Cleaning accomplished for the first day; second day of cleaning today

 Cleaning days at the beginning of the week works well for me. I have a break from the computer which is always good for the eyes and gives me time to think about the work that I have been doing. It has always been a problem for me that I could not find the abstract/will of Thomasin Siderfin. Was it something that his mother had; one wonders. As we move back in time in James Sanders family his mother was Elizabeth (Siderfin) Sanders and like my Elizabeth (Rew) Pincombe both were born in the West Somerset area - Elizabeth (Siderfin) Sanders was born in Watchet which is down the coast from Minehead and cross country to the east of Timberscombe (about 5 miles to the east of Dunster). My Siderfin ancestor (mother of Elizabeth (Rew) Pincombe) was born at Selworthy (1759)  but that was fifty eight years earlier than Elizabeth at Watchet (1817). But the big issue both were born long after Thomasin's will was probated in 1709. There is another will which James Sanders introduces that was probated in 1784 - the will of Grace (Trill) Escott of Dunster. 

I have a fuller transcript of this will than what appears in James Sanders will (not done by me however) but have not yet located from whence I obtained it because it was at the beginning of my research days and I did not record the source on the document although suspect it was our trip to the Allen County Public Library or our trip to Salt Lake City; I will continue searching out my source but the full will reads (as I have it):

TRANSCRIPT OF THE WILL OF GRACE ESCOTT - 1784

In the Name of God Amen  I Grace Escott of Dunster in the County of Somerset, Widow, being of sound and perfect Mind memory and Intellects ………to Almighty God for the same do make ordain and appoint this to be my last and legal Will and Testement, as followeth (that is to say) first and principally I recommend my Soul into the Hands of the Almighty God who gave it me and my Body to decent and Christian burial.  And for such Worldly Goods as it hath pleased Almighty God to give me  I give and Bequeath the same as followeth (to wit)  Whereas in and by virtue of a certain Deed of Settlement made on my intermarriage with my late husband Thomas Escott of Withycombe in the County of Somerset ……. Deceased  twas therein and thereby authorized and impressed by any Deed or Deeds Writing or Writings or by my last Will and Testement to direct limit give or devise all that messuages and Garden with the Appurtenances called the Middle House and the pieces and parcels of lands meadows and pasture ground hereafter particularly mentioned and expressed (that is to say) Great Langland Meadows, one piece called Hurtstone, two rights in the New Marsh, one acre in the Upper Langford and one piece called the Drang all which said  …….. with the appurtunances were late parts ad parcels or reputed so to be part of the Manor of Alcombe in the said County of Somerset.   And also all that cottage or dwellinghouse, garden and orchard with the appurtunances containing by estimation one yard or thereabouts to the same more or less situate lying in Alcombe aforesaid and late was part and parcel of the said Manor and heretofore were in the possession of Elizabeth Crookford her Assigns or Assigner and now are in the possession of William Edmund and William Clarke as Tenants thereof together with all and singular, the house (part of which has been burnt down), outhouses, edifices, buildings, barns, stables, stalls, gardens, orchards, commons and common of pasture, ways, paths, passages, water, water courses, eavements, profits, commodities, hereditaments, advantages and appurtunances whatsoever to the said premises or any part or parcel thereof belonging or appertaining on therewith used or enjoyed or accepted reputed taken or known as part parcel or (member?) thereof.  Now the said Grace Escott do in ……. and full execution of the power arising either from the letter or construction of the said Deed of Settlement or by implication of Law and of all other Powers whatsoever either expressed or implied wherewith ……… either in Law or Equity invested by this my last Will and Testement in writing duly executed and credibly attested direct limit give and devise the said messuage and garden with the appurtenances called The Middle House and the said pieces and parcels of land, meadow and pasture ground herein before and herein after particularly mentioned (that is to say) Great Langland Meadows, one piece called Hurtstone, two rights in New Marsh, one acre in the Upper Langford and one piece called the Drang and also the said cottage or dwellinghouse (…….) garden with the appurtenances containing by estimation one yard or thereabouts (be the same more or less) situated lying and being in Alcombe aforesaid and all other land and premises herein before mentioned …… and every part and parcel thereof respectively with their respective rights ……….  hereditaments  ………. appurtenances unto John Siderfin, son of Robert Siderfin of the Parish of Selworthy in the said County of Somerset, Yeoman and the Heirs of his body lawfully to be gotten subject to the provisos and conditions hereinafter mentioned, that is to say, provided always and it is my true Intent and Meaning and I do hereby declare my Will to be that in case the John Siderfin shall happen to die without heirs of his body lawfully begotten then and in such case I do hereby direct limit give and devise the said messuages and garden called the Middle House and the lands and premises herein before part mentioned and also the said cottage or dwellinghouse (on the soile thereof) garden and orchard and all other hands an premises herein before mentioned and (visited?) and every part and parcel thereof respectively with their respective rights members hereditaments and appurtunances unto Mary Siderfin, Betty Siderfin, Grace Long and Joanna Siderfin (sisters of the said John Siderfin) their heirs and assigns for ever to hold to them the said Mary Siderfin, Betty Siderfin, Grace Long and Joanna Siderfin their heirs and assigns for ever as Tenants in Common and not as Joint Tenants.  Also I give and bequeath unto my cousin Jane Clarke the Dwellinghouse at Tivington wherein Francis Edwards now lives with garden and orchard thereunto belonging during the form of her natural life free and clear of all Rates Taxes and Repairs for or in respect of the same which said Rates and Taxes thereby direct my Executor hereinafter named to pay and discharge and also to keep the said House and Orchard in good and sufficient repair during the said form out of the Residum of my Estate and Effects, it being my Will that the said Jane Clark should hold and enjoy the same during her life free and clear of all outgoings whatsoever and from and after the decease of the said Jane Clark, I give and devise the said House Garden and Orchard unto the herein before mentioned John Siderfin his Executor Administration and Assigner for and during all the then Residue and remainder of my Term Estate and Interest therein.  Also I give unto the said Jane Clarke a feather bed and bolster which I lent her and which she has now in her keeping and also four ponds yearly and every year of lawful Money of England during her natural life by my Executor herein after named.  Also I give and devise all that my reversionary term Estate and Interest to commence on the Death of Joseph Kent and in all that my leasehold messuages or tenement with its appurtenances commonly called or known by the name of Kents situate lying and being in Selworthy of ……. and being part of the Manor of Blackford and now in the possession of Robert Sage, Yeoman and Thomas Giles of Selworthy aforesaid Yeoman his Executors and Administration upon Trust and to and for the  Ends intents and Purposes hereinafter mentioned and declared concerning the same (that is to say) upon trust that he the said Thomas Giles his Executor or Administration do and shall yearly and every year from and after the commencement of the said term and during the natural life of Ann Sage Wife of the said Robert Sage (my term and interest therein so long continuing) may apply and dispose of all the clear ……… rents House and Profits of the said messuages or tenement and premises unto such person or persons and in such parts proportions manner and form as she the said Ann Sage shall from time to time (notwithstanding her …….) by any memorandum in writing under her hand alone direct and appoint or otherwise do and shall permit and suffer her the said Ann Sage to receive and take such Rents House and Profits of the said premises to her own sole and separate ……. Benefit and disposal whose receipt alone shall be a sufficient discharge for the same to his intent the same may not be in the power or disposal or subject or liable to the House debts or engagements of the said Robert Sage her husband or any future husband if she should happen to have any, but entirely at her own vote and separate ….. and disposal and from and after the death of the said Ann Sage then upon Trust to permit and suffer the said Robert Sage his Executors, Administration and Assigner peaceably and quietly to have hold occupy possess and enjoy and to receive take and apply all the Rents House and Profits of the said messuage or tenement called ……… for and during all the then residue and remainder of my Term Estate and Interest therein he she or they keeping the said premises in good and sufficient repair and discharging all Rates Tax and Imposition in respect hereof and observing doing and performing all the covenants in the leave of said premises.  Also I give and bequeath unto Mary the daughter of the said Robert and Ann Sage six silver team spoons marked with letters GE, my silver tea tongs, best set of china, my china milk jug, my stand tea table and one of my Hand Waiters made of Oak.  Also I give and bequeath unto Ann the wife of Giles Bryant of Dunster aforesaid Butcher the sum of fifty pounds of lawful Money of England also my silver butter dish marked with TT and 1753 also one elbow mahogany chair and two single mahogany chairs with Horsehair bottoms.  Also I give and bequeath unto my cousin Grace Bishop (widow) of the Parish of (Stogurney?) ten pounds of lawful Money of England.  Also I give unto my cousin Mary Harris wife of John Harris of Lyddard Ten Pounds of lawful Money of England.  Also I give unto my cousin John Trill Servant to Alexander Fowles Luttrell, Clerk Ten Pounds of lawful Money of England.  Also I give unto Ann the daughter of Robert Siderfin herein before mentioned or unto Samuel Lovelace of the Parish of Minehead in the said County of Somerset, Yeoman, in Trust to and for the only proper use benefit and behalf of her the said Ann Siderfin her Executors, Administration and Assigns during her natural life all that Meadows situate called or known by the name of Witch Meadows situate lying and being in the Parish of Selworthy aforesaid and the part or parcel of the said Manor of Blackford.  That he the said Samuel Lovelace his Executor Administration and Assigns shall permit and suffer the said Ann Siderfin her Executor Administration and Assigns to receive and take all the rents and the profits of the said Meadows called Witch Meadows during her and their natural lives if my Estate and Interest therein shall so long continue and her and their receipts shall be proper and lawful discharged for the same she and they paying and discharging all Rates Taxes and Impositions which shall or may be laid charged or imposed on the said Meadows or Premises during all the said term of the lease belonging to the (tear in paper) or Premises.  Also I give and bequeath unto the said Ann Siderfin my blue bed with the curtains and valence and pillow thereun belonging one quilt, a pair of sheets, a pair of blankets and damask tablecloth marked with the letter T, six blue and white china plates, my large common prayer book and one other book entitled the Christian Defence by Charles Drelincourt, one little bible with a gilt ……., one small trunk covered with flowered silk, and one green bed rug and two silver tablespoons, one marked with the letter T and the other with the letter TT and GT and 1724 and one silver hilt case knife and fork.  Also I give and bequeath unto Mary the daughter of the aforesaid Robert Siderfin all those my several leasehold messuages or tenements with their apportunances commonly called or known by the names of Ham Mead, Pound Meadows and Oxenlears situate and being in Selworthy aforesaid and part and parcel of the Manor of Blackford aforesaid for and during her natural life her Executor Administration and Assigns if my Estate and Interest shall therein so long continue she and they paying and discharging all high rents rates taxes and impositions which shall be laid or charged on the said premises during the Term provided always and my true Intent and Meaning is and I do hereby declare my Will to be that in case the said Mary Siderfin shall happen to die having no child or children of her body lawfully begotten living at her death that then and in such case immediately from and after the death of the said Mary Siderfin I give and devise the said several messuages and tenements with their appurtenances called Pound Meadows, Oxenlears and Ham Mead unto Thomas Siderfin the youngest son of Robert Siderfin aforesaid (or unto the said Robert Siderfin in Trust to and for the only use benefit and ……… of his said son Thomas his Executive Administration and Assigns during all the then residue and remainder of several Term Estates and Interests therein respectively).  Also I give unto the said Mary Siderfin my silver pint cup marked with TT and 1753 and all the rest of my silver spoons not herein before given and all the rest of my books not herein before given.  Also I give Ann the wife of Giles Bryant of Dunster aforesaid Butcher my flowered silk damask pint coloured gown and one yellow with quilted petticoat.  Also I give unto Mary the wife of John Staddon of Dunster aforesaid Yeoman my most fashionable green silk gown which has been tuned and one black with quilted petticoat.  Also I give unto Ann the wife of Robert Sage of Selworthy aforesaid Yeoman my grey second mourning silk gown and one blue with quilted petticoat and also two pairs of stays.  Also I give unto the above Mary Siderfin my other green silk gown and one shaded silk quilted petticoat.  Also I give unto Elizabeth the daughter of Giles Bryant aforesaid one silver brooch marked with TTG 1684 and one spruce chest and my light coloured silk gown and two silver hilt case knives and forks and my striped silk quilted petticoat and my silver buckles.  Also I give unto Izoll Wybourn and Joan Wybourn of the Parish of Selworthy, Spinsters, the sum of Twenty Shillings each.  Also I give unto the said Mary Siderfin fifty pounds of lawful money of England and all the rest of my household goods and furniture and clothing now in Dunster not herein before given (except one silver tankard marked with the letters TTT and 1746 and one long tablecloth marked with the letters GT which I hereby give and bequeath unto my said Brother John Siderfin).  All the rest and residue of my Goods Chattels Lands and temporal Estate and Effects ready money and securities for money Rights and Credits whatsoever and wheresoever my Debts legacies and funeral expenses being first duly paid and discharged and wherewith those charges and ……… the same accordingly.  I give and bequeath unto the aforesaid John Siderfin his Executor Administration and Assigner and I do hereby make constitute and appoint the said John Siderfin to be the whole and sole and residuary legatee and Executor of this my last and legal Will and Testement and I do revoke all other and former Wills by me made and make and appoint this only to be my last Will and Testement and I do hereby order and direct all the legacies herein mentioned to be paid on one year next after my decease.  In witness thereof I the said Grace Escott to this my last Will and Testement contained in four sheets of paper to the first four sheets only subscribing my name and to the last sheet subscribing my name and affixing my seal on the sixth day of August in the Twenty Fourth year of the reign of King George the Third and in the year of our Lord Christ One Thousand Seven Hundred and Eighty Four.

