to my
57    said wife to the amount of fifty pounds of what ever my other goods and
58    moveables householdstuff and furniture which shall be in my said Mansion
59    house at the time of my decease if my said wife shall desire it such as she
60    shall choose but to noe greater amount. Item I give and bequeath unto the
61    said John Biscoe one hundred and fifty pounds and for the trouble I have
62    given unto  him about my businesse the further summe of one hundred pounds
63    to my nephew Joseph Biscoe one hundred and fifty pounds And to my
64    nephew Francis Biscoe one hundred pounds to be paid to each of them
65    respectively within a yeare after my decease and in case either of them
66    the said Joseph and Francis shall happen to dye before their Legacyes
67    shall be paid then the Legacy of him soe dyeing shall remaine and be
68    to the survivor Item I give and bequeath unto my Neece Elleanor
69    Biscoe besides the one hundred pounds to her already given the summe
70    of one hundred and fifty pounds if soe much by me be not given her in
71    my life time upon marriage and in case of her death before payment thereof
72    then to her issue if any and if she dye without issue before payment thereof
73    then the said Legacy to cease Item I give and bequeath unto my said
74    brother John Bellinger eight pounds to buy mourning Item I give and
75    bequeath unto my Nephew John Harris a ring of twenty shillings vallue
76    Item I give and bequeath unto the children of my said brother Francis
77    Blake and Elizabeth his wife which shall be unmarryed at the time of
78    my decease a bond of five hundred pounds and interest which he owes
79    me on bond alsoe what rent and arreares of rent he shall then owe to
80    me for two estates one of a hundred and fifty pounds per Annum And the
81    other of a hundred and thirty pounds per Annum which he holds of me
82    being in Northumberland or adjacent Countyes as appears by the deeds
83    and writings of rent charge leases or otherwise and what is owed to me from
84    him as men[t]ioned will appear by my books of accompt all which said moneys
85    to be equally divided between them by my said brother at his discre[t]ion
86    Item I give and bequeath unto my said brother Sir Francis Blakes daughter
87    Mary Delavall the summe of fifty pounds to buy her a jeweller peece
88    of plate Item I give to his daughter Elizabeth fifty pounds to buy her
89    a Jewell or peece of plate and to his daughter Sarah fifty pounds
90    And to his daughter Elleanor fifty pounds and to his daughter Katherine
91    and Susannah fifty pounds apeece at their several ages of eighteen yeares
92    or dayes of marriage which first shall happen Item I give to the Minister
93    of Coggs aforesaid being my Chaplain at the time of my decease five
    [Page 3]
94    pounds to buy him a mourning gowne and a ring of twenty shillings Item I
95    give to Mr. Henry Cornish tenn pounds to buy him mourning or otherwise
96    Item I give to Mr Ralph Turmball Minister a mourning ring of twenty
97    shillings Item I give and bequeath unto Mr John Wheeler a ring of
98    twenty shillings And I further give unto him the Interest of fifty
99    pounds which shall be owe to me from him at my decease on a bond
100    of a hundred pounds but not the principall being fifty pounds which
101    he owes me on the said bond and what other moneys owe to me as by his
102    accompt in my bookes Item I give and bequeath unto my said wives
103    Rela[t]ions as followeth viz [ a vi]t to her Nephew William Billidge
104    sonn of John Billidge deceased her brother by Susannah his wife
105    the summe of fifty pounds haveing given him at setting up of his trade
106    two hundred pounds and in case of his dyeing before the said fifty poundes
107    be paid then I give the same to his brother if liveing otherwise the same
108    to cease. Item I give and bequeath unto Susannah Billidge the widow
109    of the said John Billidge the summe of tenn pounds and to each and
110    every one of her other childrens children by the said John Billidge the
111    summe of twenty five pounds to be by my said Executors equally
112    distributed and paid to them And in case they dye before the same
113    become payable then the same to cease Item I give and bequeath unto
114    Ministers of my acquaintance such as I releived in my life time and to
115    other distressed parsons in the County of Oxon and in and about the
116    cittyes of London and Westminster the summe of fifty pounds to be by
117    my said Executors given and distributed amongst them according to the
118    discre[t]ion of my Executors Item I give and bequeath unto poor widows
119    and Orphans and other distressed people such as I in my life time
120    releived and others in and about the cittyes of London and
121    Westminster the summe of fifty pounds to be by my said Executors
122    given and distributed amongst them according to the discre[t]ion of my
123    said Executors Item I give and bequeath unto the poor of the Towne
124    and Parish of Witny in the said County of Oxon the summe of twenty
125    pounds to be distrubuted as aforesaid Item I give unto my wife the
126    summe of fifty pounds if liveing at the time of my decease if otherwise
127    unto my Executors in trust for Joanna Hersington for her personall
128    use and dispose and for separate maintenance soe that her husband
129    may not have power to dispose of any part thereof from her and whom
130    I desire my wife to take care of and if the said Joanna dye before the
131    said Legacy be nowe payable then I give the said fifty pounds
132    to my said wife Item I give and bequeath unto Anne Adams the summe
133    of twenty pounds if living otherwise to cease Item I give and bequeath
134    unto Elizabeth Smart formerly my maid servant twenty and five pounds