Signed, sealed, published and declared by the said Grace Escott the
Testatrix to be her last and legal Will and Testement in the presence of
us and by us subscribed as Witness as thereto in her presence and at
her request and in the presence of each other all the interlinings and erasures
therein being first made.

Thos Escott
Hugh Matthews
Thos Markham

This is before the marriage of my Elizabeth Siderfin to John Rew (1792). Today I shall spend my not cleaning time looking for the source of this will copy. 

The Trill family lived close to Augustine Siderfin in Tivington near Selworthy. The families were well known to each other as the will of Thomas Trill was witnessed by John Siderfin. 

The day begins; tea is next.

I did find an item on the Somerset Archives. It refers to "Deeds and associated paper relating to land on Bircham Road, Alcombe, upon which the property of Briar Rose was built. 1701-1994. A/ECA/1" and under that set of documents there is a set referred to as "Also includes: 

Covenant between Grace Escott of Dunster, widow, and Thomas Escott of Sandhill, Withycombe, gent, concerning the leasing of two marshes (Pound Marsh and Lower Marsh) comprising 24a. in the parish of Dunster by Grace Escott to Thomas Escott for a term of 14 years, 21 Apr 1768

Release of a legacy left by the late Grace Escott of Dunster, widow, between John Siderfin, sole executor of Grace Escott, and Giles Bryant of Dunster, butcher, and Ann Bryant his wife, 24 Feb 1786.

Certified copy of a certificate of a contract for the redemption of Land Tax issued to John Siderfin of Selworthy, gent., in connection with Alcombe Overland (comprising 8a. and occupied by John Siderfin and Richard Parkin) in Dunster. Issued by John Francis Luttrell and John Lyddon, Esqs, two of the Commissioners of Land Tax for the hundred of Carhampton, 11 Dec 1798. Certified copy made 29 May 1925. With Land Tax Register Office certificate, 25 May 1799.

Declaration by William Stadden of Alcombe, Dunster, yeoman (age 74), regarding Robert Siderfin's estate called Turner's at Alcombe, 4 Jul 1845. Provides a history of the ownership of lands forming part of the estate, including reference to Great Langford Meadow, Hurstone, Upper Langford, the Drang and the New Marsh and reference to Grace Escott, a tenement once known as Turner's.

Legacy receipts and letters concerning two sums of £285 left by the will of the late Robert Siderfin of South Molton, Devon, (died 2 Oct 1859) to his daughters, Mary Frean and Amelia Hawks, 29 Dec 1859-5 Oct 1860. Refers also to Elizabeth Sanders, wife of James Hooper Sanders of South Molton, executor."

Elizabeth Sanders was executor of her father's will and likely had all of his papers of which it would appear the Will of Grace Escott was in his possession. These items form part of the Fonds for James Sanders Research held at the North West Devon Record Office. But at some point some one has sent me their transcription of Grace Escott's will (or I copied it when I was at Salt Lake City or the Allen County Public Library) as it is much more detailed than the will that James Sanders has placed into his published book on the Siderfin Family. I have searched all of my emails from 1995 to the present and have not located this text otherwise. Interesting really but I prefer to give credit to whomever sent me or actually did the fuller transcription. I could purchase the two wills from the Somerset Record Office but do not really have that great an interest in these two wills. What James Sanders put in his book is adequate for my uses. Since it does not give me more details on Knowle I will likely pass on this information but as James Sanders says "A curious will" and definitely it is. Why did a family that does not appear to be related to the Siderfin family pass their property onto this family. No ideas on that although they did not receive all of it; just a limited amount of the original property of Grace (Trill) Escott. Perhaps in the future someone might determine the relationship if any between the Trill family and the Siderfin family. For a short period of time I thought perhaps the Escott family was the connection as the sister of William 2 (John 1) Christian 2 Siderfin married George Escott 14 Jun 1542 at Luxborough. 

On to the cleaning with that sort of semi resolved. I will do a little more sleuthing but searching my emails is really the best that I can do to determine how I am now in possession of the fuller transcription other than copying it back in 2008/2009 when I was still too new to surname research or any research of that type and slipped up on noting the source..

While I was running

While I was doing my fourty minute run today I had a thought about the will of Robert Siderfin written in 1627. Although I am fairly well convinced that this will is by Robert son of William who was the son of John (located in the Luxborough, Somerset area in 1500). I wanted to do a what if he was the son of Robert that James Sanders has dying in 1612. I then built up the Third Generation chart from the Parish Registers as before and tried to have Robert b c 1587 (there is a fragment of the parish register showing that a Siderfin child was baptized in that year) being the author of the 1627 will. He would have been 30 years of age and writing about first Robert Siderfin the son of William Siderfin first in the will but if he was Robert why would he talk about his brother's son Robert? Then he mentions Robert Westeron son of William Westeron (Jone Siderfin (his aunt) married William Westeron)) and then he talks about Robert Siderfin the son of Robert Siderfin of Mynehead and that would appear to be himself talking in the third person otherwise who else is he? 

As I made the chart for the William Line I did note that Christian in her will mentions the three children of her son Robert as Wilmot, Robert and John which just happens to be the three children baptized at Minehead that I had in my thinking placed with the brother of William namely Robert. There isn't a baptism for a John Siderfin in 1614 or within a few years of that date. The only child listed for Robert (Robert 3, William 2, John 1) on James Sander' Chart is John of Wootton Courtney, b about 1614. So not that Robert's will but it was good to stop and think about that possibility. I wonder why James Sanders ignored both the full will of Robert Siderfin (1627) and the full will of Christian Siderfin (1648)? He does mention the will of Christian but only a very short abstract. 

Needed to record this so that I do not travel this route too many times! Creating the charts for each level could prove to be rewarding in the future as it gathers up the information from the will into one neat concise package. 

I also found a memorial to Richard Blackford and his wife Elizabeth Blackburn; he died in 1688 and she died in 1668. I found that sort of interesting as I was looking at Elizabeth (daughter of Robert (William 2, John 10) and there was a thought that she married a James Nurcombe. James Sanders hasn't committed to anything in her line. However, a little further down he does have Robert Siderfin marrying Elizabeth Blackford which is incorrect; there is a will by Augustine Question naming his daughter Elizabeth as the wife of Robert Siderfin and correctly naming all of their children. I became thoughtful on this wondering if a Blackford marriage had occurred as Richard Blackford in his will of 1688 mentions his cousin Robert Siderfin and interestingly enough John Question of Dunster (father of the Augustine mentioned above). Also Elizabeth's date of death (daughter of Robert) is listed as 1668 (sort of an interesting coincidence). 

Running is a wonderful exercise and one does tend to ponder whatever is in your mind at the moment!

Protestation Returns for Somerset

Spent a good portion of the day working my way through the Somerset Protestation Returns for Somerset. Since I was doing the task I also extracted Blake, Escott, Trill, Nurcombe, Westerne, Couch, Chorley/Charley/Churley, Question and Rew as well as Siderfin/Sidderfin. It was a task I had often thought of doing and the opportunity presented itself. I did not find any more Sidderfin/Siderfin names than I already had located using the index. I also have the Parliamentary copies of the original to look at from their excellent website. I need to read through Minehead. 

What I am trying to prove, and it looks even more doable than before, is that the three children baptized at Minehead are all children of the same Robert and Ursula (Webber) Siderfin known to be at Minehead. Namely that is Wilmot Siderfin in 1614, Robert Siderfin in 1616 and John Siderfin 1619. I know that my Siderfin family at Selworthy also lived at Bratton just outside of Minehead at that time but part of Minehead now. James Sanders himself mentions property at Dunster that his mother was involved with at some point. Dunster is the location for the Question family and John's son Robert married Elizabeth Question of Dunster and James' mother Elizabeth was the eldest daughter of the eldest son according to his chart). James Sanders in his pedigree chart lists three children below John Siderfin whom he names as the only descendant of Robert which is incorrect it would appear. Learning more about Wilmot and Robert Siderfin the other two children baptized at Minehead would be interesting. I do have the Parish Registers for Minehead both the fiche of the original records and the Index of those records. I am at that place in time when I handed over the project to my cousin and decided to take on the Blake one-name study. Although I found Siderfin very interesting I did feel that my cousin was in a better position to do the research that, at that time, needed to be done in person at the Somerset Record Office. Time has passed and more and more information is online including the excellent search tool of the Archives at Somerset with lots of information. 

Today I continue with the Protestation Returns and plan to complete that task. In my mind I already feel that I have accomplished the task of linking John at Selworthy in 1641 with the John baptized at Minehead in 1619. He does appear to marry late (his children are baptized in 1656, 1658 and 1660 making him 37 when the first child was baptized. His wife Thomasine was likely younger than him as she was buried in 1709 at Wootton Courtney. James Sanders links three children with this marriage of John and Thomasine and they are as follows: the eldest son of John was said to be a John and he lived at Wootton Courtney, the next son Robert lived at Selworthy and the youngest son William lived at Minehead. Thomasine's will would have provided a lot more information than the abstract but as life flows that is all that there is. The abstract only mentions the son Robert, a "cousin" Robert Siderfin of Linch and all the children of Robert and his wife Elizabeth (Question) Siderfin. But Thomasine was buried at Wootton Courtney and Robert lived always at Selworthy. 

Interesting conundrum and the solution does lie in what is available one hopes. It doesn't matter in the long run in terms of just who the John at Wootton Courtney and the William at Minehead are when I reflect on my own line but for the sake of the Siderfin family study and the revision of James Sanders text I need to find as much information as I can. Will I ever register the study again? At 77 that seems a bit of a pipe dream to be honest. I am seeing myself as publishing and winding down in my studies although still very active with them. 

So on with the study. On with the day and on with breakfast!

Glory to Ukraine and may she drive the Russians from her land. The murder of so many Ukrainian children, women and men hangs heavy on the world; one prays that the tanks will bring an end to this useless war of aggression that Russia has wrought on the world. May it be the last of such wars of greed for land and riches.

Minus 7 degrees celsius at 8:00 am

Winter is definitely coming; just waiting for a load of the lovely white snow to blanket the world around me. I do so love the snow. But I did hire a company to clear my laneway and walk because that is maybe a bit too much. I found it hard two years ago to keep up with the dumping of snow at the end of the laneway and heavy snowfalls so we hired a company last year and will do that as long as we live in this house. I never used to mind shoveling the snow actually.  It was this comforting cyclical thing that we all did as part of our living in Canada year in and year out. I have not had any desire to escape the snow reality actually. Spending a week in the sun can be fun mid winter but for the most part I like this comfortable memory of life in Canada coming back year after year. 

Yesterday I completed Chromosome 16 and was quite pleased with the final result. Everything fitted in which is always a plus as well. I did start work on Chromosome 15 but have decided to work everyone of these right up from the basic numbers. I have done that pretty much from Chromosome 23 down to Chromosome 16 so might as well continue with that as it means no glitches of tiny little matches that do not seem quite right but overall fit in just fine. I rather like the no glitches now that I have achieved it this far. Whether that will continue remains to be seen. Visual phasing means you do not necessarily see those little glitches as that was the way that I started but actually using the numbers and working with the data from 23 and Me on the four that have tested there gives a similar picture but perhaps more accuracy. What I need is more second cousins testing to check that out for sure. Lots of third cousins have tested giving me an interesting picture but second cousins would make that picture very clear. 

Still working on the Siderfin book and that is proving to be quite interesting. I suspect that I will not complete that task until early in the New Year and then it too will be blogged on my website. I think I will turn it into chapters. Mostly James Sanders created a book of documents with some text but mainly documents. I am not going to add that much text but will add chapters just to help to separate the various centuries of material out and create a table of contents. I will again use Excel to create the genealogical table which he created with my additions and the size is quite large so will likely break the larger table down as well into distinct groupings. For instance my line coming down from Robert Siderfin and Elizabeth Question has quite a bit of genealogical material and would benefit from being on its own. They married by 1685 - I have not yet searched out the Parish Registers of Dunster.

Will of Andrew Blake, Merchant at Minehead, Somerset - The National Archives 11/802/173, probated 2 Jun 1753

Always nice when wills tie together and this Andrew is descendant of the Alice Blake (widow) family so one of her two sons Andrew or William is his ancestor. Andrew (son of Alice) has mentioned a son Robert in his will blogged yesterday (and this Robert is perhaps the Robert mentioned later in this discussion who married Ann Teague in 1680). I might now be able to figure out the names of the property on the Andrew Blake will yesterday. They are difficult to read.

Mr. Andrew Blake (testator) was buried 27 Mar 1753 as I have the fiche for the parish church at Minehead.

There is a marriage at Culbone of Andrew Blake and Ann Sealy 12 Jun 1735. There is another interesting marriage 11 Sep 1740 of Andrew Blake and Ann Bastone (of Minehead) at Porlock.

I have the Fiche for the Parish Register of Minehead and extracted the following from them:

Baptisms:

1560 Blake Jone
1560 Blake John
1605 Mar 11 Blake George son of John
1609 Jan 27 Blake Thomas son of John
1632 Jan 16 Blak Johane daughter of John
1635 Jan 21 Blake John son of John and Margarett Blake
1679 May 17 Blake Mary daughter of John and Ann
1679 Jul 31 Blake James son of Elias and Joan
1680 Oct 30 Blake John son of John and Ann
1680 Dec 14 Blake Andrew son of Robert and Ann
1681 Oct 23 Blake Elias son of Elias and Joan
1682 May 16 Blake William son of William and Ann
1682 Sep 16 Blake Henry son of John and Ann
1683 May 25 Blake Thomas son of William and Ann
1683 Jun 23 Blake Andrew son of Robert and Ann
1683 Jul 29 Blake Francis son of John and Ann
1685 Sep 2 Samuell son of William (gent) and Ann
1685 Sep 7 Blake Michael son of John and Ann
1685 Mar 23 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Robertt and Ann
1686 Mar 12 Blake Ann daughter of John and Ann
1687 Jun 2 Blake Thomas son of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1688 Nov 8 Blake Sarah daughter of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1688 Mar 2 Blake Elizabeth daughter of John and Ann
1688 Mar 21 Blake Robartt son of Robartt and Ann
1690 May 26 Blake William son of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1690 Jun 26 Blake Mary daughter of Robartt and Ann
1691 May 8 Blake Michaell son of John and Ann
1691 Nov 2 Blake Susana daughter of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1693 Nov 7 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Mr William (gent) and Ann
1695 Mar 25 Blake Elizabeth daughter of William (gent) and Ann
1696 May 28 Blake Mary daughter of William (gent) and Ann
1697 Nov 20 Blake William son of William (gent) and Ann
1700 Aug 22 Blake Sarah daughter of Robert and Ann
1711 Jul 10 Blake Christopher son of Andrew and Susanna
1713 Dec 26 Blake Andrew son of Andrew and Susannah
1716 Mar 23 Blake Susanna daughter of Andrew and Susanna
1717 Jan 17 Blake Ann daughter of Henry and Ann
1718 Feb 2 Blake Robert son of Andrew and Susanna
1719 Aug 22 Blake Issabella daughter of Henry and Ann
1720 Jun 7 Blake William son of Robert and Margarett
1720 Jan 1 Blake Joana daughter of Sarah (baseborn)
1720 Oct 5 Blake John son of Henry and Ann
1720 Nov 10 Blake Sarah daughter of Mychael and Mary
1722 Oct 6 Blake Ann daughter of Robert and Margarett
1722 Nov 24 Blake Robert son of Andrew and Susanna
1724 Apr 16 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Mychaell and Mary
1726 Apr 26 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Henry and Ann
1727 Jul 20 Blake Robert son of Mychaell and Mary
1732 May 6 Blake Robert son of Michael
1735 Oct 2 Blake Thomas son of Andrew
1736 Jan 30 Blake John son of Michael and Mary
1738 Oct 18 Blake Ann daughter of Mr. Thomas
1740 Jul 22 Blake Sarah daughter of Mr. Thomas
1741 Jul 17 Blake Francis son of Mr. Andrew (junior)
1742 Mar 22 Blake Susannah daughter of Mr. Andrew (junior)
1744 May 29 Blake Susannah daughter of Andrew and Ann (Andrew junior)
1745 Apr 19 Blake Robert son of Andrew (junior)
1747 Jun 26 Blake John son of Andrew (junior)
1748 Jul 10 Blake William son of Thomas (esquire)
1749 Nov 25 Blake Ann daughter of Andrew
1749 Dec 3 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Thomas (esquire)
1752 May 16 Blake Sarah daughter of Andrew
1752 Aug 5 Blake Ann daughter of William (mariner)
1754 Apr 30 Blake Andrew son of Andrew
1754 Nov 19 Blake William son of William (mariner)
1756 Jul 1 Blake George son of William
1756 Nov 9 Blake Robert son of Andrew
1758 Feb 18 Blake George son of William and Mary
1758 Mar 29 Blake Ann daughter of Andrew and Ann
1760 Mar 12 Blake James son of William and Mary
1760 May 27 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Andrew and Nancy
1761 Mar 7 Blake Robert son of William and Mary
1762 Jul 8 Blake Sarah daughter of William and Mary
1765 Mar 31 Blake Thomas Adams son of William and Mary
1768 Jun 27 Blake Thomas Warrin son of Francis and Ann
1769 Oct 8 Blake Elizabeth Bastone daughter of Francis
1774 Nov 13 Blake Francis son of Francis and Elizabeth
1791 Jan 20 Blake Elizabeth daughter of Austain and Mary

Marriages:

1563 May 6 William Blake and Jone Headon
1566 Sep 22 William Blake and Margaret Whitfild
1583 Oct 24 George Blake and Margaret Willms
1595 Apr 29 George Blake and Tamsine Gould
1602 May 9 John Blake and Jone Tailor
1680 Apr 12 Robert Blake and Ann Teague
1710 Nov 14 David Dehaurgues and Elizabeth Blake
1714 Feb 12 John Connebeer and Elizabeth Blake
1716 Feb 26 Henry Blake and Ann Paine
1719 Aug 15 Robert Blake and Margarett Bowden
1720 Dec 27 Mychaell Blake and Mary Blake
1727 Mar 3 William Griffith and Margaret Blake
1740 Mar 24 David Preist and Susannah Blake
1751 Sep 24 William Blake (mariner) and Mary Adams
1754 Jul 11 John Deake (of Mynhead butcher) and Ann Blake of Mynhead by licence (witnesses: William Stoate, Robert Jons)
1774 May 11 Francis Blake (of Minehead, widower) and Elizabeth Bradley (of Minehead widow) licence with witnesses Thomas Squire and Susanna Blake
1777 May 23 Warren Samuel Hayman (of Minehead) and Ann Blake (of Minehead)( by licence) with witnesses Elizabeth Blake, Philip Bale, and Sarah Ann Cox.
1795 Dec 11 John Emra (Clerk of Holberton Devon) and Elizabeth Bastone Blake (of Minehead) by licence with witnesses Martha Brice and Worthington
1796 Dec 1 Joseph Rawle (of Minehead) and Elizabeth Blake (of Minehead) by licence with witnesses W Blake and C Rawle.
1810 Dec 1 Robert Blake (of Minehead) and Elizabeth Birchinsh (of Minehead) by licence with witnesses Murdoch Mackensie and Hannah Bastone.