135    Item I give and bequeath unto my servants which shall be at the time
136    of my decease imployed in the severall offices the severall Legacyes
137    following viz[ a vi]t To my Bayliff or cheife husbandman twenty and
138    five pounds if he gives in a just amount of his trust And what he
139    managed to my Butler five pounds to my groome fifty shillings
140    to the Coachman fifty shillings to the boy that worketh with him
141    tenn shillings to the Gardiner fifty shillings to the shephard fifty
142    shillings to the Carter thirty shillings to the under Shephard tenn
143    shillings to the boy that doth attend upon my person at the time of
144    my decease fifteen pounds to put him out to a trade and fit him with
145    cloathes and necessaryes Item I give and bequeath unto my women
    [Page 4]
146    servants which shall be at the time of my decease as followeth
147    to the cheife maid Mary Freeman fifty pounds And I give to my said
148    wife fifty pounds to be paid to the said Mary Freeman provided she
149    continue servant to my said wife dureing her life she not departing
150    from my wives service without licence in writing under my wives
151    hand and then to have the said last men[t]ioned fifty pounds To the
152    middle maid three pounds to the coock maid fifty shillings to the
153    dairy maid thirty shillings to the under maid twenty shillings to the
154    garden weeding woman tenn shillings Item I give and bequeath unto
155    the Bayliffs and Churchwardens of the town of Witny aforesaid for
156    the time being for the use and benefit of the Towne the striking clock
157    with hand dyalls which I have caused to be set up and fixed on the
158    Market house of Witney aforesaid I alsoe give thirty shillings yearely forever
159    unto the said Bailliffs and Churchwardens towards the keeping and
160    repaireing of the said Clock and Clockhouse one half of the said summe
161    to be paid at Michaelmas the other at Lady Day and the paym[en]ts
162    to beginn at such of the said Feast dayes as shall first happen after
163    my decease And I appoint that the said summe of thirty shillings be paid
164    yearely according to the Feasts aforesaid by the Owners of my said
165    house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being to the said Bayliffs
166    and Churchwardens of Whitny for the time being to be by them
167    paid out for the aforesaid use of the clock dialls and clockhouse as
168    aforesaid unto the person or persons that shall look after them and
169    keep them in order goeing and repaired and for noe other use
170    purpose whatsoever Item I will and appoint to be paid by the
171    owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being
172    twenty shillings yearely and forever for and towards the keeping
173    in repair and beautifying of my owne my wives and of my deceased
174    sons monument erected in the said Church of Coggs alsoe the
175    wainscote curtaine to the said Monument And that Isle in which
176    the said Monument stands the said twenty shillings to be by them
177    laid out and disposed for the aforesaid use of the Monument Curtaine and
178    Isle aforesaid when there shall be occasion for any of the said
179    repairs otherwise to remaine in their hands until there be
180    occasion and for noe other use whatsoever Item I will and
181    appoint to be paid to the Minister of the said Church of Coggs and
182    his successors fifteen shillings yearely for ever And I will the same
183    be paid in manner aforesaid by the owners of my said house and
184    Mannor Coggs for the time being upon every new years day
185    provided the said Minister for the time being that day in the morning
186    or afternoon preach a sermon in the Church makeing it his subject
187    to exhort his hearers to consider their latter end or some such life
188    exhorta[t]ions And in case any New Years Day shall happen to be the
189    Lords day then such preaching to be in the afternoon and in case he
190    neglect to preach at the same time then I give the said fifteen
191    shillings to the poor of Coggs and Newland to be distributed amongst
192    them in bread by the Churchwardens of Coggs aforesaid for the time
193    being Item I give and bequeath tenn shillings yearely forever to be
194    paid by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the
195    time being unto the Churchwardens of Coggs aforesaid for the time being
196    to be laid out by them in bread and to be distributed to the poor of
197    Coggs and Newland aforesaid at the discre[t]ion of the said Churchwardens
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198    at the said Church to such of them as shall come to heare and be
199    present at the said sermon which shall be preached on the said yearely
200    day Item I give and bequeath for the benefit of poor protestant
201    children males and females borne in the said parish of Coggs Newland
202    and Witney as followeth To the School Mistresse of High Coggs for the
203    time being who shall be a protestant and from time to time be nominated
204    by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being
205    and by them to be paid to her the summe of six pounds yearely for ever
206    by two half yearely payments and at the two most usuall Feast dayes
207    Mich[elm]as and our Lady Day the first payment thereof to begin and to
208    be made on the first of the said Feasts which shall happen come
209    and be next after my decease for teaching to read and instructing
210    in learning and in a protestant catechisme the number
211    of four and twenty poor children of Coggs and Newland aforesaid And if
212    there shall be wanting children in Coggs and Newland aforesaid
213    to make up that number then to be supplyed from adjacent Towns
214    and alsoe to teach the females of them plaine work and to knit Item I
215    give and bequeath unto the School Mistresse of Newland for the time
216    being who shall be a protestant and alsoe be nominated by the owners
217    of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being the like summe
218    of six pounds yearely and for ever and by them to be paid to her by two
219    half yearely payments and at the most usuall Feasts dayes in manner as
220    aforesaid for the teaching to read and instructing in learning and a
221    protestant catechisme the number of four and twenty poore
222    children of Newland and Coggs aforesaid and if there shall be wanting
223    in Newland and Coggs children to make up that number then to be
224    supplyed from Witney and adjacent Townes and alsoe to teach the
225    Females of them plaine worke and to knit Item I give and bequeath
226    to the schoolmistress of Witney aforesaid for the time being who alsoe
227    shall be a protestant and nominated by the owners of my said
228    house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being the like summe of six
229    pounds yearely and for ever to be paid to her by two half yearely
230    payments in manner as aforesaid by the owners of my said house and
231    Mannor of Coggs for the time being for teaching to read and
232    instructing in learning and in a protestant Catechism the number
233    of thirty poor children of Witney and adjacent Townes males and
234    females and alsoe to teach the Females of their plaine worke and to
235    knit all which children shall be nominated from time to time by the
236    owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being
237    Item I give and bequeath five pounds per Ann[um] for ever to be paid by
238    two half yearely payments on the aforesaid Feast days by the owners
239    of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being in manner as
240     aforesaid to a writing Master for teaching a reasonable number of
241    men children to write and to cyphr soe farr as is convenient to fit
242    boys for trades and to perfect them in reading and in the protestant
243    catechisme which children shall be appointed and chosen by the owners
244    of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being and be by them taken
245    and still supplyed anew as any boy or boys shall goe off either out of the said
246    schooles of High Coggs and Newland fitting to learn to write such as have
247    well first learned to read in the bible by the said school mistresses
248    and if there shall be wanting boyes then the said number of boyes by the
249    owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being to be
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250    supplyed and made up from time to time from and out of the aforesaid
251    parish of Witney and adjacent Townes such whose parents are poor and
252    indigent all which said children male and Female for the preferring of them
253    to learning as aforesaid and the writing Master and Schoolmistresses are
254    to have the approba[t]ion of and to be nominated from time to time by the
255    owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being and not
256    otherwise to be admitted to any of the places aforesaid and the said
257    children at their entrance to be taught by the said school mistresses
258    as aforesaid are to be of or about the age of six yeares and shall and
259    may continue to be instructed as aforesaid until they be and have
260    accomplished the age of nine yeares and noe longer or until they have
261    read the Bible twice which shall first happen and as any of them the
262    said children taught by the said writing Master or school mistresses
263    shall happen to dye or be removed their rooms and places shall
264    successively be supplyed by the owners of my said house and Mannor
265    of Coggs for the time being againe out of the aforemen[t]ioned Townes
266    to compleate the said number of them as before appointed And I
267    further give and bequeath the summe of twenty pounds per Annum
268    for ever at the Feast dayes and in manner as aforesaid to be laid
269    out by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time
270    being to buy some of the poorer sort of the said Children of Coggs
271    and Newland aforesaid to be distributed at their discre[t]ion and not
272    the children of Witney and Townes adjacent yearely and every
273    yeare gownes or cloathes all of a colour and alsoe to buy them
274    catechises primmers Testaments Bibles and other protestant bookes
275    and what of the said twenty pounds shall be in their hands not soe laid
276    out yearely shall be towards buying of cloathes for such of the said
277    children as shall be put out to prentice Trades or services at the
278    discre[t]ion of the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs as
279    aforesaid And further I give and bequeath the summe of seven pounds
280    and sixteen shillings per Ann[um] for ever to buy bread yearely and every
281    yeare to be distributed and given by the Churchwardens or Overseers of
282    Coggs aforesaid for the time being to such poor people of Coggs and
283    Newland aforesaid as the owners of my said House and Mannor of Coggs for
284    the time being shall think fit and approve off an equall propor[t]ion of the said
285    seven pounds and sixteen shillings to be distributed on every Lords day in
286    the yeare to the said poor which shall be at the heareing of the sermon
287    which shall be preached by a protestant minister at Coggs Church aforesaid
288    Item I give and bequeath the schoolhouse which I have built in Coggs
289    aforesaid with the garden and the appurten[an]ces thereunto belonging shall
290    forever remaine and be for the use of the aforesaid school mstresses