Burials:

1562 Dec 18 John Blake
1562 Dec 29 Katherine Blake
1568 Sep 5 Alice Blake
1582 Mar 16 Agnes Blake
1596 Dec 23 Tamsyn Blacke
1596 Feb 16 George Blake
1598 Dec 21 John Blake
1604 Aug 2 John Blake son of John
1609 Mar 31 George Blake son of John
1611 Mar 29 John Blake
1611 Apr 4 Johane Blake
1611 Apr 4 John Blake
1681 Feb 2 Andrew Blake son of Robert
1682 Jun 8 William Blake son of William
1683 Apr 5 Elias Blake
1685 Jan 10 Michael Blake son of John
1686 Jul 12 Thomas Blake son of William
1687 Mar 6 George Blake (Captain)
1688 May 17 Mary Blake (widow)
1689 Mar 27 Robart Blake son of Robartt
1690 Jul 14 William Blake son of William (gent)
1690 Feb 22 Mary Blake daughter of John
1694 Jul 31 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Mr William
1695 Apr 7 John Blake
1697 May 11 Mary Blake daughter of William (gent)
1697 Aug 12 Susannah Blake daughter of William (gent)
1697 Feb 8 Elizabeth Blake daughter of William (gent)
1703 Dec 18 Sarah Blake daughter of Robert
1705 May 5 Francies Blake
1706 May 18 John Blake
1707 Feb 7 Arthur Blake (stranger)
1707 Feb 29 Ann Blake (widow)
1709 Apr 19 Frances Blake (widow)
1715 Dec 12 Christopher Blake son of Andrew
1719 Jul 9 William Blake son of William (esquire)
1721 Jul 16 Robert Blake son of Andrew
1722 Nov 27 Ann Blake wife of William (esquire)
1724 Jun 14 Ann Blake daughter of Margarett
1726 Apr 17 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Mychaell
1727 Jul 23 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Henry
1727 Aug 16 Ann Blake
1728 Sep 14 Robert Blake son of Andrew
1730 Sep 26 Robert Blake son of Mychael
1730 Dec 12 Susannah Blake wife of Andrew
1735 Nov 20 Ann Blake wife of Henry
1736 Jul 24 Alice Blake wife of Andrew
1737 Jan 7 John Blake son of Michael
1738 May 6 Ann Blake daughter of Henry
1739 May 19 Ann Blake
1739 May 20 Ann Blake (widow)
1740 Jul 26 Mrs. Sarah Blake
1742 Aug 21 Sarah Blake daughter of Thomas (esquire)
1742 Oct 16 Ann Blake daughter of Thomas (esquire)
1742 Jan 15 Henry Blake
1743Apr 8 Susannah Blake daughter of Andrew (junior)
1743 Dec 19 William Blake (esquire)
1746 Aug 26 Robert Blake son of Andrew (junior)
1749 Oct 26 Sarah Blake daughter of William (barberron)
1749 Nov 2 (no name) Blake daughter of William (barberron)
1749 Nov 19 Francis Blake son of William (barb)
1749 Mar 11 Ann Blake daughter of Andrew
1750 Sep 8 Thomas Blake (esquire)
1753 Mar 27 Mr Andrew Blake
1753 Jul 10 Mrs Mary Blake
1757 Jan 11 George Blake son of William
1759 Feb 19 William Blake son of William and Mary
1759 Mar 10 George Blake son of William
1760 Mar 18 William Blake son of William
1761 Jan 13 William Blake son of William
1761 Jun 13 Robert Blake son of William
1761 Jul 7 Frances Blake daughter of Andrew
1763 Feb 4 Elizabeth Blake daughter of Andrew and Ann
1765 Jan 8 Michael Blake
1765 Jun 8 Mary Blake daughter of Robert
1766 Aug 9 Mary Blake daughter of Robert
1766 Nov 27 Robert Blake
1768 Jun 27 Thomas Warrin Blake son of Francis
1771 Feb 26 Ann Blake
1772 Apr 16 Mr William Blake
1774 Dec 12 Francis Blake (infant)
1776 Dec 7 Isabella Blake
1783 Nov 1 Betty Blake
1785 Jul 2 Sarah Blake
1786 Feb 17 Mr. Andrew Blake
1790 May 25 Elizabeth Blake
1795 Jul 3 Ann Blake
1799 Jan 7 Anne Blake widow of Andrew
1799 Mar 7 Susannah Blake daughter of Andrew and Anne
1803 Apr 21 Francis Blake (widower)
1804 Jun 30 Robert Blake son of Andrew and Mary
1808 Jul 30 Thomas Blake (72 years old)
1809 Mar 27 Mary Blake (80 year old widow of William)
1814 Jan 25 Mary Blake widow of Robert (clothier) 80 years of age (burnt accidentally)
1814 Mar 26 Susanna Blake widow of Thomas, 86 years of age
1814 Mar 29 Robert Blake, surveyor of the Customs, 57 years of age
1825 Jun 4 Sarah Blake, 72 years of age
1827 Jul 31 Ann Blake 69 years of age

Putting families together would be rather interesting for Minehead. There are distinct lines of Blake there and I do not know if they are all related.

John Blake (and Margarett)
1605 Mar 11 George; buried 31 Mar 1609
1609 Jan 27 Thomas
1632 Jan 16 Johane
1635 Jan 21 John

John Blake (?buried 7 Apr 1695) and Ann (buried 29 Feb 1707)
1679 May 17 Mary; buried 22 Feb 1690
1680 Oct 30 John
1682 Sep 16 Henry
1683 Jul 29 Francis
1685 Sep 7 Michael; buried 10 Jan 1685
1686 Mar 12 Ann
1688 Mar 2 Elizabeth
1691 May 8 Michaell

Elias Blake (died 5 Apr 1683) and Joan

1679 Jul 31 James
1681 Oct 23 Elias

Robert Blake and Ann Teague married 12 Apr 1680

1680 Dec 14 Andrew; buried 2 Feb 1681
1683 Jun 23 Andrew
1685 Mar 23 Elizabeth
1688 Mar 21 Robartt; buried 27 Mar 1689
1690 Jun 26 Mary
1700 Aug 22 Sarah; buried 18 Dec 1703

Mr. William Blake (gent) (buried 19 Dec 1743) and Ann (buried 27 Nov 1722)

1682 May 16 William; buried 8 Jun 1682
1683 May 25 Thomas; buried 12 Jul 1686
1685 Sep 2 Samuell
1687 Jun 2 Thomas
1688 Nov 8 Sarah; buried 26 Jul 1740
1690 May 26 William; buried 14 Jul 1690
1691 Nov 2 Susana; buried 12 Aug 1697
1693 Nov 7 Elizabeth; buried 31 Jul 1694
1695 Mar 25 Elizabeth ; buried 8 Feb 1697
1696 May 28 Mary; buried 11 May 1697
1697 Nov 20 William; buried 9 Jul 1719

Mr. Andrew Blake (buried 27 Mar 1753) and Susanna (buried 12 Dec 1730)

1711 Jul 10 Christopher; buried 12 Dec 1715
1713 Dec 26 Andrew
1716 Mar 23 Susanna
1718 Feb 2 Robert; buried 16 Jul 1721
1722 Nov 24 Robert; buried 14 Sep 1728

Andrew Blake (widower) (buried 27 Mar 1753)

1735 Oct 2 Thomas; buried 30 Jul 1808

Henry Blake (buried 15 Jan 1742) and Ann Paine (buried 20 Nov 1735) married 26 Feb 1716

1717 Jan 17 Ann; buried 6 May 1738
1719 Aug 22 Issabella; buried 7 Dec 1776
1720 Oct 5 John
1726 Apr 26 Elizabeth; buried 23 Jul 1727

Robert Blake and Margarett Bowden married 15 Aug 1719

1720 Jun 7 William
1722 Oct 6 Ann

Mychaell Blake (buried 8 Jan 1765) and Mary Blake (buried 10 Jul 1753?) married 27 Dec 1720
1720 Nov 10 Sarah
1724 Apr 16 Elizabeth; buried 17 Apr 1726
1727 Jul 20 Robert; buried 26 Sep 1730
1732 May 6 Robert
1736 Jan 30 John; buried 7 Jan 1737

Mr. Thomas Blake (buried 8 Sep 1750)

1738 Oct 18 Ann; buried 16 Oct 1742
1740 Jul 22 Sarah; buried 21 Aug 1742
1748 Jul 10 William; buried 16 Apr 1772
1749 Dec 3 Elizabeth

Mr. Andrew Blake (junior) (buried 17 Feb 1786) and Ann (buried 7 Jan 1799)
1741 Jul 17 Francis; buried 21 Apr 1803
1742 Mar 22 Susannah; buried 8 Apr 1743
1744 May 29 Susanna; buried 7 Mar 1799
1745 Apr 19 Robert; buried 26 Aug 1746
1747 Jun 26 John
1749 Nov 25 Ann; buried 11 Mar 1749
1752 May 16 Sarah
1754 Apr 30 Andrew
1756 Nov 9 Robert; buried 29 Mar 1814 (surveyor of the customs)
1758 Mar 29 Ann
1760 May 27 Elizabeth; buried 4 Feb 1763
1761 Jul 7 Frances buried
William Blake (mariner) and Mary Adams (buried 27 Mar 1809) married 24 Sep 1751

1752 Aug 5 Ann
1754 Nov 19 William; buried 19 Feb 1759
1756 Jul 1 George; buried 11 Jan 1757
1758 Feb 18 George; buried 10 Mar 1759
1760 Mar 12 James
1761 Mar 7 Robert; buried 13 Jun 1761
1762 Jul 8 Sarah
1765 Mar 31 Thomas Adams

Francis Blake (buried 21 Apr 1803) and Ann Warrin?