291    for the time being to dwell in rent free and without paying any Fine
292    at Entrance to teach and instruct the said children in Coggs aforesaid
293    according to the direc[t]io[n] aforesaid I further will give and bequeath that
294    the schoolhouse I have built in Newland aforesaid with the garden and
295    other the appurtenances thereunto belonging shall for ever remaine and
296    be for the use of the aforesaid schoolmistresse for the time being to dwell
297    in there rent free and without paying any Fine to teach and instruct the said
298    children in Newland aforesaid according to the direc[t]io[n] aforesaid. Item
299    I give and bequeath the schoolhouse of Witney by me built with the garden and
300    other appurtenances thereunto belonging shall for ever remaine and be for
301    the use of the school mistresse for the time being to dwell in rent free and
    [Page 7]
302    without paying fine to teach and instruct children in Witney aforesaid
303    according to the direc[t]io[n] aforesaid I further appoint the said Schoolmistresses if
304    single women otherwise their husbands each of them to give bond in a reasonable
305    penalty for the owners of my house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being that
306    he or she respectively shall and will quietly goe out and leave the said
307    school house or houses when he or she or they respectively shall be required
308    thereunto by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the
309    time being in writing under their hand or hands whom I desire may be
310    removed upon any misdemeanor of the said school mistresses respectively
311    refuseing to teach the children as aforemen[t]ioned or by takeing in a greater
312    number of children to teach than before men[t]ioned without the approba[t]ion
313    of the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being or
314    any other misdeamenor to the prejudice of the said childrens learning
315    And in such cases I appoint the owners of my said house and Mannor of
316    Coggs for the time being to nominate and put in others in his her and their
317    places who shall be removed for the foremen[t]ioned uses of teaching children
318    Item I give and bequeath the summe of thirty shillings per Ann[um] for ever to
319    be paid by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the time
320    being at the said Feast dayes and in manner as aforesaid if occasion shall
321    require it for and towards the repaireing and rebuilding as occasion shall
322    happen by Fire or other accidentall causes of the said schoolhouses of
323    Coggs Newland and Witney otherwise to remaine in their hands for the said
324    use or uses when it shall be requisite to be disbursed and for noe
325    other use whatsoever Item I give and devise to the owners of my said
326    house and Mannor of Coggs for the time being the Master of the Freeschool
327    of Witney aforesaid for the time being John Collier of Witney aforesaid
328    cloathier Richard Broom of Witney aforesaid Mercer and Edward Moulden
329    of Witney aforesaid Ironmonger and their heires and to the heires of the
330    survivor of them all my Lands tenements and hereditaments in Alscot al[ia]s
331    Alvescot in the said county of Oxon to the uses intents and purposes hereafter
332    in this my Will men[t]ioned that is to say in trust for the due payment of
333    the said severall and respective summes before men[t]ioned of thirty shillings
334    twenty shillings fifteen shillings tenn shillings six pounds six pounds six
335    pounds five pounds twenty pounds seven pounds sixteen shillings thirty
336    shillings and tenn pounds per Ann[um] for ever out of the yearely profits of
337    the premisses in Alvescot unto the owners of my said house and Mannor
338    of Coggs for the time being for the severall and respective uses and beheeses
339    aforesaid and not otherwise And I further will and ordaine that my said
340    Trustees or Feofees last before named and the Major part of them their
341    heires and Assignes for ever shall from time to time let and set all my estate
342    and liveing in Alvescot aforesaid unto some able Tenant or Tenants
343    paying a certaine yearely rent or rents according to the true and then
344    reall vallue and worth thereof which they shall soe let or set by Lease
345    not exceeding one and twenty yeares without committing any wast or
346    takeing any Fine And I will and ordaine that they the said Trustees or
347    Feoffees their heires and Assignes out of the said yearely rent or rents
348    shall pay or cause to be paid Annually for ever the aforesaid yearely summes
349    of thirty shillings twenty shillings fifteen shillings tenn shillings six
350    pounds six pounds six pounds five pounds twenty pounds seven
351    pounds sixteen shillings thirty shillings and tenn pounds at the severall
352    and respective times of payment where at the said severall yearely
353    summes are to be paid as before directed every yeare as is
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354    before and after men[t]ioned unto the owners of my said house and Mannor
355    of Coggs aforesaid for the time being for ever to be by him her and them
356    paid and disposed at the times and for the uses and beheeses before
357    men[t]ioned and not otherwise And I further will and ordaine that the
358    overplus of moneys or what shall be remaineing of all the said rent rents
359    and profits of the said premisses in Alvescott shall be paid by my said
360    Trustees or Feefoes their heires and Assignes at the two most usuall Feasts
361    in every yeare viz [a vi]t the Feast of the Annuncia[t]io[n] of the blessed Lady St Mary
362    the virgin and Michaell the Archangell or within one and twenty dayes
363    next after each of the said Feasts unto the owners of my said house and
364    Mannor of Coggs for the time being successively for ever to whom I give
365    the said overplus yearely and forever the first payment thereof to begin
366    and to be made on the first of the said Feasts which shall happen after my
367    decease in confidence - that the owners of my said house and Mannor of
368    Coggs for the time being shall accept of and performe the trusts reposed
369    in them by this my Will and not otherwise And further provided that
370    the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs aforesaid doe not
371    demand take or receive any Fine rent or other payment from the said
372    schoolmistresses or their husbands or any of them of Coggs and Newland
373    or give them any disturbance concerning the title of the said school houses
374    And I further will and ordaine that my said Trustees or Feoffees their
375    heires and Assignes shall first pay and defalt unto themselves out of the
376    said rent or profitts of Alvescot aforesaid what reasonable charge they
377    any or either of them shall sustaine at any time or times in or about
378    the premisses or trusts reposed in them as aforesaid and after that they
379    pay and defalt unto themselves out of the said rent rents or profits
380    annually and every yeare twenty five shillings for the charge of a
381    meeting dinner at some place and time by them agreed on in and about
382    their said Trust Item I will that the owners of my said house and Mannor
383    of Coggs for the time being shall have and enjoy the use only and not
384    the property of all my sonns Francis bookes and other bookes of mine
385    which are men[t]ioned in a schedule hanging up in the studdy within the
386    withdrawing room of my Mansion house in Coggs aforesaid and alsoe
387    the use of the Globes and a large mapp in the said studdy And I further
388    will and direct that the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs
389    for the time being and my said wife dureing her naturall life shall have
390    and enjoy only the use but not the property of the furniture in the
391    great parlour and withdrawing room in my said Mansion house
392    of Coggs (viz [a vi]t) of the pictures of Sir Francis Blake my Father and of
393    the said Sarah my wife and of the said Francis my sonn and of Elleanor
394    my sister and my owne and other pictures hanging in the said great
395    parlour with the chaires Tables carpets Andirons and two large
396    Looking Glasses usually being there and in the withdrawing roome
397    and alsoe of the Furniture in the little parlour in my said Mansion
398    house (viz [a vi]t) the lookeing glass chaires Tables and Watch clock
399    usually being there and alsoe the China Wares pictures chaires
400    cushions a small silver carpet Tables which are usually in my
401    wives Closset over the hall and little parlour of Coggs aforesaid
402    All which bookes goods and things last men[t]ioned I give and devise
403    unto my said Executors and to the Executors and Administrators of
404    the survivor of them in trust for the owners of my said house and
405    Mannor of Coggs for the time being and which I desire should and
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406    doe will and appoint to goe along and be enjoyed with my said
407    house for ever or soe long as may be and not to be sold disposed
408    off or moved out of the said Mansion house of Coggs but belong
409    and be annexed thereunto into whose hands soever the same shall
410    descend and come And I desire and appoint my said Executors
411    in trust to take an Inventory and make a duplicate there of of all
412    the before men[t]ioned goods which are to goe along with the
413    Inheritance of my Mansion house one part thereof to be hanged
414    up in the said studdy in my said house of Coggs and the other
415    part thereof to be kept by my said Executors in trust and by the
416    Executors and Administrators of the survivor of them to the use
417    interest and purpose aforesaid Item I will and bequeath to my said
418    wife my diamond Jewell called a Claspe being of three peices
419    which she usually wore with a gowne and Mantoe and all other
420    my rings plate pearle and Jewells Item I give and bequeath
421    unto the said John Biscoe whom I hereby appoint one of my
422    Executors in trust the summe of fifty pounds provided he accept
423    the trust and not otherwise Item I give and bequeath unto Mr
424    Peter Storer a ring of tenn shillings Item I give and bequeath
425    unto my cozen Joseph Biscoe a ring of tenn shillings Item I give
426    and bequeath unto my Chaplin for the time being  tenn pounds to
427    buy him a mourning or otherwise desireing him to make the
428    Inscrip[t]ion of mine and my wifes Tombstones and alsoe desire
429    him to preach my Funerall sermon in Coggs Church aforesaid
430    Item I give to my said wife my Chariot or Coach and my two
431    best horses or mares with their harnesse and other things
432    belonging to them which I shall have at the time of my decease
433    Item I give my owne rideing gelding with the saddle and
434    furniture which I shall have at the time of my decease unto
435    my said brother Sir Francis Blake Item I give and bequeath unto
436    my said brother Sir Francis Blake my silver hilted sword and
437    a jewell of diamond and other precious Stones which I did usually
438    wear on my left arme a silver hilted sword that was my
439    sonns sword alsoe my Silver Watch Item I will and appoint
440    to be paid to the Minister of Coggs aforesaid for the time being
441    yearely and for ever tenn pounds at the said two usuall Feasts
442    aforesaid by equall por[t]ions or within one and twenty dayes
443    by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for the
444    time being which I have hereby charged out of my Landes of