1768 Jun 27 Thomas Warrin; buried 27 Jun 1768
1769 Oct 8 Elizabeth Bastone

Francis Blake (widower) (buried 21 Apr 1803) and Elizabeth Bradley married 11 May 1774
1774 Nov 13 Francis; buried 12 Dec 1774

Austain Blake and Mary

1791 Jan 20 Elizabeth

Looking at the station in life it would appear that Mr. William Blake (married to Ann) is the father of Mr. Thomas Blake linking those two generations.

John Blake (second from the top) is the father of Michael (with brothers Henry and Francis) and perhaps Mary Blake daughter of Robert is Michael’s wife. That Mary is a sister to Mr. Andrew linking those families if that is correct.

The two Andrew Blakes are likely father and son. Andrew, testator of this will, mentions his sons Andrew and Thomas and his daughter Susanna.

Is it possible that John (top of the list) is the grandfather of John, William and Robert (their father perhaps John) and then the children that follow belong to these three men. Dunster is very very close to Minehead and baptizing their children at Minehead could have simply been easier for whatever reason. The marriages are missing though and I must have a look at Dunster parish registers one of these days.

It is possible that the testator has been married three times with the mother of Thomas being his second wife (unnamed).

William Blake (mariner) does not appear to fit into these family lines. The link back from the later Francis is unknown. Matching these records with Dunster might answer some of those questions including the husband of Alice Blake at Dunster. Alice mentions her sons Andrew and William. Andrew Blake, butcher at Dunster, mentions his brother William and his son Robert and an unborn child at the time of his death in 1656. Robert married in 1680 to Ann Teague is the likely son of that Andrew and hence a grandson of Alice.

The land holding at Marsh (near Dunster) is mentioned in these three wills.

For all this discussion I do not know this Blake line prior to Alice Blake widow of Dunster whose will was probated in 1654. Finding the name of her husband would be extremely helpful.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 23 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/802/173
Testator: Andrew Blake, Merchant
Place: Minehead, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 4 Nov 1752, probated 2 Jun 1753
Condition: 18th century English, legible copy

 [Margin]: Andrew Blake

1    In the name of God Amen
2    I Andrew Blake of Minehead in the County of Somerset
3    Merchant being weak of Body but of a sound mind
4    memory and understanding (praised be Almighty God for
5    the same) do make and ordain this my last Will and
6    Testament in manner and form following (that is to say)
7    First I recommend my Soul into the hands of Almighty
8    God who gave it me and my body I commit to the Earth
9    in hopes of a joyful Resurrection to life Eternal and as for
10    such worldly substance as God hath been pleased to
11    bestow upon me I give devise and bequeath the same
12    as follows First I give and bequeath unto my son
13    Thomas Blake all those Closes or pieces of Ground
14    commonly called or known by the names of the Hay
15    Marshes Staunton Fields and the Hawkes situate lying
16    and being within the parish of Dunster for and during
17    all my Right Title and Interest therein or thereto he
18    paying unto the Lord in Fee thereof all such High Rent
19    and herriots as shall become due for the same Also I
20    give devise and bequeath unto my son Thomas Blake
21    and to his heirs forever the fee simple and inheritance
22    of two Closes or pieces of Ground lying by Landshear
23    within the said parish of Dunster and now rented of me
24    by one Robert Escott of the same place Innholder also
25    I give and bequeath unto my said son Thomas Blake
26    all my right and interest in such Ships part and shares
27    in Ships together with the Stocks Riging Implements
28    and Utensils belonging to such Ships parts and shares of Ships
    [Page 2]
29    which I shall be possessed off concerned or interested in or any
30    wise intitled unto at the time of my decease by whatsoever name
31    or names such Ships part and shares of ships shall be then called
32    or known by Also I give and bequeath unto my said son
33    Thomas Blake all the silver Plate which were his mothers or
34    that did belong unto her in her life time (one silver porringer
35    and two silver spoons hereinafter mentioned and particularly
36    described only excepted) also I give unto my said son Thomas
37    Blake the moiety or half part of all my household Goods
38    furniture and implements and utensils of household which I
39    shall be any ways possessed of interested in or intitled unto
40    at the time of my death provid always nevertheless that if
41    my said son Thomas Blake shall happen to depart this
42    life before he shall arrive or attain to his said age of twenty
43    two years that then and in such case I give devise and
44    bequeath (from the time of his death) all the aforesaid Closes
45    or pieces of Ground called by the names of the Hay Marshes
46    Staunton Fields and the Hawkes The said two Closes or pieces
47    of Ground lying by LandShare within the said parish of
48    Dunster together with all my right and interest in ships
49    and shares in Ships with the Stock and Riging to the same
50    belonging and also all the silver plate which was my said
51    son Thomases mothers and also the said moiety or half part
52    of all my household Goods and Furniture unto my beloved
53    wife Ann Blake her heirs Executors Administrators or
54    assigns forever and I do hereby order and direct that the
55    two Trustees herein after named do receive and take all
56    the rents and profits of my said Estates and all sum and
57    sums of money that shall or may become due from any
58    of the Ships of share in Ships so by me before given unto
59    my said son Thomas Blake until he shall attain the said
60    age of twenty two years as aforesaid and that they do
61    put and place out all such moneys by them received at
62    Interest to and for the use of my said son Thomas Blake
63    allowing him a competent maintenance as they in their
64    discretion shall see convenient Also I give and bequeath
65    unto my said wife Ann Blake all that my Messuage
66    Tenement or Estate called or known by the name of Silli_am
67    situate lying and being within the said parish of Minehead
68    for and during all my Right Title and Interest therein or
69    thereto Also I give unto her my said wife one silver porringer
70    and two silver spoons marked A:B:P:P:20:Ls:W:S: and
71    I also give unto my said wife the other moiety or half part
72    of all my said household Goods Furniture Implements
73    and Utensils of household all which said household goods
74    furniture implements and utensils my Will is and I do
75    hereby order and direct to be equally divided by and
76    between them my said son Thomas and my said Wife
77    share and share alike at such time as he shall attain his
78    said age of twenty two years and my Will further is
79    and I do hereby order and direct that my said wife shall
80    have the use of all and singular my said household Goods
    [Page 3]
81    silver plate furniture Implements and utensils of household
82    from the time of my decease until my said son Thomas
83    shall attain the age of twenty two years as aforesaid any
84    ghing herein contained to the contrary notwithstanding Also
85    I give devise and bequeath unto my son Andrew Blake
86    and to his heirs forever all my messuages or dwelling
87    houses in Dunster aforesaid Also I give unto my daughter
88    Susannah Price one Guinea to buy her a mourning Ring
89    in Remembrance of me and I do hereby nominate and
90    appoint request and desire authorize and impower my
91    Friend Mr Thomas Leigh of Dunster and my dearly beloved
92    wife Ann Blake to be Trustees and Guardians for my said
93    son Thomas Blake until he shall attain his said age of
94    twenty two years and Lastly all the rest residue and
95    femainder of my Goods Chattels Lands Tenements personal
96    and Testamentary Estate and Effects whatsoever not herein
97    before by me given devised or bequeath I give devise
98    and bequeath unto my said dearly beloved wife Ann
99    Blake who I do hereby make constitute nominate ordain
100    and appoint whole and sole Executrix and Residuary Legatee
101    of this my last Will and Testament In Witness whereof I
102    the said Andrew Blake the testator have to this my last
103    Will and Testament set my hand and Seal the fourth day
104    of November one Thousand seven hundred and fifty two
105    And[re]w Blake Signed sealed published and declared by the
106    said Testator Andrew Blake for and as his last Will and
107    Testament in the presence of us who at his request have
108    subscribed our names as Witnesses thereto in his presence
109    and in the presence of each other Thomas Eames Tristram
110    Trewly Arthur Matthews
111    This Will was proved at London on the second
112    day of June in the year of our Lord one Thousand seven
113    hundred and fifty three before the Right honourable Sir
114    George Lee Knight Doctor of Laws Master Keeper or
115    Commissary of the prerogative Court of Canterbury lawfully
116    constituted by the Oath of Ann Blake widow the Relict of
117    the deceased and the sole Executrix named in the said Will
118    to whom Administration was granted of all and singular the
119    Goods chattels and Credits of the said deceased being first sworn
120    by Commission duly to administer

Will of Andrew Blake, Butcher of Dunster, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/259/415, probated 24 Nov 1656

Andrew Blake is the testator. He is the son of Alice whose will was transcribed several days ago:

http://kippeeb.blogspot.ca/2013/09/will-of-alice-blake-widow-of-dunster.html

His wife is perhaps young as she is pregnant at the time of the writing of the will 5 February 1655/56 and the will is probated 24 Nov 1656 which is ten months later so likely delivered of the child by the time of probate. That gives me a slightly different perspective on ages unless Andrew married very late or a second time. His sisters must have been somewhat older than him perhaps as one of them has a daughter old enough to be married perhaps or she has married a second time. The other sister is possibly deceased as only the children are mentioned. His brother William is perhaps the younger in that Andrew was executor of his mother’s will.

Protestation Returns for Dunster, 1641-42

Andrew Blake
Francis Blake, senior
Francis Blake, junior
James Blake
Richard Blake
Robert Blake
William Blake

Are Andrew Blake and William Blake listed on the Protestation Returns for Dunster just 14 years earlier from the date of Andrew’s will the sons of Alice? In general males were 18 years of age or older who signed the Protestation Return making Andrew about 34 years of age and William perhaps 32.

The other five Blake males at Dunster are very very interesting.