445    Alvescot the first payment thereof to begin and to be made on
446    the first of the said Feasts which shall happen to come and be
447    next after my decease provided the said Minister doe in a
448    protestant catechisme catechise the children of Coggs and
449    Newland Schools aforesaid on every Lords day in the afternoon
450    dureing the time of Lent alsoe the children and young people
451    of the said Townes and expound the same and Catechise as
452    aforesaid on the first Lords day in every moneth in the afternoon
453    yearely and forever except in time of Lent and alsoe shall
454    preach a sermon or give some short exhorta[t]ions at the times
455    before men[t]ioned and in case he shall omit to catechise expound
456    and preach or exhort at the times men[t]ioned then I will and
457    appoint for every such neglect the owners of my said house and
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458    Mannor of Coggs for the time being keep and retain tenn shillings
459    out of the said half yearely payments and the moneys to be by them
460    distributed to the poor of Coggs and Newland aforesaid And I will
461    and desire the said Minister of Coggs for the time being may be
462    nominated by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for
463    the time being for ever And I will and ordaine that my said Executors
464    in trust shall pay all my debts Legacyes and other payments due
465    from me at my decease out of my ready moneys and out of what
466    moneys shall be oweing me for arreares of rent not herein disposed
467    or upon any bonds or other securityes except what is before or
468    hereafter given which I will and appoint my said Executors in trust to
469    call in and in case the same shall not suffice then to make sale of
470    soe much of my corne hay and cattell at Coggs and else where that
471    is to say of corne hay cattle great and small horses beasts sheep
472    and Implements of husbandry not otherwise given away as before
473    or hereafter in this my Will as shall be necessary or wanting for
474    the paying and dischargeing of my said debts Legacyes and other
475    payments and that out of the said ready moneye and moneys which
476    shall be raised by arreares of rent and by moneys due upon Bond
477    or other securityes if need be and not otherwise by the said sales
478    of the said corne hay cattle and other particular things last men[t]ioned
479    as aforesaid Then my said Executors in trust shall pay or cause to be
480    paid out of the said last men[t]ioned particulars all my debts and the
481    severall giufts and Legacyes given and bequeathed by this my Will
482    within one yeare after my decease and to continue paying the same
483    as moneys shall come to their hands And I further will and ordaine
484    that the overplus if any of what moneys shall be remaineing and
485    raised by my said Executors in trust as before men[t]ioned and appointed
486    shall be paid within six monethes next after my decease unto my said
487    wife if liveing otherwise to my said brother Sir Francis Blakes
488    daughters and their heires for ever and what household stuff not
489    given away as before and Inventory thereof I will and desire my
490    Executors in trust to take and keep and for the said household stuff
491    my wife shall have only the use thereof dureing her naturall life
492    and after her decease I devise the same to my said brother Sir Francis
493    Blake and in case he dye before my said wife then I intend and
494    devise the same to be sold by my said Executors in trust and to be
495    by them disposed of amongst the children then unmarryed of my brother
496    Sir Francis Blake equally to be devided betweene them when they shall
497    attaine the age of eighteen yeares or dayes of marriage which shall first
498    happen and in case any of them shall dye before the same become
499    payable then to the survivor and survivors of them and for my said corne
500    hay cattle and other particular things last men[t]ioned which shall remaine
501    unsold after my debts and Legacyes paid as before men[t]ioned the same
502    shall be to the use of my brother Sir Francis Blake if then liveing
503    to whom I intend and doe hereby devise the same and in case my said
504    brother Sir Francis Blake dye before me then I will my said Executors
505    in trust shall make sale of the stock as corne hay cattle great and
506    small and other particular things last men[t]ioned and that the moneys soe
507    raised shall by them be given and disposed to the children of the said
508    Sir Francis Blake which shall be then unmarryed equally to be divided
509    as before to the survivor and survivors of them And whereas my said
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510    brother Sir Francis Blake hath by good assurances in the Law
511    conveyed and secured unto me and my heires by and out of his Lands
512    lying in Ford Towne Ford Castle or place adjacent in the county of
513    Northumberland or else where the yearely rent or summes of one
514    hundred and fifty pounds per Ann[um] and one hundred and thirty pounds
515    per Annum I give and bequeath the same unto the said John Collier and
516    Edward Moulden and their heires for ever to the use of them and their
517    heires for ever In trust that they the said John Collier and Edward Moulden
518    and the survivor of them and the heires of the survivor by sale of the same
519    or otherwise shall pay or cause to be paid the summes of money
520    following that is to say unto John Haselwood of the University of
521    Oxon Apothecary his Executors and Administrators the summe of five
522    hundred and twelve pounds and tenn shillings of currant English
523    money and unto Benjamine Cooper of the said University of Oxon
524    gent his Executors and Assignes two hundred and five pounds unto
525    Nathaniell Drew of the Citty of Oxon Innholder his Executors or
526    Assigns the summe of two hundred and five pounds and unto James
527    Hamner of the said University of Oxon Batchelor in Divinity his
528    Executors and Assignes the summe of one hundred and two pounds
529    and tenn shillings for which said severall summes last men[t]ioned I
530    stand bound with my said brother Sir Francis Blake being his proper
531    debts in four severall Bonds or Obliga[t]ions to the said four last
532    men[t]ioned persons or to any other and to save me and my said Executors
533    harmless from the said severall debts he hath given me four severall
534    counterbonds And further in case I am bound with him to any other
535    person or person for his proper debtor debts that then I will that the said
536    Lands of one hundred and fifty pounds per Annum and one hundred
537    and thirty pounds per Annum shall stand charged for the payment
538    of all such summe and summes of money whatsoever wherein I
539    stand bound as his Security And alsoe I doe hereby will and devise
540    unto the said Emanuel Blake and his Assignes out of the last
541    men[t]ioned Lands and Rents soe devised to the said John Collier
542    and Edward Moulden and their heires during his naturall life
543    thirty and five pounds per Ann[um] by two half yearely payments that is
544    to say at the Feast of the Annuncia[t]ion of the blessed Lady St Mary
545    the virgin and St Michaell the Archangell the first payment thereof to begin
546    and to be made on the first of the said Feasts which shall happen
547    come and be next after my decease And alsoe to Amy his wife and
548    her Assignes fifty pounds per Ann[um] in like manner at the Feasts
549    aforesaid dureing the life of the said Emanuell her husband for the
550    separate maintenance of the said Amy and Sarah her daughter
551    and the acquittance of her the said Amy or her Assignes shall be
552    a sufficient discharge to my said Trustees and Feoffees and their heires
553    upon such payment and not otherwise soe that the said Emanuel may
554    not have power to dispose of any part thereof and after the death of
555    the said Emanuell then the said fifty pounds to cease Alsoe I further
556    will and appoint that my said Trustees or Feofees and their heires
557    after the decease of the said Emanuell doe out of the said Lands
558    and rents pay or raise to be paid unto the said Amy untill her said
559    daughter Sarah attaines the age of one and twenty yeares dayes of
560    marriage or death which shall first happen the summe of eighty
561    pounds per Annum in like manner at the Feasts aforesaid in confidence
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562    that she the said Amy will take care to educate and breed up the said Sarah
563    her daughter untill she attaine the said age of one and twenty yeares or be
564    marryed and then after the said Sarah shall accomplish her said age of
565    one and twenty yeares be marryed or dye then the said eighty pounds
566    p[er] Annum to cease and then after to pay fifty pounds per Annum to the
567    said Amy dureing her life at the said Feasts and in manner as aforesaid
568    and I will that the said thirty five pounds per Annum to the said Emanuel
569    and the said fifty pounds per Annum to the said Amy dureing the life
570    of the said Emanuell and the said eighty pounds per Annum to the
571    said Amy after the death of the said Emanuel untill the said Sarah
572    shall attaine the age of one and twenty yeares be marryed or dye
573    which shall first happen and the said fifty pounds per Annum to the
574    said Amy dureing her life be paid by my said Trustees or Feofees
575    and their heires yearely in manner as aforesaid the first payment thereof
576    to begin and to be made on the first of the said Feasts which shall
577    happen come and be next after my decease And I further give and
578    bequeath out of the said Lands and rents to the said Sarah daughter of the
579    said Emanuell and Amy the summe of five hundred pounds to be
580    paid unto her at the age of one and twenty yeares or day of
581    marriage which shall first happen And in case the said Sarah dye
582    before the age of one and twenty yeares and not marryed then the
583    said Legacy of five hundred pounds to cease And I further give
584    and bequeath out of the said Lands and rents unto the said Sarah
585    Blake daughter of the said Sir Francis Blake the summe of three
586    hundred pounds to be paid unto her within a yeare after my decease
587    To the said Elizabeth Blake daughter of the said Sir Francis Blake
588    the summe of one thousand pounds to be paid her at the age of one
589    and twenty yeares or day of marriage which shall first happen And
590    to the said Susannah Blake daughter of the said Sir Francis Blake
591    the summe of two hundred pounds to be paid her at the age of one
592    and twenty yeares or day of marriage which shall first happen And
593    to the said Katherine Blake youngest daughter of the said Sir Francis
594    Blake the summe of three hundred pounds to be paid unto her
595    at the age of one and twenty yeares or day of marriage which
596    shall first happen And my will further is that the said yearely rents
597    of one hundred and fifty pounds per Annum and one hundred and
598    thirty pounds per Annum shall stand charged for the sure payment
599    for the said thirty five pounds per Annum to the said Emanuell
600    dureing his life and of fifty pounds per Annum to the said Amy
601    dureing the life of the said Emanuell and after his death then of the
602    said eighty pounds per Annum to the said Amy as aforesaid And
603    of the said fifty pounds per Annum to the said Amy dureing her life