At Bridgwater (where one would expect to find Nicholas Blake married to Jone Question) the protestation returns indicate:

William Blak
Benjamin Blake
Francis Blake
Richard Blake

There is a Nicholas Blake at Batcombe and at Luxborough as mentioned in the blog on the will of Alice Blake. Batcombe is 24 miles east of Pitminister near the Dorset border and would seem quite far away for Nicholas Blake son of Humphrey Blake of Bridgwater. Luxborough is 20 miles west of Pitminster. In this time period it is possible that Nicholas was in the West Indes. Certainly Robert (his eldest brother and the Admiral) isn’t at Bridgwater either in this time period nor is Humphrey or George or Samuel. Francis Blake and Richard Blake at Bridgwater are a mystery at the moment as well. 

Nicholas Blake, married to Jone Question was born circa 1610/1611 and so would have been around 30 years of age at the time of the Protestation Returns. Where was he at this time? It is possible he is back and forth to the West Indies as he spent time there.

The will is in parts difficult to read as it is quite faint.

Again the mention of my Question family is always rather interesting. He doesn’t state kinship as his mother did. Wherein lies that relationship? Perhaps more reading of wills will help to settle that question. Certainly not knowing the surname of John Question’s wife Elizabeth does lead one to think about the possibility that Alice is related to Elizabeth or Elizabeth is related to the husband of Alice also unknown. The name Andrew in the Question family and in this Blake family may or may not also be significant.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 20 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/259/415
Testator: Andrew Blake, Butcher
Place: Dunster, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 5 Feb 1655/56, probated 24 Nov 1656
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estato]r
[Margin]: Andrew
[Margin]: Blake

1    In the name of God Amen The
2    fifth day of February in the yeare of our Lord one thousand sixe hundred fiftie and
3    five I Andrew Blake of Dunster in the countie of Somersett Butcher being
4    sicke and weake in body but in perfect minde and memorie (Thankes be to Almightie
5    God) doe hereby make and ordaine my last will and Testament in manner and forme
6    following (That is to say) First I bequeath my soule to God my maker and creator Jesus
7    Christ my Redeemer And my body to the earth whence it came to be interred at the
8    discretion of myne Executor hereunder named If it could be possible by my late deceased
9    mother in the Churchyard of Dunster in the County aforesaid Alsoe I give and bequeath
10    unto my sonne Robert Blake Fower acres of ground called by the river all named of Ma=
11    lrud Avill and greenscote lyinge within the parish of Dunster aforesaid And
12    if it shall please God in his mercie to deliver my wife from me of the burdene in her body
13    be it eyther Child or Children and lustilive Then my mind is that the said Fowre acres
14    of ground and surroundings of _______ and profits thereof to bequeath divided betweene my said
15    sonne Robert and him her or them which shall be borne and the survivor of either of them
16    to have and to hould the same fowre acres of ground duringe (____ of my Brother William
17    Blake
    [Page 2]
18    Blake of Dunster aforesaid Boutcher But if my sonne Robert or such Childe or Children
19    unborne when borne and live and after happen to dye before the said Robert, they or any or eyther
20    of them shall accomplishe the age of one and twentie yeares Then the fower acres of ground soe
21    bequeathed to remayne unto my wife Joane accordingly or other wife if my wife Joane afore
22    said att any tyme shall depart this life liveinge the said Robert and the said Child or Children
23    unborne when borne Then my Will is that all my goods and Chattells whatsoever they be to remaine
24    to the use and behoofe of my said Sonne Robert or such Child or Children unborne when borne if they
25    or eyther of them shall happen soe longe to live And as for all the rest of my goods and Chattells
26    more than already bequeathed and other grounds which I hould for terme of my said brother William
27    Blake life I doe give unto my Wife Joane Blake whom I doe hereby make and ordaine my sole
28    executrix And for execution and due performance of this my last will I doe hereby make
29    John Question of Dunster aforesaid gent and Augustine Question his sonne and Trusty
30    friends my Overseers according to the true meanings of these presents In Witnes whereof
31    I the said Andrew Blake here hereunto set my hand and seale the day and yeare first above
32    written Andrew Blake Signed sealed and delivered in presence of us for the use of
33    the said Overseers John Vox; Geo: Ashe; George Delbridge
34    This will was proved at London before the Judges for probate
35    of wills and grantings Administrations lawfully authorized the foure and twentieth
36    day of November in the yeare of our lord God One Thousand sixe hundred fiftie and
37    sixe by the oath of Joane Blake widdowe the Relict and sole Executrix of the said deceased
38    named in the said will To whom Administration of all and singular the goods Chattells
39    and debts of the said deceased was committed Shee being first by Commission sworne
40    truly to administer the same

Will of Alice Blake, widow of Dunster, Somerset - The National Archives PROB 11/242/403, probated 19 Jun 1654

Alice Blake, widow of Dunster, is the testatrix. Always a very interesting will to me personally when there is mention of the Question family. John Question mentioned in this will below is my 8x great grandfather.

Working out which Blake family this is will be interesting. I know that Nicholas Blake at Dunster was married to Jone Question. Nicholas Blake was the son of Humphrey Blake and brother to Admiral Robert Blake. Since Alice, the testatrix, is a grandmother and has several grandchildren by her daughter Anne Dunne that will be my next point to examine.

There is a probate inventory for Nicholas Blake of Dunster dated 1646. Is this perhaps the husband of Alice whose will was probated in 1654? Nicholas Blake married to Jone Question was buried in 1695 but he is the son of Humphrey Blake of Bridgwater. Who then is Nicholas Blake at Dunster whose will was probated in 1654? This Alice sees John Question as a kinsman?

The name of John Question’s wife was Elizabeth but her surname is unknown. Elizabeth was buried 19 Mar 1659 at Dunster. (John was buried at Dunster 21 Jan 1671.) Andrew is a forename used in the Question family. John does not have a sister Alice.

One can conclude that she likely had two daughters Anne Dunne and another daughter married to unknown Pullyn (two grand daughters Mary and Anne). Her daughter Anne Dunne’s daughter Elizabeth would appear to be married with a married surname of Yewens. The only Yewens family that I found which included a wife Elizabeth was George Yewens at Chard, Somerset. Chard is 19 miles from Bridgwater and 30 miles from Dunster. Her sons are named William and Andrew.

Interesting that this will might provide a clue to the name of the wife of John Question. Will continue searching that particular item and order the probate inventory of Nicholas Blake of Dunster 1646.

Protestation Returns for Dunster, 1641-42

Andrew Blake
Francis Blake, senior
Francis Blake, junior
James Blake
Richard Blake
Robert Blake
William Blake

Is Alice married to one of these men? Nicholas Blake is not mentioned. There is a Nicholas Blake at Luxborough and at Batcombe. Nicholas Blake son of Robert Blake at Bridgwater would have been around 30 years of age. The other Nicholas whose Probate Inventory was written in 1646 could be one of these men as well.

Of the wills to come in Somerset there is one for Andrew Blake 1656, Elizabeth Blake 1656, John Blake 1677, Richard Blake 1659, Richard Blake 1666, Robert Blake 1652, Robert Blake 1657, Susanna Blake 1653, William Blake 1667.

Also published by one of the well known genealogists (Clifford L. Stott) looking at the Blake family in New England, is a four part paper published in the New England Historical and Genealogical Register 2009-2010. I will also allude to this article once I have transcribed all of the Somerset wills.

Transcriber: Elizabeth Kipp
Recorded: 19 Sep 2013
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/242/403
Testator: Alice Blake, widow
Place: Dunster, Somerset, England
Type of Record: Will
Date of document: 21 Sep 1653, probated 19 Jun 1654
Condition: 17th century English, legible copy

[Margin]: T[estatrix] Alice Blake
 [Margin]: 255

1    |In the name of God Amen
2    The one and twentieth day of September in the yeare of our Lord God One
3    thousand sixe hundred fiftie and three I Alice Blake of Dunster in the Coun-
4    ty of Somersett Widdowe being sicke in body but of perfect minde and memorie
5    praised be Almightie God Revokeing and making void all former Wills by me made
6    or declared to be made doe make this my last Will and Testament in manner and
f    Forme following And first of all I comitt my Soule into the hands of Almightie
8    God my maker and Redeemer in full assurance through the merits death and
9    passion of my alone Saviour Jesus Christ to obteynne pardon and remission for
10    all my sinnes And my Body to the earth from whence it was taken desireinge
11    that it may be decently buried in such manner as my Executor and surviveinge
12    freinds shall thinke fittest Alsoe I give and bequeath onto William Blake
13    my sonne (besides that part of my Tenement att Marshe w[hi]ch my deceased husband
14    bequeathed unto him by his last Will and Testament One other peece of ground
15    parcel like wise of my said Tenement called Sagyes to be held and enioyed by
16    him as soone as my debts shall be paid and my sureties discharged for the whole
17    terme w[hi]ch will be then to come and unexpired in the same ground Alsoe my
18    desire is that my kinsman John Question would be pleased to be aydeing and
19    assisting unto my Executor hereafter named in the manageinge of that
20    small estatye w[hi]ch I shall leave unto him, whereby my ijust debts may be duely
21    satisfied. And to that purpose I do hereby give and bequeath unto the said John
22    Question as well the said peece of ground called Sayges and other other Close of
23    land parcel of the said Tenement called Angur otherwise Ago until out of the
24    profits thereof my debts shall be discharged and satisfied whereby my sureties
25    may be freed from theire engagements made on my behalf If my said sonne
26    William shall fortune soe longe to live but if he shall fortune to dye before
27    my said debts shall be paid and my sureties discharged Then my will is that my
28    Executor shall pay soe much thereof as shall be unpaid out of such goods of mine
29    as shall come to his hands Alsoe I doe give and bequeath unto Anne Dunne
30    my daughter, All my apparel (except my Cloake) And alsoe the use only of
31    these particular things hereafter mentioned during her owne life That is to say
32    one of my best cubboardes, the Table board in my lodgeing Chamber, One paire
33    of sheetes, the bedsteede, and table board of myne w[hi]ch are nowe in her owne house
34    in Dunster and after the death of my said daughter Anne I doe give and be-
35    queath all the said goods which I have left unto her for her owne use only unto
36    Elizabeth Yewens her daughter Alsoe I doe give and bequeath unto Mary
37    Pullyn my Grandchild my said Cloake before excepted to be delivered unto
38    her within sixe dayes after my decease, Alsoe I give and bequeath unto
39    Anne Pullyn the sister of the said Mary Tenn shillings And to every
40    one of the rest of my Grandchildren, Twelve pence apiece; All the rest
41    of my goods and Chattells (my debts and legacies being paid and discharged
42    as aforesaid; I doe give and bequeath unto Andrew Blake my sonne Whom
43    I doe make whole and sole Executor unto this my Will And I doe desire
44    the said John Question, and my Neighbour Peter Meade to be Overseers
45    of this my Will hopeing that they will advise my said Executor to
46    bee carefull in the due performance thereof according to this my request
47    In Witnes whereof I have hereunto sett my hand and seale the day and
48    yeare above said; The marke of Alice Blake, Sealed and delivered in
49    the presence of Pet: Meade John Question
50    This will was proved att Westminster before the Judges for
51    Probate of Wills and granting Ad[ministrat]ions etc the Nineteenth day of June
52    1654 by the oath of Andrewe Blake the sonne, and Executor named in
53    the said Will; To whom was committed Ad[ministrat]ion of the goods Chattells and debts
54    of the said deceased, hee being sworne by Comission truly to Ad[mini]ster the
55    same

John Question, 8x great grandfather

John Question does not have a will at the PCC so the only records I have for him at the moment are from the Lay Subsidy Rolls and Protestation Returns 1641-42 at Dunster:

Rated at 1 s at Avell in Dunster on the Lay Subsidy Rolls 1641-42.