604    as aforesaid and of the said five hundred pounds to the said Sarah
605    and of the said severall summes given as aforesaid unto the said Sarah
606    Elizabeth Susannah and Katherine daughters of the said Sir Francis
607    Blake and for what other moneys I stand bound with him as his Surety
608    and as before recited And I alsoe further will and appoint that all
609    the writings and securityes to me made or to be made by my said
610    brother Sir Francis Blake for the said one hundred and fifty
611    pounds and one hundred and thirty pounds per Annum shall
612    remaine and be in the hands and power of my said Trustees or
613    Feofees and their heires untill the said severall summes of money
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614    wherein I am bound as surety for the said Sir Francis Blake and
615    the Annuall payments to the said Emanuell and Amy and the said
616    summe of five hundred pounds to the said Sarah and alsoe of
617    the said severall summes given unto the said Sarah Elizabeth
618    Susanna and Katherine daughters of the said Sir Francis Blake
619    as aforesaid shall be paid and satisfyed and when the said severall
620    and respective summes of money before men[t]ioned and wherein
621    I stand bound with him shall be fully paid and satisfyed Then I
622    doe hereby give the residue of the trust of the said Lands and
623    yearely rents of one hundred and fifty pounds and one hundred
624    and thirty pounds per Annum unto my neeces Sarah Elizabeth
625    Susannah and Katherine daughters of the said Sir Francis Blake
626    and their heires they first giveing sufficient discharges unto my
627    said Trustees and the survivor of them and his heires Then I will
628    and appoint my said Trustees or Feofees and their heires to deliver
629    or cause to delivered up unto the said Sarah Elizabeth Susannah
630    and Katherine and their heires all the said writings and securityes
631    touching and concerning the said one hundred and fifty pounds and
632    one hundred and thirty pounds per Annum And I nominate and
633    appoint my said wife the said Joseph Biscoe the said John Biscoe
634    and the said Richard Broome Executors of this my last will and
635    Testament in trust for the uses and purposes aforesaid and not
636    otherwise And whereas I have given twenty pounds yearely before
637    in this my Will to the poor children of Coggs and Newland to
638    be by the owners of my said house disposed of as before men[t]ioned
639    my will and desire is that out of the said twenty pounds yearely
640    they cloath yearely and every yeare at St Thomas day the
641    number of six boyes and six girles and noe more soe long
642    as they stay and continues at school and when any of them goe
643    out then their places or Roomes be supplyed and filled up
644    with other children then at school at the elec[t]ion of the owners
645    of my said Mansion house and Mannor of Coggs for the time
646    being And I will that the said children be the poorest of them
647    as shall be then at my schooles in Coggs and Newland and to
648    such as are borne in the said Townes and not otherwise as followeth
649    to each boy a Gowne and other necessaryes for cloathing not
650    exceeding fifteen shillings To each Girle a Gowne and other
651    necessaryes not exceeding thirteen shillings and four pence and
652    what shall be remaineing of the said twenty pounds yearely shall
653    be by the owners of my said house and Mannor of Coggs for
654    the time being laid out and disposed of for buying bookes and
655    other things as before men[t]ioned Item I give and bequeath unto
656    the said Richard Broome fifty pounds and a mourning ring
657    of twenty shillings provided he accept of the trust as Executor
658    first and not otherwise and to the said John Collier Edward
659    Moulden and the said School Master and each of them mourning
660    Rings of twenty shillings And I further desire and appoint my
661    said wife at the time of her death to give and leave unto my said
662    brother Sir Francis Blakes children as she shall think meet
663    all my East India and Outlandish plate and alsoe some of my
664    Jewells which I have given her as aforesaid and what other of my
665    plate Jewells and household stuff given to her some part thereof
    [Page 14]
666    To be given to her and my Rela[t]ions as she shall think fit Item I give and
667    bequeath unto Henry Godfrey of Burford in the said County of Oxon gent the
668    summe of five pounds and a mourning ring of tenn shillings And lastly my
669    will and mind is in case any or either of the persons before named in
670    this my Will she dye in my life time whereby the Legacyes and bequests
671    intended then shall become voyd and declared then to cease or
672    otherwise shall become voyd that then in such case whatsoever is hereby
673    willed devised or intended to or for the person or persons soe dying
674    and not otherwise disposed as aforesaid shall be and is hereby
675    devised to the children of the said Sir Francis Blake for ever
676    equally to be divided between them and to whom alsoe I devise all
677    the residue of my personall estate herein quitted to be men[t]ioned
678    and not otherwise devised as aforesaid And I doe hereby revoke all
679    former Wills by me made heretofore and this only to be taken for
680    my Last Will and Testament In witness whereof I have hereunto
681    Set my hand and seale the day and yeare first above written William
682    Blake Signed Sealed published and declared to be the last Will and Testament of the said William Blake after the
683    interline above and various within made containing two lines and one peece of parchment in the presence of Hen: Godfrey, Cha: Smart, Rich: Godfrey, Edw: Spire.