Rated at 6s at Carhampton on the Lay Subsidy Rolls 1641-42.

Rated at 6s at Dunster on the Lay Subsidy Rolls 1641-42.

Source: The Somerset Protestation Returns and Lay Subsidy Rolls 1641-42, Transcribed by A.J. Howard, Edited and first Published by T.L. Stoate. Publisher: B.D. Welchman


He married Elizabeth (unknown) and Elizabeth was buried 19 Mar 1658/59 at Dunster. John was baptized 8 Jan 1597/98 at Dunster and buried 21 Jan 1670/71 at Dunster. They had seven children: Jone (married to Nicholas Blake), Elizabeth (b 1628; d 1628/29 at Dunster), John (b 1631; d 1636 at Dunster), Augustine (b 29 Sep 1633 at Dunster and buried 2 Nov 1708 at Carhampton) married to Susan or Mary Millett 29 Sep 1658 at Dunster and this is the father of my ancestress Elizabeth, Elizabeth (b 1635; d 1636 at Dunster), Andrew (bc 1640; d 1677 at Dunster) married to Rachel Turrill 22 Apr 1674 at Timberscombe, and John (bc unknown; d 1642 at Dunster).






I must check and see if I have any correspondents on the Nicholas Blake and Jone Question family to mention Dig Village to them.

With that I return to Christmas preparations.

Will of Andrew Question of Dunster - The National Archives PROB 11/151/157, probated 12 Feb 1626/27

This is the third will in the series for the Question family at Dunster in the 1600s and early 1700s. Again I have not proofread this will transcribed in 2009 but will do so after Christmas and correct the online copy if any. Andrew was my 8x great grand uncle. To the best of my knowledge he did not marry; he does not mention a wife or children. He is young when he died having been baptized 9 Sep 1601 at Dunster (son of Augustine Question and Johane Horman) and buried 11 Nov 1626 at Dunster. His father's will was posted just prior to this one so he was only nine years old when his father was buried (6 May 1611 at Dunster). Interestingly I only just asked the OPC at Dunster (Liz Jones) for some of these early records a few months ago. I had run across a mention of the Question family in my Blake line when I was working on the Somerset Blake wills and Jone Question (sister of my 7x great grandfather) married Nicholas Blake.

Date: 29 Sep 2009
Document: Will
Source: The National Archives, PROB 11/151/157
Date of document: 5 Nov 1626, probated 12 Feb 1626/27
Author: Andrew Question
Relationship: 8x great uncle
Location: Dunster Somerset England
Document quality: 17th century English, bold, even writing

[In margin] T[estator] Andrew Question
1    The last will of Andrew Question made the fifth daye of
2    November Anno Dom[ini] 1626
3    Imprimis I give unto the poore of Dunster
4    viz Item I give unto my Mother my house and unto my Mother the house that John
5    Cartter now dwelleth in and the ground belonging unto it called by the name of
6    Fracsoord and the house the Hugh Saunders now dwelleth in and that ground and after
7    My Mother unto my Brother John Question and of Dunster Field I give unto Johane
8    Poole for her life Moreover I give unto Johane Poole xx pounds and onto John Poole 20 pounds and unto
9    my brother John Question xx pounds And for all the rest of the moneys I leave unto my Mother
10    during her life and after her unto my brother John and his assignes Moreover I give unto
11    John Poole and Johane Poole three silver spoones betweene them and onto my Brother Johns
12    first child one Silver Spoone guilt with was given mee by my father ___ Item I give unto
13    my Sister my second bedsteed after my Mother and I give unto my Sister my Cupbord and a
14    chest w[hi]ch I bought of my brother law Christopher Poole Item I give unto Johane Poole my
15    little cofer Item I give unto Peeter Hormane my worsersuit of apparell Item I give unto
16    my brother John Question my silver Salt and my Sheepe and tablebord and my best
17    apparell and best bedsteed and all the rest of my goods and I make him my Executor Witnesses
18    Hereunto The marke of Johane Hooper John Question
19    Probatum fuit Testamentum supra scriptum apud London
20    Coram venerabel vuio domino Henrico Marten Wihte legum doctore curit
21    Puerogatiive Cantuarieusio Magistie Custode sive Cominssario ltuit constituto duodecuno
22    dit mensio Februarij Anno Domini inxta cuusum et computacoem Ecctio Anglicant nullimio
23    sexieute sinno vicesimo Sexto Juranento Johannis Question Fratrio dicti defunti et executoris
24    vonorum urinum et creditor un dicti defuncti devent et fideliter Administrando cademas
25    Santa dei Evangelia Coram Thoma Smith Clerico Pigort Commissiaris in
26    Ta p[ar]te als Emanat Jurat

Will of Augustine Question clothier of Dunster - The National Archives PROB 11/118/239, probated 23 Oct 1611

I decided to post this will of Augustin Question probated 23 Oct 1611 and he was the son of William Question and Susan Millet of Dunster. I transcribed this will in 2009 and haven't proofed it since that time so there could be small changes but I will proofread it after Christmas. No time these days but in case anyone wanted to read it. As mentioned Augustine is my 9x great grandfather. He mentions all of his sister's or their children with the exception of Ellen who was baptized 26 May 1566 at Dunster. Charity married Robert Chappell 15 May 1598 at Dunster, Elizabeth married unknown Steere, and Joan married George Hooper 24 Jun 1611 at Dunster.

Date: 29 Sep 2009
Document: Will
Source: The National Archives PROB 11/118/239
Date of document: 19 Feb 1610, probated 23 Oct 1611
Author: Augustine Question
Relationship: 9xgreat grandfather
Location: Dunster Somerset England
Document quality: 17th century English, bold, even writing

[In margin] T[estator] Augustin Question

1    In the name of god amen the Nyneteenth daye of February
2    in the yeare of oure Lord God one thousand sixe hundred and tenne and in the eighte
3    yeare of the Reigne of oure soveraigne Lord Kinge James pr[emiere] I Augustine Question
4    of the towne and Boroughe of Dunster in the Countie of Somerset and dioces[e]
5    of Bathe and Welles Clothier beyng in good healthe and perfect memorye (thanks
6    be given to Almightie god) and yet calling to mynde and considering the mortality
    [Page 2]
7    of all fleshe and not knowing howe soone or sodanelye yt may please Almightie god to call me out of this
8    transitory life worlde do therefore ordayne and make this my last will and testament  revoking all
9    former willes in manner and forme folowing viz First and principallye I commend my soule
10    Into the handes of Almyghtie god my creator and redemer and my bodye I leave to be buryed
11    in the earthe by the discretion and appoyntment of myne executrix and overseers And conc[er]ning
12    the disposi[t]ion of my temporall goodes and estate I give to Sainte Andrewes Church in
13    Welles twelve pence Then I give to the church of Dunster five shillinges Item I give to Johane
14    Chapell my sister's daughter twentie shillinges Item I give and bequeathe to Johane my wife
15    all my leases lande and lyvinges for so longe tyme as she shall live and remayne my widowe
16    for and towardes the better fyndinge education and maynten[a]nce of myne and her children
17    so longe as the saied children shall remayne unmarryed And after the deathe or marriage of
18    My saied wife I will that my sonne John shall have and enioye my tenement at Rodehuishe and
19    my Lease in reversion of the house in Dunster wherein I dwell and all landes therin to belonging
20    for so many yeres of the severall termes in the sayed Leases as my sayed sonne John shall happen to
21    live And yf the sayed John my sonne happen to dye before the end of the sayed severall tearmes
22    or any of them Then I will that the Landes comprised in the sayed severall Leases shall remayne
23    and be to my sayed sonne Andrewe for so many yeres of the sayed tearmes as he shall live
24    and yf heallso dye before the expira[t]ion of my Lease of Rodehuishe then I devise the residue of
25    my time therein to Johane my said wife and Christian my daughter equallieItem I give
26    and devise to my saied sonne Andrewe after the deathe or mariage of my sayed wife my
27    Acres of Lande in Dunster feild and my house in Dunster and all the Landes therin to
28    belonging late in the tenure of John Dodser so many yeres of my severall termes therein as the
29    sayed Andrewe my sonne or Christian my daughter shall happen to live And yf it happen my
30    saied sonne Andrewe and daughter bothe to dye before the expira[t]ion of the sayed Termes
31    or othe[r] of them Then I will the the premisses lastlye appoynted to my sayed sonne Andrewe
32    shall remayne and be unto the sayed John my sonne for the residue of my termes to come in y[er]es
33    come Item I devise my Landes of inheritance after the deathe or marriage of my sayed
34    wife unto the saied John my sonne and the heires of his bodye And for defaulte of suche issue
35    to my sonne Andrewe and the heires of his bodye Item I give and bequeathe to either of my sayed
36    sonnes John and Andrewe one hundred markes a peice And to my sayed daughter Christian
37    the somme of four score poundes to be ymployed to theire best use and profitt within one
38    yere after my deathe and to be paied with the increase thereof unto my said children
39    at theire severall full ages of one and twentie yeres And my will further is that before my
40    sayed daughter shall receyve her sayed Legacey she shall acquyte and dischardge
41    my sayed wife of all profitts and accompts which by the Lawe she may have or
42    clayme for the house wherein I dwell and all other Landes wherein my sayed daughter
43    ys a ioynte Lessee with me and my sayed wife And likewise shall assure my wife for the
44    any of holdinge and enioyinge of the sayed whole house and Landes during the life of my sayed
45    wife And yf my sayed daughter refuse so to doe then my will is that she shall have noe
46    benefitt by this my Will And further my will is that yf anyone of my sayed children do dye
47    before he she or they shall accomplishe his hers or there sayed respective ages of one and
48    twentie yeres then I will that his or her por[t]ion so dying shall remayne to my twoe other
49    surviving children equallie to be devided And allso I will that yf twoe of my sayed children
50    dye then my surviving childe to have twoe hundred markes and the encrease thereof and the
51    residue of the sayed Legacys appoynted to my sayed children to remayne to my sayed wife
52    Allso my will is that yf my sayed wife die or marry before my sayed children accomplishe their
52    sayed severall ages that ymmeadiatly uppon the sayed deathe or marriage myne overseers
53    and the Survivor of them shall have the education and government of my sayed children
54    and of their sayed portions untill their sayed severall ages Item I give unto my sister Elizab[e]th
55    Steere fortie shillinges Item my will is that after the deceasse of my wife my Bedsteads
    [Page 3]
56    Bedding tables bourdes formes and cupboards shall remayne to my dwellinge house to suche of
57    my children as shall enioye the same All the rest of my goodes and chattells not before
58    given or disposed I freelie give and bequeathe unto Johane my wife whome I make and ordeyne
59    my whole and sole executrix of this my laste will and testament And I do entreate and
60    appoynte my trusted and well beloved freinds George Hooper gent James Lambert Andrewe
61    Worthe and Frances Blake to be my overseers of this my will Signn in Augustine Question
62    witnesses to the makinge and declaringe of this last will and testament Edward Hooper
63    Nicholas Hurtnoll Nicholas Bartlett Item the Testator in his deathbed did encrease
64    the Legacey of his sister Elizabeth Steere to fyve poundes to be payed within one yere after
65    His deathe

Question Family and the DigVillage Project

Life has been immeasurably busy the last week and I have not managed to sit and write my blogposts (other than my 40,000 hits) nor have I done any transcription to any degree. However a rather interesting set of emails passed between myself and the Dig Village Project which is ongoing in Dunster Somerset. The webpage below gives some details on the project:

http://www.facebook.com/DigVillage

After our skype call earlier today I must admit to being even more intrigued by my Question family who lived there during the 1500s, 1600s and 1700s and perhaps later. I have not yet gone into detail on this family other than collecting my straight line back from myself to the first mention of a Question family in the parish registers at Dunster namely William Question and his wife Susan Millet and their three children whom they baptized at the village church. I must say that I am most curious to see the house that they lived in and the Church where they worshipped and the village where they walked about. How long were they in Dunster is just one of my many questions? What did they do there? How old is the surname Question in the family line?

Was it always spelled Question as current spelling that predominates seems to be Questian as seen on World Profiler:

http://www.publicprofiler.org/

Although they are found remotely around the world in low numbers their frequency is predominantly in the southwest of England.

The other spelling found in the Parish Registers was Costine which is an Irish surname and Questine which strikes me as being French perhaps. I was always tending towards thinking of them as Huguenots. I am frankly most curious at what has been found out about the Question family of Dunster. I have not yet had time to pursue the Manor Books. With the extensive wool trade in this area I wonder if they were involved in that.

With all the preparations for Christmas gathering up I find that I am absent mindly returning to Dunster and my Question family. I have attempted to contact all the correspondents that I have who are descendant of the marriage of Robert Siderfin and Elizabeth Question but it is a long time since I have corresponded with most of them so will try this blog as well to contact them and mention that this group is very interested in hearing from others who are descendant of this family.

Hinxman v Blake document and the Question family

I completed the transcription proofreading of the Hinxman v Blake document and sent it off to my correspondent. It wasn't until today that I really could see the intent of the document. Joseph Hinxman was appealing to the local magistrate Lord Thomas Courtney to persuade William Blake (my 9x great grandfather) to properly execute his mother (Johane Blake)'s will. She had divided an orchard between the two of them. William however decided to redo the lease and take the entire orchard instead of waiting until the lease expired that had been passed to them by his mother. She had asked them to enjoy the orchard together as well. Whether William simply didn't want to be executor or he really wanted the entire orchard is the mystery. Just ten years later William wrote his will and Joseph is one of his overseers and there isn't any mention of an orchard in his will. Interesting document as it certainly gives you a picture of the times.

We added another 100 music CDs to Library Thing. We want to do a complete inventory of all of our materials - genealogical, musical, books, fiche and then we can separate them into units and direct them so that our daughters do not have to do all of that work if anything happens to us. We are just beginning the task really but already have over 750 items (about 600 books) entered. A lot of work ahead for us during the long cold winter months!

I then decided to transcribe my three Question family wills and completed that task. I now know that the line of ascent is Elizabeth Question (married to Robert Siderfin and my 6x great grandparents), Augustine Question (my 7x great grandfather), John Question (my 8x great grandfather and he does not appear to have left a will) but his brother Andrew left a will in which he mentions that the first child of John has been born by 1627, and Augustine Siderfin (my 9x great grandfather). The interesting item that ties them all together is the mention of Rod[e]huish which is a small village (manor) in Carhampton where the Question family lived with both my 9x great grandfather Augustine mentioning it in his will and my 7x great grandfather Augustine Question also mentioning Rodhuish in his will. I also have the Poor Law Records which show that this family was continuously at Dunster (Augustine my 7x great grandfather mentions his property at Dunster as well as Rodhuish). So a very good day of transcribing and I need to now work on the other documents that mention the Question family.

I also updated my webpage with the Question family and the new details on the Buller and Beard families.

Tomorrow I need to decide what to work on - probably continue with the entering of the Music CDs into Library Thing for one item.

Online and the Siderfin-Question Family

My daughter is online and it only took the technician about 20 minutes - great service.

I asked a question about the Siderfin family because of a post on the Devon list which was referring to the Blackford family of Selworthy. James Hooper Sanders in his book "The Siderfin Family of West Somerset" mentions that Robert Siderfin's wife was Elizabeth Blackford. I haven't been able to verify this at all but a post mentioned the Blackford family and I thought I would ask the question about the Blackford family and the Siderfin family.

Simultaneously I received an email from a descendant of the Short family of Minehead. Initially I thought that this was in response to my post on Devon but it was an entirely a coincidence. The Short family is mentioned in James Sanders book in relation to the Quircke family which had married into the Siderfin family of Minehead. Alice (Quircke) Siderfin in her will mentions her Short cousins. However, I had not been able to link these families to my Robert Siderfin. I have now been provided with the evidence that Elizabeth Question (daughter of Augustine Question) was the wife of Robert Siderfin and the mother of Augustine Siderfin (amongst others). I am still limited by the name of the husband of Thomasine (grandmother of Augustine Siderfin). But gradually the family is coming together and the mistakes of James' book are getting corrected. Again the will of Thomasine is mentioned in James' book but I haven't found a copy of the full text yet. She mentions son Robert and cousin Robert Siderfin of Linch. Her husband's name is Robert according to James Sander's book and born 3 August 1658 at Selworthy and baptized 23 August 1658 at Selworthy. He then has a second wife for the same Robert born/baptized 1658 at Selworthy as Elizabeth Blackford which we now know to be erroneous because of Thomasine's will which he quotes! What could make sense is that Thomasine is married to the father of Robert born/baptized 1658 at Selworthy but is this man John Siderfin born/baptized 11 Apr 1619 at Wootton Courtney and the son of Robert Siderfin and Ursula Webber who married 23 July 1612 at Luxborough Somerset? Thomasine's will is dated 2nd July 1709. All of her grandchildren are born by this date and her son Robert was born 1658 and if she was 20 - 30 when he was born would give her a birth/baptism date of 1628 - 1638. She only mentions one son so has either outlived the rest (who left no heirs) or he was her only son so perhaps she was older which would make John Siderfin born/baptized 1619 a likely husband. In 1709 her eldest grandson is 24 years old. John Siderfin's descendants are known to be John born/baptized 15 Jul 1656 at Wootton Courtney and born/baptized 1660 at Minehead. Given that the two sons are not both born/baptized at Wootton Courtney is it possible that this Robert was the middle son? The confusing item though is referring to Robert Siderfin at Linch as a cousin since this is a descendant of John Siderfin (referred to above) and would be her grandson by this argument. Still more documents to find to sort this one out!

I spent a little time putting the Question family together from the will of Augustine Question which I learned about from the email correspondent and then downloaded from The National Archives website. There are a couple more wills that will be this same family according to the Poor Law Records that I photographed at Salt Lake City. I had copied the Poor Law records for Dunster when we were at Salt Lake City and I found my Augustine Question there in 1680. I do not know when Augustine moved to Carhampton but may be able to determine this from the Poor Law. I only transcribed one set of them thus far and I have a number of years worth which I will put up on my blog when I get them transcribed.

Consequently I did not spend any more time on Dorothy Hinxman's will today but will do so tomorrow. I have commenced the transcription of the first copy in 1667.

We worked on the Schultz family this afternoon for a while. They have been an interesting study and I have learned a lot about German records along the way. My husband has now looked at the Staven and Brohm films quite closely extracting all of his Schultz and Niemann families there. The next hint takes us to Warlin and he has ordered that film and I am hoping that it comes in early next week but may take another week.

We have two films on order at the Family History Centre here and my St Mary Bourne has now come in so I will go in next week to view it. I need to film the Great Driffield for the burials from 1653 to the mid 1700s and the baptisms and marriages from 1700 to the mid 1750s. I may continue filming Great Driffield to bring me up to the 1800s and perhaps further in as well since the Sproxton family continues to live in Great Driffield into the late 1800s (and I need to look at the 1900s).

The St Mary Bourne is my Lambden family that I am still trying to sort out. I ordered the Bradfield film (Berkshire) and could not conclude anything about the Nathanael Lambden baptized there at an appropriate time so I will now look at the Lambden family of St Mary Bourne who are found later at Andover. The IGI does not list a Nathanael there. This will be an interesting study as well. My 4x great grandmother Elizabeth Lambden Farmer was baptized in 1768 and died in 1862, My grandfather used to talk about his great grandmother who was nearly 100 when she died. He was born in 1875 so just 13 years after she died. His grandmother Farmer (her daughter) lived to be 89 and was well known to my grandfather and he learned a lot about his Farmer family from her but not enough to help me find Isaac Farmer (father of Ann Farmer Blake). Ann was only four years old when her father died so may not have known her Farmer relatives very well.

Tomorrow I shall continue transcribing Dorothy Hinxman's will and take a peak at the Dunster Poor Law Records.